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"Nanami..." Hinata Hajime lowered his binoculars, dragging his best friend to a high-end restaurant to monitor their quirky friend's date with the new transfer student. "Do you think-"
"No. My friends and I have spent a week and determined Kamukura-kun is not an alien," Nanami Chiaki confided, having the menu raised to hide their presence. When the Ultimate Gamer heard her new seatmate had the title Ultimate Hope, Chiaki instantly told Hajime. As expected, the reserve course student gathered, analyzed, and predicted Komaeda Nagito's next actions toward Kamukura Izuru.
"That's not what I meant. Of course, the guy isn't an alien. I'm thinking about-" The brunette frowned, turning away from the awkward interaction several tables away to squint at the gamer.
"I'm not sure. Kamukura-kun accepted the date because he's bored," Chiaki guessed but offered a cheeky smile when Hajime's reaction equated to her target being way off.
"Stop trying to guess my questions. I'm curious if Komaeda-" Hajime starts again, but Chiaki felt she knew what he'd say this time.
"Madly in love. Worshipper before a god dynamic," Chiaki explained, dropping the menu and giggling when Hajime lunged forward to tickle her. "N-no! Stop! Hinata-kun! I-I should be r-right t-this time hehe!"
"Stop interrupting me!" Hajime hissed, but there was no annoyance or hate in his voice. Chiaki felt her heart skip a beat when she looked up to see Hajime hover over her.
"Ugh..." Hajime pouted, leaning away to give her space. Hajime adjusted his false mustache, scanning the menu. "Now I've forgotten what I was going to say."
"At least we ordered the food beforehand," Chiaki fixed her fake wig before sitting up. Despite being together for the past year, today is their first official date. They wore formal clothes, sat together to eat fancy food, and spent time together. The only problem is that the date wouldn't have happened if they weren't stalking their mutual friend. 'The last part is silly, but how else am I going to get Hinata-kun to ask me on a date?'
"I never imagined you were the type to like these things. I presumed you like game arcades, amusement parks, and even malls," Hajime's words caught her by surprise. The brunette cupped his chin, somehow and strangely accurate when reading the minds of others. "Have you fallen because of the opinion of those around you, or have you grown attached to our relationship? You still have time to date other people before graduation. You don't have to resort to the first guy you befriended."
"A-ah..." Chiaki should've listened to the warning of Tanaka Gundham. The Ultimate Animal Breeder noticed the brunette's skill of empathy and telepathy change from Skill B to Skill EX. Chiaki covered her cheeks, unsure what to say. Her cheeks were warm, but she didn't hate the feeling. "Uhm... There isn't really a love meter for me to realize if I am in love with someone, but everyone says I like you. I thought it over and maybe I do like you?"
"I don't like where this is going," Hajime looked away, definitely realizing the implication of her words. "The answer to my question is both, by the way. You can stop talking now. You don't need to think either. Our food will arrive in five minutes. We don't need to force this progression."
"Sorry... But you're the primary reason why I keep trying to master Otome games," Chiaki worded in a way that wasn't a confession, but still felt like one for both parties. "You establish connections and strengthen friendships easily. Maybe, you're also good with love? Will you teach me those things too?"
"I knew you set a trap to lure me here, but how did this encounter become an ultimatum?" Hajime was so shocked and amused that he gave a half-smile, staring at Chiaki for an answer.
"I asked first," Chiaki puffed her cheek, deciding she'd create the route and take the best friend to lover's end. Raising her hands close to her chest, Chiaki warned. "And just because you reject me today doesn't mean this is the end. It only means I have insufficient bond points to get your consent!"
"You don't even know you're acting this way because of the popularity contest..." Hajime closed his eyes, thinking of her impromptu proposal. Chiaki almost forgot about that controversial event in the reserve course department, witnessing a flock of females surrounding her friend. Now that she thinks about it, that might be one reason why Chiaki decided to instigate the love event. Her gamer instincts feared losing a time-limited love candidate. Opening his eyes, Hajime parted his lips and uttered. "I guess I-"
"How unfortunate. You are unfit to have my older brother," Someone set their hands against their table, and Chiaki looked in mild horror and surprise to see her classmate glaring daggers in her direction.
"Ignore the drama queen. I had been disowned by that family a decade ago," Hajime made a shooing motion at the infuriated ultimate. This might be the first time Chiaki saw Izuru angry, and she could also see Nagito standing a couple of feet away with a lost look. "Go back to your date. It's rude to interrupt- Izuru?!"
"For a moment. We need to have a private conversation," Izuru grabbed Hajime by the wrist, dragging the unwilling brunette toward the bathroom. Hajime struggled to get away, but he only caused the soles of his shoes to burn.
...
"Sorry, Nanami-san. I should've noticed something was strange when Kamukura-kun started asking me questions about Hinata-kun..." Nagito apologized, bowing his head once Chiaki stood up and debated whether to follow the duo. "I'm unsure if tonight is a start of luck or misfortune."
"Me too..." Chiaki lied to protect Nagito's feelings. She is pretty confident that Izuru is going to be the main obstacle if she takes on Hajime's route. However, the difficulty level and prize only tempt her to take on the impossible challenge. "I'm excited for the future."