Aco, with her eyes tightly closed, screamed, “Bwaaaah!” Judging by how red her ears turned, she must have been really embarrassed.
In the meantime, the snowflake-shaped earrings hanging from her ears… or were they ear cuffs? Whatever they were, the fact that she was wearing accessories showed she definitely wanted to stand out.
But in this current situation, the fact that I was the target made it a bit… problematic.
On Aco’s wrist, a pair of cuff-like bracelets remained, just like handcuffs. At least she was lucky she had taken off the bell-collared choker she usually wore.
While contemplating, I briefly admired her beautifully manicured hands, painted in delicate colors. What could possibly motivate Aco to act this way?
I wouldn’t completely deny the possibility that Aco had feelings for me, but honestly, this whole situation felt a bit sudden.
I won’t say we didn’t interact enough. Surprisingly, we did have conversations here and there – most of which involved our “Head” starting off and my Hina-chan ending it.
“Aco-chan, I’ve got a really long waiting list.”
“Whaaaat?! Don’t assign weird meanings and just hold my hand already! If you think I’m dressed up like this forcibly as your partner, if you reject me, I’ll feel too miserable! I absolutely refuse to be a 0 confession, 1-time failure!”
“Heueng… For someone who claims to be forcibly dressed up, you seem to be pretty composed in your makeup.”
“T-That’s because I was wondering how I’d look being dolled up since it was my first time letting someone else do my makeup! It’s not like I was trying to look good for you or anything!”
Watching Aco ramble on, I couldn’t help but feel a sadistic delight. It was always like this, though.
Yet, looking at her in that dress, Aco didn’t have any distinct horns or wings typical for someone from Gehenna. You could almost believe she was a lady from Trinity…
Well, even if I exaggerated a bit, that would be tough to pull off. She was indeed gorgeous, and her figure… well, no need to mention it. It’s understandable why she wanted to show off her chest. Considering her usual side slit and the front slit she was sporting today, there was really no other reason.
But still, it could just be that Aco is a baseless lewd girl who loves exposing her chest. Surely it can’t be just that. Even though Aco has a taste for collar play and considers herself Hina’s pet, she couldn’t be that simplistic.
“Whaaat’s with that face? You’re thinking something really unpleasant, aren’t you?”
“No no, I just thought you looked unbelievably pretty.”
“…Don’t lie. You were thinking something weird, right?!”
“Haha☆”
It’s true I was having bizarre ideas, so I had nothing to refute. But isn’t it Aco’s fault for giving me the material to ponder over in the first place?
For now, it seemed like none of it was my fault.
“Ah, by the way, Aco-chan’s makeup looks amazing.”
“…Really?”
“Of course, I must be lying! If anyone saw you, they’d probably think you were the protagonist, not me! You’re that pretty!”
“I feel suddenly worse hearing that from you of all people. It’s not like I’m trying to tease you. What’s with that shameless face of yours?”
As Aco pouted, I hesitated at first, wanting to say I looked somewhat pretty too. But that didn’t come easily today because it was Mika’s birthday. It’s hard to ignore the complex feelings about using someone else’s face to charm others.
Even if my girlfriends tell me otherwise, saying they like me for who I am, I cannot deny the fundamental influence of looks…
“Ahh, seriously! If you won’t hold my hand, then forget it! Why are you being so annoying—”
“…Here.”
“Hey, Misono Mika. What are you doing…?”
Aco waved her hand as if she had lost all composure, clinging to my pinky that had been gently resting on hers.
“I mean, if it’s just as friends, I would, but calling it partners does make it awkward. Right?”
“What are you saying?”
“…If we end up like this, Nagisa-chan will get mad at me.”
“Th-this is so frustrating! Are you doing this on purpose to make me angry!”
“It’s not really intentional, but, um.”
“Ah, my blood pressure is rising… Now that I think about it, I forgot how utterly oblivious you are. Ugh. Do you know how much this hurt me back then? It’s only now that you realize—”
Wait, why is this turning into a personal attack? I admit I used to be pretty clueless, but I thought I had improved a lot recently.
No matter how much I ponder, I can’t find any reason for Aco to like me, so when she sends signals, I just can’t take them at face value.
