Chapter 1 | The Return of the Lucky Black Cat

 

Stepping into the classroom after a long break, a wave of nostalgia mingles with an unexpected sense of freshness. School had often felt like a chore, but returning after some time away, it’s surprisingly… pleasant. I settle into my seat, the view from the window catching my eye—not half bad. Better yet, I can gaze at Rinka’s back as she sits in the front row. Alright, time to kick back and enjoy the morning—

“Nyaa.”

…Nyaa?

A cat’s meow cuts through my thoughts. Something brushes against my leg. No way, I think, but I lean down to peek under the desk. A jumble of indescribable emotions surges within me.

“Nya… purr purr.”

Nana’s pet cat, Sturmangriff, is nuzzling my leg with its head.

“No way…”

“Nyaa.”

Sturmangriff crawls out, hops lightly, and lands on my desk. I’m at a complete loss—what do I do with this? Faced with this absurd situation, my mind spirals into confusion. Oblivious to my panic, Sturmangriff begins grooming itself, utterly at ease.

This is bad—if someone sees—

“Yo, Ayanokoji!? A cat!? Oi, it’s a freaking cat!!”

“Tachibana, keep it down—!”

“Ayanokoji brought a cat to school!!”

Tachibana’s excited shouts make me the center of attention. My classmates spot me and Sturmangriff, their shocked gasps filling the air. This is spiraling out of control. Seriously, give me a break.

“Oi, Ayanokoji! What’s the deal with bringing a pet to school!?”

“It’s not my pet! It’s Nana’s—ah.”

The words slip out before I can stop them. Too late to take it back. My classmates pounce.

“Nana? Who’s that?”

“Hold up, I’ve seen that cat before. It’s on Kurumizaka Nana’s SNS. Sturmangriff, right?”

“What a weird name!”

“Kurumizaka Nana? You mean Nana-chan, the center of Star☆Mines?”

“He’s looking after her pet? He called her by her first name so casually…”

Speculation spreads like wildfire. This is bad—really bad. Meanwhile, Sturmangriff licks my hand. Cute.

A chill runs down my neck. Instinctively, I glance at Rinka. As expected, she’s glaring at me, her expression icy. Her lips move silently, mouthing words: “You’re swooning over another thieving cat.”

N-No, Rinka, it’s not like that. This is turning into a mess.

“Could it be… Ayanokoji and Kurumizaka Nana are dating?”

A murmur ripples through the classroom, and silence falls. Tachibana breaks it, scanning the room as if addressing a crowd.

“Come on, guys! This Online game-obsessed dude dating the popular idol Nana-chan? No way!”

But another voice drops a ridiculous comment. “Now that you mention it, there was a rumor that Tachibana and Mizuki Rinka fought over Ayanokoji, right?”

“So Tachibana won, and now Ayanokoji and Tachibana are…?”

“Makes sense. That’s why Tachibana’s so desperate to deny the cat thing.”

“H-Hey, could it be Mizuki-san still…!?”

What’s wrong with their brains? Are we even the same species? A different kind of silence settles over the room. My classmates’ eyes dart between me, Tachibana, and Rinka, who’s pretending not to notice.

“Um, Mizuki-san? Do you, like, have a thing for that Online game addict?”

A braided girl cautiously asks Rinka.

“Yes, I like him.”

“—!!”

The classroom holds its breath. Rinka’s answer is that clear.

“I mean, we’re classmates. I like everyone in this class.”

“Oh, haha, that’s what you meant…”

Relief washes over the room. My classmates sigh, visibly relaxing. Cold sweat starts to dry on my skin. Probably—just probably—Rinka meant it when she said, “Yes, I like him.” The bit about liking everyone was likely a cover.

“So, does that mean Tachibana won Ayanokoji’s heart without a fight?”

Why does it always end up like this?

“Nyaa.”

Sturmangriff leaps onto the windowsill, peering outside as if plotting an escape. Using the wall’s grooves and ledges, it lands gracefully and struts off, tail swishing, leaving the school grounds. That cat’s way too free-spirited.

“Oi, look, he’s staring at the cat all sad-like.”

“So he really is in love with the cat…”

Is this class full of weirdos? Their brains must be wired to the cosmos.

“No way! Kazu—He’s not in love with that thieving—no, that black cat! I’ll deny it with everything I’ve got!”

Rinka stands abruptly, shouting as if spitting blood. Rinka, standing out now is a bad idea. It might make our classmates suspect something about us.

“Mizuki-san, why are you so sure?”

“That’s…”

“You really do like that Online game addict, don’t you?”

The braided girl glances at me nervously, her eyes glistening with fervor as she gazes at Rinka.

“Mizuki-san… please answer. For your fans.”

“I… I know.”

“Know? Know what?”

“Kazu—He’s seriously in love with a character in his Online game!”

“What—?”

“I overheard him by chance. He was muttering to himself alone. Seems he’s got a crush on an Online game character, going on and on about loving them like it’s a mantra.”

“Ew, that guy’s a total creep!”

Rinka! That’s going to cause a huge misunderstanding! I’ve never muttered to myself alone! The cold stares from my classmates sting.

“So, Mizuki-san, you don’t have any special feelings for that Online game addict, right?”

“Huh…?”

“You don’t, right!?”

Rinka averts her gaze from the braided girl’s pressing question, mumbling incoherently. Rinka, you’ve got to nod here. Nodding will make everything easier.

