The exams were over, and sumr vacation had begun.
Today, several friends and juniors had invited out, but I turned them all down and stayed in my room. The reason? Ayanokouji had co to my room and was once again trying to drag into sothing absurd.
"Hachiman, I want to pick up girls."
That was the first thing he said the mont he stepped into my room.
Picking up girls—from what I've read online, it seems to be the act of charming won you've just t.
"...I have a lot to say, but let ask you one thing first."
"What is it?"
I sighed at Ayanokouji, who wore an expression of feigned innocence, and voiced the first question that ca to mind.
"––––––You have a girlfriend, don't you?"
I didn't even understand why Ayanokouji wanted to pick up girls in the first place. He was dating Karuizawa—what was he even talking about?
"Yeah, I do."
"And yet you're saying you want to pick up girls? If you already have a girlfriend, there's no need for that."
"That's a separate issue. It's not like I'm trying to cheat on her."
"You're saying so pretty scummy things, you know."
"That's not what I an. It's not like I actually want to pick up girls."
With an offended look, Ayanokouji sat down and turned a serious gaze toward . His eyes didn't seem like those of soone who genuinely wanted to hit on girls.
"Hachiman, do you read manga?"
"...I do."
Though surprised by the sudden change in topic, Ayanokouji pulled out a volu of manga from his bag after hearing my response.
"Do you know this one? It's really popular right now."
What he showed was a trending romance manga. I'd been reading it too, recomnded by Kaneda.
"I know it, but... don't tell you want to try acting out the manga's plot by picking up girls?"
"..."
"Hey. Don't look away."
Ayanokouji blatantly averted his eyes.
"No, it's not like I want to get closer to girls by picking them up or anything. Seriously."
"Then what do you want to do by picking them up?"
Ayanokouji took a deep breath, as if preparing for a grand announcent.
"I want to see if things really play out like they do in manga."
"...Sorry. I don't get it at all."
"Look at this page."
Ayanokouji flipped open the manga and showed a specific scene.
It was a scene where the heroine was being hit on by so flashy, sleazy-looking guys. Of course, the protagonist later swooped in to save her.
"When I saw this scene, I thought: isn't picking up girls an incredibly low-probability thing?"
"Yeah, I'd think so too."
Logically speaking, if a complete stranger walked up to you and imdiately asked for your contact info, you'd find it creepy.
"But at the sa ti, another question popped into my head. What if the guys weren't as obnoxious and sketchy as the ones in the manga? Wouldn't the success rate go up?"
What the hell is this guy talking about?
Ayanokouji, now inexplicably pumping his fist, turned his whole body toward .
"So, that's the gist of it. You get it now, Hachiman?"
"...In other words, you are going to pick up girls, but the goal isn't to make connections—you just want to test the probability of success?"
"Yeah. And this way, it doesn't count as cheating."
He was wrong on so many levels, but at least he'd considered Karuizawa, his girlfriend. Though whether she would accept that reasoning was another story.
"I get what you're saying. But, as usual, why tell ? You can just do it yourself."
"I don't have the communication skills to approach a group of girls alone. Two people are better than one."
This guy just outright called socially incompetent.
"Relax. It's just a curiosity-driven experint. Nothing serious will co of it."
"..."
...Picking up girls, huh? If I said I wasn't interested at all, I'd be lying. And if I had the chance to try it, I might even find it a little fun.
"Fine, I'll do it. But how are we even going to pull this off? If we run into soone we know, it'll be a pain."
That was just an excuse. Honestly, I didn't want Yukino to find out.
"I've already thought of that."
Proudly, Ayanokouji began rummaging through his bag again. Just how much stuff did he pack in there?
"Actually, before coming here, I talked to Hirata. I borrowed so hair wax and stuff to style my hair."
I see. So he planned to clean up his appearance before trying to pick up girls.
"And I also borrowed this for you, Hachiman."
"...Glasses?"
What he handed was a pair of non-prescription, fashion-only glasses.
"Your eyes look too intimidating. Glasses will soften your expression."
