"Cheers!"
"To celebrating our success in passing the make-up exams!"
Seven people raised their beers and shouted joyfully—nothing tastes better than a beer after passing an exam!
"Well, I don't really get it, but it's best if everyone stays this harmonious like now~"
Yamamoto sipped his beer with a satisfied expression. Harmony between brothers was the most important thing.
"...Why are you all acting like this is your home already?"
Shiro looked at the carefree group and felt a headache coming on. Were these guys really Japanese?
"(.?﹃?.) Hehehe, Lalako... my precious Lalako…"
With a perverted grin, Kohei hugged Shiro's limited edition Lalako figure like a creep. His wish had been fulfilled.
Of course... Shiro still accepted that 30,000 yen Kohei had handed over!
After all, he couldn't let Kohei's sincerity go to waste!
Shiro was seriously considering selling that Lalako figure to Kohei. He'd definitely get a high price!
At the same time, he felt the need to once again clarify—he was not an otaku. The figures were just a hobby, the light novels were work-related—he was a normie! A proper extrovert! Surrounded by girls!
"Still, I really didn't expect it, Kamishiro-kun… Your place is so clean and tidy. Looks like it's barely lived in."
Nojima adjusted his glasses, clearly suspicious. It was way too neat. Some things didn't add up—like that unopened nightstand still wrapped in plastic… even though it was already being used as a nightstand.
"..."
Shiro followed his gaze and fell silent. Nojima wasn't entirely wrong, he really didn't spend much time here.
It was either a party or the motel. He wasn't home much in a week. He had bought that nightstand but had been too tired to open it, and then realized… he didn't even need to.
"Hahaha, I just kinda forgot about it. I'll open it later."
"No need to be so serious, Nojima. Have you forgotten our real purpose for being here?
We're here to celebrate passing our make-up exams! Let's leave the irrelevant stuff aside!"
"Yamamoto…"
Nojima looked at Yamamoto, stunned. Had this guy already gotten drunk and started talking nonsense?!
Wasn't their purpose crystal clear from the beginning?!
Even Shiro stared in disbelief. He was already surprised they hadn't done a full inspection of his place. And now they were saying stuff like this?
Was the director holding the wrong script? Were they about to shout "cut" after finding the problem?
"Here, Kamishiro-kun. Try this sushi. I specially bought it from an old and reputable place."
With a brilliant smile, Yamamoto pushed a sushi box in front of Shiro. Judging by the luxurious presentation, it definitely looked classier than the others.
Gulp...
Shiro swallowed nervously.
Like hell he'd eat that!
This was the equivalent of a weasel giving New Year's greetings to a chicken!
"Eh, looks pretty good."
Before Shiro could think of a way to refuse, his stand-in had already grabbed a piece and popped it into his mouth...
Stand-in! Good job—you've earned your title!
Shiro shot Mitarai a look of approval. There was a reason they had the same character design—this was fate! His destined substitute!
He stared closely at Mitarai, watching every detail. The sushi did look delicious, and if it was safe... he really wanted a bite...
"Umami!"
Seeing his substitute unharmed, and Iori and the others also starting to eat, Shiro finally relaxed.
He took a bite of the sushi, savoring the fine, smooth texture—it was addictive. As expected of a traditional store. Compared to the flashy trash near the campus, it was no contest. Yamamoto really went all out this time.
(￣～￣)
Drinking good booze, eating great food, and occasionally listening to these idiots' nonsense—Shiro suddenly felt like gatherings like this weren't so bad after all.
That is, if the stories weren't so dumb.
Like Yamamoto kneeling on both knees every time he confessed?! That must have traumatized the girls!
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
Suddenly!
Shiro felt his stomach churn violently. Something was surging at full force out his back end!
He curled up, eyes wide, staring at the now-empty sushi box—was it poisoned?!
But how?! The others were fine...
He looked up—and saw six demonic grins staring back.
"Yo~ Kamishiro-kun, what's wrong? Did you maybe eat a little too much~?"
These bastards!!!
Shiro's eyes widened. It was clearly a premeditated act!
Even Iori and Kohei had sided with them!
Especially Kohei! How could he do this while still hugging the Lalako figure?!
"Why... why are you all fine...?"
Shiro groaned in pain. He couldn't hold on much longer, but before he died he wanted to know the truth. He had only eaten one piece out of caution!
Clap!
Yamamoto patted Shiro on the shoulder with a look of pity,
"Kamishiro-kun, sometimes you can't just look at appearances. You may lead us in other areas, but your intelligence's still lagging behind."
"Take a look at your chopsticks."
Shiro looked down—and spotted a faint white powder residue on his chopsticks.
?!!
He was horrified—these bastards rigged the chopsticks from the start!
These scumbags! And they had pretended to be so righteous earlier!
"Kamishiro, go now! The toilet is calling your name. If you don't go, I will~ I've been needing to take a leak too~"
Iori grinned wickedly, starting to pull his pants down as he spoke.
"YOU BASTARD!"
Shiro couldn't take it anymore. He shoved Iori aside and sprinted to the toilet like a track star.
These guys weren't even trying to hide their crimes! Could he call the police and report a home invasion at this point?!
"..."
Watching Shiro vanish, the six remaining guys lowered their heads, eerie grins spreading across their faces.
"So, everyone... you still remember our mission, right?"
Yamamoto sneered, the jealousy in his heart overflowing.
"Of course, Yamamoto-kun. Forgive me for ever doubting you—you really had a plan."
Nojima pushed up his glasses, his feel good loser soul igniting.
"Hmph, right. This house doesn't need a second smug pretty boy."
"That damn face of his deserves to sink to the bottom of the sea!"
As the four burned with vengeful flames, Iori suddenly felt extremely relieved it wasn't his house they were trashing...
"Well then, gentlemen—shall we begin?!"
"Ohhh!!!"
...