Agenda Item 3: How Can I Get My Guy Friend to Realize I'm Actually a Girl?

「I'm sorry. It seems I'm a little late.」

One day at the student council. As the members are carrying out their duties as usual, the President enters the room at a brisk pace arriving late.

「Oh my, Yurina-san, this is unusual.」

「I got held up by the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, you see. We were talking, and it made me late.」

「With the Disciplinary Committee Chairman? What were you talking about?」

Anything wrong? Nagisa seems to imply as she continues, and the President offers a slight, wry smile as she sits down in her seat.

「It was about something an item brought up in today's disciplinary inspection, and well... To put it bluntly, it was apparently a lewd manga.」

「L-Lewd, you say?」

「...You mean an "ecchi manga", is it?」

「Yes, that. It seems he confiscated it from some boys who brought it in, but the conversation turned to why they'd bring it to school to read with multiple people, even if reading it alone is one thing. The Disciplinary Committee Chairman was laughing, saying that boys get excited over those kinds of topics amongst themselves, but I just couldn't understand it──」

「No, no, it's not just boys amongst themselves, girls can get excited about it with boys too!」

「「「Eh?」」」

At that sudden outburst, as if cutting off the President's words, everyone turns to look at Kana.

The Kana in question, as if snapped back to reality by everyone's gazes, let her eyes wander.

「Hayase-san?」

「N-No, that's not what I meant.」

「What do you mean by girls with boys too?」

「I-I didn't mean anything deep by it, just... it's a general statement that when it comes to getting excited about things you like, gender doesn't matter...」

「For that, it sounded like a very impassioned voice, though.」

「W-Well, that's...」

Faced with everyone's dubious gazes, Kana looks unusually flustered.

But eventually, after glancing furtively at the President and Anri,

「...H-Hey, about that love consultation from the President and Anri... It went well, right?」

she abruptly asked.

「Eh, what's with the sudden question? As I said before, mine was a complete success. In fact, it's still succeeding even now.」

「Mine wasn't a complete success, but it was a success. I'm very glad I sought the student council's advice.」

To that question, the President replies boastfully, while Anri answers with a hint of shyness.

Looking at the two of them, Kana continued with a somewhat restless demeanor.

「A-Actually, I'm also handling a love consultation... Um, from a friend!」

「Eh, you are?」

「Yeah, what I said earlier was related to that. I was thinking about how it connected to what my consultant was saying, and it just kind of slipped out.」

「What you said earlier, about the ecchi manga, you mean?」

「N-No, no, whether it's ecchi or not isn't related, it was more like I reacted to the manga part...! A-Anyway, sorry to bother you, but could I get the student council's advice on my love consultation too? ...It's okay, right?」

Kana has a somewhat expectant look in her eyes.

「Of course, that's perfectly fine. The student council's love advice is spot on, so I'm sure we can be of help to Hayase-san's consultant.」

The President replies, as confident as ever.

Seeing that, Kana pumps her fist slightly and mutters, "Yay...!".

「So, what's the consultation about?」

「Well, the content itself is mostly the same as the President's and stuff, she likes a boy and wants it to be mutual, but confessing herself is difficult... However, the reason for that is a bit special.」

「Special?」

「Yeah. Um... to put it simply, he thinks of her as a guy friend.」

「「「Eh?」」」

At those utterly unexpected words, everyone's voices overlap again.

「W-What do you mean? Your consultant is a girl, right?」

「Of course, the consultant is a bona fide girl.」

「I was on pins and needles, thinking it was a consultation about same-sex love.」

「It's not like that. Basically, um... she's misunderstood because of her appearance.」

「Being Hayase-senpai's friend, does that mean she resembles Hayase-senpai?」

「Oi oi, Nagisa-chan? I'm a perfectly legitimate girl. Look, I'm even wearing a skirt.」

「That's right, Nagisa-san. Kana-san is just popular with the girls for being a cool girl.」

「W-Well, anyway, she's a girl with those kinds of circumstances.」

Kana continues, looking somewhat awkward at Anri's follow-up.

「Because he thinks she's a guy friend, it's a problem that comes before a confession. It's like the preconditions for a flag to even be raised haven't been met.」

「I see... So, the priority is to get him to realize she's actually a girl. What about just honestly revealing that fact?」

「Impossible. He completely thinks she's a boy. If she suddenly revealed she's a girl after all this──」

「Well, he would be surprised, wouldn't he? It would be good if it ended with just surprise.」

「It could become awkward, and there's a risk of damaging the friendship itself.」

「Ahh, stop it! I don't want to hear that!」

Kana covers her ears as if it were about herself.

「Well, I can understand that. There are probably things they could talk about precisely because he thought they were the same gender, so if he found out that person was actually of the opposite sex, it's true that it's questionable whether they could continue their relationship as before.」

「Right!? That's why she's so worried...!」

「This might be a rather difficult consultation...」

Understanding the situation, "Mumumu…" the members begin to think with serious expressions.

「But as a premise, the time will come when she has to reveal she's a girl, right? Since your consultant wants a romantic relationship with him.」

「Yeah... that's true.」

「But she can't do it now, is that it? In that case, she'll have to do something while still being perceived as a boy...」

「Then, isn't the only option to make appeals that she's actually a girl and have him realize it?」

「Uh... I guess it comes down to that.」

「Hayase-san, under what circumstances would your consultant be able to reveal she's a girl? Are there any conditions for that?」

「Rather than conditions, I guess it's when she's confident he'll accept her even if she tells the truth. As long as there's even a slight chance of failure, she just can't bring herself to say it. The thought of losing him is unbearable...! I know it sounds selfish.」

「...No, not at all. That feeling of not being able to fail precisely because you truly like someone is correct!」

「I understand as well. The feeling that you can't imagine a life without him is not wrong at all! Ah, I'm talking about my consultant, though!」

「R-Right! That's how much she truly likes him...! It's the first time she's ever felt this way── ...is what my consultant is saying too!」

The three of them nod vigorously at each other, in deep mutual understanding.

