"What kind of game is that?" — I asked.
Then, out of nowhere, she placed a toy in the middle of the table.
"This is from the engineering department. It's a prototype that can detect if someone is lying accurately."
Is it one of those tools where you put your finger in and it checks your heart rate? But I wonder how she even got it.
"So the rule is simple. Each one of us will ask a question meant for everyone. The only answers allowed are yes or no. And if you lie, this machine will be able to tell."
While all the girls were excited, Ryuichi and the second-year boy looked kind of… I don't know, annoyed?
"Then let me go first! Let me see... Oh! Do you have someone you're interested in?" — asked the blonde gyaru.
"No." — Satou Ryuichi.
"Yes." — Me.
"No." — Second-year boy.
"Yes." — Blonde gyaru.
"Yes." — Silver-haired girl.
"Yes." — Red-haired girl.
"I kinda already guessed this result." — said the blonde gyaru.
Wait, nobody's going to pry or even tease me? I'm the only guy who said 'yes' after all.
"So next is me. Do you like to read books?" — Ryuichi asked.
"Yes." — Satou Ryuichi.
"Yes." — Me. [BEEP, BEEP, BEEP— BEEEEEEEP]
"Yes." — Second-year boy.
"Yes." — Blonde gyaru.
"Yes." — Silver-haired girl.
"Yes." — Red-haired girl.
"It really seems to work, this tool. I'm impressed." — Ryuichi commented.
Everyone looked at me with polite smiles. Except for Ryuichi who was trying to hold his laugh.
"Well, everyone has things they like and dislike." — said the second-year boy.
I feel so out of place right now. Not gonna lie, I feel kinda embarrassed.
"Now it's me. So… did you already get confessed to by someone?" — asked the silver-haired girl.
"Yes." — Satou Ryuichi.
"Yes." — Me.
"Yes." — Second-year boy.
"No." — Blonde gyaru.
"No." — Silver-haired girl.
"No." — Red-haired girl.
"No wonder. Such handsome men… I guess it's expected all of you be popular. Silly of me." — she said, praising us.
How should I put it… feels weird that the girls haven't received confessions. Back in my world, the answers would probably be the opposite.
Anyways… now it's my turn. This is the perfect opportunity to make things clear once and for all, even if it costs me my dignity. Something I've always wondered since I came to this school.
"Do you view men in a romantic way?" — I asked straightforward.
...
Everyone stared at me, confused and surprised, clearly not understanding a thing. Meanwhile, Ryuichi shot me a look that basically said, 'You're weird bro.'
"No." — Satou Ryuichi.
"No." — Me.
"No." — Second-year boy.
"Yes." — Blonde gyaru.
"Yes." — Silver-haired girl.
"Yes." — Red-haired girl.
...
"Okay, now it's me." — said the red-haired girl, totally ignoring what had just happened. — "Do you hate me?"
"No." — Satou Ryuichi.
"No." — Me.
"..." — Second-year boy.
"No." — Blonde gyaru.
"No." — Silver-haired girl.
"No." — Red-haired girl.
How can I say this...
This is not good. It's nothing like the awkward moment I created earlier. This feels heavier, and it's clear this won't end well.
"Will you… not answer?" — asked the red-haired girl.
"It's better for me not to answer." — said the second-year boy.
"Hey, it's not like this tool is that accurate. It's just for fun, don't think too hard." — the silver-haired girl tried to lighten the mood.
"Now it's my turn… Will you keep your word?" — asked the second-year boy.
Clearly directed at the red-haired girl. This wasn't fun anymore.
"Come on, don't say it like that. I swear next—"
"Yes or no?" — the second-year boy pressed more directly now.
"Wait, if there's something you don't like, just say it. I swear I'll—"
"Morikawa-san, sorry for all the problems I caused you. Even making you nervous. As your senpai, I should be the one to help you."
Does he think the question I made earlier was because I was nervous? Please stop. It's nice that you worry about me, but it only makes me feel more miserable.
Even Ryuichi chuckled a bit.
"No, wait!" — then the red-haired girl glanced at the silver-haired girl. — "Sis..."
"Excuse me, but couldn't you give us another chance? Just tell us what we need to improve, and we'll do it."
"Morikawa-kun... see? That's why you should be more careful. I've already made up my mind. I'll transfer."
Oh right! He was actually thinking about transferring to an all-boys high school.
And if that's his decision, it's not for me to stop him.
"Sorry... don't go..." — the red-haired girl was on the verge of crying.
Even if she cries, it really is her fault for being so forceful with him. No one likes being cornered like that.
She should just find someone who actually likes her back instead… even if, in this world, that's not easy.
But it's not like I don't understand her.
"Are you serious about him?" — I asked, looking directly at the red-haired girl.
"Morikawa-kun, you should stop—"
"Yes! Yes, I am!" — the red-haired girl said firmly, her face as red as a tomato.
