I'm at my part-time job. "Senpai, thank you for the other day." I happened to take a break at the same time as my senpai, so I offered her the cookies I had bought beforehand. "Oh, what's this for?" "Remember, you gave me some advice the other day?" "Is it about the tip for a store to get a gift for elementary school student-chan?" "Yes. This is to show my appreciation." "You really didn't have to. Did you thank the Master, too?" "Of course, I've already expressed my gratitude." I gave a coffee set to the Master. The Master, being fond of coffee, maintained a subdued expression, but he appeared pleased. "Well, it'd be rude to refuse, so I'll accept it. Thank you." "I'm the one who should be thanking you." "How did it go with elementary school-chan? Was it a successful date?" "It wasn't exactly a date, since it was to celebrate her birthday... but let's not dwell on that. Yes, she was delighted." Thinking back to Miyanoshita's smile, I couldn't help but let a small smile form on my own face. I hadn't expected such an enthusiastic response. I was truly happy. "Well then, let's also do our best at work today." "Yes!" The break is over. As I step onto the floor... "Stare..." Miyanoshita was there before I knew it. Sipping orange juice, she gave me a very displeased look. Slurp, slurp, went the straw. Why are you so angry? You were in such a good mood yesterday... "Excuse me, waiter!" "Yes, yes, what can I do for you?" I approach Miyanoshita who is tapping insistently on the table. "Does this establishment keep animals inside? That's quite irregular, isn't it?" "Eh? We don't have any pets here." "But you do have one... a thiefing cat!" (TL: thiefing cat = homewrecker) Miyanoshita's accusing gaze had already been fixed on my senpai. Thiefing cat... Is she talking about my senpai? What could that mean? "Wait ... Could you be jealous of my senpai?" "Yes, indeed. I am. I'm jealous, Booo." "Um..."

I haven't done anything wrong. After all, Miyanoshita and I aren't in a romantic relationship. Still, why do I feel this bad during times like these? Is it because I'm a guy? Now that I think about it, I did notice those kinds of signs before. It's a complete misunderstanding, or rather a misinterpretation. I need to clear this up, or it might lead to unnecessary trouble. "Senpai and I aren't involved like that. We're just senior and junior. Plus, She only gave me advice on various things." "Really? But the other day, you both seemed so close..." "That's because she's a kind person." "Mmmm" She doesn't seem convinced. Hmm... I don't want to fight over something so petty, but what should I do now? As I was pondering, the person in question, my senpai, came over. "Is there something wrong, sir?" "You are..." Senpai gives a friendly smile. In response, Miyanoshita faces off with an air of defiance. "I've heard this place keeps a thieving cat, isn't that a bit problematic? Don't you think it's wrong?" "Oh, that seems to be fake news." "Really? It seemed like you two were getting quite cozy in the break room just now." Could you see that? "Hehe, yes. We might have been flirting." "What!?" With a mischievous grin, my senpai linked arms with me. "Like this." "What, what..." "I'm out in the open now, so we only do this much. But in the break room, where no one can see us... things can get much bolder... hehe." "Ah, ah... My Yuuki-san, my..." "No, no, that's not..." "Yuuki-san has been tainted... he's supposed to be mine..." Miyanoshita looked utterly despondent. I figured it was best not to ask what they were picturing. And I'm not Miyanoshita's property, by the way. Actually what exactly is she imagining, huh? Tainted, what does she mean by that, huh? "Hey, how about we give a little demonstration right here, in front of this kid?" "Eh? No, wait, um..." "Hehe, don't be embarrassed. It's something you're always doing, right...?" Isn't senpai's behavior going of the rails a bit...? It feels like she has a seductive aura or maybe she's just being proactive...

It makes my heart race unintentionally. "Well then, Yuuki-kun" "Uh, that is... um..." "...Just kidding" Senpai, who had been wearing a tempting expression, suddenly switched to a cheerful smile. With that, she turned to Miyanoshita with a laugh. "Relax." "Eh?" "Yuuki-kun and I aren't in that sort of relationship." "But..." "Sorry for teasing you a little." "..." Miyanoshita's eyes went blank, "Haaaaaaheeeeeeeeeee..." She seemed to be completly exhausted. Apparently, she was incredibly nervous in a different way than I was. "Ugh, that's not good for my heart... I thought I was going to die." "Was it that bad?" "For me, Yuuki-san is like my other half. Without him, I just couldn't go on living. Right, Yuuki-san? Hehehe." "Quit throwing in a yandere vibe out of nowhere." "Aw, can't I? I just wanted to give you a little thrill with something unexpected." "Not happening, not happening." "But I really did get all worked up... *sigh*" Miyanoshita breathed a sigh of relief. "Hehe, my apologies. Just got carried away." "You're terrible, hmph." "But getting flustered isn't the way to go. A woman needs to have, well, something akin to courage. You've got to stay cool no matter the situation. That's how you gain the upper hand and control the other person." "Eh?" "If you're willing, I can teach you all sorts of things... What do you say?" "Wow! Are you serious!?" "Wanna learn strategies to capture Yuuki-kun or his secrets? I can't spill everything, but I might share a bit later. Plus, I can teach you all kinds of romantic techniques... sound good?" *Swallows nervously* "Techniques honed in college can be quite impressive, you know?" "Master!!!" The earlier animosity had dissipated, and the two had found common ground in the most curious way. It's heartwarming to see them getting along, but... I can't shake the feeling that these two teaming up might spell trouble. I have this sinking feeling that we're headed for disaster. "How about we start with an embarrassing story about Yuuki-kun?" "I'm dying to hear it!" "Please, no..." I knew it, pairing these two up is a recipe for trouble.