"I'm done for. I think we've been completely misunderstood."
Eriri stared at the classroom door that had just closed again. Even though she'd only just woken up, she'd still caught the president's surprised yet excited expression.
No doubt about it—they'd been massively misunderstood.
"Doesn't matter. The president's not the type to gossip."
Seeing how calm Mio looked, Eriri couldn't help but say, "Don't you want to clear things up with her?"
"No point. I feel like the more you explain, the worse the misunderstanding gets. Besides, if it's a misunderstanding involving you, Sawamura-san, I'm actually kinda happy about it~"
It was like when you're in your dorm, napping on your roommate's lap, and your other roommates walk in on you. You try to explain that you're not gay, but they just go, "Uh-huh, sure, whatever you say," while 100% thinking you're in denial.
Better to just let time wash it all away. As long as she and Eriri didn't do anything truly questionable, the misunderstanding would fade eventually.
Probably.
"Why do you talk so weird sometimes?"
"Sawamura-san looked so nervous, I was just trying to lighten the mood. Anyway, class is about to start. If you don't want to be late, we should head back."
"Oh crap, I almost forgot."
Eriri checked the time on her phone, then quickly helped Mio restore the classroom to its original state before leaving the art club activity room.
Although Mio wasn't planning to explain, Eriri decided that when she came to the club after school, she'd clear things up with the president. She and Mio weren't like that—they'd just been... taking a nap with Mio's lap as a pillow. That's all.
However, reality proved that explanations only deepened misunderstandings.
After school, Eriri immediately went to the art club and found the president.
After she painstakingly explained the situation, the president looked at her very seriously and said, "Don't worry, Sawamura-san. I'm famous for keeping secrets. I absolutely won't tell anyone about your relationship with Shirai-san."
"I already told you, Mio and I don't have that kind of relationship!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. I get it. You and Shirai-san are just ordinary friends."
Eriri sighed in despair and gave up on continuing her futile defense. She felt like if she kept explaining, her relationship with Mio would only get more complicated in the president's mind.
"See? I told you there was no point in explaining~" Seeing Eriri come sit beside her, Mio said with a smile.
"Whatever. It's just the president who's misunderstanding anyway." After her failed explanation, Eriri chose to give up entirely.
Seemingly remembering something, Eriri glanced around at the other students, then quietly scooted her chair closer to Mio. "Shirai-san, are you free this weekend? Come with me to Akihabara."
"What for? Are you asking me on a date, Sawamura-san?"
"What are you even thinking? There's a game I've been waiting for that's finally being released. It comes with two different limited bonuses, but you can only choose one per person. You get what I mean, right?"
"Oh, I see. Sure, then."
Ever since realizing that the system could mess with her anywhere, Mio had stopped actively avoiding her targets. It didn't matter where she went—it was all the same. Being around Eriri might even make the tasks easier.
After all, the host's conquest rating with Eriri was only at 8 points right now.
It seemed low, but considering how few times they'd actually met, if things kept going like this, she'd probably advance to the next stage pretty soon.
Mio was genuinely worried.
She was even thinking about whether she should find another target.
If she really wanted a new target, this school had options. Like Yukino Yukinoshita. Or Utaha Kasumigaoka. Both of them were here.
But speaking of which—Eriri and Utaha were both here, so where was Megumi Kato?
Thinking about Megumi's lack of presence, Mio figured she'd be lucky to ever even notice her. Still, if both Eriri and Utaha were at this school, the chances of Megumi being here were pretty high too.
Lost in thought, Mio finished up the day's club activities.
When she and Mashiro walked out of the school building, they found Chihiro Sengoku and Shizuka Hiratsuka standing not far away. Seeing the two of them, Chihiro waved them over.
"Chihiro-sensei, Shizuka-sensei—what are you doing standing out here?"
"We were discussing whether to go grab drinks later. Since you're here now, perfect timing—we're not cooking tonight. Let's go out and get something to eat together."
"You two freeloading teachers finally had a moment of conscience? I'm so happy."
The moment Mio finished speaking, Shizuka wrapped an arm around her neck with a friendly smile. "Your voice was a little quiet just now. I didn't quite catch that. Say it again."
"I said, two mature, charming, and generous teachers are taking me out to eat. I'm very happy."
Faced with a life-or-death crisis, Mio promptly followed her heart's guidance.
Hearing that, Shizuka chuckled. "Alright, alright. We just felt bad about mooching off your cooking all the time. Let's go—I already made a reservation."
Since they'd be drinking, Shizuka hadn't driven. Plus, the restaurant wasn't that far from school—about a half-hour walk.
It was an izakaya with a nostalgic, old-timey feel. Even though it was barely getting dark, the place was already packed with customers.
From how naturally the two navigated the place, Mio could tell this was definitely their regular drinking spot.
After finding their reserved table and sitting down, Shizuka handed Mio the menu. "See if there's anything you like. Order whatever you want. Just, you know, no alcohol."
"Got it."
Mio took the menu and scooted closer to Mashiro so they could look at it together.
Just as they were trying to decide what to order, a familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out: "Oh my, if it isn't Shizuka! And Chihiro too! You two are drinking here and didn't even invite me~"
Hearing the voice, Mio instinctively turned her head—and saw a beautiful older woman with shoulder-length hair. Her face wore a warm, spring-breeze smile that made people naturally want to get closer.
Haruno Yukinoshita. She'd appeared.
The person Mio least wanted to run into.