Episode 2

"Hey, hey, Kaori! Did you watch the Korean drama yesterday?"

"I saw it. Takoyaki ? It looked really delicious."

"T-Takoyaki?! Kaori, that's a romance drama, not a cooking show!"

"But it looked delicious, right? Takoyaki."

"That's true, but... Kaori really is a glutton."

　Two girls who stand out in the classroom.

　There are many different meanings to the word "conspicuous," but in this case it of course means "dazzlingly sparkling."

"...Yeah, it's kind of noble."

"What's with you suddenly using teen slang? Where did you learn it?"

"Am I an old man?"

　This handsome boy with a good build laughed is Asahi Reo .

　We have been friends since middle school and are characterized by their short, light green hair.

　He's the most popular and good-looking guy among my friends.

"Well, I'm sure there are many people who feel the same way as you, both men and women."

　Looking around, I saw many people looking at them and talking, just like us.

"How precious... The prince is precious today too...!!!"

"So this is what they mean by a shining aura! Ugh! It's dazzling!!!"

"The quest for beauty must begin with the Prince... it must be!!!"

"They say it's a feast for the eyes, but I think it's just because the eyes are watering with tears of emotion!"

"...What are you talking about?"

　Not only in the classroom, but also students passing by in the hallways took a quick glance at the prince and took a second look, and some even stood to watch, clearly showing how immensely popular Tohsaka is.

"But, well, this attention is only for the prince."

　At the same time as Reo, he turns his eyes to another girl who is talking to Tohsaka.

"I'm starting to feel like eating takoyai "

"The alternative plan is completely different from the first choice..."

　The one who happily hums "Topo~♪" with a smile on her face is Usami Aika .

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

　She is tall for a girl, and has loosely permed pink hair that gives her a distinctive, flashy appearance.

　She sparkles like an idol, and the word "cute" really fits her perfectly.

"Usami also has an eye-catching appearance. There are many people who support Usami more than the prince."

"Oh, is that so?"

　Certainly, although the styles are clearly different, it is difficult to choose between the two when viewed visually overall.

　The choice between the two will come down to preference.

"Those two are good friends and are always together, so it's no wonder they attract so much attention."

"So this is what they call a dazzling pair ."

"...You don't have to force yourself to remember it, okay?"

"I'm still a teenager."

　I glared at Reo in dissatisfaction.

　Reo smiled happily and then turned his gaze back to Tohsaka.

"Even so, our prince is incredibly popular today. Well, she is actually pretty cool, and I think she lives up to her name."

"Wow, even Reo thinks it's cool."

"That's true. I wish I was born a handsome guy like that."

"...I don't think it's right for you to say that."

　Although he certainly doesn't fall into the beautiful boy category like Tohsaka, Reo enjoys overwhelming popularity in a different category.

　It is not surprising that those who hear what I just said may perceive it as sarcastic.

"But, although Tohsaka is undoubtedly cool, at the same time, she's still...cute, right?"

"Huh?!"

""…………yeah?""

　When I turned towards the direction of the short, scream-like voice, I saw Tohsaka's face flushed slightly and her hand covering her mouth.

"What's wrong, Koko? Why did you suddenly raise your voice?"

"N-no... it's nothing. Anyway, I want some snacks..."

　While tilting her head, she returned her gaze and the topic to the original.

"I'm still surprised. For you to say that someone other than your sister is cute."

"It's not that unusual. People always say it's cute."

"Well, for example?"

"I was shown a portrait of me drawn by my sister and a gas tank made out of clay and I kept repeating it. I think it sounds better than a modest high school girl."

"So it's related to my sister after all..."

　Of course.

　--Say that everything your sister is involved in is cute.

　That's what I was taught by my sister.

"Well, it's true that I can understand what you trying to say. Sure, her face is as perfect as a model's, and her looks are outstanding, but... I'd say she's more like 'beautiful' than 'cute'."

"I wonder."

"If anything, isn't Usami the cute type?"

"That's true, but how can I put it... hmmm."

"I can't decide... Then why do you think the prince is cute ?"

"Hmmmm..."

　Trying to find the reason, my eyes naturally turned towards Tohsaka.

　--At that moment.

"Huh!?"

　Tohsaka happened to be looking at me as well, and by chance our eyes met.

　As if my gaze was fixed on Tohsaka's face, her cheeks quickly turned crimson red.

"K-Koko?"

"Ha! ch-cho-cho-Men?"

"Are you talking about choco?"

　What kind of story is that?

　How can two high school girls end up talking about choco...but that's beside the point.

"See, wasn't that just cute?"

"Well, you're certainly cute, but more importantly... why are you embarrassed?"

"I don't know."

"You know... Ah, perhaps. You too..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"...Haa, it's nothing. I don't particularly expect Rintaro to have sharp intuition or good sense. In fact, it might end up ruining his character."

"...What are you talking about?"

　When I said that with a dissatisfied tone, Reo's face again lit up with excitement and he burst out laughing.

　after school.

"Excuse me."

　After leaving the staff room, I sighed as the sun began to set and finally headed home.

"Career path...huh?"

　When you reach your second year of high school, the world around you suddenly becomes noisy with thoughts about your future career path, finding a job, and taking entrance exams.

　When I say surroundings, in my case it's the school that's noisy.

"Oh no, oh no! If we don't hurry, we won't make it in time for the whole meeting!"

"Hey! It's too early!"

　A female student runs up next to me.

　While thinking about how hard club activities are, as if it were something that had nothing to do with me, I walked down the stairs one step at a time, and felt a small sense of accomplishment when my feet touched flat ground.

　If you don't exercise regularly, even going down the stairs can be a pain.

　Now, I have to get home quickly and go to the supermarket, I thought, and was about to turn the corner when...

"Oh, Tohsaka."

"Eh, wow!!"

　I nearly collided with her head on, but managed to avoid it at the last moment.

　--Smack.

"Ahhhh!"

　Tohsaka's voice and the lingering sound of a can clanging and rolling on the ground.

　Looking down, Tohsaka's pants were covered in brown stains.

　Apparently, while trying to avoid colliding with me, she spilled the contents of the can she was holding.

"It's, it's okay...I guess not."

"Wh-what should I do..."

　Her beautiful face, like a work of art, is distorted with confusion.

　A thin film of tears was coating her ruby eyes.

"But still, it's brown... and what a smell..."

"...Ah, that's not it! Well, how should I put it!"

　Suddenly, I notice the label on a can lying on the ground.

"Just the curry roux? ... Or a drink?"

"…………Don't look at anything. Ugh……"

　Glancing sideways at Tohsaka who looked as if she was about to burst into tears, I scratched my head to try and ease the awkwardness.

　In a hallway bathed in the setting sun, there are a cool-looking girl who looks like she's about to cry and two spacey-looking boy.

　And there was a faint, appetizing smell of curry hanging in the air, something that was out of place inside the school .