After lunch, Makoto returned to his class, while Yukino stood still for a moment, watching his back.
After several seconds, Yukino withdrew her gaze.
The two of them brought up the topic of marriage and entering the family again.
But Yukino was becoming more and more uncertain about Makoto's attitude.
Did he really want to pursue me, or was he just joking?
If it's a joke, then why is he getting closer to my mother? What's the purpose behind that?
Yukino didn't even realize that, from the beginning when she was "only concerned with his talk about time loops," she gradually started to care whether he would pursue her.
On the other hand,
Makoto encountered someone on his way back.
"You had lunch with Yukinoshita again today. Has your relationship gotten that close, Fushimi?"
The beautiful Yumiko with striking golden hair blocked his way.
Makoto didn't rush to answer and instead looked behind the girl a few times.
Yumiko was confused by his attitude: "What are you looking at?"
"I'm looking for Hayama," Makoto replied.
"Huh?"
"It's rare that Hayama isn't with you," Makoto said with a tone of surprise.
Yumiko heard the teasing in his words, but to her surprise, she didn't feel embarrassed or irritated.
It felt like a joke between good friends.
She naturally didn't know that this was the influence of Mayu's aura.
"Hayato is with his friends. We were just discussing where to go after school," she said instinctively.
Makoto looked at her pretty face and asked, "So, just like the last few times, are you here to invite me?"
Yumiko was stunned; she hadn't thought of it that way.
She had come to intercept Makoto because she had something to ask him.
But as the words came to her lips, she unconsciously flicked her golden hair, wearing a confident smile: "So, are you free after school?"
"I still have time today... By the way, Miura, have you ever done any modeling?" Makoto abruptly changed the subject.
The reason he changed the subject was because the system had appeared.
[The host has triggered a random task. As a caring elder, you've encountered a seemingly strong-willed but actually delicate junior. How could you not take care of them?]
[Please make an effort to become someone she trusts and admires, until she becomes completely molded by your influence.]
[Task reward: Miura Yumiko's Queen Aura.]
The task difficulty had just increased.
But making her become like me, isn't this a paid feature?
Makoto thought to himself.
"Huh? Modeling?" Yumiko looked confused, and the confident aura she had just displayed instantly froze.
She shook her head and said, "Not at all."
Makoto tapped his chin, thinking:
"Then it must have been my imagination. Just now, when I saw you stand here, I felt like I really wanted to capture that moment."
Yumiko opened her red lips, about to speak, but then heard Makoto, as if talking to himself, saying,
"Normally, only exceptionally beautiful girls with a strong personal style would give me that feeling."
"Have you studied photography?" Yumiko asked in surprise.
"I've actually studied quite a bit. To be honest, I'm quite good at taking pictures for others," Makoto said.
Perhaps because of his friendly aura, Yumiko didn't feel any suspicion.
Remembering the compliments Makoto had given her earlier, she felt a sense of pride.
Especially since he interacted with Yukino, the widely acknowledged beauty, every day, yet he still held such a high opinion of her.
That made her even happier.
Although she had many admirers in class and was even nicknamed "Queen" due to her strong personality, her popularity still paled in comparison to Yukino and Utaha.
"Do you want to go hang out after school?" Yumiko took the initiative to invite.
By now, she had completely forgotten why she had originally approached Makoto.
She just thought he was handsome, had a pleasant voice, and was often mentioned by Hayato. His approachable aura made her enjoy being around him.
Seeing her happy expression, Makoto thought: "It's so easy to get you hooked, interesting."
He had of course interacted with Yumiko during the time loop.
This girl, who seemed rash and strong-willed, was actually very fragile inside.
Such a personality has a professional term in the eyes of experienced people: contrast.
The beauty of a girl with a contrast often has a unique charm all her own.
When they show this unique contrast, that subtle attraction begins to take hold.
To put it another way: this visit carries some risk. Proceed with caution.
Makoto: Proceed with the visit.
It wasn't until they returned to the classroom that Yumiko suddenly remembered that she had originally wanted to ask Makoto about the club, but in the end, she had completely forgotten.
After school, including Makoto, Hayato's "popular group" consisted of six people.
Hayato expressed his surprise that Makoto accepted the invitation: "I thought you didn't like group activities."
Makoto casually replied, "I don't actually mind going out with friends. I've just been busy lately, and since I didn't have any club activities today, I agreed."
He added, "To sum it up, I seem to be busy every day but don't know exactly what I'm busy with."
Hayato stared at Makoto blankly.
He seemed to have thought of something and after two seconds, he turned to look at his friends, murmuring, "I guess I'm the same."
Yumiko suggested that they go shopping first, to check out the usual lively stores. No one had any objections.
Just as the group was leaving the school, Makoto spotted two familiar figures at the corner.
It was Nino and Itsuki.
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