Although Kamishiro really didn't want to get involved in Kitahara's romantic matters, the moment Chisa brought out the dishes—
He couldn't help but feel conflicted.
Sometimes, he really wished he could just pretend he didn't know anything about it… or be like Kohei, only able to tell that Aina liked Kitahara.
Aina and Chisa were both really good friends—one was so obviously in love it was practically overflowing, while the other hadn't even realized that she had subtly started to accept those feelings herself.
If at the beginning, she said Kitahara was her boyfriend just to get back at someone, then the fact that they kept it going afterward wasn't just for the sake of avoiding trouble.
Was he afraid that once Kitahara got a real girlfriend, he'd start showing off their relationship every day at the dive shop?
He wasn't that petty. That was just the excuse they gave to others—it fit with the usual joking and teasing dynamic the three of them had.
But really… he was just afraid their club's relationships would change.
No matter how it turned out, once someone pierced that thin veil of unspoken feelings, someone would inevitably end up embarrassed.
Still, he had no right to stop a girl from chasing after love.
Kamishiro shook his head in frustration—he just couldn't figure it out and didn't want to think about it anymore.
So annoying!
Maybe he should just toss Kitahara into the ocean tonight and be done with it!
Solve the problem at its root!
Thinking about how convenient that would be, Shiro's gaze toward Iori grew deep and thoughtful.
Anesthetic, iron pipe, cement...
{{(°△°; ")}}!
As Iori was eating breakfast, he suddenly shivered and looked around in terror.
He had the distinct feeling...
Someone was plotting against him!
Guards! Protect me!
Outside the new shop—
Kamishiro was on the phone with an Onee san from across the ocean.
"Well, that's the situation. I have absolutely no idea what to do."
The boy rubbed his temples. Bound by both law and morality, he ultimately decided to abandon the "toss into the sea" solution.
In his utter frustration, he chose to call in reinforcements!
"Haha, sounds like you guys are having a very 'eventful' holiday."
A cheerful laugh rang through the phone—it was Azusa!
Yes, that dependable older sister was none other than Hamaoka Azusa!
Somehow, over time, whenever the PAB crew ran into a problem, they'd end up calling Azusa for help.
Of course, for Kamishiro, there was simply no other choice.
She was the only person who knew them all and understood the bizarre dynamics between them.
"Yeah, way too eventful..."
After working just two days, Kamishiro already felt like his body no longer belonged to him.
As expected, he just wasn't built for labor.
"So, the situation is: Kohei found out that Aina likes Iori. Then, in order to get Iori to drop his guard around him, Kohei decided to play matchmaker between Aina and Iori. And then, you realized that Chisa also has a thing for Iori, though she hasn't realized it herself yet?"
"Exactly!"
As expected of Azusa nee—she summed it all up perfectly!
"So, any good ideas to solve this mess?"
Kamishiro asked eagerly—he honestly couldn't think of a better solution than dumping someone into the sea!
"Well… before we talk about solutions, Kamishiro, don't you think you're kind of out of place in this whole situation?"
Azusa's teasing voice came through the phone, making Kamishiro want to hang up immediately.
Of course he was out of place—because he was a nor-mal person!
With the holiday almost over, and Azusa still in the mood to joke around, it was obvious her school life wasn't stressful enough.
"Three cultured books from Palau!"
"Deal!"
Just a few words, and they had reached a tacit agreement—such was the bond between two people who occasionally shared the same bed.
"But seriously, it seems like you're overlooking the most important person in this whole thing."
"The most important person?"
Kamishiro didn't quite get it. Who else could there be?
"Iori, of course! You haven't even considered what Iori actually thinks. What if he doesn't have any feelings for either Aina or Chisa?"
Lying lazily in bed far away in Japan, Azusa twirled a strand of her hair while chatting on the phone.
"Maybe you should have a little more faith in Iori~"
Azusa smiled. Even though they had only known each other for half a year, she knew—Iori definitely wasn't as dumb and clueless as he acted most of the time.
