Ever since I confessed, she has been acting strange. - CHAPTER 4: THE DUEL BETWEEN THE YOUNG LADY AND THE SINGER

Episode 22: Second Attack – Tendou Hoshine (Part 2)

“I’m sorry. We’re sold out.”

The sandwich Ojou had her eye on was unfortunately completely sold out.

“This food stall has other locations, right? Would they still have some there…?”

“Well… due to the influence of the drama, the demand has been crazy. Lately, they’ve been selling out everywhere by the morning.”

Apparently, this particular sandwich was an area-exclusive item, so it seemed like it would be quite difficult to get one today.

“That’s unfortunate. Ojou, maybe we should get something else instead…”

“……………………………………………………”

Once again, the light had disappeared from Ojou’s eyes.

And this time, she seemed even more devastated than before.

That’s strange… Until we came to this stall, she had been in such a good mood, as if she was completely sure of her victory (though I have no idea what kind of victory she was so sure of).

“My… perfect plan… is ruined…”

She’s way more depressed than someone who just missed out on a sandwich… Was she really looking forward to it?

Come to think of it, Ojou was pretty into the drama where that sandwich appeared. She’s always been the type to watch romance dramas with such dedication that she takes notes in a notebook. That’s probably why she was so excited about this sandwich, and why missing it hit her so hard.

“Uh-uh, Ojou? I can buy it for you next time, so-”

“That wouldn’t mean anything…”

Wouldn’t mean anything? What does she mean by that?

I saw that drama too… but the sandwich itself was just an ordinary one. Sure, it was made with better ingredients and had a more refined taste than the ones sold in convenience stores, but it wasn’t anything special.

…did I miss anything? I didn’t pay as much attention to it as Ojou did. How careless of me. Maybe I should watch it again when I get home.

“…No. Not yet. It’s not over yet!”

It looked as if Ojou had come out of her state of shock. Her eyes regained a strong, determined sparkle as she pulled herself together.

“Eito, we’re moving!”

“Understood. But what about your food…?”

“We’ll eat while we move. Let’s just grab something on the way.”

“If I may say so, eating while walking is hardly appropriate behavior for the young lady of the Tendou family…”

“The Tendou family? A young lady? Hah! Let the dogs have that useless title for all I care.”

“O-Ojou!?”

There’s no way that’s okay. That title is far too expensive to be turned into dog food. Even the dogs wouldn’t know what to do with it.

“Listen, Eito. There are things in this world that are much more important than such trivial matters.

“I wouldn’t call the Tendou family name trivial… But if I may ask, what is this important thing?”

“The location of the drama.”

“Ojou???”

Well… I guess the location is important…?

I mean, I heard that some of the locations of this drama got a lot of attention.

Yeah. Sure. Important.

But still…

(More important… than the Tendou name…?)

She said it with such confidence that I started to get confused.

That doesn’t make sense… No, wait. If Ojou is so sure, then maybe I’m the one who’s wrong? Huh?

Feeling more and more lost, I just followed her.

“Ojou, I’m going to buy some food, so please wait a moment. Do you have any preferences?”

“As long as it fills me up, anything will do. Moving has priority right now.”

“U-understood…”

“For a young lady, saying ‘as long as it fills me up, anything is fine’ seems a little too wild,” I thought to myself as I bought a hot dog and a drink from a nearby food stand. I briefly considered getting churros, but in the end, I chose the hot dog because it seemed closer to a sandwich.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Thanks. Now let’s hurry!”

With the hot dog and drink in hand, Ojou picked up her pace and strode forward without hesitation.

Her eyes burned with determination, fixed straight ahead. She didn’t even look at the hot dog in her hand, but she took determined bites as she walked. Surprisingly, it suited her quite well.

This theme park is divided into several areas, each inspired by different stories. In the drama, they linked one of these story-based areas to the emotions of the characters.

Oh, right. One of the most famous scenes from the drama took place on a bench next to a sculpture of a rabbit and a pocket watch. That’s where the hero and heroine had their date… and ate their sandwiches.

…There it is. The rabbit’s pocket watch sculpture. And right behind it, the bench.

