*POV Tadano*
When we finished eating, Najimi spoke up.
Najimi: "Hey! I see Komi-San's friend circle is getting bigger, how about we celebrate by going out to eat something?"
Tadano: "Are you still hungry?"
Najimi rolled her eyes and said.
Najimi: "Unlike you, lucky young man, I don't have beauties sharing their bento with me until I'm satisfied. I'm young, I'm growing, and I need food, look at my little arms, they need a lot of nutrition," she said while showing her slender arms.
Unconsciously, Agari touched her arm.
Feeling the soft flesh, she became depressed.
Seeing Agari, Najimi regretted her words and said.
Najimi: "Anyway, what do you guys think? Shall we all go out to eat something?" trying to change the subject.
Komi nodded eagerly.
Taking out her notebook, she said.
Komi: "I'd be interested in going to a ramen restaurant."
Seeing the notebook, everyone nodded and agreed.
We all agreed to go during the second break.
*Some time later*
We were on our way to the restaurant suggested by Agari.
I must admit, when she switches to her Food Critic mode, she looks somewhat sexy.
"Confirmed."
As we approached the store, we could see the sign with the name "Ramen Darou" written in a flowing font.
It was simple yet elegant.
Agari cheerfully presented the place.
Agari: "TADAAAA! This is the store I recommend!"
Najimi: "Oh, I've heard of this brand, isn't Darou a famous restaurant chain?"
Agari: "Yes!"
Yamai: "Uhmm Komi-San, are you sure? I heard their portions are large and too oily, and..."
said Yamai before being interrupted by an energetic Komi, who showed her notebook.
Komi: "Let's go!"
Everyone: "Immediate response!"
Upon hearing Yamai's words, something clicked in Agari, and she entered Food Critic mode.
Agari: "Let's see, the Darou chain has gained fame lately, regular people think it has a solid established image. Many believe it's the place where lonely men come to eat, but that's not true. As a girl, you can also come here to eat. In fact, I come here from time to time, and unexpectedly, its flavor is not as strong as you would expect. Furthermore..."
said Agari as she adjusted some glasses, God knows where she got them, and held a notebook titled "Investigations Volume 5."
Everyone: "Agari-San?"
Agari seemed to snap out of a trance and quickly apologized while looking embarrassed.
We all let out a sigh of relief seeing her return to her normal self.
While everyone took their tickets with their orders, I could see how the cook and Komi-San exchanged a look.
Then the cook smiled.
If I remember correctly, he has the same problem as Komi.
"People with the same illness are surprisingly supportive of each other."
When I sat down, I could see everyone forming their own groups around Komi.
Charai, Sonoda, and Shinobino decided to bet on who would finish first.
Najimi heard the bet and joined in the fun.
Agari quietly ate her ramen.
Yadano was also going to join the boys' competition, but saw the hesitant Inaka and decided to approach her.
She commented that she didn't know if she could finish a dish alone, and Yadano offered to share it with her..
Similarly, Nene and Kaede decided to share a dish.
When I looked at Komi-San, she was eating elegantly.
Was it even possible to eat a dish like ramen so refined and elegant?
"What are you looking at?"
I know but...
"Tell me. What are you looking at?"
Anyway.
Then I faced my dish.
It was hard to say if I would finish it.
While I hesitated whether to eat it or not, I felt something tugging at my clothes.
Turning my head, I saw Yamai by my side.
Yamai: "If you don't mind, would you share with me? I don't think I can finish a dish by myself..." she said timidly.
"Oh... look what we have here."
Don't do anything excessive, Komi-San and the others are present.
"Yeah... yeah."
With a quick change in my demeanor.
I looked into her eyes.
Then I gave her a teasing look.
Tadano: "Oh? And why should I do that? Wouldn't it be better for you to join the others to share instead of coming to me? Oh! Don't tell me that because I didn't feed you today, you're so hungry for my attention that you came up with this way to get closer to me," I said playfully.
The girl blushed, but she didn't deny my words.
Although she didn't say anything, she didn't move away either.
After letting out a sigh, I nodded.
Tadano: "Alright, let's share, it's not like I can finish all of this by myself, and I hate wasting food, so I'll accept your request."
The girl's eyes lit up for a moment, and then she took a seat next to me.
