Chapter 3: A Double Date Full of Maneuvering
♯
──That night.
After seeing off Mano, who went to confess to Fujishiro, and checking the contents of the next quest with Saionji, a few hours later, I was staring at the quest message displayed on《DearScript》.
In the screen, playing with her vibrant blonde hair as if to distract from slight nervousness, occasionally glancing my way, was none other than Nanase Asamiya. A 6-star student from Eimei Private Academy’s Class 3-A, a blonde gyaru JK who’s my senior. Not only does her stunning appearance, befitting a former model, turn heads, but she’s surprisingly a martial artist with exceptional athletic ability, perfect dynamic vision, and genius-level reflexes.
By the way, the message went something like this:
“Uh… so, that’s the deal. I’m Nanase Asamiya, the client. Nice to meet ya, I guess.”
“But, like, can I say one thing first? They’re calling this a love consultation, but mine’s kinda different. ’Cause, like, I don’t even like Shinji or anything… I mean, I actually kinda hate him. I’d way rather be alone than date a guy like that.”
“But, putting Shinji aside for a sec, you can’t help but think about it, right? We’ve been together forever, and he doesn’t even see me as a girl… like, as a woman. Isn’t that kinda messed up? I mean, generally speaking? I don’t care about Shinji’s feelings—like, not at all—but if it means I’m not attractive… that’d kinda suck, y’know?”
“’Cause, like, for some reason, Shinji’s super popular. He doesn’t get confessed to as much lately, but he’s had tons of confessions before. Sure, he’s turned them all down flat, but… who’s to say that’ll always be the case? What if the next one’s some super cute girl, way cuter than me? Not some childhood friend who’s always bickering with him like me, but a smart, refined girl who’s perfect for him? …Thinking about all that kinda got me down.”
“So… since I got a reply from《Meteor》, I figured I’d give it a shot.”
“Here’s the quest: I want you to show me and Shinji a little ‘date example.’ Like, a demonstration or something… Y’know, if you go that far, even a dense guy like Shinji might start noticing me, right? Like, it’d create some kinda romantic vibe or whatever…”
“N-not that I want us to be like that! It’s not like that at all!”
“But I’m not saying this as a joke or anything either. …So, please, I’m counting on you!”
“…I see.”
After skimming through the message, I crossed my arms in front of me, my face twisting into a grimace. …The video of Asamiya talking definitely corroborated the second quest’s details we’d checked earlier. It matched perfectly, but—
“Show her a date example, huh…”
No matter how many times I looked at it, the quest’s unexpected nature made those words slip out of my mouth.
Honestly, since the first quest in the Unique Star battle—Yuuka Mano’s quest—had revolved around a mock《Duel》at《Rainbow Patisserie》, I’d assumed the second quest would also involve some kind of《Duel》. But, lo and behold, it turned out to be a date. No wonder even Saionji was left speechless.
“Still… it’s a bit surprising, isn’t it?”
As she spoke, Himeji, her silvery hair swaying lightly, placed a teacup in front of me with a soft clink. Dressed in her maid outfit, she whispered, “Excuse me,” before sitting down beside me, her clear blue eyes fixed on me as she continued.
“It’s no secret that Lady Asamiya harbors feelings for Lord Enomoto, but I thought she was at least trying to hide it. To think she’d reveal it so openly like this…”
“Hah… nah, she probably thinks she’s hiding it. She’s been denying it the whole time, after all.”
“Oh… I see. That does make sense.”
Himeji’s eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly nodded as if realizing, That’s just like Asamiya.
Anyway—the second quest in the Unique Star battle: Nanase Asamiya’s love consultation. The victory condition is to【go on a date with a specific person and demonstrate a ‘date example’ to the client】. If I succeed, I win the quest; if I fail, Saionji takes it.
“However…”
At that, Himeji tilted her head slightly, her silvery hair swaying as she voiced a small question.
“Isn’t showing a ‘date example’ a bit too vague for a quest’s victory condition? For instance, right now, you and I are spending time alone together, which, depending on how you look at it, could be described as a ‘home date’ of sorts.”
“A h-home date…”
“Please don’t blush, Master. If a girl is being made to wear a maid outfit during a home date, that’s quite a warped relationship. …Anyway, what I mean is, ‘Isn’t it all up to the judge’s discretion?’ Vague rules like that shouldn’t normally pass muster.”
Himeji’s words, delivered with her usual blank expression, pointed a finger at the issue as I nearly short-circuited at the overly sweet term “home date.” She had a point. How do you even judge whether a date is successful?
But—the solution to that was clearly outlined in《DearScript》.
“Apparently, they’re using a checklist system this time. Based on Asamiya’s ‘ideal date,’ there’s a list of six items. If you check off all of them, the date is considered a success. The attempt is limited to June 5th—next Sunday, one shot only.”
“I see… So it’s not a completely free date; certain actions are specified. That does make it viable as a《Duel》rule.”
“Yeah. And here’s the list.”
With that, I tapped the device on the table and opened the《DearScript》app again. Scrolling down the page detailing the second quest, I found the six items that determined a successful date, neatly lined up.
They were as follows:
【General】—Hold hands.
【Movie Theater】—Accidentally lock eyes during a romantic scene.
【Café】—Feed or be fed a strawberry from a parfait with an “ahh.”
【Fitting Room】—Have the woman try on clothes and be complimented by the man.
【Amusement Park】—Stand shoulder-to-shoulder to watch a parade.
【Ferris Wheel】—Be gently embraced inside the Ferris wheel.
““…””
Overwhelmed by the text on the screen, Himeji and I exchanged silent glances.
No—no, I mean, sure, each of these items is pretty standard for a “date.” Individually, they don’t seem out of place, but seeing them all listed so methodically like this… it’s hard not to feel a certain pressure.
“So this is Lady Asamiya’s ideal date. …It may be rude to say, but it feels surprisingly maidenly and cute.”
“Yeah, now that you mention it.”
It’s pure, untainted, almost… innocent in a way.
That said, a Ferris wheel, huh… I’ll need to mentally prepare for that one.
Feeling a faint resistance unrelated to the date, I subtly shook my head. …For a very common reason, the Ferris wheel is my least favorite amusement park ride. But since it’s a quest condition, there’s no avoiding it.
“Well, let’s put that aside for now. The victory condition for the second quest in the Unique Star battle is to complete every item on this checklist. And, like last time, the mandatory order we need to follow is disclosed from the start.”
Saying that, I glanced back down at the device in my hand. My finger traced a sentence written just below the quest details and victory conditions:
【Order: Not only Hiroto Shinohara but also Nanase Asamiya must complete the same checklist. However, the lists are independent (not linked to Hiroto Shinohara’s), and Asamiya’s date partner is fixed as Shinji Enomoto. Additionally, this order and the underlying quest details must not be revealed to Shinji Enomoto.】
“…The same checklist…”
Himeji murmured unconsciously, her clear eyes fixed on the screen. She pondered for a moment, then turned to me, her silvery hair swaying gently.
“So… is this what it means? Just like you, Master, Lady Asamiya must go on a date with Lord Enomoto and complete all the items on this checklist… without any cooperation from him?”
“…That’s what it comes down to, yeah.”
“That’s… quite a tall order, isn’t it?”
Himeji whispered, shaking her head slightly.
And, well, her reaction was understandable—Shinji Enomoto and Nanase Asamiya, childhood friends of ten years and bitter rivals. Their compatibility is both perfect and terrible; they’re in sync but constantly bickering. It’s obvious Asamiya’s just too shy to admit she’s into Enomoto, but the real challenge is him. The ultimate blockhead, he’s likely completely oblivious to her feelings. If we could explain the situation, he might cooperate as Eimei’s student council president, but the conditions forbid that.
“…In terms of format, a ‘double date’ would be the most natural, wouldn’t it?”
Himeji looked up slightly, peering into my eyes as she spoke softly.
“Since you’re both tackling the same checklist, it’s more efficient to act together with Lady Asamiya. And, in some cases,《Company》could manipulate things to forcibly meet the conditions. Since both lists need to be completed, there’s no reason to split up.”
“Yeah… and if the goal is to ‘show an example,’ it wouldn’t make sense without Asamiya and Enomoto tagging along. A double date is the most realistic option. If either Asamiya or Enomoto says they’re busy that day, we’re screwed, but… that’s probably not gonna happen.”
“Indeed. Considering how easily the Unique Star battle with Rina was set up, we can assume they’ve already secured things behind the scenes. Of course, Lord Enomoto, with his ‘Clairvoyant’ nickname, is exceptionally perceptive, so we’ll need to invite him carefully to avoid tipping him off. …Looking at it this way, the order is several times harder than the victory condition. Your list, Master, is probably quite easy to complete.”
“Huh… is it?”
“Yes. Unlike Lady Asamiya, you don’t have the restriction of ‘keeping the quest secret from your partner.’ So, you can just confide in someone trustworthy and get their help. Rina’s interference is almost guaranteed, but if your date partner knows the checklist, completing the items shouldn’t be too hard. Choosing someone close to you would make things much smoother.”
“Well, yeah, that makes sense. But someone close to me… huh?”
Just as I started to ponder, my device on the table vibrated at the perfect moment, as if on cue. It was a call—no, a video chat request. The caller’s name displayed on the window was Noa Akizuki.
