However, her plan was doomed from the start.
From the moment that silly pink-haired girl tried to hide her grin, her smug little intentions had already been completely seen through by Haru, who knew her all too well. In fact, her thoughts always showed clearly on her face.
Compared to someone like Soyo, who could smile while hiding daggers, she was laughably transparent.
Still, Haru didn't expose her outright.
Seeing that his eyes were glued to her face, Anon, who had carefully done her makeup before heading out, felt a surge of pride. She slightly puffed out her flat chest and said with casual flair:
"Hmph hmph, cute, right? Did I stun you, Haru-haru?"
"…Stare at what?"
Haru raised an eyebrow, as if he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Huh? My outfit, of course! My outfit!"
Anon flashed her sparkly little canine teeth in disbelief, then suddenly reached out with both hands, grabbing Haru's cheeks and pulling his face close, like she wanted him to get the clearest possible look.
Haru gave her a once-over, quietly nodding to himself.
Today, Anon wore a light gray plaid dress with a fitted waist, layered over an off-white inner top that accentuated her naturally slender figure. Her long, pale legs were boldly exposed beneath, and she wore loose bubble socks paired with black leather shoes.
From every angle, she looked like the epitome of a stylish, flawless, ultra-pretty trendsetting girl.
"Well? Doesn't it feel like I look totally different today?"
Up close, the archer-shaped curve of her brows framed her eyes, the sparkle in her crystal irises flowing like a gentle spring stream.
Haru couldn't help but admire his little girlfriend's look inwardly, but on the surface, he kept a neutral tone and said, "If I had to guess… you changed your hairstyle a bit?"
"Just! My! Hair! Style?!"
Teeth clenched, Anon pounded her small fists lightly against his chest, each word punctuated with intense indignation.
"So unfair! I put in so much effort and Haru-haru didn't even notice anything!"
"It's hard to tell just by looking, so I figured I'd try tasting."
Tasting?
Anon tilted her head in confusion at the strange comment.
Before she could figure it out, Haru gently reached out and pinched her cheek. Her puzzled eyes widened instantly, and her already pouty face began to heat up at a visible rate.
Within two seconds, Haru withdrew his hand.
"I may not know much, but you definitely put on lip gloss."
Watching her flushed, smooth cheeks, Haru raised an eyebrow and gave her a smirk even more smug than hers earlier.
Sure, the two of them had already kissed before, back when he caught her at the airport, she had practically latched onto him for five full minutes but this sudden little "attack" clearly had a strong effect. It was just a light tease, but it landed way above expectations.
Such an easy woman.jpg.
Anon's eyes trembled faintly as she glanced to the side, doing her best to maintain a calm, mature expression.
"I just put on a little gloss… that's all. Anyway! Let's go inside, Haru-haru!"
"If we wait too long, the lines are going to get huge."
With that excuse tossed out, she nonchalantly grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the ticket gate.
Haru let himself be led along, amused, with no resistance whatsoever.
Seeing the petite pink-haired girl deliberately turn her back to him so he wouldn't catch a glimpse of her face, he casually adjusted their hand-holding position a bit, watching her reactions closely.
"…"
Anon's ears turned slightly red, and she felt a ticklish warmth in her palm, too nervous to even look back.
So, so frustrating!
She had prepared perfectly for today's date, but just one moment in and she was already flustered by a kiss.
Ever since she started dating this tsundere little boyfriend, she had always been on the defensive. Every time, it was just her getting shy, letting her guard down, and then getting teased by him.
No, she couldn't keep letting him have the upper hand.
Anon had to take control. She had to be the one on top!
…
Before her eyes unfolded a sapphire world, glittering like the stars. Shoals of fish in all shapes and sizes swam past the glass.
The pink-haired girl stared intently at the gently swaying corals behind the glass, her eyes sparkling with light. She leaned closer, trying to get the best possible view. Her cheerful smile lit her face with shimmering color, like stained glass.
"Haru-haru, look, look!"
With a bright laugh, she bounced forward, her vibrant cherry-pink hair fluttering like clouds behind her steps.
They had barely walked a few laps when she had already made Haru take over ten photos of her. Even walking hand in hand, she would gleefully swing their arms in the air, beaming like a grade schooler on a spring field trip.
They didn't know how much time had passed before they finally stopped for a break.
"Phew…"
Anon flopped onto a bench in the rest area, sighing contentedly as she held a cup of milk tea.
