It was past mid-May, and the dining hall was filled with the sounds of conversations from everywhere.
I walked with my tray, aiming for a spot where the chatter was as quiet as possible. In this cafeteria, where there's no fixed seating, this was the most efficient way to find my senior.
"Senpai, you were hard to find today."
"...Oh."
When I found my senior and called out, they didn't give me the "you again" look... not anymore. I guess after almost every day, they've just given up. If that's the case, then perfect.
After all, I chose this university because I was chasing my senior, so I have no intention of letting them get away. I have to block all their excuses and escape routes and corner them.
It sounds dangerous even to myself, but if I don't, they'll slip away in an instant. I absolutely want to avoid them going somewhere I can't reach.
I hate getting tied up, overthinking, holding back, and becoming unable to do anything.
"Senpai, tonight's dinner—"
"Ah, Hachiman! Long time no see~~!"
A bright voice from above crushed my words. Looking up, I saw a woman with a friendly expression.
She had a beautifully sculpted face, the kind you'd call a beauty, with a warm, approachable smile and a charming mole under her left eye. Her shoulder-length long hair was loosely waved, and her knit sweater emphasized her good figure. And she was, like, really big. Seriously, what does she eat to get like that?
"Nene-san. Long time no see."
What's more, my senior called this beautiful older woman "Nene-san" by her first name.
No, excuse me?
I haven't even been called by my first name yet! And why is she calling Hachiman by his last name? This woman.
"Is this spot okay?"
"Ah, yes..."
Nene-san said that to me, not my senior, and I just blurted out that reply. Well, I couldn't really say "No."
But seriously, who is this person? She doesn't seem like a bad person... but bad people are often more likely to put on a facade to make a good first impression. Source: me.
"Hachiman, it's really been a long time, hasn't it? I never see Yoshi-kun at university either."
"Yeah. Both he and I go straight home after lectures."
"Oh, Tetchi told me. You're starting a part-time job?"
Oh, come on, really.
What is this conversation?
My senior is acting super friendly, and names of people I don't know are coming up. Plus, I wasn't told anything about him starting a part-time job!
Maybe my senior has more acquaintances than I thought... But there's something more important I need to clarify.
"...Senpai?"
When I called out, the conversation stopped.
Even so, I wouldn't hold back. Because if I did, I'd lose him immediately.
"What is your relationship with each other?"
—-------
She had a smile on her face, but her eyes weren't smiling.
Seeing Iroha's expression, I realized she had the wrong idea.
"Eh, ahh~, that kind of..."
And Nene-san, sitting next to me, was the same. She's probably misunderstanding something too.
It's better to clear up this misunderstanding quickly. As I hesitated, wondering how to explain, Nene-san spoke first.
"You sly dog, Hachiman! Is this your girlfriend?"
When Nene-san said that, Iroha looked bewildered, as if the venom had been sucked out of her. I also wanted to abandon thought in bewilderment, but it was more important to clear up her misunderstanding.
"No, she's not."
The moment I said that, Iroha's face became sulky.
No, but she really isn't, is she...?
"Ah, that's it. This person is..."
"Oh, sorry for the late introduction. I'm Zaimokuza Nene, a fourth-year student."
Nene-san said that and gave Iroha a small bow. Iroha bowed back, looking like she was thinking, "I think I've heard that somewhere before..."
"She's Zaimokuza's older sister."
"Ah... Chuunibyou Senpai..."
"Heheheh, Chuunibyou. That's hilarious~"
Even though it was a terrible nickname, Nene-san was laughing heartily. I really think her easygoing nature is good.
"By the way, Nene-san has a boyfriend, and he's also..."
"Oh, speak of the devil. Hey, Tetchi~~!"
When Nene-san called out loudly, the person in question had just noticed us.
He was a tall man, easily 180cm, with sharp eyes. His square-rimmed glasses gave him an intelligent impression, making him an intellectual ikemen.
"Tetchi, introduce yourself!"
"Huh? Oh... I'm Sagami Tetsuya, Nene's boyfriend. ...Hey, what kind of gathering is this?"
Tetsuya-san said that strangely and sat down in front of Nene-san.
Iroha looked back and forth between Nene-san and Tetsuya-san, blinking more frequently. She had a face that said, "Too much information and too many new characters, I can't keep up."
"Tetsuya-san is also the older brother of someone you know, you know."
"Someone I know...?"
"You know, from the Gaming Club."
"Um... ah..."