「...Um, so what should be done in the end? Does this mean she has no choice but to patiently wait for him to notice?」

As Nagisa, who had been watching the three, asked the obvious question, they all stiffened for some reason.

「W-Well, yes. It's important to make appeals so that doesn't happen, but this consultation is difficult even for that.」

「If we don't explore some possibilities, we won't be able to offer any advice at this rate.」

Mmm... the group ponders again.

But amidst that, Kana spoke up, somewhat hesitantly.

「...You know, I think it's difficult, but I don't think it's impossible. Because there are, like, actual examples.」

「Actual examples? What do you mean?」

「Look, you see them sometimes, right? That rom-com genre where the guy thought his friend is a boy, but she was actually a girl.」

「Ahh, you see those in manga and such, don't you?」

「Yes! The fact that it exists as a genre means it's a desirable situation, which means there's demand for it, right!? So it wouldn't be strange if there was a chance of it happening in real life too, right!?」

「In manga, how does their relationship progress?」

「That's... well, they get flustered by little things in their daily lives, and he thinks "What if this guy were a girl──no, no, that's impossible──", and flags are raised like that, and then finally he finds out she really is a girl──」

「That's a setup where the boy is the one who's becoming conscious of her, isn't it? Aren't there any stories where the girl is the one making the approach?」

「There are some... but still very few! I want to read as many of those kinds of works as possible! If you know any good ones, introduce them to me!」

「Even if you tell me that, I'm at a loss...」

Nagisa shows a rare look of bewilderment at the somewhat peeved Kana.

「...But in reality, the girl still has to be the one to make a move, doesn't she? In that case, I think we have no choice but to think of approaches that make him think "Maybe she's a girl?" even while he perceives her as a boy.」

「B-But, such a method...」

「It's certainly difficult, but there must be something. Let's see...」

The President pondered for a while, then her face reddened slightly as she spoke for some reason.

「For example, this is a precedent from my consultant.」

「Eh? Is there a method?」

「Basically, it was something where showing her underwear ended up being an effective appeal──」

「U-Underwear!?」

「Yes, deliberately dress casually to create an opening. That will further increase its power.」

「No, even if you say power!? Did that person really do something like that!?」

「Y-Yes. Although the result was that it wasn't quite seen, she said she succeeded in making him quite conscious of her. In other words, it was that effective...」

As the President speaks, sounding strangely proud, Kana is taken aback with an "Ehh…" but,

「That consultant of yours did something quite drastic, didn't she? I genuinely respect that reckless determination.」

「Anri!?」

Kana is further surprised when Anri agrees with the President's words.

「One cannot be choosy about the means when trying to get the person you like to notice you.」

「Exactly, Maishima-san. She's aware it's improper, but her feelings of love are even stronger.」

「I understand that feeling. My consultant is the same...」

The President and Vice President nod in agreement.

Watching them, Kana, while stammering "Uh…",

「I-It's true that she's prepared to do anything if it means he'll notice her...! But that method is impossible! The President's consultant might have succeeded, but that's because she's recognized as a girl. If someone thought to be a boy was seen wearing women's underwear, he'd be totally put off!」

she cries out, clutching her head in anguish.

「Then how about the skinship strategy my consultant employed? Even if she's mistaken for a boy, she's actually a girl, so she should be able to convey her softness as a girl through skinship. S-She might as well press her chest against him and have him realize it quite naturally.」

「Eh, Maishima-san's consultant did something like that?」

「N-No, it's more like she intended to, but failed... A misfortunate accident prevented it from working out well.」

「So she did it. That proactive attitude of not choosing her means... I feel a sense of empathy.」

「Me too, I respect Yurina-san's consultant.」

While the two were deeply empathizing with each other, on the other hand, Kana looked despondent with a gloomy face for some reason.

「...What's wrong, Kana-san?」

「...That strategy is impossible.」

「Eh, why is that? I thought it was perfect.」

「...Yeah. It's perfect. If that were possible...」

「Eh?」

「...She can't. That girl, she has no chest...」

As Kana mutters this with a dry smile "...Ahh", the other members look as if they'd heard something they shouldn't have.

「Thanks to that, she hasn't been found out as a girl, though. Hahaha... Haaah...」

As an awkward atmosphere drifted through the room, Kana let her shoulders slump with slightly teary eyes.

「W-Well, anyway, this is troubling... I thought my strategy would be the ultimate appeal if only it could be done...」

「My strategy too, if only it hadn't failed, would absolutely work...」

「You two are amazing. Perhaps because you've heard the consultants' raw voices, your advice is so vivid... Compared to that, I haven't thought of anything so far. I'm sorry, Hayase-senpai.」

Along with a groaning "Uhh" a stagnant mood flows through the student council room.

「...I guess there's no choice but to continue the friendship and watch for the right timing.」

Amidst this, Kana makes a somewhat downhearted remark.

「But isn't it because she can't do it that this girl consulted you?」

「That's right! She really likes him... and the thought that they might just stay ordinary friends forever is becoming unbearable...!」

「Yes, the fact that she consulted someone means that's the situation.」

Anri shows a gentle, empathetic stance towards the consultant, saying, "I understand".

All the student council members shared that feeling, which was why they were all seriously searching for a solution, yet no brilliant ideas were forthcoming.

The fact that he thought of her as a boy is proving to be a high wall, and the student council members are struggling more than ever.

They speak less, and a heavy atmosphere begins to settle in.

