Just as expected, the moment that the hour-long class ended, people began to swarm around my desk.
âWhat on earth was that, Reika-sama!?â
The first shot was fired by my classmate since year 1 and Follower #1, Serika-chan.
âYouâve never told us that you were close to Kaburagi-sama, you know?â
This too was a classmate since first grade, Follower #2, Kikuno-chan. Amongst all my followers, these two are the ones known as the closest to me, and at times like these, theyâre the first to speak up.
âPlease calm down, everybody. Kaburagi-sama and I are not particularly close.â
âBut for Kaburagi-sama to go out of his way to meet with a girl is,â
âThe truth is, I have been entrusted with a certain matter, and we were simply discussing it, all right?â
âA certain matter? What kind of matter?â
âThat is, something I do not have the right to talk aboutâŚâ
At that moment, a sudden chorus of squeals came from around the door to our classroom.
âKisshouin-san, are you in?â
âENJOU-SAMAAA!â
The girls around me began kicking up a fuss about him.
What the heck is this guy here forâŚ
âAh, there you are, Kisshouin-san. About our conversation with Masaya from earlier, when youâre finished with lunch, come to the Pivoine salon, okay?â
That line just caused a bigger fuss. Aahh, my days of peace areâŚ
âU-, Umm, Enjou-sama? Is it true that Reika-sama has been entrusted something by Kaburagi-sama?â
âAah, mn. Thatâs right.â
Again with the squeals and cheers.
âWhat is it that sheâs been entrusted with?â
âSorry, but I canât really say. If you girls pry too much, Masaya will get angry, you know? Wonât that be bad? Kisshouin-san is keeping quiet too, see?â
âIndeed.â
âSee you later then,â smiled Enjou, before leaving the classroom. Although the girls were still excited from Enjouâs sudden visit, his mention that Kaburagi Masaya would get angry at their prying stopped them from doing anything more, even though they would have happily hounded me otherwise.
Did that guy come to visit me during our short period-break just to tell me to come to the salon? Hm~mm. Could it be that he knew that people would hound me about my relationship with Kaburagi, and came here to cover for me? Hmm, is he really nice enough to do that? But in the manga, he always casually covered for the protagonist, didnât he. I guess that means he has it in him.
HmmmmmâŚ
Well, either way itâs fine. With this, perhaps even the girls who heard me become a gopher will keep quiet too. To begin with, those guys began all this, so covering for me this much is a given!
*imouto*
*imouto*
At lunch break, I was too afraid of what might happen if I didnât go, so although I was reluctant from the depths of my heart, I headed to the salon.
Emperor was sitting cockily on his special seat as usual. Isnât he pretty energetic compared to last week? Even though it would have been great if he just stayed a husk like thatâŚ
âToo slow!â
Honestly, Iâm just not going to comment anymoreâŚ
âKisshouin-san, how about you sit down for now?â
âEnjou-sama, thank you very much for following up earlier.â
Hearing my words, Enjou replied with a smile. Hm~mm, so that really was his aim. Not that Iâm really grateful though.
âOi, what are you guys on about?â
âNothing. More importantly, arenât we here to discuss what youâre gunna do?â
âOh yeah! What do I do to convince Yurie that Iâve reflected?â
Youâre seriously relying on others for this?
âHow about you start with what you think, Masaya?â
âI think that in order to convey my feelings to Yurie, I should visit her each day to apologise!â
A STALKERâS IDEA!! This guy hasnât reflected at all, has he?
âMasaya, I think that would have the opposite effect.â
âWHY!?â
Heâs so stupid that itâs almost refreshing.
âThen what do you think I should do!?â
âDonât contact her at all until it all dies down, and then quietly wait for forgiveness.â
âVETOED!â
Well, itâs true that Stalker-kun here wouldnât be able to handle it.
âAlright then. Spy! What do you think?â
Honestly, please just stop with that name already.
âKaburagi-sama, my name is Kisshouin Reika. Please desist with the âspyâ.â
It would be the absolute worst if he called me that in public.
âThatâs right, Masaya. Sheâs helping you with advice, so at least use her name properly.â
âHmph.â
He suuure has a crappy attitude. Well, I already know he was this type of person though.
âWell? Do you have a good idea or not?â
He flicked his chin to prompt me. TskâŚ
âI suggest that you write a letter each day.â
âLetter?â
Right, a letter. Although I think that Enjouâs idea of behaving quietly for a while is best, this âearnest guyâ (read: stalker) wouldnât be able to bear it.
âHow much you have reflected for example, or what you think of the situation and the like. Well, what they call a reflection essay, I suppose. I believe that a message through your phone would feel too impersonal, and would not convey your feelings as well. For that reason, a handwritten letter would be best. Write a letter that conveys your feelings to Yurie-sama. Since ancient times, Japan has always had the tradition of romances that begin with a love letter.â
âIs that true!?â
Well, who knows.
âPlease write it carefully and wholeheartedly. Choose paper and an envelope that you think Yurie-sama would like. Doing things this way will also serve as a way to show that you are thinking of her feelings without impressing your own on her. Perhaps a small bouquet from time to time would also be appropriate. And never, ever send a large one.â
âWhy? If Iâm going to show my feelings for her, bigger would be better, right?â
âThat would be too pushy. A smaller bouquet is a way of expressing your first love as a junior. Appeal to Yurie-samaâs feelings.â
âF-, First love!?â
âWhat are you saying after all this time? The entire school is aware. More importantly, once school ends today, please immediately go shopping for a letter-writing set.â
Kaburagi turned red and sputtered for a moment at the words âfirst loveâ, but he eventually pulled himself back together and said,
âAlright! Iâll use your suggestion! After school weâre going shopping for a letter set! You two know your jobs, right!â
Eh-, what the heck is he on about?
âI will not be going.â
âHah? Why?â
Thatâs what I should be asking. Why the heck do I have to go?
âI have lessons after school. And in addition, Kaburagi-sama? I believe it was written in my report earlier. âHe will swear not to get other people wrapped up for Yurie-samaâs sake.â If you involve me in this matter, Yurie-sama will become angry again.â
After falling silent for a while, Kaburagi replied,
ââŚGot it. Good work.â
âYes. Well then, I take my leave. Gokigenâyoh.â
I flashed a smile, and left the salon.
*imouto*
*imouto*
*imouto*
Afterwards, the letter strategy was a success, and feeling moved, Yurie-sama apparently forgave him.
The strategy succeeded without a hitch. In the end I retired from my life as a spy, and returned to being just a normal girl. Please donât look for me.