Mygo, are you all yanderes?

fraud.

Nagasaki Motoyo opened her slightly narrowed eyes. Although she still had a smile on her face, the smile in her eyes had disappeared.

If Moku was lying to her, then the person on the other end of the phone was definitely not Toyokawa Shoko.

Judging from Wakaba Mutsu's wary reaction and her analysis of Wakaba Mutsu's network of relationships, the other party is very likely Kusano Akira.

Nagasaki Motoyo's head started hurting again.

My once-trusted teammates have become unreliable again.

Moreover, it seems she's been even more thoroughly manipulated by this scumbag than she originally thought, and is now even starting to be wary of her as a friend.

The situation has become serious again.

It seems she needs to hurry and win Shiina Tatsuki over while she's still safe.

"Okay, then I won't disturb your conversation any longer. I'll be going now."

After saying that, Nagasaki Motoyo returned to her seat and joined her friends' conversation.

"..." Si

Seeing that Nagasaki Motoyo had no intention of launching a counterattack, Wakaba Mutsumi breathed a sigh of relief. (Three)

Her goal was to make Kusano Akira her only friend, but if Nagasaki Motoyo were to discover that she and Kusano Akira were chatting, it would definitely affect her plans.

This was the first time Wakaba Mutsu had so consciously wanted to do something bad; she was actually quite nervous.

However, before doing any of that, she should consider Toyokawa Shoko's situation.

Putting aside the fantasy element from before, she also felt that there was some truth to what Kusano Akira said.

This is something that Toyokawa Shoko would definitely do.

That's why Ruoye Mu needs to figure out what happened to Toyokawa Shoko and what triggered her to say those things.

Thinking of this, Ruoye Mu looked at the chat window in her hand and slowly sent a few messages.

[Wakaba Mutsumi: Akira, I want to go to Haneoka after school today.]

【Wakaba Mutsumi: Accompany me to see Auspiciousness.】

Author's note: There might be another update later, maybe (it depends on whether I can finish it before lights out when I get back tonight).

Regarding the question of whether I will abscond with the money, although I am a new author, I can assure you definitively that I will not.

Regarding updates, I will try to increase my update speed, aiming for 6k or 8k per day.

Of course, Monday and Tuesday will probably still be 4k, as those two days will be almost entirely filled with classes.

If you think there's anything I wrote that's not quite right or could be improved, please let me know in the comments or subreddit. Even though I'm not very active, I actually check it every day.

that's all.

Volume 1: Chapter 28 (Twenty-Seven). Chihaya Aine is used to it.

[Kusano Akira: Who, me?]

【Wakaba Mutsumi: Yes, you.】

【Wakaba Mutsumi: That's an order.】

[Kusano Akira: Well, there's nothing we can do about that then.]

[Kusano Akira: So what should we do then? Should I go to your place with Riku and Toyokawa? 7] ba≡√」．

[Wakaba Mutsumi: Just come find me.]

[Akira Kusano: Okay.]

After finalizing the plan with Wakaba Mutsumi, Kusano Akira comfortably lay on the table, happily humming a song.

Since Wakaba Mutsu was able to get Kusano Akira to accompany her to see Toyokawa Shoko, it means that her talk of breaking off relations this morning was just a joke.

She didn't really want to break off her friendship with Kusano Akira.

Having confirmed this, Kusano Akira no longer needed to worry. In a few days, all he had to do was coax Wakaba Mutsuki and make her happy, and everything would be fine.

Moreover, he received some good news from Wakaba Mutsu's attitude.

Aside from Nagasaki Motoyo, who cannot be relied upon because he cannot meet with Toyokawa Shoko, he is most likely Wakaba Mutsu's closest friend—at least in the top three.

Otherwise, how do you explain why Ruo Yemu only sought out him, even though no one else did?

The thought of getting one step closer to his goal of "becoming someone's best friend," which he had specifically written about in his "life achievements," made Kusano Akira's lips curl into a smug smile.

I'm so glad I chose Yuqiu as my final choice.

To have his own band, and the members of the band are the same members of the band he once admired.

I was personally invited by my very impressive student council president from junior high school.

　Not only that, she was also able to make friends outside of school, and these friends held a very important place in her heart.

Although he had never confirmed a friendship with Toyokawa Shoko, Kusano Akira felt that they had been through a lot together and could at least be considered quite familiar with each other.

Becoming friends is probably only a matter of time.

Even though I pestered her so much in the cafeteria, she wasn't angry at all and listened patiently to what Kusano Akira had to say.

Is this the light at the end of the tunnel? After being lonely from elementary school to high school, is his hard work finally about to bear fruit?

Kusano Akira couldn't control himself any longer, and in the end he even buried his face in the table and chuckled softly.

"..."