“Please, don’t misunderstand. I don’t like you enough to throw myself at you like the rest. It’s just… well, yeah. This is a process of proof. Just that.”
“What proof?”
“The proof that I can’t possibly fall for you under any circumstances!”
…Isn’t it too late for that kind of declaration? And more importantly, there’s something far more vital at stake.
“Aco-chan, that unfunny proof will probably fail anyway…”
“Wha-what? What do you know! Just because I have a pretty face, do you think that’s all that matters?”
“Plus, you’re rich too.”
If you have both of those, isn’t that game setting accurate? It feels a bit wrong for me to say this, but this is the state we find ourselves in.
Like, if there was some ancient artifact that could create a clone sharing my consciousness, I’d even be willing to hand over all my assets for it.
“Hm…”
“Anyway, you’re bound to fail, but…”
Even though she pouted, seeing her not denying it seems like it might actually be true. How did our Student Council President end up like this?
“It’s not just about you liking me.”
“…Why? No, wait, I meant why would anyone like you!”
“You know that one-sided feelings can hurt, right?”
“Don’t joke with me! Are you seriously saying this after getting almost ten ‘yes’s? Are you kidding me?!”
“To be fair, it’s not like there aren’t any who dislikes you…”
Forgive me, Seiya.
But I honestly think we’re better off as friends.
And that goes for Aco too…
“Don’t. Just don’t.”
Oh, she pointed out how oblivious I was. Really not the best indicator of awareness here.
“At least just give me a chance. Honestly, really honestly, I don’t dislike being around you that much. Even if the process is a bit annoying, in the end, it feels refreshing, like taking a deep breath on the promenade. It’s why I like it.”
Gradually loosening my fingers, Aco gripped my hand tighter. I felt a bit… well, hard to describe… like seeing something familiar but foreign.
For a time… she could have held a place in my heart longer than Hina did. In the end, she would have been hurt when her feelings got crushed.
It’s quite ironic I was chosen to heal that bruise, but when it comes to Aco, aside from me, there’s really only Hanako, someone she meets occasionally for work.
…If only I had introduced her to a teacher earlier, things might have been different.
“If we stay just friends like this… you’ll end up regretting it. Watching others get closer to you, slowly feeling pushed outside your circle. Just as much as you’ve been supporting the Head, you’d find yourself suffering all over again.”
As she said this in an unusual calm voice, Aco suddenly opened her eyes wide and then…
PWAH!!!
“Oww…! S-sheesh…!”
Out of nowhere, she headbutted me, completely shattering the mood. Of course, her own forehead ended up getting hurt too.
“Hey, that was really out of nowhere. Right…?”
“Shut up…! My head is ringing… Ugh… It feels like I just slammed my head against a wall… Aghhh.”
Sigh… I really can’t believe how this idiot is the second-in-command of the Student Council. Now, come here, let me check your forehead. Might be swollen under your hair…
“That’s enough…? Seriously, it’s always like this… Ugh.”
Aco sighed heavily while holding on to my hand tightly. Her fingernails were digging in a bit… no, it was actually pretty painful. If you keep this up, Aco, there’ll be marks left!
“When I was dragged here, thinking it was just a partner date, I honestly thought, ‘Why am I here?’ But then I suddenly felt greedy. Standing here all dressed up in front of you, I wondered if the gaze that looked at me as just a friend would change even a bit. I just couldn’t help but hope like that.”
As Aco spoke, looking straight into my eyes, she enunciated every single word carefully.
“Just give me a chance. I want a chance to draw even a bit of interest from you, Mika. Even if it means getting hurt again, I want to try this time!”
“There are so many good people out there. I don’t know why you’d push this hard for me… but, okay, Aco-chan, I understand your feelings. But this, I can’t say yes to—”
“Just a chance! Whether I have to kneel and lick your toes or do something crazy—whatever it takes, I’ll get a chance from you, so please, all I’m asking for is one word! You playboy, is that so hard?!”
“…”
Is this really right? I’m not sure.
Honestly, I think our relationship fits best as friends. But… ugh.
“Ah, this is so frustrating! Follow me!”
“…Wait a second, Aco-chan. You do know where we’re going, right?”
“I must be crazy! What’s so good about a guy like this…!”
Seriously, what’s so good about me? Make me understand!
