We waited for a few days, but still, there was no progress between Kotani and Sakuraba. They kept staying in that friendzone and only wasted each passing time. Was this what people call the endurance period? I used to feel like this a lot when I played basketball, it was as if time was only ticking away with no way out.

“Ugh… I never thought he would betray us.”

In the room of the literary club, which had become our hideout, Yuzu hung her head low as she gripped the controller.

While the relationship between Kotani and Sakuraba, which was the main purpose of our meeting here, was not progressing at all, the game was progressing well. Now we were in the middle stages of the game, and Yuzu’s favourite dandy mercenary soldier had just switched sides to the enemy.

“When there’s a traitor in the party, it certainly feels like the middle of the game.”

On the other hand, being used to RPGs, I had thinly anticipated the betrayal, so it didn’t do me much damage.

“…It would be nice if we could also get the relationship of our targets to enter the middle stage too.” I put down my controller and took a break to talk to Yuzu about it.

“We wouldn’t be so troubled if they are so easy to work out like this game. But well, it’s a tad frustrating to just wait.” Yuzu also caught on to my topic, crunching and stretching her finger joints.

“We’re getting nowhere… So why don’t we just change the way we think?”

“What do you mean?” Yuzu slightly tilted her head at me who just spoke on the spur of the moment.

“The whole point is to keep you and Kotani from getting into a dispute. Then why don’t you just put Kotani with another guy without forcing Sakuraba and Kotani together?”

It was a reversal of ideas. It would take a lot of courage for Kotani to confess her love to a man as handsome as Sakuraba, and the risk of failure would be great. If we could find her another boy who is easier to get and let her give up on Sakuraba, wouldn’t everything be all right then?

“Well, maybe in theory, but… do you have a specific boy in mind? It’s hard to find a guy who can make a girl abandon her feelings for Sota unless the boy is at a considerable level.”

“Alright, I shall try for now.”

“I just told you it’s difficult unless you’re of a high enough level! It looks like a level one person trying to challenge the Demon King!” Yuzu stopped me with all her might when I came forward like a hero.

“Who’s a level one? As you said when you confessed to me, having a pretty girlfriend would have already raised my Riaju level.”

“You’re going to dump that girlfriend and run off with another girl, so your Riaju level is going to dive down again!”

“What, Yuzu, are you jealous by any chance?”

“If that’s what it sounds like to you, you’ll fail your next Modern Japanese test!”

Well, leaving the joke aside, I continued our discussion, “Talking it for real, how about Namase?”

When I reverted to seriousness, Yuzu had a subtle expression on her face.

“I don’t think he’s… Aki’s type. In the first place, Keigo knows about Aki’s feelings, and I don’t think he sees her that way.”

Difficult then? It was just a wild idea, so it was full of holes.

“So the status quo is the best we can do? It’s a long way from the day I’ll get my Robot Buster…”

“I wish you’d stop sighing. But I’m sure you’ll be rather happy because you’ll be able to be Yuzu-chan’s boyfriend for longer.”

“Yes, yes, I’m so very happy. I’m as happy as I was when I found out it’s sukiyaki1 for dinner.”

“What a childish standard! You’re not too happy about that, are you!”

At that time, Yuzu’s phone vibrated to announce an incoming call.

“Oh, speak of the devil, it’s Aki.” Yuzu held her smartphone and flashed the screen at me.

“What does she want from you?”

“She asked me to do her maths homework with her today. I can’t say no to this one. It would be a shame if people thought I was so focused on men that I neglected my friends. I’m sorry, but I think we should call it a day.”

I inadvertently frowned at Yuzu’s words.

“What, Yamato-kun? Did you want to continue the game so badly?” Yuzu seemed to notice that I had become blatantly unhappy, and asked me a probing question.

But that wasn’t the reason I was frowning.

“Do we have… maths homework today?”

I forgot all about it. Or rather, I was half asleep during class.

Then, Yuzu let out a sigh of exasperation and shrugged her shoulders.

“Of course we do. It’s not cool if my boyfriend has to do make-up work because he’s got red marks, so make sure you do it. Then, bye-bye.” After leaving those such words as a reminder, Yuzu quickly went away.

I sank into a slump at this homework that came out of nowhere, and left the room after tidying up the game console.

“I’m not going to bother doing it when I get home ……, I’ll just go to the library and finish them.”

Realising that I would certainly be tempted by the game if I took it home, I walked to the school library. The library was located on the third floor, just above my classroom, so it was a bit far from the club building.

As I walked with a heavy step, I suddenly heard a voice talking from my classroom.

“But who would’ve thought that Nanamine would be going out with Izumi. I still can’t believe it.”

I stopped in my tracks.

“Exactly that. I don’t know who initiated it, but Izumi really took the plunge, didn’t he? Normally, anyone would know they’re not a good match.”

“Say, after Nanamine started dating Izumi, she’s been having a bad reputation among the girls too.”

“Oh, really?”

“I’m serious. I’ve heard that it’s been more difficult to hang out with her, and more importantly because of her terrible taste in men.”

“Well, the other is that gloomy loner after all. I hope they’ll break up soon. Then I’d have a chance too.”

“No, you don’t stand a chance.”

“What the hell?”

Laughters mixed in the silly conversation. While listening to that, I started walking again.

It was within Yuzu’s and my calculation that we would be talked like this. Anyhow, she intentionally lowered her Riaju level in order to escape jealous eyes.

“…”

But well. It was also true that the sooner the matter of Kotani and Sakuraba was settled, the shorter the period of our relationship would be, and the less damage Yuzu would suffer.

“So what do we do now?” I muttered to myself as I walked quickly to the library.

chocolala: That was so funny when Yamato-kun thought he could try his luck with Kotani, so brave~