"...You're seriously way too proactive when it cos to stuff like this."
.......
"You've changed quite a bit."
"You think so?"
After styling my hair with the wax and other things borrowed from Hirata, Ayanokouji looked at with sothing like surprise and pointed it out.
"Hard to put into words... but at the very least, those glasses suit you way too well. You're on the sa level as Hirata now."
"Appreciate the complint, but you've also changed your look quite a bit, haven't you?"
I made sure to fix my hair so there were no obvious bedhead impressions. Ayanokouji usually keeps his bangs parted naturally to the sides, but this ti, he's swept them upward. It's a pretty big difference from his usual look.
Maybe it's because he's never stood out much before, but if he kept this up, he'd probably be as popular as Hirata.
"So, where are we going? You're not seriously saying you want to pick up girls without any plan, right?"
"Of course not. We're going to the pool. In manga and ani, girls getting hit on at the pool is a pretty common trope."
...Now that I think about it, is Ayanokouji really just influenced by manga?
.....
We arrived at the pool, changed into swimsuits, and after surveying the crowd, I regrouped with Ayanokouji.
"Sumr vacation really brings people out, huh?"
That said, I couldn't shake a slight unease—what if we ran into soone we knew? With my glasses and changed hairstyle, I'd be harder to recognize, but it wasn't impossible.
"So, how are we doing this? Are you going to show how it's done first?"
I subtly signaled with my eyes for him to take the lead. Ayanokouji made a slightly displeased face but stepped forward anyway.
"Fine. I'll go first. But answer this—from your perspective, what do you think my chances of success are?"
"Hmm... maybe 50%?"
When I answered honestly, Ayanokouji grimaced. Well, it's not like I have any experience with this either.
"...We'll see how it goes."
With that, he walked off. Ahead of us were two well-built female students. Probably his targets.
Blending into the crowd, I watched Ayanokouji. Oh—he's talking to them.
"Excuse ?"
"Huh? Oh, y-yes?!"
"Um... would you like to exchange contact info? I was thinking we could hang out soti."
He's stiff. Probably nervous—he's not speaking smoothly at all. Ayanokouji already looks like he's given up, so this is definitely a fail—
"Y-yes, please!"
"M- too!"
Wait, seriously? It worked?
"Huh...?"
And he's the most shocked of all.
After exchanging info with the two girls, Ayanokouji stumbled back to , looking dazed.
"...Well, congrats. Mission accomplished."
"I have no idea why that worked. Shouldn't the success rate be way lower...?"
"Don't say that around Ike or Sudou."
Honestly, though, Ayanokouji is good-looking, so it makes sense he'd succeed.
Then, under his threatening glare, I was more or less forced to take my turn. Apparently holding a grudge over earlier, he watched from the shadows with scrutinizing eyes.
"Even if you say that, how am I supposed to...?"
Having just seen Ayanokouji's attempt, I felt even more nervous. But knowing I had to act eventually, I approached a girl standing alone nearby.
........
"Hey, Ichika-chan, co play with us over here!"
"Sorry~ I've got low blood pressure, so..."
I made up a random excuse and brushed off my classmates splashing around in the water.
Right now, I'm at the pool. Not by choice, though—our entire first-year Class A ca here together. I tried refusing at first, but one reason I ended here is because those pervy guys kept staring at like monkeys, and their constant invites got too annoying.
The other reason?
"Ugh... I was hoping I might run into Senpai..."
I was dying for a chance encounter with my beloved Hachiman-senpai, but no luck.
I even put serious effort into picking out this swimsuit to show him! And it's pretty daring too. Not that I care about the other guys seeing—that's why I'm wearing a parka over it.
Sigh. Maybe I shouldn't have co...
"Hey, Amasawa. You not gonna swim?"
The voice interrupting my regrets ca from Takahashi-kun. He's popular in class and, unlike those other hormone-driven idiots, actually acts like a gentleman—no creepy stares.
Guess he noticed just standing around and decided to check in.
"I'll pass. I didn't even wanna co today."
