“It’s so hot...”
“I guess it is...”
“You’re so cold...”
“Which one is it...?”
Erina-san was saying things that didn't quite make sense.
“I’m saying the temperature is hot, but Takuto-kun is being cold!”
It seemed she was pouting for some reason.
“Well, it’s already July, so it’s bound to be hot. I get it.”
“Yeah, thanks...”
Did that satisfy her? Erina-san is actually quite straightforward. I think if she acted like this with Hazama, he’d be a bit more interested in her.
“By the way, aren't you going home with Hazama or Sako today?”
“Umm... well... you know?”
Erina-san became vague. Even if you ask me 'you know?' while looking up at me like that, I wouldn't know.
“Apparently, the two of them are having a 'discussion'.”
“A discussion...?”
That sounds like a scary word. Is it because it sounds similar to 'duel'? No, that’s not it.
“You know, on the day of the Study Meeting, Kenji confessed to Sakoshu, right?”
“Yeah, well, that’s true.”
Study Meeting... You mean the study session. Please stop throwing in your returnee settings just when you remember them.
“So, things were awkward for a few days, but they decided that things couldn't stay like that! Sakoshu told me, ‘We’re going to have a talk today, so Erina, you go home first.’”
Erina-san’s impression of Sako was strangely funny, making me laugh.
“So that’s why you invited me to walk home.”
“That’s right! You wanted to go home with Erina too, didn't you, Takuto-kun?”
“No, not particularly...”
“Wh-aat?! It’s Erina, you know?”
I don't know what being Erina-san is supposed to mean...
In fact, I was feeling a bit of guilt.
Ever since the 'Konuma-kun went home early without permission, die?' incident, I’ve somehow ended up walking home with Ichikawa, but just like that time, there was no clear promise today either.
So, when someone like Erina-san comes up to me before Ichikawa and says 'Taa-kuto-kun! Let’s go home together today!', I feel like I have no choice but to say, 'Ah, sure...'
I caught Ichikawa’s eye and tried asking, 'Do you want to walk home together too, Ichikawa?', but for some reason, she turned me down in formal speech, saying, 'I have things to do, so I’m fine.'
Is this something I should apologize for over LINE later? Or is that just being self-conscious? Yeah, I'll consult Yuri-neesan about it...
“Takuto-kun, you’re thinking about Amane-chan again, aren't you?”
“Ah, no, not really...”
She hit the nail right on the head.
“It’s not like you’re dating, so there’s no need to be so considerate, right?”
Even though I said that wasn't it, is this person an esper? Or am I a Satorare?
“No, it’s just that we had a fight about it before, or rather, I got scolded...”
“Why did you get scolded, Takuto-kun...? Isn't that weird?”
Erina-san made a face and pulled back a little.
Even if you say it like that, it’s just the way it is. Unfortunate.
“Well, I guess it doesn't really matter.”
“I see...”
Whether she’s moody or what, this person is a little devil through and through.
“Hey, Takuto-kun.”
“Hm?”
Suddenly, Erina-san whispered with a strangely serious face.
“Takuto-kun, is there someone... you like?”
“Huh?!”
Wh-wh-wh-what! What is that question?!
“I-I thought the operation was already over...?”
I managed to squeeze that out while stuttering.
Then, Erina-san made a 'Huh?' face and said:
“No, no, that’s not it. Erina just wanted to return the favor to Takuto-kun.”
“Eh...?”
Sighing, Erina-san explained.
“If there’s someone Takuto-kun is in love with, Erina wants to support you too. You’ve helped me out a lot, after all.”
“Oh, so that’s what you meant...?”
“That’s what I meant! What did you think it was?”
What did I think? Asking if someone has a person they like... usually implies that kind of meaning, doesn't it? Isn't it your fault for being a natural-born devil, Erina-san? Right?
“So, so? Is there anyone you like?”
The devil cunningly grabbed my shirt and asked while looking up at me.
“A person I like... well, I wouldn't say there’s anyone in particular...?”
In the first place, it’s too presumptuous for me to even talk about liking or not liking someone.
“Eeeh, really?”
Erina-san looked at me with a smirk.
“Really.”
When I answered, half-exasperated and half-nervous, a lightbulb seemed to go off over Erina-san’s head.
“I know! I’ll find out who Takuto-kun likes with a psychology test!”
“A psychology test?”
She suddenly started saying something spiritual.
“Yup! Here’s the question! Let’s see...”
Erina-san took out her smartphone and seemed to be searching. She cleared her throat while saying things like, 'Someone you like, psychology test... yes, yes, this is the one.'
“It’s different for boys and girls. This one’s for boys! Here we go... ‘Think of a real girl that you associate with each of the following colors: 1. White 2. Yellow 3. Green 4. Purple’ Okay, which ones?”
It started so suddenly. I wonder if my deep subconscious is about to be exposed.
“Hmm, first, ‘1. White’ would be Ichikawa, I guess...”
She is a pure white angel, after all.
“Uhehe~? Is that so?”
“Wait, what? Is it something weird?”
“No, Erina doesn't really know yet, I haven't seen the answer! What about the others?”
Then please don't react so strangely.
“‘2. Yellow’ would be Sako.”
“Sakoshu, huh... I can see that.”
Because of her blonde hair.
“‘3. Green’ is Yuri. It’s like, her kindness or her sense of inclusiveness.”
