The jealous look… is actually kind of cute

Summer vacation, for an ordinary high school student, usually means extra classes, club activities, and using whatever time is left to freely enjoy youth.

But after awakening a second set of memories, Imaizumi Keita had a completely different plan for the upcoming long break.

He needed money.

Whether for his future freedom or to deal with any unforeseen trouble that might come with this body, money was the most reliable shield.

As a self-aware transmigrator, he knew clearly that the fastest way to cash in on the entertainment “treasure vault” in his mind… was the old path — plagiarism.

After school, Imaizumi Keita went straight back to the apartment he rented.

He hung up his bag, then flopped onto the bed in the shape of a star, immediately reviewing the “assets” he could use.

Movies and games?

They required huge teams and startup funds — impossible. Eliminated instantly.

Music?

He only remembered melodies, but knew nothing about music theory or composition. He couldn’t turn what was in his head into a sellable product.

After thinking it over, only light novels remained — low barrier, easy to execute.

And “light novels” fit him almost too perfectly.

Not only did they match his identity as a member of the literature club, he could even submit writing as part of club activities.

More importantly, the market in this world was big and mature enough.

The plan was set.

Having reached his conclusion, Imaizumi Keita sprang up from the bed and sat at his desk without hesitation, opening his laptop.

He created a new document and began filtering through works in his memory.

The first work had to be reliable, appealing to a broad audience, with enough plot weight to spark discussion.

A certain title that had caused a phenomenon-level stir in his original world quickly surfaced in his mind.

It was a story blending school romance with the twisted emotions unique to adolescence.

Its intricate plot structure and stomach-ache-inducing character relationships were enough to grab the hearts of every reader.

This was it.

Imaizumi Keita opened his eyes, filled with calm confidence.

He didn’t start writing the main text right away. Instead, he typed several keywords and began organizing the overall outline, character settings, and key foreshadowing for Volume One.

Outside the window, the sky had unknowingly turned completely dark.

……

The next day, lunchtime.

Same courtyard corner, same bench, same two people.

Imaizumi Keita quietly ate the yakisoba bread he bought from the convenience store, his mind still replaying the outline he wrote last night and thinking about details he could polish further.

Meanwhile, Yanaimi Anna, sitting beside him, took small bites of her homemade rice ball — but her gaze kept drifting toward the man who hadn’t said a word since sitting down.

Today, Imaizumi-kun seems… a little absent-minded.

The thought rose uncontrollably in Anna’s mind.

For some reason, seeing him so focused on his own world and completely ignoring her made an urge rise in Anna’s chest — the urge to break this silence.

So she cleared her throat and spoke in a casual tone that only pretended to be nonchalant.

“Hey, Imaizumi-kun.”

“Hmm?”

His thoughts were interrupted, and he looked up in mild confusion.

“Before lunch today,”

Anna intentionally paused, observing his reaction, then continued.

“Karen and Sōsuke invited me to go to Karen’s house after school for a reading session.”

After speaking, she lowered her head as if focusing on her rice ball — though she was actually watching Imaizumi Keita’s reaction from the corner of her eye.

However, his expression didn’t change at all.

He simply responded with a light “Oh,” and lowered his head again, ready to return to his thoughts.

This reaction made an inexplicable mix of frustration and dissatisfaction rise in Anna’s chest.

She lifted her head, her voice raising slightly.

“But I refused!”

“…Mm. And?”

His tone remained calm, as if listening to an unimportant update.

“Then—” Anna clenched her heart and simply threw her prepared “bomb” directly.

“I told Karen it’s because I’m spending time with Imaizumi-kun after school today, so I can’t go.”

The moment she said it, she lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly.

She could feel her cheeks heating up at an alarming rate.

This time, Imaizumi Keita finally reacted.

He slowly put down his yakisoba bread and looked at her, before letting out a long sigh.

That sigh carried a mix of helplessness — one Anna found painfully familiar.

“I mean, Anna,”

His tone carried obvious teasing.

“After such a dramatic refusal,”

He paused, a curious smile forming.

“How does it feel? A little like ‘Ha! Finally I don’t have to watch you two flirt anymore,’ right?”

“M-maybe a little…”

Anna couldn’t help admitting in a tiny voice.

That feeling really did exist.

When she used “a date with my boyfriend” as the reason to reject an event she absolutely did not want to attend, a small victorious joy did rise inside her.

“Oh? Only a little?”

Imaizumi raised an eyebrow.

Seeing her adorable mix of wanting praise while being shy, he couldn’t help laughing softly.

He slowly reached out and gently patted Anna’s head — exactly the reaction she’d secretly hoped for.

“Ah! What was that for!”

Anna’s body trembled a little, but she didn’t avoid him. Instead, she glared at him with eyes full of embarrassment and irritation.

“Looks like our Anna,”

Imaizumi withdrew his hand and leaned in slightly closer.

“Was feeling just a little jealous.”

“You say you rejected them, but actually you secretly wanted to see what those two were doing together, didn’t you?”

“N-no I didn’t!”

Anna’s cheeks turned even redder as she whipped her head away, forcing out her denial.

“I just… think the atmosphere there is awkward! Who would want to go watch that!”

The protest sounded unconvincing — more like she was acting spoiled.

“Is that so?”

Seeing her ears turn red too, Imaizumi’s smile grew wider.

He didn’t push further with words. Instead, he reached out and gently poked her puffed cheek.

“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.”

“Being able to refuse them at all — that’s already a big step forward. You did well.”

The unexpected praise stunned Anna.

She slowly turned to face his sincere smile, and the irritation she had felt moments ago dissipated completely.

In its place rose a warm, sweet feeling she couldn’t quite name.

So… he’s not always bullying me…

Just as she felt herself slipping into a daze, Imaizumi added softly:

“But…”

He looked at her, eyes full of warmth.

“That little jealous look you had just now… was actually really cute.”