"Yeah, fair. The guys were desperate to get you here."
Objectively speaking, I know I'm good-looking. But that's not for random nobodies—it's all for Senpai. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks.
If Senpai ever told straight up that I'm cute or pretty...
"Ehehe~♪"
"Uh, Amasawa? You're making a Really weird face... Wait, is that Hachiman-senpai?"
"!"
My ears instantly locked onto Takahashi-kun's muttered words as he glanced into the distance.
"Takahashi-kuuun~ What did you just say?"
"Huh? Oh, I just thought I saw Hachiman-senpai over there... Maybe it's not him?"
Hah? What's that supposed to an?
Aren't you supposed to be one of Senpai's pawns? How can you not recognize him?
"N-No! It's just—he looked different! He was wearing glasses, and his hair was styled!"
I must've been glaring, because Takahashi-kun started sweating as he explained. But... Senpai's at the pool today? Even though I invited him?
"Oh, and he had so girl hanging off his—WOAH?!"
LEAD WITH THAT NEXT TI!
I shoved Takahashi-kun into the pool and bolted in Senpai's direction.
If Senpai's getting cozy with so other girl again...
"Guess I'll just have to seduce him myself~♡"
....
"Um... Excuse ? Would you mind giving your contact info...?"
I used the sa approach as Ayanokouji. I wouldn't call his attempt a model example, but with no real experience, copying him was my only option.
The girl I spoke to slowly turned around. At the sa ti, I belatedly noticed—her hair was blonde.
"...Huh? Hachiman-senpai...?"
".........Nanase."
Standing there was Nanase, wearing a white bikini. A straw hat rested on her head, accentuating her already stunning figure.
"U-Um... It is you, right, Senpai?"
"..."
I ssed up. Of all the people in this huge facility, I had to approach soone I knew.
No—maybe I could still salvage this. Ayanokouji said the glasses changed my appearance enough. If I just played dumb and pretended to be a stranger...
"My apologies. I must've mistaken you for soone else. Excuse m––––––"
"W-Wait, hold on! It is you, Hachiman-senpai, right?! You just said my na!"
Before I could finish, Nanase latched onto my right arm with her entire body. The pressure made her chest press softly against my arm, molding against it.
"Must've been your imagination. Anyway—"
My eyes flicked to her chest for a split second. Fighting the temptation, I tried to calmly walk away—but Nanase wouldn't let go.
"Why are you pretending not to know ...? Did I... do sothing to upset you?"
Her brows furrowed, eyes wavering with unease. The faint shimr of tears made guilt twist in my chest.
"...Senpai."
"O-Okay, fine. I'm sorry for pretending. I didn't an anything by it. Just... hear out first."
Seeing Nanase on the verge of crying, my guilt won out. I decided to tell her everything.
...
"Are you... hitting on ?"
"Ah."
After I finished explaining, Nanase couldn't hide the slightly awkward look on her face. Normally, my—or rather, Ayanokouji's—way of thinking is complicated. Maybe it was just outside the bounds of common sense.
"So, what you're saying is... you were trying to invite a girl out for fun, Senpai?"
"...? ...Yeah, pretty much."
There were a few things I found questionable, but since it was mostly accurate, I just went along with it.
Nanase rested her chin on her hand, adopting a thoughtful pose for a few seconds before—
"Then, let's go have fun together!"
"Huh? How'd you get to that?"
With a beaming smile, she latched onto my right arm again.
"You were hitting on , Senpai, which ans you were inviting out, right?"
She replied with an innocent, clueless expression.
"Uh... well? I guess that's one way to see it. But are you sure, Nanase? I thought you ca here with friends."
"It's fine. I only ca today because I was curious about this place, so I'm alone."
...Wait, does this an I actually succeeded in picking soone up?
I never realized it until now, but isn't this technically a successful pickup?
I pulled out my phone with my left hand to check with Ayanokouji, only to find a ssage from him already waiting.
"If you succeeded in picking soone up, just go ahead and have fun. It's not like you have a girlfriend anyway. I'll keep observing for a bit longer and try picking up soone else nearby."