“Hee~? What about number 4, Purple?”
She smiled mischievously.
“Purple... that would be Erina-san.”
Purple feels like a little devil color.
“Okay, then here are the results!”
“Go ahead.”
She’s in such high spirits. It’s good that she’s having fun.
“Okay, first, Amane-chan for ‘1. White’ is... wow! It says ‘Marriage partner’!”
“Wh-what, seriously?”
Is that so... My deep subconscious...
“But even if I thought that, it’s just one-sided. It doesn't mean Ichikawa feels the same.”
“Yeah, yeah, sucks to be a virgin. Anyway, Sakoshu for ‘2. Yellow’ is ‘someone you want to tease’. Isn't that kind of rude?”
“I mean, don't blame me...”
Besides, this devil just casually dissed my virginity. Even though she’s usually surrounded by the Cherry Boys.
“Yuri for ‘3. Green’ is ‘a friend’. That’s pretty normal.”
“I guess so...”
Yeah, well, that is normal.
“And Erina for ‘4. Purple’ is... rrrrrrrrrroll...”
I assume that was a drumroll, but why is she being so dramatic when 'Marriage partner' has already been taken?
As I watched her, Erina-san’s face, having apparently seen the result, turned grim in an instant.
“What happened?”
“...This is the worst.”
She spat out the words in a low voice.
“What was it?”
“...Sex friend.”
“...What was that?”
I reflexively asked back like a typical hard-of-hearing, dense light novel protagonist.
“A sex friend! Sex friend! It says Erina is just a sex friend to Takuto-kun!”
Erina-san started shouting desperately.
“Hey, we’re outside in public!”
“Whose fault do you think it is that I’m saying this?!”
“Well, it’s not my fault, is it?!”
My plea was in vain. Erina-san, now completely displeased, let out a sigh.
“Takuto-kun, you really are yourself in times like this...”
She made a difficult face.
“No, uh, well, I’m sorry...?”
“I don't really care, but...”
The atmosphere became pointlessly bad. Even though it wasn't my fault...
What should I do? What do I do at a time like this?
“...Umm, do you want to try it too, Erina-san?”
When I timidly made that suggestion, she responded:
“Yeah, I'll try it.”
She agreed despite her bad mood. It helps that she’s honest...
While pouting, Erina-san handed me her phone, saying, 'It’s this site.'
“O-Okay! Here we go. ‘Think of a real man that you associate with each of the following colors: 1. Red 2. Pink 3. Blue 4. White’”
“...I wonder if I can even name four boys?”
“Eh? What do you mean by that?”
“...Nothing.”
I wonder what this person is talking about.
“...Alright, let’s go. First, who is ‘1. Red’?”
“Hmm, maybe Papa.”
“I see.”
The dad who secretly imports white powder from overseas... (It’s legal).
“Who is ‘2. Pink’?”
“He always has a lewd look on his face, so maybe Natsu-kun.”
Natsu-kun probably refers to Ando, the mob character who sits behind me and plays guitar for the Cherry Boys. He does indeed always have a lewd look on his face.
“Who is ‘3. Blue’?”
“Kenji! Blue is cool, after all! Samurai Blue!”
“I guess...”
Hazama isn't in the soccer club or anything, so Samurai Blue has nothing to do with him...
“Who is ‘4. White’?”
“Hmm, like he’s pure white, or like he knows nothing, or like he understands nothing... he feels like a virgin, so Takuto-kun, I guess? Right?”
“Y-Yes...”
She’s really taking this opportunity to diss me.
“So, what are the results?”
At her question, I scrolled through the phone.
“Let’s see... your father for ‘1. Red’ is... ‘Sibling’. Well, as family, that makes sense.”
“I see, I see.”
Erina-san nodded.
“And ‘2. Pink’ is ‘a friend’.”
“Is that a normal friend? Or a sex f—”
“A normal friend!”
That was close. I successfully managed to cut her off.
“And Hazama for ‘3. Blue’ is... oh, it says ‘Lover’.”
“Yay! As expected! This psychology test is so accurate!”
Erina-san was so happy she looked like she might start jumping up and down. It was heart-warming.
“That’s good...”
Erina-san, now in a great mood, leaned in to look at the screen. She was close, and she smelled good...
“So, so? What about Takuto-kun for ‘4. White’? A ‘slave’ or something?”
“There’s no way it’s that. Let’s see, this is...”
Ignoring the rude Erina-san, I scrolled down the screen and there it was...
““‘Marriage partner’...?!””
Those words were written there.
“E-Eh, so there’s both a ‘Lover’ and a ‘Marriage partner’...?”
“Y-Yeah, looks like it...”
I felt embarrassed, and my eyes started wandering.
I mean, why are the categories different for boys and girls...?
“I see...”
Erina-san nodded thoughtfully.
“What...?”
Erina-san stared intently at me.
“Takuto-kun, if I think about dating you, you’re kind of dull.”
Then, she gave a smile so gentle it seemed unlike her.
“But if it’s for marriage, I’d like someone like Takuto-kun.”
Her smile stole my gaze, and her words stole my voice; I could do nothing but open and close my mouth like a fish.
“Well, it seems like Erina is just a sex friend to Takuto-kun, though?”
“I’m really sorry about that!”
Erina-san’s cheerful laughter echoed in the twilight.