Chapter 2: Could You Pay For Me
Sakayanagi Arisu was dumbfounded.
That guy outside is an idiot, but are you, a Class A student, also a love-struck fool?
How did She get into Class A?
I'll ask later.
...
Back in the Class B classroom, everyone seemed to have just finished their self-introductions.
"Miyano Makoto, where did you go just now?"
Ryuji Kanzaki said.
Such a strange statement was naturally meant for others to hear, so that everyone in the class would know that this strange guy was called Miyano Makoto.
"I went to see my childhood friend."
Miyano Makoto is a pure love warrior; a beautiful girl chasing him doesn't count.
Highlight this sentence; it will be on the test later.
"..."
"?"
"?"
"What did you say?"
"You actually have a childhood friend relationship?!"
The classmates in the class exploded; they didn't expect to see a setting that usually only appeared in manga and novels in real life.
"Yeah, and she's a super—super beautiful girl~"
Miyano Makoto calmly stated the facts.
"I don't believe it!"
Amikura Asako didn't believe Miyano Makoto's words; she frowned slightly.
"Calling someone a super beautiful girl directly, did you grow up playing game? Would she really like someone like you?"
"..."
The Class B crowd quieted down. Yes, although Miyano Makoto was handsome, there was clearly something wrong with his way of speaking!
Is he still a normal person?
To dare to ignore others' gazes so much, to possess such grand ambitions, I am impressed.
Some people were already looking at Miyano Makoto with admiration.
"I think this is just a way to liven up the atmosphere, right?"
Shibata Hayate stepped forward to help Miyano Makoto.
..."It's a pity, I'm telling the truth. As for why I said it that way, it's because I wanted to say it that way."
The admiration in those people's eyes grew stronger.
"Forget it, forget it. We'll have plenty of opportunities to judge whether Miyano's words are true or false later. For now, everyone should prepare to head to the gymnasium for the entrance ceremony!"
Ryuji Kanzaki smoothed things over; he also couldn't quite figure out Miyano Makoto's approach.
He really hadn't seen anything like it...
The girls in the class quickly put the matter out of their minds; only the boys were still talking about it excitedly.
"Hey! Was what you just said true or false?"
On the way to the gymnasium, Beppu Ryota couldn't help but get closer to Miyano Makoto; he was really curious.
Hamaguchi Tetsuya, seeing this, also perked up his ears.
"What's true or false? I've always told the truth."
Miyano Makoto felt very wronged. Is there any normal boy in the world who wouldn't think Ichinose Honami is a super beautiful girl?
If she's not, he'll hang himself tomorrow... No, if there's a problem, it's with others, what does it have to do with him?
If that were truly the case, he'd have to thank this world.
And for him not to be turned into a love-struck fool by her already counts as him being exceptionally talented.
"Wow, I envy you, kid. You get to experience sweet love right at the start of school!"
Beppu Ryota exclaimed, feeling sour.
"What are you talking about?"
"Talking about you and your girlfriend?"
"Who said she and I are in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship?"
Miyano Makoto felt a bit strange; he had never said that the other party was his girlfriend, always using the word "childhood friend" and not "girlfriend."
"?"
"I'm starting to doubt the truth of your words again."
"Me too. There's also a possibility that he's impotent."
Hamaguchi Tetsuya, who was nearby, couldn't help but chime in. Is this something a normal man would do?
"No! Because if I were to confess, think about it, that kind of thing would be too awkward... A childhood friend suddenly becoming a lover or something..."
Miyano Makoto explained; he wouldn't allow others to talk about him like that!
He's a fine young man!
"Don't explain. Unless you show proof, I won't believe it."
Beppu Ryota waved his hand, having already lost interest. He suspected this guy was purely suffering from delusions from playing too many galgames.
A super beautiful girl, could it be an idol trainee who's been practicing for two and a half years?
Just as chickens and basketball have no connection whatsoever,
A super beautiful girl also has no connection to an idol trainee.
"Do you really want to fall in love?"
Miyano Makoto felt that he should try to cultivate his social relationships, so he proactively asked.
"Every normal teenage boy wants to, right!"
Beppu Ryota rolled his eyes, wondering why Miyano Makoto would ask such a shallow question.
"Speaking of love, don't manga usually revolve around male high school students as protagonists?"
Ryuji Kanzaki had joined them at some point. He had thought his deskmate was in trouble, but it was still the same topic of love.
"Yeah, I wish something like that would happen to me too!"
Beppu Ryota wailed. He wished he could transmigrate into a manga right now and replace the protagonist of the story, even though he was already a mature university student.
"As long as you keep saying things like that, it won't happen."
Miyano Makoto complained. Daydreaming is like this; he had experienced it deeply in his previous life. Fortunately, he was now the protagonist of this fanfiction.
"You're right, I'll work hard!"
Beppu Ryota suddenly perked up, giving himself a pep talk.
"Alright, we've arrived at the gymnasium. Keep quiet later, got it?"
Ryuji Kanzaki felt it was necessary to leave that remark, lest these two cause him any more trouble later.
"Got it!"