“…Is she some kind of psychic or something?”
“She just might be.”
Smirking at Himeji’s reaction—she seemed to be pouting ever so slightly—I decided to answer Akizuki’s call. I closed the《DearScript》app for now and opened a slightly larger projection screen in front of me. Selecting “Accept Connection,” the familiar face of a girl filled the screen instantly.
Noa Akizuki—a third-year at Eimei Private Academy’s high school division, a 6-star player nicknamed the “Little Devil.” Petite with a youthful face, her chestnut-colored, fluffy twin-tails give her an overall childish vibe… except for one part: her chest, which boasts a ferocious volume completely at odds with her innocent appearance. On top of that, her ability to present herself, close distances, and charm others is top-notch. She’s the type of cunningly cute little devil who’s fully aware of her own adorableness.
“Ehehe~♡”
That girl was waving both hands at me with a sweet smile from the other side of the screen.
“Hello, Hiroto-kun! It’s been a while♪ Were you doing okay without seeing Noa?”
“A while? We literally saw each other at school yesterday at lunch.”
“Yup, so it’s been a whole day! I figured you might be getting lonely for Noa by now, so I called~♡ Hey, can you chat with me for a bit? Just a little?”
“Chat, huh…”
In other words, she didn’t have any specific reason but called because she was bored—a safe bet. It’s not unusual for Akizuki to contact me like this, and this time it just happened to hit at a miraculous moment.
Noa Akizuki… Eimei’s 6-star, someone who’d definitely help if I explained the situation, and she’s got a connection to Saionji. …Yeah, she fits the bill perfectly.
Bringing my right hand to my mouth as I thought it through, I decided to broach the subject.
“Hey, Akizuki.”
“What’s up, Hiroto-kun?”
“If—hypothetically—I asked you to pretend to go on a date with me, would you get mad?”
“Eh~? What’s that? No way Noa would get mad at you, Hiroto-kun♪ Over something like a date… a date… huh?!?!”
At first, Akizuki responded with her usual coy, cute smile, but then she tilted her head slightly, finally processing my words and letting out a startled yelp. Leaning forward as if to close the distance through the screen, she came closer.
“W-w-w-what’s that supposed to mean, Hiroto-kun!? A date? What’s that about!?”
“A date’s a date. A fake one, though. …Truth is, I’m in the middle of a little《Duel》with Ouka’s《Empress》right now, and I need someone to play my girlfriend for it.”
“Me and Hiroto-kun… as lovers…”
Her cheeks flushed faintly, Akizuki stared into space with dreamy eyes, muttering as if in a trance. Pressing both hands to her cheeks, she wiggled her body with an expression of pure bliss.
“Ehehe, just imagining it makes me all floaty…♡”
“Floaty, huh… so, is that a yes?”
“Of course♪ If it means being your girlfriend, fake or not—wait…”
Suddenly, I noticed something off about Akizuki’s demeanor and leaned closer to the screen, frowning slightly. On the other side, instead of her usual flirty act, she was genuinely blushing, her face bright red as she looked at me—and then,
“N-no… I might not be able to do it after all!”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she blurted out in a strained voice.
“Sorry, Hiroto-kun! The idea of being your girlfriend, holding hands, hugging, kissing… it’s so happy it’s making my heart stop! You’re, like, really special to me, so if I start thinking about a date, I’ll probably freeze up and not be able to talk! Ehehe, Noa’s great at dishing it out but not so good at taking it~♡”
“Uh…”
“So, sorry! A date might be a bit too soon for me. But I still wanna help you, so if there’s anything else I can do, just let me know, okay?”
Clapping her hands together apologetically, Akizuki drooped her shoulders. Even her dejected look was adorably coy. With a final “I’ll ask you out for a real date someday~♡” and a devilish wink, she ended the call.
“…No go, huh.”
Muttering to myself, I turned off the screen. I’d thought Akizuki, with her full-on flirty vibe, might be game, but pretending to be lovers was apparently a higher hurdle than expected.
“I get that it’s embarrassing, but if Akizuki’s out, who else can I—”
“…”
“—uh, Himeji-san?”
I was about to consider other candidates, my hand at my mouth, when I noticed Himeji hadn’t responded at all. Hesitantly glancing beside me, I saw her lips pursed in her usual blank expression, but her clear blue eyes seemed to glare at me with a faint hint of reproach.
And then,
“…Master, you’re being cruel.”
Turning her maid-clad body toward me, she said softly.
“I acknowledge that Lady Akizuki is an incredibly charming person. She’s highly suited for a date-related quest. But aren’t you forgetting something? You don’t need to chase after other girls when you have a loyal maid who’ll do anything you ask.”
“Tch… no, but, that’s—”
“—Am I not good enough?”
Her cherry-blossom lips, leaning closer, wove those words with a tinge of longing and faint heat.
Of course, I knew from the start—Akizuki’s perfectly timed call aside, the first person I imagined as my fake date partner was obviously Shirayuki Himeji. My retainer, roommate, classmate, and the leader of《Company》—a devoted girl who’d never say no. But I’d unconsciously avoided asking her. Why? Because it’s embarrassing, obviously. Asking Akizuki, who’s always forward, is a completely different mental hurdle than asking Himeji.
“I believe I’m the most suitable choice.”
While I froze, Himeji peered into my eyes, continuing in her clear gaze.
“I know every detail of your situation without needing explanations, and I’m always on your side. Acting out a date is no trouble at all.”
“Y-yeah, but… there’s stuff like holding hands or hugging on the list.”
“That’s no issue either. I don’t mind being touched by you, Master. Besides, since the checklist is judged by the device, all we need to do is ‘fool the device’ to check the items. For example, like this…”
“H-hey!? Wait—!”
Ignoring my panicked voice, Himeji leaned in softly from the front. Her white-gloved hands slipped behind me, not quite touching but positioned as if she were truly embracing me. Sure, this might trick the device’s judgment, but unfortunately, it came with a mountain of other problems. Her breathtakingly perfect face was right beside mine, her faint breaths tickling my eardrums, her snowy-white nape filling my vision—
“…Um, my apologies, Master.”
Right after, Himeji fidgeted, her ears bright red, and said,
“This… might have been a bit too much.”
♯
A few days after the second quest’s details were revealed.
Preparations for Sunday’s double date—no, double fake date—were steadily underway.
To get Enomoto on board, we first approached Asamiya. I explained the general outline of《DearScript》, the Unique Star battle with Saionji, and that I’d taken her quest. Then, we brought Akizuki into the fold. Since she was curious after our call and Asamiya gave permission to share the quest with “Noa-chi,” we could involve her without hiding anything.
Akizuki’s inclusion brought a major advantage: we could set up the double date without arousing Enomoto’s suspicion. If we tried to plan a bizarre group like “me, Himeji, Enomoto, and Asamiya,” our intentions might be exposed instantly. But with Akizuki, it becomes a natural “let’s all hang out as May’s exchange battle team.” By the way, Akizuki plans to bail at the last minute to focus on supporting Asamiya.
Speaking of support, we’d already mostly finalized things with《Company》. Their main role is reconnaissance, tracking Saionji’s movements. Since her victory condition is to “make my date fail,” she’ll definitely try to interfere, and how we handle that will be the key to the second quest.
This doesn’t feel like preparing for a date at all…
A sigh escaped me at the bizarre situation… but, well, anyway.
The big day arrived quickly.
──June 5th, Sunday.
I stood alone at the rotary near Gakuenmae Station, not far from Eimei Private Academy’s gates.
“Maybe I got here a bit too early…”
I muttered to myself. …The agreed meeting time was 9:30 a.m. It was currently 8:40 a.m. Saionji, who’s probably watching me, is likely already lurking somewhere, but I definitely jumped the gun.
By the way, Himeji, my date partner for today, is set to arrive a bit later. When I went down to the living room this morning, she was already in her maid outfit making breakfast. But just before leaving, she said, “Please go ahead, Master.” “I wouldn’t want to spoil your fun, so I’ll change and join you later.” …Thanks to that, I’ve been a bundle of anticipation and nerves ever since.
And then.
“Hello~♡ Hiroto-kun, can you hear me okay?”
Instead of Kagaya-san’s usual voice, a sweet tone came through my right earpiece. It was Noa Akizuki. Though she’s mainly supporting Asamiya, we set it up so she can communicate with me by switching channels.
Tapping the back of the earpiece, I spoke softly.
“Yeah, I hear you. …You’re awfully early, though.”
“Ehehe, of course~♪ Noa-chan’s the super important love producer today, and I was too excited to sleep at all… and also~”
“Also?”
“I get to hog your ear all to myself right now♪ …Here we go, fuu~♡”
“Tch… stop that, Akizuki. Do anything weird, and I’m cutting you off.”
“Ehh~? Just a little more! Please? Noa’s been researching binaural stuff and ASMR these past few days, so I wanted to see how you’d react…~♡”
“What are you pouring your passion into, geez…”
“Ehehe, sorry, sorry. I’ll hold off on the naughty whispers then~♡”
Ignoring Akizuki’s playful whispers, I let out a quiet breath so she wouldn’t notice. …Her usual flirty voice, amplified through the earpiece, was doubly sultry, making my heart race endlessly without any “naughty whispers” needed. I’d better keep the line off unless absolutely necessary.