「...Um, may I say something for a moment?」

Amidst that, Nagisa suddenly spoke up.

「It's not a solution, but there's something that caught my attention.」

「...What is it, Nagisa-chan?」

「You said this consultant is thought of as a boy by the person she likes, but why was she mistaken for a boy in the first place? It would be a rude question if that person has a masculine appearance, but...」

「Ahh, it's not like that, so don't worry. It's just that when they met, she was wearing something like a disguise.」

「A disguise?」

「Mmm... It might be faster if I tell you about when she met him. Though, it's not much of a story.」

Kana says that and begins to recount the story of their first meeting.

「My consultant has a hobby she can't tell anyone around her about. Well, it's drawing manga, but it's the kind of content she really doesn't want acquaintances to see. That applied to her family too, so she usually drew at family restaurants or places like that, but at that time, she didn't want to be recognized if she ran into an acquaintance, so she was disguised.」

「Was that by any chance, dressing as a boy?」

「She wore a hat pulled down low and avoided wearing skirts, so it ended up looking like that. Then one day, she carelessly dropped her manuscript and scattered it all over the place, and unluckily just then, a student from the same school walked in.」

「T-That's a pinch, isn't it?」

「Yeah, she was in a total panic, thinking it was all over. But, the one who appeared there was him. He helped the half-crying consultant quickly gather the manuscript. Then he said "You draw manga, that's amazing", and that's how they met.」

Kana smiles as if recalling that moment.

「They sat at the same table, and naturally, the topic was manga. They found out they both loved manga and talked for hours, forgetting the time. Since then, they've been manga friends, and that's how it is now.」

「I see, so that's how they met. For your consultant, he must have seemed like a prince.」

「I-It's not such a dramatic episode... But well, maybe you're not wrong. Thinking back, I think she fell for him the moment they met...」

Kana says, averting her gaze shyly.

「That's it!」

「Uwah!? W-What!?」

Just then, the President, who had been listening silently, suddenly slams her hand on the desk and shoots up, causing Kana to flinch.

「Why didn't you tell us that sooner! There's a proper solution, isn't there!」

「Eh, s-solution? What part of the story are you talking about?」

「You said the consultant draws manga, didn't you? Then she should just make a manga about her feelings for him and show it to him!」

「...Eh?」

「Ahh, I see! If it's in the form of a manga, she can draw anything and say it's fiction!」

「Exactly, Maishima-san! She should draw characters modeled after the consultant and her crush in the manga and make her appeal! That way, the things we were just talking about would be easy──no, she could do even more than that, as much as she wants!」

"Ohhh!" the two of them exclaim, getting excited.

Meanwhile, Kana,

「......I never thought of that.」

looked as if scales had fallen from her eyes.

「Hayase-san, you just said "I want to read as many of those kinds of works as possible", didn't you? You said there were few rom-coms where the guy thought his friend was a boy but she was actually a girl, and the girl makes the approach. ...If there are few, then she should draw one herself!」

As the President says that pointing sharply at her, Kana receives a shock as if struck by lightning.

「I-I see...! If it's impossible in real life, she can do it in a manga...! If she draws a work filled with her feelings for him, and he thinks it's interesting──」

「...Yes, that's the consultant's "win".」

「That's it──!!」

With that final push, Kana stands up and shouts.

Her excitement is as if she has found a single ray of light in the darkness.

「Thank you, President! That's the best advice ever!」

「It's an idea that came about because of your consultant's own skills. Being able to draw manga, I'm envious. She can make all the appeals she wants within the work.」

「That's true. We said it was difficult in reality, but in a manga, the approaches Yurina-san and I mentioned earlier would be possible.」

「No, you can do even more than that. You could even pour out all the author's desires.」

「...Pour out desires?」

「Yes, because you can do anything in a manga, can't you?」

It should have been a casual remark, but Kana's eyes widen for some reason.

「I'm truly envious. With such skills, you can make all the appeals you want.」

「Indeed. If you create characters that look just like yourself and the other person, you can insist it's fiction and be invincible.」

「You could even do that and this...!」

「If you can do that, you can make all the appeals you want...!」

The two of them gush about how envious they are.

Meanwhile, Kana pays them no mind, lost in thought with a somewhat dazed expression.

Moreover, her face seems to be growing increasingly flushed,

「...What's wrong, Hayase-senpai?」

「Eh? Ah, no...」

When Nagisa called out to her with a curious look, Kana seemed to snap back to reality, but her reply was still somewhat vague.

「...Nagisa-chan, I'm going to do my best. No, I'll tell my consultant to do her best. To draw a work that expresses her true desires...!」

「Ah, yes. I think that's good...」

Nagisa tilts her head at Kana's strangely forceful tone.

However, Kana pays no heed to Nagisa's reaction and focuses once more on her own thoughts.

Perhaps she is imagining the true desires she had just mentioned, as her face continues to redden, but what those desires entailed remained unknown to anyone but herself.

▽

「Sorry, my part-time job ran late, so I'm a bit late.」

I said that, confirming the presence of the earlier arrival, and slid into a secluded booth seat at the family restaurant.

「It's okay. I just got here too.」

The one who looked up saying that, was a boy wearing a hat pulled down low.

His name is Kanata. He is my friend. That said, he's not a student at the same school, nor were we classmates in elementary or middle school.

I met him about half a year ago.

It started with something trivial, but because of that, we now meet up regularly and have deepened our friendship.

「Oh yeah? Glad to hear it. So, what about the goods?」

I say this while sitting down across from Kanata, and immediately get to the point.

「Of course, I brought them.」

Kanata grinned at my words and pulled out the bag he had placed beside him.

Matching him, I also open my own bag.

Then, with bold smiles on our faces, we simultaneously pull out the contents.

