“You mean it?” I was in disbelief

“Yes, I'll gladly go with Yuuki-kun at the cultural Festival,” Haruka-Senpai answered in a soft tone, her left hand on her chin as if she was maintaining her composure.

I couldn't help but notice that she had a small grin on her face. Was she expecting me to ask her out and that's why she looks pleased? That can't be it, right?

Was this my chance to ask her out? I was contemplating whether I should ask her out right here and now if she would like to go out together… it's worth a shot right?

“Haruka-Senpai, Would y-”

The club room’s doors suddenly swung open, causing both Haruka-senpai and I to notice that it was Senko barging in so suddenly.

Geez, talk about being a mood killer, I felt my entire existence cringing at the predicament.

“You're both always early, well Lucky for you guys, I brought snacks!” Senko waved at me as he pulled out a bag of chips and sweets.

“Yuuki-kun you were about to say something?” Haruka-Senpai interrogated.

“Eh? I-it's nothing, don't worry about it.”

“Why the long face? You've already eaten lunch already, right? If not, let's have snacks!” Senko placed the bag on the table right in front of me and Haruka-Senpai.

Ugh… Could he not read the room!? He was telling me since yesterday to go ask her out and he really came and ruined the chance I had!

Ugh!!! I want to hit Senko so badly… clenching my fists on the side I couldn't help but maintain my composure and pretend to be calm and cool.

“What snacks have you brought today Senko-kun?” Haruka-Senpai's tone had a strain.

Could she have been disappointed too?

“Let’s see, for deserts I brought some Pokey sticks, some KatKits, dango, and Taiyaki, as for chips I have some Rays, CoiCeya Don Tako Tortillas, Kalbi Thin Potato Chips, and Fringles”

“Isn't that haul too simple Senko-kun?” Haruka-Senpai scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“Haruka-Senpai, I would blame Kana for this, she completely forgot the grocery list, because she rushed to the grocery store before I finished writing the list so she went and bought a dozen choco-bananas and basic chips and sweets,” Senko explained in a very annoyed tone.

“That's very typical for Kana-chan right? Always in a rush.” Haruka-Senpai laughed softly.

Somehow… despite the fact Senko ruined the mood between the two of us, I couldn’t help but feel very happy inside, it's like we're all hanging out together again, it was a shame Kana wasn't in the same club as us… but I'll gladly cherish the time I spent with these two even if it's only for a moment.

Senko, I’ll hold off on torturing you for ruining my chance with Haruka-senpai for today… Haruka-Senpai, I’ll be sure to ask you out on my own terms someday, so be ready for it!

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

°°°

It was now 2:00 pm, Senko sat next to me in the clubroom, while Haruka-Senpai was across from me. There were 30 minutes left before the club meeting started and somehow it's only the three of us.

It was expected though because I came at 1:30 and Haruka-Senpai came only a bit after me, Senko on the other hand came just before 2:00 struck.

The three of us just spent the time we were waiting eating the snacks Senko had brought so it's not like we had nothing to do.

After a while the atmosphere got quiet again, Haruka-senpai was reading a book, Senko was on his phone reading a manga while I was feeling awkwardly waiting for someone to break the silence.

I suddenly heard my phone ring, it was a message notification from… Senko of all people, but he's sitting here next to me.

What was so important was that he had to send me a DM. I reluctantly checked the message he sent.

“Anything changed between you and Haruka-Senpai?”

Does he know what happened before he came here?

I turned my eyes to see the Jerk smirking like a madman.

“Why do you ask?”

“Come on, don't be so stingy, spill the beans already!”

“No.”

“Come on, just tell me! It will be our secret!”

“That is none of your business buddy!”

“Did you at least try asking her out?”

“No comment.”

“She said no didn't she!?”

“No comment!!”

“I was just trying to give you advice on asking her out but you won't tell me anything so I can't help you in exchange for a small favor!

“I already told you that I'm not gonna babysit Kana at the Cultural Festival while you're off being balls deep in a random girl!”

“Jerk.”

I looked to my side and Senko still had that cunning smirk on his face. He really gets pushy when he is curious.

