15 Tadano's change of mind

--- The next day, Itan Private High school Class 1 ---

Tadano, after witnessing yesterday's scene, decided to, in his pursuit of Komi, leave his past self behind.

The weak-minded silent Tadano was no more, from now on, he shall try his best to capture the endearing Komi for himself.

His chances are slim, he knows, Komi already holds emotions surpassing friendship for Akiyama. However, he has an advantage that Akiyama does not have.

Akiyama may know Komi for far longer than Tadano, but that only through paper. Tadano, however, did support her for three months mentally and physically from behind the scenes. Setting up events for Komi to make new friends, which, self-evidently, worked.

In other words, Tadano's plan is betting on the feeling's of gratitude that Komi should have for him.

Tadano didn't spend these three months dawdling thumbs, during this time, Komi and Tadano were usually alone, conversing, playing, having fun. His trump card, so to speak.

Needless to say, under normal circumstances, this would've likely led to a relationship between Tadano and Komi. Akiyama's existence, however, is nigh impossible to overwrite.

Tadano largely underestimated what seven years of friendship, even through paper, do to two emotionally deprived persons.

Step one of his plan would be to separate Akiyama as much from Komi as possible. Akiyama's part-time job is therefore immensely beneficial to Tadano.

As long as Akiyama is at his part-time job, Tadano pretty much has a whole afternoon to spent with Komi outside of Akiyama's sphere of influence. During this time, Tadano will try to develop his relationship with Komi beyond the bounds of friendship.

Step two would be to confess to Komi when the time is right, there is no way in hell that Komi would ever confess to anyone, Tadano thought.

Step three, the final step, would then be to enjoy a lovey-dovey school life with everyone's target of admiration, the school Madonna.

--- During lesson ---

"Komi-san, how about we go eat crêpe today?", Tadano whispered to his seat neighbour, Komi Shouko.

Yesterday he learnt from Akane that Akiyama had to work today, the perfect day to start his advances.

The place where is planning to go is a small crêpe vendor in the town, his sister, Hitomi, recommended the place.

Komi, startled, looked over towards Tadano.

*What should I do?*

*I wanted to go visit Shoji while he's working today…*, Komi thought.

Komi stopped to analyse her options for a second.

Either she goes to visit and observe Akiyama working, or she goes to eat crêpe with her friends.

*But maybe I'd just be a nuisance to him…*, negativity struck her thoughts.

Although, if having to choose, Komi would rather end her friendship with Najimi, Agari, and Tadano, than with Akiyama, in such a situation it is difficult for Komi to refuse.

What if the next time they don't invite her because she refused the last time? High school friendships are fragile, and as a formerly socially deprived person, Komi would rather not go back to spending her school-days in near solitude.

As such, today she'd go to eat crêpe, Komi decided. She can go visit Akiyama another time.

*Sure*, Komi wrote on her notebook and presented it towards Tadano.

Tadano, put on a happy face.

"Then, until later", he responded and went back to paying attention to class.

What Komi didn't know is, that Tadano intended to go alone with her.

Akiyama was preoccupied with his part-time work, Najimi had to deal with class-president matters, and Agari herself also had to attend club related matters.

Tadano's plan was a wicked way to cheat Komi out of a date.

If she accepts, not knowing that Najimi and Agari were preoccupied, then, due to her social awkwardness, she would most certainly not be able to call the date off.

If she declines, stating that Najimi and Agari were unavailable, Tadano could simply say he didn't know and blow the whole thing off.

A truly deplorable plan to trick the innocent Komi Shouko, a plan where he gains everything or loses nothing. A plan where Komi Shouko gains nothing or loses everything. Vile.

--- After-school ---

Tadano, followed by Komi, went up to Najimi's desk.

"Hey Najimi, Komi and I wanted to go for a crêpe today, do you want to come with us?", Tadano innocently asked.

...…

*What's the matter with him?*, Najimi thought.

Since lunch-break, Tadano's been a lot more hands-on today, Najimi deduced.

During conversations, he wasn't as silent as he used to be and especially tried to get Komi into the conversation with him.

*Whatever*, Najimi thought. He didn't know what has gone to Tadano's head today, but it isn't like such drastic changes in Tadano's personality happened for the first time.

Back in the second year of middle school, Tadano went through a similar shift, back then from a chuunibyou to the introverted, but high-spec EQ, Tadano.

"I would love to, but I have class-president activities to tend to, another time, okay ~~", Najimi refused Tadano and Komi.

*All according to plan*, Tadano smirked.

"Oh… Too bad, then let's ask Agari.", Tadano put on a disappointed face and went on towards Agari.

"Hey Agari, we want to go eat some crêpes, do you want to come with us?", Tadano asked Agari.

"S-S-Sorry, I have to attend club-matters. Today, I can't", Agari stuttered.

"Oh…", Tadano said as he put on a face like a dejected puppy.

"Komi-san, should we go alone then? Or do you not want to go alone with me?", Tadano, wearing a dejected expression, turned towards Komi and asked.

Komi, as awkward as she is, had no choice but to accept his proposition.