「Behold! The complete "War Chief" series!」

「And over here, the complete "HanaKimi" series!」

We showed each other the bundles of manga──the goods──presented with a force that seemed to generate a BA-DUM! sound effect, and got incredibly excited.

As you can tell from this exchange, the connection between Kanata and me was manga.

We're both huge manga fans, and we often meet up like this to enthusiastically discuss things like "that series was great" or "this series has a god-tier story"──in other words, our relationship is that of hobby friends.

Actually, this kind of relationship is quite precious.

It's not like it's a hobby you have to hide, and I do talk about manga with my school friends, but you can't just have in-depth discussions with anyone.

It's hard to find an "otaku friend" like this, but luckily, I was able to meet Kanata.

「Thanks a bunch, I've been wanting to read that for ages!」

「Me too. Then, let's trade as usual.」

Saying that, we each hand over the manga we have brought to the other.

Lending each other the manga we own is also a regular thing.

For students with limited allowances, a friend with whom you can do this is also a truly grateful presence.

At times like these, being a physical media person instead of downloading online really makes a difference.

「Oh, I'll return the one I borrowed last time.」

While receiving a new series from Kanata, I return the one I borrowed previously.

「I'll return mine too. The one I lent to Haruhisa was "UraKano", right? How was it?」

「It was awesome! Just as good as Kanata recommended.」

「Ehehe, right?」

「First off, that series had a great concept with the cool-type girlfriend's hidden cute side. Plus, all the characters were well-developed──」

I start talking about the "UraKano" series I borrowed from Kanata and read.

Discussing our thoughts on recently read manga like this is also a regular occurrence, and this is another enjoyable time.

It's not just me talking one-sidedly, Kanata also responds with his own impressions with equal enthusiasm, so it gets very lively.

「Ahh, UraKano is just so good, isn't it? More than anything, the art is amazing! The character designs are too perfect!」

Kanata especially likes rom-coms and is a big proponent of art quality, so I get the impression he has a lot of passionate opinions about this series.

That straightforwardness about his "likes" is very otaku-like and great.

「Especially the lines of the characters! They're kind of rounded, or soft...! Big boobs drawn with these lines are truly humanity's treasure!」

「I totally get that. It's amazing how you can feel more eroticism from it than from some ero-manga, even though you can't see anything.」

「That's it! As expected of Haruhisa, you get it! I seriously wish I could see some ero stuff with this art! Well, at my level, I can kind of see through clothes, though!」

「What kind of mind's eye is that? ...But wait, I'm pretty sure this artist drew ero doujin before their commercial debut.」

「Eh, seriously!?」

「Seriously. I remember seeing it online before. Just a one-page sample, though.」

「Uwahh, I want to read it! I'll definitely find it! If it's not online, I'll look for it in shops! You have to come with me then, Haruhisa!」

To Kanata whose eyes are sparkling, I nod an "of course".

Normally, I'd want to pass on searching for ero doujin together even with a friend, but Kanata is different.

Being able to have these kinds of niche talks, including ero stuff, is what our relationship is all about.

Kanata gives a thumbs-up to my reply. That passion is truly refreshing.

As we have such conversations, our manga discussion continues.

「But what's wonderful isn't just the art, but also the careful storytelling. After all, manga isn't just about the art, the story is also important.」

「That's true. And what's also important is definitely the characters. Especially in rom-coms, I think the gap moe is crucial, and this author understands that well.」

「There are criticisms online saying it's too classic, though.」

「That's the opinion of some contrarians. Classics are classics because they're good.」

「I totally agree with that. When I read one-star reviews, I think, "They just don't get it". Look, like this one.」

Kanata says, opening a review site on his smartphone.

Discussing things while looking at online reactions is also part of the fun.

「They really don't get itー But this five-star review over here says some really good things. The content is spot on too.」

「Ah, that's my review.」

「You wrote one too!? No wonder our opinions matched!」

Our enjoyable talk continued like that, and we watched review videos in between and discussed them, going back and forth.

I don't know how long we'd been talking, but in the midst of it, Kanata suddenly said "Come to think of it", and asked me something.

「It's just a small question, but... Haruhisa, what kind of heroine archetypes do you like...?」

「Mmm? Heroine archetypes, you mean in rom-coms and stuff, right? Let's see... I like concept-based ones like tsundere or kuudere, and relationship-focused ones like little sister or childhood friend are good too, I can go for slightly bittersweet youth type characters as well... Honestly, I can't think of any archetype I dislike, so I guess you could say I like them all.」

「I see. So... you're okay with anything?」

「As long as it's not too weird, I'm okay. I might want to pass on yandere with strong sick elements, but if it's a well-drawn work, I'd like to try reading it.」

「Fuuhn... So, for example, what about a "heroine who you thought was a guy friend but was actually a girl"...?」

「Ahh, that's good too. I think it's one of the classics, and of course, I like it too.」

「I-Is that so! Fuuhn, I see...!」

For some reason, Kanata's reaction is one of slight joy.

I feel like his voice is somewhat buoyant too.

「What's up? Did you perhaps find a recommended rom-com series with that kind of heroine? If so, tell me about it.」

「Eh? Ah, no, that's not it...」

At my words, Kanata shakes his head, looking a bit flustered.

Something is off. I feel he seems a little different from usual...?

As I am thinking that, Kanata pulls his bag closer, takes a small deep breath, and then turns back to me.

「A-Actually, there's something I want to show Haruhisa today.」

「Something you want to show me? Did you get your hands on some rare book or something?」

「Nn-nn, it's not like that...」

Kanata mumbled, but eventually, as if having made up his mind, he took something out of his bag and presented it before my eyes.

...Is this, a stack of paper?