“…full…? You mean it’s full…!”

Ojou stood there in utter shock.

The bench in question was completely surrounded by couples, all snuggling up, taking pictures, and enjoying their rendezvous.

…Ah. I get it now. That’s why the sandwiches were sold out.

But honestly… it doesn’t feel like drama. If anything, the sheer number of people has completely ruined the romantic atmosphere.

Well, for these couples, just being here on a date is probably enough. In fact, they probably just want to take a picture for their memories, so it’s not really a problem for them.

“Ojou, what would you like to do? We could wait for our turn…”

“…No. Let’s not. It doesn’t seem like we’d get the right atmosphere anyway.”

Ah… what a tragedy. Ojou looked completely dejected. She must have been really looking forward to visiting the locations of the drama.

☆

This was completely unexpected. Or rather, nothing had gone right from the start.

I was supposed to be sprinting up the grand staircase to the glory of victory.

Instead, I stumbled over a rock and have been tumbling helplessly down ever since.

No. It’s too soon to give up, Tendou Hoshine.

A man’s true strength is tested in times of adversity.

Dwelling on what has been lost won’t change anything. The situation won’t improve just because I wallow in disappointment.

I must look closely. Find something-anything-I can do. A clue that will turn this situation around…!

As I carefully observed my surroundings, I noticed that the bench I had intended to use was now occupied by a couple feeding each other churros.

One was plain, while the other seemed to be chocolate.

“Mmm, the chocolate is so good! I want to try your plain one too. Can I have a bite?”

“Of course! Here, say ‘ahh’-”

“Ahh… Mmm! It’s delicious! Would you like to try the chocolate one?”

“Yes, yes! Ahh-”

They took turns feeding each other bites of their churros…

T-This is it!

Yes, this is something I can do without being tied to a place!

And – an indirect kiss…!

All in a completely natural flow…!

It really is the perfect plan this time!

“H-Hey, Eito… Can I have a little taste of yours? I’ll give you some of mine, too.”

“Ojou, they’re the same hot dog…”

D-damn it…!

Why… why did I settle for a hot dog!

This completely ruins my plan! There’s no way to “taste test” when we have the exact same thing!

If only I had gotten churros! Churros would have let me suggest that we feed each other under the guise of comparing flavors!

No, wait. It’s not over yet. I just have to come up with an excuse.

“Thanks for the food.”

-He finished it!?!

“Y-You finished that fast, huh?”

“I often have to eat between tasks, so I’ve gotten used to it.”

Now that he mentioned it, it made sense.

But wait a second.

Eito… you’re still in high school, aren’t you?

Aren’t they making you work a little too hard?

Shouldn’t you at least be able to eat at a more relaxed pace?

I might have to complain – no, formally protest – to Dad about this.

“That can’t have been enough to fill you up, can it? Here, I’ll share mine with you.”

“I appreciate your concern, Ojou, but I’m not so hungry that I have to take food from you.”

“Eat more! You are a growing high school student!”

“Why are you so desperate?”

Of course I’m desperate!

Nothing – absolutely nothing – has gone right so far!

Every part of my perfectly crafted plan has completely fallen apart!

“Please, don’t worry about me. Ojou, just take your time and enjoy your meal.”

(Munch munch munch munch… swallow.)

“Eito. Don’t you want something sweet after eating?”

“That was fast!? O-Ojou!?”

“You do want something sweet, don’t you?”

“Uh… y-yes?”

(I won’t give up yet…! At least I’ll make ‘Aahh~’ happen…!)

The real question is what do I get?

I cannot repeat the same mistake as the hot dog fiasco.

I have to think fast. Analyze the situation, eliminate all bad choices, and immediately find the absolute best move.

This is a difficult problem…

Even harder than getting a perfect 100 in every subject on a school test. At least the test questions have correct answers – this is much more brutal.

Honestly, if someone made a strategy guide for situations like this, I’d pay any price for it.

No focus! I’m getting distracted.

The real question is: What should we eat?

Churros are out. Not a bad option, but eating while walking might get me another warning from Eito. Besides, I just failed with a food stall – I cannot make the same mistake twice.

