Rei Ao: "Do you want me to handle this in the most efficient way, or should I go with you and Megumi's plan and 'pretend' to be your boyfriend once?"
That question—lobbed back like Gilgamesh—landed squarely on Hiromi Kato.
Should she choose the simple, forceful fix, or the option tinged with a little ambiguity, a little thrill, and perhaps a bit of private desire—the "performance"?
"!!!"
Seeing Rei Ao's message, Hiromi's heartbeat spun out of control again.
Staring at the line on the screen, she almost felt she could see the playful glint in Rei Ao's eyes through the words.
He was definitely doing it on purpose!
Testing her?
Teasing her?
Either way, Hiromi's thoughts were in shambles.
Reason told her to pick the former: clean, decisive, no trouble for anyone—especially not Rei Ao or Megumi.
But emotionally, the "pretend boyfriend" option was like a forbidden fruit with a heady fragrance—fatally tempting.
"…"
She hesitated.
Her finger hovered over the virtual keyboard, unable to drop.
That chance… the chance to stand at his side openly—even if it was just an act, and just for a moment…
Just when she was locked in that inner struggle and about to pick "the efficient option,"
Megumi, who'd been quietly watching, suddenly spoke.
"Sis, are you sure you want to pass up this chance?"
"!!!"
The words were either the straw that broke the camel's back—or the spark that lit her resolve.
"I…"
Hiromi took a sharp breath and made up her mind.
Her fingertips tapped firmly:
Hiromi Kato: "Um… then, could I trouble you to pretend to be my boyfriend, Rei Ao?"
Hiromi Kato: "I think that might feel… more 'real.'"
The instant she sent it, her cheeks went as red as ripe tomatoes.
Her heart pounded.
Shame and a giddy, all-or-nothing thrill tangled together.
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "As expected… meaningful-smile.jpg"
Mabel: "Whoa! It's decided! Can't wait to see what happens!"
Eriri: "Hmph! Rei Ao, you'd better do it right and help Hiromi-nee vent some anger!"
Sayuri: "Hehe, youth is so lively."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "…Since that's your choice, I hope it goes smoothly."
Yukino still had reservations, but she respected the decision.
Rei Ao: "Okay. What time tomorrow? Where should I pick you up?"
Rei Ao agreed crisply and moved straight to logistics.
Conveniently, he was slated to escort Michiru out of this world before long.
Looking at his reply, Hiromi felt like she'd just completed something monumental—weak with relief yet oddly exhilarated.
And so a "pretend boyfriend" play, seemingly simple yet full of undercurrents, quietly raised its curtain.
Hiromi's request and Rei Ao's assent were like a stone dropped into a still lake—sending ripples through this special, world-limited group chat, and across the hearts of everyone watching.
…
At the Shinomiya family mansion,
Kaguya Shinomiya read the thread, a barely noticeable ripple passing through her crimson eyes.
Kaguya: "Hayasaka, a pretend boyfriend… such a commoner way to solve a problem. How… unique."
Her tone carried a hint of heiress pride, though, on closer listening, something else lurked beneath.
Of course Ai Hayasaka saw right through her lady's envy.
Ai Hayasaka: "Milady, analysis suggests that while it's not the most efficient, this method best satisfies Hiromi Kato-san's latent needs for 'showing' and 'security.'"
Ai Hayasaka: "And with Rei Ao-sama involved, the effect will likely be… beyond expectations."
Calm maid's analysis—while subtly hinting that her lady might try it herself next time.
Ai Hayasaka: "However, Megumi Kato's mindset is worth observing."
There was no doubt Megumi had engineered this.
To Hayasaka, Megumi seemed… very selfless.
Kaguya gave a soft hum and said nothing more, but her gaze slid again to Rei Ao's accepting reply, lost in thought.
…
Mafuyu Kirisu saw the chatter and a playful smile touched the corner of her lips.
Mafuyu Kirisu: "So even Megumi's sister, Hiromi Kato, has her own ideas, huh."
Seeing Hiromi's choice, she'd already read her mindset.
Her eyes drifted down the members list.
Mafuyu Kirisu: "At this rate, it won't be long before that big wolf Rei Ao 'claims' the rest of them too."
…
At the Amagami family shrine, the mood was more complicated.
Asahi Amagami: "Hiromi-san's in trouble… I hope Rei Ao-san can handle it smoothly."
Yuna Amagami: "A pretend boyfriend. Feels a bit strange."
Yae Amagami: "If it's Rei Ao, it'll be fine!"
Chiharu Amagami: "Ooh! Just like a TV drama!"
Mahiru Anekōji: "Tsk, tsk. Young people do know how to play…"
Shirahi Tsuruyama: "It's nice everyone can help each other."
Different reactions—but everyone's eyes were on tomorrow.
…
Rizu Ogata: "The effectiveness of a pretend boyfriend is based on the intimidation of a third party."
Rizu Ogata: "Variables: Rei Ao's intimidation coefficient and the coworker's stubbornness."
Rizu Ogata: "Success rate… calculating…"
The science prodigy cocked her head, trying to logic it out.
The liberal-arts prodigy, Fumino Furuhashi, had stars in her eyes.
Fumino Furuhashi: "Ahhh! Such a literary setup!"
Fumino Furuhashi: "A sister forced to seek help, a little sister who stays cool, and a mysterious, powerful 'fake boyfriend'… material! Pure gold!"
Mafuyu Kirisu frowned slightly.
Mafuyu Kirisu: "Workplace harassment should be handled seriously."
Mafuyu Kirisu: "I just hope this approach doesn't set a bad example for the students."
She instinctively thought of the other students in the chat—without the slightest awareness that her own "deep interactions" with students weren't exactly a model example either.
She had even joined multi-party "exchanges."