[I see, so this sentence, at least, should be a compliment, right?]
As expected, Tetsuya's reply was still filled with the cluelessness of someone who had no idea what was going on.
However, just as Soyo thought the conversation was about to reach its conclusion, his next reply made her pause.
[Thanks to you, Soyo, I think I roughly understand what my image is in a girl's eyes... It seems I'm still a long way from being able to date someone.]
[Huh...? How did you reach that conclusion?]
Soyo was incredibly confused.
[My answer just now shouldn't have been negative enough to warrant that, right?]
[It's not as simple as positive or negative. It's just that I've suddenly realized that I don't seem to be very good at understanding girls' needs and thoughts right now.]
Tetsuya replied.
[Although I'm now well aware that dating and marriage are not the same thing, no matter what, if two people want to be together, being in sync is the most basic requirement... You can probably sense it too, right, Soyo? I'm a person who severely lacks common sense. Whether it's emotional common sense or daily life common sense, I'm clearly different from other people.]
[But even so, I can't just shelve other people's feelings forever, nor do I want to hold someone back in life because of my own shortcomings. So... for the sake of the future, I need someone I can discuss these things with.]
...
[I know this might be too sudden... but would you be willing to continue being the person I consult with from now on?]
Before sending this last message, Tetsuya hesitated for nearly a full minute.
It was certainly embarrassing to take up someone's private time with his personal matters, but at this moment, the only person he could think of to consult was Soyo.
Ai and Anon, who had already clearly expressed their feelings for him, were naturally out of the question. As for Sakiko, their unequal relationship meant she couldn't provide a completely objective opinion. Only Soyo's situation was the most unique.
First, because her mother had assisted him, there was no debt between them, even with the prerequisite of him having helped her resolve her issues. Second, compared to the other girls, her way of thinking was mature enough. And finally, and most importantly, she didn't hold any special feelings for him; in fact, she would sometimes respond to him in a rather "unfriendly" and "sharp" tone!
At this point, answers filled with consideration and deliberation were far from enough to make Tetsuya see the light. For someone like him, who lacked common sense and desperately needed someone to remind and guide him, a person like her was the most perfect consultant imaginable!
Considering all these factors, although it was a bit shameful, he took the initiative and made this request to Soyo, while also mentally preparing himself to be rejected.
But then, much to his surprise, not only did Soyo not refuse, she replied almost instantly, at a speed far beyond his imagination:
[No problem. You're welcome anytime.]
...
"...I don't know what conclusion he's reached, but this is a perfect opportunity to understand his current situation."
Soyo muttered to herself.
And reasons aside, the fact that Tetsuya was willing to entrust her with such an important matter should be enough to prove his trust in her.
This way, not only could she keep up with his current situation and thoughts, she might even have the chance to use these consultations to guide him into revealing the type of girl he likes...
It was all benefits and no downsides!
And once he successfully established his own business, in the future, she could not only get involved in his life but even have the opportunity to learn about and get involved in his personal privacy!
At this thought, a happy smile once again appeared on Soyo's face.
Especially when she saw Tetsuya's reply, [Thank you, Soyo. Then, from now on, I'll be in your care.], she threw herself onto the bed and let out a series of muffled giggles.
"He really is a clueless guy. That way of replying makes it so easy for people to get the wrong idea, doesn't it?"
Despite saying that, she still saved a screenshot of their chat with a huge smile on her face.
However, as happy as she was, while Soyo rejoiced in this heaven-sent opportunity, another question rose in her mind—
"Why doesn't he discuss these things with Anon?"
Although that Chihaya Anon person was vain and self-centered, at least she had no problems when it came to common sense. If Tetsuya really needed a suitable consultant, he could have just asked his sister, who he saw day in and day out, right? Or was it... that his trust in that unreliable girl had already fallen to such a low level?
No, that couldn't be it. His attitude towards Anon had always been one of doting affection. Maybe he just didn't want to bother her with this kind of thing...
A sense of unease that she couldn't shake left Soyo deep in thought.
The sudden strange questions, the sudden importance placed on matters of romance, and this mysterious request for consultation.
Something major must have happened on Tetsuya's end, something that had shaken him.
However, due to a lack of information, Soyo couldn't piece together these fragmented bits of information into the truth.
But in any case, she had accepted the request. For now, she just had to wait patiently for him to bring up his troubles on his own, right?
"In reality, from the moment he started being pursued by Hoshino Ai, there was no way his life could ever be peaceful again, was there?"
Soyo stated the undeniable reality.
"Even if the May live really ends peacefully this time, it'll probably just be the beginning of another set of problems."
But thankfully, she had now obtained the dual "advisor" roles for both his life and his love life. From now on, no matter what happened to Tetsuya, she would be the first to know and be able to intervene.
"This time... it's different from how it was with [CRYCHIC]."
Soyo murmured to the empty room.
"Not only are we bound by a contract, but he also made this request himself... This way, there's no way we can ever be separated."
For Soyo at this moment, just the feeling of this tight connection was enough to satisfy her.
Closing the chat app, she gazed at the side profile that had been screenshotted and set as her phone wallpaper, and said softly:
"Having lost something once, I will never let go again."