Tatsu Hirakibo.

Average height. Deep blue hair. Clear brown eyes. He additionally possesses a fair complexion along with his white skin.

I have never seen him wear anything outside of his school uniform. His P.E clothes were the only exception, though. Outside of that, none.

His attitude contrasts that of a carefree student such as me, which indicates that he takes his endeavors to a very serious degree. Despite that, I still have yet to see anything from him.

He doesn't talk much. Quite reserved. He distances himself physically from Ikkiri who is his table partner by seating at the edge of the desk.

Why he does that, I have no idea. As a matter of fact, everyone, in general, has been distancing themselves from Ikkiri.

There are exceptions such as Akimiyashika and Hinagiku, but the rest seems to be completely against her existence. Once again, I have no clue why this is the case.

The important thing to notice about this individual is that despite his preserving attitude and adroit skillfulness when it comes to hiding his own intentions, he always, from time to time, gazes upon one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen.

Arkalee Kitsuya.

98% chance.

According to Kawahara, that is the case. His plan revolves around provoking our enemies via jealousy.

Naturally, this can backfire if who I target just uses this as motivation to destroy me, but a part of who I target will automatically be destroyed if I'm successful with this task.

Kawahara might have something on ahead, so this is practically only a trial.

Strictly speaking, for this plan to be in motion, I had to get rid of a bigger problem.

That problem is gorgeous and is looking at me from time to time, very much like how Tatsu looks at Arkalee.

Ignoring her attention is out of the question, which means I'll have to re-direct her attention to someone else.

"Who though..."

The class was going the same as always. The morning was progressing smoothly as I wondered who would be the best for Yulia to befriend.

Without a doubt, it can't be one of the boys. All of us have major issues in general. Plus, girls are more friendly with other girls in my understanding.

Therefore...

My table partner...?

How would that go...? It's hard for me to tell. She's usually insensitive to a great extent but then becomes sensitive with trivial things like birthdays. Unless it concerns her, she won't care.

That's why she can't go well with Yulia.

10 more to consider.

Frankly... I'm just going to get one more out of the way. Arkalee herself. Honestly, she seems to be a very affectionate person which would go extremely well with Yulia, but unfortunately, that would ruin the whole thing.

9 more.

Akimiyashika is a serious no. Just because they have agreed on previous matters that doesn't mean that they can exactly stand each other under normal circumstances. Also, Yulia targetted Ikkiri. Ultimately, that means that her interaction with Akimiyashika is slightly reduced.

8 more.

Since Ikkiri was mentioned, I'll exclude her as well. I still have yet to ask Yulia why she can't stand Ikkiri, but that can come later. And besides, Ikkiri might not be the right person to befriend right now.

7 more.

Hinagiku is the same case as Akimiyashika, but I suppose they could work? Except Yulia's probably scared due to what happened when Yukishiro slapped Rayazaki. Bad idea, probably.

6 more.

Speaking of Yukishiro, she seems to be way too spiteful. Big no.

5 more.

Gale. I don't know anything about her except the fact that she's a bookworm. Yulia needs someone that can be active in a talk, not absent from it.

4 more.

Tateyana is too aggressive and thus, I doubt that they will go along well. Purely biased based on her previous reactions, but there isn't much choice here.

3 more.

Kanawari seems to be ideal yet based on what my table partner has said, Kanawari and her don't go along with the rest well. I see no reason as to why my table parter would lie in that circumstance, so I'll assume that she was being truthful.

2 more.

I have no general concept nor idea when it comes to Shizuku. I suppose it would be fine to approach her and ask her something like that? There are no guarantees. Yet, I think that out of all the people in this room, if we were to exclude Arkalee, there might be someone with an equal level of affection.

That being, my number one proposition.

The individual that Kan is paired up with.

Previously paired up with the still-missing Akihiko, Sana is the one in my mind.

This might be labeled as explicit exaggeration, but the fact that Sana got so emotional over a birthday joke makes me think that she would go along with Yulia.

All in all, if two emotional people were to connect on a friendly bond, wouldn't that mean that they would be in extremely good terms?

