Questioning

「We’ve got a clip of Mizutaka-kun that we’ve prepared earlier. I’m sure you girls will want to see this! I got to take a sneak peak and Mizutaka-kun is pretty impressive!」

Pretty impressive? I wonder what Yoshikawa-sensei managed to get of me.

The lights dimmed and the video began to play.

…

It seemed that Yoshikawa-sensei wasn’t letting this opportunity go to waste. There was a good reason why I associate myself with him, it wasn’t because of any empathy or mutual understanding, or even respect—it was because he knew how to get things done. The video that was just shown to everyone was emblematic of his values.

He was a liar, just like me.

The host took a breath.

「T-that was seriously something. He certainly has the build of a professional sports player. Do any of the girls have anything to comment?」

I wasn’t sure what the reception was, but all I knew was that no girls pressed their buttons during that time.

There was an awkward silence all of a sudden.

「Ah, well, let us move onto the next stage—it’s time for… Questioning!」

Bright lights flashed across the stage.

「Girls, in from of you are a list of sample questions; feel free to chose one. Otherwise, if you have your own questions, don’t be afraid to ask Mizutaka-kun! There’s no need to worry because there are no stupid questions! I’ll make sure Mizutaka-kun answers them honestly.」

One girl raised her hand.

“Um, M-mizutaka-san… what are your hobbies? L-like what do you like to do in your spare time?”

「A cute question from a cute girl! Let’s hear it Mizutaka-kun, what are your hobbies?」

The question appeared on the screen, to emphasise it, I suppose.

I guess I’ll say something that the girls would want to hear.

“Well, I do enjoy cooking. I live alone so I have to cook all my own meals. Other than that, I still go to the gym in my free time, even though I don’t play football professionally any more. Reading and watching movies is also high on my list—I wouldn’t mind watching one with a cute girlfriend though~.”

Hopefully that was a sufficient response.

My only real hobby was reading.

Still, I needed to gauge what, the Golden Girl, Miyazaki Kaede-san’s interests were. My initial plan was just to feign some interest in her—I assumed that she would be a prideful person, after all. Humans always have a tendency to develop attraction to those who they think show interest in them. The first step was for me to show some interest in her—by staring at her for a bit too long every once in a while, and glancing around.

「That’s very sweet Mizutaka-kun! I’m sure you’ll find a cute girlfriend to take home with you and watch some movies together here~!」

A few girls raised their hands in succession.

“Mizutaka-kun, what is the most important quality that you look for in a girlfriend?”

「A very interesting question! Let’s see what Mizutaka-kun has to say!」

Oh, I guess I couldn’t say how useful they would be to me, or how their face looked…

“I would prefer someone with similar hobbies to me. It would be fun to do them with someone close to me~. They also need to be caring, someone who I can rely on and someone who won’t betray me.”

I guess the last part was true.

—Ah, Miyazaki Kaede-san finally smiled at me—took a while.

「Haha, very good response Mizutaka-kun. Personally, I would’ve said their face, but I guess that’s why I don’t have a girlfriend~!」

There was some booing in the crowd, but it was mostly overpowered by the laughter.

「Next question!」

The host selected another girl.

She looked at the ground as she spoke.

“Mizutaka-kun, what would you do if your girlfriend was a little bit clingy… l-like me for example. Would you shake them off?”

「Ooh! A personalised question. I wonder how Mizutaka-kun will respond to that!」

Um.

“I don’t mind someone who’s a little clingy. I’ve got plenty of love to give and I’d certainly wouldn’t shake them off~. Cuddles and kisses are always on the table. Feel free to hold onto my arm whenever you feel like it.”

I noticed a few girls blushing behind their lecterns.

I guess that hit the spot.

It seemed a little awkward at first, but thankfully it worked.

The girl who asked the question seemed especially happy, covering her smile with her sleeves.

「Is Mizutaka-kun the perfect boyfriend? That’s for you to decide; but if I was a girl, I’m not sure if I’d be able to withstand his charms! Haha, let’s see what girls have to say.」

The girls were a little more hesitant to raise their hands.

“U-um… Mizutaka-kun… what would you do if you stopped liking your girlfriend… would you tell them? Or would you keep it a secret.”

What was this awkward question. It seemed like one with no correct answers.

Oh well, I guess I’ll just pick a side.

「Let’s see how Mizutaka-kun will answer this one? I’m interested to see what he has to say~!」

“I don’t like relationships with a lack of communication. I feel that it’s always important to say what’s on your mind, whether it’s good or bad.”

—Mrrw.

—Mrrw.

Well, there was no coming out of that question unscathed.

「Some girls don’t like that response! Well, from my perspective, both are bad, but Mizutaka seems to prefer saying the truth, even if it hurts!」

There was another moment of silence.

Suddenly, Miyazaki Kaede raised her hand. It seemed that even the host was taken aback. It seemed that she was being treated like some sort of angel.

Well, let’s see what she has to say.

I wonder, how are you feeling, Golden Girl?