On the way to school one day, Taro and Vincy rode a bus and took a seat in the back.
"Why didn't these two wait for us?" Vincy asked.
"I told Yukiko and Ema to outdistance us," Taro responded.
"Sorry for making you wait," he said.
"It's alright, Vincy," Taro replied. "Better than letting you go alone."
After a small pause, Taro added:
"In addition... I need your help in something."
"Heh? What is it?" Vincy asked, confused.
"It's... something that's been bothering me... probably," Taro answered. "I didn't want Yukiko or Ema to know about this..."
Taro began explaining his situation. Instantly, Vincy shouted:
"HEEEH?! A GIRL HAS A FEELING TOWARD YOU?!"
"Shhh!" Taro exclaimed.
"Sorry..." Vincy whispered. "Who's that girl?"
"A girl called Jessica," he answered. "At first, she wanted to have a normal conversation. I wasn't comfortable, but I didn't refuse. Then slowly, she began flirting... and sometimes started personal conversations."
Vincy was listening carefully. Then, he asked:
"How could she do all of that when Yukiko was with you?"
"Yukiko was absent since last week," Taro responded.
"Oh... I don't remember a girl called Jessica honestly... but this sure is wild. If your fiancée knew about that, you're dead," Vincy replied.
"That's another reason I don't want Yukiko to know," Taro added nervously.
"So... you like that girl?" He asked.
"Of course not!" Taro answered. "I'm engaged with Yukiko. Why would I like someone else? Besides, even without considering her, I don't like that girl anyway."
After that, Vincy suggested:
"Then why didn't you tell her to stop... whatever this goofy romance? Or you know... just tell her not to talk with you again..."
"I wanted... but I don't want to sound rude or break her heart," Taro refused.
"Man... I honestly don't know," Vincy replied. "Just try to end this up without involving Yukiko."
After a few minutes, they arrived at school.
"So, what does she look like?" Vincy asked.
"You'll know in the classroom," Taro responded. "I'm impressed you don't know her."
"Meh, I don't pay attention to the girls in our class," Vincy replied.
While walking in the corridor, they saw Ema and Yukiko ahead.
"Hey look! These two are there!" Vincy exclaimed, pointing.
"We better not let them see us yet," Taro said.
"Yeah... let's get past them without letting them notice us," Vincy replied.
They tried, however Ema noticed them.
"Vincy! Abodo!" She called, waving.
"Aw man!" Vincy whispered, freezing.
"Even without Ema's {Falcon Eyes}, she saw us," Taro said.
"Our hair's fault..." Vincy replied, facepalming.
They turned around and joined them.
"Why were you late?" Yukiko asked.
"You know... traffic issues," Vincy answered.
"Sure... totally not someone who stayed up all night playing video games," Ema mocked.
"I know, right? Such a hopeless guy," Vincy replied, arms crossed.
"Ema-chan is referring to you, baka," Yukiko said.
"I know," he muttered, ashamed.
Yukiko noticed how Taro was staring around, not joining their conversation.
"Daijoubu, Taro?" Yukiko asked.
"Y-Yeah, I'm alright," Taro answered nervously.
"Something is off with you, Abodo?" Ema added.
"Nothing, Ema, thanks," he replied.
Suddenly, the bell rang.
"Let's head to the class," Ema dictated.
The two girls got past them. Then, Vincy whispered:
"What's the matter man? You kept looking around?"
"I'm worried about her, you know" he responded.
"Relax... it's not like she's going to eat you," Vincy comforted.
During the cafeteria break, the bully Max tried to steal a student's food.
"Why don't you share some of yours?" He threatened.
"Hey look, seems like someone wants trouble here," a voice from behind said.
He turned around, seeing Vincy rubbing his fingers.
"Tsk. Forget it," he muttered.
"Good choice," Vincy replied, smirking.
Then, Vincy brought his food and sat beside Taro.
"Sheesh, when will these bullies learn?" He wondered.
Taro didn't answer him, as he was staring away.
"Yo, Taro... are you here, man?" Vincy asked.
"Oh... sorry, you said something?" Taro replied.
"Nah, nothing," he answered. "You still worried about her?"
"Yeah, I'm lucky Yukiko isn't here," Taro responded.
Suddenly, Vincy's stomach began growling.
"Oops... better go to the restroom," he said.
"You've got to be kidding me," Taro muttered, unimpressed. "I needed you to stay so she wouldn't sit here."
"Relax... it's not like she's going to–" Vincy repeated.
"You don't need to tell me twice," he interrupted. "Just go already."
Vincy went to the restroom, and so Taro remained, uncomfortable. For a few minutes, that girl didn't show up.
"Phew... it seems I was worried for nothing," he whispered, relieved.
"Taro~! Hello~!" A playful voice called suddenly.
Taro instantly froze in shock, turning behind slowly, seeing Jessica behind him.
Great... Taro thought, shocked from inside.
She sat beside him, asking:
"How are you doing? I didn't see you in your seat."
