I Want to Be Your Girlfriend!

As if their minds were in perfect sync, Kotomi immediately understood Kazumi's frantic eye signals. But there was no way she could agree to that.

With her sister already having seen them, if Kazumi were to return to Kotomi's body in front of Aimi and Iroha Isshiki, Kotomi might be fine, but she'd be left in an incredibly awkward situation.

Never mind explaining who Kazumi really was—just the fact that Kazumi could vanish instantly would be impossible to explain. Even with ten different excuses, none would make sense. She couldn't just say it was "quantum mechanics"—who'd believe that? No one, not even a fool!

"Isn't your dodging and scanning ability supposed to be top-tier? How did it fail you today? Maybe you need an update?" Kotomi muttered in frustration.

Fortunately, their communication was internal—only Kotomi and Kazumi could hear it, even if someone else was standing right next to them.

"Mmph! It's because the takoyaki was so delicious! I got distracted and didn't notice until it was too late—your sister and Iroha have already caught us sneaking around and having an affair!"

"We're not having an affair! And why are you calling it an affair? Why even add 'sneaking around'? There's no way I'd have an affair with you!"

"I've been watching Temptation of Going Home lately."

"Stop watching so many dramas!"

"Wasn't it stored on your computer in your last life?"

"Ahem… we don't need to bring that up. But seriously, is now the time to discuss this? You better think of a solution quickly—I feel like Aimi's glare is getting scarier by the second. Is it just me?"

"It's not just you. She's really pissed."

"That's even worse!" Kotomi panicked as Aimi approached them.

"At this rate, you're definitely going to get the chop."

"I don't need you to tell me that... Wait! I've got it! Let's do this!" Kotomi's survival instincts kicked in, and an idea sparked in her mind.

Quickly explaining the plan to Kazumi, she nodded with newfound determination. "Wow, Kotomi, this is actually genius! You really are a natural scheming heroine!"

With their plan set, Kotomi and Kazumi began working together like seasoned pros.

"Onee-chan, who's this girl?" Aimi asked as she walked over, her frustration evident. Why was her sister always surrounded by so many girls she didn't know?

Was Kotomi a magnet for women or something?

How did she always attract all types, wherever she went?

"She's my classmate. She's been sick and resting at home for the past few days, so it's pure luck we ran into each other today," Kotomi explained smoothly.

"Oh, you must be Aimi, Kotomi's little sister! I've heard so much about you. Your sister always talks about how cute you are. She could go on for five minutes straight, just describing how adorable you are. I've been so curious to meet you!" Kazumi chimed in right after Kotomi, smoothly supporting the story.

Aimi was about to ask more questions, but Kotomi seized the opportunity, adopting a slightly exasperated tone, "Kazumi, since you've missed so many classes, I've been taking notes for you. Make sure to treat me to lunch tomorrow as thanks!"

"Of course! Thanks, benevolent Kotomi-sama. If not for you, I'd have no idea how to catch up on all the notes and homework! To be honest, after recovering from my fever today, I was tempted to pretend I was still sick, just to avoid the workload."

"Don't even think about faking! I'm done taking notes for you."

By framing Kazumi as a classmate, Kotomi simplified the relationship. As for why Kazumi wasn't in uniform? Kotomi quickly explained it was because she had been recovering at home.

And as for how they ran into each other while she was supposedly recovering at home? Kazumi deftly explained that her fever had just broken today.

If only one person had been explaining, there would have been loopholes everywhere. But with both of them filling in each other's gaps, the story seemed perfectly plausible.

Their teamwork was flawless!

Aimi, who had initially been suspicious, found her doubts fading after hearing the two of them talk.

Now was the time to change the subject.

Kotomi, who had been eating a taiyaki, handed it to Aimi, "Do you want some? I can't finish it."

"Honestly, I don't want your leftover taiyaki, Onee-chan." Aimi blushed, grumbling softly. Yet, despite her words, she took the half-eaten taiyaki and began munching on it, clearly enjoying it.

Watching from the sidelines, Iroha Isshiki almost commented that Aimi didn't like red bean fillings, but wisely kept quiet, pretending she didn't know.

After giving the taiyaki to Aimi, Kotomi suddenly remembered that her sister didn't even like red bean. She was about to offer to buy her a new one but stopped when she saw how happily Aimi was eating it.

Maybe... Aimi had just developed a taste for red bean?

Today's victory belonged to Kotomi and Kazumi.

"Oh, so she's just Senpai's classmate? For a moment there, I thought she was your girlfriend~," Iroha said, feigning disappointment.

She had been hoping for some spicy drama on the way home.

"I don't have a girlfriend," Kotomi shrugged lightly.

Now that she thought about it, other reincarnators probably found girlfriends by the second day of their new life. She had been reincarnated for almost a month now and still didn't have a girlfriend.

Was she too focused on her career?

She needed to start paying attention to her love life. In her last life, she had never found a partner, not even a first love. This time, she was determined to marry a beautiful girl!

As if reading Kotomi's thoughts, Kazumi's voice echoed in her mind, "Kotomi, it might not be you marrying the beautiful girl, but the beautiful girl marrying you~"

"Why are you so obsessed with this '1000% Uke' thing?!"

"Alright, alright, how about this—80% chance you're the top?"

"…I'm getting vertigo from this."

Just then, Iroha's playful voice rang out again. "In that case, how about I become Senpai's girlfriend? We could even meet your parents tonight—oh, wait, should I start calling them Mom and Dad?"

"You're joking, right, Iroha?"

Kotomi was glad she wasn't eating at that moment, or she definitely would've choked on her food from that sudden bold confession.

Iroha grinned mischievously, "Hehe, you caught me! But don't think just because I'm joking now that I don't secretly have a crush on you. After all, that's how love comedies usually go, right? But in real life, that's not happening!"

"I wasn't thinking that at all," Kotomi replied bluntly.

Surprised by her quick response, Iroha blinked. She hadn't expected to be one-upped so easily.

Recovering quickly, Iroha adopted a dramatic look of disappointment. "Oh no, was I being too presumptuous? Did I just get rejected by you, Senpai? Ouch, my heart! To make up for it, you owe me a dorayaki."

"You've been aiming for that dorayaki from the start!"

"Busted, hehe~"

While Kotomi went to buy the dorayaki, Iroha sidled up to Aimi and whispered teasingly, "Aimi, I was just joking around earlier. Can you dial back the murder vibes a little? I'm scared."

"Hmph," Aimi huffed coldly.

"What?! We've been best friends for three years, and you're jealous of me with your sister?!" Iroha gasped dramatically, acting as though she'd narrowly escaped death. "Good thing I was only joking. If something really did happen between me and your sister, wouldn't you explode?"

"If that day ever comes, I'll personally smash your head in," Aimi replied, cracking her knuckles in a way that made it clear she wasn't kidding.

"Gah! Please spare me!"

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