“—”

Our eyes meet. I give her a deep nod. Rinka looks at me, her gaze pleading for help.

“Mizuki-san, what’s it gonna be!?”

“…Yes.”

Finally, Rinka nods, biting her lip in frustration, her eyes narrowing as if holding back tears.

“So, who’s that Online game addict actually dating?”

“Nana-chan, Tachibana, the cat, or a game character—?”

“Oi, everyone, get to your seats!”

Our homeroom teacher arrives, halting the chaos. No time to explain…

Four rumors that could ruin my life were born:

—That Online game addict is dating Kurumizaka Nana.

—That Online game addict is dating Tachibana.

—That Online game addict is in love with a cat.

—That Online game addict has a one-sided crush on an in-game NPC.

The start of hell after summer break.

☆

“I’m so sorry, Kazu-kun! Because of Sturmangriff…”

As I step into Rinka’s room, Nana bows deeply in apology. After today’s fiasco, Rinka, Nana, and I agreed to meet up.

Sensing she might go as far as prostrating, I wave it off. “It’s not your fault, Nana.”

“No, the owner’s responsible! Come on, Kazu-kun! Boil me, bake me, do whatever you want!”

Nana flops onto the floor, spread-eagled. Sturmangriff, sitting nearby, lets out a cute “nyaa.” What is this situation?

“I heard more from our classmates afterward, but the biggest suspicion is on Kazuto and Sturmangriff’s relationship.”

“Why!?”

Being suspected of dating an idol would at least be more normal.

“Right now, Kazuto’s seen as an Online game addict and a hardcore pervert who’s into animals.”

“No way, I don’t wanna go to school anymore.”

I must be the only one wanting to skip school right after the opening ceremony.

“…As expected, Sturmangriff’s after Kazuto. The way it looks at him—it’s like a woman’s gaze. No, more than a woman—!”

“Rinka… Sturmangriff’s a cat.”

“Cat or not, it doesn’t matter. …No, it’s because it’s a cat that it’s a problem. There’s even a term for it—thieving cat…”

Rinka rubs her arms anxiously. Is she seriously jealous of a cat? She is. She even lost an argument over me to it (somehow).

“Kazu-kun! Do whatever you want with me! I’ll take responsibility! After all, I’m… the leader of Star☆Mines!”

“I don’t need you to show resolve over this…”

“Nya.”

Sturmangriff hops onto Nana’s stomach, curls up, and narrows its eyes comfortably. Oh, cute.

“Ugh… it’s heavy. Sturmangriff’s gotten a bit chubby lately. Gotta put it on a diet.”

Nana gently strokes Sturmangriff’s head as it rests on her.

“Want me to help? You’re busy, Nana. I could look after it at my place if you want.”

“Really!? Oh, but with the rumors about us already…”

“Oh, right, sorry.”

“No need to apologize! Thanks!”

Nana flashes a bright smile, still weighed down by Shto (abbreviated).

“…Sturmangriff’s pretty cute, huh?”

“Super cute!”

Nana and I melt, gazing at Sturmangriff curled up on her stomach. Cats are the best.

“…For some reason, I feel inexplicably lonely.”

““Ah!””

There, in the corner, is the cool-type idol doing a wall-sit.

“What do we do, Kazu-kun? Rin-chan’s feeling down.”

“We got too caught up with Sturmangriff and ignored Rinka…”

Nana, still spread-eagled, and I whisper so Rinka can’t hear.

“To think the day would come when a cat steals both my best friend and my husband.”

“No, no! The one I’m serious about is you, Rinka!”

“Yeah, Rin-chan! I love you too!”

…Come to think of it, what conclusion did Nana and Rinka reach? I don’t know what happened after it came out that Nana’s crush is Rinka. From the vibe, it seems they’re back to their old relationship, but…?

“Thanks, Nana… But what about Kazuto?”

“Me?”

“I nodded.”

“Huh?”

“When asked if I had special feelings for you, I nodded and said I didn’t. I’m the worst wife.”

“Given the situation, it couldn’t be helped.”

“Even so, I… I can’t forgive myself!”

“Rinka…”

“Please, Kazuto! Punish me! Boil me, bake me, do whatever you want!”

With that bold declaration, Rinka flops onto the floor, spread-eagled. What are these two popular idols doing…?

“Oh! I’ve got an idea!”

“Nana?”

Nana springs up, dashes to the door, and blocks it like a gatekeeper.

“No one’s leaving!”

“Huh?”

“From this moment, this room is a no-exit zone until Kazu-kun gives Rin-chan a husbandly punishment!”

“What’s that supposed to mean…? And what’s a ‘husbandly punishment’?”

“You know, stuff married couples do~”

Nana squirms shyly, as if embarrassed to say it.

“If Kazuto can’t hold back… I’ll do my best. It’s my punishment, so I don’t have the right to refuse…”

“Rin-chan’s disheveled look… gulp.”

“I feel like Nana’s crossing some dangerous lines here,” I muttered, shaking my head. “And Rinka’s made some weird resolve.”

“Husbandly punishment, huh… What do I do?” I mumbled to myself, still reeling from the absurdity.

“Kazu-kun!” Nana’s voice cut through, brimming with mischief. “Do push-ups over Rin-chan!”

“What!?” My jaw dropped, the words barely registering.

“And kiss her every time you lower yourself!” she added, grinning like she’d just invented the greatest game ever.

