Chapter 12: Some Kind of Scheme

While the summer festival was approaching, I was enjoying some alone time for the first time in a while.

I have an urgent matter I absolutely cannot skip.

Needless to say, it's the release date of a new volume in a series I've been following. I am a library committee member, after all.

I'm not a fanatical reading enthusiast, but I do keep my antenna up for popular works to a reasonable degree.

There's no human-like annoyance.

While I have preferences for writing style, content, and development, the contents of books don't undergo mutations. There's nothing bizarre about them.

There are just words, passages, and sentences there.

「...Hou, so the trend is the type where you get sucked into games. And what's more... it's from the protagonist's perspective...?」

With the rise of web novels, the industry's cycle of trends has become more brutal. As I picked up and put back several novels from the stacks, it was around that time.

Towering piles of books.

The large bookstore in front of the station.

Through the gaps, I can see the scene outside the store. What I spotted there were Michikusa Inori and Kanzashi-senpai together.

「That's an unusual combination──」

Saying this, I reflexively rushed outside.

I've already purchased my target book. It's a reluctant cooperative relationship, but I immediately contacted Orimoto.

【Kanzashi-senpai and Michikusa are in front of the station.】

There's no mistaking those backs.

Our high school's girls' uniform.

Golden hair and black hair. At first glance, these two who seem unlikely to cross paths are talking as they head somewhere.

【Sorry, my hands are full right now. It'd be helpful if you could follow them, but prioritize your business, it's totally fine!】

The reply comes quickly. ──Can't be helped.

My smartphone vibrates again.

【If they show any sign of knowing about my disappearance, please tell me anything.】

My business is finished. Rather than waste time thinking of a reply and lose them, I decided to prioritize this encounter between Michikusa and Kanzashi-senpai.

「Inori, I think this one's good.」

「...Mmm, it's cute. But is it for us? For Keiichi-kun, might it be too flashy?」

The two are in a select shop.

I observe from slightly behind them.

It seems they're examining a gift for Sera.

What Michikusa has in her hand is a mug.

The pattern is rabbits. It gives a childish impression for a boy to use.

Kanzashi-senpai is skillfully deflecting, and I get the impression that their compatibility is surprisingly good.

「How about this one?」

「Yeah, not bad. But, Keiichi, he said he already has that... I think.」

「Oh my, is that so?」

This and that, that and this.

The two girls are having a lively chat while selecting a present for the same man.

But why a gift?

From their behavior, it seems they aren't going to move from here yet. I provide this information to Orimoto.

The reply is faster than expected again.

I nodded at the content.

【If that's the case, they might be choosing a birthday present. That Keiichi guy's birthday is coming up soon】

【Haa, are you preparing one too?】

【Well yeah. I don't know if I can give it to him, but as a last resort, maybe I'll use the strategy of stuffing it in his house's mailbox】

【Don't do that. Sera will die of fear.】

Waking up to find a mysterious present in your mailbox! That kind of development would be light horror.

Even that Sera would develop trust issues.

Besides, if she pulls something like that, the top girlfriend candidates like Michikusa and Kanzashi-senpai won't stay quiet.

「...Oh, looks like they're going to a different store.」

The girls had made a round of the store, but apparently didn't find anything that caught their eye.

I also casually slip out of the store and follow them. ──Wait, am I not naturally taking on a tailing mission? This is... getting used to it.

Terrifying, terrifying, I mutter to myself.

「Aren't you two cute? Eh, students?」

Suddenly, a group of two men called out to them. Their words have an ominous tone.

As pickup attempts go, it isn't bad.

I can't say whether there are actual success methods, but to put it more simply, they're idiotic guys.

「We don't need that kind of thing.」

「Um, we're already leaving... sorry. ...Come on, let's go, Inori-chan.」

Kanzashi-senpai firmly grasps Michikusa's hand.

Michikusa's expression is languid, her sleepy eyes at normal operation. In contrast, Kanzashi-senpai, perhaps due to her pride as an older woman, was openly showing wariness toward the men.