Conclusion being; Yulia and Sana might be ideal friends.

"Now I just have to wait..."

To be honest, I haven't been doing absolutely anything these past few days. No, it's not just the past few days, but considering how things are going, I'm surprised I haven't been punished for not paying attention to class.

How do I say this...

It feels like you only really need to pay attention to the special exams. Though... Obviously, if I keep on failing the average exams, then I'll repeat the grade.

I wonder how that works.

"Talking alone already? Has the possibility of failure made you insane? Oh, oops. It's not a possibility; it's a certainty."

She laughed it off shily with a smug expression.

I would argue right back at her saying the actual thing and how wrong she is, but alas, Yulia's starring at me from time to time which makes my ability to interact with this bitch literally nonexistent.

Thus, I waited until lunch-time.

1 pm.

"Congratulations! Just from this morning alone, I have captured zero occurrences where you have spoken with another girl! I am impressed!"

On our way to one of the main restaurants in this school that I suggested that we should check out, Yulia pointed it out that she was impressed by my lack of freedom, that she unironically enjoys.

"You don't need to keep on checking... I really will not talk to other girls, I promise."

"Hahahaha, okay!"

Is that a yes or a no? Hey, answer me, please, Yulia. Don't just laugh it off in such a relaxed manner when you are probably having psychotic thoughts.

More importantly, without Yulia's knowledge, we were actually stalking Sana. However, we were so far away from Sana that Yulia didn't even notice what was happening.

"Hey, Yulia, do you have any friends?"

"What's that supposed to mean..."

She immediately pouted. I should've used way more formality, I suppose.

"Sorry if that sounded offensive. I just thought that it would be great for you to befriend someone."

"But I don't need anyone else!"

Clinging to my right arm, Yulia held it as tightly as she possibly could. To any male individual on this planet, in a romantic scenario, this couldn't be anything except the ultimate positive signal that everything is going fine.

Extremely fine, I dare say.

"I get that. I also don't need anyone else, because I have you. But I can't always be there for you. You know what I'm talking about, right? Your dorm."

Also, it's not as if I'm always there for her. Just because we are inside the same classroom that shouldn't have to automatically mean that I am there for her.

Our physical distance might be short in comparison, but that's still stretching it.

"Oh... I see... So that's what you meant. But, y'know, it's okay, isn't it?"

"We have classes all the way from the beginning of the morning to the rise and fall of the afternoon which almost hits evening. Needless to say, after classes are done, we can only interact with the ones in our dorms. In other words, for you, the rest of the girls."

Sana has entered the main building. Therefore, I slowed down a bit.

It would be troublesome if we were caught following her this deliberately.

"Are you worried that I might be alone...?"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Do you even have to ask? Of course I am. That's why I think you should befriend someone. Otherwise, you'll be alone the majority of the time."

"Orrrr we could text each other!"

Damn it, Yulia! Don't argue with such valid points!

"But don't you think it would be a waste to not befriend someone?"

In a crowd full of students, the number was beyond my reach. However, one thing certainly wasn't. Yulia's expression succumbed to profound sadness as soon as I aimed that question at her.

"......Do I really have to? I get that you are worried about me and that really means a lot yet... I don't like them..."

Naturally. All this time, Yulia's been sitting on the back and just observing the majority of the events.

By observing many interactions, she got a good grasp of how the majority of us attempt to portray our own image.

"Are you talking about all of them or people in specific? For example, do you like Ikkiri?"

This is a question I've been meaning to ask.

Does Yulia hold a personal bias here?

"I don't like her, I'm sorry. This isn't something I can just say publically, but if I'm with you and only you, it's fine..."

"Why do you not like her though?"

"She can't hold her own ground! Did you see what happened when the groups were formed?! She couldn't even defend herself once!"

She did defend herself once, but barely.

"I'll tell you more! I'm one-hundred percent positive she has done this! Listen... I'm not proud to say this, but when it comes to grabbing attention, we girls can come second to none! She's hiding something! I can feel it! Ikkiri did all of this for herself... I really hate her stereotype... The type of girl who does everything for attention..."

