Chapter 407: This Has Nothing to Do with Me, a Real Man

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…Rinji-kun."

"Don't say anything. Unexpected things happen."

Inside the dimly lit tent sat Atenbo Yume, still smiling with narrowed eyes. Rinji covered his face with his hand. The only difference this time was that the one sitting next to him wasn't Momo or Hayasaka—it was Shirogane Kei.

"Well well, life is unpredictable~"

"You don't look surprised at all. You look more like you're thinking, 'I knew this would happen,'" Rinji said, staring at Atenbo. "Unlike the last two times, I need to warn you about something before we start."

"Go ahead, Rinji-kun."

"Kei is the president's younger sister. She's also my sister."

"Uh-huh, and?"

"She's still a kid. If you say anything inappropriate, it won't be solved just by docking your budget."

Atenbo had said a lot of inappropriate things in front of Momo and Hayasaka before, which Rinji had tolerated. But Kei was a middle schooler and his so-called little sister. If Atenbo dared to say anything questionable this time, Rinji might have to take extreme measures.

"Yikes, how scary."

"Just a friendly reminder."

"Well then, Kei-chan, is there anything you'd like me to divine?"

"I…"

Kei blushed and looked down, gently twirling a strand of her silver hair.

"Um… When will the person I like start liking me back? Not just as family, but as someone he sees as a romantic partner…"

Rinji: "…"

He remembered that towards the end of summer vacation, Kei had confessed to him. He'd turned her down directly.

Since then, she hadn't brought it up again, and Rinji had thought she'd given up.

'Stay calm. She hasn't said anything like that for a long time. Maybe she's not talking about me. Yeah, probably not. Kei's a sensible girl. And I'm her older brother, after all.'

Rinji slightly lifted his head and immediately met Atenbo's half-smiling gaze.

'Stop staring! That fake-smile expression makes it look like you're certain Kei is talking about me!'

Seeing Rinji's glare, the amusement on Atenbo's face only grew. She turned to Kei and asked, "Let me guess, the person you like is blonde, right?"

"…Yeah." Kei blushed and nodded slightly.

"He's in Shuchiin's high school department, right?"

"Yeah."

"First year?"

"Yes."

"Kind of androgynous looking, very pretty, right?"

"…Yes."

Kei glanced at Rinji, then gave a small nod.

And Rinji, hearing all this…

Let out a breath of relief.

'Yeah, this has nothing to do with me, a real man.'

After hearing the words "androgynous" and "very pretty," Rinji, completely lacking self-awareness, excluded himself from the possibilities.

'Didn't think Kei had someone she liked already. That's nice. Though a middle schooler dating, huh… Kind of like me four years ago. Anyway, I should investigate that blonde first-year guy. As her older brother, I need to vet him properly.'

While Rinji was deep in thought, Atenbo observed his expression.

She had expected him to react emotionally—maybe get flustered or embarrassed. Instead, his face showed a subtle "my child is growing up" expression.

Honestly, even someone as worldly as Atenbo couldn't quite read that face.

"So…"

Kei looked nervously at Atenbo.

"What's the result?"

"Let me check, please wait a moment."

After getting Kei's birth information, Atenbo began her fortune-telling.

Eventually, she came to a conclusion.

"Not gonna happen anytime soon."

"I see…"

Kei looked a bit disappointed but quickly composed herself.

"By 'anytime soon,' you mean…"

"In the next two years, he won't see you as a romantic partner," Atenbo smiled. "But once you enter high school and he goes to college, things will be very different."

"Eh?"

"Your fated day is two years from now. I can't say more, but if you grasp the opportunity, you'll definitely succeed."

"Really?"

Kei stood up, eyes shining.

"Of course." Atenbo still smiled.

"Thank you, senpai."

"You're welcome~"

---

Kei exited the tent first, while Rinji stayed behind.

"Thanks for today," Rinji said with a smile. "Not only did you avoid saying anything weird, but you also pushed her timeline to high school. That really helps."

"Do you think I was lying to her?"

"Sort of, but a well-meaning lie is fine."

Rinji smiled, then gave a wry chuckle.

"Thinking back, I confessed to a girl when I was just a dumb kid. Didn't know anything, got rejected. Makes sense. Love really needs some life experience. Getting involved too early doesn't help anyone."

"Some people fall for their childhood friends over time," Atenbo replied with a grin. "And I didn't lie. I don't make irresponsible predictions."

"Doesn't really matter. As long as things go well, that's enough."

"You still don't believe me, huh?"

Atenbo kept smiling.

"Remember what I told you during the first term?"

"Of course. You said I'd be lucky in love. I had no luck with girls back then, so I thought you were just trying to comfort me," Rinji said. "But looking back, I ended up with a girlfriend after the first term. And starting this term, my luck with women really picked up… It's kind of strange, honestly."

"You just didn't notice it yourself."

Atenbo opened her eyes and looked at Rinji.

"Here's another prediction. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

"What is it?"

"You're going to go through a lot today. And today is also… your 'fated day.'"

"Got it. Thanks for the heads-up."

Rinji took it as something to keep in mind but didn't dwell on it.

"So, about next quarter's budget…"

"I'll increase it for you."

"Much appreciated~"