At this moment, Chihaya Aine, who was playing cat's cradle with Takamatsu Akira, sat frozen in her seat, looking at Kusano Akira with a look that seemed to want to retort.

The other person's actions seemed utterly inexplicable to her.

First, he crossed his arms in front of his face like a commander, looking smug. Then he started holding his forehead and laughing like a delirious teenager.

Now, just like this morning, he's back to playing the ostrich, occasionally letting out a low, eerie laugh.

Chihaya Aine didn't hear him at all when he tried to talk to him, as she was immersed in her own world.

Chihaya Aine really wanted to just grab Kusano Akira and start arguing with him, as usual, and ask him what he was laughing about.

But such an embarrassing thing happened just this morning. Don't be fooled by her seemingly unaffected demeanor when she told Kusano Akira that she wanted to forget about it; it was all an act.

She was actually incredibly shy, and could only banter with Kusano Akira. Any physical contact would send her heart pounding wildly.

However, without physical contact, she had no way to divert Kusano Akira's attention. She was really curious about what was making Kusano Akira laugh like that.

Is there any way to attract Kusano Akira's attention without making me shy...? Ah, I've got it.

Chihaya Aine suddenly had a great idea.

She took her hand out of the flower rope, quietly dragged the stool near Kusano Akira, looked at him, and took a deep breath.

"Hey!"

She quickly swung her leg out, kicking Kusano Akira's stool leg, which sent it flying a short distance.

"Huh? An earthquake?"

Because Chihaya Aine kicked the stool away, his upper body was also pulled to one side, but his legs remained in place, so he almost lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Startled by the sudden change, he looked up in confusion and glanced around. Chihaya Aine was holding her delicate face in her hands, facing him with her upper body slightly lowered.

What were you laughing at just now?

Chihaya Aine rhythmically kicked Kusano Akira's shin, complaining to him with a helpless tone.

"He's smiling like a fool."

"I'm laughing at the fact that I met you."

Gao Songdeng lost control of his strength and tore the flower rope to shreds.

"what?!"

Chihaya Aine was startled by Kusano Akira's sudden words, and a blush crept onto her fair face. She angrily increased the speed at which she kicked Kusano Akira's shin.

"What are you saying?!"

"...and everyone else too."

Kusano Akira realized that what he had just said seemed a bit ambiguous and went against his original intention of maintaining the stability of the band, so he quickly added the second half of the sentence.

Without a word, Gao Songdeng took out some new flower ropes from his pocket.

"...Don't breathe so heavily next time you speak."

Chihaya Aine patted her chest, which had been pounding again, glared at Kusano Akira, and turned around to start braiding a flower rope with Takamatsu Akira again.

"Definitely next time."

"Oh, right, Aine, I'm walking home alone again today."

Kusano Akira chuckled and said something to Chihaya Aine, whose face clearly showed she didn't want to talk to him.

"Going solo again!"

Chihaya Aine turned around and glared resentfully at Kusano Akira.

"Seriously, how many times have you not come with us?"

"Oh well, I'm used to it."

"Anyway, some people just don't like to play with us."

"I've been with Su Shishi every single day without missing a day."

"As expected, the young lady from Tsukimori is much more attractive."

"What are you saying, Aine?"

Kusano Akira's expression immediately turned serious.

"This has nothing to do with the Moon Forest, right?"

"Ah, no..."

Seeing Kusano Akira's expression suddenly become so serious, Chihaya Aine realized she had gone too far with her joke and was about to apologize when she heard Kusano Akira's next words.

"I just don't want to go with you."

"...?"

Chihaya Aine's face suddenly turned terrifying.

She untied the flower rope, made a loop, walked up to Kusano Akira, and, no longer caring about being shy, wrapped the flower rope around his neck.

Despite feeling the cool touch on his neck, Kusano Akira's expression remained serious.

"Sorry, I was wrong."

Chihaya Aine stood behind Kusano Akira with murderous intent, slowly exerting force with both hands.

"I can't breathe..."

"Where did you go wrong?"

Chihaya Aine brought her mouth close to Kusano Akira's ear and spoke in a sinister tone.

"My mistake was telling the truth."

"?"

"You're coming again? You're going to die today."

Chihaya Aine was amused by Kusano Akira's words and grabbed his shoulder, shaking him wildly.

"No, stop shaking me, I'm going to throw up, I really was wrong this time..."

Kusano Akira was filled with regret. How could he have forgotten that these girls were not only incredibly strong, but also ruthless when they attacked?

He had to remove the "playing and joking with friends" item from his "life achievements" list.

If things continue like this, he might really get killed one day.

"Does he truly acknowledge his mistake?"

Chihaya Aine stopped what she was doing and looked down at Kusano Akira.

"I truly know I was wrong."