“What are you talking about!?” I sputtered. “That makes no sense, and how’s that a husbandly punishment…!?”

“Just do it!” Nana insisted, her eyes sparkling with unrestrained glee.

“No way!” I shot back, crossing my arms.

“Tch…” Rinka clicked her tongue, then turned to me with a glint of determination. “If that’s the punishment, I have no choice but to accept.”

“Rinka?” I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden shift.

“Kazuto!” she declared, her voice firm. “Do push-ups over me! I’ll accept the punishment, that harsh punishment! Come on, hurry! Right now!”

“You’re way too into this!” I protested. “That’s not the attitude of someone being punished!”

Rinka’s cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling with an eager intensity as she urged, “Come on, Kazu-kun!”

“Kazuto!” Nana echoed, egging me on.

“…This is starting to feel like a punishment for me,” I groaned, rubbing my temples.

“Don’t sweat the details!” Nana chirped. “When it’s time to act, go all in! That’s what being an idol’s about, Kazu-kun!”

“I’m not an idol,” I muttered, exasperated. “I’m not an idol.”

But I’d sworn to support Rinka’s idol activities with everything I had. Not just Rinka—I felt the same about Risuzu, and I cherished Nana for bringing Rinka into my life. Which meant… I had no choice.

I had to do push-ups over Rinka… for their sake.

“…Alright, I’ll do it,” I sighed, resigned.

I positioned myself over Rinka, hands planted on the floor, assuming a push-up stance. Her face filled my vision, bright red, her lips trembling with a mix of anticipation and embarrassment. The air between us felt charged, almost suffocating.

“Ah, ahh… In broad daylight… Kazuto’s face so close…!” Rinka murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

“Hya! It’s getting hot in here!” Nana squealed. “Come on, Kazu-kun! First one, let’s go!”

Nana, you’re way too excited… I thought, focusing on the task. Right now, I was just a push-up machine. I bent my elbows, lowering myself, my lips inching toward Rinka’s. With every ounce of resolve, I moved slowly, her face growing closer, our breaths mingling.

Was I really going to kiss her with this ridiculous momentum?

The next moment—

“N-No! I can’t after all!” Rinka yelped, her hand shooting up to block my lips.

“Huh—?” My lips brushed the back of her hand, the moment fizzling out.

“I-It’s not even evening yet!” she stammered, her composure cracking. “And… with Nana watching, it’s just… too improper.”

“Now you’re worried about that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m sorry…” Rinka’s voice softened, her eyes downcast. “I know you wanted to give me a husbandly punishment, and I felt that so strongly. I should accept it… But even as husband and wife, we shouldn’t kiss so recklessly. I’m sorry, Kazuto.”

Why did I feel like I was the one being lectured? She’d been the one all fired up moments ago.

“Hmm, how about keeping it just short of a kiss, Rin-chan?” Nana suggested, undeterred.

“Just short?” Rinka tilted her head.

“Yeah! Kazu-kun does push-ups, stopping just before your lips touch, over and over!” Nana’s grin was relentless.

“That’s… safe,” Rinka nodded, her expression serious. “Please, Kazuto.”

“Uh, alright,” I muttered. “I’m in too deep to back out now.”

This had to be some idol stress-relief game, a bit of harmless excitement. I tried to frame it positively. Extending my elbows, I lowered myself again, stopping just shy of Rinka’s lips. Her breath tickled, sending butterflies through my stomach. What was I even doing? I extended my arms again, then bent them, repeating the motion.

“Ahh, Kazuto’s face, over and over…!” Rinka murmured, her voice trembling with excitement.

“How’s that, Rin-chan? Feeling punished?” Nana asked, barely containing her laughter.

“Yes, it’s an incredible punishment,” Rinka replied earnestly. “I’ve never been so shaken. Waves of shame and excitement crash over me, recede, and crash again.”

Her flushed face and glistening eyes locked onto my lips. My own face was probably just as red, and my arms were starting to ache from the push-ups. One slip, and our lips would meet.

“Kazu-kun, serious talk,” Nana said, her tone shifting slightly. “Since you and Rin-chan can’t be close at school, you should be extra close in private. Like now!”

“I think… there’s gotta be other ways…!” I grunted, straining to keep my position.

“Keep doing the push-ups, Kazu-kun!” Nana cheered.

“Guh…!”

“Also, I talked with Rin-chan, and we want to introduce you to the rest of the members!”

“Got it…!” I managed, focusing on not collapsing.

“The other three are coming soon!”

“Got—Wait, what!?” My arms wobbled in shock, nearly giving out.

Rinka let out a cute, slightly goofy “Awawa!” as our faces almost collided.

“I explained your relationship with Rin-chan to everyone,” Nana continued, unfazed. “Together with Rin-chan, of course.”

“And… how’d it go?” I asked, my voice tight. Rinka’s belief that marrying in an online game meant being married in real life was… unconventional. What did the others think?

“They all accepted it!” Nana said brightly. “So it’s fine!”

“Really…?” I exhaled, relieved.

“I was shocked too,” Nana admitted. “With Risuzu’s thing, I worried the others might reject it, but… they accepted it so easily it was almost anticlimactic.”

“That’s great… But meeting them now is so sudden…”

“Strike while the iron’s hot!” Nana declared. “That’s what being an idol’s about, Kazu-kun!”

“I’m not an idol—!” I protested, but my words were cut off.

