Chapter 2966: Try it on others first

I suppressed a smirk forming on my lips, the image of Setsuna-nee telling me she couldn’t truly see this guy as more than a little brother flashing through my mind. What a tragedy.

But then again, I’m the bastard who cut off his chances. Maybe if I hadn’t applied to this school, both Satsuki and Setsuna-nee would have ended up with him. Or they won’t. He’s too scared to confess after all.

"Come on. If it’s not working with her, why don’t you try using the methods I taught you on others first? Look around. Instead of fishing from afar, you’re at a pond full of fish," I said, giving him a supportive pat on the back.

Sakuma looked at me with a mix of gratitude and confusion. He truly believed I was his wingman. But upon hearing my suggestion, he couldn’t help but cover his face in embarrassment. "S-should I try it?"

"Heh... So, you have someone on your mind already? Now, I didn’t expect that."

"Huh? No. That’s not what I meant!"

"Come on, you don’t have to hide it. It’s only between us. You know I still feel bad about Satsuki so..." I intentionally let my voice trail off, playing the part of the guilty friend who still felt bad for stealing the girl he liked.

Sakuma sighed, his shoulders dropping. "It’s not like that. It’s just... I’m at a dead end with Setsuna-nee. I’ve been following your advice, but none of it seems to work. Whenever I try to be smooth, it comes out weird."

"You make it look so easy, Ruki. This must be the difference between a natural and someone who actually has to try," He continued, looking more like a defeated puppy than the enthusiastic guy from before who thought he truly had a chance.

"I see. I guess it’s also my fault. I never accounted for the fact that what worked for me might not work for someone as... earnest as you," I said, my tone dripping with a sincerity that was almost a crime.

I watched him sink further into his own insecurity. It was almost a pity, but then again, a little bit of hardship makes a man grow. Or, in his case, makes him more susceptible to my guidance.

"Listen, the secret isn’t in the lines you use, but in the timing. You’re too eager, Sakuma. You’re like a golden retriever trying to impress a cat. You have to give them room to wonder where you went."

Sakuma blinked, his gaze shifting from the vending machine to me. "Room to... wonder? But if I don’t show her I’m interested, she’ll just think I’ve given up."

"That’s true. That’s why I suggested trying it out with other girls first," I replied, leaning back against the vending machine with a knowing look. "Build your confidence on a smaller scale. Learn how to read the room without the pressure of a ’fortress’ like Setsuna-nee. Once you realize that most girls actually enjoy a little bit of mystery, you’ll stop acting like a puppy and start acting like a man."

Sakuma looked at me. He was still unconvinced. Because from his perspective, I wasn’t really acting mysterious when it came to my girls. In fact, I was the confident type who would go for it even if there was no opening. After all, once I set my sights on someone, it was only a matter of time before they fell for me.

"Build my confidence... Got it."

As though clarity returned to his eyes, Sakuma nodded slowly, absorbing the ’wisdom’ I had just dispensed. He looked almost inspired, as if I had handed him a secret map to a hidden treasure.

Somehow, I felt a flicker of genuine amusement. The boy was so earnest it could be a superpower. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but curse at myself for being a bastard again.

Anyone who wanted to be my friend would truly suffer like this.

"Alright. So, out with it. Is there someone? You won’t be this susceptible to the idea if there’s not even a hint of someone lingering around you. Or just someone who caught your eye."

Sakuma paused, his gaze drifting toward the school building, or rather at the floor above.

"Actually... there is. She’s a second-year senior. Not someone from our class."

He let out an awkward laugh as he looked at me. Even though he wouldn’t say it, his meaning was clear.

He wouldn’t dare look for someone in our class. With more than half of them already entangled with me, who knows if the others would eventually be dragged into my complex relationship? He wouldn’t dare risk it.

Or perhaps, he just deliberately avoided the ’minefield’ that was our classroom. With the way the girls looked at me, any other guy attempting to make a move would either be laughed out of the room or accidentally drafted into my support staff.

But since he still sees me as a friend, he won’t dare mention it lest it cause my displeasure.

"Heh. So there really is someone. Now I’m curious." My lips curved up. The idea of Sakuma pining for a senior was almost endearing in its simplicity. "Tell me. How did it come to be?"

"What do you mean? There’s nothing yet. I’ve only ever seen her once during practice... And talked to her for a bit."

"Oh? How is that ’nothing’? There’s already talking involved."

Looking at his shifty eyes and slightly embarrassed expression, he was probably recalling that moment. And if I’m not wrong, the girl should be someone who visited their club, either watching them practice or just accompanying someone there.

Of course, it might also be that the ’talk’ involved was only a brief exchange of directions or a polite thank-you for a water bottle, but for a guy like Sakuma, he might’ve thought differently. Like she was interested in him. Or he caught her interest.

Well, let’s not burst that bubble yet if it truly exists. For now, distracting him from Setsuna-nee is the priority. It’ll lighten his mood when my relationship with her finally gets revealed in the future, and frankly, it keeps him from falling into a depressed state, which would be useful.

"One conversation and you’re already defeated?" I teased, punching his arm lightly.

The guy scratched his head and a silly grin flashed on his face. Seriously, he’s quite simple-minded. Or maybe it’s my fault he turned out this way.

"I’m not defeated! It’s just. Do you think there’s really a chance?"

"You won’t know if you don’t try. Who is she? Is she related to your club by any chance?"

"Yes and no. She’s the younger sister of a 3rd-year senior in our club."

Upon hearing that, I patted his shoulder as though I was already mourning for him. "A younger sister of a senior? Man, you’re gonna have to climb a mountain of social anxiety just to get a ’hello’ back. You know how protective older brothers are, especially the athletic type."

Sakuma’s expression turned grim, as if he had just realized the gravity of the situation. "Yeah... that’s exactly what I was thinking. Her brother is a beast on the field. If he catches me looking at her too long, he might actually tackle me into the turf."

"Then you’ll just have to be stealthy," I replied, my tone like someone whispering secrets in the dark. "Ask for her number when she shows up again and start there."

"Y-you... I don’t think I--"

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a voice calling out to me.

"Hmm? Fancy meeting you here, Onoda-kun. Out on an errand?" From the corner of my eye, I saw a figure approaching. A graceful and refined presence that would probably turn heads if placed in the middle of the crowd.

It was Suzuki Yumika.

I turned my head and grinned, remembering how I unraveled this curious senior yesterday in that storage room of their clubroom.

"You can say that, senpai. Are you here for drinks too?" I asked.

Sakuma beside me couldn’t help but stiffen. The words he was about to say got stuck in his throat.

"Un. Will you treat me for one?" With a sweet, knowing smile, Suzuki Yumika skipped the remaining distance as she approached my side. Perhaps if not for the other students around, she would’ve hugged my arm, but she settled for a playful tilt of her head.

Sakuma looked like he was experiencing a spiritual crisis. He looked at Yumika, then at me, his eyes darting back and forth as if trying to decode a riddle.

"Wait. Is this your friend, Onoda-kun? It’s surprising. He’s not a girl," Suzuki Yumika said, her voice melodic and teasing. She cast a side-long glance at Sakuma as her eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

Before I could answer, the guy already straightened his back, facing the girl. "Hello, senpai. I’m... Onoda’s friend, Sakuma."

This guy... One moment, he was talking about the younger sister of a senior in his club, and the next, he was staring at Yumika-senpai as if he had just seen a goddess descend from the heavens. I could practically see the gears turning in his head.

I guess that proves that this girl was truly this attractive. Her previous confidence was well-deserved.