Chapter 4: Let’s Talk Again

A full week had passed since I’d made silly faces at President Rai’s little brother by chance.

And in all that time?

I hadn’t transformed even once.

After my last attempt at playing the mysterious beauty, I realized I needed some practice. So, every day after school, I’d lock myself in my room—working on my lines, practicing expressions, even learning a few magic tricks to make my exits smoother.

But there was another reason I stayed hidden: to spark their curiosity.

If I showed up too often, I’d just be another random girl. But if I kept my distance? Mystery intact. Allure preserved.

There’s a saying: "If pushing doesn’t work, try pulling."

So that’s what I did.

By disappearing, I let Rekka and the others stew in their frustration and guilt.

Miraculously, I’d left Rai with the impression of "that kind girl who helped my brother." If that image reached Rekka, Koori, and Hikari?

Perfect.

Because then they’d realize—

"That girl we scared off? She wasn’t a threat. She just wanted to join us for tea… and she helped a lost kid, too."

This was my masterstroke: The "Guilt-Trip Attraction Strategy."

God bless you, lost little brother. You were saved by a total schemer. Next time, I’ll treat you to ice cream.

Sure, any normal person would be wary of a stranger who knew their name. But Rekka? That soft-hearted fool was probably sweating bullets right now, scouring the town for me.

He’d want to apologize for acting hostile.

(Even though I was the one who messed up. I was the creep. Sorry, Rekka. Playing the villain’s too fun. Forgive me, you poor soul.)

The plan was flawless. Now, all that was left?

Execution.

From what I’d observed about the Hero Club lately, my predictions were spot on.

If I’m wrong? I’ll die of shame. But hesitation gets you nowhere.

Time to move.

---

Alright, here we go.

Right now, I’m in girl form, standing on top of a water tank on some random building’s rooftop.

And, yep, it's broad daylight on a weekend.

By casually hanging out in a precarious spot like this, I can make it clear I’m not your average person. Weirdos belong on rooftops, after all.

The Setup

Just a moment ago, Rekka had been fighting a monster down in the alley below, with me providing long-range magic arrow support from up here.

Now, my attacks weren’t exactly powerful (I’m pretty weak, honestly), but they were enough to distract the beast and open up some opportunities. Perfect for someone like me.

But this wasn’t just about helping him.

I wanted him to notice me.

Because, really, what’s better than a rooftop conversation event?

The Arrival

Clang!

The rooftop door bursts open, and there he is—Rekka, drenched in sweat, panting like he ran here in a hurry.

"Ah! …Koku."

He scans the area frantically, then looks up and spots me perched on the water tank.

I keep my gaze fixed on him, my face blank, until our eyes finally meet.

Relief spreads across his face as he calls out:

"I’m glad… I found you."

"...I see."

I keep my voice intentionally flat. If I let even a hint of "I’m happy to see you" slip, I’ll instantly get bumped down to harem member #3.

"I’ve been looking for you. …Ah, wait—first, I should thank you. You saved me back there."

"...You’re welcome."

I keep it cool and distant, just like Koku did a week ago when his affection levels were still low.

But then—

"...And about last time—I’m really sorry!!"

He bows deeply, his voice heavy with guilt.

Ohhh, this is good. I’m getting weirdly excited. Gotta rein it in before I start enjoying his suffering too much.

"It’s fine."

"No, it’s not! We were the ones who invited you, and then we just… rejected you, even acted hostile… That’s unforgivable."

Damn, he’s taking this way too seriously! But that sense of responsibility? Admirable.

"So… let me make it up to you. Koori and Hikari—they didn’t mean to come off that way."

"...Is inviting someone to tea… a bad thing?"

"Huh?!"

Time to turn on the "strategic obliviousness."

I act like I never even noticed the girls’ hostility—just a pure-hearted girl who really wanted some tea.

Whether he interprets it as emotional cluelessness or innocent earnestness, either works.

"I… I know you wanted to have tea with them that day. I’m sorry for getting in the way."

"W-Wait, no, that’s not—!"