That means a dine-in restaurant is the best choice.

I remember there’s one nearby. If we go there, I can order a dessert. In a restaurant, Eito won’t have any reason to stop me and we can eat at a relaxed pace.

It’s decided.

I have memorized the map of the amusement park down to the smallest detail, and I know my exact coordinates. The fastest route to the restaurant is already mapped out in my head.

Yes, yes, yes! This time it is really, really perfect!

(Processing time: 0.002 seconds.)

“I feel like Ojou’s brilliant mind was wasted on something completely unnecessary.

“Not at all. In fact, you could say that this is the most I’ve ever used my brain.”

Honestly, school tests are much more of a waste.

These things take me five minutes – tops – to fill out completely, and then I’m stuck doing nothing for the rest of the time.

So naturally, I spend the rest of the test time plotting ways to make Eito fall in love with me.

…Though considering how every single one of those plans ended in failure, maybe testing time is a waste after all.

“Eito. Let’s go to a restaurant for dessert.”

And so, we went to the restaurant together.

Since it was a busy time of day, we had to wait, but there was nothing we could do about it. Considering the time Otoha was supposed to return according to our original plan, this delay was a bit of a setback – but still within an acceptable range. No, I had to make it acceptable. I would make it acceptable. I have to accept it.

The place was technically called a “restaurant” in keeping with its theme, but in reality it was more like a food court. You ordered at the counter, found an empty seat, and picked up your order when it was ready.

I ordered the dessert I had my eye on (making sure to get different flavors) and sat down at an empty table. After all that walking, it was nice to finally sit down and relax. …Ah, the cold water seeped into my body as if to comfort me – comforting someone for whom nothing ever seemed to go right.

“The water…it tastes so good…?”

“The water you usually drink at the mansion must be of such high quality that it would be absurd to compare the two.”

Well, maybe that’s true in terms of price, but the water at the Mansion never comforts me like this.

“Ah, looks like our desserts are ready.”

The device handed to us at the counter vibrated, emitting an electronic chime to signal that our order was ready. Eito immediately stood up and grabbed it.

“I’ll bring it right over, so please wait a moment.”

I thought about following him, but quickly changed my mind.

After all, someone had to stay and hold our seats.

“All right, I’m counting on you. Come back soon.”

“Understood.”

With a smile so dazzling that it made my heart skip a beat, Eito made his way smoothly to pick up the desserts.

I wanted to watch him a little longer, but before I knew it, he had disappeared into the crowd.

While I waited for Eito to return, I had nothing to do, so I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sounds around me.

It wasn’t like I was expecting to hear anything particularly interesting – this was just part of my research. I was listening to conversations between couples and families, hoping to gain some insight that might help me with my “Eito strategy.

So far, it hasn’t borne fruit.

I don’t want to brag, but I have pretty good ears. Not only can I hear well, but I can distinguish sounds with precision.

Even now, I can pick out the crying of a baby, and at the same time hear the conversations that are almost drowned out by it. In fact, I can even guess the gender of the baby based on the sound of the crying alone.

Actually, it’s not just my ears – my eyesight is sharp, my sense of smell is keen, and my taste buds are refined. And while we’re on the subject, my figure is amazing. If anyone embodies the phrase “perfect proportions,” it’s me.

I’m well aware that my looks are the kind that most guys find attractive.

In fact, maybe I’m too extraordinary – so much so that it might make others feel inferior. That might be a bit of a problem… but oh well. I’m Hoshine Tendou. It can’t be helped.

…Well, despite all that, Eito remains completely oblivious to my feelings.

Just as I let out a small sigh, an unpleasant shout came from a nearby table.

“Shut the hell up!”

“You won’t stop whining! It’s so damn annoying!”

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!”

It seemed that trouble was brewing.

Those irritated by the crying baby were a group of college-aged men sitting nearby. There were two of them-no, three. They were well-built, and even the shortest of them was about 183 centimeters tall. (Just an estimate, of course. Since they were sitting, I could be off by a few millimeters.)

