May 23, 20XX 6:45 AM I woke up abruptly. It was not a pleasant morning, I took my phone and dialed Arata. "Pick up. Pick up. Pick up. Pick up. Pick up." He finally answered the phone. "H-Hello?" "Did she accept the new request?" "Declined again." Darn it. Things can't progress this way. I can't just rely upon Arata to perform this plan and since things are looking south, me and the rest of the boys have to think of the next challenge. "Do something about it. Contact her, use another number, or follow her on other social media accounts, you choose. I'll meet up with the rest in the market and discuss things." "Can't I come with you?" "No, you come up with strategies to win her heart just in case you get through. We have to be productive... goodbye." I hung up on the phone. "Will things really work out?" I wondered. "No, I have to place faith in my teammates," I convinced myself. I switched over to the rest of the three and contacted all of them in the same call to save ti
11:00 AM I was preparing my stuff. After I finished with that, I took a shower so that I wouldn't smell. I grabbed a towel and dried myself up. I went upstairs to my room and opened up my drawer. I scrolled through my countless clothes and uniforms hung on a wooden hanger. "Nope… Not this…" I finally stumbled upon a blue and white striped buttoned shirt. I wore short blue jeans and sprayed normal cologne instead of the manly cologne I save for special occasions. I went downstairs and grabbed my bag. From there, Nakatani caught the scent of my cologne. "Oh??? Onii-chan is getting all fancy and dressed up. Meeting a girl? A date perhaps?" she guessed. "Oh, I wish. But nothing special, just a hang-out with the boys." I say that but it's actually a multi-layered plan, specifically, to discuss the challenges with them, to eat a thing OTHER than curry, and to go out for a while. Sad to say that I'm becoming less and less of a shut-in because of them. After all of this, I'm gonna take
I and Yoshida were both gloomy.Ishimoto spoke, "You can borrow my money."Our eyes lit, "REALLY?!""Yeah, I've got enough money to support you two.""You're a lifesaver, Ishimoto," I praised."We'll definitely pay you back!"After all that was settled, Yoshida grabbed the menu and we took a peak. Minutes later, everyone sat back in their places."Alright, place your orders!" Hara yelled as he took out a piece of paper and pen and put it on the table.I started first and wrote down my order. It was passed down to Hara, then, Ishimoto, and finally, Yoshida.Ishimoto took out his money and stood up expecting to be the one to order.Yoshida held out his hand."No need, Ishimoto. I'll do it. It's the very least that I can do.""Okay."Ishimoto gave the money to Yoshida and then Yoshida headed to the counter to take out orders."Alright, I'll go straight to the point. We have to think of the next challenge," I declared, "But this time, please recommend challenges that are less luck-based."
We went up the escalators and up to the 4th floor where the arcade was located."Woah…" Yoshida said in awe."Games!" Ishimoto said in a slightly higher yet still monotonous tone."Here. Now you guys go crazy," I told them."Woohoo!" they all cheered.We all went inside the arcade.…...The girls exited the clothing store. All of them held paper bags of varying pastel colors."That was great!" Ran cheered."It could've been much better if you hadn't kept pestering me," Mari told her."Why don't you just go ahead and tell us who the lucky guy is?" Rin insisted."For the last time… I never said it was a guy!""You wouldn't be as reluctant to share if it was a girl. C'mon just tell us, what's there to be shy about? Unless…"Ran gasped, "IT'S A BOYFRIEND! IT HAS TO BE!"Mari turned red out of embarrassment, "WHA?! STOP ASSUMING THINGS!"Yuka raised her arm, "Um…"They heard her and listened."Wh-What do we do next?""Good question," Rin answered."My energy is drained. How 'bout we go p
We went down to the first floor where we took a break from the intense confrontation. "I can't believe that actually worked," Yoshida said in disbelief. "What did I tell you?" I responded in a smug manner. Arata went down the escalator and approached us. "Arata! Our hero and savior," Hara chanted. "Why didn't any of you pick up your phones?" Arata asked. "There was no signal here," I answered. I checked my phone only to see that there was now a signal. "There's a signal right there," Arata pointed out. "Look, I'm not lying. It just happens that there is one right now. Why don't we set aside all this for now and call it a day?" "Hmm, I guess..." "Hey, what about the subjugation plan? The plan to conquer Mari? Whatever happened to your progress? Inform us." "Things are... progressing. I was able to exchange messages with her since she accepted my friend request just earlier." I was baffled. I was overjoyed. I did not expect my seeds of progress to be growing at such a rapid
"But how will I do that?" I asked myself, "Do I bribe Okada again?"If so, what can I even offer to her? I owe her for last time and hadn't even repaid her yet.I crossed my fingers."Got nothing else to do other than hope."I stood up and walked in circles."However, there is another problem that arises... I am supposed to be phoned in sick and since Okada is in the same class as I am... there is a high chance that I get spotted if I get close to her."Should I make use of the Overruling Statement again? But then again, a Slice-of-Life Protagonist regardless of gender has broad application over various genres and is included in almost all. Even if their role was diminished even for a slight second, they would remain a side character which only takes away their ability and frequency to interact but does not change their personality in any way."What I'm saying is if they see me, they're not going to forget it."Then should I ask Mieko once more for help?I scratched my head at the ide
The background became an eyesore once more because of the oversaturated colors. I decided to look down at the floor as I passed through the class to avoid seeing these painful colors, as well as avoid meeting anyone's gaze, as failure to do so, will give my own classmates a dinner known as me. To ease my hand, I tucked my phone into my shorts' left pocket.I took a short glance at the critters that I once recognized as my classmates. Their gazes shot everywhere. Their breathing was erratic. Most importantly… their faces were hungry, not for food, mind you. Even our teacher was losing control, he wasn't even teaching. He just sat silently.Everyone must still be short-circuiting from the sudden transition.I decided to ignore the scenery before me and tried to find Okada.I tried to find her everywhere but she just wasn't there. I turned around to see that she was the very first person to the door I just entered.Bro… Did I really just miss her because I looked down?I sighed in disapp
5:21 PMI was on a call with Arata."WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T GIVE HER THE POTION?!" I retaliated."Sorry, Kibe. I really am.""THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU GIVE HER THE FREAKING LOVE POTION?!""Kibe, don't you think trying to court her for a single rooftop is already foolish? More so with the love potion… even we have a line to draw.""DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY THINGS I HAD TO DO FOR THAT POTION?!"Aside from persuasion, I technically haven't done anything for that potion, but 'will'."I deeply apologize for my selfish actions."I sat on my bed morosely contemplating. I rubbed my fingers on my forehead.This is what I get for trusting other people… no, this isn't the time I should be doubting my accomplices. I know his progress is doing relatively fast but perhaps a week may have been pushing it to the limit."Fine, we'll have to start the challenges now," I declared."Even without you?""We have to move things somewhere. I can't keep waiting here, so inform the rest of them tomorrow or even me