Nightfall.
Iori and the others returned to the shop, looking utterly exhausted.
In the end, they were filming all the way into the evening. When the supervisor saw the footage Kamishiro had shot, he nearly passed out again.
Why did a proper promotional video end up looking like borderline softcore content?!
And the worst part was...
It was strangely compelling!
That made him start to question the very nature of the show.
In the end, he decided to keep the footage—as bonus material, of course.
After wrapping up the final scenes, he didn't waste a second and fled Palau. As for enjoying the scenery?
He had absolutely zero interest left.
"Welcome back. How'd it go?"
Maki asked curiously. Because of guests visiting today, she hadn't paid much attention to the filming.
"Exhausting..."
"But Ikegoshi san seemed quite happy."
Thinking of Yuichi Ikegoshi's excited expression, Aina and Chisa silently offered a few moments of sympathy.
He really should review the footage...
Just believing Kamishiro's pitch about 'passion, wildness, and contrast' was a big mistake.
Maybe next time they met, Ikegoshi san would have fully transitioned into a complete pervert character...
"He'll probably faint when the show airs."
"He's living in blissful ignorance right now..."
"Ahh..."
Hearing all this, Maki gave an awkward smile.
So in the end—was this promotional shoot a success or not?
Just then, loud arguing came from nearby—
"This is all your fault!"
"Why are you blaming me? I was just playing my part!"
(′｀;)?
"What's going on?"
Curious as ever, Maki turned to the noise and saw Iori shaking Kohei by the collar.
"Maki san, listen to me!"
Iori was desperate for someone to take his side.
"This bastard ruined my date with the model by showing up shirtless!"
"Eh?!"
Hearing the word date, Maki's eyes lit up. She somehow pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds and stared at Iori expectantly. "Tell me everything!"
Even Aina was shocked. A date?! She had no idea about any of this!
While Iori was pouring his heart out to Maki, Aina walked over to Chisa and whispered, "Chisa, what's this about Iori and the model going on a date?"
"Huh? You didn't know?"
Chisa looked puzzled. Aina had been with her the whole time, hadn't she?
Then she remembered—this all happened while Aina had gone to get clothes for Kohei.
"That model asked Iori to be her guide, but the plan got ruined when Imamura took his shirt off. But she also invited Shirou."
"I see..."
Aina breathed a sigh of relief. So the model's real target was Shirou, and Iori was just along for the ride.
Thank goodness.
"You looked relieved just now?"
"Wha—n-no I didn't!"
Aina looked flustered, worried that her little inner thoughts had been noticed by Chisa.
She quickly turned and scolded Kohei, "I warned you so many times, and you still ignored me!"
"Boring."
Kohei replied nonchalantly, eyes closed, "I was just doing what I always do."
"What the hell kind of routine is that?!"
Iori didn't buy it for a second. "If it were me, after being warned that many times, I'd never forget!"
Aina, who was about to go pack her things, paused the moment she heard Iori say that and looked at Kohei.
In that moment, her gaze seemed to understand something.
Because honestly—Iori and Kohei are on the same intellectual level.
So... did Kohei really forget?
"You bastard did it on purpose!"
"Don't take it out on me!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough~"
Watching the chaos unfold, Aina stood frozen in place—until Chisa called out to her.
"Aina? What's wrong?"
"Ah... nothing."
Feeling her behavior was too odd, Aina hurriedly added, "I was just wondering where Kamishiro is right now."
"…"
As soon as Aina spoke, she noticed the eerie silence that enveloped the room.
Looking up, she saw the two, who had been bickering moments ago, staring at her with red eyes.
"That guy… he's probably strolling by the beach right now!"
"Heh, we can't let him have it so easy."
Iori and Kohei's faces twisted with menace. Caught up in their squabble, they'd forgotten their good buddy was missing.
Recalling the heroic rescue scene from earlier, it didn't take much to guess what that scumbag was up to!
To prevent a tragedy (Kamishiro succeeding with another girl), they bolted for the door!
Tonight, even if they didn't sleep, they'd catch that guy!
Trying to sneak a feast behind their backs?
He'd better be ready to sink into the sea!
Of course, this "sneaky feast" was just Iori's thought.
Kohei's reason for hunting Kamishiro was pure revenge!
Now clear-headed, he realized that scumbag had used him as a pawn!
All of Kitahara's hatred had been redirected onto him—unforgivable!
But
Just as they neared the shop's door, a figure flew toward them.
*Bang!*
No surprise—three bodies collided, rolling into a ball.
Iori and Kohei focused and saw, in their arms, the very Kamishiro they sought.
With a lifeless expression…
"Kamishiro?!"
"Why'd you come flying in?"
Aina and Chisa, surprised, asked in confusion.
Before Kamishiro could answer, a familiar voice at the door responded.
