The next day, compared to last night, the rain fell even harder.
"This kind of weather is really annoying. I don't even want to go to my part-time job."
Looking at the rain outside the window, Totsuka Reita took a sip of milk and said quietly.
"I actually quite like rainy days. It's the best assist weather. A man and woman sharing one umbrella - everything that follows naturally falls into place."
Iizuka Takeya lowered his voice and laughed nonchalantly.
"Although I've known about your nature for quite some time, I still want to say - you're so sleazy."
"I especially don't want to hear that from you."
...
Murakami Yuu listened to the two's banter on the side and let out a shallow yawn.
During lunch break, they came to the school library. The reason they didn't gather in his classroom as usual was because Iizuka Takeya had broken up with his previous girlfriend - that girl from Murakami Yuu's class named Ozawa Satomi.
Iizuka Takeya's explanation for the breakup was that they weren't very compatible, but Totsuka Reita just scoffed at him. He knew Iizuka Takeya was just bored after getting what he wanted - the damn old player.
But although he was an old player, he still felt basic awkwardness. Having just broken up, he naturally didn't want to keep seeing her, so they chose this gathering place instead.
After finishing lunch, they came to the relatively empty school library. They just needed to keep their voices down so as not to disturb others.
"Yuu, I have a high-risk investment project. Are you interested?"
Iizuka Takeya faced Murakami Yuu.
The person questioned glanced at him and mercilessly exposed him.
"If you want to borrow money without returning it, just say so."
"It's not that I won't return it. Mainly, my old man was really angry about last month's exam results and stopped my allowance for a month. Although I do work part-time when I have time, that money, you know - it's more than enough for myself, but if I want to spend time with girls... it falls quite a bit short."
Iizuka Takeya smiled candidly.
"Didn't you just break up with Ozawa Satomi?"
Totsuka Reita poked him.
"That doesn't affect anything, because I'll have a girlfriend again soon."
"You really are..."
Murakami Yuu was shocked by his decisive speed.
"Who's the target this time?"
"Remember that family restaurant we went to last time?"
"I remember. Don't tell me you're really going after Kato Megumi?"
Murakami Yuu was somewhat surprised.
"Not her. I just said that casually at the time."
"Then who?"
"Remember when Aki Tomoya got so angry he slapped the table and jumped up?"
"Ah, I remember."
"She was there at the time, the one with the neither humble nor arrogant attitude."
Although Iizuka Takeya hinted to this extent, Totsuka Reita still looked completely confused. After thinking for a while, Murakami Yuu said slowly with some uncertainty:
"That waitress wearing the work uniform?"
"Correct, that's her. After things ended with Ozawa Satomi, I went back to that restaurant and successfully got her contact information. She's a second-year college student, a senpai.
Facts prove my eye is pretty good. Although she looked plain in her work uniform, when she changed into casual clothes and let her hair down, she was completely like a different person. Great figure too.
Her personality seems a bit cold on the surface, but privately she loves to chat. We're gradually getting familiar now. What comes next is just a matter of time."
Iizuka Takeya smiled proudly.
"That's nice - a cold-outside-warm-inside older sister. I wish you happiness. Take care of your body."
Totsuka Reita gave him the middle finger with both hands. He was envious.
"Got it. It wouldn't be right to let the woman pay when we go out together. How much do you need? Is 30,000 enough?"
Murakami Yuu took out his phone.
"20,000 is enough. I still have some savings left. Thanks, Yuu. Once the old man calms down and I get my allowance, I'll pay you back."
Iizuka Takeya grinned.
"Since you're strapped for cash, you don't need to be in such a hurry. I've transferred the money to you."
"Help in time of need. Thanks."
Murakami Yuu casually waved his hand to indicate it was nothing.
Totsuka Reita on the side looked at Iizuka Takeya and sighed.
"I shouldn't have brought you along today. I feel like I've heard another sad thing. But at least Yuu is still on the same front line as me. I still have a comrade."
"Sorry to disappoint you. I deserted."
"Eh?"
Totsuka Reita tilted his head, his face showing an expression of not having recovered from receiving a major blow.
"Who is it? Is it that Kiso Yukina?"
Iizuka Takeya's voice unconsciously grew louder. His face was full of excitement and curiosity.
"Yes."
"Ah, I knew it! Yuu, you really..."
His words were cut off mid-sentence.
"But she's not the only one."
"Eh?"
Iizuka Takeya was confused.
"Anyway, the situation is a bit complicated. I haven't fully sorted it out myself yet. I'll tell you guys when things become clearer."
Murakami Yuu stood up.
"Sakata-sensei asked me to find him a bit later during lunch break. It's about time. I'll head over first. You guys sit a bit longer. See you."
"Yeah, see you."
Murakami Yuu left, leaving the two looking at each other.
"What do you think Yuu meant by that?"
Totsuka Reita asked.
"He just said 'but she's not the only one'... Don't you think this phrasing easily leads to a certain association?"
"You mean..."
"You've seen romance-themed harem anime, right? The kind where a bunch of girls revolve around the male protagonist."
Totsuka Reita slowly thought of something.
"Yuu wouldn't be that insane, would he?"
Iizuka Takeya smiled bitterly.
"Who knows? Judging from what he revealed, he might have this kind of idea."
"But that's not realistic. Anime and reality are always different. Even if Yuu is willing, would any girl be willing to do this?
You shameless guy can only deal with one girl at a time, let alone Yuu who has no romantic experience."
"Putting it that way, you have a point."
"I think he must be joking with us. She's that unattainable flower. Her usual words and actions are very proper. How could she accept such an absurd thing? It's not like she's an emotional masochist. This isn't reasonable."
"Alright, you've convinced me."
Iizuka Takeya finally stopped worrying about it.
Totsuka Reita also put on a "just as planned" face and moved to the next topic.
"Speaking of which, I don't know if I've been eating too few vegetables lately. When I looked in the mirror in the morning these past few days, my complexion looked a bit yellow. My color isn't very good either. Have you experienced this, Takeya?"
"Not really. Have you been doing anything else recently?"
"Yes, I've been studying books very diligently at night lately."
"The books you're talking about - are they the books I think they are?"
"They're exactly the books you think they are."
"Oh, then I probably know the reason your face is slightly yellow."
"Eh? What's the reason?"
"Simply put, it can be summarized in four characters."
Iizuka Takeya held his chin and looked at him.
"The face reflects the heart."
...