[High School Romance Novel: 47%]
Aoyama Osamu admitted, he did think a lot—entering the legendary "already naming our kids" state.
The girl before him was stunning.
People love long, straight black hair, thinking it's gorgeous—half because she had it. An ugly girl in a JK uniform is passable—half because she wore one. The spring sunset glowed behind her, as if she radiated light.
If looks were a maze, some were a straight line; hers was one most couldn't escape, as if it had no exit.
So, it wasn't Aoyama Osamu being lustful or smitten—just objective reality. Who wouldn't freeze seeing the moon fall?
Snapping out of it, he looked away.
She was beautiful, but as a true man, he wasn't swayed by looks.
Besides, pretty mushrooms are often poisonous—women worked the same way. He'd prove it in his novel to the world.
"Ono-san."
"Here!"
"Sing solo."
"Yes!"
"Tears on distant meadows~" "Jade in your palm~"
After, Takahashi Ayaya nodded repeatedly, praising, "Quiet personality, petite frame, yet full of power—Ono-san, you've got potential!"
"Thank you, Senpai!" Ono Mizuki gave a shallow bow, beaming.
Mizuki's stamina came from housework workouts and occasional sparring with Aoyama Osamu—her Vitality: C leaned high.
Aoyama Osamu's stamina wasn't bad from part-time jobs, but he'd sprinted 1500m at max speed.
Not even B could do that.
Only A could be that monstrous.
By the way, the window girl's Appearance was at least A. So, it really wasn't him being charmed.
After assigning practice, Takahashi Ayaya approached.
"What do you two think?"
Aoyama Osamu pondered, then said, "B."
"Spot on."
"Huh?"
Takahashi Ayaya… covered her chest.
"I mean, if we're grading ABCDE, choir's a B!" Aoyama Osamu hurried to clarify.
Takahashi Ayaya giggled. "Kidding, Aoyama-kun. But I am a B."
Didn't matter.
[Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance: 87%]
—System, what're you doing with the choir president's B in a mystery novel?!
[Terminate 'Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance' material gathering?]
Aoyama Osamu felt threatened by the system's "smartness."
—…No.
"What about you, Miu-san?" Takahashi Ayaya turned to the maze girl.
In the sunset, leaning against the window, the girl looked at Aoyama Osamu. "Is C passing, or D?"
Her Appearance aside, her voice was A—crisp, captivating.
"C," Aoyama Osamu replied.
"D," she said.
"Whatever. Everyone rates differently."
"I mean," she looked at Takahashi Ayaya, "choir's barely failing."
Barely passing made sense, but barely failing? If 60's passing, choir's 59?
"Everyone rates differently," Takahashi Ayaya echoed, smiling.
"His ears are broken," the girl said without glancing at Aoyama Osamu, though all knew she meant him. "Hearing: F."
Translation: She called him deaf with zero hearing.
F doesn't even exist!
[High School Romance Novel: 48%]
—System, you're… agreeing?
"Who's F?" Aoyama Osamu shot back.
"Saying I lack emotional intelligence?" She faced him. "The pamphlet says choir's competing in July. For a competition club, is flattery right, or bluntness?"
Aoyama Osamu couldn't decide—flattery could boost morale.
But two things were clear.
First, he had no beef with her before today.
Second, after this, he wasn't joining choir.
[Campus Mystery, Main Ability: Appearance: 87%... 88%... 89%... 90%]
Whenever the progress bar rose, faint ideas—or inspirations—stirred in Aoyama Osamu.
He couldn't tell if inspiration sparked the progress or progress sparked inspiration.
They hit simultaneously.
This time, his thought was…
—System, you dare switch protagonists?! Making me the sidekick and this maze girl the detective?!
Seeing his silent, indignant look, the girl smirked victoriously.
To Takahashi Ayaya: "Cut the competition part from the pamphlet. Then you're a C—for self-awareness."
Takahashi Ayaya clenched her fists.
Controlling herself, she said politely but curtly, "Miu Ai-san, choir doesn't welcome you."
"Oh?"
The girl finally left the wall, brushing her black hair lightly, and walked out.
For a fleeting moment, her stunning hair danced in the breeze.
Aoyama Osamu caught a faint fragrance.
After she left, Takahashi Ayaya told him, "Sorry, Aoyama-kun, for the scene."
"I don't know choir—my rating was honest," Aoyama Osamu said. "But, Takahashi-san, if she's right, it's a chance. Turn her taunts into motivation."
"Yeah!" Takahashi Ayaya nodded, lips pursed.
She chuckled softly. "You're kind, Aoyama-kun."
"Kind me won't join choir and drag you down," he grinned.
Takahashi Ayaya covered her mouth, laughing.
"But I'll cheer you on at the competition!"
"Yeah!" She nodded hard.
Competitions were prime material-gathering spots.
Aoyama Osamu asked Takahashi Ayaya to tell Mizuki he left first.
He didn't walk fast—like a car with an empty fuel gauge.
Next to choir was the brass band, packed with dozens, maybe a hundred people—he didn't dare intrude.
Moving on, he found a small, quiet club that seemed okay to disturb.
"Excuse me," he said, opening the door.
Four people inside—three froze.
"Rino, zip me up, I can't reach!" Only one, back to him, kept moving.
They were changing—shedding uniforms for flashy idol outfits.
[High School Romance Novel: 49%... 50%... 54%]
Aoyama Osamu quietly closed the door.