“I’m against putting Yuito in a goukon. Taking a high schooler to an izakaya is also questionable.”
“Fair point — he’s in his uniform too.”
Kano and Mayo-san were going back and forth. A guy in a school uniform would be turned away from an izakaya immediately. (I wasn’t going either way, so I didn’t care.)
“Oh — got a reply, someone can fill in.”
“Who?”
“A classmate from English — guy named Kuzuhara.”
The instant the name hit, Kano’s face clouded over.
”…Is this Kuzuhara in the Econ faculty and on the tennis circle?”
“Yeah, you know him?”
“In a manner. Sorry — I know he offered, but please decline with some excuse.”
“If you’re saying that, he’s a bad type?”
“Yeah, at the welcome festival he was really pushy with recruiting.”
So this Kuzuhara guy had his brain wired directly to his crotch.
“But I pitched it as we’re desperate, please help. A bad refusal might create trouble later.”
“True, his type holds grudges.”
They both looked stuck. I wasn’t about to let Kano end up at a goukon with someone like that. There was only one move.
“I’ll go to the goukon. Tell him you found someone first.”
“Underclassman — sudden change?”
“You seemed completely uninterested a minute ago, Yuito.”
“I want some social experience.”
(Saying I wanted to protect Kano was embarrassing, so I made up something.) Mayo smirked.
“Oh — were you trying to protect Kano?”
“Wait — for real?”
“T-that’s not why.”
I scrambled to deny but it was obvious.
“No need to be shy — what you’re doing is admirable.”
“Is what Mayo-senpai said actually true?”
”…Yes.”
Under Kano’s gaze I caved instantly. Maybe I’m just not built for lying.
“Oh — so you were trying to help me.”
Her face went bright red and shy. (Wait — Kano can look this cute?)
“Sorry to interrupt your two-person love bubble, but we need to move.”
“R-right.”
“G-got it.”
Mayo broke the silent staring contest and pulled us back to reality.
“I told Kuzuhara we’d already found someone.”
“Did he make a fuss?”
“He hadn’t been told who else was going, so he backed off easily.”
So safe on that front. Now I was diving into my first goukon, so not safe in another sense.
“Where are we going now?”
“To get you clothes — can’t have you in uniform.”
We hit a clothing shop near the bookstore. They tried multiple outfits on me like a dress-up doll. Eventually I looked like a generic modern college guy.
“Good — looks great.”
“Yeah, passes for college now.”
They were both pleased. Wouldn’t get turned away from an izakaya in this.
“Oh — wear these too. Unisex, no prescription.”
“Why do you carry fashion glasses around, Kano-san?”
“Bought them recently. Haven’t worn them once, actually.”
She handed me black frames. I put them on.
“Yep — really suits you.”
“Yeah, looks smart and intellectual.”
The compliments weren’t unwelcome. We headed for the venue.
“Oh — pretend you’re Kano’s same-year classmate.”
“Right — second-year high schooler would be bad.”
“Got it — for tonight I’m a Sahoda University first-year.”
“Kano and I will cover for you — relax.”
I’d absolutely blow my cover solo, so the backup was reassuring.
“Oh — same-year classmate means you can’t use desu/masu with me during the goukon.”
“Got it. Bit nervous, but I’ll try.”
I’d just have to talk to Kano like I talked to Suzuno.