She had been dragging Haru all over the aquarium since they entered. She took dozens of pictures, clutched a dolphin plush in one arm, and filled shopping bags with marine-themed souvenirs. Even she felt a little worn out after it all.
After all, Miss Anon was just a cheerful, energetic high school girl. When it came to stamina, she was no match for someone like Kita Ikuyo, who was basically a perpetual motion machine. Still, she refused to back down, and explored every part of the exhibit floor with full energy. Only now did she start to wind down.
Seeing her droop like a wilted flower, Haru chuckled and teased her, "I told you the date's going to last all day. You really didn't need to rush through everything."
"Well, sure… but no matter how long I get to spend with you, it's never enough!"
"Besides, I want to go see a movie after this! I wanna sit in the couple's box with you!"
She snuck a sidelong glance at him, her cheeks tinged pink, clearly testing his reaction.
You're clearly not going there to watch a movie!
If they really went into a couple's box, there'd probably be no memory of what film they even watched by the end.
As he quietly roasted her in his head, Haru kept his usual vague smile, raising an eyebrow as he replied, "If Lady Anon wishes it, how could I possibly refuse?"
Anon clenched her small fists, feeling another flash of dissatisfaction.
She had been trying since earlier to get Haru to break composure. She had deployed every last technique from the 36 Stratagems of Love from whispering in his ear to casually showing her collarbone and tucking her hair behind her ear. But nothing worked. Not once had she seen her little boyfriend blush.
At this rate, she'd have to fast-forward to the final move.
Today, she had put on her best lingerie for the win. Taking a deep breath, she told herself she had to seize this moment. She had to carve her place in his heart, because first place held an irreplaceable weight.
Even if more girls entered Haru's world later, the one who came first would always mean something different.
There was only one thing left to do, decide the match.
With quiet resolve, Anon squeezed her fists and lifted her head.
"Haru-haru, later, maybe we could—"
She didn't even finish before Haru suddenly said:
"Tomori?"
Standing just ahead, Haru looked past her with confusion. Anon turned instinctively, and her gaze collided with the stiff, stunned expression of a gray-haired girl.
"Tomori?!"
Takamatsu Tomori, with her short ash-gray hair, stood there like an abandoned baby penguin.
Both her hands clutched against her chest as she stared nervously toward them. Faced with this "unexpected event," the dazed little penguin clearly had no idea what to do. She just froze, helpless.
Crap
Anon bolted to her feet in a panic, not even thinking before the words burst out of her mouth: "Tomori, wait! Don't freak out! It's not what you think!"
"Um… I… I'm not thinking anything. Aren't you and Haru just… on a date?"
Tomori looked utterly confused as she glanced at the pink-haired girl with uncertain amber eyes.
"…Idiot."
Unable to take it anymore, Haru covered his face with one hand.
This was just a random encounter with Tomori during their date, and yet this silly pinkhead had turned it into some melodramatic love triangle, even rushing to explain like she'd been caught sneaking around by the main girlfriend.
Anon stood frozen for several seconds, then suddenly came to her senses.
"Oh, right… Haru and I are in a relationship now."
The massive weight on her chest dropped with a thud. In its place rose a wave of unbearable shame.
Her entire face turned bright red as she crouched down with her hands over her cheeks, as if hiding from everyone's stares would make her invisible.
Why? Why had she panicked at seeing Tomori?
She wasn't sneaking around or cheating. She was the official girlfriend!
At that moment, Anon began to recall the time Haru had fallen ill with a fever. Back then, before they had officially gotten together, she had taken the liberty of doing a few things to his unconscious self... only to be caught red-handed by a very stern-lookingTomori. Maybe this was just the lingering trauma from that incident?
"But I really didn't expect to run into Tomori here at the aquarium. Did you just come from the penguin show or something?"
At Haru's question, the gray-haired girl's eyes lit up. She quickly walked over and pulled out a bundle of penguin-themed merchandise from her pocket, speaking with a hint of earnest enthusiasm.
"Mm! The penguins were so, so cute… These are limited edition stickers from Sunshine Aquarium, and this is part of the collectable penguin stamp set…"
Once she started talking about something she liked, Tomori couldn't stop. She spoke as if she wanted to share her joy with the people she cared most about, pulling out one penguin item after another. Her excited, gentle expression made Haru smile as he raised an eyebrow.
But very quickly, the little penguin girl realized something. That soft expression turned flustered in an instant.
"S-sorry… I'm talking way too much."
"Today is supposed to be your special date with Anon… I must be in the way. I should go…"
Her smooth "penguin presentation" broke into stammering hesitation. Tomori's eyes brimmed with anxiety and guilt as she lowered her head.