As I thought about checking the time again—
“I’ve kept you waiting, Master.”
A cool, familiar voice struck my ears, and I reflexively turned toward it. It was such a routine exchange that I hadn’t prepared myself… but that might’ve been my critical mistake.
“—!”
For a split second, it felt like all sound vanished from the world. My eyes were glued to the girl before me, everything else blurring like a distorted photo. A floaty, unreal sensation made my footing unsteady.
“? …Um, Master?”
—It was Himeji.
But not just any Himeji. No matter how cute she is, spending every day together means just seeing her face shouldn’t hit me this hard—my sanity would’ve crumbled long ago. The issue was her outfit. A knee-length pure white dress with a light blue cardigan, a casual bag slung in front—an elegant look like a refined young lady. In other words, casual clothes.
“O… o-oh…”
The shock left me barely able to speak. …She was just too perfect, no matter how you sliced it. Sure, her maid outfit, Eimei’s uniform, or the pajamas I’d glimpsed at home were all charming in their own right. But—even if it’s a “fake date”—seeing her dressed up for a weekend outing was so captivating I couldn’t look away.
“Um… is something off? It’s been a while since I wore clothes like this, so I was a bit unsure… Does it not suit me?”
My silence must’ve worried her, as Himeji asked in a slightly anxious tone. Snapping back at her faintly clouded expression, I took a deep breath, forced my face to compose itself, suppressed the rising heat, and looked straight into her clear eyes.
“No. …You’re so cute, it’s throwing me off.”
After a few minutes of mutual blushing,
“Um… Master.”
Himeji, who’d been looking down beside me, shook her head to hide her embarrassment and turned her gaze to me. Her silvery hair swayed lightly. …On a side note, being called “Master” by a Himeji dressed not in her maid outfit but like a pure, refined lady feels intensely like I’m doing something forbidden. It’s, like, slightly criminal.
But anyway.
“I have a suggestion. We still have some time before the meeting. How about we try checking off one item from the checklist? It deviates slightly from the quest’s intent, but based on the detailed conditions, it seems we can complete items even without Lady Asamiya and the others nearby.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
I nodded slightly at her cool voice. …Right, right. I got carried away by Himeji’s casual look, but this isn’t a real date—it’s the Unique Star battle. To clear Asamiya’s quest, we need to make both dates succeed today… meaning, we have to perfectly complete both my and Asamiya’s checklists.
“That said, most items require specific locations. The only one we can do anywhere is the first…【Hold hands】, right?”
“Yes. Compared to the others, it’s relatively less embarrassing, and it’s unavoidable for a ‘date,’ even a fake one. Plus, since it can be done anytime, Rina likely won’t bother interfering. …So, Master, if you’re willing, would you hold my hand?”
“!”
Himeji whispered those words, looking up at me from right beside me. At the same time, her left hand, which had been resting by her bag, shifted slightly toward me, as if waiting to be held. Normally covered by her maid outfit’s white gloves, her hand now bared smooth, delicate skin.
“Y-yeah, got it. Here goes… I’m gonna hold it.”
“Yes.”
Focusing only on her hand to keep my nerves in check, I slowly extended my right hand. Bringing it closer to her left, I intertwined our fingers in one swift motion.
“…”
Instantly, a cool, soft sensation shot through not just my hand but my entire brain. It wasn’t the “lover’s hold” but a regular grip, yet it was far more ticklish than I’d imagined, flooding me with an overwhelming sense of joy. No wonder couples who experience this regularly seem so content.
But—then I noticed something odd.
“…Huh? That’s weird.”
“? What’s wrong, Master?”
“Look, here.”
Still holding hands, I opened the《DearScript》screen so Himeji could see. It displayed the second quest’s checklist for the Unique Star battle. Naturally, it showed the same info we’d seen during our strategy meeting… but that was the strange part. Since Himeji and I were holding hands, the first item on my list should’ve been checked off. Yet, that slot remained blank.
Himeji’s expression turned faintly puzzled.
“That’s odd. According to the details, the condition for【Hold hands】is ‘Master holding hands with the date partner for at least five seconds.’ We’ve been holding for nearly two minutes…”
“Yeah, we’ve definitely met the condition. So why isn’t the item checked… hm?”
With my right hand occupied, I closed both eyes briefly to think, when suddenly, the device vibrated, cutting me off. With a bad feeling, I checked the screen. As expected, the notification was from《DearScript》. On the latest page detailing the second quest, a new line of text had appeared that wasn’t there before.
It read:
【New item unlocked!】
【Additional Order: All checklist items must be performed with a ‘female student from another district.’ The specific person doesn’t matter. Unless your date partner meets this condition, no actions will be reflected on the checklist.】
“What…!?”
My eyes widened at the text. …My date partner has to be a female student from another district? Continuing the fake date with Himeji won’t fill the checklist?
No—I’d thought the victory conditions were too lenient compared to the first quest. Asamiya’s order aside, my checklist seemed easy as long as I had someone’s help. We’d discussed that in the strategy meeting, but for them to add this restriction on the day of the date is just unfair.
“Hm…”
Himeji, peering at the screen beside me, was deep in thought with a serious expression. Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, she looked up, scanned the area, and called out to an unfamiliar female student who’d just exited the station.
“Excuse me, may I have a moment?”
“Huh? …Oh, me? Sure, no prob…?”
“Thank you. I took the liberty of checking your profile on the device, and you’re from Oumi Academy in District 10… correct?”
“Yup, that’s me. Not an Eimei student, but I’m meeting friends to hang out. …Wait, you’re that guy, right? The strongest in Academy Island… Shinohara-kun, was it? Or not?”
“No, you’re correct. As you deduced, this is the one and only 7-star of Academy Island, Lord Hiroto Shinohara—how about it, would you like to shake his hand?”
“Huh? Oh, uh, sure. If it’s a yes-or-no thing, I’d lean toward yes…?”
“There you have it, Master.”
Himeji turned to me with a graceful half-spin, her intent clear as day. With the stage set so perfectly, I switched gears, donning the “Academy Island’s Strongest” persona, and extended my right hand without hesitation.
“Hey, thanks… uh,《Astral》was super cool. That moment when Eimei and Oumi teamed up briefly? That got me kinda hyped.”
“Glad you liked it. If you know anyone from that selection team, tell ‘em I said ‘thanks for the help.’”
“Got it, will do.”
The girl, slightly nervous in the presence of a (fake) 7-star, nodded eagerly. After a quick handshake, we watched her leave, then turned our attention back to《DearScript》—and sure enough, the【Hold hands】item on my list was now fully checked.
“…It’s done. So, it’s not a joke or a mistake—it really has to be a ‘female student from another district’ to count as a date partner.”
“It seems so. …Um, Master, is this really achievable?”
Himeji nodded in agreement, then looked at me with faintly anxious eyes.
“If a date with me won’t fill the checklist, most of our prepared strategies are useless.【Hold hands】can be forced through like just now, but the other items might be a stretch…?”
“Yeah… if we’d picked someone from another district as the lover role from the start, maybe, but otherwise, this order is absurdly tough. I don’t think we can pull it off… but.”
I brought my right hand to my mouth, quietly turning over the situation.
There’s no doubt we’re in a major pinch. But knowing the game master, they likely anticipated I’d choose Himeji as my “specific person” from the start. And yet, they dropped this order at the worst possible moment—on the date itself. Which means, conversely, we’re not completely cornered. Setting an impossible condition isn’t how a《Duel》works.
That said, finding a replacement now is impossible. If only there was a female student from another district conveniently tagging along for today’s fake date—wait, huh?
At that thought, I looked up slightly, struck by a realization. …There is someone. A “female student from another district” who’ll probably stick to me like glue all day. Unlike the quest’s victory conditions, the order isn’t disclosed to the opponent, so she has no idea my date partner is restricted. As planned, she’ll come to sabotage my “fake date with Himeji” with all she’s got.
She probably saw that exchange just now, but… no choice. I’ll push as far as I can.
It’s a tightrope plan, but there’s a decent chance it could work.
So, shaking my head once, I began strategizing with Himeji again.
♯
“…Hm. So Akizuki really can’t make it.”
At a movie theater lobby in Academy Island’s District 1, attached to a large shopping mall.
Enomoto, fiddling with his device while in line at the ticket machine, sighed.
Shinji Enomoto—Eimei’s student council president, a 6-star player nicknamed “Clairvoyant,” fresh in my memory from our teamwork in May’s exchange battle《Astral》. His exceptional memory and insight are unmatched on the island. A serious, stiff personality sums him up best; he’s usually scowling with a sour expression.
“Y-yeah, looks like it.”
Responding to him was today’s other star, Nanase Asamiya. Her loose black knit was an off-shoulder style, boldly exposing her shoulders, paired with short denim that made her long legs even more striking. Her short hair had slightly curled tips, and her nails sported subtle polish (both tips from Akizuki)—a full-throttle, model-worthy trendy outfit.
Asamiya twirled her vibrant blonde hair around her index finger, continuing.
“Uh, Noa-chi got a sudden stomachache or something. So, yeah, she can’t come.”
“? I know the reason; she sent it in a message. …What’s wrong, Nanase? Your eyes have been darting around for a while.”
