"Why?"
Even after going this far and still being rejected, Soyo couldn't help but lose control of her emotions.
"Am I really that much worse than Mutsumi… and that Sayaka?"
At this moment, the girl's eyes were brimming with tears, looking utterly wronged.
"That's not it. I'm just worried Sakiko might have objections."
"What does this have to do with Saki-chan… wait.."
The girl suddenly reacted.
"What did you do to her?"
"…Nothing yet, for now."
"?"
It could only be said that Soyo was still too pure—she couldn't understand at all.
"Also, if you casually make this kind of deal, if Ano-chan and the others find out…"
"That's not casual!"
Before Kamijou Mutsuki could finish, Soyo interrupted him.
"It's because it's you that I would…"
As if afraid of being misunderstood, the girl instinctively refuted him.
But she quickly realized the ambiguity in her words and abruptly changed direction halfway through.
"Of course, it's only because I'm more familiar with you, and you're the only one I can somewhat tolerate."
"Don't think I have any extra feelings for you."
"Absolutely not!"
-----------------------------------
Who even asked?
Looking at the girl in front of him—face flushed, anxiously trying to explain—Kamijou Mutsuki's expression turned subtle.
Still, he wisely chose not to say anything at this moment.
"…Such a good opportunity,"
After quite a while, the girl finally managed to calm down a bit.
"If you don't take it, then forget it. You won't get another chance like this in the future."
"So, what do you think I should do to make Saki-chan change her mind?"
"?"
"Not dating you doesn't mean you don't need to help me win Sakiko back."
Inequality logic wins instantly!
It had to be said—Kamijou Mutsuki's skill set was really useful.
Damn, the chokehold tactics from back home have been learned by this girl!
"Then how about we go back to discussing dating?"
Looking at the girl in his arms, Kamijou Mutsuki said seriously:
"I'll handle things with Mutsumi and Sayaka!"
"In your dreams!"
Soyo gritted her teeth slightly.
Was it really that hard for her to make Sakiko change her mind?
And was dating her really that difficult for him?
And he even had to make that kind of expression!
"All I can say is, this kind of thing depends on you."
At most, he could mediate and assist a bit—ultimately, it still depended on "Teacher Soyo" herself.
"If I had a way…"
If she had any ideas, would she even need to ask Kamijou Mutsuki?
"Then… does your house have a basement?"
After thinking for a moment, Kamijou Mutsuki asked.
"And nylon rope—I can lend you that."
"My house might have a basement… wait, no! I'm trying to win Saki-chan back, not commit a crime!"
Soyo felt like she was turning into someone like Anon, becoming the straight-man in a comedy act.
"That's true, that won't work,"
Kamijou Mutsuki seemed to realize something and rejected the idea.
Then he suddenly held Soyo by the shoulders and said seriously: "Soyo, promise me—don't tie Mutsumi up, okay?"
"…I would never do something like that!"
Where did that idea even come from? What kind of image did he have of her?!
Soyo: I'm a 16-year-old beautiful JK, not some divorced rich lady—let alone a deranged axe murderer!
"Don't be fooled by how Saki-chan acts—she actually values old relationships… maybe you should be more sincere?"
She had already knelt down—wasn't that sincere enough?
Soyo held onto Kamijou Mutsuki and let out a soft sigh.
However, even though she didn't get any concrete method from him on how to win Sakiko back, for some reason, she didn't feel much disappointment.
"…Mutsumi is still waiting outside. Let's head out first."
Seeing that Soyo had calmed down, Kamijou Mutsuki said.
"Mutsumi…"
Although her feelings toward Mutsumi had always been somewhat complicated, Soyo had never truly disliked her—at most, she felt angry or resentful.
But at this moment, hearing Kamijou Mutsuki mention Mutsumi, Soyo felt an inexplicable sense of resistance.
And she couldn't help recalling what she had seen earlier—although it had been a misunderstanding, still…
"Mutsuki-kun,"
Soyo raised her head, her cheeks slightly flushed as she asked: "After we separated… did you and Mutsumi… kiss in the haunted house or something?"
The moment she finished asking, she regretted it—what kind of shameless thing had she just said?!
"…How did you know, Soyo?"
Wait—could "Teacher Soyo" have a system too?
You really did it?!
The previously shy Soyo instantly felt her emotions turn extremely complicated.
So her whole process had been wrong—but the answer was completely right?!
She was the one who invited Kamijou Mutsuki, yet she ended up making a wedding dress for Mutsumi, and even created the opportunity for them to kiss.
Soyo suddenly felt like a complete sucker.
The discomfort and bitterness in her heart were even stronger than when she had misunderstood things earlier.
Moreover, if she left the haunted house with Kamijou Mutsuki, their time alone together would be over.
She had clearly planned for so long, yet in the end, she gained nothing!
An inexplicable unwillingness began to brew within the girl.
Seeing that Soyo wasn't speaking, Kamijou Mutsuki prepared to leave the haunted house first and talk later.
However, after only taking a few steps, he felt that he couldn't pull her along.
"Mutsuki-kun~"
A faint, lingering voice came from behind him.
"Soyo, what is it—"
Just as Kamijou Mutsuki turned around, he saw the girl suddenly throw herself at him.
And then…
"Mmm—"
Soyo's kiss was even more inexperienced than Wakaba Mutsumi's.
-----------------------------------
Outside the haunted house, the Occult Club president had already called over a group of female security guards holding batons.
Just as she was about to send them inside to check, Kamijou Mutsuki and Soyo finally walked out hand in hand.
Noticing the "strawberry juice" on Soyo's face, several people couldn't help but be startled.
Because of that, aside from Wakaba Mutsumi, no one noticed Soyo's flushed cheeks hidden beneath the "strawberry juice," nor her suspiciously rosy lips.
"Mutsuki, Soyo,"
Wakaba Mutsumi walked straight up to them.
"Are you alright?"
"…I-I'm fine."
It was Soyo who answered. Looking at the "little cucumber" in front of her, she felt extremely guilty inside.
"That's good."
Mutsumi nodded lightly, then very naturally took Kamijou Mutsuki's hand away from Soyo.
"Since everything's fine, let's go look around somewhere else together."
"Or…"
Mutsumi tilted her head slightly as she looked at the bright red on Soyo's face.
"…should Soyo wash her face first?"
.............