NTR Kousuke

Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Messy

Osada: "...The morning before last, when I got to school early, I saw a girl putting something in Saito-kun's shoe box... Did you get confessed to or something?"

The information from Osada-san was unexpected.

I spin around in a panic! Really?!

Before I can even open my mouth,

"...Is it something else? If you were just confessed to, you wouldn't have that kind of desperate reaction...? Did something happen?"

The calm face I never show in front of Ryo, the eyes that could almost be called cold as she sees right through people...

My instincts are blaring that this girl definitely knows something.

Why? We're not that deeply involved, and we only met in the fall—fairly recently, actually.

Doing my best to keep it from showing on my face,

"...Actually, I'm kind of in a bind right now? There's something on my mind. Osada-san, could you lend me your wisdom?"

Smiling just a little, I try asking her for help.

...Even if my hunch is wrong, she'll get mad, but I know she'll definitely help me out...

...Worst case, she's the culprit or the poster she warned me about, and I end up getting manipulated—that's what scares me...

But with so little information right now, I can't afford to hesitate.

Osada-san looks troubled,

Osada: "...Hmm. I've got a case on my hands right now and I'm kind of busy... Just a bit, okay?"

Osada-san hesitated.

My suspicion suddenly spikes.

The moment I'm about to say something,

Osada: "...Ask Tanaka-kun for details, okay? I've got a lot of stuff I have to take care of... you know?"

Osada-san, having spotted Ryo coming from the other direction, starts walking that way,

Osada: "I'll help when you're done over there. ...It's just because Ryo is worried about it, got it? Don't get the wrong idea."

Osada-san left with a big smile.

I have no idea—absolutely no idea.

Is she an enemy? Or an ally—?

I promised to go eat with Ryo tomorrow... Should I talk to her about this?

...For now, I need to ask Tanaka-kun about the case Osada-san mentioned.

☆ ☆ ☆

Tanaka-kun wipes sweat from his brow and looks away,

Tanaka: "Well, you know? It's not like I was really keeping it a secret..."

According to Tanaka-kun, that Kuzu-kun... has been causing all sorts of trouble?

His grades are bad, and though he barely advanced to second year, it's about time for someone to do something about that jerk... Tanaka chuckled.

Tanaka: "So, with the evidence I gathered through undercover work and filming, Osada-san..."

Script, direction, lead actress: Osada Ai

Filming, composition: Tanaka

Apparently, they've been running a tag-team project like that... I had no idea...

Is this even okay?

Tanaka: "Yeah, Osada-san and I had aligned interests, so we decided to work together. It's not like I was keeping it from Kousuke-kun, but... I just missed my chance to say something... Sorry."

...I'm sure, because of the Yukari-san situation, he's been dealing with Kuzu in my place...

I sigh and apologize to Tanaka-kun for making him handle all this.

Tanaka-kun apologizes too, saying Osada-san is scary, and though she's not a champion of justice, she's got her own principles, so if she's on your side, she's a really reliable girl.

We decide to keep an eye on things and consult Osada-san if needed.

☆ ☆ ☆

Invitation to Hokusho side Nozomi Tachibana

Tennis Club Advisor: "Nozomi! You've got a letter!"

I'm in my third year of middle school now. But nothing's really changed!

I take the letter with a bounce in my step, singing along.

"Nozomi-chan ate it without even reading♪"

At the ♪, I cue the best friends next to me!

Best Friend 1: "So, with no other choice, I wrote a letter back♪"

Best Friend 2: "That letter from before♪"

Best Friend 3: "Don't they have consomme flavor?"

Seri: "Isn't that a weak punchline?"

Laughing hard, I open the letter I got from the advisor during club.

The sender was Hokusho High School...?

As I read on... it turned out to be a practice invitation from the tennis club.

Since it's a strong school, before things get busy in the summer, they invite scholarship student candidates who are middle schoolers for a one-day practice and facilities tour with lunch included.

There's no reason to refuse. Apparently, if you reply, you'll get to join the practice at Hokusho High School on the last Sunday of the month.

Nozomi: "Sensei! I want to go! Please handle the paperwork!"

I decided to participate without a second thought!

If I don't get a scholarship, there's no way I could go to a private school!

Hokusho has been reaching out since last year; if the vibe is good, it'll be perfect!

On the way home from club,

My best friends were worried about me.

Best Friend 3: "It's worrying if Nozomi's alone..."

Best Friend 2: "...Since she's a wild animal..."

Best Friend 1: "True... Seri, can't you go with her?"

They're not teasing—are they really that worried? Am I that worrisome?

I'm just a normal junior high girl, you know!

Seri: "The letter says only those participating in practice are invited... No escorts or zookeepers allowed."

"I'm not being kept in captivity!"

Giggling as we walk home, every day is fun, but now it's finally my last year of middle school.

Two years ago, Kashii-senpai and my older brother put their all into every event to make memories with everyone, and I can feel why now.

...I thought I understood, but now it really hits home.

I want to give my all to club, school events, and even entrance exams, right?

I've started having more of those talks with Seri and the others.

If this practice invitation goes well, wouldn't it give me a big advantage for entrance (as a scholarship student)? With that kind of setup,

"First, I'll storm into Hokusho—which is supposed to be my future school!"

Seri: "You'll just bother the other kids who want to go to Hokusho!"

"I know! I'll just beat up all the other scholarship candidates!"

Best Friend 3: "...I'm worried, but I really want to see that."

Best Friend 1: "So relatable."

Best Friend 2: "I can already picture Nozomi ruining it after sensing the mood (lol)"

Seri: "You don't get it! I just hope you behave yourself and go politely..."

Best Friend 1: "Nozomi, don't let the other scholarship candidates walk all over you!"

Best Friend 2: "...No need to act all friendly if you're feeling nervous!"

Best Friend 3: "Isn't this just what Nozomi loves?"

"Never retreat! Never flatter! Never look back—!"

Seri: "That's a villain's line!"

Laughing together, the five of us head home.

We laughed so much again today, didn't we?

That's right! Since there's still time until the end of the month, I'll ask Kousuke-kun all about Hokusho!

Early in my third year, I've already got an event that'll affect my future path!