「This is a manuscript... I drew it...」

「Eh, a manuscript!?」

Hearing that, I'm surprised and do a double-take at Kanata and his manuscript.

「So, you mean it's finished!?」

「W-Well, it's something I drew in a hurry, so it's really rough. But, I guess you could say it's a completed work...」

「That's amazing! You did it, Kanata!」

As Kanata blushes and looks down, I rejoice as if it were my own accomplishment.

That's because I knew Kanata was drawing his own manga.

Until now, he hadn't been able to achieve a satisfactory result and said the quality wasn't good enough to show anyone.

But now that it's finally complete, of course, as a friend──and as a manga fan──I'm thrilled.

...Come to think of it, Kanata was drawing manga when I first met him too.

After we became friends, we talked about him letting me read it someday, and now that day has finally come... This is enough to get anyone pumped up!

「Iyaa, you said you were in a slump recently, so I was worried.」

「Y-Yeah, but suddenly I got an idea of something I wanted to draw.」

「The "it came to me" thing? I'm not a creator, so I don't really get it.」

「Y-Yeah, something like that, I guess?」

For some reason, Kanata averts his gaze, looking somewhat awkward.

More importantly, the manuscript now!

「Can I read it?」

「O-Of course. It's like I drew it for Haruhisa to read...」

...Kuh, he says the sweetest things.

He probably pursued what he wanted to draw, but his consideration for his friend really shows Kanata's character.

「By the way, what kind of work is it? What genre?」

「T-That's, you'll know when you read it.」

That's true, but I wanted to ask as a sort of mental preparation.

Come to think of it, I think there was a pretty girl character in the manuscript he was drawing when we first met.

I only caught a glimpse when I was helping him pick it up, but was it a rom-com, atmosphere-wise?

If so, I can have high expectations because Kanata is quite good at drawing.

As I am thinking such things, Kanata moves seats and sits down next to me,

「Here, please. ...U-Um, it's kinda ecchi, but please don't mind that and read it.」

...What!? And it's even a slightly ero type!?

It was unexpected, but of course, I love that kind of genre too, so no problem.

But Kanata, despite his petite, pretty-boy appearance, actually has a man's ero-spirit. Our friendship is going to get even stronger.

「Well then, I'll have a read.」

「Y-Yeah...!」

With a nervous Kanata before me, I excitedly turn my eyes to the manuscript.

Now, what kind of work is it──I wondered, as I began to turn the pages,

「...W-What!?」

I soon experienced a tremendous shock at the sight that jumped into my eyes.

Because──

「T-This is...! Isn't this an, e-ero-manga!?」

Yes, because from any angle, the content was clearly of the R-18 variety!

「Yeah, it is.」

To my astonishment, Kanata himself nods with a broad smile.

His reaction, as if it were perfectly natural, sends a mysterious shiver down my spine.

「D-Don't tell me, the manuscript you were drawing when we met was also...?」

「Of course, it was an ero-manga.」

「You said you wanted to become a manga artist in the future, but...」

「Yeah, my dream is to become an ero-manga artist.」

Kanata replies, still smiling.

Heeh, ahh, so that's how it was.

...As if! This is a super shocking fact!

W-What should I do? I don't know how to react...!

「Haruhisa? What's wrong?」

「Eh!? Ah, no...!」

「Could it be, you're put off by the fact I draw ero-manga...?」

At Kanata, who asks with an anxious expression, I gasp.

...T-That's right. I panicked because it was so sudden, but thinking about it carefully, what's wrong with Kanata drawing ero-manga?

It was so unexpected that my brain bugged out from shock.

Making my friend look so anxious, what am I doing?

「...No, not at all. I was just a little surprised.」

I regain my composure and reply in a calm tone.

「I just never imagined that what Kanata was drawing was an ero-manga. But, I think it's good. Yeah, an ero-manga artist, isn't that great? I'll support you.」

「Really!? Yay…!」

At my words, Kanata wipes his chest as if in relief.

Of course, this is my honest opinion.

Ero-manga is a wonderful medium that materializes men's desires.

I have nothing but gratitude and absolutely no negative impression of it. ...I like it too, after all!

「I'm so glad Haruhisa accepts it...!」

...Geez, Kanata's being so dramatic.

There's no way a manga-lover like me would specifically dislike only ero-manga.

He might have thought drawing ero stuff would put people off, but that's also off the mark.

There are no guys our age who aren't interested in ero stuff, so Kanata should just be more confident.

「Alright, then I'll read it again with that in mind.」

「Y-Yeah, I really want to hear your thoughts.」

Leave it to me. Since it's Kanata's first work, I'll give it my full attention!

With that thought, I start flipping through the pages again.

Now, even if you say ero-manga, there are various genres.

What kind of genre did Kanata draw? I wondered, reading on with anticipation, but,

「.............」

「......W-What do you think?」

As I read in silence, Kanata directs an expectant gaze towards me.

But, I didn't say anything. Or rather, I couldn't.

Kanata's work, as a genre, is a pure love story (?).

It's a story about a heroine who the protagonist thought was a male friend but was actually a girl, a so-called "girl disguised as a boy" heroine, and that in itself made me smirk, thinking "So this is Kanata's preference", but that wasn't the problem.

「...Hey Kanata, this protagonist.」

「What, what, your impressions!?」

「No, just maybe, but isn't this modeled after me...?」

I ask tentatively, pointing at the manuscript.

Yes, the problem is that I get a sense of déjà vu from the protagonist, or rather, to be blunt, that I ended up thinking I am clearly the source material for him.

「Eh, y-you think so? I don't think so, though?」

「I mean, his hairstyle and clothes... And his name is Haru.」

The fact that my part-time colleague An actually calls me that makes it even more uncomfortably realistic.