With each awkward apology and halting explanation, her voice grew quieter, until finally it vanished entirely. Even her steps grew faint, like a startled rabbit ready to bolt at any moment.
Which meant that if Haru so much as blinked, she might vanish on the spot.
His heart tensed. Even if today was technically his date with Anon, there was no way he could let Tomori leave feeling neglected.
"It's fine!"
Before Haru could even open his mouth, Anon had already rushed to grab Tomori's wrist.
"Tomori, it's totally okay! Since we ran into each other like this, why don't the three of us just enjoy the date together? Besides, I already had lots of private time with Haru earlier, I'm honestly feeling pretty satisfied."
"And if you just walk away like this, there's no way I'll enjoy the rest of the date…"
Anon looked at Tomori nervously, her brows drawn slightly as she spoke sincerely.
Seeing this, Tomori's anxiety eased a little, though she still murmured uncertainly, "B-but this was supposed to be Anon's special day… I really shouldn't intrude. It wouldn't be fair to you…"
"…Really, it's no problem!"
Realizing her words weren't working, Anon turned pleading eyes toward Haru.
Meeting her gaze, Haru gave the pink-haired girl a warm smile. Then he gently reached out and patted Tomori's short gray hair.
The moment his hand touched her, Tomori immediately calmed down.
Watching this unfold, Anon stared in shock, eyes wide.
She had said so much, and none of it had worked. Haru just patted her head and she was won over?
"Even if it's not really my place to say this, Anon's right."
"If you're worried about taking time away from her, then next time we go on a date, you can come with us too. How's that sound?"
Tomori blinked, then nodded slowly in thought.
"Mmm… If it's like that, then… I think that'd be okay!"
"Wait, now the three-person date's becoming two dates?!"
Anon, who had just been sulking over losing her alone time, now felt like maybe it was a blessing in disguise.
Even if she couldn't have Haru all to herself for the rest of the date, a "three-person date" with Tomori would mean doubling the amount of time they'd all spend together! And being with her best friend made it feel easy and fun.
Honestly, in some ways, this was even better!
Haru looked at Anon's face, which now beamed with unfiltered joy, and shook his head with a soft laugh. "Since Anon and I aren't too familiar with this aquarium, would you mind showing us around, Tomori?"
"Mm… Sure!"
Tomori nodded earnestly, a quiet fire sparking in her eyes.
"I-I don't know how good I'll be at it… but I'll do my best!"
With that, the little penguin girl raised her stamp booklet like a flag and started walking stiffly ahead like a tiny tour guide. As they followed, Haru took a moment to gently ruffle Anon's hair. His voice was warm and light.
"As expected of Lady Anon. You did something no one else could."
"Hmph! Of course I did!"
With her mouth slightly open and her little fangs peeking out, the pink-haired girl lifted her head proudly, clearly basking in his praise.
Of course Lady Anon would act for the greater good. Besides, she and Tomori had always gotten along just fine.
…But if the one they had bumped into had been that sly brown-haired fox, Nagasaki Soyo, then even the magnanimous Lady Anon wouldn't have taken it so well. After all, Soyo was the kind of scheming vixen who'd take off the moment she saw an opening!
"Wait… oh no!"
Anon's expression shifted dramatically as she remembered something critical.
If her alone time with Haru had turned into a three-person outing, then what about the final "move" she had planned for tonight?
She couldn't possibly ask Tomori to come to Haru's house too, could she? That would mean the two of them… together…
Anon's eyes began to tremble.
Her face flushed deep red, either from the stuffy air or from the steamy delusions swirling in her head. Her lips tightened into a glossy pout, and even her ears glowed with a soft, crimson hue.
Wh-what now?
Was she really going to do that kind of thing… with Tomori present? That was way too embarrassing!
But then again, she might never get another chance like this. Even if they had another "three-person date" later, she'd just end up in the same dilemma. If they kept delaying, someone else might beat her to it and who knew how far others had already gotten?
No. She couldn't wait any longer.
If it had to be with Tomori there, then so be it!
If she could convince Tomori to help, then with how weak Haru was to her, Anon's odds of pulling off her "final plan" might shoot way up!
If it really came to that moment, as long as she was first… as long as she got the "first time," then even if she passed out from embarrassment, it'd be worth it!
"Anon? You okay?"
Haru frowned slightly and gave her a strange look.
Why had his pink-haired girlfriend suddenly turned into a human steam pot?