Iroha acted like she understood, but she probably didn't. Tetsuya-san is the older brother of one of the glasses-wearing duo from the Gaming Club, and also the older brother of Sagami Minami, who was once a classmate.
In other words, if their relationship continues smoothly and they get married, Zaimokuza and Sagami, who used to feud, will become in-laws. How hilarious is that?
"So? So? Who's this cute girl?"
Nene-san smiled gently at me, then looked at Iroha. Realizing that she hadn't introduced herself yet, Iroha straightened her posture.
"Ah... This is my junior from high school..."
"I'm Isshiki Iroha. I'm Senpai's potential girlfriend ♪"
—Thud. As if all the clocks in the world had stopped, I froze.
Eh, what is this girl suddenly saying?
"Oh, I see~~! So you followed him to this university too?"
"Yes. That's right."
"Nice~! Your determination is different! Speaking of which, Tetchi and I are also from Soubu High School. Do you know Hiratsuka-sensei?"
"Ah, yes. I was indebted to her in the student council."
"Eh? You were a student council officer?"
"Yes. I was the student council president for two terms, actually."
"Ehh?! Two years in a row, that's amazing!"
And then began the rapid-fire girl talk. Iroha's face held a perfectly polite smile, while cold sweat of unknown origin appeared on my face.
Tetsuya-san was even looking at me with a "Are you serious?" kind of look... No, you're the one with a girlfriend, your reaction is strange.
"By the way,"
As the rapid-fire girl talk began to slow down, Iroha said in a more formal tone.
"Is Nene-san really Zaimokuza-senpai's older sister?"
She still seemed to have trouble believing it, so Iroha asked hesitantly.
Her doubt was understandable. I didn't even know he had an older sister until I entered university, and their faces don't look alike at all. Right after entering university, I was totally freaked out by Zaimokuza casually talking to such a beautiful woman.
"Well, they certainly don't look alike."
It was Tetsuya-san who muttered that. Of course, as her younger brother, he knew Zaimokuza, and it was his honest opinion as a close friend.
"Everyone says that, but she's definitely my older sister~. She's probably in the cafeteria, so I'll call her."
"Eh, you went to the same school?"
That was new information for Iroha too. As Iroha looked surprised, Nene-san began calling, "Hello, Yoshi-kun?"
After a few tens of seconds of conversation, it seemed he was really close, as a localized, small-scale earthquake approached from behind Nene-san.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sister! Brother, it's been a while in real life. Hachiman too... hmm?"
When Zaimokuza noticed Iroha sitting in front of me, he tilted his head significantly.
"Sister, what is this situation?"
"Hachiman was introducing me to Iroha-chan~"
Nene-san sent a glance, and Iroha smiled brightly. Her usual cold demeanor was hidden, and she was in full 'cat-like' mode.
Listening to the conversation between these siblings, I realized that Zaimokuza is who he is because of his sister. My conjecture is that her excessive acceptance of Zaimokuza's high tension might have prevented his chuunibyou from being curbed.
"Iroha-chan says she's Hachiman's potential girlfriend!"
"Buhoh! Cough, cough, cough...!"
I choked, having just taken a sip of tea, when that bombshell dropped for the second time. There was no need to say that right now...
"Are you alright, Senpai?"
Iroha changed her smile to a more intimate one and solicitously offered me a handkerchief. Seeing that, Zaimokuza grumbled, "Tsk, normies." That's your problem, Yoshi-kun.
"...So, Brother. How about tonight, for old times' sake?"
"Sounds good. Hikigaya-kun, you'll join too, right?"
"Ah, then, for the first time in a while..."
Iroha gave me a look that said, "What are these guys talking about?", but in short, it was an invitation to hang out.
"Eh... Senpai, are you going out somewhere?"
"No, I'll be at home."
Even though it was an invitation to hang out, it wasn't about physically going out into the night.
"Iroha-chan, you can watch too, you know?"
When Tetsuya-san suggested that, Iroha tilted her head, wondering. There wouldn't be any problem with her watching... The problem was whether Iroha would enjoy it.
"Well, I was planning to go to Senpai's house anyway, so that's fine."
Ah, so she was planning to come today too, I muttered to myself.
However, if that's the case, then I'll show her.
Our game.
Our battlefield.
================
🚀 Want Full Access & Bonus Content?
"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my Patreon!
✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel
✨ No waiting for daily updates
✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)
Only $5.99 for the full experience!
🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!
Free readers - don't worry, I'll still be posting daily updates here. But Patreon members get the VIP treatment!
Your support helps me create more wild stories like this. See you on the dark side! 😈"