「A-Ahaha. Well, actually, that's right.」

「You confessed so easily!?」

「I-I mean, I couldn't help it. I don't draw male characters much, so when I tried to use someone as a reference, Haruhisa came to mind!」

「Don't you dare put me in an ero-manga for a reason like that!?」

「N-No, it's different. This is just a character named Haru based on Haruhisa.」

「In that case, why don't you just model it after yourself!?」

「How could I be a reference!?」

「Why not!? You're a guy too, aren't you!?」

I retort to that nonsensical rebuttal, but Kanata simply turns away.

...What the heck is going on...

「And also, this place in the story...」

「Ahh, that's based on this family restaurant.」

「And the relationship where they lend each other manga...」

「W-Well, that's based on us...」

「You're referencing too much!? Think with your own head a little more!?」

「I-It's fine! It makes it more realistic, doesn't it!?」

「You don't need to increase that kind of thing in an ero-manga!」

Ero-manga should be the ultimate fiction, so why is he trying to forcibly drag it back to reality? And only for me!

「M-More importantly, tell me your thoughts. Look, how was this scene?」

Saying that, Kanata asked about the scene where the heroine shows her panties to the protagonist.

It's a scene where the heroine, exasperated that the protagonist doesn't realize she's a girl, makes a "girl appeal" but,

「Yeah, well, in this kind of genre, it's a classic scene.」

「Right? It's absolutely necessary, right? So, do you think this is the best? If you have any other suggestions for improvement, I'd like to hear them.」

「No, I don't think it needs any particular improvement. If you're satisfied with it.」

「Haruhisa's opinion is more important than mine! Because Haruhisa is the protagonist, after all!」

「I was just used as a reference without permission, I'm not the protagonist!?」

「L-Look, sometimes casual opinions from others can be hints for improvement, so I want you to tell me anything you thought of.」

Kanata says this, sounding somewhat desperate.

I think it's fine if he thinks it's good...

But if it could make Kanata's work better, maybe I should cooperate.

「Mmm, let's see... In this scene, she's showing her panties while dressed as a boy, but I think it might be more erotic if she changed into a skirt first and then showed them by lifting it up.」

「!! I-I see! As expected, Haruhisa is an ero-majin!」

「What's with that unpleasant title!?」

No, I won't deny I like erotic things, though!

「I'm praising you! I see, it's better to change it into a skirt...! J-Just a second. I'll fix it right away!」

Kanata says that, faces the tablet he was holding before I knew it, and starts moving the stylus at tremendous speed.

And soon after, he turned the screen towards me, and there was the manuscript, splendidly revised with a skirt lift. ...Isn't that too fast?

「How is it? Any other requests?」

「E-Em... Since it's a scene where she shows her panties, I think wearing black knee-highs might emphasize it more.」

「Knee-highs, huh! OK, I'll fix it right away! I see, Haruhisa likes knee-highs...!」

「No, it's just an opinion on the way to present it, okay!?」

I won't deny I like knee-highs, though!

...Damn it, I'm starting to feel kinda desperate myself...!

「Alright, revision complete! Anything else?」

「...Maybe you could make the panties themselves more erotic. Go bold and make them smaller, like string bikini panties...」

「S-String bikini panties...! H-Haruhisa, you're so lewd!」

「That's not something someone drawing an ero-manga should say, is it!?」

「W-Where would I even buy string bikini panties...! F-For now, I tried revising it like this, what do you think!?」

On the tablet screen was the scene, revised as I had said.

I won't deny that my previous opinions reflected my own preferences.

That's why, seeing an erotic scene tailored to my tastes materializing before my eyes like this gives me a strange feeling. Especially since the protagonist is modeled after me.

Of course, I don't confuse fiction with reality, but still, it's somehow, embarrassing, or rather, makes me squirm...

「Uwaah... I-I'll do this in real life someday too...!」

But well, Kanata seems happy, so I guess it's fine.

If I think of it as helping a friend with his dream, I can endure a little embarrassment.

「Hey, hey, Haruhisa, what about this scene? Any improvement suggestions for this one too?」

As I was thinking about such things, Kanata asked about another scene.

This time it's a scene where the heroine makes the protagonist touch her chest to make him realize she's a girl, huh.

「...Right, to make this clearer too, maybe having him grope her firmly enough for his fingers to sink into her breasts would have more impact. In that case, make the heroine more buxom──」

「Ah, that's no good.」

「Heh?」

My opinion is cut off by a dead-serious Kanata.

「Big boobs are bad. Absolutely bad.」

「W-Why? Surely more readers would be happy with big boobs──」

「That doesn't matter. This character has to be flat-chested. Besides, big boobs are the enemy.」

「Ehh!?」

「Bigger isn't always better. If Haruhisa likes big boobs, I think you should reconsider. I'll teach Haruhisa the goodness of flat chests through this work.」

「No, didn't you just say big boobs were humanity's treasure...」

「That was just talk about fiction!」

「This is fiction too, isn't it!?」

「W-Well yes, but it's not like that!」

Though Kanata argues passionately, I honestly don't understand what he means!?

「Anyway, this character absolutely has to be flat-chested. Any complaints?」

「N-No! Flat chests are the best!」

Kanata smiled sweetly, but it didn't look like a smile to me.

A chill ran down my spine, and I found myself replying like that. I had no choice.

...D-Don't tell me Kanata, while pretending to like big boobs, actually had such strong feelings for flat chests. Fetishes are complicated, aren't they? I'll keep that in mind...

「Well then, now that you understand, please advise on the other scenes too.」

「E-Emm... Right, I feel like the transition to the ero scenes is a bit too abrupt. Even for an ero-manga, it might be better to have a more, like, convincing story progression...」

「That part's fine. I don't care about the story right now. What's important is only what's drawn and how it's drawn.」

「No, didn't you just say that manga isn't just about art but also story...」

「E-Ero-manga is fine as long as it's erotic!」

「Isn't that an extreme argument!?」

Isn't what he's saying now different from before!? And by about 180 degrees!