Not only was her whole face burning red, but her forehead actually seemed to be emitting wisps of heat. If Haru hadn't been watching her this whole time, he might've thought she'd come on this date with a fever.
"N-no-no… it's nothing! Haru-haru, don't worry about me, I'm totally fine!"
"I just feel a little stuffy, yeah, that's all… the aquarium's just a bit stuffy, you know!"
Anon flailed both hands wildly, fanning her burning cheeks like she could cool herself down by sheer willpower.
Haru really had no clue what was going on with this pink-haired girl, but after all, they'd spent a whole simulated lifetime as husband and wife. Even if he couldn't read her mind, he'd long since learned to interpret Anon's expressions with a decent degree of accuracy.
This naturally mischievous little pink rascal was probably thinking of something again.
…
Surprisingly, Takamatsu Tomori was a great tour guide.
At first, she had been anxious and stiff, unsure of how to handle the role. Her speech and movements were awkward and rigid.
But with Haru's gentle encouragement, she started gaining confidence. Soon, she was fluently explaining the features of each section, guiding Haru and Anon efficiently through the vast aquarium, covering the entire place at an impressive pace.
By the time the three of them left, it was already 3 p.m.
"Phew…"
Anon stretched lazily and turned to Haru. "I didn't think this aquarium would be so huge. Even with Tomori guiding us, it still took a lot of time. But I got so many cute photos and souvenirs~"
"At this rate, it might be a bit late for the movie. If we watch one now, we probably won't be done until after five…"
She trailed off, then coughed lightly before casually turning to Tomori.
"Hey, Tomori~ Are you feeling hungry? We were so busy wandering around earlier, none of us really ate anything… so, how about we head to Haru-haru's place and mooch dinner off him?"
Tomori nodded a bit cluelessly but seemed confused by the way Anon kept blinking at her with such insistence.
"Um… I think that sounds good, but… Anon, is something wrong with your eyes?"
"Ahem, no no! It's nothing! Just got a bit of dust in them. See? All better now!"
Haru stared at the back of the not-so-innocent pinkhead with meaningful eyes. So his earlier hunch had been right, there was definitely something behind her sudden suggestion to go to his place.
Still, it wasn't like she could really do anything with Tomori around, could she?
As Haru pondered how to handle the situation, Anon stepped forward, hands on her hips, rising slightly on her toes as she asked, voice tense with anticipation:
"So, Haru-haru, can Tomori and I come over?"
"Of course. That's totally up to you two."
Haru shrugged, agreeing without hesitation.
Even if Anon clearly had something scheming in mind, it wasn't like he was going to turn down his girlfriend's request. And after what happened with Bocchi and Taki, he had become very cautious. No matter what, he'd stay in control.
A pink-haired beauty like her?
If she dared to try anything, he'd send her packing.
Seeing that step one of her "plan" had succeeded, Anon's eyes lit up, only to be immediately interrupted by a cool, indifferent voice:
"Then I'll come too."
All three of them turned at once to see a pair of calm, golden eyes watching them. A few strands of deep blue hair swayed in the breeze, and the edge of her pale ear glinted with a distinctive punk-style earring.
The beauty mark beneath her right eye added a touch of alluring charm, like a siren able to steal souls with just a glance.
Haru raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble, and asked in a guarded tone, "Ryo? When did you get here?"
"I was just looking for effects pedals at the music store nearby. Saw you guys and came over."
Yamada Ryo's snow-lotus-like face showed a rare hint of emotion, and her subtle smile was enough to take your breath away. Her eyes were fixed on Haru with unmistakable curiosity.
And just from those few words, Haru already had a clear idea of what she meant.
Sure, "dinner crashing" might be part of her intention. But Haru knew full well she wasn't here just for that.
Ryo was definitely looking to get in on the action.
"You… you're Ryo-senpai, right? I think we've met a few times before," Anon said, her tone complicated.
This bassist from [the Kessoku Band] had made a strong impression on her.
They'd first met at the gate of Haneoka. This woman had stood out front waiting boldly for Haru, and even declared her "claim" on him outright. She was dangerous, top-tier.
But strangely, she didn't seem to be officially in a relationship with Haru.
If things had gone this far and she still hadn't locked it in… maybe that meant she wasn't seriously interested…?
No, wait!
Whether Ryo had feelings or not, this could still ruin Anon's final plan for tonight!
If she realized what Anon was planning, would she try to get a piece of it too? With just her and Tomori, Anon could still manage, but if another girl joined…
Even Anon had her limits! No way could she handle one more!