A new day, in Iori's shabby room
"The Corpse Makeup Beast is going back to its hometown?!"
"So sudden??!"
Kamishiro and Kohei looked at Iori in disbelief. This news seemed a bit sudden for them.
"Although I don't want to believe it, this is the truth. Asuza-san told me last night."
Iori supported his chin with his hands and explained that Azusa-san told him the news when everything was over last night.
They even asked some really weird questions, like: Did the Zombie Beast say anything to you?
To this, Iori said he knew absolutely nothing.
"So, you idiot, what exactly happened yesterday when you and the Zombie Beast came to Pab together?"
After all, you just went on a date yesterday, and now she's heading back to her hometown? Kamishiro wasn't buying that there wasn't something deeper going on.
!
He suddenly thought of a possibility—maybe Aina thought she no longer had a chance, so she chose to return home!
At that thought, Kamishiro's expression grew serious, and he gave Iori a sharp glare. "You bastard… you've committed a grave sin!"
(???)
"What the hell are you even thinking? She's going back because of financial issues. And also—how the hell do you even know I was with her yesterday?"
Iori looked at Kamishiro suspiciously. He didn't recall mentioning anything while they were drinking last night.
"Ahem… I just guessed."
Kamishiro quickly averted his eyes, clearly guilty. No way could he admit that he had followed them yesterday—otherwise, that idiot Kitahara would figure out who the "lewd couple" he mentioned last night actually was.
For the sake of his dignity, Kamishiro chose to say no more.
Looking at Kamishiro's evasive attitude, Iori grew more suspicious. He felt like he was just one step away from figuring out what was off here.
"I've got it!"
Just then, Kohei's voice interrupted Iori's train of thought. Both of them turned to look at the usually quiet figure who had finally spoken up.
Kohei rested his chin on his hands, just like them, and said, "Here's how it went down. The Zombie Beast's parents wanted to check on their daughter's progress in school.
But instead, what they got was a picture of their daughter—now turned into the 'Zombie Beast'—posing with a naked man!
Just imagine! If you were the parents and saw a photo like that, there's no way you'd let your daughter continue studying there!
Yes! That's definitely what happened!"
After finishing his deduction, Kohei looked increasingly convinced. At some point, he'd even pulled out a red bow tie like some kind of TV detective.
New case solved, case closed!
"..."
After hearing Kohei's deduction, Iori and Kamishiro silently turned away.
"I'm pretty sure I just said it was because of financial issues."
"Mm. Just ignore him. Where were we again?"
"Hey! You can't just ignore a great detective like that!!!"
…
Thanks to Kohei's interruption, Iori completely forgot about the inconsistencies in Kamishiro's earlier statement. The main issue now was still figuring out how to get the Zombie Beast to stay!
If the issue was money...
Iori turned to Kamishiro. "Kamishiro, if it's you, you could definitely help her out, right?"
After all, this scumbag in front of him was a bestselling author, and knowing his childhood friend, this guy definitely had more than one income source!
"Well… if it's just a financial problem, then it's manageable."
Kamishiro's expression turned a little serious. Even though he was a scumbag, he wouldn't hesitate to help when his friends were truly in trouble.
But they'd overlooked one thing!
"Kitahara, have you considered Aina's pride? Think about it—if you were in her position, would you accept such a large sum of money?"
"Of course!"
"See? Even you wouldn't—wait, what did you just say?"
Kamishiro looked at Iori in disbelief. How thick-skinned was this guy?!
Iori casually picked at his ear. "Of course I'd accept it. It's rare for you to bleed money like this, Mr. Tightwad. Why wouldn't I take it?"
"..."
Seeing Iori like this, Kamishiro realized he'd asked the wrong person. Iori was not only his childhood friend, but also impressively shameless. Of course he'd accept it.
But Aina was different!
"So what you're saying, Kamishiro, is that Aina might refuse because of her pride?"
In the end, it was Kohei who caught on first. As a normal person, he knew accepting such a heavy-handed gesture of help wasn't easy.
