"Isn't little Kita just adorable?"
A slightly teasing voice beside his ear interrupted Kaito's thoughts.
"She's already walked so far away, yet you still can't bear to look away… By the way, I wouldn't mind if you ran after her right now, you know?"
'Then why are you still standing here?'
Snapping back to his senses, Kaito looked at the smirking Yumiko beside him and sighed, then unceremoniously flicked her forehead.
His control over strength was incredibly delicate, just enough to not really hurt but still make sure Yumiko remembered it.
The blonde girl couldn't help holding her head, looking a bit upset, "I was just trying to be nice…"
'Seriously, boys are so boring!'
'A sweet, gentle, and understanding girlfriend like me, not jealous, even willing to make room for others.'
'Not only does he not treasure me, he even flicks my forehead!'
'Good intentions really don't get you anywhere.'
'Isn't the normal script supposed to be the stupid president looking all moved and saying "You're the only one in my heart," firmly rejecting the idea, then holding my hand affectionately, and finally sharing a kiss under the setting sun?'
'Turns out idol dramas are all lies.'
"You better be acting out of kindness," Kaito knocked her on the head again but didn't dwell on the topic. Instead, he shifted to the main issue:
"Bocchi has been very quiet and down these past few days. It's probably because of Kita… I remember their band's first live performance was supposed to be around this time."
Although the STARRY was a livehouse run by Nijika's family, that didn't mean Nijika, as the manager's younger sister, could do whatever she wanted.
To get on stage and perform, she first had to get her older sister's approval.
They'd already passed that hurdle. Although the super tsundere manager said, ("With your current skill level, you're still far off,") she still honestly added the band's live performance to the schedule.
No one expected that just as the performance drew near, something would happen with Kita.
If it had been some other issue, they might've managed to overcome it.
But when it's pressure from her mother, it's not so easily resolved.
If the problem can't be solved in time, the band only has two choices: Either cancel the performance, or find a new guitarist and vocalist to take Kita's place.
But the second option would just be forcing someone into it. After all, adding a new member to a band means a period of adjustment, which takes time, and time is exactly what they don't have.
"Now that I think about it, it really does sound a bit troublesome…", Yumiko raised a slender finger and unconsciously tapped her lips.
Having traveled to Hoori Town before and even shared hot springs and a closet together, she was on good terms with the members of the band and naturally cared about them.
But this was ultimately Kita's family matter. As a mother, wanting her daughter to focus more on studying, get good grades, and find a good job in the future was understandable.
Even if Yumiko wanted to help, she wouldn't know where to begin.
Still…
"You really care about Bocchi, huh? Worried she'll be heartbroken if Kita's not in the band?", Yumiko looked over with a bit of resentment, "Even I, your official girlfriend, don't get that kind of treatment…"
'Sigh, the ones you don't get always seem better.'
"Don't act crazy here," Kaito bent his fingers as if to flick again, scaring the blonde girl into quickly dodging to the side.
Seeing he was only bluffing, she let out a sigh of relief, then sneakily leaned back over and nudged his arm with her elbow, "Be honest, President, what do you really think of Bocchi?"
'What do I think?'
'If I have to say… maybe like watching a shy, timid pink-haired hamster?'
'Pretty cute, makes you want to keep one.'
'And this hamster doesn't shed, doesn't need feeding, she finds her own food, goes to the bathroom herself, and even knows to carry an umbrella home when it rains. Zero maintenance, ten out of ten.'
But Kaito just thought that to himself. He didn't answer Yumiko's question directly.
After all, treating a perfectly normal person like a pet was a bit too much. If Bocchi found out, she'd definitely be upset, right?
"In any case, there's still some time before the performance. Maybe things will turn around," Kaito shook his head, choosing not to dwell on it. For now, the more pressing matter was buying a gift for Mrs. Miura.
He didn't agonize over it for long. Since he didn't know what would be best, he simply bought a high-end set of cosmetics.
For the vast majority of women, unless they're so old they struggle to walk, cosmetics are always a safe bet.
After leaving the mall, it was just around 4 p.m. The sky in the distance was dyed with a warm, golden hue, and a faint summery floral scent drifted in from who knows where.
Neither of them were in a rush to part ways. Yumiko's home wasn't far, just a half-hour train ride away, so Kaito decided to walk her back.
Of course the girl didn't object. At school, because of Bocchi, she had to keep her distance from the president. It was tough on her.
If it weren't for her parents staying at home these past few days, she would've just not come home tonight. After all, spicy stuff isn't a privilege reserved for boys.
Especially since, after taking their relationship further, Yumiko noticed her physical condition improving more and more, possibly even edging toward the inhuman.
Great power always swells the ego.
That crushing defeat when the president "destroyed" her was still burned into her memory.
This grudge must be avenged, no true girl could let it slide. Since she once had to beg for mercy under him, now it was time for her to return the favor.
Just a few more days.
Her parents were busy with work and couldn't stay home long. Once they were gone, she'd have both the time and the place to settle the score with the president.
Even if she couldn't get "meat" just yet, collecting a little "interest" in advance was still necessary.
With that in mind, standing beneath her apartment building, just before parting ways, the girl stretched out her jade-like arms, tightly wrapped them around his waist, buried her pretty face in Kaito's chest, and then, like sniffing a cat, took a long, deep inhale.
"Phew… today's dose of president energy: replenished. Thanks for the treat," She said that, then lifted her head, ready to steal a bit more, maybe a kiss or a hug, but suddenly froze.
At the street corner not far away, a still-beautiful mature woman stood, smiling as she looked over.
Locking eyes with her daughter, she waved kindly and said seriously, "Good evening, Yumiko-chan."
Then she paused before continuing, "Did Mommy… come at a bad time?" [T/N: 🤣]
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