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For the yakiniku, we only had to buy groceries, so it was an easy time. Other than that, I introduced Ame to the shopping district’s people and saw some guy punched by his wife for saying a suggestive comment.

“You were quite popular, Ame.”
“They all seemed like great people. It’s easy to see that you’re well loved. And you can actually talk to people other than me normally now.”
“Shut it. That’s so far in the past already.”
“Back then, your face would be so stiff whenever you were talking to other people.”

Ane’s social web in the past was pretty small, or rather it was practically a single line. Amelia was the only one she could call a friend, and there was pretty much no one she could call an acquaintance.

“In hindsight, it’s no wonder that the other kids were scared of you when you were so expressionless.”
“Right?”

In a period where kids are most expressive, someone who would only talk monotonously without any apparent emotion naturally gets isolated. The hilarious part is that this simply was the result of Ane being nervous. Before meeting Ani, Ane was really s̲h̲i̲t̲ at socializing with people.

“I really couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you chatting with people with a smile.”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’ve changed.”
“But I still can’t get used to your way of speaking now. Rather than an improvement from before, it feels more like a mutation.”

I honestly agree. Ani was the cause of this mutation, though. Does he just have something that can influence a reaction with everyone he comes across? While some of it can be good, others can be bad.

‘Kotone~, I’m here for the girl’s night~’
” ‘Just go inside’ and send.”

A message from Kaori came in, so I quickly replied. The people I’m most close with all have spare keys to my room. Which is just Akane and Kaori. For the others, I feel like it’d be dangerous. Not in a bad way, but in a ‘they’d come to fool around’ kind of way.

“Is it a friend?”
“I personally consider her my closest friend. She’s kept me company during tough times, and I find her dependable.”
“I see, it’s best friend, then. In that case, I should be able to hear a lot about you.”
“There’s still a lot that she doesn’t know.”

There were a lot of happenings Kaori wasn’t witness to. Still, I feel like it would be a bad idea to have Ame meet the rogue’s den. Several of the guys would definitely propose to her, for real.

“Kotone, it’s pretty unusual for you to host a girl’s night. The menu being yakiniku is quite in character for you, though. Here, sweets from mom.”
“Thank you. With this, dessert is secured. Ame, Saori’s sweets are amazing, you know!”
“O-,Ohh. I didn’t expect to be greeted with such a radiant smile.”
“We have another impressionable person, huh. Her looks are amazing.”

This is probably the first time for Kaori too. Well, she’s already seen a fair share of impressionable people, but I don’t believe she’s ever been this blunt before.

“I’ll ask in advance, do you have some weird quirk or eccentricity that people keep pointing out?”
“Of course not!”

She asked pretty quickly. It seems like Kaori no longer feels the need to be reserved with people she just met. Who trained her to be this resilient? The twelve families, maybe. Not including me, though.

“So this is my childhood friend, Amelia. Full name omitted.”
“It’ll sound so pompous, so honestly prefer it this way. You can call me Amelia or Ame, like Kotone does.”
“Then I’ll go with Amelia. Still, Kotone’s childhood friend, huh. It must have been a tough time.”
“Oi. Don’t just assume that I’m a troublemaker even back then.”
“If I had to say, she was a pretty clumsy and socially awkward girl. She was quick to give up on socializing with others.”

As a result, Ame ended up being Ane’s only friend. Kaori knows Ane’s personality, so she should know that Ane isn’t as troublesome as Ani was. She was probably 80% kidding.

“Kotone, just what were you doing after we parted ways?”
“She butt heads with the other twelve families, argued on whether or not to enter the student council, and had a breakout incident during a field trip; she really caused a lot of commotion.”
“You’re exposing everything so fast.”

“Heeeh, that same Kotone? The Kotone I know would peacefully settle arguments, maybe enter the student council, and just spend the field trip normally.”
“The difference between the Kotone I know and the Kotone that you know is really extreme.”
“I agree with that. What happened to cause her to change so much?”
“It’s a secret. Like I’d tell you that.”
“Eh~, what’s with that?”

It was Ani and Ane’s chance encounter. If I had to pinpoint what caused it, it’s just this. They met, shared their grievances, had fun, were astonished, got in trouble, and separated. This event was far normal for the two, but it changed both of them. It’s just that.

“Now then, Miss Kaori.”
“What is it, Miss Kotone?”
“Do you think that Ame is within Akane’s preferences?”
“No, probably not. She’s a lot different from you, isn’t she?”
“I’m the standard?”
“After all, you’re Akane’s ideal in terms of preference. Amelia is, if I had to choose, more like me. Akane wouldn’t fall head over heels for her for sure.”

Today’s only victim is me. No, since Ame is going to be flooded with questions, I guess I can count her as a victim as well. Now, how will I involve Kaori and get her off the peaceful sidelines?

“Kotone. You’re thinking of dragging me into trouble, aren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s the usual routine by this point.”

I was scheming about having Kaori step on a landmine, but I didn’t think she’d be this vigilant. In the first place, Ani showed his hand too much. And whenever I try to think of something new, it generally ends up being an imitation of Ani’s ideas.

“What’s wrong, Ame? What are you laughing all of a sudden?”
“I’m just feeling stupid for being so anxious until now. With how we parted, I was really worried how you would do after being left all alone.”
“Kotone was pretty resilient when I met her, though.”

Rather than being forged by the rogue’s den, I think Ani’s resilient heart was the result of his environment growing up. He was left with step-mom and abandoned by his biological mother, and it was a miracle that he didn’t turn to delinquency. If Ani had done so, I don’t think there was anyone that could stop him.

“It’s been pretty hectic since I entered the academy. Besides, I’ve never been alone prior to that.”
“Kotone! Thanks for inviting me over for girls night!”
“The most lively one finally arrived. ”

It’s because Kotone had someone on her side that she was able to walk the proper path without getting discouraged. I’m sure that Ani was also troubled about how to move forward as Kotone during his time. But at this point, I can only speculate.

“So you’re Kotone’s childhood friend, then! Would you mind telling me stories about Kotone’s past?”
“Yeah, yeah, we can talk about that after eating. First, let’s focus on filling our stomachs.”
“Kotone, you tease!”
“How do I say this? She seems like a pretty assertive person.”

“Amelia, she still hasn’t warmed up, you know? Once she goes full throttle, you’ll see how assertive she can get.”
“Really?”
“Be careful. Even the current Kotone can’t stand a chance against her.”
“Is it even something I can prevent by being careful?”
“I wish you good luck.”
“Wait, Kaori!?”

From the side, it seems like Amelia and Kaori are going to be good friends. However, what’s going to begin from here on is Amelia’s talk of my past and Akane and Kaori’s talk of my present.

“I sure hope this finishes by the time we tidy up.”
“The date will probably change before then.”
“Please stop pulling me back to reality, Kaori.”

It would have been easier if I could knock Akane out with alcohol, but she’s a strong drinker. She won’t fall asleep easily. Rather, it might be the equivalent of adding fuel to the fire.

My grudges against Ani and Ane only continue to grow stronger.

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