I could feel an irritated gaze behind me.
I knew perfectly well whose it was.
The strange thing was that it wasn't directed at me.
But at Yamai.
When everyone finished eating, they held their bulging stomachs.
Particularly Najimi suffered the most. Although she managed to claim victory in the competition, it was a tragic victory; now she couldn't take more than 3 steps without feeling nauseous.
The strange thing was that both Komi and Agari ate 3 servings but seemed to be in perfect condition.
Damn, even I felt full, and I shared with Yamai, but these two were unfazed with 3 servings on them.
When we all returned to school, we split up and promised to try again next week at Komi's request.
*Some time later*
I was in my usual sea of paperwork.
Yamai was organizing them like the day before.
Before she could escape, a curious Najimi asked Yamai.
Najimi: "You're kinder than I remembered, Yamai, I didn't think you'd stay to help Tadano-Kun."
Yamai: "I-It's not that I'm helping him or anything... it's just that I have cleaning duty today, and it bothers me that he's still here with his papers... so I'm helping him finish quickly so I can complete my tasks. Yes! Just that!" said the girl, somewhat embarrassed.
Najimi gave her a suspicious look, but when she saw me approaching her, she quickly continued with her escape.
Returning to the present, I was finishing up with a huge pile of papers.
Yamai offered me a bottle of water, which I took without any problems. I don't think she's stupid enough to play the same trick twice.
"I always have the candy ready just in case."
After I finished drinking, I put the bottle aside and continued with my paperwork.
While Yamai continued organizing, she said.
Yamai: "You could always stop Najimi so she can help you, it's not fair that you stay doing all the work."
Tadano: "Then why didn't you stop her?"
Yamai: "Uh... I..."
Tadano: "Oh? Why the hesitation? Or is it that you wanted to stay alone with me... is that true?" I said as I set the papers aside and approached Yamai.
Yamai: "I-I didn't..."
Tadano: "Are you anxious? Or are you frustrated? Is it that you can't be at ease without me paying attention to you?" I said as I held her chin.
Yamai: "I... I didn't say that... I just..."
Tadano: "You what?" I said as I rubbed her lips with my thumb.
The girl's eyes began to cloud, and her breathing quickened.
Before either of us could say anything, the door opened loudly.
An irritated voice resonated throughout the classroom.
Kaede: "What do you think you're doing?" she said in a somber tone, her expression truly grim.
Nene: "Well, it looks like we arrived just in time," she said as she looked at me and Yamai.
I was stunned.
By the time I reacted, Kaede had already pulled me away from Yamai.
Then Nene casually pushed Yamai towards the door, saying.
Nene: "Why don't you leave for now, Yamai? Your presence is not needed."
Yamai: "B-But I still..." she tried to reply.
Nene: "Go home... NOW!" she said firmly, before slamming the door in Yamai's face.
Both girls looked at me, fierce looks reflected in their eyes.
Tadano: "Uh..."
Kaede: "Why are you wasting your time with her? Aren't we here? If you want to relieve some stress, you can come with me or Nene. Why choose her?" she said with evident frustration.
Nene: "If you need help with the paperwork, you can call us, and we'll come right away. There's no need to waste time with someone who has no knowledge in the matter like Yamai."
I could only nod.
This was my fault.
Tadano: "I understand how you feel. But I have reasons for my actions. You see, I have plans to start an entertainment company, and I plan to use Yamai as a tool to fulfill my plans. Using her money and connections to get what I need. Right now, she's nothing more than my slave, so you don't have to worry about her," I said with a serious expression.
Kaede: "If you want money and influence, I can give you as much as you want, and I assure you it will be a hundred times better than what she can offer you. There's no reason to go with her instead of coming directly to me," said Kaede, very upset.
