The afternoon air in the classroom was heavy and still, smelling of chalk dust and the lingering heat of the day. Most of the other students had already cleared out for clubs, but Yoshito was still slumped in his seat, staring blankly at a smudge on his desk. He felt like his battery was at 1%, and the last thing he wanted was a high-energy problem to solve.

  "Why do I even have to help you? Go and do it by yourself," Yoshito said, his voice dripping with irritation. He didn't even look up as he spoke; he just wanted to pack his bag and disappear into the Kyoto crowds.

  "Plz, Yoshito! We are friends! I beg you, help me!" Nakamura Chitose was practically vibrating with desperation, leaning so far over Yoshito’s desk that he was blocking the light. "You’re the only one who can make this work without it turning into a total disaster!"

  Yoshito sighed, a long, dramatic sound. He tapped his fingers on the desk, calculating. If he was going to waste his precious energy on someone else’s love life, he needed a payout.

  "Fine. I’ll help," Yoshito said, finally looking up with a sharp, predatory glint in his eyes. "But only if you buy me crepes for five days."

  Chitose’s face fell. "Huh? Five days? That’s a bit too much, man! My wallet will be dead. Three days. Let's do three."

  "Four days, or I’m not helping," Yoshito snapped, already reaching for his bag as if to leave. "And I want the expensive ones with the extra strawberries."

  Chitose groaned, looking both angry and annoyed, but he finally slumped his shoulders in defeat. "Fine! Four days! It’s a deal, you greedy Architect."

  "Good," Yoshito said, leaning back. "Now, the first thing we need to know is what type of boys Kyoko-san actually likes. There’s no point in a plan if you aren't even her 'type'."

  Chitose blinked, looking lost. "How will we know that?"

  "We have to ask her," Yoshito stated plainly.

  "Whaaaaaaaat?!" Chitose shouted, his voice cracking as he jumped back. "Are you crazy? How could we just go and ask her?" He was shaking his head, looking nervously toward the door. "That’s social suicide!"

  "Relax," Yoshito groaned. "We don’t ask her. We take help from one of her friends. But I was trying to think of who she’s actually close with..."

  Before Yoshito could finish his thought, Chitose’s eyes lit up. He threw his hand into the air and enthusiastically shouted, "AOYAMA-SAN!"

  The name echoed through the quiet classroom like a gunshot. Every student still in the room—along with the teacher at the front—snapped their heads toward their direction. Even Aoyama (Aiko), who had been quietly organizing her bag near the window, turned around with a confused and startled expression.

  The silence was deafening. Chitose turned a bright shade of purple. "Ah... I was just... remembering a character from a manga!" Chitose blurted out, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah! Aoyama-kun from... 'The Silent Hero'! He’s a legend!"

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  The other students exchanged skeptical looks but eventually went back to what they were doing. Yoshito just put his face in his hands. Once the room was buzzing again, Yoshito whispered, "So, Aoyama-san is friends with Kyoko-san?"

  "Yes!" Chitose whispered back urgently. "Kyoko-san was the first friend she made when she came to this school. They’ve gone out together a few times. Once they went to karaoke, once to Wacdonalds, and once they went to the Sasome Cafe downtown."

  Yoshito paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked at his friend. "Wait, wait... how do you know all that, you stalker?"

  "A-Ahm... it was just a coincidence! I just happened to be in those places too!" Chitose looked away quickly. "I was just there because I wanted to know what things she likes!"

  "A coincidence? Three times?" Yoshito stared at him, unimpressed. "As much as I know you, you don't even like going to cafes. You don't like spending your money Chitose."

  Yoshito stood up and walked over to Aoyama’s desk. "Hey, Aoyama-san." He quickly explained the situation and asked for help. Aiko gave it a thought and eventually gave a small, supportive nod. "I'll help."

  "Okay," Yoshito got straight to the point. "What type of boys does Kyoko-san like? Do you know?"

  Aoyama tapped her chin. "I've never asked her that directly... but one time, I think she said she likes tall boys who are caring."

  Chitose’s face lit up with a ray of hope. He immediately stood up straight, puffing out his chest. "Yes! I have a chance! I'm taller than Yoshito!"

  Thwack.

  Yoshito didn't even hesitate. He drove his elbow directly into Chitose’s stomach.

  "Oof!" Chitose doubled over. "What was that for?!"

  "You're only 2 cm taller than me, you idiot," Yoshito snapped. "You are not 'that tall,' so stop teasing me before I cancel the deal."

  Chitose rubbed his stomach, still grinning. "Okay, okay! But seriously, Aoyama-san, can you tell us more? Let's go to the cafe after school. My treat. We can discuss the whole strategy there."

  Yoshito’s ears perked up. "A cafe? Are we talking about the crepes?"

  "Yes, Yoshito. Day one of the four-day crepe tax starts now," Chitose sighed, though he looked relieved.

  Aoyama checked her phone. There was no one home today, and the thought of sitting in an empty house felt heavy. Helping Chitose sounded like a good way to kill the boredom. "I'll come too. I can try to remember more details if we have time."

  "Great!" Chitose said, his energy returning in a flash. "To the Sasome Cafe! Let's build the perfect plan!"

  Yoshito grabbed his bag, his irritation finally masked by the promise of sugar. "Just don't mention the 2 cm thing again, or I'm ordering the most expensive thing on the menu."

  The three of them walked out of the classroom together, leaving the quiet school building behind as they headed into the bustling streets of Kyoto.