Chapter 105: Utaha's Research
The discussion about whose house they would draw at on the weekend was not urgent; Kaede and Eriri had a whole week to discuss it.
Upon arriving at Monday, Kaede gradually got used to waiting for Eriri in the morning, and then the two of them going to school together.
Although there was a suspicion that they were deliberately showing off their affection, the students who saw them arriving at school in the morning said they would get used to it after a few more times.
Upon reaching the classroom, Takasu Ryuji walked over holding his phone.
"Asakura, let me ask you something."
"Hmm?" Looking up at Takasu Ryuji, Kaede noticed that there wasn't much confusion in the guy's eyes, but rather a little curiosity and... gossip?
"You're not going to ask some weird question again, are you?"
"No way! It's this!"
Saying this, Takasu Ryuji showed him his phone screen, which displayed information about a Japanese conglomerate.
The Shinomiya Family Conglomerate.
"Asakura, you must know about the Shinomiya Family Conglomerate, right?"
"I know. They are one of the biggest zaibatsu in the country, after all. How much wealth do they have in total? I remember seeing the news a few years ago; it's probably increased quite a bit recently. But why are you bringing this up?"
"Well, actually."
Saying this, Takasu Ryuji leaned closer to Kaede and lowered his voice: "You know that my senior at work, Shirogane-senpai, is the Student Council President of Shuchiin, right? Yesterday, two customers came to the shop, both girls. At first, I thought they were just the senior's classmates, but later I found out that one of them is the Vice President of the Student Council, which means she is the young lady of the Shinomiya Family. And I also noticed that Shirogane-senpai seems to like that Shinomiya young lady."
"Oh?"
Kaede finally showed a surprised expression and said with a smile, "Then you're really lucky. You should know that the true appearance of the Shinomiya Family's young lady has never been reported in the media. The Shinomiya Family is very strict about protecting information in this regard."
"Is that so? No wonder I couldn't find any information about that senior."
It seemed Takasu Ryuji didn't know much about this kind of information.
Kaede asked with a smile, "So, what does that senior look like? I've only seen bits and pieces online saying that the young lady of the Shinomiya Family Conglomerate is exceptionally beautiful, academically excellent, and a genuine genius."
"Hmm~~~~"
Hearing Kaede's question, Takasu Ryuji recalled the encounter and said, "Her appearance is truly flawless, and her demeanor clearly shows she's a genuine young lady, not the kind who just puts on airs. It's just that their dynamic—hers and Shirogane-senpai's—felt a bit strange? But I can't quite pinpoint what was weird about it."
Of course. Those two people have thought processes that are unusual. Although Takasu Ryuji is also quite unique, he is still within the realm of ordinary people, so it's normal that he doesn't understand.
If Kaede hadn't known beforehand, he probably would have had the same expression as him.
"Alright, let's not worry too much about others. Given Shirogane-senpai's ability, although pursuing the Shinomiya Family's young lady is certainly difficult, he should be able to do it, right? After all, he managed to become the Student Council President of Shuchiin. His future is boundless."
"I hope so."
Originally, Takasu Ryuji had wanted to ask Kaede if he had any good advice to help his senior. He didn't have many ideas himself, so he wanted to ask for help for his senior.
Now that Kaede had mentioned the Shinomiya Family Conglomerate's young lady, they decided it was best not to offer random advice.
The topic could only end there.
When noon arrived, Takasu Ryuji and Kitamura Yusaku originally thought Kaede would abandon them, the two single guys, again. But who would have thought he stayed to eat with them today?
Looking at Kaede, who had joined their table, Kitamura Yusaku asked with a smile, "Asakura, why aren't you going to meet Sawamura?"
"Eriri was pulled away by Kasumigaoka-senpai. It seems they have something to talk about. It wouldn't be right for me to join their girl talk, so I can only eat here in the classroom."
Kaede opened his lunch box and said with a smile, "What, am I not welcome?"
"Hehe, we were just a little surprised."
After picking up a piece of rice and putting it in his mouth, Kitamura Yusaku said, "After all, you and Sawamura just started dating, right? I heard that when people first start dating, they like to stick together?"
"Hmm~~ I suppose I do feel that way, but it's only one lunchtime; it's not a huge loss. We'll still be together during the Art Club activities this afternoon, won't we?"
After explaining, Kaede looked at Kitamura Yusaku and smiled: "By the way, why are you, a single guy, asking such detailed questions?"
"Curiosity! After all, among the people we know, you were the fastest one to make a move, weren't you?"
It seemed that was truly the case?
And it wasn't just among the few of them; he was the only male student in the entire class who was currently taken.
In response, Kaede shrugged and cheekily said, "As students, we should focus primarily on academics. Don't spend all day thinking about such nonsense."
Takasu Ryuji almost spat out a mouthful of rice when he heard that. "Cough, cough... You're the only one who can say that without anyone daring to refute you. Your grades are good, so you get to decide."
Meanwhile, Eriri had met up with Utaha, and the two were sitting on chairs on the school building's rooftop eating lunch.
"You really like running up here,"
Eriri said with emotion, looking at the deserted rooftop. "Did you get the key from a teacher? I'm surprised you managed to get it."
"Honor students always have some privileges. I said I wanted a quiet environment to rest during lunchtime, so I borrowed it," Utaha said with a faint smile.
"Tch, honor student privilege."
Eriri curled her lip dismissively, opened her lunch box, and said, "Alright, tell me what you called me over for."
Utaha didn't beat around the bush this time and stated directly, "It's nothing major. The main thing is that I want to gather some research material from you."
"...Research material?! You're not thinking of gathering material from me and Kaede-kun and writing it into love metronome, are you?"
Eriri's eyes widened as she looked at Utaha in disbelief.
Utaha calmly continued eating and nodded. "Yes. After all, you know I don't have any dating experience, and among the people I know, you and Asakura-kun just happened to start dating. Instead of taking inspiration from literature and films, when I have a ready-made target, why wouldn't I consult directly? Don't worry, I won't copy it entirely. My plot arrangement will still be the main focus. I mainly want to understand the dynamics between couples."
After listening, Eriri knew that Utaha's research method was understandable. When she used to draw doujinshi herself, she would also draw inspiration from other doujin works.
However, talking to someone else about her relationship with her boyfriend felt so embarrassing!