“They’re not darting! You trying to say I’m lying or something, Shinji!?”
“I didn’t say that. And what reason would you have to lie? I’m just saying, if a member’s dropping out, maybe we should reschedule.”
“No way, that’s not happening! I can hang with Noa-chi anytime… and if we cancel today, she’ll totally blame herself. You’re such an idiot, Shinji, so thoughtless!”
“I see. I’ll return those last two words to you, but I agree with the rest. I was counting on Akizuki to keep you in check… oh well.”
“Hey, I’m not some kid who needs you to babysit me! If I hadn’t called you this morning, you wouldn’t even have woken up!”
“What nonsense. I set my alarm to make it on time. I was only running late because you started nitpicking right before I changed—saying my uniform or tracksuit wouldn’t do. That caused a delay picking clothes.”
“Tch, it’s not a d—… I mean, who goes out to hang out in a uniform? That’s just weird.”
Asamiya retorted, slumping her shoulders in exasperation. …Yeah, that sounds like Enomoto. He’s the type to wear his uniform even on weekends, and since he doesn’t see today as a date, he’d have no reason to dress up.
“Ehehe~ Still, he’s dressed pretty nicely, don’tcha think?♪ Maybe the prez is secretly good at reading the room and just wanted an excuse like ‘Nanase made me do it,’ but had his outfit ready all along~♡”
Ugh, that’s plausible… If that’s true, he’s a real pain in the ass.
I gave a wry smile inwardly at Akizuki’s analysis through the earpiece. Meanwhile, our turn at the ticket machine finally came. No need for all four of us to buy separately, so I stepped up to the panel as the representative.
Four high school tickets, and the seats…
After a moment, the screen displayed the seat selection. The movie we’re watching is nearing the end of its run, so most seats are empty—no need to deliberate… except this isn’t a date or a casual outing. Careless moves lead straight to defeat.
Let’s review the【Movie Theater】checklist item—part of Asamiya’s “ideal date” list, the second item is【Accidentally lock eyes during a romantic scene】. The detailed condition states it’s cleared if you maintain eye contact with the target for three seconds during a kiss scene.
With that in mind, the seat arrangement was practically decided. Not four in a row, but two pairs in two rows. Specifically, Himeji and I in front, with Asamiya and Enomoto behind us. This way, Asamiya can move without worrying about our gazes, and it ensures an empty seat next to me.
So, I quickly bought the tickets and—
“Alright. …Let’s grab some drinks and popcorn before the movie starts.”
I said, turning to the three behind me.
We entered the theater about ten minutes later.
Holding the ticket stubs with our seat numbers, we climbed the stairs to the back of the theater. As expected, the place was sparse—practically empty. Scanning the room, I could count the other people on one hand.
“—Master, our seats are here.”
Himeji, checking the floor markers, turned to me and said so. I replied, “Got it,” and sat beside her, placing the coffee I bought at the concession stand in the drink holder and the M-size caramel popcorn on the table between us. Meanwhile, Asamiya and Enomoto headed to the row behind us. I could tell they’d already started their usual bickering as soon as they sat down.
By the way—movie theater seats often have armrests on both sides, and they’re either “shared with the next seat” or “not shared.” This theater’s were the former. So, if I tried to rest my right hand on the armrest, it’d accidentally brush against Himeji’s.
“…Oh, uh, sorry.”
“It’s fine, Master. …In fact, I don’t mind leaving it like this. It adds to the date-like atmosphere.”
Himeji, with a faint smile, peered into my eyes without pulling her hand away. It was bolder than her usual self, but considering this is a “date example,” she’s right—we’d be lying if we couldn’t manage this much. I could feel glances from behind, so I couldn’t just pull back.
This is acting, just acting…!
Tensing up inside, I kept my eyes fixed on the screen, outwardly calm.
Just before the movie started, a girl entered the theater. Without looking around, she climbed the stairs and, despite the sea of empty seats, walked straight toward me. She wasn’t in Ouka’s familiar uniform but a cute pink-and-white outfit, as if dressed for a date, making my heart skip a beat.
That girl—Sarasa Saionji—put a hand on her hip and said,
“Hmph… living the high life, huh, Shinohara? Using the Unique Star battle as an excuse to date my Yuki. You should thank《DearScript》—you’re nowhere near her league.”
“…Quite the greeting, Saionji. It’s just a fake date, so what’s got you so pissed?”
“Maybe because you were grinning while holding Yuki’s hand. You’re the one in the wrong here.”
“That’s a stretch. …By the way, why’re you dressed so cute? Weren’t you supposed to be lying low?”
“C-cute…?! I had no choice, okay! I didn’t want to wear something this flashy, but it’s part of the order. It’s drawing even more attention than usual, and it’s such a pain.”
Blushing slightly, Saionji puffed out her cheeks and plopped down in the seat to my left. Seems like she’s being jerked around by《DearScript》in her own way.
But anyway—her showing up here was exactly as expected. She’d likely been tailing me since morning, but direct interference only became possible now. No way she’d pass up the chance.
Phew… alright, first item.
Turning my gaze forward, I let out a small breath.
Without exchanging further words with Saionji, the movie started.
Regarding the【Accidentally lock eyes during a romantic scene】item, Kagaya-san’s research indicated the movie’s only “romantic” moment—a kiss scene—happens just before the credits. That means one shot to clear it, but until then, I could focus on the film.
The movie was a acclaimed human drama, adapted from a popular novel that topped last year’s box office and won some award. The story wasn’t groundbreaking, but its meticulous psychological depth stood out. The protagonist, in love with a terminally ill heroine, throws everything aside to fulfill her “final wish.” Though the wish seems impossible, his relentless effort overcomes every obstacle, ultimately bringing back her smile.
This is a damn good story…
It was so moving I regretted not being able to cry to maintain my “Academy Island’s Strongest” cool image. Unlike a convenient fantasy, the heroine’s illness doesn’t magically heal. The protagonist’s unwavering struggle despite that reality shook me to my core.
“Hm…”
Glancing beside me, Himeji was completely absorbed, her blue eyes fixed on the screen, unmoving for at least the last few minutes, unlike earlier when she nibbled popcorn. The two behind us were likely in a similar state, with only faint rustling sounds audible.
—And then.
“Sorry to interrupt your fun, Hiro-kun, but the scene’s coming up soon~”
Kagaya-san’s voice through my earpiece snapped me back to focus. …My checklist item should be fine; everything’s going as planned, and it’ll clear automatically when the moment hits. My bigger concern was Asamiya. We’d rehearsed plenty, but at this critical moment, there was nothing I could do. It was up to her effort and Akizuki’s skill.
“…”
As I thought, the movie hit its climactic peak. The usually stoic heroine spoke wistfully about how much the protagonist had saved her. Without you, I wouldn’t have found value in my life. You painted color into my transparent world. For the first time—I don’t want to die.
“…!”
That was their first and final kiss scene, a tender embrace filled with every ounce of emotion. It lived up to the media’s “heart-wrenching masterpiece” hype—a poignant, fleeting ending.
No, no, this isn’t the time to get lost in it!
Snapping out of my inner tears, I twisted my upper body to the right and gently pulled Himeji’s arm with my right hand. Noticing, she turned toward me, her teary eyes about to meet mine—when, just before,
“—No way!”
A hushed whisper hit my ears, and someone yanked my body backward. Forced to turn, I looked to the other side. In the dim light, ruby-red eyes stared straight at me. Sarasa Saionji, leaning in so close her breath grazed me, said in a low voice,
“Gotcha. Listen—you only need to look at me, not Yuki…!”
Her tear-glistened eyes, fierce despite the movie’s influence, sent my heart racing. If I tried to move, she tugged my sleeve, keeping my gaze locked on her. In other words, our eyes were firmly meeting.
The moment I realized it—my device vibrated faintly in my pocket.
“Nice one, Hiro-kun! That cleared the【Movie Theater】item~!”
…Yes!
I let out a mental sigh of relief at Kagaya-san’s cheer.
Exactly—that was my “backup plan.” Sure, Himeji can’t fill the checklist, and relying on random passersby like with【Hold hands】has limits. It’s unrealistic to expect a “female student from another district” to conveniently show up at every location.
But this time was different. Saionji, tasked with “interfering with me” as her quest condition, was guaranteed to stick close all day to sabotage my fake date with Himeji. That meant the “minimum conditions” for clearing the order were already in place, no need for luck.
In short, the plan is to lure Saionji, who’s trying to disrupt my fake date with Himeji, into fulfilling the date checklist with her instead…
I mentally reviewed the strategy, shaking my head slowly.
“Wait… the checklist got filled?”
At the same time, Saionji—likely informed by Asuka or someone else—realized the【Movie Theater】item had been cleared. Her ruby eyes widened in panic. She fell silent for a moment but, noticing how close we were, blushed ear-to-ear and slammed back into her seat.
“W-what the heck…!? Was I too slow to pull you away from Yuki? No, but…”
Crossing her arms under her chest, she muttered, lost in thought.
Watching her from the corner of my eye, I pressed a hand to my pounding heart and exhaled. …So far, so good. If she figures out my plan, it’s over, so I need to be careful, but this flow suggests it’s not impossible.
