Problems and Photography

Upon hearing this, Matsuura Yuki and Iwajo Kaori’s eyes lit up.

Clearly, Takashiro Rie intended to make Yurina aggressively pursue Kanzaki Takuya, so that he would perceive her as an “ungrateful,” “presumptuous,” and “shameless” girl, and then angrily break up with her.

“Exactly, it’s a rare chance to get close to Kanzaki Takuya, how can you not seize such an opportunity!”

“Even if he doesn’t like you now, as long as you’re proactive, he’ll definitely be moved by you!”

The two fanned the flames with ill intent.

Ochi Mana did not immediately decide but silently looked at the leader of the small group.

“This time, are you still going to trick us with Kanzaki Takuya?” Takashiro Rie said expressionlessly.

Reminded by her, the other two also caught on.

“That’s right, that’s right, fake dating is practically fraud!”

“Photos… yes, photos! This time, you have to send us intimate photos of you and Kanzaki Takuya!”

‘What are these two saying?’

At this moment, Mana was truly panicked. The thought of being intimate with a man was simply disgusting to her.

However, seeing her troubled expression, Takashiro Rie narrowed her eyes.

“Yurina, just do it, no refusing! And, break up with your real boyfriend!”

[Have they given you another difficult task?]

As soon as class started, Kanzaki Takuya passed her a note.

‘Are my emotions that obvious? Or did this guy secretly follow me?’

But no matter which it was, Mana was very grateful that Kanzaki Takuya hadn’t continued the topic of sorcerers. She really didn’t have the energy to be distracted right now, even if that matter was very important, she shamelessly had to postpone it.

As for the demand Takashiro Rie had just made, she hadn’t refused it in the end, but she also didn’t know what to do.

Breaking up with the non-existent “real boyfriend” was easy enough. Engaging in intimate acts with Kanzaki Takuya using Yurina’s body, at first glance, seemed fine, but putting herself in Yurina’s shoes, she wouldn’t like her body being used for such things either.

But…

[If you have any troubles, you can tell me, and we can figure it out together.]

Kanzaki Takuya passed another note, acting as if he would relentlessly pester her if she didn’t reply… But this matter couldn’t be solved by simply telling him.

Because the solution she could think of was to continue pretending intimacy with Kanzaki Takuya, as they were genuinely a couple, but the problem also lay there; a girlfriend making such a request didn’t seem right, no matter how she thought about it.

As the teacher’s lecture picked up pace, Mana no longer allowed herself to be distracted. And after two days, Kanzaki Takuya had also figured out her habits and didn’t pass her notes when she was listening attentively.

However, after this class, it was club time. As a member of the part-time work club, Mana naturally had no time to stay and consult with Kanzaki Takuya. But as she left the classroom, Kanzaki Takuya followed closely behind.

“Sorry, I have to go to work.”

Mana knew Kanzaki Takuya must be suspicious of her and wanted to find an opportunity to ask about her affairs, but she—

“I just want to go home with my girlfriend.”

Kanzaki Takuya smiled softly, appearing completely unconcerned and unwilling to know about the sorcerer matters. But for some reason, Mana didn’t tell him to leave again.

‘No, she knew the reason.’

Because Kanzaki Takuya was different from her; he was a very good person.

In front of the station.

“Kanzaki-kun, do you also live in the city?”

Although she had seen him go home with Yurina and even encountered him near her new home, Mana still asked, worried that he might be inconveniencing himself for her sake.

“My house is in Wakaba; it’s pretty much on the way.”

Kanzaki Takuya’s excellent grades and his attendance at such an average school were due to two reasons: first, it was relatively close to home, and second, the school’s current board members had some connections with the sorcerer world, so he was there by invitation.

Of course, the school offered many conveniences, and his status as a school idol was, to some extent, because people vaguely sensed this.

Kanzaki Takuya noticed that the girl beside him subtly let out a sigh of relief after hearing his answer.

‘It’s such an insignificant matter, and I volunteered for it, and I’m even following her with the intention of uncovering a secret… Why can she still genuinely think of my well-being?’

‘Why does a person like this always show an expression of guilt in front of me?’

He wanted to know, wanted to help her, but he would wait patiently, because he believed this girl would confide in him.

Mana, of course, didn’t know what Kanzaki Takuya was thinking or hoping for. After getting on the train and finding a seat, she immediately started doing her homework, her focused and diligent demeanor deterring anyone who wanted to strike up a conversation.

However, as they passed through Wakaba, she uncharacteristically looked up at Kanzaki Takuya beside her.

“Kanzaki-kun, aren’t you getting off?”

“I plan to eat at the restaurant where you work,” Kanzaki Takuya smiled even more broadly.

“So early?”

“I have other things to do; I’ll come over a bit later.”

“Then I highly recommend these dishes.” Mana pulled out a restaurant flyer from her bag. “Kanzaki-kun, how many of you are there?”

“Just me.”

“Then choose these few dishes… Eh?” Mana suddenly realized something was off.