If Ikkiri truly did this just for the sake of attention, then I can get behind Yulia's reasoning.

I will not argue against Yulia with my own choice because that would kill the atmosphere. I'm supposed to dote her opinions.

"That's true. I just wonder why she would do all of this. Attention alone seems to be a little bit insufficient if you ask me."

"Ikkiri's probably a psychopath... Stay away from her, please. People like her are dangerous! I bet she's trying to manipulate us all by thinking that she didn't do anything!"

Yulia's being unbelievably clingy and aggressive at the same time. For the record, she has not let go of my right arm yet.

She doesn't mind the fact that we are in public right now.

Funny how she says she doesn't want anyone to find out but then she acts like this.

Confusing...

"Ikkiri aside, don't you think it would be nice if there was like a girl that you could talk freely to? I'm not saying for you to find a replacement of myself in someone else, but just a friend in general."

"...I don't know... I've never been that good at making friends. I end up being quite reserved, you see."

For someone reserved, you sure argued your way against Kawahara. Not many people can just stand up to him based on will alone.

By the way, we were already inside the principal area that contained a grand variety of restaurants. It varied from sushi restaurants to Mexican restaurants too.

Tacos must be quite popular, I see.

Nonetheless, a certain individual went all the way to the most popular burger restaurant in the area.

McDonald's, of course.

At least it's not Chik-Fil-A.

"Maybe you could befriend someone who has the same problem. Do you honestly think that you are the only person in our class that suffers from the same dilemma you suffer?"

"Oh.... I see what you are saying. I don't know. I suppose it wouldn't be a blunder to assume such... But... That person would not just say this. Hahaha, who even likes to admit that they suck at making friends?"

She brings a fair point. If you suck at making friends, then you wouldn't admit it.

You like to think to yourself that you have the option of making friends just because you believe yourself to be socially capable.

"No one does. However, what would be the typical behavior of someone who doesn't befriend anyone in the first place?"

Yulia, while being picky about what she would have for lunch, placed her thumb on her lips. Right now, we are inside a Mexican restaurant. Without talking, we simply walked in and from the looks of it, we are eating here.

It goes without saying that Yulia's paying.

"Let's see... Spending time alone, I guess? Yeah, that would make sense! If you suck at making friends then socializing isn't really an option... Being by yourself would be the best out of all the options... Ahh, I'll have the crunchy taco menu, please!"

Silently, the waitress took our order. There weren't any lines, to begin with, so this was completely empty.

......

She's awfully familiar with this.

Is Yulia secretly a Taco Bell lover?

"I'll have the same, I guess..."

"Yay! Also, back on to the subject, if I were that person then I would entertain myself with some sort of hobby. Social media is a good example, I guess."

Although we ordered here, we weren't actually going to eat here. Yulia should not have a problem concerning where we eat as long as we are without a doubt there together.

Our order was being prepared as we speak.

Still, how fancy. Is it normal for such a nurturing school to have this many facilities? Especially restaurants of considerable quality such as these?

I want to roast myself and say that these are not of 'considerable quality' but that would go against my point.

"Yulia, what do you think someone who refuses to make friends would do in their own free lunchtime?"

"Have lunch? Pretty self-explanatory, y'know."

I'm glad she realizes how self-explanatory it is. That helps me move on to my next point, which simultaneously connects my previous one.

"Don't you think you would be able to connect well with someone who does exactly the things we have just described?"

Meanwhile, our menus had arrived. Naturally, I took the lead and led Yulia to the public area where the majority of the students were having their lunches.

I can't fathom how much Yulia had to pay here but it baffles me that all these students can afford all of this.

"Yes, I think I would. But I sincerely doubt that someone would be open about this..."

Who said anything about being open?

That aside, as we made our way to the public area, in the middle of countless students who were enjoying their lunches, there was a certain individual lying amidst this endless crowd.

This individual sat on the farthest away place possible, to make sure she wasn't noticed.

Although she was eating, she was fiddling with her phone simultaneously as well.

"Oh... Isn't that...?"

I purposely made that question to Yulia while we kept on submerging ourselves in order to find an open seat.