When he got serious, Iori could be very cool.
…
"Phew…"
Staring at the black screen of his phone, Kamishiro fell silent.
Then, looking out at the distant sea, he chuckled and shook his head—Azusa nee really saw things clearly.
He'd almost backed himself into a dead end.
He had been fixated on removing the source of the trouble, without realizing that said source might actually be capable of resolving things himself.
Even though Kitahara had zero dating experience, he was emotionally intelligent.
Kamishiro decided to place his trust in his childhood friend.
And, thanks to Azusa's reminder, he also chose to trust Kohei!
Trust that Kohei definitely wasn't a competent wingman!
Hmph.
Real-life love wasn't the same as in 2D!
Prepare to face reality, Kohei!
With his thoughts cleared, Kamishiro felt completely at peace—he even hummed a tune on his way back to the shop.
He remembered that today's tasks were organizing paperwork and cleaning equipment.
Double win!
Time to slack off in the office~
However, reality rarely goes according to plan.
Just as he stepped into the shop, he saw Kohei charging toward him at lightning speed.
That kind of speed—as if he were being chased by a wild beast!
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
Before Kamishiro could react, Kohei zoomed past him—
And even dragged him along by the collar!
"Perfect timing, Kamishiro! Let's go clean up the equipment together!"
(?⊿?)?
Kamishiro was stunned. What equipment?
He had clearly planned to slack off in the office!!!
Damn it!!!
Under the blazing summer sun—
As a master of slacking off, Kamishiro should've been in the office enjoying the air conditioning—or at the very least, playing with bikini girls on the beach.
Not doing this!
Hauling these goddamn heavy pieces of equipment under the sun!
(*?????)
"You bastard! If you're gonna be a wingman, why drag me into it too? I wanted to chill in the office!"
Kamishiro shook Kohei violently—this guy had inflicted severe trauma to both his soul and his skin!
"What are you talking about, Kamishiro? We're allies of justice!"
Looking at Kohei's innocent expression, Kamishiro's forehead veins started to bulge.
He didn't want to be some "ally of justice"!
And since when did being a wingman turn into being an ally of justice?
Is the world going to end if those two don't get together?
What is this—Rebirth: Only Romance Can Save the Earth?
"Sigh…"
At this point, there was no use complaining anymore. He just let go of Kohei and accepted his fate.
He understood that this guy had completely immersed himself in the role of a galgame supporting character—there was no reasoning with him.
"By the way, do you really think putting the two of them together like this will work?"
"Of course! It's a classic move for the best friend in galgames!"
Kohei was full of confidence. He was, after all, a love expert who had played over 2,000 games!
"…"
Kamishiro gave Kohei a look like he was watching an idiot. "You do realize they've had plenty of one-on-one time before, right? Do you think they've made any progress?"
He still remembered that time Aina and Iori went out on a date—such a perfect opportunity, and they completely wasted it. And now they expected progress from simply working together?
"This… Maybe it needs a little extra boost from some Rare accessories!"
As he spoke, Kohei pulled out his phone, apparently planning to place an online order.
"Rare accessories your ass!"
Kamishiro snatched the phone away. Just what kind of galgame taught him this kind of matchmaking tactic?
Some pervy R18 galgame, wasn't it?
"If you're going to play matchmaker, at least be a little subtle. Otherwise, the zombie will get annoyed."
With that, Kamishiro tossed the phone back to Kohei and continued organizing the equipment.
It was a good chance to figure out how to test whether Iori actually had feelings for either of them.
Based on what Kamishiro knew about Iori, that guy had probably never even considered the possibility.
After all, the only thing in his eyes were those sparkly, sexy Onee sans~
What a lucky idiot.
Nearby—
Kōhei took his phone and mumbled to himself about what Kamishiro had just said.
"Be more subtle..."
Then, as if something had come to mind, he opened a game on his phone!
He remembered—
There was a scenario just like this in that game!