Gao Hai felt under immense pressure.
To his left was Maki Shijo, sporting short twin-tails and staring at him with an unkind expression.
To his right was Chika Fujiwara, her long hair adorned with a black butterfly bow on her forehead, humming a song as she walked forward with a relaxed look on her face.
A date.
At least in the very beginning, the purpose of this operation was a date.
Although, it was a date involving one man and two women—three people together.
Oi, oi, oi, why did it turn out like this?
Could it be that I'm really about to turn into a character like a light novel protagonist?
This method of development is too pandering to otaku tastes in every sense, isn't it?
At this moment, Gao Hai felt that his state of mind simply couldn't calm down no matter what.
The reason it turned out like this started when Chika Fujiwara expressed her hope that Gao Hai could accompany her to buy wargame miniatures.
Yes, that's right, this pink-haired young girl wanted to buy a newly released collector's edition piece. Gao Hai had read the original manga and knew that Chika's upbringing was very strict, forbidding contact with video games, so she developed her hobbies in tabletop games instead. But the fact that she would like this kind of wargame was truly unheard of.
Speaking of which, Chika seemed to have once proudly mentioned that she had memorized the rulebooks for D&D and CoC. Aren't those things thousands of pages long to start with? By the way, are all 2D beautiful girls this unreasonable? Is that the kind of thing you can just memorize on a whim?!
Although he really wanted to retort about these things, after feeling Chika's body leaning against his arm and sensing the girl's soft touch, Gao Hai stopped paying attention to such issues.
"Of course, I can."
Gao Hai agreed in that instant without the slightest hesitation.
So, Maki, who hadn't left yet, instantly bristled. Ah, no, actually, she bristled as soon as Chika finished speaking. It was just that Gao Hai agreed too quickly, so before Maki even had time to say anything, she ended up bristling even more intensely.
"What are you trying to do? Hai-kun, you are not allowed to go. I have business with you in a bit!"
Maki, immediately halting her steps, grabbed Gao Hai's left hand while gritting her teeth, displaying a fierce, territorial posture toward Chika like an animal guarding its food.
"Then let's go together. It's a good opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better and become good friends."
Then Chika spoke with a look of complete unconcern, and thus, it turned into the situation of three people walking on the street together.
To be honest, when Kaguya left earlier, it felt like her entire person was somewhat in a daze.
Also, the gazes of the passersby on the street were truly a bit stinging.
But this couldn't be helped, because right now, whether it was Chika or Maki, both of them were holding Gao Hai's hands.
If one had to point out a difference, Chika was hugging Gao Hai openly and generously, while Maki kept a slight distance, though she still reached out and grabbed Gao Hai's arm. In short, the three of them walked forward side-by-side like this, to the point where anyone passing from the front or back had to detour around them.
Such a combination was undoubtedly extremely eye-catching. Therefore, the gazes of passersby were attracted over from time to time. Some older passersby had already begun to sigh with emotion about how public morals were degenerating day by day.
"I say, weren't we supposed to keep a low profile? Didn't we agree to act discreetly during this period? Isn't this appearance a bit too high-profile? I feel like tomorrow I'll end up on the 2ch discussion boards and get scolded thoroughly."
Gao Hai finally couldn't resist retorting.
Almost simultaneously, the two young girls withdrew their hands together. As if they had a tacit understanding, they simply continued to walk by Gao Hai's side.
"Ehehe, it's because this feels very comfortable and free."
Chika, clasping her hands behind her back, said with a light laugh.
"..."
Maki, only just realizing what she had been doing, silently withdrew her hand. She turned her face away, refusing to let Gao Hai see her expression, though the corners of her mouth were already slightly pursed.
"Roughly where is that shop located? By the way, Maki, are you thirsty? Do you want to drink something?"
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Gao Hai tried to bring up a topic.
"We'll be there very soon~"
Chika answered in a very leisurely tone.
"I'm not thirsty..."
Maki answered in a stiff tone.
She hated this feeling.
Maki Shijo's lowered gaze appeared dim and lackluster.
Clearly, when she was with Hai-kun before, when just the two of them were together, it felt very pleasant and happy.
But that feeling had now been completely destroyed. This Chika Fujiwara who suddenly popped out had ruined everything.
"Oh, hello, Boss!"
Walking to the entrance of the shop, Chika greeted the owner spiritedly.
"It really is quite luxurious. I kind of want to buy one to try out myself."
Gao Hai stood at the door, looking at the various exquisite models inside the shop, and couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
Meanwhile, Maki had already stopped her advancing footsteps.
Why did it turn out like this?
She couldn't quite figure it out.
Did she do something wrong?
She had saved Hai-kun's life. Hai-kun admitted this fact as well; Hai-kun wouldn't lie about such things.
