Another Like Me - Part I (CoTE x OC) ?

Chapter 49 - Study Groups

"Hey, Takeyama-kun. Can I ask you something?"

"..... is it related to what we're doing?"

"No, umm..... it's..... something else." She lowered her voice to a whisper, but I could clearly see Karuizawa occasionally glancing at my direction. Were they in this together, whatever it was?

"Go ahead."

"Actually, umm..... you're..... close to Ayanokoji-kun, right?"

Ahh. Ayanokoji-kun. The absolute chick magnet. Never before had someone approached me to ask for advice on how to hook up with their friend.

I suddenly felt the pain that the friend of the main character in a harem anime felt.

"We are, kinda. Why, you aiming for him?"

Sato immediately turned a bright red. "No! Umm..... that's not what I meant....."

"That is what I meant....."

I sighed. So Sato really was aiming for Ayanokoji.

Finally, someone in the class sees his worth.

"Oh, so umm, have you talked to him before?" I asked curiously.

"Not really, no," she replied, twiddling her pretty brown hair. "It's just that..... it might sound really superficial, but he was really cool during the Sports Festival..... and I kinda think he looked..... hot....."

She slowly turned beet-red again, and lowered her head into her Math textbook.

I sighed. I had no experience in this situation. How was I even supposed to help?

"I'll see what I can do to help, Sato-san," I said casually. "But don't count on me much, I guess."

Sato nodded her head vigorously. "Thank you so much, Takeyama-kun!"

"Huh? What are you guys blabbering on without me?" Chiaki wriggled herself into the conversation.

"The conversation is over. Get back to doing your sums."

"What!? Not fair! You guys can talk, but I can't?"

I narrowed my eyes, and smirked a bit. "Hmm..... you sure don't want me tell anyone about you, do you.....?"

Chiaki widened her eyes, and gulped. Of course, she would completely lose her façade if I tell everyone how she's actually been holding back in tests.

"You're so mean....."

I snickered, and turned her head back to the math textbook, while she continuously pouted at me.

I turned to look at Ichihashi. She was the only one who was diligently working out the problems. I decided to let her leave early. I was gonna hold these three back. It's always work hard, play hard.

________________________________________________________________________________

"..... you're kidding."

"I'm not. Apparently now we're the Ayanokoji Group."

Me and Kiyotaka were lounging in my room with a bag of potato chips and soda. It's something that the 2 of us have suddenly started doing. I don't remember who initiated it, though.

"But why 'Ayanokoji Group'? Were there no other names to choose from?"

"Apparently it was chosen because I was the one who brought us together," Kiyotaka deadpanned. "And now I'm the victim of a very embarrassing nickname."