"It was my first time being invited… so I got too excited. If you’ll forgive me, let’s have tea again."

"Y-Yeah! Let’s! Seriously, you didn’t do anything wrong! I-I mean, it’s not like I was trying to keep them to myself back then or anything…"

By implying I hold no grudge against Koori and Hikari—maybe even liked being invited—Rekka can relax.

"...Nn!"

Out of nowhere, a strong breeze hits.

"Wh—?!"

Rekka flinches—just as the wind flips my skirt up.

Normally, my skirt’s already short enough that from his angle, it’s teetering on the edge of indecency.

But this time?

Oh-ho~. You totally saw, didn’t you, Rekka?

"……"

"Ah, uh… w-wait—!"

Ohhh? Look at that—his face is as red as an apple, and he’s completely turned away. Adorable.

You saw it, didn’t you? Those black string panties—the kind only heroines in eroge wear.

Seriously, dude. You’re always getting "lucky pervert moments" with the other heroines, so why are you reacting like a pure-hearted virgin? Way too adolescent.

"I-I didn’t see anything! Really!!"

"...If you wanted to see, I could show you again?"

The wind dies down, and this time, I pinch the hem of my skirt myself.

"W-W-WAIT!! NO THANKS! I’M GOOD!!"

"I see."

"YES!!!"

Rekka spins around, covering his face like a scandalized maiden. Fine, fine. I let go of my skirt. Forcing it would just make me look like a creep. Even harem heroines have their limits.

My whole thing is being the passive, obedient type—the kind of heroine who never refuses and just goes along with things.

The type who tests the protagonist’s self-control because she’s so defenseless and submissive.

Since all the other harem girls are more aggressive, our straight-laced protagonist would naturally be weak to this type. Hence, the doll-like heroine act.

That said, if he asked to see, I’d totally flash him—but there’s zero chance he’d ever say that. Too much of a gentleman.

If he did, it’d only be after entering some dedicated route, like in eroge. Those MCs are all "I’m so serious!!" until the H-scenes hit, then suddenly they’re into public indecency and leash collars. Scary. Hope my best friend isn’t like that.

"Hup—"

"Whoa?!"

I leap off the water tank, using wind magic to land gracefully in front of Rekka. Gotta sell the "mysterious girl" vibe. Thank god I practiced.

"A-Are you okay?! Jumping from that high is dangerous…"

"I’m used to it."

(My heart was pounding, though!)

"…Ah."

Growl~

My stomach betrays me loudly. Oh right. I forgot lunch.

"…Uh, I’m actually hungry too. Wanna eat together?"

"Mm."

Smooth save, Rekka. No wonder you’re popular.

But there’s a problem: My transformation only has 30 minutes left. Not enough for a proper meal.

Yet bailing now feels like a waste… I need to milk this for more affection points.

Wait.

"Where’s your house?"

"Huh? W-Why…?"

"Let’s split up for now. I’ll buy ingredients… and cook for you. Is that… no good?"

I tilt my head just slightly. It’s a bold request—he might refuse.

"That’s…"

He hesitates. Time to push harder.

"Important talks… shouldn’t be outside."

"—!"

Nice reaction. The beauty of playing a "mysterious heroine"? Even vague lines carry weight.

"Like… why I know your name."

"…Yeah. You’re right."

Rekka pulls out his student handbook, scribbles his address on a torn page, and hands it to me.

"Koku. President Rai told me about you… Was that really true?"

"Ask her. My words… wouldn’t convince you."

"…No. I’ll trust you for now."

Classic protagonist move. Normal people wouldn’t hand their address to a stranger, but that’s why he’s the MC.

(Not like I don’t already know where he lives. But asking avoids suspicion.)

I take the paper and head for the rooftop exit—then pause, glancing back.

"Rekka."

"…Yeah?"

"Whether I’m an ally… is for you to decide. But one thing."

A warm breeze sweeps across the rooftop, tousling my black hair.

"I never… ever… meant to scare you."

I leave before he can reply.

…Heh heh heh! Mysterious heroine points: MAX.