“I just want to see my girlfriend while she’s working.”

Although she had anticipated Kanzaki Takuya intended to monitor her, she hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward… ‘No, perhaps she had misunderstood something.’

‘Could Yurina have been a sorcerer originally? Is that why they became a couple, but they hadn’t reached the stage of confiding in each other yet?’

Sorcerers wanting to find a normal person as a partner often had such worries… After thinking it over repeatedly, she became increasingly convinced that this possibility was high.

‘So, is Kanzaki Takuya now simply curious to see me?’

A guess was just a guess. After the train arrived at the station, Mana didn’t have time to think much more, quickly heading to the restaurant to officially start work.

As it was still early, the restaurant wasn’t very busy, so Mana had time to check outside. Sure enough, she saw Kanzaki Takuya by the roadside.

‘What was that about coming later? He’s clearly outside spying on me…’ After a moment’s thought, Mana sent him a message.

– [Isn’t this tiring? Do you want to come to the staff room inside?]

– [No, I’m leaving soon. See you later.]

Looking up, Kanzaki Takuya waved at her, then left.

Whether he truly left, Mana couldn’t be sure, but for the next three hours, Kanzaki Takuya was indeed nowhere to be seen.

Until—

“Yo, finished work?”

Mana had just exited the back door after her shift when she saw Kanzaki Takuya.

“You said you were coming to eat… Wait, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Mana instantly realized.

“Neither have you, have you?”

“That’s because I was working.” Mana was a little annoyed. “Not eating on time really affects your health. Don’t treat your body poorly just because you’re still young.”

“I’ll reflect on that, so can I visit your home today?” Kanzaki Takuya smiled. “In exchange, I’ll tutor you.”

Although her family was tight on money, treating Kanzaki Takuya to a meal wasn’t a huge problem. But what did he mean by tutoring her?… ‘Was he planning to help her maintain her lie?’

‘That’s right, her grades had improved too quickly. If Shizuki Ryoko found out about it during a parent-teacher conference or some other situation later, she wouldn’t know how to explain it.’

Recalling it, when she said she would teach Misaki yesterday, Misaki had shown a bewildered expression, surely for this very reason.

‘Ahhh, how incredibly stupid was she…’ Realizing this, she bowed deeply to Kanzaki Takuya.

“Thank you!”

“It’s a small matter. I’m just glad I could help you.”

After that, the two didn’t say much more, as both were unwilling to bring up deeper topics for now.

“My home is right here… Kanzaki-kun, can we take a picture together?”

Arriving at the apartment building, Mana hesitated, then took out her phone.

“Is that their request this time?”

As expected, Kanzaki Takuya understood immediately upon hearing it, quickly standing next to Mana. “Is there anything else I need to do?”

“No—” Mana was a little flustered, but quickly realized Kanzaki Takuya showed no inappropriate behavior.

‘Ahhh, she should have known long ago… Only a disgusting person like her would judge others with such vile thoughts.’

Taking a deep breath, she said, “If possible, I hope Kanzaki-kun, you could look a bit disgusted and impatient.”

Undoubtedly, Matsuura Yuki and Iwajo Kaori wanted to see Kanzaki Takuya disliking her.

“Like this?”

Without asking why, Kanzaki Takuya obediently adjusted his expression. Unfortunately, the effect wasn’t great; he looked as if he were glaring at an enemy.

“Ah…”

Mana was stunned for a moment but immediately showed an expression of having gotten what she wanted.

For her, a murderer, this expression was truly perfect.

“I’m sorry, did I scare you? Maybe I got the intensity wrong… How about this?” Kanzaki Takuya adjusted his facial expression again.

“No, it’s fine. My request was too strange… This is good now, please wait a moment.”

Seeing Kanzaki Takuya’s expression become much more reasonable, Mana quickly took out her phone, put on a cheerfully oblivious expression, and took a photo of the two of them.

She previewed the photo, confirmed it achieved the desired effect, and was about to put her phone away when Kanzaki Takuya gently held her hand.

“No, take another one.”

“Why?”

“This one is for you.”

Even without romantic experience, Mana understood Kanzaki Takuya’s meaning, and her face suddenly flushed.

‘Had, had she really not escaped it after all?’

However, perhaps because she knew Kanzaki Takuya was a gentleman, the anticipated feeling of disgust wasn’t very strong. Her panic was more due to nervousness and guilt.

‘This was something Yurina should be doing…’ After stiffly posing with Kanzaki Takuya, looking at the photo of Kanzaki Takuya with a gentle smile, this thought grew even stronger.

‘I am truly sorry.’

‘She was really worse than scum.’

“Yurina, let’s go,” Kanzaki Takuya called out to Mana, who was staring at the photo with a lost expression.

“Ah… Okay, I’m sorry.”

Mana quickly sent a copy of the photo to Kanzaki Takuya, then led him to her doorstep.

Taking a deep breath, putting on a cheerful smile that wouldn’t worry her family, Mana then pushed open the door.

“I’m home!”