This isn't Being Productive!

She cleared her throat and set a gentle hand on Yoshika’s shoulder.

“The solution to your issue is simple. Make the rest of your self flashy and eye-catching. That way he’ll pay no attention to any areas you may be… lacking in.”

“That’s easy for you to say, sensei…”

“W-well it’s about how you present yourself… I think… Or something.”

Yoshika was visibly unamused by our sensei— Akimoto’s idea.

“They cast a shadow on your shirt… It’s definitely not just about how you present yourself!”

“Alright. I’ll just show you.”

Akimoto’s eyes glinted red, like she suddenly concocted a devious idea. She removed her blazer and turned to face me.

“Uhm… Akimoto-san… What’re you doing?”

Without replying, she began wrapping her blazer around my face to cover my vision.

“Hey! Hey! Stop! What’re you doing!?”

“Stop resisting, you’re making this harder—” She fumbled with a knot made from her sleeves.

“I— I’ll get turned on by the smell or something weird if you don’t stop! Also untie me!”

“I’m doing— what I have to do— to help Yoshi-chan! Stop fighting back!”

She finished tying her blazer and my vision was completely blacked-out. What I heard next made me glad I couldn’t witness it… But then again, being left to imagine what transpired might be worse… She truly showed what kind of person she was behind closed doors…

“Now Yoshi-chan… I’ll make you irresistible to men~”

“W-what!? What’re you doing sensei? Why’re you looking at me like that!?”

“Yoshi-chan you really are cute…”

“Akimoto-senpai! Okay, okay! That’s a good joke! Hahaha! Please—!”

I’ll cut for the sake of the reader.

“There—” Akimoto removed my impromptu blindfold. “Behold, our new and improved heart-breaker, Yoshi-chan!”

Our junior stood before us, clutching her elbow with one hand, her gaze cast downward. The blonde devil had given her a thicker foundation of makeup, a peach-ish color? Her eyes were left natural for the most part except for slightly darkened and curled eyelashes.

She looked the closest thing to a light novel heroine I’ve ever seen in real life… Well except for maybe when Akimoto did her cosplay during our acting.

Her skirt was shortened even more-so than she wore it before. Hair fell just past her shoulders will a subtle curl at the end and her button down shirt was cropped by tying it off just at her belly button

“Hey, Kiyotaka-kun, aren’t you impressed? Look at her! She’s so cute!”

“Yeah… I’m not denying she’s cute… But it’s just…”

“Are you not attracted to her because she isn’t your sister…?”

“Don’t patronize me! That’s only partially the reason!”

Akimoto let out a sigh. “You have to admit, as someone who enjoys light novels, she’d make a good heroine, right?”

I nodded. “Of course, I’m not denying that.”

“Hey! You two!” Yoshika’s voice cut through the air.

“Hm?” We responded in unison.

“S-stop talking about me like I’m one of your gross characters! What’d I do now!?”

“Go and confess. That should be pretty obvious.”

“What!? You just dressed me up like a gyaru and now I go confess!?”

“Yeah.”

This might be the biggest mental disconnect between two people I've ever seen. I’m guessing it’s because Akimoto has always been popular, never having any trouble with guys. While on the other side, Yoshika seems well-liked in her grade, but doesn’t appear to be as successful in the romance-department…

The two girls were locked into an argument when three quick knocks came from the clubroom’s door. Before I could answer “come in,” two people stepped in—Sato and Takechi.

“Oh~ speak of the devil~” Akimoto had her hands on Yoshika’s shoulders from behind. “Now’s your chance. Seize your moment! Go forth!”

“Uhm… Makoto… Are you okay?”

Takechi and Sato both glanced at Akimoto very suspiciously as the former asked me that. While Akimoto was traditionally known as a very go with the flow type girl, after the breakup she’s been a bit more… “outwardly eccentric”.

So my guess is they assumed this situation was Akimoto’s doing.

“Man, do I look alright?” I tried gesturing with my binded hands.

“I dunno, could’ve been some weird kind of play. I didn’t want to shame you guys.”

“Shut up. Untie me!”

As Takechi came to release me, Sato began explaining their visit after a sigh.

“Kiyotaka-kun, we wanted to know if you’d come to Karaoke with us. I’m pretty sure Akito-chan is coming too.”

“Ah, I’d like to, but I can’t. I gotta write and make sure Akimoto-san doesn’t do anything else weird with Yoshika-san.”

Even if I didn’t have to, I'm not going to some pointless event like “Karaoke”. I could use my time for infinitely more important endeavors… Like… catching up on my visual novels…

“I-I see… Well…”

“H-hey! W-wait!” Yoshika jumped away from Akimoto. “I-if Kiyotaka-senpai isn’t coming… Could I?”

Weren’t we just telling her inviting herself was a bad thing to do!?
Takechi appeared eager to allow her to tag along, but Sato thought otherwise.

“N-no!”

Everyone in the clubroom locked onto him.

“I— I mean… I just remembered I have something I needed to do tonight… Hahaha.”

“Really?” Takechi asked. “You didn’t mention anything before.”

“Ahaha… Yeah, I just remembered, I’m really sorry.”

“Oh… I see… Well in that case nevermind, Makoto.” Takechi attempted to muster a smile.

I was finally freed from my captivity, standing in a naturally formed oddly-shaped circle with everyone. With this many people in one room, most of them being extroverts, you’d expect there to be a conversation. But if you assumed that you’d be dead wrong.

It wasn’t just quiet, it was one of those awkward, “I don’t know why it’s awkward” silences.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

The one to break the silence was the chosen one, the only girl who could’ve. “Hey! Takechi-kun, what if you took us three? I know we aren’t really in the same friend group, but it’s no reason we can’t have fun.”

Akimoto’s smile was sheepish and confident simultaneously.

“...Yeah, sure. That’d be nice.”

“Hold it!” Apollo— Sato interjected.