A soft knock came from the door. “Hey! Risuzu-neechan and the others are here!” came Nonoa-chan’s angelic voice.

Nana, ever the gatekeeper, opened the door with a cheerful, “Thanks, Nonoa-chan! Rin-chan, Kazu-kun, I’m off!” and left to greet the Star☆Mines members. That left me, mid-push-up, and Rinka alone in the room.

“Phew, that was close… My arms were at their limit,” I said, fully extending my elbows and sighing in relief.

“The best time—no, a terribly unsettling punishment,” Rinka murmured, her tone betraying a hint of excitement.

“You’re not hiding your true feelings well…” I chuckled. “Oh well.”

More than that, I was nervous about meeting the other members. “It’s okay,” Rinka said softly, sensing my unease. “Just be yourself, Kazuto.”

“Yeah…” I nodded, trying to shake off the nerves. Acting weird would only make a bad impression. I just had to be normal—

“Nyaa!”

““Huh!?”” Rinka and I yelped in unison as Sturmangriff leapt onto my head. Between push-up fatigue and the cat’s (slightly heavier) weight, my arms buckled.

My body collapsed with a thud. A soft sensation pressed against my lips—Rinka’s. Our mouths met firmly, an accidental kiss sparked by the chaos.

“Rin-chan, Kazu-kun~ I brought everyone—What!?” Nana’s voice rang out.

“…Oi, no-good Onii, your VIP has arrived—Huh?” Risuzu’s tone shifted to shock.

“Hehe, finally meeting Rinka-senpai’s boyfriend—er, husband—What are you doing!?” Kiyokawa’s voice joined the chorus.

Three popular idols—Nana, Risuzu, and Kiyokawa—stood at the door, their mouths agape, staring at the intense kiss between me and Rinka. Time froze, the air thick with stunned silence. Only Sturmangriff’s cute “nyaan~” broke the stillness.

☆

“Kazu-kun and Rin-chan, kissing, kissing! Dohyaaa! They’re smooching!! From Kazu-kun!! Dohyaaa!!” Nana erupted, her face blazing red but her eyes glued to the scene.

…Dohyaaa? Shouldn’t it be a scream or something? I thought, dazed.

“Hey! What’s going on!?” Kiyokawa demanded, her voice sharp.

“…Nonoa-chan, don’t look,” Risuzu said quickly, covering the younger girl’s eyes. “It’ll taint your angelic eyes.”

“Nnu?” Nonoa-chan tilted her head, confused.

Risuzu, blushing, glanced at us, gasped, and squeezed her eyes shut. Usually cheeky, she seemed defenseless against this kind of scene.

“Hey, you! Get off Rinka-senpai already!” Kiyokawa snapped.

The sudden chaos jolted me back to reality. I leapt off Rinka like a startled cat, Sturmangriff meowing energetically as it hopped to the corner. You darn cat…!

“Rinka, sorry! You okay?” I asked, my face burning.

“I’m fine,” Rinka replied, sitting up with an expressionless calm. As expected of a cool-type idol, she held her composure in front of her group.

Meanwhile, I was a mess. “By the way, Kazuto, what just happened?” Rinka asked, her voice steady.

“Uh, well… Sturmangriff jumped on my head, and, uh, yeah,” I stammered.

“I see,” she said, her tone even. “So it was an accident… an accident… our lips… and everyone saw…!” Her composure cracked, her face turning beet red, almost steaming. “…Fwaa.”

“Rinka!?” I exclaimed as she curled up, clutching her head, trembling like she was bracing for an explosion.

“N-No, no way! In broad daylight… and everyone saw… Aaaah!” she wailed, her cool facade crumbling. She’d screamed “Naaah!” once before after a goodbye kiss, but with her group watching, the embarrassment was on another level. No way she could stay sane.

“Uwaaa! Sorry, Kazu-kun! I’m gonna run! Full-speed, zoom, run! Waaaa!!” Rinka bolted out of the house, fully embracing her energetic idol persona.

“What!?” I gaped. The group leader, bailing in this situation?

“Nee, Risuzu-neechan? I can’t see anything!” Nonoa-chan said, tugging at Risuzu.

“…Don’t look… Don’t… I didn’t want to see,” Risuzu muttered, collapsing in a heap as if drained.

“Nnu? Risuzu-neechan?” Nonoa-chan tilted her head at the crumpled Risuzu.

It was pure chaos, a scene from hell. Nana had sprinted away, Rinka was curled up trembling and muttering, Risuzu was out cold, and Kiyokawa, the only one holding it together, distorted her face in despair like Munch’s The Scream.

“Ah, ahh… My beloved teammates… falling one by one!” Kiyokawa lamented.

“Kiyokawa… this situation…!” I tried to explain.

“Shut up, you demon!” she snapped.

“Now I’m a demon!?” I protested. I was a victim too. If we traced it back, Nana was the one who’d pushed for the push-ups. But pointing fingers was pointless.

“I was so curious about what kind of person Rinka-senpai’s boyfriend is!” Kiyokawa continued, her voice rising. “Haha, I never imagined such depravity! Nana-senpai called you Star☆Mines’ savior, but you’re just a brat who kicks down his own sandcastles for fun!”

“A brat…? It was an accident, an accident!” I insisted.

“No! A calculated move disguised as an accident!” she accused.

“What!?”

“You showed off that kiss with Rinka-senpai to us for your own amusement!”

