The Heroines Want to Confess

Lunchtime.

"Sakurai-kun! I forgot my bento today! Let's go eat at the cafeteria together!"

At the entrance of Class 2-A, Fujiwara Chika stood, waving enthusiastically toward Sakurai Saku.

Instantly—

All eyes in the classroom turned toward the two of them.

Some students even glanced toward the girl sitting next to Sakurai—Hayasaka Ai.

For a while now, rumors had been circulating about these three.

Supposedly—

Two of the most beautiful girls in school were locked in a fierce battle over Sakurai,and it had even escalated to physical violence.

This wild narrative had inspired several creative works,including a serialized story in the Media Club's latest issues—

"My Brutal Love Triangle with the Ojou-sama and the Gal".

Sakurai had a good guess who was responsible.

Those damn Media Club kids.

Always chasing "big news", never bothering to study properly.

Seriously—other people's love lives are none of their business!

The worst part?

Their writing was actually good.

Their stories had plot twists, strong character development, and just the right amount of drama.

Some were so engaging that even Sakurai himself nearly believed them.

Especially that one about him storming the Fujiwara residence with a katana to "claim" her.That scene had been intensely thrilling.

Back to reality.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire class, Sakurai glanced at Hayasaka Ai.

Then—

he got up and left with Chika.

Would Ai-chan feel hurt by this?

Probably not, Sakurai figured.

Their relationship wasn't that deep yet—at least, not to the level of romantic feelings.

As for Fujiwara—

Her adorable little face was practically screaming "I like you" at him.

It was so obvious that even if he didn't want to know, he had no choice but to notice.

Meanwhile, Back in Class

Watching Sakurai and Chika leave, Hayasaka Ai's expression momentarily darkened.

Then, she casually started chatting with her classmates.

After a while, the desks were pushed together, and Ai took out her bento.

"Sakurai-kun left…"

One of her friends nudged her.

"Ai, aren't you going after him?"

Ai shook her head, saying nothing.

Her expression remained composed, but there was a faint sense of loneliness in her eyes.

It was subtle, but anyone paying attention could see it.

Several classmates began whispering among themselves.

—"Bait taken. Success."

Ai absorbed everything happening around her.

Sometimes—

A temporary setback can become a powerful advantage.

Public opinion is a strong weapon.

Fujiwara Chika was too pure when it came to romance.

She never played mind games.

Which meant—her actions were easy to predict.

If Ai had been dealing with a more unpredictable rival,the kind who flips emotions like a runaway train, it would have been much harder.

Those types of girls were the most dangerous.

One moment, they're cold and distant—The next, they're confessing their love out of nowhere.

Terrifying.

Hayasaka Ai hoped she would never encounter a rival like that.

Elsewhere—The Nakano Sisters

At the same time, the five Nakano sisters were also heading toward the cafeteria.

They were moving faster than Sakurai.

Nakano Itsuki glanced at her chatting sisters,her mind occupied with how to properly apologize to Sakurai.

—If you do something wrong, you should apologize!

That was Itsuki's philosophy.

The only question was—would he forgive her?

"Itsuki, what are you eating for lunch?"

Nakano Yotsuba suddenly leaned in, breaking her thoughts.

"Meat buns?" Itsuki mumbled absentmindedly.

"Eh? But tempura udon is tastier! Let's eat that together!"

Yotsuba then turned to Miku.

"What about you, Miku?"

"I'm having matcha cake."

"That's not a proper lunch! You'll gain weight." Nino frowned.

Miku glanced at her coldly.

"What does that have to do with you?"

Nino's expression darkened.

For a moment, she was completely silent.

Was she really getting the cold shoulder… over that damn tutor?!

She was their sister.

And he was just some stranger!

The more she thought about it—the angrier she got.

"Miku! You're seriously throwing a tantrum over that guy?! He's just a tutor! If we don't like him, we can replace him! There are thousands of tutors in Tokyo—who cares about him?!"

The mood soured instantly.

"Guys, don't fight…" Yotsuba pleaded.

Ichika, seeing things escalate, took charge.

"Enough. Let's just apologize to him later. He already said he's quitting, so it's basically what Nino wanted, right?"

Her tone was firm—the authority of the eldest sister.

But at that moment—

Something snapped inside Nino.

"I'M NOT APOLOGIZING!"

She had considered it.

Really, she had!

But now?

After Miku turning against her, after Ichika taking control, after Itsuki also siding against her?

Forget it.

They were all blaming her.

"I didn't do anything wrong!"

"I just wanted to protect our family!"

"Why is everything my fault?!"

Her chest tightened.

She felt wronged.

And before she could stop it—

Tears welled up in her eyes.

A few seconds later—

Warm teardrops trickled down her cheeks.

"…Hmph!"

Nino sniffled, wiping her tears.

Her voice trembled as she spoke through gritted teeth—

"Fine! Blame everything on me! That'll make you all happy, right?!"

"Go eat your damn lunch—I'm not going!"

With that—

She turned and ran off in the opposite direction.

"…She ran off."

Yotsuba watched her leave, unsure whether to chase after her or not.

"I'm hungry," Miku said flatly.

"…We should buy her something to eat later."

Itsuki sighed, looking toward the growing crowd of students heading for the cafeteria.

Nino was already out of sight.

It was too late to chase after her now.

Meanwhile—At the Cafeteria Entrance

"Sakurai-kun, what do you want to eat?"

Fujiwara bounced excitedly, walking alongside him.

Today was the last day of their bet.

The whole "forgot my bento" excuse?

Total lie.

This was just an excuse to eat with him.

"…Curry pork cutlet set."

Sakurai thought for a moment.

"Then I'll have the same~"

Suddenly—

There was a commotion ahead.

"Huh? What's happening?"

"Is it a murder mystery?! Or a public confession?!"

Fujiwara's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Sakurai's sleeve and dragged him toward the crowd.

Sakurai, resigned, let himself be pulled along.

And then—

A familiar figure suddenly rushed out of the crowd—

Moving at full speed!

"BAM!!"

The three collided violently.

Sakurai immediately pulled Fujiwara into his arms, shielding her from the impact.

When he looked up—

He saw a tear-streaked, furious face.

Nakano Nino.

She sat on the floor, clutching her forehead.

Tears still clung to her furious, humiliated expression.

And then—

She screamed.

"SCUMBAG!!"

Sakurai narrowed his eyes.

His patience had finally run out.

With zero hesitation, he shot back—

"UGLY BITCH! SHUT THE HELL UP!!"