Though this back-and-forth game of defining their relationship sounded amusing and was perfect for daydreaming, Asakura Mio knew in her heart that her suggestion this time wasn't just to indulge her own mischievous side or to enjoy the drama.
It felt more like… she was listening to a quiet voice inside that didn't want to see the other girl shrink back.
Amaori Renako had already worked hard to become friends with girls who were completely different from her—bright, shining girls. That in itself took a lot of courage.
If she gave up this precious connection just because she was afraid of messing up a love confession, it would be such a shame.
The world already had enough reclusive types who preferred hiding in the shadows…
Her tone softened almost without her noticing, carrying a warmth she herself hadn't detected.
"Besides—even if things don't go well, even if you mess up completely, it's not like you'll have nothing left, Amaori-san. Don't you still have… a place where you're completely accepted?"
She pointed at herself, then quickly averted her gaze, a little embarrassed.
"When that time comes—if you want, you can just be friends with me. But only on one condition: you have to try your best first, so you won't have regrets later."
"Asakura-san…"
Amaori Renako stared at her blankly, her eyes looking slightly red.
She sniffled hard, then suddenly shook her head vigorously, as if steeling herself. Her voice was choked but firm.
"No, I'm calling you Mio-chan after all!"
"Huh? No, don't…"
Asakura Mio's face flushed instantly. Hadn't they already moved past this? Why was she bringing it up again!
"Yes! I am!"
Amaori's tone was unusually stubborn. She took a small step forward, unconsciously grabbing Asakura's hands.
Her eyes were shining, full of gratitude and a sense of relief, as if she'd finally found someone to rely on.
"Thank you… Mio-chan. Your words really put me at ease. Otherwise, I really, really wouldn't know what to do—my mind's been a tangled mess. I'll—I'll do my best, just like you said!"
"Mhm, that's good~"
Seeing the other girl perk up, Asakura let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. She couldn't resist adding in her usual, ship-cheering tone:
"Just try dating first~!"
It couldn't hurt to promote her a ship a little. Getting first-hand sugar was always sweet.
Amaori Renako nodded firmly, as if filled with immense courage. Then, as if struck by a brilliant idea, her eyes lit up and she looked at Asakura with anticipation:
"Then… Mio-chan, will you be my 'Friend Support Squad'?"
"...Hah?"
--+--
The so-called "Friend Support Squad" wasn't hard to understand—basically, it meant being an assistant to help Amaori Renako navigate this tug-of-war and shift their relationship from romantic to platonic.
Though it was never stated outright, Asakura had a pretty good idea who the confession was from.
She still didn't quite get it.
When the one confessing was a beauty on the level of Oozuka Mai, unless the person being confessed to was absolutely, terminally "homophobic," why would rejection even be a consideration?
If someone like that confessed to her, she might just agree in the heat of the moment.
Of course, then she'd be stuck figuring out how to extricate herself from the trouble afterward. After all, Asakura Mio could never handle life under the spotlight, standing next to Oozuka Mai.
Whatever Amaori Renako's reason for rejecting the confession, she had indeed accepted this special role.
Because—it was just too juicy!
Not only was her wild speculation turning out to be true, but she'd also get real-time updates on their interactions—genuine, unscripted moments of closeness between them.
For a yuri fan like her, it was an irresistible temptation.
Asakura even wondered if Amaori had seen right through her little hobby, which was why she'd made an offer she simply couldn't refuse.
After that, the two grew a little closer. Specifically, after every class, Amaori Renako wouldn't immediately join the Quintet group but would instead come over to whisper with her.
"Amaori-san… is it really okay for you not to go over there?"
"It's fine. I just… told a little lie, said I wasn't feeling too well. Everyone understood."
But you really don't look unwell at all—they're going to see through it sooner or later.
Especially with Koyanagi Kaho right behind you, watching every time the two of you pass by, clearly curious about why you've suddenly gotten so close.
"Let's have lunch together, Mio-chan!"
"I usually eat alone in the courtyard… Besides, isn't this the opposite of trying to fix things? It feels more like you're just running away."
Asakura pointed out the key issue. As someone in the know, she understood that Amaori's unusual behavior was really about avoiding Oozuka Mai within the Quintet. But keeping this up wouldn't just stall any progress—it would slowly pull Amaori away from the group.
That would completely go against what they'd agreed on earlier.
"It's not like I have a choice… I know what I should do, but I have no idea where to even start."
Amaori Renako was terrible at hiding her feelings. Saying something like that was basically admitting that her confessor was someone in the group—not that there was any need to spell it out.
Asakura stole a glance toward Oozuka Mai and saw her talking with Koto Satsuki. But the moment Asakura looked over, Oozuka seemed to sense it and immediately met her gaze.
She tilted her head slightly and offered a beautiful, flawless smile.
Bright, confident, clean—a smile without a single flaw. Only… it felt fake.
She paid more attention to Oozuka Mai than to the others, probably because even within the Quintet, Oozuka was the undeniable center of attention.
But Asakura could tell—this was the kind of perfect, polished smile you often saw in magazines and on TV, carefully crafted for public view.
What kind of expression would the real Oozuka Mai be showing her right now? Probably not a smile…
After all, the girl who'd confessed to her was clinging to her side…
Asakura took a deep breath and looked seriously at Amaori Renako before saying slowly:
"No matter what, starting today, you can only talk to me three times a day! Even the Friend Support Squad has a cooldown period. Don't depend on me too much, okay!"
--+--