Nishimura Noriyuki’s Date Invitation

Phew, I’m done!

Amayama Kaoru stretched lazily.

In front of her was the completed document.

The writing work had already been finished yesterday.

What remained was Kaoru’s planning and design.

And now—

Really?!

Kushō Yoshiko pulled herself away from reviewing drafts and quickly walked over to Kaoru.

She grabbed the mouse and began checking the final result.

At that moment, she couldn’t help but lean in closer out of curiosity.

How should I put it… it’s really well done.

You can feel that roughness typical of student work, but the overall impression is very good.

To achieve this level after just a few days of learning is impressive, Kaoru.

She openly expressed her admiration.

This is excellent, Kaoru.

You might actually be very suited for this kind of work.

She praised her endlessly and gave her a big thumbs-up.

Hehe, you’re exaggerating too much, Xiaoyue.

Kaoru scratched her head.

Not at all.

Kushō Yoshiko patted her shoulder.

Her glasses reflected light—perhaps from the sun outside, or perhaps the gleam of someone who had just discovered a rare specimen.

Being targeted by her wasn’t exactly a good thing, judging from recent experience.

Just as I expected.

Kaoru, being just a publicity member is really a waste of your talent.

From now on, you’ll be the second vice minister and event designer.

In truth, she just wanted to pull her into her chaotic event brainstorming group.

Even though it was strange that a club with only five members had three people in leadership.

But to me, it wasn’t really something worth paying attention to.

Next, we’ll need to print these in bulk.

Kushō Yoshiko looked toward Nishimura Noriyuki, who was quietly making tea.

I’ll leave that to you, Noriyuki.

Let’s print about a hundred copies.

She hesitated for a moment, seemingly worried they might not sell, before giving a rather conservative number.

Alright.

Nishimura Noriyuki didn’t say much.

She continued making tea quietly, as if nothing could disturb her.

Well… almost nothing.

For example, when she faced Ichijō Rikō, her gaze softened slightly.

When handing him tea, she even showed a bit of care.

This tea helps relieve fatigue.

She even added an unnecessary explanation.

Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction, which made me somewhat happy to see.

Thank you, Noriyuki.

No need, please enjoy.

As he drank the tea, Nishimura Noriyuki stood still, as if observing something.

Um… what’s wrong, Noriyuki?

Ichijō, are you free?

Hmm, when?

This weekend.

Ah, I should be free.

Then—

For once, Nishimura Noriyuki hesitated slightly before speaking seriously.

Can you go out with me?

This immediately caught everyone’s attention in the club room.

Not bad, Ichijō.

This is a request from Noriyuki, you can’t make her sad.

Kushō Yoshiko teased with a tone full of amusement.

Also, you’re practically stealing my vice minister away.

You should at least work more as compensation.

In the end, she just wanted to exploit Ichijō’s abilities.

She couldn’t say it directly, so she used this method instead.

She’s just like a black-hearted company boss, President Kushō.

Squinting her eyes, she watched the scene unfold again.

Because of what happened last time with Nishimura Michiko, the progress had been greatly extended.

It even crossed into another event timeline.

Originally, this should have happened after they became more familiar.

But for me, I actually preferred this change.

That way, I can return sooner.

Are you okay, Xiaoyue?

Kaoru whispered to me.

Because right now, I looked like I was speechless and deeply affected.

In truth, I just forgot my role settings again.

Being someone who likes Ichijō Rikō, even obsessively so.

But that was just the image I showed Kaoru.

What I truly felt inside was another matter.

We waited for Ichijō Rikō’s response.

President Kushō, please stop teasing me—

Yeah, I can go out with you, Noriyuki.

Then, let’s set the time through our phones.

Okay.

Dongye Yue’s expression darkened.

To outsiders, it looked like she was so heartbroken she couldn’t speak.

But to me, it felt like a perfect performance.

So perfect that Kaoru became even more worried and even messaged me.

—So the things you said to Amano-senpai were fake, right?

—Eh, Kaoru?

—Hmph, don’t try to fool me.

I’ve read plenty of romance manga.

I understand exactly what you’re thinking.

Kaoru rarely thought this seriously.

—Amano-senpai must be forcing you, right?

I always found it strange how he knew Ichijō was in danger and came straight to you.

He’s like those villains in romance manga who break couples apart using shady methods.