Especially in Japan, where tuition fees are a major burden.
Even though they were friends, accepting a huge sum of money could potentially change the dynamics of their relationship. Not everyone could be as shameless and close as Iori.
"Exactly. This should be a last resort. Let's try to think of another way."
Kamishiro nodded. For a college student, there had to be other ways to deal with money issues.
"In that case, I've got an idea."
Under their surprised gazes, Kohei confidently pulled out his phone, showing them the scholarship system at Izu University.
"If she can just get a scholarship, then problem solved, right?"
"I see! A scholarship would be perfect."
Iori's eyes lit up. After all, a scholarship was earned through your own effort. There'd be no guilt in using it.
Unfortunately, he was being far too optimistic. Kamishiro pointed at the screen to bring him back to reality.
"Give it up. It says right here that new students need a GPA above 3.5 to apply. So, how do you think Aina's PE grades are?"
"Definitely a 1!"
"What about Home Ec and Art?"
"Can't be higher than a 2!"
Iori and Kohei answered without hesitation. They were confident in at least that much.
Kamishiro nodded and quickly calculated in his head. "That means her other grades need to be above 3.9 to balance it out. So… possible?"
"Everything around a 4, huh…"
"Absolutely impossible."
That'd be like the Zombie Beast suddenly having D-cup boobs—completely impossible!
So the scholarship idea failed too.
The cramped room fell silent once more, the three of them still sitting in deep thought.
"Should we just bring Aina in and talk this over? It'd be easier to discuss with the actual person involved."
Kohei suggested it, realizing that they might not be seeing the full picture with only their limited info.
"No way, we can't do that!"
Kamishiro and Iori immediately rejected the idea.
"If Aina didn't tell us anything, she probably has her reasons. If we just expose her situation like that, it might hurt her pride."
"Ah… I see…"
Hearing that, Kohei realized he hadn't thought it through and sat back down.
"If scholarships are out, then how about a part-time job? Kamishiro, you should have a bunch of options, right?"
Iori turned his gaze back to Kamishiro. When it came to earning money, his childhood friend was usually pretty reliable.
But reality said otherwise…
Faced with Iori's hopeful eyes, Kamishiro looked away.
(;?＿?)
"Ahem, part-time job opportunities, huh…"
Kamishiro's expression turned awkward. Right now, he was mostly working as an information broker at the Big Bird Spinning Club—relying on Iori and Kohei's identities!
There was no way he could drag Aina into that.
As for his more "public" jobs…
Host? Light novel author? Model? Bartender? Makeup artist?
Not a single one of those was a good fit for Aina!
Under their heated stares, Kamishiro's brain spun rapidly. What kind of job paid well and didn't mind if the worker was clumsy and inexperienced?
As he thought about it, the first thing that popped into Kamishiro's mind was… the adult entertainment industry.
With Aina's university-girl charm and pure appearance… well, tuition would be the least of her worries.
Unfortunately, he'd probably be killed just for suggesting that.
Scrapping that idea, Kamishiro's mind landed on another image—Mafuyu-chan.
"I've got it!"
Kamishiro grinned confidently and pulled a maid outfit from behind him. "She can work at a maid café! Even clumsiness will be seen as a cute trait!"
More importantly—maid cafés paid well! Totally doable for daily expenses!
"I see!"
"Maid! Maid!"
Iori looked like he'd just had an epiphany. It was true—otaku money was easier to earn. Just look at the guy beside him losing his mind over the word "maid."
"Heh heh. Not only that, but I heard a new maid café is opening up right next to our school soon!"
Kamishiro adjusted his imaginary glasses proudly.
In reality, that café was one Kamishiro was opening in partnership with someone else. Ever since the Seijo Academy Festival, he'd spotted a golden business opportunity!
With those mechanical engineering monk-like students, Kamishiro was sure he could squeeze out every last cent of their living expenses!
Just thinking about it made him grin uncontrollably.
Even if he stopped writing, he'd be rolling in bills!