Wait, what about Asamiya…!?
Suddenly remembering the “other order,” I looked up slightly. Checking the device with restrained excitement, I was surprised—though it might earn me a scolding—to see Asamiya’s【Movie Theater】item neatly checked off. Seems she mustered her courage.
I don’t know how it went down, but…
“—Ehehe, wanna know, Hiroto-kun?♡”
As if reading my mind, Akizuki whispered in my ear, her voice brimming with delight as she continued.
“You should’ve seen it~♡ They were both glued to the screen at first, but the moment the kiss scene hit, this super bittersweet vibe started brewing. Nanase glanced at Prez, Prez glanced at Nanase, and their eyes just locked!”
“Instead of looking away, they both tried to play it cool like ‘Nothing’s up,’ so they kept staring, and their faces got redder and redder… ehehe~♡ It’s like Noa didn’t even need to nudge them♪”
Whoa…
I let out a small groan at their adorably fresh, new-couple-like exchange. Glancing back, Enomoto was his usual sour self, arms crossed, while Asamiya’s face was so red it looked like steam might pour out—probably mortified hearing Akizuki’s commentary.
And then,
“…Hmph. Next time, I’ll definitely make you fail.”
Having finished her reflection, Saionji stood from the seat beside me. Unabashedly grumpy, she stuck out her tongue slightly, turned her back on me, and strode off without looking back.
“…”
Comparing Saionji’s exit to Asamiya, who was blushing furiously while living out her “ideal date” behind me, I—
Man… they’re on a whole different level from us, scheming through a so-called date.
—let out a deep sigh.
♯
Lunch was at a cake buffet restaurant in the shopping mall.
Naturally, Asamiya picked the place. Apparently, their lunch-exclusive strawberry parfait was divine, and she’d been dying to try it.
The checklist item here was【Feed or be fed an “ahh”】. Straightforward, but the detailed condition specified it had to be a strawberry from that exclusive parfait—not just any “ahh” would do.
Compared to the【Movie Theater】item, the difficulty’s spiked hard…
Savoring syrup-drenched pancakes and chatting with Himeji and the others about the movie, I thought quietly. …【Movie Theater】was just “lock eyes to clear,” but this requires an “ahh.” It’s date-like, sure, but the mental hurdle is way higher. The “other district female” restriction makes it even worse.
But… if I follow the same approach as before, it’s not impossible.
Tapping my right earpiece, I mulled over the plan.
According to Kagaya-san, Saionji and two other Ouka members, including Suzuran Kazami, a second-year from《Libra》, Academy Island’s largest official organization, had just entered the restaurant. I couldn’t see them from my seat, but they were definitely watching somewhere.
The question was how they’d try to stop the “ahh.” Honestly, their options were limited.
First, direct interference—like Saionji’s move in【Movie Theater】, physically restraining me to block my actions. Simple and classic, but pulling that off in a crowded restaurant would be tough. I couldn’t see Saionji resorting to something so blatant as tackling me in public.
Second, electronic interference—hacking. They could glitch the ordering system to redirect the parfait or block the order entirely. Several methods came to mind, but tampering with the restaurant’s equipment is obviously a violation. Unlike me, who relies on cheating, Saionji, a self-made 6-star, would never choose that.
That left the third option, considering Kazami’s presence—psychological interference.
Well, if I know that’s coming, I can counter it.
Finishing my mental rundown, I shook my head with a sigh.
Just then, Asamiya, seated diagonally from me, slammed her hands on the table and stood up. With a cheerful grin, she scanned our faces and said,
“Alright! Tummies are nice and full… so, wanna go for that parfait?”
“Sounds good.”
Himeji, who’d shifted to sipping tea, was the first to agree. Setting her teacup back on its saucer, she continued,
“I was saving room for the parfait, so it’d be a waste not to have it. What about you, Master and Lord Enomoto?”
“It’s tempting, but… no, I’m stuffed. Too many pancakes. What about you, Shinohara?”
“Same as you. Those pancakes were killer.”
“Indeed, they were otherworldly. I’d come back regularly. But, Shinohara, what’s with the casual tone? I’m your senior.”
“I know. …Anyway, Himeji, Enomoto and I’ll pass. Order two.”
“Hey.”
“Understood, Master. I’ll share a bite with you later, okay?”
“Don’t just ignore me and move on…”
Enomoto grumbled, arms crossed, across from me. It’s our usual banter, but he’s gotten used to—or given up on—my informal tone lately, so complaints are rare. As “Academy Island’s Strongest,” I can’t afford to use honorifics with him, so he just has to deal.
Anyway, the strawberry parfaits Himeji ordered arrived a few minutes later. Massive, bigger than the girls’ faces, they had layers of sponge, mousse, and crunch, topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, drizzled with colorful chocolate sauce. Surrounding it were halved, vibrant red strawberries. A bestseller, it looked divine.
“…Here goes.”
Asamiya, eyes sparkling, gripped her spoon and took her first bite.
“Mmm! …Ohh!! What is this? So sweet… pure bliss…”
“Hmph. Honestly, Nanase, pick one—eat or talk. Mind your manners.”
“Pfft, too bad~ It melted already, so my mouth’s empty~”
“…Shouldn’t I be praised for not reflexively swiping at you?”
Enomoto turned away, irked by her full-on teasing. Asamiya happily dug into her parfait but slowed as she neared the strawberry zone, glancing at Enomoto, nearly meeting his eyes, then quickly looking back down.
“Ugh…”
“Nanase, fight~♪ Go for it with max allure~♡”
“N-no way…! That’s too much out of nowhere!”
“Too much? What are you talking about, Nanase?”
“—!”
Asamiya, replying loudly to Akizuki’s earpiece cheer, drew a suspicious look from Enomoto. Her eyes widened, darting left and right to cover, until she nodded slightly, steeling herself, and said,
“Sh-Shinji! Um… w-wanna try a bite of the parfait!?”
Blushing furiously, she looked down, avoiding his face. She couldn’t say “ahh,” so this was her compromised line. Her right hand shakily held a spoon with a strawberry and some ice cream.
Enomoto paused, thinking, then nodded once and leaned forward. Approaching Asamiya, who was rigid with her eyes squeezed shut—
“…I see, this is delicious too.”
“H-huh?”
—he took a bite of her parfait with his own spoon.
“W-wait, what, that’s…”
“? What’s wrong? You said I could have some.”
“I did, but! I did, but that’s not what I meant… that’s cheating! I haven’t even eaten the strawberries yet!”
“Oh, is that it? Then—”
Nodding deeply as if understanding, Enomoto scooped another bite and held the spoon out to Asamiya.
“—You try it too. Hurry up and open your mouth.”
“!? That’s… the ‘ahh’ thing… wait, isn’t this an indirect kiss—”
“…? Hey, what’s with the muttering? Speak so I can hear.”
“N-nothing! I didn’t say anything!!”
Shaking her styled blonde hair vigorously, Asamiya pressed both hands to her chest and took a deep, deep breath. Finally resolute, she closed her eyes tightly and opened her mouth, accepting Enomoto’s spoon.
“Ah… mm.”
“…How is it? Good, right? You can savor the rest on your own.”
Satisfied, Enomoto pulled back the spoon and started reading an e-book on his device, signaling lunch was over.
As for Asamiya, she swallowed softly and,
“…I didn’t even taste it.”
murmured in a breathy voice. Her expression was so adorably lovestruck it might’ve made me blush more than her.
Anyway, that cleared the【Café】item on Asamiya’s list—now I just had to figure out how to pull off my “ahh.”
Alright… it’s about time.
Watching Himeji quietly eat her parfait, I muttered inwardly. …Actually, Himeji hasn’t touched a single strawberry yet. More precisely, I asked her to leave them. All for what comes next.
“—Um, Master.”
At my signal under the table, Himeji spoke softly. Her hands neatly on her knees, her silvery hair swaying, she peered into my eyes and whispered,
“Well, um… watching those two made me want to try this ‘ahh’ thing myself. It’s not something you get to do often, right?”
“…Y-yeah, maybe.”
“Yes. …So, Master, if it’s okay, could you feed me a bite?”
Gracefully handing me her spoon, Himeji leaned slightly closer, opening her mouth just a bit. It was a pleading, almost coaxing gesture, completely unlike her usual self. Even knowing it was an act, my heart rate skyrocketed. In short, she was insanely cute.
“Y-yeah… sure, no problem.”
With iron will, I controlled my movements and lifted the spoon. Carefully scooping a strawberry-laden bite, I aimed for Himeji’s small mouth—
“Nya~~~!!”
—when, with a familiar voice, a girl with a camera around her neck dashed toward us. A boyish cap, flared brown hair, and a “star reporter” armband. Suzuran Kazami, a 3-star from Ouka and《Libra》, who’d fought alongside me in May’s exchange battle.
Breathing heavily, she stopped in front of us, beaming.
“Nya nya! Look at this, Eimei Academy’s aces! What a coincidence, a super coincidental twist! What’re you all doing together, nya?”
“Coincidence, huh… We’re just hanging out as friends. What about you?”
