Wakaba Mutsumi hesitated for a moment.
Soyo was currently one of her few friends, and this kind of thing, it really didn't seem necessary to hide it from her.
Moreover… it was also her first time liking a boy, and she still didn't really know how to express her own feelings.
If she could get Soyo to help come up with an idea, that would be a good thing for her.
With that thought in mind, the green-haired girl lightly nodded her delicate head, "Because… I've come to like someone."
'I really guessed it right?', To be honest, Nagasaki Soyo found it hard to imagine that little Mutsumi would actually have a day when she fell in love.
After all, her friend had always displayed a personality that was indifferent to everything around her.
She was beautiful indeed, but more like a stiff doll.
'Turns out… even dolls can have feelings?', Soyo suddenly felt a bit curious.
'What kind of guy can make little Mutsumi fall for him?'
'He can't possibly be the same emotionless type too, right?'
'Two icebergs coming together…', just imagining that scene made Soyo involuntarily facepalm, laughing and crying at the same time.
As if she could see what Soyo was thinking, Wakaba Mutsumi slightly shook her head and softly said, "He's a very warm person, not like me."
'Like a bonfire in the cold winter, selflessly emitting his own light and warmth.'
'Like a moth such as herself, even if I have to face the fate of being burned to ashes, I still want to get closer, just to grasp that light and feel that heat.'
In the girl's golden eyes, those deep emotions only flickered for a moment.
But Soyo still keenly caught them.
Clearly, the last time she saw little Mutsumi, she hadn't changed so much yet.
It was just a Golden Week holiday, such a short time had passed, and it already made Mutsumi fall this deeply, like she had been put under a love spell…
Nagasaki Soyo gently exhaled.
'Is that man really so outstanding that Mutsumi can't help herself, or is it that…'
'Some shady means were used behind the scenes?'
It wasn't surprising that she'd think so.
Little Mutsumi had never dated before, and had rarely even interacted with boys her age. In this regard, she was like a pure white sheet of paper, waiting for someone to paint on it.
Although Soyo herself had never dated either, at least she had listened to her friends talk about it, and in order to win over Kaito, she had secretly researched many romance tips, such as [Three Sweet Words to Warm Him All Day], [Do This and He'll Never Leave You], [A Girl's Thousand-Layered Schemes]... she considered herself a theoretical master at least.
Mutsumi falling for someone this quickly was a little too fast.
'Something's not right. This is very suspicious.'
'Golden Week was only a ten-day holiday. Normally, in such a short time, even reaching a basic familiarity between a boy and a girl would already be good progress.'
'After all, this is love, not a vending machine. You can't just toss in a coin and start something.'
'Love is something sacred. How can it be so casual?'
Even for her, the reason she fell for Kaito was because of that touching damsel-in-distress moment, plus the fact that Kaito indeed had a face that could rival all under heaven, truly the most beautiful under the stars, she simply couldn't refuse...
'In fact, probably no girl can face that face and still say "no," right?'
'That is a special case. Can't be judged by normal standards.'
'Surely… the person Mutsumi likes isn't Kaito-kun too, right?'
Soyo was amused by her own assumption.
'It feels more likely that Sakiko will call me in the next second, crying and begging for forgiveness while pouring out her sorrows.'
When something unusual happens, there's always something fishy behind it.
To prevent little Mutsumi from being deceived by some scheming playboy, Soyo quickly made up her mind.
'I have to help my friend screen the guy!'
Just then, Wakaba Mutsumi also hesitantly spoke up, "Soyo, can I… ask you a question?"
"Hmm?"
Soyo pressed her hands together and smiled slightly, "Of course~ Ask anything, Mutsumi~"
"I don't understand how to make him realize my feelings."
In the green-haired girl's amber-clear eyes was a trace of confusion, her delicate willow brows slightly furrowed, showing a troubled expression, "I also worry… that he might not like me."
Even though she was born in the starlight era, cute in appearance, and multi-talented, Mutsumi actually didn't have much confidence in herself.
And it couldn't be helped. She was born to a pair of parents with overwhelming control issues, and had followed the path they arranged since childhood, unable to have even a sliver of independent thought. Mutsumi's personality had long been mostly smothered.
A girl who grew up in such an environment might be delicate and beautiful, but had no vitality.
She hated this version of herself.
'So, putting myself in his shoes, Kaito-kun… surely won't like such a boring girl, right?'
'After all, he also has Sakiko by his side.'
'Whether in looks, talent, or personality, Sakiko is not inferior to me in any way, maybe even better.'
"He doesn't know your feelings?", Nagasaki Soyo quickly picked up the key point, "That is to say… you two aren't actually together?"
Wakaba Mutsumi lightly nodded.
The brown-haired girl thought for a moment, her slender fingers unconsciously playing with a lock of hair on her shoulder. She had initially assumed some scheming guy had used shady methods, but now, it looked more like a one-sided crush from little Mutsumi?
Still, seeing her friend's disappointed expression, she pressed her hands together and gently comforted, "Mutsumi, you're obviously so cute, you should be more confident in yourself, okay?"
"If you're still worried that he might dislike you, then why not start from the little things in daily life, and slowly build up his affection bit by bit."
"For example… hmm, pay attention to the things he likes, so you both have more common topics to talk about."
"Or, when eating together, you could intentionally or unintentionally use his utensils, or drink from the same straw. This kind of indirect kiss behavior can effectively close the psychological distance."
Soyo spoke confidently, and Mutsumi seemed half-understanding, half-not.
At least to her ears, it all sounded quite reasonable.
It was Soyo's first time giving advice and acting as a strategist for a close friend. Usually, she only listened to others talk about these tactics while she silently watched as a bystander. This kind of putting theory into practice felt very novel and quite enjoyable for her.
After thinking about it, she directly proposed, "How about this, let's go have a coffee after school?"
"And while we're at it, let's invite the boy you like too."
'Just using words is ultimately too vague. It is better to see Mutsumi's crush in person, so I can observe his personality and then come up with a plan accordingly.'
'Also, I can help screen the guy for Mutsumi.'
If he turned out to be an excellent and dependable man, Soyo certainly wouldn't hesitate to offer her blessing.
But… if he turned out to be a frivolous and unreliable playboy, then as a friend, she can't just sit back and watch Mutsumi walk into a fire pit.
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