"Strolling by the beach at midnight is dangerous. To prevent accidents, I dragged him back."
The shop boss, sucking on a lollipop, maintained her cool demeanor. Iori and the others could already picture the scene.
(*?????)
Tossed to the floor by his two buddies, Kamishiro silently shed tears.
Who'd understand being yanked back by his *mother-in-law* on the way to a date…
He just wanted to show his hometown friend around Palau, nothing more!
Sadly
Aunt Kotegawa didn't buy it, hauling him back.
And for some reason, she kicked him before entering.
As Kamishiro wallowed on the floor, a familiar force jabbed his waist.
"Clean up quick, don't delay my closing."
(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)
Even sadder.
In the Dorm Living Room
Like yesterday, only two remained, in the same pairing.
"You actually pulled it off."
Kamishiro sipped his beer, slightly surprised, eyeing Kohei by the TV.
The screen showed a magical girl anime—not Rarako, but one Kamishiro couldn't name, only noting her multicolored hair.
More colors than Dragon Ball.
How Kohei tuned it in… his exam scores didn't reflect this skill.
Human potential is limitless, like Kohei in the lab back then.
"Well, I'd die without anime."
Kohei's tone was flat. Though his eyes stayed on the magical girl, Kamishiro sensed his attention was elsewhere.
Shocking—magical girls couldn't hold Kohei's focus.
Kamishiro set down his beer can, propping his chin lazily. "So, you're aiming to be the sidekick in a dating sim?"
Everyone knows dating sims have a wingman!
Usually, those sidekicks are losers or simps.
Kohei's different—he's the villain closing in on the protagonist!
"…"
*Pfft~*
Kohei didn't reply, just cracked open a beer.
Watching foam spill from his vigorous motion, Kohei sighed. "What nonsense are you spouting? I'm the same as always."
Hanging at the beach or drinking and stripping—that's his routine.
"So dishonest. Fine, let's say that."
Not getting his desired answer, Kamishiro stood, heading to his room.
At the door, he glanced at Iori's room, sighing helplessly. "What a jerk who deserves to sink…"
*Creak~*
The door closed, silence returning.
Until a slender figure appeared behind Kohei.
"That thing you asked about yesterday—it was just a misunderstanding!"
Kohei didn't turn, but images flashed in his mind.
Even he could see it.
…
Morning.
The sun was shining with white clouds drifting in the blue sky. birds were singing and with a light breeze moving the tree leaves slightly. All in all this is a beautiful day that allows people to relax and relieve some stress.
**Third Day of Part-Time Work**
"Yawn~"
Kamishiro appeared in the living room, yawning. The grueling work life had actually fixed his sleep schedule.
Waking at six after a full sleep was… despairing!!!
╰(???)╯
This was his time to game all night and crash satisfied!
Not to rise early for "irrelevant" breakfast!
Who eats breakfast these days?
"Morn… is breakfast ready? I'm starving."
Kamishiro, bleary-eyed, greeted the two in the living room, gazing expectantly at the kitchen.
His earlier thoughts? Tossed to the clouds.
He's a worker—workers need breakfast!
"Morning. Breakfast'll take a bit," Aina replied absently, still mulling over Kohei.
Though Kohei noticed, she'd explained yesterday.
He shouldn't be sure yet!
Good. She'd just deny it, and no problem!
No problem… like hell!!!
Recalling Kohei's look before entering the kitchen, Aina wanted to die.
Nearby
Kamishiro sat, noticing the figures at the table, surprised. His sleepiness vanished.
Iori?
Aina?
Wasn't breakfast Iori and Chisa's job? Why was Iori here, not cooking?
"Man, you're so chill."
Thanks to his unmatched talent, Kamishiro was banned from cooking, just waiting to eat.
What an enviable jerk.
"Can't help it. I want to cook, but you won't let me~"
Iori fell silent at Kamishiro's shamelessness. How does someone burn toast black?
"So why're you in the living room? Isn't it your breakfast shift?"
"No clue. Kohei suddenly said he wanted to cook and rushed in," Iori said, puzzled. Why so eager today?
"You don't think… he's spiking breakfast with laxatives?!"
Cold sweat dripped. It was the only reason he could think of.
That jerk wouldn't poison him over yesterday's jabs!
The more Iori thought, the likelier it seemed. He stood, heading to the kitchen to watch.
"…"
Kamishiro's forehead twitched at Iori's sneakiness.
Idiots' imaginations are absurd.
To ensure a safe breakfast, Kamishiro dragged Iori back.
"Stop. With Chisa there, you're still worried?"
"But why'd that guy suddenly fight to cook?"
"Maybe he saw a magical girl eating breakfast on TV and wanted to try," Kamishiro said dismissively, eyeing Aina.
Seeing her awkward expression, he guessed Kohei's intent.
Sidekick, huh…
---