We have passed through a few empty seats already, but if we had just taken a seat, that would defeat the whole purpose of this.

"Ohhh... That's Sana... What's she doing here?"

If our previous distance was slightly closer to Sana then Yulia would've noticed that we were coincidentally following Sana all along.

Alas, it wasn't coincidental.

Thus, we approached this unsociable girl who was completely absorbed. Sana was furiously typing on her phone while eating potato chips with great speed.

Is she stressed?

"Yo, Sana."

Sana was about to eat another potato chip but stopped doing that as soon as she noticed our presence.

To be honest, she went quite far. This school is massive. Just to go this far for a lunch is something that many wouldn't even do in the first place.

In order to seek complete isolation, you'd go this far, Sana?

"...What? Are you stalking me, you creep?"

Please stop. I wouldn't stalk you even if the whole world was unironically infected by a massive pandemic virus and that the only way to get rid of it was to stalk you.

"Wait, Sana! He's not stalking you! This is just a really bizarre coincidence! I didn't know you had lunch here as well..."

Thankfully Yulia took the lead before I roasted Sana. Neurotic bitch.

"...I see..."

As expected, not much talk was made. Yulia, in response, cowardly backed off as well.

Obviously, I had to take the lead here while holding back all my spiteful emotions.

"Sana, can we eat with you?"

"....There are other available seats... Why do you have to eat at the same table as me...?"

She's referring to me as 'you' alone and not 'you two'. This means that this is personal.

"Yulia, don't you want to eat here?"

"E-Eh? Anywhere is fine, really..."

Come ooooooonnnnnnn.

"This'll be fun, come on. Let's celebrate Sana's birthday!"

"Wait, what?! It's today!? Happy birthday, Sana! How old are you now?"

I was creasing so to speak. However, I could not show that to Sana, who was glaring at me with deadly eyes.

Before Sana could speak and verbally slaughter me, I had to add something else.

"No, Yulia. It's not today. Today is March 5th. Sana's birthday was three days ago, March 2nd. Sorry about that, Sana."

The joke was intentional. Birthday roasts are surprisingly funny.

Kinda like how YunYun doesn't get to have a birthday celebration.

"Oh, I see! Ummm... If it isn't much... Would you accept my honest birthday wishes...?"

In front of Sana, Yulia had already taken her seat. Sana, however, didn't mind.

Of course she wouldn't mind. I'm the problem here. That much is obvious.

Subsequently, I took a seat right next to Yulia.

"...Well, okay."

"Happy birthday! I hope you enjoyed your day, Sana! How many years is it now? Sorry for not knowing... I know it's bad manners..."

"Oh no, please, don't worry. I'm 16 years old now. Although, I didn't enjoy my day... But, thank you for your wishes. I'll remember them. When is your birthday, Yulia?"

Meanwhile, I was savoring my crunchy taco.

I feel like getting up from my seat and standing in front of Taco Bell right now. Furthermore, I feel like screaming while passionately asking who the hell made this taco.

'Cause god fucking damn, is it good!

"August 31st, 2004. But may I ask why you'd like to know my birthday?"

"Certainly. It's a way of thanking you! I see I see. August 31st... I'll remember it."

Hey, where is my birthday question?

"Oh, you don't really have to, but I appreciate the thought!"

"Umm... Do you not want me to celebrate your birthday? Is there a deep reason behind it...?"

It's impressive.

I think Sana forgot that I existed or something. I'm eating this delicious as hell taco in such a silent manner that I think I've fused with the air.

Thus, I've become transparent.

Literally...

"Oh, no! Not at all! I just thought that you didn't have to bother yourself just because I went out of my way to reach you!"

"I see what you mean, Yulia! I totally get it! Reaching out to someone just as a means to repay back can be seen that way... But please, don't see it that way! It's not about repaying back... I just think that celebrating someone's birthday can make that person's day become slightly brighter, that's all..."

"Right?! Right?! Right?! I understand now what you mean. I'm sorry, I'm often way too judgmental... I hope you can forgive me..."

