Megumi Kato's sudden question caught Shin off guard.
It wasn't that he was narcissistic enough to think that just a few conversations would make her fall for him. He simply hadn't considered this kind of question before.
As for dating, he'd put it off while waiting for his system to load. So, even when girls had confessed, he had gently turned them down.
But now that his system was fully loaded and he understood its true nature, he could even harness its power to become stronger and live a better life.
In that context, having a girlfriend didn't seem like a problem anymore.
Yet, before Shin could respond to Kato's question, Akagi's loud voice interrupted their conversation:
"Shin! Are you joining me at the Service Club again today!?"
Akagi's shout shattered the moment between him and Kato, causing Shin to show a look of mild annoyance—this guy really needed to find a girl to rein him in.
"Pfft."
Kato giggled at his expression, gave him a playful wink, and then walked off, leaving him and Akagi some space.
It had to be said that Megumi Kato was indeed a kind-hearted girl: quiet, tactful, and mindful of others' space.
Though the conversation had been interrupted, Shin thought that if he were to date someone, Megumi Kato might actually be a good choice.
But since Kato seemed to have stepped back, Shin turned to Akagi with an air of distaste in his tone.
"What do you need to go to the Service Club for again? Didn't you go yesterday?"
Of course he felt reluctant—talking to a loud guy like Akagi couldn't compare to the comfort of chatting with a sweet girl like Kato.
Akagi, however, was oblivious to the fact he'd disrupted Shin's conversation. Kato's low-key presence had once again come through, and Akagi hadn't even noticed Shin talking to someone else.
"Of course, I need Yukinoshita's advice for my plans."
Akagi looked at Shin with a puzzled expression, as if he'd said something absurd.
"Didn't you tell me Yukinoshita would help me make a plan to get along with Shion?"
Shin fell silent at Akagi's words. It seemed that Yukinoshita Yukino was quite confident in her plans, and Akagi trusted her too.
Then again, Akagi practically idolized all the famous girls at school, so it wasn't surprising he'd have blind faith in them.
Who knows—if he found out Eiri was a doujin artist, it might shatter his idealized image of her.
"Your relationship isn't even close yet, and you're already calling her 'Shion' so eagerly."
Shin felt slightly exasperated seeing how eager Akagi was—he hadn't even exchanged a word with Tamiya Shion yet, but was already addressing her so casually.
"It's fine to do that here, but if you actually meet her, don't call her by her first name; it'll seem impolite."
In Japanese culture, only people who are close call each other by their first names; using surnames or full names is standard otherwise. If Akagi, a high schooler, called Shion by her first name unprompted, it would definitely come off as rude.
Even though Yukinoshita's plan might be iffy, Akagi wouldn't have a chance if he managed to drop his favorability score into the negatives right from the start.
"Don't worry, I know."
Akagi patted his chest confidently, but then looked at Shin with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.
"So, after school... could you come with me to the Service Club?"
Although he could go alone, after seeing how Shin and Yukinoshita Yukino had hit it off yesterday, he felt it would be better to have Shin there with him.
At least Shin seemed comfortable talking to Yukinoshita, while Akagi felt he would be too nervous.
"No need. Yukinoshita already sent me the plan."
Shin waved him off, feeling there was no need to go back. After all, Yukinoshita had her own responsibilities at the Service Club; it wouldn't be right to disturb her every day.
He and Akagi weren't even members of the club, so constantly visiting wouldn't be appropriate.
But just as he finished speaking, he noticed Akagi staring at him in amazement.
Before Shin could respond, Akagi lowered his voice and asked in shock:
"You exchanged contact info with Yukinoshita?"
"Hm?"
Shin was momentarily stunned before realizing what he'd implied.
Yesterday, when they parted, he'd told Akagi that Yukinoshita would come up with a plan and share it later. Now, he'd just mentioned she'd already sent it over.
So the conclusion was obvious: either Yukinoshita Yukino had visited Shin's house last night, or they'd exchanged contact info. Otherwise, how could she have sent him the plan?
"For once, you're not as clueless as usual," Shin said, feigning exasperation.
"Yes, we just exchanged contacts. Don't read too much into it."
"I understand, I understand—I won't spread rumors."
Akagi nodded, a look of "I know everything but I'll play along" on his face.
Clearly, with his heart set on dating Tamiya Shion, he now saw similar prospects for Shin and Yukinoshita.
But since he'd promised not to gossip, Shin trusted him—though Akagi could be simple-minded, he was a good person.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so well-liked in class.
"Well, since Yukinoshita already sent you the plan, I guess there's no need to go to the Service Club today."
Akagi, though usually eager to see the famous girls around school, seemed to have mellowed now that he was focused on pursuing Shion. He didn't insist on seeing Yukinoshita again.
And Shin's point was valid: Yukinoshita hadn't started the Service Club just to help him with dating advice. They couldn't hog all her time.
"Alright then. Let's chat more over lunch, and you can show me the plan then."
As they talked, Akagi saw the teacher walking into the classroom, signaling the start of class.
Naturally, he couldn't linger around Shin any longer, so with a quick wave, he dashed to his seat.
To be continued…
It is a new story guys so please donate your power stones, I wish that the fic reaches to a maximum number of audience.