Takashi went into full conspiracy mode.
And honestly?
A lot of people believed it.
Because this time, it really was a setup.
And the people behind it were none other than Takashi and Ogitsu Yoshiko.
Hitomi, Narii, and Momo all knew it was staged and couldn't be bothered to argue.
But Umaru was just an ordinary girl. She had no idea.
"Think about it. How could I possibly like someone who's not as pretty as you, doesn't have your figure, doesn't have your legs—who's literally inferior to you in every way?"
"You think I'm stupid?"
As Takashi said that, he lightly tapped Umaru on the head in mock frustration.
Hearing him praise her like that, Umaru's heart fluttered with joy.
But knowing she'd overreacted, she buried her face deep into his chest and shrunk like a quail, refusing to lift her head.
Right then, Takashi's phone rang. Ogitsu Yoshiko was calling.
He answered it right in front of Umaru—not on speakerphone, because they were at Arayata High and there were people everywhere—but he turned the volume up as high as possible, making sure Umaru could hear.
That little gesture was more important than it seemed.
It showed trust.
Only when you truly trust someone do you take calls like that in front of them without hiding anything.
Didn't you see how Umaru hugged him even tighter?
Take notes, little brothers!
"She's my new agent."
Takashi sounded like he was explaining to Umaru—but it was actually a coded message to Ogitsu Yoshiko.
A warning: there's a girl beside me. Watch your words.
Ogitsu Yoshiko was just about to report the viral reaction from yesterday's trending topic, but she caught Takashi's not-so-subtle hint and waited for him to continue.
"Miss Ogitsu, I asked you to investigate Yasuraoka Hanabi—the girl who approached me yesterday. Any progress? Who sent her?"
"I haven't figured out who sent her yet," Ogitsu replied,
"but according to my findings, she already has someone she likes. That person is her brother—a man named Narumi Kanai."
Her tone darkened. "Kitahara, I believe this whole thing was a setup."
"Today's trending search wasn't a coincidence."
"Someone clearly wants to bring you down now that you're getting too popular."
Umaru heard all this and completely believed Takashi now.
That girl is too evil!
She even started feeling indignant on Takashi's behalf.
"For the sake of your fans, I suggest posting a public statement that you're single."
Hearing that, Takashi smiled like Lu Bu being flattered by a courtier. He could hardly contain his grin.
Now that's what I call backup!
No need for explanations—she knew exactly what he wanted.
"Why would I post a statement saying I'm single?"
Still playing along, Takashi sounded dissatisfied.
"What, is liking Umaru something shameful?"
Umaru!
Ogitsu Yoshiko immediately opened her notebook and began flipping through her files.
[Name: Doma Umaru. First-year student at Arayata High. Elegant and graceful at school, top grades, athletic, a beautiful girl rivaling Yukinoshita Yukino. Appearance: S+. Do not cooperate with tabloids.]
Ogitsu felt a pang of disappointment.
Looks like Umaru really is important to him…
Even though they were both girls, Takashi wouldn't let tabloids expose Umaru—yet he was perfectly fine using Yasuraoka Hanabi.
It was obvious he was protecting Umaru—he didn't want her to be disturbed by the outside world.
Because only treasure is worth hiding away.
Anything you're willing to share openly? That's not important.
Every girl in Takashi's life had a rank—and he knew exactly who mattered and who didn't.
"Kitahara, your fanbase is mostly female."
"If you go public with a relationship, all the popularity you gained from Koshien will vanish."
"Kitahara, you have no parents, no one to shield you from the wind and rain. This is your chance to change your fate. Are you really going to throw it away?"
The same old lines.
But depending on who heard them, the effect could be vastly different.
If Yasuraoka Hanabi heard them, she'd feel smug.
Because if so many girls liked Takashi, it meant he was high-value.
In Evolutionary Psychology, there's a famous study showing that women tend to find men more attractive when they see that other women are attracted to them—this is the "mate-choice copying" phenomenon.
If a man is surrounded by attractive women who show interest in him, that makes him seem more desirable.
But if a man is old and has no experience with women, fumbling nervously and trying too hard to please—that just signals that he's been rejected by everyone else.
So when a guy like Takashi chooses you, it makes a girl feel validated.
It satisfies her vanity.
But when Umaru heard those words, she felt nothing but worry.
It wasn't that she didn't want their relationship to be public—it's just that doing so could destroy Takashi's career.
If being with her meant he had to lose this chance, she'd rather give it up.
That's the difference between a bad girl and a good girl.
A bad girl just takes. She enjoys what you give her, regardless of whether you're okay.
A good girl gives. She wants you to be better, even if it means she suffers a little herself.
"Takashi, forget it."
Before Takashi could respond, Umaru spoke up first.
"Hello, Agent-san. I'm Doma Umaru. Sorry for overhearing your conversation."
"You can handle this however you think is best."
"Takashi tends to act on impulse and speaks before thinking. As his agent, I hope you'll keep him in check. Be firm if you need to."
Hearing Umaru's polite, considerate words—all focused on Takashi's well-being—Ogitsu Yoshiko finally understood why, despite being a known playboy, Takashi couldn't bring himself to hurt this girl.
She was a treasure.
No wonder he was so determined to keep her hidden from the world.
"…Understood."
After a few more words between Umaru and Ogitsu, the call ended.
She noticed Takashi looked a little sulky, head turned like a child throwing a silent tantrum.
It was the first time she'd seen that side of him.
She tried to comfort him. "Come on now, I only said that for your own good. Why are you still mad?"
"You know I don't care about stuff like that."
"Well, I do."
Umaru buried her head in Takashi's chest again, whispering softly, "Because I want the boy I like to always shine… to always be dazzling."
Her voice was quiet, but Takashi still heard it.
In that moment—even a heart as hardened as Takashi's, sworn never to fall for anyone he pursued—couldn't help but wrap her in a tight embrace.
And he blurted out, for no reason at all:
"The wind just moved."
Umaru smiled brightly.
She knew—it wasn't the wind that moved, it was his heart.
The two of them held each other tightly, oblivious to everything else. Meanwhile, not far away at the school gate, Izuno Ren stood alone, watching.
Just like a sewer rat lurking in a dark corner, spying on others' happiness.
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