The tool didn't react. As I guessed, she's just a clumsy girl who was desperately trying to get closer to him.
Even the second-year boy couldn't say anything now.
"Were you aware that he felt uncomfortable with your approach?"
"... Yes."
"I knew it..." — mumbled the second-year boy.
I could see the girl trembling, ashamed of her actions.
"Last question. If he gives you a thoughtful answer this time, will you respect his decision?"
"That's… I don't know… sorry, you're right... yes."
BEEP.
"Morikawa-kun, this is how it is. As your senpai, be more careful. My last advice."
Then I made up my decision.
"Shouta-senpai. I think you misunderstood her."
"Morikawa-kun?"
"The way she approached you was indeed wrong, she needs to change that. But do you think it's easy to find a girl who'd go this far for you, just to have a genuine chance to spend more time with you?"
"That's..."
"But if you still want to completely cut ties with her, it's up to you. You have the right to choose." — Then I glanced at the red-haired girl. — "Like I said, if the person you talk to doesn't pay attention to you, then do the same."
Everyone fell silent. And Shouta-senpai seemed to be deep in thought.
And then...
"Why do you like me this much?"
The girl, with teary eyes and a gentle smile, answered:
"If I say it was love at first sight, would you be disappointed?"
"No, I wouldn't… it's just… no matter how much I said, you just brushed off."
"I´m really... sorry."
Only silence lingered in the air.
Since I'm a member of the student council, helping students is part of my job now.
That's why I had to say something.
"Look, I think both of you can talk properly with each other, and listen to what the other has to say without any problem."
"But, Morikawa-kun, I still—"
"And if there's any issue, both of you can come to me. The student council room door is always open to everyone."
Both of them exhaled in relief. For the red-haired girl, it was a second chance to approach him. As for Shouta-senpai, an opportunity to truly get to know her without being scared.
How should I put it… at this point, should I just change my title to "wingman"?
Joking aside, I honestly hope they can make amends.
"Well, I guess we need to end our meeting here. Thank you very much for spending your precious time with us. And Morikawa-san, thank you for helping my sister." — said the silver-haired girl.
"Don't mention it. As a member of the student council, I'll do my best to help everyone."
"No wonder she's crazy for you..." — she muttered.
"Who?"
"Well, we'll be going now. Thank you everyone, I hope we can meet again."
"No, wait, tell me who you're talking about!"
But the three girls left the cafeteria as quickly as possible. Maybe they didn't want to be late to class.
"Morikawa-kun, Satou-kun, thank you very much."
"Don't sweat it." — Ryuichi reassured him.
"Yeah, we don't mind at all."
"Wait Tomoki, you should at least apologize to me."
"Come on, it wasn't that bad. I mean, if you compare it to me — the girls started conversations with both of you, while I was completely ignored — you had it way better than me."
"The audacity! And what the hell was that question? Are you interested in men?"
"HUH!? You're the last person I want to hear from!"
"Guys, class will start in a few minutes..." — Shouta-senpai warned us.
And that's how this goukon ended. It was kind of fun, if you forget that I was ignored, embarrassed myself, and ended up being a mediator between a couple. Next time, if I ever get invited again, I'll order the most expensive lunch here. I mean, at least I can eat free food.
♦♦♦Meanwhile♦♦♦
"Thank you, sis, for helping me. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would've made any progress with him." — said the red-haired girl.
"You shouldn't thank me, but Morikawa-san." — said the silver-haired girl.
"She's right. If it wasn't for him, he definitely would've transferred schools." — said the blonde gyaru.
"You're right, next time I'll thank him. By the way, why didn't either of you try to talk with Morikawa-san? Especially you, sis. Isn't he your type?"
The two of them looked at each other and sighed.
"I would've tried to talk to him. Even if he had someone he likes, being one of his girlfriends would be a great accomplishment. It's just..." — the silver-haired girl started reminiscing.
"Yeah... better not get involved with him." — said the blonde gyaru with an awkward grin.
"Is that because of Edomae-san? As far as I know, they're not a couple." — said the red-haired girl.
"Girl, you really need to read the room better." — claimed the silver-haired girl.
"I agree." — said the gyaru.
"Come on, I'm not that bad."
Then both of them slowly turned their gaze toward the red-haired girl.
"Fine, you're right. Then? Why didn't you try to approach him in the end?"
The silver-haired girl let out a big sigh.
"Maybe you didn't notice, since all you cared about was Shouta-kun. But Edomae-san was nearby."
"!?"
"Not to mention she was staring at us non-stop. That's why whenever Morikawa-san tried to talk to us, my heart started beating fast… but for another reason." — said the blonde gyaru.
"... I thought I was the most persistent person, but… there's always someone ahead of you."
"True~." — said the silver-haired girl and the gyaru.
And then, the school bell rang.