With spare time before class, I escorted Akane to their school gates before meeting up with some of my girls to spend time with.
Ririka informed me about her club’s plan to go to a convention together. However, the same difficulty we faced, there wasn't an upcoming cosplay convention nearby. The one closest – which would be two weeks from now – was in a neighboring prefecture. Since Ririka and I already planned to just go to the Summer Comiket, I told her that if they ever decided to go there, she could ask me to go with her.
Even though she didn’t explicitly say it, that’s part of the reason why she told me about that plan. And upon hearing what I said, the girl’s happiness burst forth, earning me a shower of kisses from my girl.
After that, Ririka brought up another paper bag which held another piece of prop for the cosplay. She said it’s not from an official design but from just one of the author’s art for the character that became popular with every fan.
She showed it to me and I do agree that it added another layer to the character’s comeliness.
Ririka then put it on over my uniform and snapped another photo of me that got shared to their group chat in an instant.
As always, the girls who saw it gushed out at how fitting it was for me. Those girls, they’d probably still stay the same even with a terrible costume – they’d be laughing at how comical it was though.
In any case, I didn’t simply let it rest with that. Taking the prop off of me, I put it on Ririka and snapped a few photos of her in it for myself.
Since it’s just a mantle, it fits her perfectly. And in my opinion, it fits her uniform better than mine because of how it complements her natural hair and uniform.
Upon checking how the photo turned out, Ririka’s blush became a great highlight to it. Paired with her blooming smile, it brought more light to how her popularity had been growing recently.
Yep. She told me about getting more attention. Not just from the boys in her year but also some girls started approaching her when she was not with the others.
They noticed how blooming she became and thought it was an effect of makeup.
She corrected them by openly revealing her relationship status and how I’m making her everyday brighter. They got curious and asked for my name, of course. But instead of telling them that, the girl showed them a photo of me – in disguise, of course – as well as that social media handle where they posted my cosplay photos.
Thanks to that, I probably got a few followers from it.
They only created that account last week but it was already in the hundreds the last time I checked…
Well, considering the vast internet space, that’s just a meager number but in terms of our city… it was probably enough to say that it’s a little famous already.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of my classmates already found it – especially those who were active on social media.
Ah. Right. Apart from those few followers my social media gained, Ririka’s reveal of her relationship vanished most of those who were still attempting to make a move on her or at least, those who didn’t believe her when she told them about being already taken.
That’s good for them but that still wouldn’t let them be off the hook for troubling my Ririka. And obviously, it’s the same for the others.
I might not have a comprehensive list yet but… I was ready to sweep a few of those idiots off and make an example out of them – especially the persistent ones who wouldn’t back down at all regardless of what my girls say.
In particular, I caught one right after I sent Ririka to their school gates. I ran into him on one of the alleys I used to sneak away from the opposing wave of students.
I blocked his path and interrogated him. He recognized me as the guy Ririka was dating so it became easy for me to teach him a lesson.
I didn’t beat him up since he’s just one of those wimpy idiots who didn’t know any better but I scared him to the point that he wet his pants.
I wouldn’t go into more detail on that. Let’s just say he ran away like a dog in the end as I acted like I was going to chase after him.
He left behind a trail of his piss.
For sure, he’d be skipping school. I warned him that if I heard that he was still at it, it wouldn’t end with just him pissing his pants. He’d be shitting as well.
Will it be effective? I don’t know. I will have to wait for a few days to know. But let’s hope it will be, I don’t want to smell someone’s shit.
After that, I moved to the place where I agreed to meet up with Yua.
Or rather, Yua and her mother, Auntie Misora.
The same as last week, she’s driving her to school. As for the reason… Well, she’s still waiting for my answer to the offer she delivered back then.
I already have an answer but it’s not a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. I mean, I’ve already been convinced by my girls and Juri, after all, so I decided to stop letting this hang over our heads.
Not long after I arrived there, Auntie Misora’s car drove by, stopping right in front of me.
As the car windows lowered, I was greeted by the pair of mother and daughter’s enthusiastic smiles. Yua even opened the door for me to hop in.
And so, without hesitation, I got in the backseat where my girl instantly cuddled up to me even with her mother at the wheel.
Thankfully, Auntie Misora looked at us fondly through the rearview mirror.
With a slightly embarrassed smile, I patted my girl’s head before greeting her mother, “Uhm. It’s been a while, Auntie. I’m sorry for this display.”
“You don’t have to. That girl has been excited ever since she told me you’re willing to talk to me again about the offer. Have you decided already?”
“I believe so…”
As I trailed my voice there, I noticed Auntie Misora’s forehead creasing, perhaps anticipating my rejection.
“I truly appreciate the offer. This might be presumptuous of me as an amateur but if it’s possible, can I not sign anything yet? I’ll be willing to do one or two shoots as a part-time job to get a feel of it.”
In my head, since there’s still the pending result of the contest where Juri sent my photo, I decided not to dive in right away. Win or lose, I’ll be asking for Juri’s opinion again.
I already told Yua about this so… this was just me informing her mother. She’s the agent their agency sent to recruit me, after all.
“Hmm? I see. I thought you were going to reject our offer. So, you’re saying you’re going to try it out first?”
“Yes. But please, I’m not putting that out as a condition. I just don’t know if I’m cut out for it so… as much as possible, I don’t want to be a burden to both you and Yua.”
Upon saying that, I glanced at my girl cuddled in my chest. She was about to refute me by saying ‘You’re not going to be a burden’ so I have to stop her with that.
Thankfully, she understood my intention – she switched it to pinching my arm though.
On the other hand, Auntie Misora turned around to face me. Maybe to read my expression and determine whether I meant what I said or not.
After a while, she nudged her glasses and fell into contemplation.
It didn’t take long. Maybe only a few seconds – or enough time for Yua to sneak in a kiss.
“I understand. I’ll raise this to Mashiro and the higher-up who drew the contract offer.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“Don’t worry. I expected this. Yua also started by only doing part-time. They’re just that eager to snatch you up before anyone else can. Tell me, no one else gave you an offer, no? For example, the other agency from that photoshoot.”
“No. I’ve never been contacted by them.” I readily shook my head.
Juri might be a part of that agency but she’s not their representative. Besides, after what they did to her, I doubt she’d want me to join the same agency even if she won our bet.
Although she wanted me to be her partner, it’s probably possible to accomplish that even if I joined a different agency. Hopefully, I could find a way to extract her from the contract tying her there.
From the shit they pulled, I would never trust them. If not for the eccentric old man and his authority, it would really be bad for the girl.
“That’s great to hear. Well then, I’ll leave Yua to you, Onoda-kun.” Satisfied by my answer, Auntie Misora nodded as she looked at her daughter and winked.
Yep. She’s now giving us the chance to be alone.
With that, Yua and I got out of her car and started making our way to her school.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om