「Come on, come on, give me more. Anything you're curious about, or anything like that, I want you to tell me everything.」

「Em, em...! Ah, wait a minute? Come to think of it, this work, even though it's an ero-manga, doesn't seem to have a main act scene...?」

Hurried and flustered, I suddenly notice something fundamental.

Even flipping through to the last page, the core of an ero-manga, the main act scene, was missing.

I thought maybe it was still in progress, but the story flow seemed to have a conclusion...?

「Why isn't there one? Even though it's an ero-manga.」

So I ask normally.

But Kanata, blushes bright red for some reason and,

「T-That's...! B-Because I can't draw that yet! Not yet!」

「Eh, why? What do you mean, not yet?」

「T-The main act, that kind of thing, you can't do that unless you're dating! Look, these two aren't dating yet, are they!?」

「That's why!? Even though you just said the story doesn't matter!?」

「Story aside, this is absolute!」

Kanata declares this with serious eyes, but I don't understand at all.

...What the heck is with that incomprehensible fixation!?

「A-Anyway, forget about those minor details, I want broad advice on how Haruhisa can find this manga more erotic. Come on, isn't there anything?」

Saying that, Kanata ignored my question and peeking at the manuscript again, started asking for my impressions of this scene and that scene, just like before.

I'm bewildered by his intensity, but overwhelmed by his desperation, I reluctantly do as I am told.

When I voice things like "This way might be more erotic" (100% subjectively), Kanata immediately performs revision work based on that.

Gradually, the manuscript begins to reflect my preferences, and for a moment, I almost have the illusion that "Am I having a custom ero-manga drawn just for me...?"

Of course, that's not the case, and it's fine because Kanata is also happy, but I still ended up feeling like I was doing something I shouldn't be.

「...Fuu, I got a lot of good opinions. I'll use these as a base to revise it and finish it as a proper manuscript, so please give me your thoughts again then.」

Eventually, after finishing his questions about all the scenes, Kanata said so with a satisfied smile.

I don't know if his face looks slightly red because he's excited, but in any case, I'm glad if I could be of help to Kanata.

And as for me, I was somehow incredibly tired...

「Huh, what's wrong Haruhisa? You look kinda worn out... D-Don't tell me, is it that "sage mode" thing?」

「It's not! Don't use it in a misleading way! That's not it, I'm mentally exhausted because you arbitrarily used me as a model...」

「I-It's fine, isn't it? Being able to appear in an ero-manga is a man's dream! Ah, by the way, girls can have that kind of dream too, right!?」

「Could you please stop making statements that I don't even know where to start retorting to!? At the very least, I'll make it clear that that protagonist is not me myself!」

「Ehhh...」

「Why do you look dissatisfied there...」

If you're going to make that face, I want to say you should have made yourself the protagonist.

「Geez, I never knew being a model for a character was this tough... And it's an ero-manga. It's awkward to read, you know? Fortunately, the heroine doesn't seem to have a model, so that was still okay.」

「Eh!?」

「Mmm? What is it, Kanata?」

There's no way I have a friend who's a girl disguised as a boy.

Maybe Kanata has an acquaintance who became a model for that, though.

「Mu, muuu...!」

「W-Why are you glaring me?」

「N-Nothing! More importantly, how was it? My work!?」

Why is he slightly ticked off...?

「If it's my impressions, I already told you at length for each scene...」

「This time, about the whole thing! After reading it all, how was this work?」

「Well, I think it was pretty well-drawn, generally speaking?」

「I-Is that all?」

「I reaffirmed that Kanata is really good at drawing.」

「I-I'm happy to hear that, but that's not what I want right now!」

「Why not!? For an aspiring manga artist, that's a huge compliment, isn't it!?」

「That's not it, I'm asking how it was as a story! W-Was this heroine, in Haruhisa's opinion, acceptable!?」

「Eh? Well, I thought she was cute, normally.」

「......No good. Sounds somewhat casual.」

「An unexpected rejection!?」

「That level of impression isn't good enough! It has to be a heroine that makes Haruhisa roll around on the floor in a frenzy, shouting something like "This is the ideal heroine I've been searching for! I wish a girl like this existed in real life tooooooo!"」

「What kind of reaction are you expecting from me!?」

「That kind of reaction!」

「Don't be unreasonable!」

「I-I know it's unreasonable...! But, I have to draw a work that can make people that engrossed!」

Saying that, Kanata tightly clenches his fists.

...H-He's serious. I never knew Kanata held such high ideals.

「...Alright, I've decided.」

「W-What did you decide?」

「Through my work, I'm going to make Haruhisa an unparalleled lover of "thought he was a guy friend but was actually a girl" type heroines!」

「W-What!? Why go that far!? It's already well-drawn enough as it is! If you brush this up and release it, it's at a level where it would do fine!?」

「No, first I have to conquer Haruhisa, or it won't begin...」

「Why!? You're too much of a perfectionist!?」

「I-It's not like that, but for me, there's something that can't move forward unless Haruhisa genuinely falls in love with this heroine!」

「I don't get it...! First of all, why are you so obsessed with this girl-disguised-as-a-boy heroine? Do you like this archetype that much?」

「The "thought he was a guy friend but was actually a girl" type heroine, you mean?」

「Ah, s-sorry...」

「It's not just that I like her, this heroine is like the root of who I am.」

Kanata says this while blushing, looking straight at me.

...I never imagined Kanata had such a strong attachment to that archetype──em, the "thought he was a guy friend but was actually a girl" type heroine...