"I-I preferred sitting in a different one today," he responded, smiling innocently. I sat away so you don't keep staring at me.
Taro took a deep breath, then added:
"Jessica... listen, I don't want to–"
"Want to hang out together tomorrow?" She asked, winking.
"What? Of course n–" Taro answered, trying to refuse.
"Great!" She interrupted. "Since there's no school tomorrow, we can meet in the cafe beside our school."
"I tried to tell you... I–" Taro tried once more.
"Then it's settled!" She interrupted again. "Let's meet at 3:00 PM. Bah bye~!"
Taro sat in silence, completely disappointed and shocked.
"I hate myself," he muttered, smacking his head on the table.
After a few seconds, Vincy returned from the restroom.
"Ahh! I feel comfortable now!" He said.
Taro didn't speak, and gave him an irritated glare.
"What?" Vincy asked, confused.
Hours later, Taro, Vincy, and Yukiko were outside Abodo's house.
"See you tomorrow, pal," Vincy waved.
"Yeah, see you," Taro waved back.
"Ne... daijoubu?" Yukiko asked.
"All good, is there something?" Taro asked back.
"I felt like someone was watching you today," she responded.
"N-Nothing like this," he replied, smiling. "Don't worry, Yukiko."
Then, he added:
"Sorry, Yukiko, I have a nightshift in the supermarket today. Can you take my backpack and put my books on the shelf?"
"Hai, take care of yourself," she agreed, taking his backpack.
"Thanks, see you tomorrow," he replied, heading to the supermarket.
When Yukiko entered, she headed to the bookshelf in the living. While unpacking, she saw an envelope with a red heart sticker on it.
Nani? What's that? She thought.
When she opened it, she found a paper inside. After she read it, she turned completely mad.
"Ara ara, this bold girlfriend thinks she can date anyone freely," she whispered,
Instantly, she changed her clothes with her {Equip Spell} and headed outside.
Meanwhile, Taro was cleaning the floors, restocking empty products, and organizing the money in the cash register.
After finishing organizing it, he saw Yukiko standing in front of him, crossing arms and giving an unimpressed glare.
"Yukiko? Why are you here?" He asked, surprised.
She remained silent for a few seconds, keeping the same glare. Then suddenly, she gave an innocent smile, responding playfully:
"Nani mo nai~! Just wanted to check how my fiancée is doing~!"
"Uhm, I'm alright... but you didn't need to–" Taro replied, confused.
"Souka! Looks like nothing is... HANGING with you," she interrupted.
Instantly, she began laughing continuously. Taro was confused, then began laughing quietly with her, not understanding what was so funny to laugh probably...
"DEMO...!" She exclaimed, interrupting the laughter.
Then, her face turned serious, adding:
"I saw something shameful today."
"S-Shameful?! What is it?!" Taro asked seriously.
"Don't play dumb with me, darling," she replied. "Douzo... read this carefully."
He took the paper, and began reading:
"We had a great time together, and I can't wait to grow our relationship into something bigger. Your lovely girlfriend... Jessica. Don't forget about tomorrow's date."
Taro's glare was kept on the paper, hiding his face.
"You never told me about your girlfriend-chan," Yukiko added. "Ora! Why don't you tell us what that is, Taro-kun?"
Instantly, Taro tore the paper in half and threw it in the trash can.
"What is this? Trash... just trash, Yukiko-san," he answered, smiling innocently.
"Oi oi, you didn't answer my question," she replied. "WHO. IS. SHE?"
Taro paused for a few seconds, then he smacked his head onto the wall.
"Oi, what are you–" Yukiko asked, worried.
"I'm sorry, Yukiko," he interrupted, showing a sad expression. "It's my fault everything turned out that way. I tried hiding this mess from you, but it turned into an awful misunderstanding. I owe you an explanation now."
After that, he began explaining in detail what happened.
"Naruhodo, demo why didn't you tell me about–" Yukiko asked.
"I didn't want trouble, Yukiko," he answered, interrupting. "I just wanted to solve it without involving you. Yet instead, it became much worse. My stupid behavior always stops me from telling her the truth properly. I wish I wasn't shy like that."
"Demo, that's not bad," she said. "Being shy is something great, I loved that in you. Besides, you tried to talk about our relationship many times but she kept interrupting you, right?"
"Yeah, such a weird situation," he replied.
"Naruhodo..." Yukiko muttered.
Then, her serious face turned into a playful relief.
"Hontōni yokatta~!" She squealed. "I thought my lovely fiancée was cheating on me for a second."
"Cheating? Really?" Taro asked, unimpressed.
"Hai~!" She answered playfully, acting silly.
Instantly, he laughed quietly. Then, he replied, showing the ring on his finger:
"If I was cheating, I wouldn't wear this. Along with that, I never cheat, even with someone like Jessica."
"Kōmen... shouldn't have judged you," she said softly.
"No worries, totally understandable," he said. "But... what should I do about that hangout tomorrow?"
Yukiko thought for a few seconds, then responded:
"Daijoubu, I've got an idea!"