Chapter 201 - Familiar Couple

After the whole yandere fiasco, both Takei and Akari were wary and cautious about their surroundings for a while. It was apparent to them that she wasn't coming back anytime soon after carefully watching their surroundings for a good month.

"We finally escaped that yandere!"

"Ahaha, you're going to jinx us..."

Takei and Akari were talking idly as they walked home from school one day. They could finally breathe a sigh of relief after confirming that Mitsuki was no longer a threat.

"Ah, is that your sister over there?"

"She's talking to two people as well... Wait, don't I know these two too?!"

They spotted Takei's sister over by an entertainment center talking to two other people. Takei swore he recognized those two people from somewhere before, so he was trying his best to rack his brain for their identities.

"Ah! It's those two from the arcade that one time!"

It was then that Takei realized that they had accidentally bumped into these two people before.

"Shall we greet them then?" Akari asked.

Takei nodded. "Let's go and introduce ourselves."

The both of them headed to where Airi was to greet the two familiar people that they had seen before.

Airi saw them approaching and rubbed her head in frustration. "I feel like this is about to get complicated somehow..."

Once Takei and Akari got there, they waved to the new people and introduced themselves.

"Hey, how are you two doing? I'm Takei Tanaka and I'm Airi's brother. Nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. My name is Akari Akazawa and I'm good friends with Takei and Airi."

The two people were surprised to be approached suddenly out of nowhere, but they responded with good will after learning of Takei and Akari's identities.

"Er, I'm Haruto Renzaki. My friend over here is indebted to your sister, so thank you very much for your help."

"Your sister has helped me out a lot. My name is Shizuku Shirakawa and I hope to be in your care for the foreseeable future."

After exchanging greetings, the five of them felt that it would be a waste if they didn't go out and do something fun.

"What if we go watch that new movie that just came out?" Takei suggested to the group.

Haruto thought about Takei's suggestion and nodded. "You're talking about that new anime movie with the dude who has the power to turn into a big human, right?"

"Yeah, the one where he fights other people who have the same power as well," Takei replied.

Shizuku's eyes seemed to sparkle when she heard of the movie that they were talking about. "Let's hurry up and go!"

Akari noticed that slight glimmer and decided to capitalize on it. "It's decided then! Let's all go together!"

With the four of them up and ready to go, Airi sighed and went along with the plan. "Nothing weird has happened yet... It's only a matter of time now..."

Once the group reached a unanimous decision, they started to head their way to a movie theater. Since they were already in the entertainment district, the movie theater wouldn't be that much of a far walk.

The three girls talked amiably amongst each other as they took the lead in front, while Takei and Haruto were having a chat in the back.

"So, how long have you been dating?" Takei asked.

"Pfft! We're not dating!" Haruto choked on his own saliva. "We're just childhood friends..."

Takei looked at the faint blush on Haruto's face and saw the way he gazed at Shizuku. "Yeah... sure... just childhood friends... You really expected me to believe that with the way you're looking at her?"

"How was I looking at her?" Haruto asked with no clue as to what Takei was implying.

This guy is a real dense protagonist! He doesn't even realize his own feelings for her?! How is that even possible?!

"Nevermind," Takei sighed.

On the girls' side, they were talking about a topic that was similar to what Takei and Haruto were talking about.

"How long have you two been dating?" Shizuku asked Akari.

"Hmm, about a few months? These last few months have been really fast because of how fun it's been."

Akari was very happy and content with her relationship, while Shizuku seemed to admire Akari's passion and vigor for her boyfriend.

"Two peas in a pod, huh?"

Airi observed the situation and noticed how similar the two pairs of couples are. One of the pairs were a real couple, while the other pair was on their way to becoming a real one.

"I don't mind to pry, but what is your opinion of Haruto?" Akari asked Shizuku. "You guys seem very close to each other."

Akari was quite curious to what their relationship was since they resembled her and Takei very much in the past. They seemed to be very close, but also distant in some parts.

"Uh... erm... We're childhood friends, so of course we're close..."

"Is that so?"

Akari didn't seem at all convinced of what Shizuku had said about Haruto, so she decided to push their relationship forward just a little bit.

"Heh, you two look like a really good couple though. What a shame..."

She complimented them as a pair to help bring them even closer together. Akari didn't know if this would work or not, but it made her happy when someone said that to her and Takei.

In response to Akari's compliment, Shizuku faintly smiled and looked away for a moment. "Thank you. It's good to know."

Seeing Shizuku's smile made Akari remember of a certain lovestruck maiden. She just couldn't help but reminisce about how much of a maiden-in-love she used to be, even though she was still one now.

Love powers the world!

—

Supreme Idiot Couple Meter: 67 -> 70%

The duo have finally made their entrance into the story!

Serious-san: You've been on a 2 month hiatus from writing that story... Author, what are you doing?!

Author-san: I promise I'm not slacking!

Sugar-chan: Really?

Author-san: Totally not working on Goddess' finale or anything...

Disclaimer: You will not have to read the other series to understand this mini-arc