Imaizumi Keita had intended to follow this topic and tease his 'fake girlfriend' beside him, who was almost losing her composure.
For example, how she had, at a Family Restaurant, poured out her emotional garbage to a stranger without prompting.
Or how she had been forced to accept her love rival's 'kindness' in front of everyone, unable to even say no.
But as the words reached his lips, he saw a pleading tension flash in Yanami Anna's smiling eyes.
Imaizumi Keita's heart stirred, and all the nasty lines he had prepared were lightly swallowed back.
Before he could think of a more gentle way to continue the topic, Yanami Anna had already taken the lead, actively taking over the conversation.
"Exactly! That's it!"
Yanami Anna, afraid he would say something he shouldn't, explained to Shioyaki Lemon with a grateful tone.
"Lemon, you don't know, I was so troubled during that time!"
She wrinkled her pretty face, showing a look of unbearable recollection, "Sousuke and Karen, those two, were practically glued together every day. That's fine, but they insisted on dragging me along every time! Today shopping, tomorrow karaoke, the day after a new dessert shop..."
"I really didn't want to be that super-powered third wheel! But, you know Karen, she always invited me with reasons like 'we're good friends, aren't we?' I just... couldn't refuse..."
At this point, she paused just right, looking at Imaizumi Keita opposite her.
"At that time, thanks to Imaizumi, if he hadn't called me away with various excuses, I wouldn't have known what to do..."
These words were heartfelt, perfectly explaining the reason for their closer relationship, and subtly portraying Imaizumi Keita as reliable, considerate, and helpful.
Imaizumi Keita quietly listened to Yanami Anna's "lies."
To save face in front of a loser junior, she would even say I'm reliable, considerate, and helpful?
Still, such an evaluation is a good thing for me...
After all, Shioyaki Lemon doesn't have Yanami's habit of bothering strangers...
Therefore, Imaizumi Keita did not expose Yanami's embellished narrative, tacitly agreeing to everything.
After hearing Yanami Anna's "tearful accusation," Shioyaki Lemon's face showed an expression of sudden realization.
She nodded, her eyes filled with sympathy for Yanami, as if to say, "So you're even more miserable than me."
"I see... so that's how it is."
She let out a long sigh, then, with a hint of envy in her tone, half-jokingly, half-seriously said:
"Speaking of which, Kouki probably wouldn't actively seek me out. Otherwise, if I could get Kin-chan to help out like Anna, it would save a lot of trouble."
The moment the words fell, Shioyaki Lemon felt Yanami Anna's aura subtly change.
"No!"
Yanami spoke almost immediately, "Imaizumi-kun is helping me right now, I can't lend him to you."
This unconscious outburst made the recently eased atmosphere become subtle once again.
"Eh?"
Shioyaki Lemon was completely stunned. She looked at Yanami Anna's overly nervous expression in bewilderment, waving her hands somewhat helplessly.
"I... I just said that, Anna, you don't have to react so strongly..."
Yanami Anna also belatedly realized that her reaction might have been a bit too much.
A blush uncontrollably spread across her cheeks, and her gaze began to drift, unsure how to continue the conversation.
"Cough."
Just then, a light cough broke the awkwardness.
"Actually, it's not that complicated. To get rid of Hakamada and Himegumi-san's invitations, Yanami told them she was seeing me."
"If she interacts too much with other girls, it might cause those two to misunderstand..."
The atmosphere visibly relaxed.
"Oh... oh! So that's how it is..."
Shioyaki Lemon immediately showed an "I see" expression, turning to look at Imaizumi and then at Yanami, guessing the specific reason Yanami used.
"Speaking of which, we were just talking about methods to divert attention."
Imaizumi Keita naturally brought the topic back on track. He looked at Shioyaki Lemon and offered a concrete plan.
"Our Literature Club happens to be having a two-day, one-night training camp at the Youth House in Tahara this weekend. It's mainly for creative club activities, and participation isn't mandatory. Shioyaki, do you want to come? Just to clear your head."
This suggestion made Shioyaki Lemon's eyes light up.
Indeed, if she stayed alone now, she would probably just overthink things.
Going out with friends might really be a good choice.
"A training camp? Sounds interesting..."
"Yes, yes!"
Yanami Anna immediately seized the opportunity, a warm smile returning to her face.
"Lemon, Senior Tsukinoki told me that our training camp location this time is right next to a beautiful beach! We can go to the beach together, feel the sea breeze, and eat shaved ice! It'll definitely cheer you up!"
The beach, for an energetic sports-oriented girl, undoubtedly held immense appeal.
"Really?! There's a beach!"
The gloom of a loser on Shioyaki Lemon's face was finally dispelled by this sudden anticipation.
She nodded vigorously, agreeing decisively, "Okay! I'll go too!"
"Then it's settled."
Imaizumi Keita took out his phone and opened the club's group chat interface.
"I'll add you to the club group chat. The meeting time and packing list for the training camp are in the announcement."
With Shioyaki Lemon successfully added to the group chat, she finally began to enthusiastically tackle the somewhat cold waffle in front of her.
Now that the training camp details were confirmed, the Chocolate Sundae Imaizumi Keita had ordered earlier sat alone in the middle of the table, ignored by everyone.
Shioyaki Lemon was focused on her waffle, and Imaizumi Keita didn't seem interested in sweets.
Yanami Anna's gaze lingered for a moment on the ice cream adorned with chocolate sticks and cream; she hesitated, not quite bold enough to just reach for it.
She looked up, glanced at Imaizumi across from her, and spoke in a subconsciously coquettish tone.
"Hey, Keita, if no one eats that sundae, it'll go to waste."
The moment the name "Keita" was uttered, Shioyaki Lemon's hand holding the fork paused for a second before she nonchalantly looked down and poked at her waffle again.
Her gaze lingered between the two for half a second before quickly shifting away as she buried her head back into her waffle.
Kin-chan and Anna's relationship isn't as clear-cut as they say...
So they already call each other that in private...
Imaizumi Keita's movements also paused for a moment.
Looking at Yanami's expression of slight expectation, he reached out and pushed the sundae in front of her, his tone teasing.
"Go ahead and eat it. It's not like you care about gaining weight anyway."
"Hmph... Shut up!"
Yanami Anna wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction, but she still contentedly picked up the long-handled spoon, scooped up a large portion of ice cream, and happily brought it to her mouth.
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