Men, blond hair, piercings, sloppy clothing.

Unkempt beard, intimidating way of walking. That's all.

The people around were using the shield of no actual harm having occurred to maintain their see-no-evil attitude.

「No no, wait up! We lost big at horse racing and we're bored, you know? Won't you hang out with us?」

「──Self-inflicted. Work seriously.」

It's Michikusa who strikes them with a penetrating logical argument while stifling a yawn.

It's such perfect logic that I almost burst out laughing.

However, for the men, it was close to being lectured by a younger girl, and veins bulged on their faces.

The air tenses and cracks.

「You, are you stupid? Don't... underestimate adults.」

「Adults who get angry after two or three exchanges aren't called adults. Childish.」

「Tch, damn brat, you've got some nerve.」

The dialogue feels somewhat Showa-era.

Looking closely, the men's appearance suggests they're around thirty-something. The possibility of them being in their forties can't be ruled out. In other words, if judging by appearance alone, they're men on the verge of retreat after being thoroughly provoked by girls a generation younger.

If the men's ages really match their appearance, it would definitely be criminal.

Yes, no touching.

Anyway.

...Lame, too lame.

However, the stimulation is being thrown around too frequently.

Michikusa's sense of provocation is strangely sharp.

「Inori-chan, let's stop there?」

「Being kind to idiots like this makes them get carried away.」

「...That's just like Inori-chan.」

Michikusa calmly, calmly displayed somewhat prejudiced logical arguments, adding fuel to the men's fire.

Kanzashi-senpai says with a faint smile.

「A-Anyway, come here!」

「Won't go, people who go are stupid. We aren't stupid so we won't follow, disappear.」

「If you keep talking──damn you.」

Have they forgotten this is in front of the station? They're gathering everyone's attention.

──Turning a blind eye.

Everyone is turning a blind eye.

The tired-looking salarymen in suits. The trendy-looking office ladies. The high school girls who only film. The families with children even hurry away from the scene.

I told you I'm bad with rough situations.

I'm even worse with troublesome matters.

「──That's enough, what are you doing!」

「Ah! No, well, it's nothing much.」

「These two idiots tried to extort us.」

Two police officers rush over.

With a forceful tone, they interrogate the men. They immediately begin stammering incoherently. Even in front of the police, she calls them idiots, which has a strange irony.

「...Good thing I called the police.」

I had made a 110 call during the commotion.

This is in front of the station. The nearest police box is close.

Judging by how they rushed over in a few minutes, Japan's police are excellent. I scratched my head while breathing a sigh of relief.

Swiftly toward resolution of the situation──.

That's just from reading too much manga and anime, maybe Sera could have handled it easily, but for me, cooperating with state power was about my limit.

「...Hmm?」

If the two are probably examining birthday presents, then my tracking ends here.

It doesn't seem related to the Orimoto disappearance incident.

I contact Orimoto about how things went and put my smartphone in my pocket. Then, I make eye contact with Michikusa.

「Crap. No, I should act natural.」

The bizarre phenomenon that happened to Orimoto.

Additionally, keeping track of love rivals' movements.

The latter is my speculation, though.

Do I want Orimoto and Sera to get together? No, that's not it.

I just think it's unfair.

In a cold war state competing for the same man, being forcibly eliminated even though she was defeated is wrong.

「Here, I'll deliberately keep an expressionless face.」

Anyway.

I had been tailing them for these two reasons, but my stalking shouldn't have been discovered.

Acting suspiciously here would make them suspicious.

It's a coincidence.

Yes, I happened to be there by coincidence.

「......」

「...Stop staring at me so much.」

Our gazes overlap for a full ten seconds.

However, the first to lose interest was the golden-haired beautiful girl also known as a sheltered young lady, Michikusa Inori. She casually looked away and hugged Kanzashi around the waist.

I took that as my cue to leave.

I was the one who called the police, but that's all.

It's the same as with Orimoto. Somehow ignoring it tugs at my conscience and makes me feel guilty.

「Hope nothing weird happens.」

It definitely isn't an act.