“What are you two doing glaring at each other like that?” Haruka-Senpai asked as if she was a detective interrogating criminals.

“Don't worry about it! Yuuki and I were just planning on playing Kyoryu online later tonight! Right, Yuuki!?” Senko hurriedly explained unconvincingly.

I simply nodded and took a sip from my water flask. Hopefully, that is convincing enough to throw her off right?

“Ah, speaking of the game, would it be alright if I joined you guys? I'm a bit rusty but I'm sure I can still play well!” Haruka-senpai shyly asked to join.

“Well, you see…” Senko tried to “deny” The request.

“Please! It would be a great way for me to catch up to Yuuki-Kun since the last time I played he got ahead of me in both stats and levels, I'd feel a bit embarrassed if he had to keep protecting me in the game and not the other way around you know!” Haruka-senpai Bowed, Clasped her hands together, and asked profusely to join.

She was pleading to “join us” in this made-up play session of Kyoryu online. Hold on! This could be my chance!!! I quickly sent Senko a message.

Senko's phone suddenly received a message notification.

“When we're about to play with Haruka-Senpai, I need you to pretend that Kana is making you come with her somewhere, So I can have a chance to be alone with her.”

“:Thumbs_up:”

“Of course, you can join, just try not to get into too much trouble alright senpai?” Senko pretended to be cautious of Senpai’s safety.

“I will do my best! I’m gonna get stronger than both Senko-kun and Yuuki-kun!” Haruka-senpai had excitement in her eyes, and knowing her she was dead serious.

However, I wasn't simply using this as a chance to get some alone time with Senpai, but I was also gonna use this time to make sure she doesn't surpass me in the game!

What she said was true! The last time she played was when the four of us stopped an infestation. I had a slightly higher level, but that was before we stopped the Herrerasaurus infestation as a group!

So it was a given that after we cleared the infestation from that farm, she had probably raised stats and levels after the commission was done.

That's why I'll be using this chance to get stronger on my own! Kana, Haruka, and Senko all voted for me to lead our group. I'm guessing it was due to me being the most knowledgeable about dinosaurs and the game itself, but all of them were definitely better than me in actually playing the game.

That's why, I have to get stronger not just for myself but for them as well! After all, I still have a score to settle with Diego.

This is killing three birds with one stone! I get alone time with Senpai, I get stronger in the game for myself and my team and lastly, with Senko pretending to be absent, Senpai and I can have fun alone!

“Good afternoon, are the three of you the first ones that arrived here?”

A voice spoke out from the clubroom’s entrance, We looked in the direction of the voice and it was our club’s president, Takeda-senpai.

Takeda-senpai is a very academic student at our school, he is our senior since he is older than Haruka-senpai.

He is very favored by the teachers of the campus and is admired greatly by the students, particularly the female students. Takeda-senpai is 6’0 tall and has a rather fit build, his hair is in a beautiful shade of dandelion-blonde, and he has bright blue eyes, but rumors circulate among his classmates that due to his disdain for his blue eyes, he chooses to wear bright red contact lenses, I wouldn’t know since I’m not that close to him to figure it out.

Takeda-senpai is also known to be very talented, as it was said that had won several awards for acting when it came to talent shows and student films, some even said he was amazing at singing and dancing. He was a very admirable person to those who were in his circle of friends.

“Takeda-senpai, we were just discussing some plans later to go play Kyoryu online, hahaha…” Haruka-senpai awkwardly laughed.

“Kyoryu online? I didn't know Haruka-san to be the type to enjoy the game ~” Takeda-senpai seemed rather surprised that Haruka-senpai

“Well you see, Yuuki-kun is the one who convinced me to try out the game for myself, and it just so happened that my family owned the console that is able to run the game, And against my wishes, Yuuki-kun pre-ordered the game on my behalf” Haruka-senpai explained the story quite fondly. Though she gave me a slight side-eye after that last remark.

I just returned her side-eye with a smile.

“Well then, I shall be preparing for the meeting to start, keep doing what you three are doing.” Takeda-senpai walked towards a separate desk, preparing a projector and its screen.