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After the event.
Andrew held the blushing Asada Shino close, savoring the warmth of the moment.
There's a certain sense of accomplishment that comes from having a beautiful girl lean on you.
As for that blow-up doll hidden under the bed—well, that was just one of his little pranks. A twisted sense of humor. He wanted to see Kato and Dekomori's reactions, so he'd deliberately planted it there.
It was basically a giant neon sign saying: "Yeah, I've thought about you two in that way."
If they didn't quit the club after that, then maybe—just maybe—things could go even further.
The thought made him want to laugh. Especially when he remembered Dekomori's reaction…
Maybe tomorrow he could even use her old embarrassing "chuunibyou" past as leverage.
After all, if he was going to play the demon, then he might as well embrace the role.
"Lady MoriSummer," he could tease, "you wouldn't want your cringy middle-school fantasies exposed to the world, would you?"
Meanwhile.
Dekomori Sanae couldn't sleep.
Suddenly, Andrew felt dangerous.
He'd actually put a blow-up doll under the bed—one with life-size prints of her photos plastered all over it, like some kind of stalker shrine.
What kind of creep does that?!
Didn't this mean… he had those kinds of thoughts about her?
If she kept hanging around his club, wouldn't that be incredibly dangerous for a beautiful girl like her?
But if she quit, how would she ever track down and destroy the remnants of her humiliating chuunibyou past?
It was maddening!
Why was it so hard to just leave that old self behind, forget the past, and start fresh as a normal, sparkling high school girl?
When—when—would Dekomori Sanae finally rise to the top of Seihaku Academy and become the student everyone admired?
Ugh, it was all Andrew's fault!
If he hadn't said the word "MoriSummer," she wouldn't be this flustered right now!
"Spirits wandering this world, hear my command! Make Andrew forget everything about MoriSummer!"
Ugh. She had to chant that spell a hundred times before it worked.
Sanae flopped face-down on her bed, groaning. There was no way she'd have the patience to recite it that many times.
And besides—she'd already "graduated" from her chuunibyou phase. She knew deep down that even if she recited it a thousand times, the spell would never actually work.
Elsewhere.
Kato Megumi also tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Of course she knew what a blow-up doll was. She was just an ordinary, plain, often-overlooked girl. And ordinary girls browsed the internet too.
Her tendency to blend into the background actually helped her fit in during gossip sessions with classmates. Nobody remembered much about her afterward, which suited her just fine—she loved gathering little bits of information while staying invisible.
That's why she usually knew far more than girls like Dekomori or Yukinoshita.
But tonight… tonight had caught her completely off guard.
Andrew's blow-up doll didn't just have a life-sized Sanae print on it.
It had hers, too.
Didn't that mean she wasn't as forgettable as she thought?
That maybe… someone actually remembered her, thought about her… maybe even fantasized about her?
Sure, she'd run out of the room in a panic—but honestly, she wasn't nearly as upset as she expected. If anything, there was a strange flicker of happiness inside her.
So quitting the club wasn't an option. She was going to stay by Andrew's side.
Even if she knew his relationship with Mahiru Shiina was close, all she had to do was stick around. Keep inching closer. Eventually, he'd notice her.
I, Kato Megumi, will win quietly in the end.
Patience and persistence—that's how you win the game.
Hang in there, Kato. You've got this.
The next morning.
Andrew was jolted awake by the sound of the doorbell. Still groggy, he opened the door—only to find Gabriel standing there.
"Uh, morning, Gabriel. What brings you here so early?"
She smiled sweetly, radiant as if she were glowing.
"Good morning, Andrew. I was just on my way to the cafeteria. Do you have any trash piled up at home? I can take it out for you."
"Uh… I mean, yeah, I do, but isn't that kind of a hassle for you? You're already carrying a huge bag yourself!"
Why was she this helpful? This diligent?
Wait… was that other people's garbage too?
"It's no trouble at all," she said, her voice like sunlight. "Helping others makes me happy."
Gabriel smiled, took the trash bag he handed her, and walked down the stairs with steady steps.
Watching her small frame disappear under the weight of several bags, Andrew couldn't help but worry she might get crushed under them.
Then again, she was an angel. Maybe he was just worrying for nothing.
Yeah. He should really treasure this bright, dazzling version of her.
Because… he probably wouldn't get to see it for much longer.
The next morning, as usual, Mahiru Shiina came by with a bento for Andrew.
Seeing the gentle, golden-haired beauty standing in front of him, Andrew instinctively opened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Mahiru, I'm so glad you're here."
Mahiru's eyes softened as her heartbeat sped up. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly in return.
"Then you'd better take responsibility for me."
The words slipped out before she could stop herself.
Her cheeks burned hot the second she realized what she'd just said—especially since she had told him before he didn't have to take responsibility.
But now that she'd tasted the sweetness of being with him, she couldn't let him go.
"Of course. I'll take full responsibility. My angel, please stay by my side forever."
Andrew whispered the words gently, then naturally lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Mahiru responded softly.
After a long moment, she pulled back and gave him a playful glare. "I told you not to call me an angel. If anything, Gabriel is the one who's more like an angel, don't you think?"
"This morning she went out of her way to help me take out the trash—and asked for nothing in return."
She smiled faintly. "That kind of selfless kindness… that's what a true angel is. But me… I'm actually really greedy, you know."
Andrew reached up and brushed his fingers gently through her golden hair. His voice was steady and sincere.
"Yeah, Gabriel really is like a true angel. But that's a kindness she shows to everyone. In my heart, the only angel that belongs to me is the one who's gentle only with me."
He smiled at her. "So you deserve the title of angel more than anyone. Who knows… maybe one day you'll become the real thing."
"Huh? What do you mean by 'the real thing'?" Mahiru tilted her head, puzzled.
"You'll find out eventually," Andrew said with a teasing smile.
Mahiru puffed her cheeks and pouted. "Ugh, I hate when you keep secrets from me."
Still sulking a little, she swung her bag over her shoulder and headed to school with him.
"Yo, morning, Nibutani."
The moment Andrew stepped into the classroom, he greeted his classmates with his usual friendly smile. His easygoing charm, paired with his handsome face, was enough to make a few girls sneaking glances at him instantly blush bright red.
Nibutani gave a slightly stiff nod. "Ah, morning."
Ever since seeing that inflatable doll yesterday, she hadn't been able to look Andrew straight in the eye.
After all, she'd never even dated a boy before.
Now she was stuck dealing with someone who was not only good-looking and talented but also warm and considerate. How was she supposed to handle that?
And worse, she still hadn't gotten to the bottom of his embarrassing "dark history."
The whole thing was driving her nuts.
No progress at all.
Compared to her awkwardness, Kato Megumi was as calm as ever. She exchanged a quick greeting with Andrew, then quietly returned to her seat.
As for what had happened yesterday? She didn't bring it up at all.
That was exactly why people called her Saint Kato, the perfect girlfriend candidate.
Once she liked someone, she stuck with them no matter what—always by their side, quietly supporting them with unwavering patience.
Just like Mahiru. Another good girl.
Which was why Andrew's little stunt with the doll had actually been useful—it had been his way of hinting he was interested in her.
Now all he needed was the right opportunity, and their relationship could easily move to the next stage.
Scheming devil—that was the perfect label for Andrew.
He calculated everything so well, you could practically hear the gears turning in his head.
One careless step, and a cute girl could easily fall right into his trap.
A devil casting his net, just waiting to see who would bite first.
And right now, that slightly-distracted Nibutani looked like she might be the first one to take the bait.
Andrew glanced in her direction, and without realizing it, a mischievous smile spread across his face.
"..."
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