This Plan is Perfect

I sat at my desk holding a notecard. On it was my magic guide for helping Akimoto this weekend. She probably thought it was impossible or that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but with my vast knowledge of light novels and situations like this, it was a breeze.

The plan is simple, I’ll walk you through it.

Step One: After school ends Akimoto and I return to her house.

Step Two: She picks up some supplies for an overnight stay

Step Three: Oh, wait! What’s this? Her mother asks who I am and we have to introduce myself. Oh no! We didn’t plan for thi— This isn’t amateur hour! No stupid light novel situations will arise!

Step Three (if needed): Explanation to parents. Akimoto has recently joined the writing club and this weekend we are doing a writing bootcamp at the school. She’ll be back Sunday! And there is a teacher advisor attending as well.

Note: Half of this is true. We are doing a writing bootcamp and she has joined the writing club.

Step Four: We return to my house. Of course my mother will understand, being the being of pure care and love she is.

Step Five: Passive Sayuri so she doesn’t bother us. Domain Expansion: Unlimited Computer Time.

Note: Don’t let other people see that, it’s a little cringe…

Step Six: Night one is working on getting an idea for Akimoto.

Step Seven: Part of day two and all of night two is our light novel.

Note: Good work Makoto, you’ve outdone yourself.

“Makoooto~”

“Hm?”

I was going to congratulate myself more on this fantastic plan, unfortunately, a certain Takachi wanted my attention.

“Wanna eat lunch with Sato-kun and I?”

“Ah, no, not really.”

“Whaat—? Come on Makoto, what else are you gonna do? Stare off into space some more?”

That’s what I wanted to do, now you’re making me feel self conscious about it!

“Fine… I’ll join you guys.”

He flashed me a cheeky smile.

The three of us joined together at one desk near the classroom’s windows. Takachi and Sato each had their own bento’s while I was content with nothing.

It was scary how quickly the two of them fell into flowing meaningless conversation. There was perfect chemistry there, it was kinda freaky.

Each time someone talked my eyes would dart over to them then back to the other. Was I invited here to eat with them or spectate?

“Here, open up—” Sato picked up a part of his rolled omelet between his chopsticks.

“Ahh~” Takachi leaned forwards and enclosed his mouth around the food.

What’s going on here?

“Mmm, Sato-kun, your mom’s cooking is the best as usual.”

“Hahaha, I wouldn’t say that… whenever we cook together I think yours is really good.”

“Even better than your mom’s?”

“Ehh~ I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

No seriously! What’s going on here!?

In the midst of… whatever this was… a girl trotted up to the three of us. Her bow was green meaning she was a first year. I’ve never seen her before, do they know her?”

“Matsushita-kun, you said you’d eat lunch with me today.”

“Ah, sorry. I really spaced out on that one. How about tomorrow?” Takachi scratched the back of his head.

“Geez, fine. Promise though, don’t make plans with anyone else.”

“Yeah, of course.”

The girl slapped Takachi on the back a few times. “Seriously, you’re always so forgetful.”

“Is sorry not good enough for you?”

“No. I won’t forgive you until we eat together tomorrow.”

Ow… Ow… I’m in physical pain. This actually hurts, I’m getting a weird burning sensation in my chest. Is this a heart attack?

At least this confirms that Takachi and Sato aren’t… you know… Not that that’d be a problem though!

The girl departed after a little more back-and-forth, finally allowing me the opportunity to ask—

“Hey, who is that?”

“Oh, that’s Nao Yoshioka. She’s a first year.” Takachi replied in a very casual manner.

What is this? Trying to act like all that flirting didn’t just happen.

“How do you know her?”

“I went to one of my sister’s Basketball practices and Yoshioka-san is on the team as well. After that, she started showing up in the classroom during lunch to talk with me.”

Your aura is truly incredible Takachi. “So, do you like uh, like her or anything.”

“Nah, not at all. She’s just my junior.”

“She’s annoying, that’s what she is.” Sato spoke up.

“Woah, what’s the hostility about?” Takachi turned back towards him.

“She should be making friends with girls in her grade. Not guys in the grade above. What if she met the wrong people?”

“But she didn’t. She met us.”

Sato grumbled something and shook his head.