A person who saved Hai-kun from a predicament at the cost of their own life—it would be very normal for Hai-kun to fall in love with them. Moreover, she could express her affection openly and generously like this, without any concealment at all. compared to herself—who wasn't honest and couldn't do anything—the gap was truly large, wasn't it...
Maki's head lowered even further.
She could hear the voices of Chika and the owner conversing beside her, as well as the sound of Gao Hai occasionally chiming in from the side.
The atmosphere seemed very good.
But this was only natural. According to Auntie Kaguya, Fujiwara-san was the type who loved games, just like Hai-kun. So the two of them had many common topics and could chat more easily with each other. It wouldn't be like when she went on dates with Hai-kun, where it was often him accommodating her.
It was as if the two of them were a better match.
Maki couldn't help but generate such thoughts.
Her chest felt a bit tight.
She also felt a stinging sensation in her nose.
The girl stood in place, not moving a muscle.
She felt aggrieved.
Truly aggrieved.
If her endurance wasn't good enough, she probably would have cried out already.
Why on earth did this kind of thing have to happen to her?
Why exactly did I follow them all the way here?
I'm simply like a fool...
...
"Mm, I bought it. Well then, Hai-kun, I'll be going first now."
Stepping back a few paces and confirming that Maki hadn't noticed the situation on her side because she had taken a severe mental blow, Chika Fujiwara then reached out to pull Gao Hai, leaning in close to whisper to him.
"You're leaving already?"
Gao Hai was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected that Chika would leave immediately after making him accompany her to buy the chess piece.
"Mhm, mhm. If I continue to stay here, it would be a bit detrimental to team unity."
As Chika spoke, she glanced at Maki not far away and said with a light laugh, her tone seeming to carry a hint of helplessness.
The effect was stronger than anticipated—even too strong. It turned out she had such a fragile personality. It seemed she had to retreat.
The girl sighed with emotion in her heart, but then, that sense of helplessness quickly turned into determination. Chika took a step forward, her entire body almost pressed against Gao Hai's chest. She raised her head, looking seriously at Gao Hai, meeting his gaze.
"Ah Hai, you must treat the people who are sincere to you well."
Chika stared into Gao Hai's eyes, speaking one word at a time.
"For a girl, this kind of situation where everyone gets along together is actually very saddening and uncomfortable."
"People all have their own selfish desires. Not many people will accept this kind of thing willingly."
"So, to those girls who are willing to make compromises for you, you must treat them even more gently. I'll go first; I'll leave comforting little Maki to Ah Hai."
After speaking these words, Chika took two steps back. She made a cute gesture at Gao Hai, sticking out her tongue and making a peace sign, then turned around, carrying her bag as she skipped and hopped away, vanishing at the end of the street.
On his chest, the faint fragrance of the girl's hair seemed to still linger.
Gao Hai's mood was somewhat complex. Of course, he understood what Chika was saying, and he also realized that his thought of 'building a harem,' which he had once made as a reckless wish, now really had the potential to be realized. It was just... how to put it? He was very happy, but he couldn't be completely happy. That awkward sense of being at a loss had become quite intense ever since the three began walking together. And after hearing these words Chika said to him, especially upon realizing the unwilling emotions hidden within those words just now, his sense of guilt became incomparably strong.
"I really never thought that one day, I would become such a deeply sinful person."
Sighing with emotion in a low voice, Gao Hai turned and walked to Maki's side, directly grabbing her hand and stuffing it into his own coat pocket.
"Eh? Eh? You... aren't you going to accompany Fujiwara-san?"
The completely unprepared Maki was startled. She looked at Gao Hai, who had walked to her side, with some surprise. That instinctive expression of happiness flashed past, but it was immediately and very carefully concealed by Maki. She then began to look around, searching for Chika's figure.
It was like an abandoned kitten finding its owner again.
Gao Hai's mood instantly became even more complex.
"Chika has already gone back. Right now, there's only you and me here. Let's go. Where do you want to go next?"
So he grinned, decisively holding Maki's hand and walking toward the area opposite to the direction Chika had left.
"What is this? Putting on this act like nothing happened? Clearly, you were just charmed out of your mind by that woman just now. Let go of me; I don't want you to accompany me."
The stubborn girl struggled and mumbled, the aggrieved emotions in her words not concealed in the slightest.
It was just that she couldn't break free.
After all, the Blessings and buffs Gao Hai had obtained were more numerous and stronger. As long as he wasn't willing to let go, she naturally had no way to break free no matter what.
Maki couldn't help but recall the words Chika had said in that private room earlier.
As a team, Hai-kun is the absolute center of the team. Everyone must revolve around him and cannot be separated from him.
Was it like this? It seemed... she really couldn't let go...