“I’m on the job, nya! Covering District 1’s hit gelato and lunch-exclusive parfait! I was about to shoot the restaurant, but… oh, nya! If you guys are cool with it, could you help out a bit!? I’ll pay well, nya! Eimei’s top 7-star and maid, plus their star 6-star duo—if you’re in, the article’s buzz will go through the roof, nya! Big catch, nya! …How ’bout it!?”
“An article? Eh, I’m fine either way.”
“I don’t care. If it doesn’t mess with our plans, I’m okay with it.”
Kazami’s sparkling eyes turned to me after the third-years’ responses. Her words didn’t seem entirely fake, but the timing was too perfect for there to be no reason.
Exactly—she’s almost certainly Saionji’s “accomplice,” sent to interfere with my actions, using the third method: psychological interference. With Kazami’s camera rolling, my “Academy Island’s Strongest” persona limits how carefree I can act. If a clip of me feeding Himeji an “ahh” got broadcast island-wide, my rep would tank. But outright refusing Kazami’s request isn’t great either. Alienating《Libra》, the island’s most influential media, would be fatal for someone like me who has to keep lying.
A seemingly checkmate situation. A clean, perfect move worthy of the “Ever-Victorious Empress.”
But—sorry, I already saw this coming.
Smirking inwardly, I turned to Kazami.
“Sure. I’ve got plans, so I can’t stick around long, but a bit’s fine.”
“Really, nya!? I’m thrilled, super helpful, nya! Then, just a little… until the parfait’s serving time ends, maybe?”
“Yeah. But first—”
“—Hanya?”
Redirecting the spoon in my hand, I held it to Kazami’s mouth. As she widened her eyes in surprise, I said calmly,
“If you’re filming a parfait promo, you gotta eat it first. So, take a bite. Oh, it’s Himeji’s spoon, so don’t worry.”
“B-but… is that okay, nya? I’m working…”
“Of course it’s fine. It’s part of the job.”
“W-well, true… then, uh, here goes, nya.”
Overwhelmed by my insistence, Kazami closed her eyes briefly, opened her mouth, and bit into the spoon. She chewed silently for a moment, then her face melted into a blissful smile.
“Mmm, delicious, nya… amazing, nya! It’s like sweetness exploded in my mouth, nya!”
“Glad you felt it.”
Casually replying, I glanced at the vibrating device in my pocket. …Condition cleared. Both my and Asamiya’s【Café】items were checked off.
“…I see.”
Showing Himeji the list, now half “completed” including【Hold hands】, she nodded, her silver hair swaying as she peered at it. Then, suddenly, she fixed her gaze on me, snatched the spoon, and,
“So, you’ve completed dates with both Lady Sarasa and Lady Kazami, right, Master?”
“…Hey, watch the phrasing.”
Pouting cutely, she returned to digging into her parfait.
♯
After the café and helping Kazami, we shifted to shopping for a bit.
So far, things were fairly smooth. The added order threw us off at first, but we’d adjusted, checking off three items. Asamiya’s list had cleared【Movie Theater】and【Café】too. An ideal pace so far.
But—an “anomaly” struck at this point.
“—Master, how about this shirt? I think it’d suit you.”
“…Yeah, looks good.”
Holding the shirt Himeji picked, I moved to a mirror, quietly thinking.
The checklist item here was【Have the woman try on clothes and be complimented by the man】. Less mentally taxing than the last, but getting Saionji to try on clothes instead of Himeji spikes the difficulty to absurd levels. Rather than forcing that, it’d be more realistic to approach another group of girls in the fitting rooms, compliment them profusely, and accept looking a bit weird.
…Or so I was thinking.
Wait, where are Saionji and her crew…?
Unlike【Movie Theater】or【Café】, even with Kagaya-san’s reconnaissance, Saionji was nowhere to be found. A clear anomaly. She needs to interfere with me to win the quest, yet she’s vanished somewhere.
It’s not that I don’t get it. The checklist has items that are “easy to disrupt” and those that aren’t, and【Fitting Room】leans toward the latter. She might’ve decided “no moves here” from the start and headed to the next stop,【Amusement Park】.
If that’s the case, fine, but…
Feeling an uneasy haze, I refocused on the present.
At that moment, my gaze landed on Nanase Asamiya’s fashion show.
“Heh heh—whaddaya think, Shinji? Pretty nice, right?”
Asamiya pulled back the fitting room curtain, flashing a smug grin at Enomoto nearby.
She wore a bold camisole, exposing her shoulders and midriff, with a black, sleek design and a strapped waist. A denim jacket draped over it didn’t hide her emphasized chest or visible navel—a daring look. Yet, as expected of a former model, it suited her perfectly, leaving the nearby clerk stunned.
“Y-your style is amazing, miss. I’ve never seen anyone pull this off so well.”
“Heh, yeah~ C’mon, Shinji, how’s it look? You can admit it’s cute.”
Backed by the clerk, Asamiya pressed closer to Enomoto. She looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine. Even Enomoto would have to praise her… or so I thought, but he opened his mouth, still sour-faced.
“Honestly, huh. Fine—it doesn’t suit you at all. Too revealing, too try-hard. Anyone could wear that and it’d be the same.”
“Wha… you mean that? You’re just saying that ’cause you don’t wanna compliment me—”
“As if. …Listen, Nanase. I picked out a full outfit for you. Change into this now.”
“Huh, this… you picked it out? For me?”
“? Yes, so what?”
“…F-fine, got it. I’ll change. But something this plain won’t suit me… stupid Shinji.”
Muttering complaints to hide her embarrassment, Asamiya swished the curtain shut to change into Enomoto’s outfit. After a few minutes of rustling, the curtain opened slowly.
“Um… this okay?”
Peeking out first, she hesitantly revealed herself.
Compared to the camisole, this outfit was far plainer, leaning toward elegant and refined. But it wasn’t unflattering—not at all. The contrast between Asamiya’s gyaru vibe and the subdued clothes created a miraculously perfect balance.
“…Kinda annoying how good this looks.”
Asamiya herself seemed pleased, despite her initial intent to reject it. As a former model, she couldn’t call it “unsuitable.”
Enomoto, seeing her reaction, snorted smugly.
“Told you, Nanase. I picked it. Of course it suits you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You wear your uniform even on weekends. Zero fashion sense.”
“I’ll accept that critique, but with you, it’s different. …Nanase, how much do you look in the mirror?”
“How much… like, how many times? Morning when I wake up, brushing my teeth, changing, doing makeup… uh, too many to count?”
“Still, probably less than an hour total. You see yourself for under an hour a day. I, on the other hand, have been watching you for hours daily for over a decade. No need to debate who knows you better.”
“…Tch, creepy! You’re such a stalker, Shinji!”
Asamiya snapped the curtain shut with a whoosh, her tone angry. But in the split second before it closed, I saw her turn away, crouching to hide her beet-red face. The freshness was off the charts.
Anyway, with Enomoto praising her, Asamiya’s【Fitting Room】condition was met. But Saionji and her crew were still nowhere, leaving me stuck. Or rather…
“Hey, Himeji. …Is this store normally this empty?”
Scanning the area, I whispered to Himeji beside me.
Despite it being peak Sunday afternoon, the store was practically deserted. The few customers were all-male friend groups—no female students from other districts in sight.
“…No.”
Himeji, sensing the same oddity, shook her silver hair.
“It’s impossible. Even weekdays are busier. For a Sunday to be this dead is unheard of. We should assume something’s been done.”
“…”
Her faintly anxious words prompted me to bring my right hand to my mouth.
Let’s break it down. In【Movie Theater】and【Café】, Saionji acted to disrupt my “fake date with Himeji.” From her perspective, she succeeded both times, yet failed to stop the items from being checked.
Naturally, she’d catch on—likely suspecting she was being “used” after failing【Movie Theater】. That’s why she sent Kazami for【Café】instead of acting herself—to probe what my order entails and how far the “fake date” partner criteria extend.
If that’s true… and she’s seen through my order, leading to this situation…
Saionji hasn’t abandoned【Fitting Room】. By staying away entirely, she’s making it impossible to meet the condition. She probably cleared out the other customers too. I don’t know how, but a 6-star has that kind of pull.
She turned the tables… damn, how sharp is she!?
Gritting my teeth, I cursed inwardly.
But in this situation, I had no other moves—and ultimately, I left the mall without checking off【Fitting Room】.
♯
Academy Island has several facilities classified as “amusement parks.”
The one we visited was “Union Park,” at the western edge of District 1. It’s among the island’s most famous leisure spots, often featured in magazines. Apparently, its giant Ferris wheel, offering a view of the entire island, is a big draw.
And, naturally—or maybe not—like any theme park, it holds a parade every Sunday. Set to start at 6 p.m., we couldn’t linger at the mall too long.
“Wow, it’s beautiful…”
Right now, a lively parade unfolded before us. The checklist item here was【Stand shoulder-to-shoulder to watch a parade】. It only required standing side by side, so Asamiya, always near Enomoto despite their bickering, cleared it easily. As for me—whether intentional or not, parade crowds are packed—I’d somehow checked it off too.
The problem was, even as the parade neared its end, Saionji hadn’t interfered at all. …Yeah, no doubt now. She’s seen through my order and is deliberately avoiding me.
“…What should we do, Master?”
Himeji, blending into the crowd, whispered with a slightly tense expression.
