"So, what should I do next?"
Shioyaki Lemon leaned forward slightly, her elbows propped on the table as she asked the two of them.
"I feel like my head is a mess right now; I have no idea what to do."
Imaizumi Keita looked at her. He didn't immediately give a specific plan but instead asked Shioyaki Lemon: "Before we think of a way, I have to ask you a question first."
"Hmm? What question?"
"Do you have any requirements?"
"Requirements?" Shioyaki Lemon repeated, puzzled. "I don't have any requirements."
She shook her head, an embarrassed smile appearing on her face, and her tone became much more sincere.
"I just... I just want to help Mitsuki. After all, he looks really troubled."
These words were full of "childhood sweetheart" style selflessness and kindness.
If Shioyaki Lemon weren't a loser, this scene would have been even more touching...
Unfortunately, Shioyaki Lemon was just a loser, so Imaizumi Keita remained completely unmoved and continued his questioning.
"Then, if it doesn't require you to make an appearance, would that be okay too?"
The expression on Shioyaki Lemon's face froze instantly.
Doesn't require... me to make an appearance?
Then... would that even count as me helping Mitsuki?
A sense of embarrassment from having her petty thoughts seen through rushed into her heart.
"I, I..."
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something to cover it up, but under Imaizumi Keita's gaze, all the words got stuck in her throat.
Finally, Shioyaki Lemon lowered her head and answered in a small voice against her true feelings:
"...That, that would be fine too. Af-after all... it's just to help Mitsuki. As long as... as long as it helps him, it's fine."
Seeing her like this, Yanami Anna finally couldn't bear it and reached out to gently pat her back.
Seeing her stubborn but soft-hearted appearance, Imaizumi Keita didn't have the heart to keep making things difficult for her.
"Alright," he nodded, settling the matter for now, "we'll notify you of the specifics once we've thought them through."
"Mhm!"
Shioyaki Lemon nodded, feeling herself suddenly become absent-minded.
The three of them chatted in the restaurant for a while longer. Seeing that it was about time, Shioyaki Lemon said her goodbyes and left first.
"Then I'll be going now! Anna, Kin-chan, I'm counting on you for this!"
"Don't worry!"
Yanami Anna waved at her with a reliable "leave it to me" smile on her face.
Once Shioyaki Lemon had disappeared, Imaizumi Keita also stood up.
"Let's go."
"Oh!"
Yanami Anna also stood up and naturally followed behind him.
Yanami Anna turned her head, her curiosity finally overcoming her inexplicable reserve.
"Hey, Keita."
"Hmm?"
"You don't really intend to... just help Ayano-san directly and leave Lemon-chan out in the cold, do you?"
Yanami Anna's tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "I just feel like you're the type of person who would actually do something like that, Keita."
"Wouldn't that be more convenient?"
Imaizumi Keita's answer was crisp and direct, carrying a hint of obvious logic.
"Go straight to the core of the problem and solve it in the most efficient way. Isn't that the best way to solve problems?"
"Ha?!"
Yanami Anna stopped in her tracks and looked at him in disbelief.
"You really don't understand a girl's heart at all, Keita!"
She complained huffily, "Our goal this time isn't to help Ayano-san solve some relationship problem at all!"
"Then what is it?"
"It's to help Lemon-chan, of course!"
Yanami Anna put her hands on her hips, striking a lecturing pose.
"If you do it that way, you're completely ignoring Lemon-chan's little feelings! It's obvious Lemon-chan doesn't actually want to give Mitsuki advice!"
"Lemon-chan is clearly still clinging to a sliver of fantasy. If she doesn't see their intimacy with her own eyes, she probably won't be able to move on for a while!"
"Hmm..." Imaizumi Keita nodded in cooperation, "What you say seems to make some sense."
Seeing Yanami's proud look, he proactively handed the choice over to her.
"Then, Anna-chan-sensei, do you have a better way?"
"Hmph hmph~"
Yanami Anna immediately raised her chin proudly and voiced her thoughts.
"It's simple."
She winked at Imaizumi Keita, her face full of a cunning smile.
"You just need to arrange with Ayano-san to bring his girlfriend out to play. Then, Keita, you invite Lemon-chan."
"Wouldn't it be great for the four of you to have a 'normal weekend outing among friends' together?"
Imaizumi Keita quietly listened to her 'professional' analysis, then fell silent for a moment before asking curiously.
"Anna-chan, how did you become so knowledgeable about these things now?"
"Eh?!"
Yanami Anna pouted, a look of disdain appearing on her face, seemingly surprised by Imaizumi Keita's thick skin.
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