Was this Ayanokouji's way of being considerate? Seems like he'd already anticipated the possibility of a successful pickup.
"Ah, Senpai, do you still have plans with Ayanokouji-senpai? If so—"
"Nah, it's fine. I'm free now. We ca all the way to the pool, so let's have so fun."
"! ...Okay! Let's have fun!"
Was she happy about hanging out with ? Nanase clung even tighter to my arm.
"Do you really have to hold onto my arm like that?"
"Yes. Otherwise, you might run away again like before."
She squinted at , bringing up what happened earlier. I couldn't argue with that.
But still...
"Is sothing wrong?"
She should really consider how it feels to have sothing so... substantial pressed against my arm. A certain softness was making it hard to keep my composure.
"Nah, it's nothing—"
"Senpaaai~♡"
Just then, a pale, slender arm wrapped around my neck from behind. A soft sensation pressed against my back, confirming that soone had just hugged from behind.
"Amasawa. What are you doing?"
Judging by the voice and behavior, the person clinging to was undoubtedly Amasawa.
"Senpai, what are you doing? Why are you hanging out with this uselessly busty girl when I'm right here?"
"Uselessly busty?! What do you an by that?!"
Nanase reacted to Amasawa's words, but the girl herself paid no attention, smoothly moving to occupy the space on my other side.
"Hey hey, Senpai~♡ I wore a pretty risqué swimsuit just to show you, y'know~? Oh, and of course, I haven't shown it to any of those nobodies!"
Her sweet voice whispered in my ear as she slowly unzipped her jacket, revealing a black swimsuit that contrasted sharply with her fair skin.
"Oh... I see— Whoa!"
Just as I was about to get a full view of Amasawa's swimsuit, Nanase yanked hard on my arm from the other side.
When I turned to look, Nanase was puffing out her cheeks, glaring at with half-lidded eyes.
"Senpai, we were just about to go have fun together, right? I want to ride the water slide."
As if trying to steal my attention back from Amasawa, Nanase pressed herself even closer. Then, a dark aura mixed with irritation radiated from my left.
"Nanase-chan. I'm in the middle of seducing Senpai here, so could you not interrupt?"
"Senpai is going with . You're the one getting in the way, Amasawa-san. Shouldn't you go back to your friends?"
"Hmm~? So that's how you wanna play. Also, could you stop shoving those useless lons at Senpai? You're just bothering him."
"This is a symbol of trust! Besides, I'm just making sure Senpai doesn't run away, and he already gave permission!"
"Pfft. Using excuses like that to lure Senpai in, huh~? You look all pure, but you're actually a total slut, aren't you?"
"I don't want to hear that from soone who's openly lewd, looks included!"
...Help , Ayanokouji.
The stares from people around us were painful. Two beauties like Nanase and Amasawa surrounding so random guy like —no wonder it was drawing attention.
Both arms were buried in softness. Logically, this should be a dream scenario for any guy, but the verbal warfare flying from both sides made it impossible to actually enjoy it.
"Senpaaai~ Don't you wanna get a better look at my swimsuit? Let's go sowhere just the two of us~♡"
Now turning her focus back to , Amasawa fluttered the top of her swimsuit, teasing glimpses of bare skin.
"Nanase-chan could never satisfy Senpai anyway~ But I'd do anything for you, y'know~♡"
"Wha—?! I'd do anything too, Senpai!"
Nanase, now fired up with so strange competitive spirit, glared at Amasawa before turning to .
The two of them—one in white, the other in black—were like oil and water.
"No way~ At best, Nanase-chan can only press her chest against him~ That's not enough to satisfy Senpai, right~?"
"Grrrr—! Jumping straight to that kind of thinking is exactly what makes you a pervert! Right, Senpai?!"
"Senpaaai~ You'd rather have , wouldn't you?"
From both sides, the two underclassn stared up at with moistened eyes.
I let out a sigh—I'd lost count of how many it'd been by now.
=================================
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