25 New Face

In most the time, in a circle of friends, people are happy because they've truly known each other for quite a while.

It's also because some of them would develop romantic feelings that make them closer, and that makes their circle a little bit closer than each other as they now become more well informed of each other's likes.

Take Najimi and Hoshoujo for example.

I've known Najimi for virtually his whole life, while I've only recently known Hoshoujo through Najimi and their relationship.

Don't worry, I don't have any plans to ruin or interfere with their relationship, except that I'm an involved third-wheeler with an obligation to follow.

So, what happens if a new person shows up and proposes to join your circle, perhaps the club that is supposedly your secret hideout?

I, for one, do not have a problem with it personally, but regarding the two, they would be against it as it puts them into a situation where they can no longer flirt again.

I'm fine with that! They shouldn't even flirt at school, to begin with, but, it's my job to keep the others at bay while they two do their thing.

So, what happens if we encounter a new face?

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Mayu: [Miss Shiraishi told me I could join, so I quit my other club... I forgot the name.]

She was on her phone and chewing something. It's probably gum-like how stereotyped their character is in this series, but they're not tanned.

If you've seen how hot it gets when the sun goes out, then you know that it's a stupid idea to try and get tanned under the sun.

Mendou: [So, you quit your club and decided to join outs because you're curious?]

Anyways! She's a gyaru and looks like she's just simple here out of curiosity. She's talking to me while looking at her phone, completely disconnected from reality.

Maybe I should do something cool for a change?

Mendou: [Look at me when I'm talking.]

I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, reeling her in.

We locked eyes with our face closer, and her breath halted a second as our faces slowly——

Mayu: [——WHAT ARE YOU DOING?]

Wham. I got kicked to the side.

I immediately fell to the ground, trembling out of the pain.

It hurt, a lot. It didn't work its magic.

I guess it's different for handsome guys.

Mendou: [W-Why.. a-are you always l-looking at your phone. I-I'm talking h... here...]

I squirmed at the ground, holding my side. She's pretty strong for someone who looks pretty delicate about their nails.

Mayu: [Don't touch me! I don't even know you!]

Mendou: [Ouch, we're in the same class and you don't even know me?]

I looked back at her and stood up, but after she stared at my face for a good few seconds, she slammed her fist into her palm as if realizing something.

Mayu: [Ah! You're that guy always with Najimi!]

Finally! Some recognition! But I wish I'd be known for being myself rather than Najimi's companion or friend.

The people that I knew talked to me are Migi, Okai, and this girl. The others just have their own circles around the classroom.

Mendou: [In any case, you can't just suddenly join in! Miss Shiraishi had told me I can join though?!]

I'd thank Miss Shiraishi for putting an effort to regive a dead club but this isn't our ideal goal! We just joined this club because we could keep the space to ourselves!

Mayu: [Haah?! Waddaya gonna do now?! I left my former club 'cause Miss Shiraishi said I could join!]

Mendou: [Che. This is what happens if you don't talk it out with the club members directly!]

Miss Shiraishi is an airhead in all ways. She didn't think of asking us first!

Hoshoujo: [——Let her join.]

Suddenly, the door behind me would roll open, and the first words that would come out of Hoshoujo's mouth were the least that I expected.

Mendou: [——Hah?]

Mayu: [Oh, look. It's the Spoiled Princess.]

Sometimes, Mayu's hobby of casually naming people is a headache.

Hoshoujo: [Are you here to insult me, or are you here to join the club?]

But right now, Hoshoujo's patience seems to be longer than expected. Maybe she just had her fair share of cuddling with Najimi that she's in such a good mood and couldn't bother becoming angry.

Damn, is that the power of relationships? I should get one soon.

Mayu: [I've heard Najimi is in this club, and yes, I will join.]

Hoshoujo: [...]

Oof. She just blatantly said that she was here for Najimi only. That shouldn't be a good thing to hear, especially for Hoshoujo!

Mayu remained casual and looked disinterested, while Hoshoujo was beginning to look serious.

