I’ve Seen This Episode Before

After school, at a café near the private Toyosaki Academy.

Chika Fujiwara sat at a table inside, eating a parfait while nervously glancing at everyone who entered the café.

Since the nearby Toyosaki Academy had just let out, the café was starting to get crowded.

Or rather, the number of couples coming into the café was increasing—which made Chika Fujiwara feel a bit uneasy.

There was no helping it. The surrounding seats were filled with couples, and Chika Fujiwara was the only one sitting alone, making her feel like an outsider.

Although the couples didn't seem to pay her any attention, Chika Fujiwara still felt uncomfortable, as if she were being silently judged.

"It's fine, I'm meeting someone. I just need to wait for them to arrive…"

Chika Fujiwara comforted herself while continuing to poke at the parfait in her cup. She suddenly regretted sitting down in the café alone ahead of time.

It would have been better to wait at the school gate and enter the café together with the person she was meeting, rather than sitting here alone, feeling so awkward.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, Chika Fujiwara saw the person she was waiting for enter the café.

It was Shin, the person she hadn't been able to have a proper conversation with yesterday.

"Over here!"

Before Shin could even ask the staff for directions, Chika Fujiwara quickly stood up and waved at him, signaling her location.

Shin noticed Chika Fujiwara and walked over, sitting down in the seat across from her. He asked with a somewhat resigned tone:

"Why are you looking for me again? I thought you wouldn't contact me for a while."

When he received Chika Fujiwara's message during class that afternoon, asking him to come to this café after school, Shin had been quite surprised.

He had assumed that after what happened with Ai Hayasaka yesterday, Chika Fujiwara would be too embarrassed to bother him for a while.

But clearly, they had underestimated Chika Fujiwara's determination. For the sake of Kaguya Shinomiya, even though it was a bit embarrassing, Chika Fujiwara was willing to make an effort.

This time, Chika Fujiwara had learned her lesson. She didn't tell Ai Hayasaka and came alone.

After all, she already knew that there was some kind of unclear relationship between Ai Hayasaka and Shin. If she had brought Hayasaka along, wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?

In fact, even without Ai Hayasaka, just seeing Shin now made Chika Fujiwara's mind flood with memories of what she had witnessed yesterday, leaving her thoughts in disarray.

"I came to see you because you might become Kaguya's husband in the future."

Chika Fujiwara's face turned red. It was clear that yesterday's events had left a deep impression on her, making it difficult for her to remain calm in front of Shin.

But as Kaguya Shinomiya's best friend, Chika Fujiwara felt it was her duty to help correct the personality of Kaguya's future husband.

"I can't let Kaguya fall into the hands of a playboy, so I think it's necessary to have a proper talk with you."

"Talk about what?"

However, the voice that responded to Chika Fujiwara wasn't Shin's, but a light, melodic female voice.

The voice came from behind Chika Fujiwara—and she recognized it.

Hearing the voice, Chika Fujiwara's body stiffened, and she turned around.

Sure enough, Ai Hayasaka was standing behind her, looking at her with a faintly amused expression, her eyes seeming to say, "Go on, why don't you keep talking?"

"Ha-Hayasaka-san, why are you here?"

Chika Fujiwara immediately felt her words stumbling.

"I called her here. After all, didn't you two come together yesterday?"

Shin took a sip of the coffee the waiter had brought and replied nonchalantly.

"So after I got your message, I asked Hayasaka, and she said she'd come too."

"Ah… I see."

Hearing Shin's response, Chika Fujiwara looked like she was about to cry.

Of course, even though she hadn't invited Ai Hayasaka, Shin and Hayasaka must have each other's contact information.

If Shin had asked Hayasaka, she would have immediately realized that Chika Fujiwara was planning to meet Shin on her own.

That's why she had been caught red-handed by Hayasaka.

Looking at Ai Hayasaka, who was now sitting next to Shin, Chika Fujiwara felt that things had taken an unexpected turn, but she quickly composed herself.

It's fine. Even if Hayasaka is here, I can still convince Shin to be a loyal and devoted person!

...

"Why are we back here again!?"

Half an hour later, as Ai Hayasaka and Shin led her into the lobby of the same hotel they had visited yesterday, Chika Fujiwara couldn't help but shout.

She had been fully prepared to persuade Shin in the café, to make him commit wholeheartedly to Kaguya Shinomiya, who was soon to be his fiancée.

But before she could even start her prepared speech, Ai Hayasaka had stopped her, saying, "It's not appropriate to discuss family matters in a café."

Hayasaka's reasoning wasn't wrong. After all, Kaguya Shinomiya was the daughter of the Shinomiya family, and matters related to her personal life shouldn't be discussed in a public place like a café.

After being lectured by Hayasaka, Chika Fujiwara had to admit her mistake.

Following a light afternoon tea, Hayasaka suggested taking Chika Fujiwara to a place where they wouldn't be disturbed or overheard, so she could have a proper talk with Shin.

Although Chika Fujiwara felt that the description sounded familiar, she nodded instinctively and followed Hayasaka and Shin.

And so, they soon found themselves back at the hotel. The pink ambiance of the lobby made it unmistakably clear that it was the same hotel they had visited yesterday!

"Because this is a property of the Shinomiya family."

In response to Chika Fujiwara's incredulous look, Ai Hayasaka gave a reason that was both unbelievable and irrefutable.

"And the soundproofing here is excellent. No one will overhear us."

"I've heard that line before!"

Chika Fujiwara shouted, her face buried in her hands, her ears burning red.

"What I mean is, why do we have to come to a place like this to talk!? There are plenty of places where we won't be overheard, right!?"

"Well… it's because after we finish talking, Shin and I can do something comfortable together."

Ai Hayasaka calmly stated a reason that made Chika Fujiwara want to cover her ears.

To be continued…

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