"Don't mind it! Everyone makes mistakes! I like when people admit their mistakes. It's a sign that they are ready to grow more and more!"

I think that if a tornado passed through me right now that I would come out unphased.

One with the wind. Who knows such feeling would come from a scenario such as this.

"By the way, Yulia... You voted that Ikkiri was the one who did it... Do you... have a particular reason to feel that way?"

"Ahh, you see... Well, since it's just us two right now, I guess I can tell you... But, don't tell anyone, please!"

Wow, ladies, what the fuck?

I exist, okay?!

"It's a girls' talk! Of course I won't spell out the beans."

"Okay, okay. That's reassuring. But... Gosh, where to begin!? She's such an attention whore! She's acting like a victim from a novel! How much do you want to bet that it's only a matter of time before she gets one of the boys to protect her?!"

"I know right?! That sad look on her face! Ugh, my god! It disgusts me..."

"It's impressive how low she stooped just for this whole act! She involved the whole class! Unbelievable..."

I've officially become one with the wind.

I am so irrelevant right now that two girls that just started to have their first and unique proper interaction are having a girls' talk in front of a boy.

Truly the pinnacle of irrelevance.

"You said it... What do you think she's going to do next...? Shouldn't we be careful...? Hey... If something weird happens in the upcoming exam, then Ikkiri should undoubtedly be the one we have to look out for..."

"You think so, Sana?"

"Yeah... She's a viper. She only bites when she has the necessity to. Just from the previous event alone, I could tell something was totally off! Nothing linked! What a serious lunatic she is... Do you think she is someone that will attempt to manipulate everyone in class....?"

Did I mention how good this Taco is?

Seriously good.

"Y-You think so...? That's sorta scary... I didn't think that she would do something like this but... If this chain of events keeps on increasing then..."

".......She's really dangerous, Yulia... I think I see it all now though... She tried to portray an innocent and eccentric image to the rest of the class while maintaining that demonic manipulative personality to her side, but now... She's on the loose!"

They are seriously being way too paranoid. More than half of the things that they have said aren't probably true.

However, I can't argue because not even I know for sure what happened regarding the previous accident.

If anyone knew, then speculations like these wouldn't be formed in the first place.

Alas, I had finished my menu with tremendous speed and tried to silently leave the scene but a hand grabbed my arm immediately.

Sincerely, I was spooked.

"Stay."

Yulia did not say that in a cute tone, but moreover, in an imperial one.

Just like how a dog's owner will tell the dog to sit down.

It appears that my wind shroud has faded and my existence became relevant once more.

Still...

"I forgot some books in my room! I'll see you in the class!"

"Ah! Wait!"

With a fast dash, I ran off to a location Yulia wouldn't be able to reach me.

While I was running through the crowd, I pulled out my phone and made a call to Hyunda.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up-"

"Yo."

I have a vast idea where Arkalee is and now that Yulia is busy talking to Sana, this is my perfect chance.

No other chance will come after this. It's now or never. There are roughly 15 minutes until the lunch break is over...

"Yo, Hyunda! Question! Are you with Arkalee by some chance?"

"Mhm? Yeah, I am. We are having lunch at the same plaza as the other time. Come on over, bro. We will be waiting."

Hyunda's such a bro. It's as if he already knew I was going to do this all along.

Realistically speaking, I could've not asked for a better opportunity.

"Oh, thanks! Umm... Can you pay me the lun-"

He hung up.

How selfish would you be if you didn't pay a cheap lunch to your bro when you are low-key rich for reasons unknown?

No, no.

Come on, Hyunda wouldn't be such a snitch.

Ultimately, in about 5 minutes, I reached the plaza.

Hyunda instantly greeted me by waving.

Arkalee too, surprisingly.

"Sorry, did you two wait?"

"Nah."

"Not at all, Daniel! Once again, a very pleasing surprise! How wonderful to have you here!"

I quickly took my seat parallel to Hyunda and Arkalee.

They both gave me very positive replies.

In such a short time, I'll have to do something.

Kawahara said that this might not work, but I just don't see how.

Arkalee doesn't seem complicated at all.

I got this.