“No way!” I shook my head vehemently.

“Rinka-senpai is the pillar of Star☆Mines, irreplaceable to us… You knew that and flaunted the kiss!”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“You planned to break our hearts for fun and monopolize Rinka-senpai!”

Her wild leap in logic left me speechless. There had to be tons of people out there unfairly villainized like this.

“Say something!” Kiyokawa demanded.

“Hey!?” I managed, floundering.

“Sorry for the late introduction,” I said, trying to regain some control. “I’m Ayanokoji Kazuto, dating Rinka.”

“No way! You just introduce yourself like nothing happened!?” Kiyokawa’s eyes widened.

“What else can I do!? No one’s listening to me!” I shot back.

“No! No fighting!” Nonoa-chan’s voice cut through, foam flying from our heated argument. “Kazuto-oniichan, Ayane-oneechan, no!”

““Nonoa-chan—!”” we both exclaimed, startled by the angry little angel jumping between us.

“I want the usual kind Kazuto-oniichan,” Nonoa-chan said, her eyes wide.

“Yeah… you’re right. Sorry, Nonoa-chan. I lost my cool,” I said, softening. Her smile was like a purifying light. Was this the power of an angel? I gently patted her head, smiling warmly.

“This behavior just from being around a kid… Wait, no way—!” Kiyokawa muttered, her eyes narrowing.

Risuzu, still collapsed, lifted her head with effort, her voice weak. “…Onii… sometimes looks at me weirdly at home…”

“Even Risuzu-san? Then… he’s a lolicon!” Kiyokawa declared.

“…No doubt,” Risuzu murmured.

“No! Nonoa-chan’s just purely cute… And Risuzu, that’s a misunderstanding! I’ve never looked at you like that!” I protested.

“…Harsh. You’re completely denying my feminine charm,” Risuzu said, her tone dry.

“You monster! Hurting Risuzu-san’s heart like that!” Kiyokawa accused.

“No, I do think you’re cute, Risuzu! Really cute!” I backpedaled.

“…Shouting how cute I am… Onii’s definitely…” Risuzu trailed off.

“Yes, confirmed! A lolicon!” Kiyokawa nodded.

“Argh! Nothing I say works!” I groaned, my words twisting against me. There had to be countless others framed like this.

“Hehe… Now it’s clear what kind of person you are!” Kiyokawa said triumphantly.

“It’s not clear! Please, just listen!” I pleaded.

“Not worth listening to! Looks like you’re shaping up to be Star☆Mines’ greatest enemy!” she declared.

“Why does it come to this…!?”

“I… I alone will stand against you, no matter how many times it takes!” Kiyokawa vowed, her voice brimming with theatrical resolve.

“Fine, I get it! You’re the type who jumps to conclusions and doesn’t listen!” I shot back, recognizing her Ojou-sama idol flair.

“Let’s settle this at the cultural festival!” she announced.

“A showdown!?” I blinked.

“Hehe, I’m looking forward to our showdown at the festival!” she said, her eyes gleaming.

“What kind of showdown!?” I demanded.

“Today’s my loss! But I’ll overcome you, this obstacle, with my own hands and save Rinka-senpai!” Kiyokawa proclaimed, storming out of the house before I could respond.

This was just the worst… I sighed heavily, dropping my shoulders.

“…Onii, tough luck,” Risuzu said, still sprawled on the floor.

“It’s partly your fault, Risuzu…” I muttered.

I was supposed to greet Star☆Mines’ members, so how had it spiraled into this mess? My gaze drifted, catching a figure in the corner—a girl in a pro-wrestling-style masked costume. “…What?”

“W-Who!? Seriously, who!? That’s creepy!” I exclaimed, startled.

She was about Nana’s size, her slender build and slight curves confirming she was female. Rinka, snapping back to composure, cleared her throat. “Kazuto, this is KM-san.”

“Oh, KM-san—doesn’t clear anything up,” I said, frowning. “Who is she? When did she get here?”

“She came in with the others,” Rinka explained. “KM-san was considerate during the commotion… She stayed quiet in the corner without a word.”

“So she’s thoughtful… No, who is she!?” I pressed.

“Are you serious? She’s a member of Star☆Mines,” Rinka said, as if it were obvious.

“What?” I stared as KM-san gave a sharp thumbs-up, radiating cheerfulness.

“An idol with a masked persona… That’s a thing?” I asked, incredulous. I knew some groups had gimmicks like that, but in a mainstream group like Star☆Mines, it felt bizarre.

“You’ve watched our live videos, right, Kazuto?” Rinka said. “You should know about KM-san.”

“Sorry, I… mostly just watch you, Rinka,” I admitted, scratching my neck.

“Kazuto… you’re such a troublesome husband,” Rinka said, her cheeks flushing. From the hallway, Risuzu muttered, “…Not noticing such a standout idol? What’s wrong with Onii’s eyes?”

“Uh, KM-san, I’m Ayanokoji Kazuto. Nice to meet you…” I offered, trying to salvage the moment.

KM-san responded with another enthusiastic thumbs-up, silent as ever.

“By the way, KM-san doesn’t speak,” Rinka noted.

“No way. How does she sing?” I asked, baffled.

“Silently,” Rinka replied matter-of-factly.

“Silently!?” I echoed, my mind reeling.

“But her dancing is the best in the group,” Rinka added. “I train hard, but I can’t touch KM-san’s level.”

