What’s The Next Plan?!

Just as Toko-senpai instructed, I immediately called Karen again. Of course, it was to make plans to meet her the following day. When I told her, “I couldn’t leave you while you were so down, so I canceled my plans with my friends,” she seemed incredibly happy that she had been prioritized. She repeated “I’m so happy!” over and over during the call.

During our date the next day, Karen was more charming than she had been in a long time. She clung to me tightly. It had been a while since we had walked hand-in-hand.

We even went to the university festival. We stopped by our circle’s food stall. My shift wasn’t until the day after tomorrow, but I decided to help out for a bit. I wanted to hear from the others about how Kamokura was doing.

Apparently, Kamokura had shown up at the stall shortly before we arrived, looking for people to play mahjong with. When he realized no one was free, he left for parts unknown. I suppose he had too much time on his hands now that his anticipated trip with Toko-senpai had fallen through. Serves him right.

For the next week, Karen stuck to me like glue, just like when we first started dating. She wanted to eat lunch together every day—and specifically at the school cafeteria. It was likely a way to “spite Kamokura.” It was actually a bit of a nuisance, as I wanted to eat with Ishida or my department friends once in a while.

During this time, Toko-senpai and I didn’t meet in person, as there were no signs of Karen and Kamokura meeting up. However, we kept in contact almost every day.

I figured Karen’s current attitude was purely to spite Kamokura. I assumed that when the time came, she would eventually go back to her affair with him. I wanted to hear Toko-senpai’s opinion on this.

“The possibility exists exactly as you imagine, Isshiki-kun,” Toko-senpai said in her usual tone.

“Right? That’s why I want to check when they’ll start seeing each other again.”

When I said that, Toko-senpai spoke up as if to restrain that thought.

“But isn’t the opposite possibility also there?”

“The opposite possibility?”

“Yes. The possibility that Karen-san reflected on her actions and realized that you are the most important person to her.”

“You think so?”

“Looking from a distance, you two look like a very close couple right now.”

“That’s because Karen and I are both acting that way. Didn’t you tell me to do exactly that, Senpai?”

“I did. But I want you to think about it one more time. Is it truly the right answer to hurt her and break up here?”

What is she saying now? Didn’t we decide to make the cheaters feel such despair and regret that they’d wish they were dead?

Then a thought occurred to me.

Wait… does Toko-senpai want to get back together with Kamokura? Maybe Kamokura has turned over a new leaf, and she’s sensing it…

I suddenly felt anxious.

“What do you mean by that? Are you having second thoughts, Toko-senpai?”

“No, it’s not that. But if Karen-san’s attitude changes, it’s only natural for your feelings to change too, right? That’s why I think you should look again at what the best choice for you is. Once you carry out the plan and break up with her, there’s no going back.”

“We’ve already reached the ‘no going back’ point. The moment she cheated! I can’t date Karen like I used to. Even now, I’m forcing myself to see her just to carry out the operation.”

I paused for a moment, then spat out the next words with force.

“Besides, Karen will definitely cheat again.”

I heard Toko-senpai let out a sigh on the other end of the line.

“If your resolve is that firm, then fine. I won’t say any more. I have no intention of starting over with Tetsuya either. Let’s proceed with the original plan. Toward X-Day.”

“Yes. I’m counting on you. So, what do we do next?”

“For now, I think Karen-san’s feelings have mostly returned to you. Keep that going for a while.”

“Understood. But I think the only reason she’s focused on me is to spite Kamokura-senpai. If their affair resumes, won’t everything go back to the way it was?”

“That’s why we need one more push here.”

“And what is that?”

“I told you before, didn’t I? The thing about ‘raising your favorability among women in general.’”

I had heard that before. But I still had no clue how to actually do it.

“What exactly should I do? I can’t think of anything.”

“Well, I think you’ve been following what I told you previously. But it’s not enough yet. So, I’ll create an opportunity for you.”

“How?”

“Soon, I’ll gather the girls around us, including those from the circle. The excuse will be… let’s see… ‘A meeting for winter events like Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day.’”

“I see.”

“Then, you’ll show up there pretending it’s a coincidence. You’ll join the circle of girls and raise your favorability.”

“Will it really work that well? I feel like girls would be annoyed if a guy just barged into their conversation.”

“I’ll set the stage beforehand by saying I ‘want a guy’s opinion.’ Then, if you just happen to pass by, it won’t be unnatural for you to join in, right?”

“Well, if you put it that way… but I don’t have any topics that girls would like.”

“Then I want you to look into some apps I’m about to mention. Specifically, ‘selfie camera apps for smartphones.’”

Toko-senpai listed off several names of popular selfie apps.

“Look up the pros and cons of these apps, whether they’re paid or free, and what their features are. If you can explain them clearly to the girls, you’ll earn quite a few points.”

“I see.”

It’s true that girls seem to care a lot about the photos they upload to social media. They’d definitely want information on which apps make them look the cutest.

“In that flow of conversation, try to appeal to the fact that you’re ‘good at programming.’ We are in the Information Engineering department, after all, and you told me before that you’re quite good with Java and Python, right?”

I had told her that. Since Toko-senpai was the top student in our year, the only thing I felt I could even remotely compete with her in was programming.

“Even in liberal arts departments, there are programming classes now. A lot of girls struggle with their programming assignments. Up until now, I’ve been the one making programs for them when they asked, but I want you to do it instead. Just doing that will significantly improve your reputation among the girls. And it gives you an excuse to keep interacting with them afterward.”

I see. I could probably manage that.

“To begin with, you aren’t unpopular with girls, Isshiki-kun. When we first started university, there were girls around me saying you were a ‘pretty-boy type of hottie.’”

“Really?” I could feel the muscles in my face relaxing into a grin.

“Really. Otherwise, I don’t think someone like Karen-san would have chosen you to date.”

I don’t really understand how girls evaluate these things, but if Toko-senpai says so, it must be true. However, I remembered one thing.

“But isn’t that plan a bit risky?”

“Why?”

“Because it means people will find out that you and I are hanging out. Won’t that get back to Karen or Kamokura-senpai?”

Toko-senpai answered with poise.

“ I’ve already thought of that. I’ll have Kazumi call you over. So, make sure you act as if we are ‘simply senior and junior from the same high school.’“

Wow, as expected of Toko-senpai. She’s already factored that in.

“Just act the way you always do in the circle. Don’t talk to me much; focus on talking to the other girls. I’ll pretend I’m not very interested in you either.”

After that, Toko-senpai and I discussed when to execute the plan, what I should talk about with the girls, and which shop would be best to make the “coincidence” look natural. We decided that she would contact me once the group of girls was finalized. At the same time, she would message me with details on the girls’ personalities, interests, and dislikes as far as she knew them. Based on that, I would think of topics that each of them might like or should be avoided.

I thought it would be impossible to raise my favorability with all the girls! I had thought at first, but hearing Toko-senpai talk made me feel like it might be unexpectedly easy. After all, she’d be right there in the group supporting me. It makes sense that it would be easier that way.

And then…

Karen and Kamokura’s affair resumed.

It started on a Thursday, about a week and a half after that “canceled affair trip.” They really never learn… or rather, they’re just that shallow.