「But, why me...? You don't need to place so much importance on my opinion alone.」

「I-I can't explain it well, but if Haruhisa accepts her, I feel like I'll have truly been able to draw this heroine.」

...I see. Indeed, things like that might not be about logic.

If being acknowledged by me, his manga friend, gives him confidence, then going along with it is what friendship is all about, I suppose.

Besides, it makes me a little happy to also think that I'm being told I'm a significant presence as a friend in Kanata's mind.

「...Got it. I'll stick with you until you're satisfied.」

「R-Really!?」

When I said that, Kanata smiled looking truly happy.

Seeing that smile makes me feel glad that I can help my friend with his dream.

...That said, what exactly should I do to help him?

「Then, I'll bring a new manuscript every time we meet from now on, so please read it!」

「Eh!? E-Every time!? And a new work, can you even do that!?」

「It's okay! I finished this one in about a week!」

「That's a pace I can't believe from someone who couldn't produce a satisfactory work even after half a year until now!?」

「When I'm drawing "thought he was a guy friend but was actually a girl" type ero-manga, I'm invincible...」

「I-Is that so...」

「Ah, not just that, I'll have Haruhisa read works from that kind of genre too. I'll bring my recommended works next time.」

「Eh, y-you'll go that far!?」

「Didn't I tell you earlier? I'm going to make Haruhisa an unparalleled lover of "thought he was a guy friend but was actually a girl" type heroines.」

I shiver at Kanata's innocent smile.

...T-This guy, is he really trying to warp my fetishes...!?

「Ahh, I want to draw soon...!」

Still, seeing Kanata so lively like this, I end up thinking that a few things here and there don't really matter.

This is Kanata, who, while always saying he likes drawing manga, has struggled precisely because he loves it to draw a work he is satisfied with.

It's good that he seems to be enjoying drawing so much now. I can proudly say I made the right decision as a friend.

...But still.

「Ah, that's right! I should ask more while I have the chance! What kind of ero developments does Haruhisa prefer!? What kind of ero scenes do you want to see!?」

「...Why are you asking me?」

「B-Because this is like drawing an ero-manga exclusively for Haruhisa, isn't it?」

「That itself sounds incredibly appealing, though!?」

「It's safe to say that Haruhisa is the protagonist of this ero-manga, wouldn't you say?」

「No, you should object to that! And if it's a new work, you should change the protagonist!?」

「I won't change him. The heroine is fixed too.」

...He replied with a straight face.

Certainly, helping a friend is good.

Having him draw an ero-manga tailored to my preferences is also a very lucky thing.

However──

「At the very least, could you please stop modeling the protagonist after me!?」

That was almost a cry from the heart, but,

「Eh, I don't want to.」

it was mercilessly rejected by Kanata.

...Why!

☆

「~~♪ ~~~~♪」

「「「......」」」

One day in the student council room.

Watching Kana working while humming, looking to be in a very good mood, the other members were exchanging puzzled glances.

「Um, Hayase-san...?」

「Mmm, what is itー?」

「Did something good happen? You've been all giddy──I mean, in high spirits since a while ago.」

To the President who asks on behalf of everyone, Kana nods as if to say, "Good question".

「Yeah, wellー It's about that love consultation the other day.」

「Eh, what happened?」

「From the looks of it, it seems to have gone well.」

「Wellー rather than saying it went well, it was more like, beyond imagination? I guess.」

At that answer, the members exclaim with a collective "Ohhh!?"

「A result beyond imagination, don't tell me it immediately developed into a relationship or something!?」

「No, it's not like that. But, I guess you could say she saw a perfect path leading to it? This is also thanks to the student council's advice.」

「Then, she approached him with a manga as advised, didn't she?」

「And was he able to realize your consultant's feelings through that?」

「No, one try wasn't enough, as expected. But, she felt the potential. She got a sense that she could gradually change his feelings through the manga. ...Yes, it was an indescribable sensation, as if she were dyeing him in her own colors...!」

「I-In her own colors...!」

「Dyeing him...!」

At Kana's lines, the President and Anri gulp.

「T-That's an unprecedented idea!」

「And it has an alluring ring to it!」

「Right!? I thought so too! At first, she intended it as an appeal to get him to notice her, but she realized that rather than waiting for him to notice, she could just change his preferences herself!」

「Indeed, if she can do that, it's amazing.」

The student council is more excited than ever.

Kana looks extremely pleased under the admiring gazes from everyone.

「...Kuh, I'm envious.」

「Absolutely. To think there was such a method...」

「Maybe I──no, maybe I should recommend drawing manga to my consultant too.」

「But, it's not something that can be done so easily.」

「Well, it's true that not everyone can do it. Besides, it hasn't properly succeeded yet either.」

「But the response was more than enough, wasn't it?」

「Yeah. Maybe I'll be able to report that they've started dating soon!」

「Yes, I'm looking forward to it. If it succeeds, it will add a new direction to the student council's advice as well.」

Kana replies confidently, "Leave it to me" to the President's words.

Seeing that, the student council members nodded to each other, satisfied that they had once again provided an accurate answer to a student in need.

「Come to think of it, what kind of manga did your consultant draw?」

「Eh?」

「Right, I'm curious. For future reference, could we perhaps read it too?」

「Eh? Eh?」

「Kana-san, could you ask that consultant of yours?」

「Eh? Eh? Eh?」

「...Hayase-senpai? What's wrong?」

「N-No, um, showing it to everyone is really a bit...! It's beyond embarrassing, or rather...!」

「We'll just look through it as reference material for the love consultation. Of course, we won't leak it outside, so you can rest assured.」

「N-No way! If you do that, I'll be the one caught by the Disciplinary Committee next time!」

「「「...Eh?」」」