Her guess was partly correct, but mostly based on imagination from manga.

—I thought Amano-senpai was a good person.

Has his image fallen that far?

Maybe it’s just her frustration at seeing her friend hurt.

You really treasure our friendship, Kaoru.

—In the end, you should just refuse him completely.

For your own happiness, you need to resist.

Otherwise, things will only get more troublesome.

—But Ichijō doesn’t like me, right?

Most importantly, I, Dongye Yue, am a fake that cannot exist in the light.

Ah, Dongye Yue, are you done chatting?

As I nodded, soft music began to play.

Looks like you still have a lot to deal with, Dongye Yue.

Yeah, a lot of people to deal with.

I sighed.

Like just now, I had to act like someone deeply in love with Ichijō.

Luckily, he didn’t respond strongly.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to continue acting.

If he had responded passionately, maybe I would have continued the act and become your girlfriend.

That would have been troublesome.

That’s thanks to your reminder.

He shook his head.

Even though you always say it’s acting, I can’t see any trace of it.

Seeing how sad you looked just now, I really thought you liked me.

That remark triggered a strange thought in me.

Hmm.

If I really did fall for you, Ichijō, how would you feel?

I smiled slightly, wanting to see his reaction.

Wouldn’t it be disgusting?

Ignoring this sweet-looking body, what you’d see is something rotten.

If I lay on a bed with my eyes closed, I’d look like a decayed corpse.

That’s who I am, a hopeless shut-in.

Even someone like you would feel disgusted, right?

I understand, you can say it directly.

I don’t mind at all.

I’m the kind of person who easily reveals my worst sides to others.

He didn’t respond.

Maybe he was already used to my words.

Or maybe he just didn’t care.

So I couldn’t even get any amusement from this, which was disappointing.

If you really liked me.

After a moment, he answered seriously.

I think I’d be very happy.

And I wouldn’t betray that feeling.

…Huh.

Wait—

Would he really accept feelings from someone fake like me?

Wouldn’t he feel disgusted?

I felt a bit surprised.

Or maybe—

He meant the original Dongye Yue.

That would make more sense.

I’m sure she would fall for you, Ichijō.

After all, you’re a rare kind of good man.

He gave me a strange look after I said that.

Xiaoyue, you’re here.

Amano Sora immediately focused on me, even ignoring Ichijō beside him, and leaned closer.

I stepped back slightly.

You mean the original Dongye Yue, right?

Shouldn’t you be leading training right now, Sora-senpai?

Well, that’s true.

He didn’t move closer again, as if he hadn’t noticed my reaction.

So, do you still want to watch?

Um…

I wasn’t interested in kendo at all.

But refusing directly might provoke him.

Yeah, we’re interested.

Ichijō answered for me.

That finally made Amano Sora look at him.

Alright then, junior Ichijō.

After watching for a while, we prepared to leave.

Xiaoyue, let’s go home together.

Amano Sora invited me seriously, leaving little room for refusal.

Eh?

Do we even go the same way home?

Why not take this chance to come to my house?

He smiled brightly.

But he was getting a bit too pushy.

Yūko really wants to meet you.

But I don’t want to meet her.

I still have part-time work, Sora-senpai.

Then go on the weekend.

The weekend…

I might have other plans.

Didn’t you say we should start with a date?

His expression darkened slightly.

Even his way of addressing me changed.

This is really troublesome.

I’ll reply to you soon, Sora-senpai.

The music faded as the distance grew.

Ichijō had already been dragged away by Kamitsuki.

Well then, see you tomorrow, Sora-senpai.

I waved and immediately turned to chase after Ichijō.

Honestly, dealing with him was even worse than dealing with Nango Feilin.

But—since he wants a date.

—Where are you meeting Noriyuki for your date, Ichijō?

—Well…

He sent me a screenshot of their chat.

Is it really okay to share private messages like this?

But for me, it felt exciting, like secretly exchanging information.

—Sora-senpai, can I ask you out this weekend?

—Of course you can, Xiaoyue.

—Then let’s meet at 10 a.m. at Dōza.

—Okay.

I sent the screenshot to Ichijō, making him reply in confusion.

—Dongye, what is this?

—I need to make sure your date goes smoothly.

And inviting Sora-senpai can act as a cover.

A perfect solution for both sides.

Finally—

—Good night, Ichijō.

Only after sending that could I sleep peacefully.