Even public opinion praised Rinka’s performance—her singing stood out, and her dancing was highly rated. For her to say that about KM-san… “But none of us, including me, have ever seen KM-san’s face,” Rinka continued.

“Not even Nana, the leader?” I asked.

“No. No one knows KM-san’s true identity…” Rinka’s voice softened with a hint of sadness. “We’re teammates, so I wish she’d show her face, but—”

KM-san shook her head vigorously, refusing. Rinka’s shoulders slumped. “Right…” she murmured. What a character. I hadn’t realized someone this intense was in the group. Star☆Mines was practically a chaotic stew, sprinting to the edge of the universe.

KM-san patted my shoulder, gave a heavy nod, and left the room without a word. The front door opened and closed soon after, signaling her departure.

“What was that… Just more mysteries piling up,” I muttered, shaking my head. I could see why Star☆Mines had struggled to gain popularity early on—they weren’t just aimless; they were gloriously chaotic.

“…Onii, KM-sama aside, you’ve gotta work to earn Ayane’s approval,” Risuzu said, finally sitting up.

“Yeah…” I sighed.

“…Good luck with the festival showdown,” she added.

“I don’t even know what the showdown is,” I groaned, managing a weak smile.

☆

Days passed since meeting Star☆Mines’ members. I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding with Kiyokawa, but our schedules hadn’t aligned, so we hadn’t met. According to Rinka, I was still seen as an enemy.

“Well… Kiyokawa’s the only one left,” I mused. Nana and Risuzu accepted my relationship with Rinka, and KM-san, the enigma, had been friendly enough. If Kiyokawa approved, I’d have the group’s full blessing.

“So, let’s decide on our cultural festival project,” a voice cut through my thoughts. The braided girl at the blackboard took charge, her tone firm.

“How about a haunted house or something?” someone suggested lazily.

“Eh, that might overlap with other classes,” another voice countered.

“Does it matter?” came a half-hearted reply.

The room buzzed with apathetic murmurs. Honestly, I didn’t care much either—I had bigger problems. But then Rinka raised her hand, standing calmly and drawing every eye in the room.

“Everyone, listen up,” she said, her voice clear and steady. “Last year, I couldn’t join the festival because of a live show. But this year, I can. …What I’m saying is, I want to make this festival a fulfilling time with all of you.”

Her words silenced the room, cutting through the teasing and apathy. The classroom tightened, everyone listening to the cool-type idol who’d always kept to herself, now declaring her desire to connect. No ordinary person could wield that kind of influence.

No one spoke, the mood too serious for casual replies. Then Tachibana, ever oblivious to the atmosphere, piped up. “So, what’re we doing, Mizuki? Got any ideas?”

“…How about a café?” Rinka suggested.

“Pretty standard,” Tachibana said. “What do the rest of you think?”

“Let’s do a maid café!” Saito jumped in, his eyes gleaming. “My calculations say a maid café has a 100% chance of thriving! Especially with Mizuki-san in our class!”

““““—!”””” The guys’ vibe shifted, their excitement palpable. A cool-type idol in a maid outfit? It was enough to ignite their imaginations.

The girls, however, caught on immediately. “Veto. Reason? It’s gross,” one said flatly.

“A maid café… You’re totally planning to make the girls work, huh? Screw that,” another added.

“Hold on! Hear me out!” Saito pleaded.

“Shut up, Saito!” a girl snapped.

“Listen! A maid café is a festival staple!” Saito pressed, undeterred. “Every light novel I’ve read says so! Almost guaranteed, the heroine wears a maid outfit! Even if it’s not a maid café, there’s always some kind of cosplay! My calculations—!”

“Shut it! Don’t turn into a sweaty otaku out of nowhere!” a girl yelled, cutting him off.

Saito clammed up with a defeated “Ugh.” He could be intense about his passions, fun among friends like me or Tachibana, but it clearly rubbed the girls the wrong way.

“Ugh, Saito’s creepy,” one murmured, and the sentiment spread.

“Saito-kun’s enthusiasm aside, I think a maid café’s a good idea,” Rinka said, trying to salvage the discussion.

“If Mizuki-san says so…” a girl relented, but the mood soured further.

“But the guys’ eyes are creepy,” another said.

“It’s just about making girls cosplay for your amusement, right?” a third added.

“Wait, are only girls working the front?” someone asked, sparking more complaints.

The vibe was turning toxic, the girls’ displeasure palpable. Rinka’s head bowed, her usually straight posture hunching with anxiety. I couldn’t see her face, but I sensed her masking sadness behind her blank expression.

—Is this okay? No, it’s not. I wanted Rinka to have fun.

“…Online game addict?” I raised my hand before I could stop myself, locking eyes with the braided girl at the blackboard. Every classmate turned to me, and my nerves spiked. I hated being the center of attention, especially with the rumors already making me stand out.

My eyes met Rinka’s, her worried expression mirroring my own. I realized this was what she faced constantly—countless eyes, every word scrutinized. My friends’ concerned voices—Tachibana’s “Oi, Ayanokoji?” and Saito’s “Ayanokoji-kun?”—only added to the pressure. But their thick-skinned ease made me chuckle, loosening my nerves.

“The things the girls are upset about with the maid café are having to work the front alone and being the only ones cosplaying, right?” I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

“Yeah, pretty much,” a girl replied. “Also, the guys’ obvious reactions are gross. Saito’s intensity is creepy too, but yeah.”