“We’re at the amusement park, so there’s still a chance to clear【Ferris Wheel】. But… with【Fitting Room】missed, isn’t recovery impossible at this point?”
“Hm…”
Exhaling softly to avoid notice from Enomoto and the others nearby, I kept my breath quiet.
Himeji’s concern was valid. The second quest requires completing every checklist item to claim victory, and with the date strictly set, there’s no room for retries. I had to wrap it up today, yet it was already past seven in the evening. Even if we cleared【Ferris Wheel】, returning to the city afterward would mean the shopping mall would be closed.
In blunt terms, I was checkmated… or so it seemed.
“—No.”
Even so, I slowly shook my head to dispel Himeji’s anxiety.
“It’ll probably work out… or rather, I’ve got a plan that should make it work.”
“Eh… really? This isn’t a lie to reassure me, is it…?”
“It’s the truth. I may be a liar, but I don’t lie to you, Himeji. We’ll handle【Fitting Room】—so, if anything, the trickier part is【Ferris Wheel】.【Be gently embraced inside the Ferris wheel】… I’ll figure out the embracing part later, but first, Saionji has to agree to ride with us. Worst case, I could beg someone in line, but there’s the 7-star reputation to consider.”
“Indeed. I’d prefer not to see you like that, Master, if possible.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to do it either. …But, you know, we should be able to guide Saionji’s moves to some extent. She’s almost certainly making the best play possible at any given moment, so all we need is to make her think riding the Ferris wheel is her optimal move.”
As the parade reached its final crescendo, I turned fully toward Himeji beside me. Gazing straight into her clear eyes, which seemed to reflect the parade’s dazzling brilliance, I lowered my voice and said,
“Hey, Himeji… would you mind doing a little ‘acting’ with me from now on?”
—After the parade, we shifted into a mode of casually enjoying the amusement park for a while.
That said, given the time, we only hit the main attractions. On the high-speed roller coaster skimming the ground, Himeji gripped my hand tightly with her usual blank expression, refusing to let go. On the free-fall ride, I was the one frozen stiff with my eyes shut. In the haunted house, a panicked Asamiya clung to Enomoto for dear life, getting dragged limply to the exit. …She might not like it, but that cleared her【Hold hands】checklist item too.
And then—as closing time loomed about an hour away, Himeji and I made our way to the Ferris wheel, the crown jewel of Union Park. Not only is it massive, but it’s also famed as a romantic spot where couples who ride together are said to stay in love forever.
By the way, Enomoto and Asamiya were resting on a bench a bit behind us. Asamiya, exhausted from the haunted house, had requested a break—or so the story went, but naturally, this was part of our scheme. If we queued together, we’d likely end up riding as a group of four, which would kill any romantic mood. So, in collusion with Asamiya, we split the team.
With that, just as Himeji and I were about to join the Ferris wheel line…
“—Hold it right there.”
With a sharp step, a girl blocked our path. Luxuriant red hair blazing like fire, bold ruby eyes brimming with resolve—Sarasa Saionji, the 6-star《Empress》. As always, with her right hand on her hip, she fixed us with a probing stare.
And then, she said,
“What… exactly are you two doing?”
“? That’s an odd question, Lady Sarasa. As you can see, Master and I are on a date. We’re so lovey-dovey that we’re even holding hands like this.”
“Tch, that’s not what I mean. I’m asking—Shinohara, why aren’t you panicking at all? Continuing this fake date with Himeji-san shouldn’t fill your checklist. So why are you just casually enjoying yourself?”
Saionji’s voice carried a hint of suspicion, her tone betraying faint doubt and urgency, though her expression remained composed.
And, well, that’s only natural—Saionji likely deduced that my date partner was switched to【a female student from another district】by the order and acted accordingly. But in reality, there’s no concrete evidence to confirm that. For instance,【Movie Theater】could’ve just been a matter of her interference being too slow, and in【Café】, we might’ve secretly pulled off the “ahh.” If you consider that, the possibility that Himeji is still my date partner remains.
Or rather, if that weren’t the case, it’d be strange for me to be this calm. With two items still unchecked as the date nears its end, any normal person would be cornered. Yet Himeji and I are nonchalantly enjoying the amusement park—if that’s the case, it’s only natural she’d suspect a wildcard. Because if Himeji is my date partner,【Ferris Wheel】could be cleared in an instant. Then, if I somehow handled【Fitting Room】, the match would be decided.
“…Why aren’t you panicking, huh?”
After thinking it through, I raised the corner of my mouth slightly and answered,
“Because there’s no need to panic. I don’t know what kind of read you’ve got, but from my perspective, it looks plenty clearable.”
“Hm… of course, you’d dodge like that from your position. To keep me from sniffing out your true intentions… but honestly, that doesn’t matter. Whether your date partner is Himeji-san or not, I just need to plan a strategy that wins either way.”
“…Oh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m riding the Ferris wheel with you two. And for the entire loop, I’ll keep Himeji-san pinned down. This way, neither I nor Himeji-san can touch you even with a finger. The【Ferris Wheel】item won’t be filled. …I considered escaping with Himeji-san, but then I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on you.”
“……”
“Heh… looks like this is the best move after all. And by the way, even if you say no, I’m forcing my way on.”
Brushing her luxuriant red hair with her right hand, Saionji declared this with a somewhat amused tone.
To her, I—
Yes… yes, she took the bait!
—inwardly struck a small victory pose.
It was a risky gamble, but as expected, Saionji played the optimal move for the situation. She moved to eliminate the only possible “loss condition” she could conceive. Now, the rest was up to us. The foolproof strategy that made even Himeji, after hearing the plan, say, “I wouldn’t recommend it…” and “It’s true, we’ll almost certainly win.” With that move, I’d end the second quest.
And so—the three of us boarded the Ferris wheel together.
“““……”””
Without a single word, the Ferris wheel carrying us quietly ascended into the sky.
The seating arrangement had Saionji sitting across from me, holding Himeji on her lap as if embracing her. With no onlookers—and the earpiece line already cut—there was no need to maintain her《Empress》or refined lady persona, so she hugged Himeji tightly from behind.
“Um… Rina? This is, frankly, a bit embarrassing…”
“I know. Honestly, it’s pretty embarrassing for me too. But if I don’t do this, there’s no point in riding together.”
“B-but… no, perhaps you’re right.”
At first, Himeji squirmed slightly, protesting, but eventually, she sighed in resignation and settled quietly on Saionji’s lap. …It was, in a sense, an ironclad formation. Himeji, restrained from behind, and Saionji, pinned under Himeji, were both physically unable to get close to me. Naturally, embracing was out of the question.
“’…Heh.”
And then—still held by Saionji, Himeji suddenly let a small smile soften her lips.
“Come to think of it, Rina’s always loved hugging people, hasn’t she? I feel like I was often caught by you when we were little.”
“? Oh, really?”
“Yes, indeed. …Oh, of course, I don’t mean anything improper.”
“Obviously not! If it was improper… well, that’d be a problem, wouldn’t it?”
To Himeji’s teasing remark, Saionji shook her head, her cheeks faintly red. Raising her gaze slightly as if sifting through memories, she began to weave her words.
“Hm… but you might be right. When Yuki first came to the Saionji household, you wouldn’t come near me much, but once we got close, you started clinging to me a lot… I was so happy about that, I think I hugged you all the time.”
“Oh… Himeji clinging…”
“! …Tch, that’s unfair, Rina. How many years ago are you digging up?”
“What? You’re the one who started the reminiscing, Yuki. And ‘how many years ago’? At most, six or seven years, right? Moving from the mainland, meeting Sarasa, then meeting you… it was a little after that.”
Saionji, perhaps relishing the rare chance to tease Himeji back, spoke with an unusually gleeful tone. …Sarasa, not referring to Saionji herself, but the real young lady she stands in for. Her best friend and Himeji’s former employer. Needless to say, it was that “young lady” who tied their fates together.
Speaking of which,
“Come to think of it… you mentioned it briefly just now, but you originally lived on the mainland, didn’t you, Saionji?”
“? Isn’t that obvious? The real Sarasa aside, kids born and raised on Academy Island are pretty rare. Most people take entrance exams in middle or high school to enroll… and those with exceptional talent might get scouted even earlier.”
“Huh. So what about you?”
“Right after starting elementary school. I think I officially transferred in second grade.”
Saionji answered instantly with a smug hmph. It was mildly irritating, but her talent is undeniably real, so I had no comeback.
Taking advantage of my silence, Saionji continued in a proud tone.
“I mean, by the time I was five, I’d finished all of high school studies and was helping with university research afterward. I won’t say it was boring, but I was basically under house arrest because of it. I can count my memories of playing like a kid on one hand.”
“That’s so far beyond my level I can’t even grasp how amazing it is… So, what about you, Himeji?”
“Me? I moved to the island around the same time as Rina. Of course, unlike Rina, I wasn’t scouted for talent—it was simply a family arrangement to serve the Saionji household… Before that, I was learning the ways of a maid at home.”
“…The ways of a maid?”
“Yes, a maid’s duties. …Like Rina, I don’t have many memories of going out to play, but that’s just my personality. I was terribly shy, so I never thought to go out unless someone dragged me along.”
“…?”