Tadano: "First of all, I only met your parents yesterday. And I really doubt they can give me that much support. Even if they do, your own mother said that your grandmother, the CEO of the Otori group, may not see me in a good light, which could prevent any support or collaboration since she would have the final say. Secondly, according to the information I got from Yamai, her family is involved in real estate and tourism, with her being their only daughter, she's destined to become the heir, and they've done everything possible to make her capable, although she's still unable to handle paperwork, she has very remarkable musical skills that would be very beneficial to me. Also, her parents don't control their daughter's expenses, so it would be possible for me to get her support with Yamai as a bridge, making everything easier. And third, I'm using Yamai as a tool and I don't even consider her a human being, so using her is the most natural thing to do. In contrast, you and Nene are very special to me, I wouldn't dare to ask you for these kinds of things, if I get something it will be through my own effort and not by using you, Kaede. Instead, I would like to cooperate with you as equals in the future. I know I may sound ruthless,
but Yamai has crossed my limits enough to deserve this kind of treatment from me. In contrast, you and Nene are people I truly appreciate, and I would be hurt if you thought I was with you just for your money."
Kaede remained silent for a moment and then nodded.
Then she pulled the collar of my uniform towards her and kissed me as hard as she could.
Kaede: "Fine. I don't care what you do with Yamai anyway, I don't like her, but keep your dealings with her where I can't see. I understand that other women may catch your attention; we're still young and you're full of hormones. But I can't tolerate Yamai being so close to you. She has treated you so horribly and yet she's there, clinging to you and receiving all your attention when not long ago she drugged you, almost landed you in jail, and planned to completely ruin your life just because of her stupid jealousy. It's unfair... very unfair," she said as she started to tremble, crystal tears formed in the corners of her eyes and ran down her cheeks.
She looked so fragile and pitiful.
My heart broke with every second I saw her like this.
I quickly took her into my arms.
And wiped her tears away with my hands.
With one hand on her cheek, I brought her close to me, and we shared a warm and loving kiss.
I tried to convey all the feelings I had for her.
When I pulled away, I said.
Tadano: "Trust me, Kaede, I don't plan anything with Yamai, nor do I want to make you unhappy. Instead, I want to become a great and famous man, someone worthy of being by your side and who can confidently say that you're my wife. Someone you can be proud of. So please don't cry, it breaks my heart to see you like this," I said as I hugged her.
She clung to my clothes and returned the hug.
We stayed like that for a moment until I felt an envious gaze from the side.
Nene was watching the whole chain of events.
A helpless look reflected in her brown eyes.
On one hand, she was happy for her friend, but on the other, she felt envious of the attention she was receiving.
Opening my arms a little, I said.
Tadano: "You too, come here. Because of how you treated her, you must also be very angry and hurt, right? Come, like Kaede, I also plan to become a man of whom you can say, 'That's my husband.'"
With a blush on her face, the girl hesitated.
However, she didn't hold back for long before throwing herself into my arms and clinging to me.
Then she pulled my tie to bring my face closer to hers and gave me a soft kiss filled with all the feelings she had towards me. When she finished and before she could pull away, I pulled her close again and kissed her until we both ran out of breath.
Instinctively, she tried to resist, but I held her firmly by the waist and prevented her from escaping. As the seconds passed, her resistance dwindled until it disappeared completely. When I pulled away, I could see a beautiful sight.
Her face was dreamy, her cheeks flushed, her breath ragged, and a charming look in her eyes, Nene was truly beautiful.
I felt a little hand pulling my cheek, which snapped me out of my reverie. When I turned my head, I was quickly attacked by a jealous little turtle, who jumped to give me another kiss.
This caused me to lose my balance, and we fell to the ground.
Luckily or unluckily, I was the one who hit the ground while the girls fell on top of me.
When I turned my gaze to them, I was a little startled.
Both of them were looking at me with the same look a cat would give a mouse. I could see a rosy tint in their eyes, and when they noticed my gaze, they both gave me mischievous smiles.
"I must admit, when your little turtle squints her eyes, she looks very dominant and also kind of hot."
I was quickly attacked by the duo of turtle and rabbit.
And so time passed, I found myself lying on the ground with a pair of beauties on top of me, kissing me to their hearts' content, and it continued until the duo of rabbit and turtle calmed down.
Then the three of us stood up and together we got to work and started with the paperwork.
Author's note: "Here's a chapter, I'm sorry for taking so long, you know sometimes it's not easy to deal with this whirlwind of negative emotions. But I'm doing it like a champ hehe. Well at least I was able to continue writing even though I didn't have the mood to translate, Here's a chapter a little too late but it's always better late than never, right? With all that said, remember to drink a lot of water and I love you very much, your favorite depressive author.
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