I Can’t Lend Imaizumi to You

Imaizumi Keita originally planned to follow up on the topic and tease the “fake girlfriend” beside him, who was already on the verge of breaking down.

For example, how she had poured out her emotional baggage to a complete stranger in a family restaurant back then.

Or how she had been forced to accept her romantic rival’s “kindness” in front of everyone, unable to even say a word of refusal.

But just as the words reached his lips, he noticed a fleeting, pleading tension in Yanami Anna’s smiling eyes.

Something stirred in Imaizumi Keita’s heart, and the harsh lines he had prepared were swallowed back as if nothing had happened.

Before he could think of a gentler way to continue the topic, Yanami Anna had already taken the lead and picked it up herself.

“That’s right! Exactly like that!”

Afraid he might say something he shouldn’t, Yanami Anna quickly explained to Shio Lemon in a grateful tone.

“Lemon, you don’t understand—during that time, I was seriously about to lose my mind from all the stress!”

She frowned with her pretty face, showing a pained expression as if recalling unbearable memories.

“Kusuke and Karen were practically glued together every single day. That part was fine, but the problem was—they always dragged me along! Shopping today, karaoke tomorrow, and then some newly opened dessert shop the day after…”

“I really didn’t want to be that high-powered third wheel! But you know what Karen is like—she always uses ‘we’re good friends’ as an excuse to invite me, and I just… I couldn’t refuse…”

At this point, she paused at just the right moment and looked toward Imaizumi Keita across from her.

“Back then, it was all thanks to Imaizumi. If he hadn’t kept calling me away with all sorts of excuses, I wouldn’t have known what to do…”

Her words sounded sincere and heartfelt, perfectly explaining how their relationship had grown closer while subtly portraying Imaizumi Keita as a reliable, considerate, and helpful person.

Imaizumi Keita quietly listened to Yanami Anna’s “lie.”

So, just to save face in front of her defeated junior, she could even describe me as reliable, considerate, and helpful?

Well… for me, that kind of evaluation isn’t a bad thing.

After all, Shio Lemon doesn’t have Yanami’s habit of troubling strangers…

So Imaizumi Keita didn’t expose her beautified version of events and simply went along with it.

After hearing Yanami Anna’s “tearful accusation,” Shio Lemon revealed an expression of sudden understanding.

She nodded, looking at Yanami with sympathy, as if thinking, “So you had it even worse than me.”

“I see… so that’s how it is.”

She let out a long sigh, then spoke again in a tone mixed with a bit of envy, half-joking and half-serious.

“Come to think of it, Koki probably wouldn’t go out of his way to look for me. Otherwise, if I could get Imaizumi to help like you do, Anna, it feels like it would save me a lot of trouble.”

The moment those words fell, Shio Lemon felt the atmosphere around Yanami Anna subtly change.

“No!”

Yanami almost blurted it out instantly.

“Imaizumi-kun is helping me right now. I can’t lend him to you.”

That unconscious remark made the atmosphere, which had just relaxed, turn delicate once again.

“Huh?”

Shio Lemon was completely stunned. She looked at Yanami Anna’s overly tense expression, waving her hands awkwardly.

“I-I was just saying… you don’t have to react that strongly, Anna…”

Only then did Yanami Anna realize that her reaction might have been a bit too much.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and her gaze began to wander as she struggled to continue the conversation.

“Ahem.”

At that moment, a light cough broke the awkward silence.

“It’s not that complicated. To avoid invitations from Hakata and Himemiya, Yanami told them she’s been spending time with me.”

“If I interact too much with other girls, it might cause misunderstandings for those two…”

The atmosphere visibly eased.

“Oh… oh! So that’s it…”

Shio Lemon immediately showed a look of realization, glancing between Imaizumi and Yanami, trying to guess the exact excuse Yanami had used.

“Anyway, about ways to distract yourself.”

Imaizumi Keita naturally steered the conversation back on track and looked at Shio Lemon, offering a concrete plan.

“Our literature club happens to have a training camp this weekend at Tahara Youth House. It’ll be two days and one night. Mostly creative club activities, and attendance isn’t mandatory. Shio, do you want to come? Think of it as getting out and relaxing.”

This suggestion made Shio Lemon’s eyes light up.

Indeed, if she stayed alone right now, she would probably just overthink things.

Going out with friends might actually be a good choice.

“A training camp? That sounds kind of fun…”

“Yeah, yeah!”

Yanami Anna immediately seized the opportunity, her face lighting up with enthusiasm again.

“Lemon, I heard from Tsukinoki-senpai that the place we’re staying at is right by a really beautiful beach! We can go play by the sea, feel the ocean breeze, eat shaved ice! It’ll definitely cheer you up!”

For an energetic, sports-loving girl, the beach was undoubtedly very appealing.

“Really?! There’s a beach?!”

The gloom on Shio Lemon’s face finally dissipated, replaced by sudden excitement.

She nodded vigorously and agreed without hesitation.

“Okay! I’m going too!”

“Then it’s settled.”

Imaizumi Keita took out his phone and opened the club group chat.

“I’ll add you to the group. The meeting time and packing list are all in the announcements.”

After being added to the group, Shio Lemon finally turned her attention back to the waffle in front of her, which had already gone a bit cold.

With the training camp settled, the chocolate sundae that Imaizumi Keita had ordered earlier still sat untouched in the middle of the table.

Shio Lemon focused on her waffle, while Imaizumi didn’t seem interested in sweets.

Yanami Anna’s gaze lingered on the ice cream topped with chocolate sticks and cream. She hesitated for a moment but felt too shy to reach out directly.

She looked up at Imaizumi across from her and subconsciously spoke in a slightly coquettish tone.

“Hey, Keita, if no one’s going to eat that sundae, it’ll go to waste.”

The moment the name “Keita” left her lips, Shio Lemon’s hand holding the fork paused briefly before she casually poked at her waffle again.

Her gaze lingered between the two for half a second before she quickly looked away and continued eating.

Their relationship doesn’t seem as simple as they say…

So they already call each other like that in private…

Imaizumi Keita also paused for a moment.

Looking at Yanami’s slightly expectant expression, he pushed the sundae toward her, his tone teasing.

“Go ahead. It’s not like you care about gaining weight anyway.”

“Hmph… you’re so annoying!”

Yanami Anna wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction, but still happily picked up the long spoon, scooped a big bite of ice cream, and put it into her mouth with satisfaction.