Hoshoujo: [I'll let you join, but after you pass a test.]

I took a peek inside the club room, and apparently, Najimi fell asleep on the sofa with his mask on.

He was probably tired since he hasn't fully recovered yet.

Mayu: [A test? Sure, as long it's not written.]

Considering Hoshojo's personality, she always liked to give written tests and or verbal rhetorical questions to play with you.

Not that I got played with before but, she doesn't know how to hold back on her words.

Hoshoujo: [It's not a written test, but rather I'll ask you a few questions.]

Mayu: [Hmph... Go ahead.]

It was just a brief moment, but after Mayu saw Hoshoujo's grin, it felt like the two finally looked at each other on the same level.

They were finally looking at each other.

Mendou: [...J-Just what am I watching?]

I whispered to myself.

Although it's not like it, it felt like two girls were fighting over Najimi right now, yet through words, Hoshoujo initiated the fight and Mayu then accepted.

Hoshoujo: [Are you joining the club because Najimi is here?]

The first question didn't beat around the bush. She just asked directly.

Mayu: [So what if I was?]

Hoshoujo: [Follow up, what if I said he had a girlfriend already?]

Mayu: [——?!]

AH WAIT!

Why is she basically revealing it to Mayu?!

Just one wrong word and she could think that you guys are going out and start spreading rumors about it!!

Mayu: [Are you real? Like, they should dream. There's no way that hot of a guy would just pick a plain girl.]

Oh no, that just made Hoshoujo's grin look more sinister—

Hoshoujo: [How cute. You don't even know if he has a girlfriend or not. Perhaps, you're too late, missy.]

She leaned in, emitting a dominant aura of superiority. Even now, Mayu began to take notice of the hints she's been giving since the first question, and now was the time she have to realize it.

Mayu: [——Missy?!]

Hoshoujo: [You're the complete opposite of what he likes. You're loud, you're too ambiguous, you're too dumb, and you're too untalented, to begin with.]

Mayu: [———?]

Hoshoujo: [Even if I was a plain girl, I am talented and someone he chose.]

But she ain't like any plain girl though.

Literally, every girl in this school is like, beautiful already.

Mendou: [...]

A moment of silence would begin right after she ended her words.

Hoshoujo was on her high horse while Mayu could only look up with widened eyes, faced with the cold and sharp words Hoshoujo said.

Mendou: [I-I think that's going a bit too far——]

Mayu: [Uu...UWAAAAGH!]

Yet, right as I said that Mayu began to cry and ran back. I tried to chase after her but Hoshoujo stopped me from doing so.

Hoshoujo: [Are you dumb? Chasing after a crying girl that isn't your girlfriend is not a good idea. Do you want people to think that you're going out with her?]

Mendou: [What? No! But that doesn't mean we should just leave her alone! You went too far with it! What if she began to spread false rumors about you two?!]

I knew she always had a way with words but this time, she had no mercy! I could take her harsh words head on but if it's someone like Mayu, they're going to bawl their eyes out!

Hoshoujo: [...Well, isn't it your job to stop it then?]

Mendou: [Then why did you stop me, you idiot?]

Well, yes, so let me go.

Hoshoujo: [What did you say?]

Ah, my thoughts and words got swapped.

Without wasting a beat, I vanished and dashed towards the direction where Mayu ran.

Hoshoujo: [I'll remember what you called me, you bastard!]

As I ran, I can't believe that she was speaking in such a vulgar way as Mayu.

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Mendou: [Huff, huff...]

Holy sh**. She's been running for like hours now. She avoided me when I tried to talk to her and hide.

I'M TOTALLY EXHAUSTED.

How could a gyaru like her have this much stamina? I can't even breathe anymore.

I lost her around the school garden, so she must be here.

Mayu: [Ueeeh... sniff...]

Ah, found her. She's hiding right behind the flowerbed at the other end.

Mendou: [Hey! There you a—]

I tried to run after her, but as I took my first step, what I quickly saw was a fist, just an inch away from my face.

???: [——How dare you?!]