Chapter 8: The Hothead's and The Cold Girl's Plan

That morning, in a crowded cafe, two girls sat at a table with faces full of conspiracy. Ayaka and Reina, two rivals who were now partners in crime. Across from them, Inui Kazuma just smiled playfully.

"So, you want me to help?" Kazuma asked, stirring his coffee. "What for? I don't work as a matchmaker."

"This isn't about matchmaking!" Ayaka snapped. "This is about a project!"

Reina nodded, her expression serious. "Akira-san never wants to do group projects. We need him. And you know he won't refuse if you're the one asking."

Kazuma laughed. "Oh, I know. But I have to get something. I need... something more valuable than money."

Ayaka looked at him suspiciously. "What do you want?"

"Phone numbers," Kazuma replied, holding up one finger. "Numbers I've never been able to get. From the most beautiful girls on campus."

Ayaka scoffed. "How dare you ask that from us!"

"Ayaka-san," Reina cut in with a flat voice. "Let him. How many do you want?"

"One hundred numbers," Kazuma replied, his eyes gleaming. "That's the price for this top-secret mission."

"Ten numbers," Reina offered without expression.

"FIFTY NUMBERS!" Ayaka yelled. "That's the final price!"

"Deal!" Kazuma smiled with satisfaction. "So, what's the plan?"

Ayaka and Reina began to explain. Kazuma listened, the mischievous smile on his face growing wider. "So, you're going to take him to karaoke? Wow, wow, wow. Don't tell me he's going to sing a love song for both of you?"

"That's not important!" Ayaka glared. "What's important is that he has to come!"

The next morning, my spirit was burning. Not because of a passion for class, but because of an ad I'd read in a magazine. A massive sale at the ice cream and cake shop, today only! Matcha ice cream and chocolate cake—those were Yui's favorites. I couldn't miss this golden opportunity.

I immediately headed toward the parking lot, but my steps were stopped. Suddenly, Kazuma appeared in front of me with a smile as wide as the sun.

"Akira!" he called. "There's a critical project! You have to help me!"

I looked at him blankly. "I can't."

"This project is about... research, yeah, research!" he said, his eyes darting behind me. "About, uh, the effect of music on human psychology. We have to go to... karaoke! It's the perfect place!"

I just shook my head. "I have something to do. Some other time."

Kazuma didn't give up. He grabbed my arm. "Akira, this is really important! You have to come!"

"I can't," I replied, my voice slightly raised. "This is for something important."

Suddenly, from behind a pillar, Ayaka appeared. "Akira! Don't be selfish! This is for our graduation!"

I was shocked. "Ayaka? Why are you here?"

"I'm here to help Kazuma!" she exclaimed. "Come on, Akira! It'll only be for a moment!"

From the other side, Reina appeared with a flat expression. "Akira-san, logically, this project has to be done today."

I felt like I was surrounded. "I don't care! I have to go!"

I ran. The three of them chased after me, like a SWAT team on a manhunt.

"Akira! Wait!" Ayaka yelled.

"This is illogical! You're too fast!" Reina cried.

"This isn't a project! It's a date!" Kazuma yelled, for some reason.

I ran through the hallways, cutting through the confused students. The three of them kept chasing me, like a goofy trio chasing a rabbit.

"He's running! He must have a secret!" Ayaka whispered to Reina.

"Logical. A secret," Reina replied, her eyes narrowing.

We ran across campus. I jumped down a set of stairs, cut across a path, and finally, I saw my destination: the ice cream shop. I rushed inside, and the three of them followed me.

But they stopped. Their exhausted expressions now turned to shock.

Inside the shop, Yui was already standing with a wide smile, holding an ice cream cone. Beside her, Kazuki-nii was smiling playfully, holding a bag of cakes.

"No way," Ayaka whispered. "Akira has been avoiding us because he already has a girlfriend?!"

"And his girlfriend... is a little girl?" Reina stared at me with blank eyes.

Ayaka's eyes widened. "Yikes, Reina! Call the police! This isn't a project, this is a crime!"

Reina took out her phone, her expression serious. Her fingers were already hovering over the emergency call button.

"Calm down, ladies," a familiar voice said.

We all turned our heads. My adoptive brother, Kazuki, stood in the doorway, smiling nonchalantly. He looked at Ayaka, Reina, and Kazuma, then at me, and finally at the little girl holding an ice cream cone.

"What's wrong with you guys?" he asked.

"She... she's his girlfriend," Ayaka whispered, pointing at the little girl. "Akira... is dating a little girl!"

Kazuki burst out laughing. "You guys misunderstood. That's my sister, Yui. Akira has never had a girlfriend. He just cares for his sister."

Hearing that, the three of them fell silent. Their panicked faces were now filled with relief and embarrassment. Ayaka looked down, her cheeks flushed. Reina just sighed deeply.

"You should have told us," Ayaka said, her voice small.

"What for?" Kazuki asked, his eyes winking playfully. "Did you two want to ask my little sister out on a date?"

They were both speechless, unable to find the words. Meanwhile, Yui came closer and hugged me.

"Nii-chan, let's go home."

I smiled faintly, a very rare occurrence. "Yeah, Yui. Let's go home."

The three of us walked out, leaving them standing frozen, filled with immense embarrassment.