Muahahaha~
(???)
As longtime friends, Iori and Kohei weren't surprised. Kamishiro going off the deep end was basically a daily thing.
As long as he got things done, that was fine.
"Enough with the maniac laugh, Kamishiro. Let's go pitch the job to her right now."
"Yeah, remember to act natural!"
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Seeing the two already heading out with the maid outfit in hand, Kamishiro quickly chased after them. This was his idea, after all. He had to be there to see the Zombie Beast moved to tears!
…
However—
"Hey, Zombie Beast…"
"What?"
"So, um, like… this…"
They had oversimplified things. Standing before the Zombie Beast, the trio suddenly found themselves at a loss for words. Wouldn't it be too obvious if they just blurted out the job offer?
In that case...
The three of them exchanged glances—and nodded in unison!
!
Seeing how strangely the three were acting, Aina and Chisa began to grow nervous.
stand—these three were always pulling off weird stunts for no reason.
"You guys…"
"Do you have enough pocket money lately?" ×3
{{(°△°; "}}!
"Are you guys those kinds of clueless dads who don't know how to talk to kids?!"
Aina originally intended to ask, "What the heck are you all up to?" but changed her words after hearing their synchronized question.
What was this? Some new version of pretend play?
What should she even do now? Ask them for money? Or... ask them for money?
Wait a second—why were all three of them playing the "dad" role? Three dads?
Aina's gaze toward the trio turned dangerous. She had no desire to suddenly acquire three random father figures.
"So what exactly are you guys plotting?!"
"Ahaha, plotting? There's no such thing!"
"We're just checking in! Heard prices in Izu went up by a yen or two recently."
"Yeah, yeah! It's not like we have any hidden agendas, haha…"
Their attempt at probing failed miserably. The trio awkwardly scratched the backs of their heads, their expressions completely breaking down.
"Shifty eyes, unnatural body language—clearly up to no good," Chisa muttered suspiciously, staring at the three. Something felt off about them today, like they were hiding something.
"H-How could that be?! Anyway, later!"
Sensing that the situation was collapsing fast, Kamishiro grabbed Iori and Kohei and made a hasty retreat.
If they stayed any longer, they might spill everything—and that would make all their prior scheming meaningless.
This was Aina they were talking about—one of Shirou's few close friends. When it came to friends, he had to consider everything thoroughly!
…
The three returned to their cramped room.
"Damn it, we failed! And now we've only made them more suspicious!" Kohei pounded the floor. It was their first time dealing with something like this, and they'd underestimated how tricky it would be.
"If we bring up the idea of working part-time directly, she'll definitely get suspicious."
"Exactly. We need a more indirect approach."
Kamishiro thought deeply. They needed a way to get the maid outfit into Aina's hands without saying anything outright.
"Actually, if we just get the maid outfit into her hands, she'll probably figure it out herself."
"You sure about that?"
Shirou and Iori looked at Kohei, surprised. Would a normal person really jump to that conclusion? Wouldn't she think it was some pervert's idea?
"Of course! No way she'd think someone just wants her to wear that outfit for their own viewing pleasure. Don't underestimate Aina!"
"The real issue is how to give her the outfit without it looking too suspicious. We need a subtle method."
!!!
Bam!
Just then, Iori suddenly stood up as an idea struck him. He yanked open his wardrobe and turned to the others with a bright smile.
"If I just give this outfit along with the other gift to Aina, it'll work, right?!"
(′｀;)?
"How exactly are you going to 'include it'?"
It wasn't like today was some kind of special occasion—suddenly giving her a gift was already pretty sketchy.
"Easy! I'd been planning to give Chisa a set of clothes for a while now—almost forgot about it."
When they saw what Iori was holding—the gift he had planned for Chisa— Kamishiro fell silent.
Then his eyes started to mist over. Kitahara, you good guy… You're actually going this far for Aina!
He could already imagine Chisa's "happy" expression when she received that gift.
Go for it!
Kitahara Beast!