Devilish Friends

"It's been a while, Nao-chan. You've really changed."

"Hehe, really?"

"Yeah, I must say... You've gotten even cuter since middle school."

"Thank you...! Well, you've changed too! What's going on? Why is your hair longer?"

"Oh, this? I haven't had a haircut recently," I replied, running my hand through my hair.

She pouted at me and then sighed. "Well, are you still modeling?"

"No, I gave up on being a model," I replied.

"Eh?! So what are you doing now?!" she asked, curious.

I'm a Vtuber with 50k followers, though I can't say that can't I?

"Hmm, I've been practicing guitar, so you could say I'm getting into music."

"Hmm, I see. That's cool."

"What about you?"

"I'm doing well, same as always."

I shake my head. "No, you've definitely changed. I mean, just look at you now. You've become even cuter!"

She looks away, slightly blushing. "Please don't say that..."

"Anyway, what are you doing here? Meeting up with your friends?"

"Yeah, they should be here in a minute."

"Hmm? You mean those two over there standing outside the door?" I pointed at the two girls who were standing outside.

"Oh! It's them!"

Nao stood up and walked over to the two girls, who seemed familiar to me. I watched them intently as they approached my table.

"Hm? Is this the guy you were talking about?" the girl with blonde hair asked, her gaze shifting between me and Nao.

Nao shook her head. "Nah, he's different~"

"Ohh?~ You mean he's special?~" the girl with purple hair chimed in, wearing a mischievous smirk.

"...Well, kinda... But he's really different from others!"

Nao sat down beside me, while the other two girls took seats on the opposite side of the table.

"Anyway, how about we start with introductions first," the blonde girl, Tsukasa Matsubara, suggested. "My name is Tsukasa Matsubara. Nice to meet you, Niimi-kun." She then gave me a playful wink.

Nao, feeling a bit possessive, held onto my arm and pouted at Tsukasa and the other girl.

"Haha~ My turn!~" the girl with purple hair chimed in. "My name is Yuki Takamori! Nice to meet you, Niimi-kun"

After their introductions, I cleared my throat and stood up, bowing politely. "My name is Niimi Kousei. Nice to meet you."

"My~ You're so polite!" Tsukasa exclaimed, covering her mouth with a giggle.

"I know, right?~"

"Ahahaha." I chuckled as I took my seat again. "Anyway, I'll go and place the order. What would you guys like?" Nao asked, directing her question to Yuki and Tsukasa.

"Oh, I'll have fries," Tsukasa replied cheerfully.

"Fries and a sundae for me," Yuki chimed in with a smile.

"I see, I see," Then she turned to me. "And what about you, Kousei?"

"Oh, I'm fine, actually... I was planning to head home."

"Ehh? You're not going to keep us company?" Yuki pouted.

I looked at Yuki and sighed. "Alright, I guess I'll stay here a bit longer then. Just for you guys."

"Yeah, it'll be wasted if you use that kindness on us," she said with a smile.

I furrowed my brows, not quite understanding what she meant. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

"By the way, Tsukasa-chan," Yuki interjected, "I think Kou-kun is going to be late for his streaming again..." She sighed, her expression turning into a pout.

Huh? She's also a fan?

"Hmm, he did mention being busy with school."

"Um, who's Kou-kun?"

"Oh? You don't know Kou-kun? Are you living in the mountains or something?" She chuckles. "He's the popular vtuber! He's also my cute favorite!"

Yikes.

"Hahaha, is that so?"

"Hm? Niimi-kun, you're sweating... Are you okay?"

"Eh?! I-I'm fine!"

Tsukasa stood up and reached into her small bag to retrieve her handkerchief. She gently wiped the sweat off my forehead.

"Geez, you're working so hard," she murmured. Then, she delicately brushed aside my bangs, her fingers lightly grazing my forehead. "Hm? Aren't you a cutie... How about we get rid of these bangs?"

"Hahaha, thank you, Tsukasa. I'll think about it."

As Tsukasa wiped the sweat off my forehead, my phone suddenly began to ring. "Hm?" I quickly retrieved my phone from my pocket and checked the caller ID. "Ah, it's Nazuna calling."

"Who's that?" Tsukasa asked curiously.

"My little sister," I replied.

"Oh? I see. Go ahead and take the call," she said, gesturing for me to answer.

"Yeah, I'll do that," I nodded, excusing myself from the table. I walked outside to take the call.

"Onii-chan! Where are you?!" Nazuna's voice shouted through my phone, and I slowly put it away.

"I'm at McDonald's..."

"Well, what about me?! I'm hungry!!"

"Then cook for yourself."

"Eh?! You're so mean! Come back here now!"

I let out a sigh. "Fine, how about I order you your favorite?"

"Eh? Really!?"

"Yes."

"You remember?"

"Yeah~ Happy Meal, right?"

"Go die!"

I chuckled. "Yeah, I was just kidding."

"Hmph! Fine, I'll wait for you."

"Yeah."

She then hung up.

I walked back to my table and saw the three girls already eating.

"Welcome back, Niimi-kun~," Nao and Tsukasa said at the same time, then they looked at each other. Tsukasa was smirking, and Nao was glaring at her.

"Uhm, sorry Nao, Tsukasa, and Yuki. I have to go back home... My little sister is waiting for me."

"Oh? You mean Nazuna?" Nao said with a mouthful of fries.

"Hm? How did you-." I started to ask, but Yuki interrupted. "I think you should go to your little sister, Niimi-kun~"

"Ah, yes... I'll do that now." I walked over to the counter to place my order.

Meanwhile, from Nao's perspective...

"That was a close call, Naocchi."

"Haha, it was a little slip-up on my part~"

Tsukasa let out a sigh. "Did you really stalk him?"

"Well, of course, ~ It's all in the name of love," I replied with a mischievous grin.

Tsukasa sighed, clearly exasperated.