This is the Wrath of (Actor) Kaoru Akimoto

“Yes! You! Geisha-san!”

“Is it because it wasn’t genuine?”

“Yes! Yes!” Kaoru was practically jumping up-and-down. “Please, explain.”

“Your example seemed to embody an idealized notion of perfection rather than something truly genuine.” The white-faced woman shut her eyes. “Tell me, would you sincerely choose a confession during a culture festival date? Or is this merely a scene the media has romanticized time and time again as a “genuine” moment? Perhaps, in truth, such authenticity is born not from grand gestures, but from the quiet simplicity of shared moments—preparing a meal together, basking in one another’s presence, or enjoying a film side by side?”

“W-well… Uhm… Y-yeah… You said it kinda weird, but yeah, exactly that. See, Yoshi-chan, that’s what it’s all about.”

“I didn’t understand any of that, senpai. And again why do you have a Geisha here? It’s kinda creepy.”

“She’s uhm… A uh, supervisor… That’s not what matters. You do get what she meant, creepy or not.” Yoshika responded with a sigh of reluctant acceptance. “My lesson to you today is about the timing of your confession and how you do it. If you go on a class/club camping trip and confess, you’re gonna be rejected. Festival, concert, firework show—” She counted off on her fingers. “Aquarium hangout, missed the last train. Rejected, rejected, rejected, rejected, aaand rejected.”

“For real?”

“Mhm. When you wanna do it: Playing games with them on a random Tuesday, over a dinner you two cooked, walking home from school, shopping.”

“T-that can’t be right…” I agree with Yoshika hare, that just doesn’t sound correct. Aren’t all these anime’s and light novels based of some sort of reality? These confessions worked in the past in real life for a reason! It’s the bread and butter of Japanese romance! Truly! Kaoru I’m sorry but you’re mistaken here!

“You’re right, delivery is just as important! Now. If a boy asked you, “Would you be my girlfriend?” That sounds demanding, an outbound accusatory question, no? Makes the balance of a potential relationship fall in his direction, because you’re the one who agreed to be in a relationship. If you instead asked, “Can I be your boyfriend?” Doesn’t that sound softer and more of an approachable request? It’s humble.”

Holy shit? What? Kaoru… are you giving solid advice? I mean… should I expect it? S-she is a very popular girl… Is there a chance her IQ is higher than room temperature?

“So you’re saying…” Yoshika paused, seemingly to mull-over her next words. “I should be humble about my confession? To not make him feel on the spot?”

“Yes! My student is learning so quickly!”

As my last few ounces of sanity slipped away—losing all hope I’d be freed anytime soon, three wraps came from my door. Savior!? My mother poked her head through the doorway, wearing her usual inviting smile. “Oh my, Mako, you have so many friends over, I’m so glad.”

I rocked back-and-forth in my chair, thumping the wooden legs over-and-over. “MFmfmfmafmfmfamfma—” Please mom! Please! Let this be a sign I don’t wanna be tied up!

“Ohh… Excuse me, Kaoru-chan?”

The capteur in question, somehow not embarrassed to be dressed as a bunny girl in the presence of my mom, faced her. “Yes? Mrs. Kiyotaka?”

“I don’t mean to intrude on whatever game you all are playing here… But I remember the last time you tied up Mako, he was very upset once he returned home. So if it’s not too much to ask…”

“O-oh! Of course. Hehe… I wasn’t aware he hated it that much. Sorry.”

Are all of these people crazy!? Don’t act all innocent Kaoru! And my mom thinks these are my friends!? She’s being polite about someone having her son tied up!?

Kaoru trotted over to me and began fiddling with the rope binding my hands. Some how my mother watched on as if this was a normal activity our generation got up to. “And Kaoru-chan, dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. I made enough for all your friends.”

“Yay! Thank you Mrs. Kiyotaka!”

One would be led to think, by natural logic, that this group wouldn’t mesh the greatest—as in conversation wouldn’t flow naturally. You’d be dead wrong though… Thank god! Thank god this group is hyper talkative.

I was relegated to quietly listening into all this talk about their “lives” and “days.” Nothing to do with topics that actually matter… such as… recent manga releases.

It’s not I have nothing to contribute to these topics, I just choose not to. It’s their discussion, why would I want to steal the floor? Quite selfish of me if I did.

Seated next to my right was a girl only I could see—g-get it? Right? Cause in that one series where the main girl becomes invisible and like dresses up as a playboy bunny and… nevermind… yeah…

Ahem—

To my left was the Geisha who was labeled as one of Kaoru’s friends.

I’m not out of bounds for being upset, right? I shouldn’t even have to reaffirm myself that I’m not out of bounds. Someone get this adult woman out of my house! And police! Take away that horrible man who’s using my sister!

…

…

I’m gonna start barking… I’m gonna get on all fours and go feral. I’m gonna get so loud I’m gonna bark at these people and get under the table! Bite some ankles!

“Mff— hey MfMakoto—“ Kaoru tapped on my shoulder with a stuffed mouth. “Yeuor nt eat—“ She swallowed. “Not eating. Gonna finish that?”

The only sort of response I could muster was blankly staring at her with my mouth hung open.

“Is that a yes…?” Before I could say no, Kaoru already had her chopsticks all over my plate—practically emptying it out. “I humbly thank you for your donation.”

I stood up.

I pushed in my seat.

“I’m not feeling the best, mother, I think I’ll go lie down.”

And did just that.