Listening to their previously unknown “past,” I tilted my head slightly in silence. …It’s not like I had a specific question. But something about their stories felt off. House arrest… dragging someone out… what was it? What was nagging at me…?
“—Anyway, enough of that.”
Just as I was chasing that vague thought, Saionji, seated across from me, cut in with a slightly exasperated tone. Shaking her luxuriant red hair while still holding Himeji, she glared at me with faintly glowing ruby eyes.
“Hey, Shinohara, can you get to the point already? I won’t let you pull a boring ‘I’ve given up’ at this stage. The Ferris wheel’s about to reach the top, so quit stalling, okay?”
“Hm… yeah, you’re right. Guess I’ll take you up on that.”
“? Take me up on it… w-wait, Yuki, you’re not planning to force your way through just because you’re out of ideas, are you!? You’re not going to attack both me and Yuki right now, are you…!?”
“…Nobody said anything like that.”
Sure, that might clear the【Ferris Wheel】checklist item, but it’d cost me too much else. I’m not that desperate.
Staring straight ahead, I raised the corner of my mouth slightly and continued.
“But, Saionji—I’ll apologize in advance. Himeji got mad at me for this too, you know.”
“…Of course, Master. I would’ve stopped you at all costs otherwise.”
“Huh… w-what? What’s this about?”
“What I’m about to do. …Sorry, Saionji, I’m going to use you now.”
As I finished speaking—in that instant, I glanced briefly to the right. With the Ferris wheel nearing its peak, the view outside was nothing but a pristine starry sky and a sprawling nightscape. Nothing particularly special stood out… but,
“—!”
Suddenly, a piercing wave of dizziness hit me, and my vision shook violently. A nauseating sense of revulsion surged. Losing my balance, I could barely stay seated, and soon I slid off the seat, collapsing onto the Ferris wheel’s floor.
“Huh? …S-Shinohara!?”
Clearly caught off guard by the motion—acting or not, it wasn’t acting—Saionji, seated across from me, let out a panicked cry. Her face slightly pale, she pushed Himeji off her lap, knelt beside me without caring about her skirt, and lifted my shoulders, bringing her face close from above.
“Shinohara, what’s wrong, Shinohara!?”
“Tch… y-you sure about this, Saionji, touching me so casually… pretty sure that just filled the checklist, huh?”
“Ugh… th-that might be true, but letting you die is a thousand times worse! Your breathing’s all over the place—it’s clearly not normal. …Hold on, I’ll access the Ferris wheel’s control system to get us down right away—”
“—There’s no need for that, Rina.”
Cutting in briefly was Shirayuki Himeji, who’d been quietly observing. Rising gracefully from her seat, she directed her clear blue eyes at Saionji and bowed deeply.
“I’m terribly sorry. On behalf of Master, allow me to apologize as well, so please calm down.”
“Apologize… what do you mean? Yuki, are you saying this is an act?”
“No, it’s not that. Master is genuinely unable to stand—but it’s not due to injury or illness either. …Didn’t you notice? Since boarding this Ferris wheel, Master has only looked at you and me. He hasn’t glanced at the scenery even once. And, about an hour ago, on the free-fall ride, he nearly fainted.”
“…Huh. Wait, does that mean…?”
“Yes, your guess is correct. Master—has a fear of heights.”
Saionji, mouth agape, went limp, letting my body slide back onto the floor.
That was the final blow, and my consciousness faded into darkness.
♯
“Honestly… Shinohara, you’re really something else…”
—In the end.
Regaining consciousness about two minutes later, I was propped back onto the Ferris wheel seat, facing a double lecture from Himeji and Saionji across from me. …Well, this time, I was undeniably in the wrong. I apologized profusely, and they finally let me off just before the Ferris wheel returned to the ground.
Stepping lightly onto the ground with a tap, Saionji said,
“Anyway, that means I failed to block【Ferris Wheel】too. As for【Fitting Room】, if you’ve figured out a way to clear it, you could probably do it now… yeah, my chances are looking slim.”
“But if this drags into the final quest, I won’t hold back next time.”
“…I absolutely won’t lose.”
Her ruby eyes gleaming fiercely, Saionji walked away with elegant steps. The match wasn’t fully decided yet, but she likely had no further means to interfere.
Indeed—as she said,【Fitting Room】could be cleared right now. After all, “trying on” doesn’t just apply to clothes but to anything worn. In that case, a theme park staple like that wouldn’t fall outside the definition of trying on.
So, the moment we parted with Saionji, I peeked into the souvenir shop—
“Hmm… which one suits Sarasa-san better, I wonder…?”
“It’s obvious, nya! These cat ears, nya!”
—and ran into two Ouka students doing just that, so I showered them with compliments and quickly filled the list. With that, the second quest’s victory conditions were, for now, met.
However,
The other order… how’s Asamiya doing?【Be gently embraced】seems to count even with something like “putting an arm around the shoulder” or “supporting,” so I hope it went well… but if not, I really don’t want to, but we might have to ride as a group of four next.
Thinking that, Himeji and I waited for the other two to return.
And then—about ten minutes later, Asamiya and Enomoto finally showed up at the designated meeting spot. …But something was off. No, Enomoto looked his usual grumpy self, but the issue was Asamiya. She was visibly agitated, her head clearly swirling with confusion and questions.
“—S-Shino, hold up… come here for a sec!”
“Huh? …Hey, wait!”
Before I could check the situation on my device, she grabbed my arm, forcefully pulling me away from Enomoto and the others. Bringing her perfectly sculpted face close, she blurted out in a rush,
“Listen, Shino! Just now, when we were on the Ferris wheel, there was this pretty strong wind up top. And I got a little… just a tiny bit scared, okay? So I closed my eyes, and then Shinji suddenly held my shoulders to steady me. Even after, he whispered in my ear, ‘Stay still,’ and… and that’s not all!”
“…Not all?”
“When I calmed down and thanked him, guess what Shinji said? ‘It’s only natural to protect someone important. So don’t ever leave my side again.’ …! Like, isn’t that insane!?”
“Wha… is that for real?”
“Dead serious!”
Stunned by the unexpected turn, my thoughts froze for a moment before I pulled out my device. Sure enough, Asamiya’s checklist was fully completed—no surprise there. Going beyond just holding her shoulders, he threw in a near-confession line. If that didn’t check the box,《DearScript》would be the one glitching.
With that, both orders are cleared—the second quest is my win, no question. But Enomoto, why so sudden? Did he actually catch feelings…?
As my mind leaned more toward questions than the thrill of victory, my device vibrated briefly. It was a message—from none other than Enomoto. Frowning slightly at the uncanny timing, I opened it and read:
“—This is what you wanted, right, Shinohara?”
“I haven’t noticed anything. I haven’t noticed, but I just felt this was what I should do.”
“Still, what a bizarre event… Nanase and I, of all people, are the furthest thing from lovers.”
“……”
Rereading the shocking message a few times, I slowly raised my face. Casting a gaze loaded with mixed emotions, I saw Enomoto standing a short distance away, his usual scowl unchanged—a face that absolutely didn’t look like someone awakened to love.
Wait, so he didn’t notice Asamiya’s feelings at all, perfectly saw through the order, and still assisted…? No, no, no, is that guy sharp or dense—what even is he!?
A mix of awe and exasperation surged through me, leaving me dizzy.
♭
“The second quest goes to Hiroto’s comeback victory, and the Unique Star battle is tied one-to-one, heading to the final quest… huh.”
“Yup, it’s going well. The《Duel》’s flow, and everything else around it, is all perfectly according to my plan.”
“Still, Hiroto’s surrounded by some incredible people… Ignoring how there’s an unusual number of cute girls, they’re all seriously strong. Is that it? Does being a 7-star just naturally draw people like that? Is it, like, fate or something?”
“Hmm…”
“…I might be a tiny bit jealous.”
Asamiya Nanase and Enomoto Shinji Protection Society
User 1 20:21
Report~! Report, report! Everyone, listen up!
The Ferris wheel at Union Park! Right there, the president finally hugged Mya-chan! I couldn’t hear clearly, but it seemed like he was confessing or something!
User 2 20:21
For real?
User 3 20:21
Hell yeah, nice one, President!!! That’s what makes you a man!
User 4 20:21
Man, it’s been a long road to get there. Since their first year, they’ve been secretly all lovey-dovey, yet calling it a “rotten bond” or “sworn enemies” or whatever! It’s been so frustrating to watch!
User 5 20:22
Exactly! It’s like, how do they not notice? Nanase and Enomoto-kun’s faces are totally different when they’re talking to each other compared to when they’re not.
User 6 20:22
Right~! Watching them get this close to being together but not quite is fun and all, but I really want them to spend their final year of high school as an actual couple!
User 7 20:22
For now, I just want Nanase to spill all the lovey-dovey couple details to us girls. I mean, they’ve gotta be dating after this, right?
User 1 20:22
Uh, hmm, I’m not so sure?
Things were super romantic up until a moment ago, but as soon as they got off the Ferris wheel, Mya-chan ran straight to Hiroto-kun, and the president just gave this sly grin… huh?
User 5 20:22
…Ah~
User 6 20:23
It’s always like that.
User 4 20:24
B-but, I mean, so much happened just today, so maybe they’re at least a little more aware of each other… right?
User 3 20:24
They STILL aren’t a couple?!