“Why the hell would you bring a brat to a place like this? You’re disturbing everyone!”

“We’re leaving right now… I’m sorry…”

His father seemed to be a naturally shy person. He was probably over thirty, but he kept bowing his head apologetically to the younger men.

Seeing this, the students smiled, reveling in their sense of superiority.

But to me, this father was far more admirable.

After all, he was enduring humiliation to protect what was truly important to him.

“How pathetic, huh? Hey, old man, you’re a man too, aren’t you?”

“Groveling like that – aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Hey, kid, don’t grow up to be a disgrace like your father, okay? Hahaha!”

Her words were clearly directed at the child – cowardly and despicable.

“You are the ones who are annoying. Would you please shut up?”

The air around us seemed to freeze. Silence actually filled the room.

By coincidence, even the baby had stopped crying.

Or maybe it wasn’t a coincidence. Maybe the child was so moved by my presence – by the fact that I had taken the time to walk over and look him in the eye – that he simply couldn’t cry anymore.

“Huh?”

“Hey, are you talking to us?”

“Who else would I be talking to? Honestly, do filthy people like you have rotten brains too?”

“Heh… You have a big mouth.”

The three students stood up and walked toward me with slow, deliberate movements.

It was the kind of posture that belonged to those who fully understood the power of their own size.

“What? Do you have a problem with us?”

“Of course I do. Crying is practically a baby’s job. It’s understandable that you find it loud, but going out of your way to intimidate them? That’s just childish.”

“You little… don’t get cocky.”

“Oh? Not as much as you, surely?”

They reeked of alcohol. Judging by their swaying posture, they were very drunk. This place doesn’t even sell alcohol – did they smuggle it in? I’ll have to make sure security tightens up the checks.

“You think just because you’re a woman, I won’t hit you?”

A big fist came swinging at me.

But it never reached me.

Before the punch could land –

Eito’s hand gripped the drunk’s arm with an iron grip, stopping him in mid-swing.

“I believe I told you to wait,” he said, his voice calm but firm.

“I have waited. That’s why I’m standing here, isn’t it?”

“I don’t mind a bit of mischief, but relying on me to clean up your mess is rather annoying.”

“That’s impossible. I always rely on you.”

“More importantly… is he okay?”

The man whose arm Eito had grabbed turned pale, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air.

This wasn’t just painful – he might not even be able to feel his arm anymore.

“It’s self-defense,” Eito said, flashing a bright, pleasant smile.

Ah, he’s definitely angry.

“W-What the hell, you bastard?!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The remaining two lunged at Eito with raised fists.

Attacking someone in the middle of a crowded place like this – completely oblivious to their surroundings. How foolish.

Eito, still calm as ever, took them down effortlessly. One was sent sprawling to the ground, while the other’s shoulder joint was neatly dislocated. His movements were so precise, so seamless, that it must have looked to the onlookers as if the two had simply tripped over themselves.

“Well, I’ll take you gentlemen outside for a little chat,” Eito said, dusting off his sleeves.

“Please do.

“Rest assured, I will handle this discreetly. After all, I don’t want to tarnish the family name.”

Still wearing that bright, pleasant smile, Eito effortlessly picked up all three students and carried them outside as if they weighed nothing.

The father, who had been left behind with his family, hesitated for a moment before bowing deeply to me.

“Th-Thank you so much…”

I just smiled.

“Make some wonderful memories with your family, okay?”

I left only the necessary words and stepped out of the restaurant, following Eito.

In the end, I never got to eat my dessert – but that couldn’t be helped. There was no way I could just ignore something like that and still be able to face myself.

When I stepped outside, Eito was already there, waiting for me. His business had been taken care of.

“Eito, let’s finally eat our dessert.”

The plan had shifted slightly, but the goal remained the same.

There was still time, and we could just go to another cafe. And this time – this time for sure – I would have the ‘aahh~’ feeding moment.

At least that’s what I thought.

But then –

“You really are… a troublesome young lady.”

“A-Ah…!”

Thirty minutes later.

I found myself cornered against a wall in a nearby hotel room – trapped by Eito’s imposing presence.