That’s harsh! Saito yelled, but I ignored him. “Then how about a butler café?”

“Butler café?” the braided girl echoed.

“Yeah,” I continued. “That way, guys and girls can both cosplay. No one’s weirdly focused on maid outfits, and everyone works the front together.”

“That… might work?” a girl said, the tension easing.

Even Saito grinned. “Butler café… Not bad!” The other guys nodded, and I silently begged them not to overreact.

“This vibe feels good for a butler café,” the braided girl said. “Let’s go with it.”

No one objected, and I sat back down, nerves flaring again. I hadn’t expected my idea to pass so easily. The girls likely wanted a food stall and cosplay too, but Saito’s overzealous pitch and the guys’ reactions had sparked backlash. Presentation mattered—I’d learned that in online games too.

“For the butler café, who’s gonna be the leader?” the braided girl asked. “We need someone to handle roles, costumes, schedules… I can’t do it.”

The room fell silent. No one wanted the hassle. …Alright, let’s do this. For Rinka’s sake. Heart pounding, I raised my hand hesitantly.

“Online game addict? You’re doing it?” the braided girl asked, surprised.

“I suggested the butler café, so… I’ll do it,” I said, my voice firm despite my nerves.

“Unexpected. You don’t seem the type, but… okay, please,” she said.

‘Butler Café’ was written on the blackboard, with ‘Leader: Online game Addict’ next to it. …Why not my name? That braided girl kept calling me Online game Addict.

“Go for it, Online game Addict!” a classmate cheered.

“We’re counting on you, Online game Addict!” another added.

The warm cheers hit me hard, a tear welling up as I soaked in the unexpected support.

☆

A nickname, I guess? I’d officially become ‘Online game Addict’ in class. Hopeless. On the way home, classmates kept saying, “Do your best, Online game Addict!” and “Good luck! I’ll help a bit!” Since the opening ceremony, rumors had made me stand out, but volunteering as festival leader had cemented it.

‘Good luck, Kazu! If there’s anything I can do, just say so! I’ll help as your wife!’ Rinka’s message popped up as we chatted on the way home.

‘Thanks. I’ll let you know if I need help,’ I replied.

‘Yup! I’m your wife, after all!’ she wrote, emphasizing ‘wife,’ making me chuckle.

‘Still, Kazu, you’re amazing!’ she continued. ‘The class was about to clash, but you turned it around and got everyone on board with the butler café in a flash.’

‘It’s not that big a deal… I’ve seen that kind of vibe in Online games before,’ I typed. In group activities, emotional clashes could spark fights—I’d seen groups fall apart without compromise.

‘Kazu, you’re perfect for leadership!’ Rinka insisted.

‘No way. I hate standing out, and leading others isn’t my thing,’ I shot back.

‘Really? Watching you in Online games, I think you’ve got the knack! You teach newbies kindly, lead groups to beat bosses… You’re even the guild master of Raven’s Perch now, right?’

Well, yeah… I’d somehow ended up in leadership roles in online games, but that was from years of playing. I didn’t think I could do the same in real life.

‘Sorry, Kazu! Gotta get busy now!’ Rinka’s chat cut off—probably off to idol duties. I resolved to do my best too. Since I’d volunteered as leader, I couldn’t waver. Above all, I wanted Rinka to make amazing memories.

“Alright!” I said, pumping myself up as I headed to a vending machine. I bought a can of juice and grabbed it.

“Hello, senpai,” a refined voice said.

“…Kiyokawa,” I replied, turning to see the Ojou-sama idol, her elegant smile masking the manic energy from before.

“May we talk?” she asked, glancing at a black car parked nearby.

“…Sure,” I said, a bad feeling creeping in. But I couldn’t refuse—it was a chance to clear the misunderstanding, and I was curious about what she had to say.

We got into the car, sitting side by side in the back. A gentle, perfume-like scent filled the space, making my heart race. The car moved quietly, scenery flowing past the window.

Kiyokawa bowed slightly. “I’m truly sorry for losing my composure the other day.”

You’re telling me, I thought, swallowing the retort. “It’s fine. I was shaken too,” I said, keeping my expression soft.

“…I wanted to know what kind of person you are,” she said. “And over the past few days, I’ve looked into you.”

“Oh, okay. So, the misunderstanding’s cleared up?” I asked hopefully.

“Yes, I’ve confirmed you’re an outrageous pervert,” she said flatly.

“…What?” I blinked, stunned.

“I heard the rumors. Dating Nana-senpai, dating a guy named Tachibana, and even dating a cat… You’re a terrifying person.”

“It’s all nonsense!” I protested. “It’s just… stuff happened, and those weird rumors spread!”

“I’m not an idiot. I know they’re nonsense,” Kiyokawa said. “But rumors don’t spread without reason. Good people don’t get bad rumors easily. Haven’t you been seen as a weirdo for a while?”

“No… I don’t think so,” I said, hesitating.

“Really? Since starting high school, you’ve been known as an Online game-obsessed oddball, haven’t you?”

“Ugh…” She wasn’t wrong. I’d turned down hangout invites with “I’ve got a online game event…” until they stopped asking. No wonder I’d gotten a bad rep.

“And skipping lunch to save money for gacha, eating just a boiled egg…” she continued.

“Yeah…” I admitted, wincing.

“Absolutely deplorable,” she said, her tone cutting.

