Chapter 95: Start of the Act (2)

This room is almost the same as the one where we're doing those practice sessions. The only difference is that there's a connecting door. It's natural unlike the door from the Book Club.

Which means this clubroom is twice the size than any other clubrooms.

Nami went on ahead and stood next to Ogawa. Just looking at them like this, it's triggering something inside me. It's that desire to steal her from him.

But yeah, I have to control my expression so this guy wouldn't be that wary of me.

"Onoda. This should only be the 3rd time we're gonna talk to each other, right?"

He started.

He's still the same Ogawa but his expression is a bit different.

Was it because of Nami? Did the confession trigger a change in him?

"You're right. Andou asked me for a favor so here I am."

I answered. I refrained from calling her Nami for now.

I'll befriend this guy. Make him think I won't be a threat to their relationship.

I looked at him, trying to probe his reaction from what I said.

"I heard the details from Nanami. Thank you for helping out."

"No, don't thank me yet. Are you really fine with this? Having another guy act as her boyfriend?"

I could see Nami's eyebrows twitched from where I was. She knew I was acting to make Ogawa trust me.

Well, even if that's her reaction she won't voice it out.

"Yes, I understood why we have to do this. Nanami and I talked about it in length."

"I see. If you don't have a problem with it then I'm glad I can help."

I wonder how much did Nami tell him? If he finds out we have a side deal unknown to him, he'll probably flip out on us.

For him to confess to Nami, his other harem members will surely notice his change in attitude starting today. But with this act, they will just brush it off and attribute it to Nami getting herself a guy.

I still don't know who the other members are but there's at least two more not including Mori and Nami.

After a handshake, we started talking about the setup. On the side, Nami also gives her own input to polish it.

First, I will be introduced to their group of friends. Nami will bring me to their clubroom. After the introduction, we'll tell them to keep our relationship a secret.

Second, I was told not to touch Nami casually, especially in front of Ogawa. But there will be certain exceptions. If they started suspecting that our relationship was just an act, we'll act out something that only lovers will do. Except for kisses of course.

Well, this one's for Ogawa's peace of mind.

They wouldn't expect that we will display that in front of them anyway. We just have to be close to each other.

Third, After staying in the club for at least 30 minutes I'll bring Nami here in this room and wait for Ogawa.

This room will be their rendezvous spot where they can drop the act and be lovey-dovey to each other. When he arrives, that will be my cue to exit.

Well, sometimes he will be the one waiting here.

So the time when I can steal Nami will only be until he arrives here or before I pass her to him.

Well, as long as they don't rush their relationship, it will take a long time before they can pass the holding hand stage, that's considering Ogawa's personality. It still depends if his attitude will change.

I'll relay this to Mori and have her stall Ogawa. That will also be her chance to be with him. If she can go here with Ogawa then we'll exchange partners.

But yeah, Ogawa will obviously not bring Mori here. I have to think of a way to get her to uphold her part of the deal with me.

Maybe I'll tell her about this room.

Ah. Being the stalker that she is, I don't need to do that. She will know even without me telling her.

Should I cross her off my target list for now? If I did, I can use her to seduce Ogawa. That way I could be with Nami longer.

But thinking about the target of my desire seducing another guy, it's revolting. I immediately crossed that thought out.

I looked at the connected room and saw that it's just the same. There's also another door there so we could also enter from that room.

Well, I can totally use that room, right? On how I can use it, we'll see later.

"That's all. What do you think?"

Ogawa finished explaining. He was staring at me like he's trying to see through the expression I put on my face.

"I understand. But how long will this act go?"

Act. I'm acting like doing this is just me doing them a favor.

Ah! I should ask for something to make it more believable, right?

Ogawa couldn't answer my question. I guess they hadn't talked about it.

He looked at Nami to ask for her opinion. And after thinking for a while, she opened her mouth.

"It depends. We will not act everyday so you can rest easy. You're helping us out so I can't impose on you to do this act everyday."

Nami answered. Did she purposely limit it?

I guess this is good too. I won't have to deal with them everyday, I can go to Haruko or Kana whenever we're not acting.

"I see. I understand. Then about this act, what will I expect to get from this?"

Upon hearing my words, Nami instantly glared at me.

Well, we already had that deal, it must've triggered her when I asked for another. But this is for a more believable act.

It would look strange for Ogawa if I didn't ask for anything.

"You're right. You're doing us a favor. Tell me what you want."

"Onoda, we'll help you with Hina."

Nami interjected before I could answer.

What is she saying? This scary girl…

Ah!

Is she assisting me? Hey. What about giving her chances? Have you changed your mind, Nami?

I don't know what she is thinking by saying that but that solved my problem on how to bring Mori to uphold her part of our deal.

I looked at Nami and saw her nodding at me.

"Eh? Onoda, do you like Hina?"

Ogawa was surprised.

Mori is his childhood friend, after all, I don't know if he's aware of her feelings for him but since he already confessed to Nami, it's clear who he chose in the end.

Since I still can't ask Nami for her motive of bringing Mori into a platter like that, I'll accept it for the time being.

"Yes. Actually, I'm trying to keep that a secret."

I answered while looking down, I tried to put on a bashful expression.

"I see. Nanami found out about it, that's why she asked you to be the one to act for us."

Heh. He's good at supplementing my story.

"Something like that."

"Then, alright. We'll help you with Hina. But Onoda, make sure you don't hurt her."

His eyes turned serious. This guy really has the making of a protagonist, eh? Somehow, he's like Tadano just that he's giving away a girl who likes him.

Is it because he knows he can't reciprocate her feelings?

Unlike me, he's trying to be loyal to only one. I guess that's one thing that Nami likes about him.

She was probably put off by the idea of me having other girls, that's why she still chose Ogawa in the end.

I see. That's probably what's in her head. But I couldn't abandon everyone just for one. And even if in the off chance I did that, I will choose Akane, not her.

Well, there's also the chance that this is just me assuming things.

Earlier, when she cleared my head and put me back on track. I could still feel the Nami who I have grown closer to these past 3 days. She could choose not to do that and let me be confused. Instead, she told me how she likes to see the previous me.

"Don't worry, I like her but if she doesn't like me back then I can't blame her for it. I'll accept my loss."

I confidently declared. I looked him in the eye to show it to him.

"Now I see why Nanami trusted you."

With Nami assisting me and my act, talking with Ogawa became this smooth. He easily accepted what I said.

After finalizing everything, Ogawa left first. He patted my shoulder before he left the room, asking me to take care of Nami for him.

He doesn't have to worry. I'll surely take good care of this scary girl.

When his figure disappeared from the room, Nami and I stared at each other again but no one talked or asked anything.

"Shall we go?"

In the end, it's her who broke the silence.

"Nami, why did you say that?"

"Ruu, you already know why. I realized why you ask for another favor. It's to not make him suspicious, right?"

Right. I just want to confirm if she realized why I did that.

"Yes. It's like that but I could ask for another favor, you know? Why did you suggest Mori?"

"It's to help her."

"That's what I'm curious about. Why do you still want to help her? What if she manages to succeed?"

"She won't. Kazuo, he only thinks of her as his childhood friend, a sister. So no matter what she tries to do, she won't be able to steal him from me. And likewise, you can't steal me from him. I did it so you could settle for Hina."

Nami sounded confident but her voice had a slight trembling in it. This girl. She's conflicted about something.