If regret-me-not pills were sold in this world, Ayatsuki Ayaka would definitely buy one.
She regretted it.
Why, oh why, did I have to shoot my mouth off and make such a huge boast just to sound clever for a second?
This powerful regret hit her just as she stood up and took her first three steps toward Aozawa.
Outside the cafeteria's floor-to-ceiling windows, the school courtyard was lush with greenery.
On the benches meant for resting, girls were sitting and laughing.
Phoenix Academy Maggie had her back to her, her golden hair shining like the sunlight outside.
I'm done for. If I approach Aozawa like this to invite him out on Saturday, will Phoenix Academy Maggie see it as a provocation? A girl's social circle is like a pack of wild beasts; anyone who intrudes uninvited attracts hostility!
Ayatsuki Ayaka's heart drummed with trepidation.
But without even looking back, she could feel her three friends watching her.
Takahashi Saeko and Tama Chan were god-tier players, way out of her league. But Ayaka still had to maintain her 'hot girl' ranking above that of her junior fangirl, Miyahara Kaoru. Being surpassed by a newcomer was a sour experience.
At this point, her only choice was to muster her courage.
Go for it, Ayaka!
Ayatsuki Ayaka took a deep breath and tried her best not to look at Phoenix Academy Maggie.
She deliberately took a detour, maintaining an arm's length from Phoenix Academy Maggie, and said, "Aozawa, pardon the interruption."
Aozawa had already seen Ayatsuki Ayaka approaching. He put down his bowl and said, "What's up?"
"Uh, well, I just happened to get two tickets to the amusement park for Saturday. Are you interested?"
As soon as Ayatsuki Ayaka spoke, she felt a deep regret.
Theory and practice really are different. If it were Takahashi Saeko, she would probably have been more skillful in tossing out the topic and inviting him with a very natural expression and tone. Not like me, stuttering like this. It's such an unnatural invitation.
Aozawa looked at the hot girl in front of him.
Her eyes seemed shifty, darting left and right.
Her friends probably put her up to this, he thought.
"As long as you're paying, I don't mind."
"No problem, I'll cover all expenses," Ayatsuki Ayaka responded immediately.
Though, according to Takahashi Saeko, when girls go out on a date, the guy should definitely pay. But Ayaka's philosophy was king-tier, while her practical skills were bronze-level. She had to pay for this date herself.
"What time on Saturday?"
"We'll decide later," Ayatsuki Ayaka replied vaguely. She wasn't even sure what time she could get amusement park tickets for.
"Then that's settled."
"Take your time eating. Bye."
Ayatsuki Ayaka waved her hand and turned to leave, feeling a sense of relief. Money really does make things easier.
Phoenix Academy Maggie took a bite of salmon sushi, her white teeth sinking into it. Her face showed not a hint of displeasure as she said indifferently, "You really are quite the bargain hunter."
Aozawa replied with a smile, "If there's a free trip to the amusement park, why not go?"
"Can't you see her real intentions?"
"Phoenix, you're facing away from them, which is why you can't see. This is just a face-saving bet between girls."
Aozawa shrugged. A beautiful girl to hang out with, and I don't even have to pay? He was more than willing to help someone out.
"Those kinds of prideful girls are so boring."
In Phoenix Academy Maggie's mind, her impression of Ayatsuki Ayaka went from an irrelevant passerby to an annoying girl.
Aozawa said with a laugh, "As long as it doesn't harm others, caring about face isn't a bad thing worthy of blame."
Phoenix Academy Maggie glanced at him but said nothing. She just ferociously bit into her salmon sushi, chewing vigorously. Hmph, boys.
Ayatsuki Ayaka returned to her friends like a veteran general on an opera stage, bristling with victory flags, triumphant. "It wasn't as difficult as Saeko said! I just opened my mouth, and he immediately agreed to go on a date with me this Saturday."
Takahashi Saeko, hiding the fact that she could read lips, laughed. "That's really great! Since it's Saturday, we'll help you get all dressed up so you can date Aozawa in your most perfect form. If you can win him over, you'll have beaten Phoenix Academy Maggie, and I'll have to see you in a new light!"
Ayatsuki Ayaka felt a bit guilty.
After the date, I can just say he isn't my type and turn him down, she thought. But would that affect Aozawa's reputation? She wasn't sure.
In the past, she'd always fabricated boyfriends out of thin air. Good points, bad points—she made them all up on the spot, never having to worry about affecting anyone real.
Aozawa was a classmate. After the date, she couldn't just say whatever she wanted; it could have negative consequences.
What reason could I use to say we aren't a good match? she wondered. Maybe I should just cool things off afterward and say my feelings have shifted to someone else. That would lessen the impact on Aozawa.
Ayatsuki Ayaka firmed her resolve and said with a laugh, "Saeko, I don't need to do anything just to prove a point. I asked Aozawa out simply because he fits my aesthetic."
Tama Chan beamed. "It would be great if that were true."
Ayatsuki Ayaka's heart skipped a beat. "Maru," she said, "what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing much. I'm just really happy that Ayaka is adopting a similar view on love to mine: see a guy you like, and you want to have a taste." Tama Chan licked her lips, exuding the aura of a predator.
Miyahara Kaoru clasped her hands together, her eyes seeming to sparkle. "Ayaka, you're amazing! You easily handled someone even Saeko couldn't manage."
"Haha, Saeko's just too cautious. If she asked him, I'm sure she'd succeed too." Assuming she offered to cover all the expenses, Ayatsuki Ayaka silently added.
Oh no, I forgot about the budget! It's almost the end of the month, and my allowance won't cover the date. I'll have to borrow from my sister. Hopefully, Aozawa isn't a big eater.
Thinking of the impending budget overrun, Ayatsuki Ayaka smiled on the outside but was crying silently on the inside. My money! Oh, my poor money!
At dusk, by the school gate, a group of teenage boys said their goodbyes.
Aozawa walked home alone, activating his X-ray Ability to observe the scenery along the way.
There were housewives busy preparing dinner, and unemployed men slouched like salted fish, chuckling at short videos.
Aozawa watched them. They weren't doing anything special, just ordinary things, yet he found it fascinating.
Peeking into their lives without their knowledge fulfilled a certain desire within him.
Of course, he didn't plan to use this to blackmail anyone. He just treated it like an exciting TV drama, keeping everything he saw to himself.
When he reached the Ishimura house, their pit bull let out loud, aggressive RUFFS at him.
"Shut up. You're just an immobile log," Aozawa muttered, using Hypnosis on the dog.
He then glanced at the time on his phone, calculating how long the Hypnosis effect would last—just a few minutes by the time he was done.
He crouched down, pretending to play with the dog, but he was actually using his X-ray vision to peer inside the house, curious about what Mrs. Ishimura was doing.
His gaze penetrated the door, revealing the scene in the living room.
Aozawa's interest was immediately piqued. Wow, Mrs. Ishimura is incredible! She's actually holding her own against five people!