Chapter 27 – Eccentric Person and Countermeasure Meeting

“So, I have to do something about Tsubaki, or Asai-sensei’s life will be in danger. Please lend me your wisdom.”

“No, no, you’re obviously talking to the wrong person.”

“I agree. There are not many people as unfit for consultation as we are.”

“Yeah… Well, I thought maybe you guys could get away from Tsubaki even if she found out you are collaborators.”

“Just along for the ride, huh?”

“It’s like the saying, ‘If everyone runs through a red light together, there’s nothing to be afraid of.’”

“No, I’m afraid.”

Today, I called Moroboshi and Rii-chan to a cafe in Sannomiya for a meeting to discuss countermeasures against Tsubaki Honjo. The situation looks grim, but there is no one else to turn to, so it can’t be helped.

I had originally wanted to meet at the university campus or at my house, but there was a possibility that Tsubaki might suddenly appear, so I had no choice but to avoid her. Well, there was never any guarantee that she would not show up at Sannomiya.

“I mean, Asai-san hasn’t suffered any damage so far, right? You don’t have to be so frightened. You can handle it.”

“You are too optimistic. As a matter of fact, Tsubaki seems to be thinking of ways to get rid of Asai-sensei.”

“Isn’t that just Tsubaki-chan bluffing? If you get scared and distance yourself from Asai-san, Tsubaki-chan will be happy.”

Moroboshi laughed goofily as he sipped his Irish coffee. This guy has no sense of tension at all.

To begin with, he’s the kind of guy who laughs and tells stories about how he was almost stabbed by a woman he used to play with. Perhaps he lacks a sense of perception of danger.

“More importantly, the pancakes haven’t arrived yet. This is a serious situation.”

Rii-chan lamented with her usual blank expression. This one is no less tense. Maybe I’m talking to the wrong people, after all…?

But it’s still better than nothing. Three people coming together is a pretty good thing.

“In the first place, what does Naga-san want to do with Ryo-san?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

As a matter of fact, I think Asai-sensei is an attractive woman. She has a serious and caring personality, is good-looking and stylish, and it’s a wonder she doesn’t have a boyfriend.

From what I’ve seen so far, she doesn’t hate me either, and I’m very grateful for that…

“That’s it. If you guarantee that you and Asai-san will only be friends for the rest of your lives, Tsubaki can’t do anything about it. On the other hand, if you want to get closer to Asai-san, then it’s an all-out war.”

“Hmm, but…”

“You’re a man who can’t make up his mind, you know that?”

Moroboshi sighed lightly, then took off his glasses and looked up to the sky.

I’m not surprised that Moroboshi is dismayed by this matter. I myself have not yet decided what to do with myself.

“Ryo-san also seems to have a thing for Naga-san, doesn’t she?”

“No, you may be right, but… I feel like it’s dishonest to just go out with someone because I think we can be together.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t you give it a shot and then think about it?”

“Give it a shot is… Don’t put me in with a frivolous man like you.”

“So, you’re going to keep worrying with a heavy head? I’m sure Asai-san will give up on you sooner or later.”

“That’s…”

What Moroboshi said is a bit extreme, but I guess it’s not good to keep on hiding the fact. What do I myself want to do? What do I think of Asai-sensei?

“By the way, what is it that men and women do together? Blackbeard’s Crisis?”

“Sure, the chances of me or Asai-sensei getting stabbed go up, though.”

“Well, I don’t think Naga-san has the guts to do something lewd, so it’s a tricky situation.”

“You know what that means, don’t you?”

After a series of sterile exchanges, the pancakes Rii-chan had ordered were finally delivered.

The sweet aroma of butter and maple syrup hit my nose. The soft texture also looks delicious. I should have ordered pancakes too…

“You look like you want something.”

“Oh, no, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Well, well, there’s no need to be shy. Open your mouth.”

Rii-chan scoops up the butter on the pancake and brings it to my mouth. It smells fragrant. Is it unsalted butter from Hokkaido?

“You’re going to feed me only butter!”

“Eh? This isn’t what you wanted?”

“Why? Why did you think I was someone who would want only butter?”

“I thought you were a libertarian.”

“‘Libertarian’ doesn’t mean ‘butter-eater’, you know. And not many people use the word ‘vegetarian’ these days.”

This isn’t good. I honestly enjoy hanging out with Rii-chan, but this is not a productive conversation.

Moroboshi is just grinning at us and our exchange, and he doesn’t seem to want to get back to the subject…

“Takenaga, you should go out with Rii-chan. Then Asai-san won’t be targeted and everyone will be happy.”

“As expected of Boshi-san. I didn’t think you would recommend that approach… Are you a genius, after all?”

“Oi oi, if that happens, Rii-chan’s life will be in danger. Nothing would be solved.”

“I can work around that. I don’t mind if Naga-san dates Sister Tsubaki for the sake of pretense.”

“I’m a bit curious about something…”

Looking at Rii-chan’s expression, it’s unclear how seriously she’s taking Moroboshi’s suggestion. She’s still expressionless, and I can’t figure out what point of view she’s looking at. Although she’s looking at my direction, I feel as if she’s looking all the way through to the back of the room.

Combined with her petite physique, I feel as if I’m confronting a small animal with no evil intentions. She’s truly a mysterious girl.

“But Moroboshi, aren’t you being strangely lenient with Rii-chan?”

“I want my junior to be happy, too. With Takenaga, I’m sure she can live a simple life like anyone else.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Yes, it’s important to be normal. And there is no man who has mastered normalcy as much as Naga-san.”

“Are you sure you two aren’t making fun of me? Isn’t this time for me to get angry?”

While I was busy retorting, the darjeeling I ordered was getting cold. I think it’s one of the good things about tea that it still tastes good even after it’s cooled down.

Just as boiling water eventually loses its heat, I wonder if Tsubaki’s anger will subside with the passage of time.

“Well, I’m not worried about Asai-san from the beginning. She’ll probably be fine.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I’ve thought about trying to flirt with Asai-san too, but I stopped the idea. I could see a future where I would get screwed over.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell. I’ve hit on a lot of girls. I can see the thorns, the landmines, the people I shouldn’t mess around with.”

“What? Is Asai-sensei actually a dangerous person?”

“No, I’m sure she’s harmless, but… Well, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Before I knew it, Moroboshi had finished his own coffee and was repeatedly getting stabbed with a fork while trying to pluck Rii-chan’s pancake.

It pains me to take such a horseshit guy’s word for it, but it’s true that there’s no point in being anxious.

In fact, Asai-sensei has been involved with Tsubaki to a certain extent, but Asai-sensei has never suffered any actual harm.

To begin with, the only person Tsubaki has ever harmed is…

Me. It’s just me, yeah. That’s not very reasonable, is it, oi?

“Hah…”

“What’s wrong, Naga-san? Do you have a stomach ulcer?”

“Well, it’s kinda like that.”

“I see. Do you want some pancakes?”

“Yes…”

Forgetting even to retort with “What if I really do have a stomach ulcer?” I bit into the pancake that Rii-chan brought up to my mouth.

The worries are endless, but I guess I’m happy as long as I can eat pancakes in such a carefree manner. Perhaps.

“Don’t grin, Takenaga, that’s disgusting.”

“Disgustingly cute, right?”

“You guys…”