I had nothing to say. I’d been living a sloppy life.

“It’s absurd that you can just accept Rinka-senpai’s affection like it’s normal,” Kiyokawa went on. “Don’t you think a popular idol is out of your league? Even if you’re married in an online game, in real life, you’d at least consider the gap in status, no?”

“I do,” I said quietly. “I struggled with it a lot… Nana gave me the push I needed.”

“Nana-senpai was quite supportive,” she acknowledged. “Risuzu-san calls you no-good Onii but seems fond of you. KM-san gave you a thumbs-up.”

KM-san’s too mysterious, I thought, but instead asked, “What do you think of Rinka’s idea that marrying in an online game means being married in real life?”

“It’s a wonderful concept,” Kiyokawa said. “Anonymous settings let you talk without preconceptions.”

“…You think like Rinka,” I said, relieved. The last thing I wanted was her clashing with her group.

“Idols dating… it’s risky, of course,” she continued. “But if a partner supports them and boosts their performance, I see no issue. Just don’t let the fans find out.”

“Yeah…” I nodded.

“Meeting you in the online game awakened Rinka-senpai. Risuzu-san’s softened too. Those are facts,” she said, then her tone sharpened. “However, I haven’t known you long, so I don’t understand you. Can I really entrust Rinka-senpai to you? I want to believe you’re worthy since she chose you, but you’ve got a lot of red flags.”

“Showing off a kiss with Rinka-senpai to us, for one,” she added.

“That was an accident!” I insisted.

“Anyway, I want to know more about you,” she said. “Not just that you’re dating Rinka-senpai, but you have too much influence over Star☆Mines.”

“Me?” I asked, surprised.

“No self-awareness? Nana-senpai reveres you as a savior, Rinka-senpai’s devoted her life to you, Risuzu-san sees you as family, KM-san gave you a thumbs-up…”

“The thumbs-up’s kinda irrelevant, no?” I muttered.

“You could destroy Star☆Mines, whether you mean to or not,” she said bluntly, her words hitting hard.

“I see…” I said, processing her point.

“Do you understand why I want to know you better?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I nodded. I got it—she couldn’t ignore me. In a way, I was at the group’s core.

“You measure someone’s true worth in a serious contest, don’t you?” she said. “Senpai, as I said before… let’s have a showdown at the cultural festival.”

“What kind?” I asked warily.

“Who can make Rinka-senpai happier—you or me.”

“That’s—” I started, unsure how to respond.

“Yes, it’s hard to quantify,” she admitted. “So let’s spend the festival together. Me, Rinka-senpai, and you.”

“Alright… If that’ll convince you, I’ll take it,” I said. I didn’t want Rinka and her group to stress over this. Her challenge was actually welcome.

“Thank you,” Kiyokawa said. “Understanding my feelings and accepting the challenge… I can see you’re kind.”

“Not that kind—wait,” I said, catching a flaw. “I just realized, I can’t be with Rinka publicly. If we go around the festival together, it’ll cause a scene. I can’t make her happy that way.”

“Indeed,” she said, her smile unwavering.

“Indeed!? That’s not a fair contest!” I protested.

“That’s your problem to solve,” she replied coolly. “You accepted the challenge—excuses now are pathetic.”

“But—”

“Oh my, at this rate, you’ll lose without even stepping into the ring,” she said, her smirk wicked. Was this her plan all along?

“Of course, don’t force Rinka-senpai to have fun,” she added. “If your relationship gets exposed, who’ll be the saddest?”

“I know,” I said, my voice low.

“…Then, the loser does a handstand lap around the field,” she declared.

“What!?” I exclaimed.

“Hehe… Risks make a contest fun,” she said, her eyes gleaming.

“But…!” I was already seen as a weirdo. A handstand lap would make me infamous school-wide. The risk was huge. Kiyokawa, as an idol, faced bigger consequences, but this contest felt rigged.

“That’s dirty…” I muttered.

“Dirty? A contest is about doing what your opponent hates,” she said smugly.

It was like online game PvP—ruthless when winning was the goal. Kiyokawa was treating me like an opponent to crush. The car slowed and stopped, the driver opening my door.

“We’re here, senpai,” Kiyokawa said. “I look forward to our festival showdown.”

“No, I mean, I look forward to watching you do a handstand lap,” she added with a teasing grin.

“You said you wanted to know me, but you just want to mess with me, don’t you?” I accused.

“That’s your persecution complex,” she replied smoothly. “I just want to know the person who’s Rinka-oneesama—er, excuse me.”

“…Oneesama?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You misheard,” she said quickly. “I want to know the person dating Rinka-senpai, who holds Star☆Mines’ fate. That’s all.”

If she insisted, I couldn’t push further. “Kiyokawa,” I said.

“Yes?”

“I’m here to support Rinka, and if I can, I want to help Star☆Mines too.”

“…Oh?” Her eyes widened slightly.

“I’ll make you acknowledge me,” I vowed.

“You’re surprisingly competitive,” she noted.

It wasn’t about competition. She motioned for me to go, and I stepped out of the car. “Oh, and keep the showdown a secret from Rinka-senpai,” she added.

“Got it,” I said, and she smiled, satisfied, as the car drove off.

“No easy approval, huh…” I muttered. Nana and Risuzu had been kind, and even Kiyokawa’s willingness to engage was something. But…

“Where the heck am I?” I looked around, utterly lost in an unfamiliar town.