"Letting go is impossible. With a person like you, one has to understand everything in reverse. I remember this rule very clearly."
Gao Hai continued to tightly grasp Maki's hand, speaking with a slightly teasing tone.
"You... you guy... Ugh... fine, I really can't do anything with you. I don't have anywhere I want to go; it's up to you... Anyway, I already have no choice (super quiet voice)..."
Lowering her head, Maki mumbled in a low voice. Her voice became smaller and smaller, the last sentence so faint that only she could hear it.
"Alright then, how about we go to that place we went to before?"
Gao Hai said with unconcern, walking forward together with Maki while holding her hand just like that.
Is it really okay to go on like this?
The girl following beside Gao Hai asked herself quietly in her heart.
I feel like I'm still very unwilling.
But, I really have no way to just turn around and walk away like this.
Ideally, a self like this is truly pathetic...
However, at least for right now, it seems I can continue to enjoy this for a while longer.
Anyway, this bastard guy most likely won't let me go, so... this isn't my problem. I'm just forced into it helplessly...
...
Walking from one street to another.
Eating a few skewers of street food.
Trying out various games.
Watching a newly released movie.
Just like before, days spent holding hands together.
It was still the same kind of days that made one addicted, making one reveal a happy smile involuntarily.
"Hmph, hmph, looks like I'm still the better one."
On the indoor court, Maki swung her racket. After winning against Gao Hai, she couldn't help but reveal a haughty expression.
"Yes, yes, you really are amazing. Want to drink something in a bit?"
Gao Hai picked up the tennis ball that had fallen on the ground, then opened his mouth to ask.
"Whatever. You know my tastes anyway. Mm, let's go check out the next place."
Maki took off her cap and smiled. She walked to Gao Hai's side and subconsciously hugged him, speaking with a smile.
Leaving the court, they wandered the streets for a long time again.
The unhappy emotions from before seemed to have been completely forgotten by the girl.
Laughing happily like this, enjoying the moments of him being by her side. Then, playing straight until the sun set and twilight arrived. Only when it was time to part ways did she realize something. She stopped her steps by the street side, raising her head to stare blankly at Gao Hai.
"How do you feel now? Is your mood a little better?"
Seeing her reveal such an expression, Gao Hai raised an eyebrow, then spoke up to ask.
"I... am not happy at all."
Maki said indignantly. She stepped closer, reaching out to punch his chest lightly.
The force used was slightly heavy—enough to make Gao Hai feel pain, but definitely not enough to cause injury.
"It's all because of you, you jerk. Now I'm unhappy every single day..."
The girl, who still couldn't be honest, buried her head into Gao Hai's chest just like that.
In the end, she couldn't hold it back and cried.
Why on earth did she have to like this kind of bastard...
Why did she have to get dragged into this death game, to live this kind of life...
Maki, her grievances erupting once again, hugged Gao Hai tightly just like that, crying out loud in his embrace.
Gao Hai also reached out to hug the girl, helping to shield her. They ducked into a small alleyway, letting her curl up in his arms and tremble.
This feeling... really gives one a sense of guilt.
However, I won't regret this.
Looking up at the setting sun on the horizon, Gao Hai sighed slightly in his heart.
...
Half an hour later, Maki bid farewell to Gao Hai and went home.
He could feel that the girl's emotions had recovered a lot. Although there were still many uncertainties in the future, the other party's attitude of remaining by Gao Hai's side was now clearly established.
Speaking of which, if it continues like this, I feel like Shinomiya will be somewhat out of place with this group of ours, huh?
Gao Hai thought in his heart while stepping in the direction of home. Although he was the only one in that home—empty and with nothing much to be nostalgic about—as a place to sleep, rest, and play games, it was considered luxurious enough.
Thinking like this, Gao Hai walked slowly to his doorstep. raising his head, he saw a young girl sitting in front of the gate, yawning and about to fall asleep.
"Hauu, Ah Hai, you're so slow."
Chika Fujiwara stood up, stretched her waist, and spoke to Gao Hai with a smile.
"Why are you here?"
Gao Hai, who hadn't anticipated this scene at all, was stunned.
"Ehe!"
Chika acted cute once again.
"Don't 'Ehe' me here. It's almost dark, you know? Are you planning to... uh, could it be..."
Gao Hai first retorted instinctively, then suddenly understood something.
"My family knows that I'm staying over at Kaguya-san's house today. So, Ah Hai, it's no problem for me to stay here until tomorrow morning. How about it? Do you have any thoughts? Is your mood quite excited? Hum, hum, hum, hum~"
The girl, reaching out to cover her mouth, let out a laugh like a little devil at this moment.
And Gao Hai had to admit, after hearing these words from Chika, waves indeed began to ripple through his state of mind.
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