Chapter 66

On the other hand, that evening in Yui's room.

"Like this... then this! If this, then this!"

There was Yui, desperately playing a game.

She had been planning to start studying for the test just a little while ago, but a message that had just arrived had driven Yui into endless training.

"Rio came over today, and she's really good at Massbra!"

It was a message from Mizuki.

The moment she saw it, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah!?"

Actually, after school today, she had invited Rion to help her study, but to her surprise, he had declined. It was the first time her invitation had been turned down. He had said, "I'm sorry, Yui... I'm doing this for your own good," which was clearly odd.

But what was this about him playing games at Yuki's house? Her head was in a whirl when more messages came in.

"He also helped me with my studies. Mr. Rio is super smart!"

(What's with Mr. Rio, leaving me aside like that...)

This needed to be addressed. Maybe I should bring cookies next time to win him over.

Still, why did this happen all of a sudden...

There were many things she wanted to say, but first, the question was who had invited whom. She decided to probe a bit.

"What did Yuki-kun say when he brought you over?"

"He said we were friends."

"Yes, friends!"

She couldn't help but make a fist pump, but it was too early to relax.

After all, in front of Mizuki, Yui was supposed to be her girlfriend, so she wouldn't be honest if asked. Besides, when did they become friends? She suspected Mizuki had forgotten about it.

"Rio is Mr. Rio. What about Yui?"

"Eh? Chan Yui?"

"You're my big sister (smile)."

She reluctantly added a smiling emoji, but it felt like, "What are you laughing at?"

"Yui-chan doesn't feel like a big sister..."

"Eh? Then what does she feel like? (smile)"

"Hmm... just Yui-chan."

She wasn't sure if she was being complimented or insulted.

Or was she being mocked? She hesitated to reply, but then...

"Rio got the panda plushie for me. Yui-chan couldn't get it."

That guy, giving unnecessary information...

A series of giggling stamps followed, and her grip on her phone tightened.

"But Yui-chan was the first to say she would get it for me. Thanks, Yui-chan, I love you!"

(Ugh, my heart...)

Ah, how sweet. She was a good kid. She felt a bit ashamed of herself for getting irritated.

Yui, with her fingers tingling with excitement, typed out a message.

"I love you too, Mizuki-chan. I'll pat you on the head. Maybe even give you a kiss?"

"Ah, no thanks."

They were such a useless pair of siblings.

She wanted to delete the message immediately, but it was too late.

"Give that to Yuki-kun."

"That's, well, eventually."

"Eventually? Ah, Yui-chan is shy~"

This time, a stamp of a pointing finger appeared.

Yui, trembling, gripped her phone tightly and remained silent.

"But Rio is really good at games, and even Yuki-kun was surprised. Rarely."

She had never heard that Rion was good at games.

Didn't he usually avoid such things?

(Could it be a strategy to create a gap...?)

It might be effective, even if it didn't seem like it at first.

After all, even the low-key Yuki was surprised.

(I want to surprise him too... I want to shock him.)

If Yui could score a big point against Rion, Yuki would surely be shocked.

Yui, who had been studying with the notebook Rion had given her, put down her pen, started the game, and picked up the controller.

She returned to the beginning.

"If I do this here and then this..."

(Mm, I sense a killing intent!)

Yui turned her head to the left, away from the TV.

No one. Then to the right, but it was a feint!

...No one. Just her imagination, perhaps.

"What are you doing?"

She stiffened.

Turning around, she saw Maki standing at the door, looking suspicious.

"Have you finally awakened your precognitive abilities..."

"What are you talking about?"

Maki, looking even more suspicious, knelt beside Yui.

"...I thought you were playing a game? You should be studying for the test."

"Big sister, there's a battle I absolutely can't lose."

"Isn't it just a game?"

More than anything, she couldn't let this go and move on.

Even Chan Yui had her pride.

(Could it be that they're targeting me...? No way.)

What if it wasn't Yuki → Rion but Rion → Yuki?

This suspicion was starting to grow. That would be bad.

"Besides, inviting someone over... that's cheating, cheating!"

"That's a ridiculous accusation. You're not even dating."

"What, what are you talking about?"

"It's about that rival, right? Wow, so he's a strong opponent?"

(A strong opponent... Majyu. What can I do to win...)

From what Yui could see, Rion had no apparent weaknesses.

Looks, perfect. Intelligence, perfect.

The only issue might be his somewhat harsh personality, but it wasn't really a weakness, more of a strength.

"If there are no weaknesses, create them, Hototogisu."

"What's that? You don't get it at all. In situations like this, a woman who compliments the other person shows confidence."

"What do you mean?"

"Seeing someone compliment others makes you think, 'Ah, what a good kid.'"

"I see."

It sounded plausible.

Deciding to try it out, she sent a message to Yuki to probe about today's events.

"Was Mr. Rion doing a home visit today?"

There was no sign of a reply.

Thinking she might be misunderstood, she cautiously sent another message.

"Rion is really amazing, isn't he? Getting Mizuki to study like that."

After a moment, a reply came.

"Yeah, he's amazing."

"Smart and beautiful. And he's good at sports too."

"Wow, really?"

End of conversation.

It seemed to end with Rion being praised.

What was the point of buffing someone who was already perfect?

It looked like she had been set up.

She wanted to complain, but Maki said she was going to take a bath and left.

In this case, it had to be a debuff. But what could she say...

"Rion seems to be a mass-produced model."

"I know."

No, something was off.

Was there any weakness in Rion she could exploit?

She had to remember, remember.

"Rion is actually a big eater. When I shared my bento with him, he kept eating without stopping."

"Wow, that's great. I like kids who eat a lot."

Unexpectedly, she had gained some information.

It seemed he liked the big eater character.

"But, I also lie around on my days off, reading manga while drinking cola and eating L-sized potato chips."

"Wow..."

Why was he so repulsed? Was being unhealthy a no-go?

Anyway, it had to be a debuff. Was there anything else?

"But, Rion can be a bit short-tempered."

"But, I think it's important to be strict when necessary."

"Right, right. I can be strict too when needed."

"He gets angry when he's about to lose a game."

Who was that brat?

She realized she was debuffing herself and stopped typing.

Trying to bring someone down was the worst. She was done. It was too much.

"But Yui seems to enjoy playing games more. She looks so dedicated."

(Hmm, hmm...)

Yui's face relaxed into a smile as she read the message.

With renewed determination, she turned back to the TV and picked up the controller.

The Yui debuff button is right here.