Miyano Makoto said loudly, startling Beppu Ryota nearby, and the people around them all turned their gaze towards him.
"Ow, what are you doing...?"
"Why are you speaking so loudly? Thankfully, we haven't entered the gymnasium yet…"
Ryuji Kanzaki sighed, rubbing his forehead. He felt that the days ahead might be a bit difficult.
"It's fine, I'm not afraid of being embarrassed."
Miyano Makoto said with considerable pride.
"But I am. Can you please be quieter later?"
Ryuji Kanzaki urged Miyano Makoto.
Miyano Makoto nodded, making a zipping motion over his mouth with his hand.
Seeing this, Ryuji Kanzaki finally relaxed and led the three of them into the gymnasium.
The Advanced Nurturing High School's entrance ceremony was no different from other schools.
The leaders spoke at length on stage, while the students below swayed, half-asleep.
It was a harmonious and natural scene.
After it concluded, the first-year students all dispersed.
Miyano Makoto first went to the first floor of the dormitory to get his room's magnetic card, then scouted (crossed out) briefly explored the campus before coming to the cafeteria to wait for Ichinose Honami; it was about time she arrived.
He once thought he had a good appetite and no dislikes, until he met Honami. Only then did he realize he couldn't eat anything too tough; soft food was preferable.
"Have you been waiting long?"
A vibrant, youthful beauty walked up to Miyano Makoto and naturally linked her arm through his left arm.
"I just arrived myself."
Miyano Makoto looked at Ichinose Honami and gave the standard reply he remembered, though this time it was true.
"Is that so? Then let's go eat together!"
Ichinose Honami, without a word, walked towards the serving counter, still holding Miyano Makoto's arm.
"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask of you…"
Miyano Makoto began, speaking slowly, as he still felt a bit awkward about it.
"What is it?"
Ichinose Honami stopped, staring at Miyano Makoto's profile with her large, sparkling eyes, which could be considered a deadly weapon against men.
"For lunch later and daily necessities, could you pay for me—that is, with points?"
"No problem, if it's for Makoto, then it's no problem. But are you going to use your points for something?"
Ichinose Honami acutely sensed the underlying issue.
"Because 100,000 points looks better and is easier to calculate. I plan to earn some pocket money this afternoon."
If he lied to someone close about such a thing, his pleasant school life would probably end very quickly, wouldn't it?
"I see…"
Ichinose Honami retracted her gaze, which could be described as intense, and a happy smile returned to her face as she walked, holding Miyano Makoto's arm.
"Hmm, incidentally, my room number is 301. This is my magnetic card. You can make a copy at the convenience store later; I think they should have that kind of facility."
Miyano Makoto handed his dormitory key, which was the magnetic card, to Ichinose Honami, a gesture of absolute trust in her.
"Hmm, I would have done it even if Makoto hadn't said anything."
The two arrived at the counter, and the dazzling array of menu items made Miyano Makoto feel overwhelmed.
"This one, then."
Miyano Makoto pointed to a set meal that was moderately priced, on the higher side.
"Okay."
Ichinose Honami bought the set meal for Miyano Makoto without a moment's hesitation, then bought an identical one for herself.
The cafeteria staff at the serving counter's eyelids twitched. He had seen many instances of boys paying points for girls, but a girl paying for a boy…?
This was a first.
"Honami, aren't you concerned about the points?"
Miyano Makoto asked curiously.
Ichinose Honami wouldn't be so oblivious as to not realize that points were important.
"Isn't Makoto here? When I run out of points, I'll come to you for help."
Ichinose Honami still had that sunny smile, which made Miyano Makoto squint slightly.
"I see… Honami, feel free to rely on me when the time comes."
Miyano Makoto replied, though he couldn't imagine Ichinose Honami relying on him.
She had always been the type of person who wouldn't cause others to worry, which was also a result of Ichinose Honami's family background.
"I'll do my best!"
Having made such a declaration, Ichinose Honami began to eat.
It had to be said, watching a beautiful girl eat face-to-face was also a pleasure. Miyano Makoto felt his appetite was much better than usual.
…
"I can't finish these, so I'll leave them to Makoto."
Ichinose Honami left about a third of her set meal and pushed it in front of Miyano Makoto.
"Okay…"
Miyano Makoto accepted it. The beautiful girl's saliva… naturally, he couldn't taste anything other than the ingredients.
Perhaps a pervert might savor it, who knows?
"I'm full."
Having completely cleared all edible items from the table, Miyano Makoto took Ichinose Honami to the convenience store to shop.
"I don't have many demands for daily necessities, so these will do."
Miyano Makoto picked up some toiletries from the free section, hoping it would ease Ichinose Honami's burden a bit.
"Alright."
The price difference in toiletries wouldn't make much of a distinction, and Ichinose Honami accepted this, though she took it upon herself to buy Miyano Makoto a moderately priced facial cleanser.
Not paying attention to Ichinose Honami's actions, Miyano Makoto suddenly noticed something happening in the corner of the convenience store.
"Excuse me, I'm going to go look over there."
Without waiting for Ichinose Honami's reply, Miyano Makoto took firm steps forward.