Animania: Everyone Loves Me

Twenty minutes later, Ijichi family's apartment, living room.

"So, actually the scene we saw was all a misunderstanding?"

Yamada Ryou crossed her arms, slender brows slightly raised, "Including PA-san hugging boyfriend-kun with not a shred of clothing on and confronting the manager… that was all a coincidence? Really co-co and inci-incident, do you guys always have coincidences like that?"

"Please don't say any more!", The sound engineer lady covered her face, already wanting to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

At this moment she had changed into the black long dress she usually wore, and her previously feverish skin, tinged with unhealthy pink, had returned to fair, naturally thanks to the good doctor's efforts.

Previously being delirious due to the fever was one thing, but now with her mind clear again and her smart intelligence regaining control, just recalling that scene made PA-san's round toes hidden in her shoes clutch the floor in embarrassment, making her want to move to another city overnight to live.

Although the members of the Kessoku Band were all girls and the only male present was boyfriend-kun, this kind of exposed play was still far too advanced for PA-san, who had abundant theoretical knowledge but zero practical experience.

Ryou didn't think it was a big deal. Her surprise earlier had only lasted a moment. After all, she had read many even more outrageous scenarios in certain "youth training manuals."

However, seeing PA-san on the verge of tears, looking like she would jump off a building and respawn if teased again, Ryou decided to let the big sister sound engineer off and instead turned to the quiet Kaito beside her, clearing her throat, "To personally experience such an event only main characters in manga get, a 'lucky pervert' incident… boyfriend-kun, how do you feel?"

'You really don't think it's big enough of a deal, huh?'

Kaito raised an eyebrow, but didn't answer her question, "If I remember correctly… Ryou-san, you seem to still owe me an unconditional wager."

The date of Kessoku Band's first live performance was supposed to be a stormy day, and to ensure Nijika and the others could perform normally, he made a teru teru bozu (sunshine charm doll).

Back then, the bratty Ryou, unaware of the vastness of the sky, actually doubted his ability and even dragged in the other band members to make a bet with him. The bet was simple: the winner could ask the loser to do anything.

Since it was just for fun, Kaito hadn't planned to take advantage of it and didn't bring it up during the celebration banquet afterward.

But… seeing this brat Ryou once again puff up and try to make fun of him, 'Such behavior, just like a bratty female goblin, must be corrected.'

Yamada Ryou: "…"

'Crap!'

Too busy fanning the flames, she forgot about that.

An unrestricted request, that's too dangerous.

She didn't suspect boyfriend-kun would ask for something weird. That wouldn't be a punishment, it'd be rewarding her.

But what if he got mischievous and, say, made her draw a little turtle on her face and commanded her not to erase it all day…

Just thinking about that scene made the smile on Ryou's lips vanish. She lowered her head and said very sincerely, "Sorry, I was too arrogant just now."

Not just her. Thinking of that past bet, Nijika's pretty face flushed, Kita bit her lip, and the most bashful Bocchi had already buried her head deeply in her chest, even her ears turning a cherry blossom hue.

This unified reaction made store manager Seika watching them highly suspicious, "You guys… are hiding something from me and PA again? What do you mean by a wager?"

"N-no, it's just we were playing truth or dare before,"

Having just thought of some unhealthy scenes, Nijika was a bit guilty now. Afraid her sister would dig deeper, she quickly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, it's almost opening time. Since PA-san is okay now, Bocchi and I will go downstairs to welcome guests first."

Kita also quickly nodded, echoing, "Y-yes! We'll head downstairs now! Bye, manager!"

"Why are you running so fast?", Watching the backs of the girls hurrying off, Ijichi Seika pouted. She felt these guys were even more suspicious now.

However… she glanced again at PA-san, who had been quietly hiding in a corner pretending to be a mushroom this whole time, and coughed, "Today's work, I can help cover your shift. As for PA… just recovered from illness, better rest a bit more."

"Th-thank you, Seika…", PA-san's feelings were a mess right now. As a long-time otaku, she rarely even left her house, let alone dated?

Growing up, this was the first time a male had seen her pure body, how could she just laugh it off like nothing happened?

Seika understood how she felt. After all, with what just happened, it made sense to let her calm down alone. She turned to Kaito:

"Boyfr—I mean, Kaito-kun? Will you come downstairs with me?"

Of course Kaito wouldn't refuse. Staying would only make PA-san more awkward.

Seeing both of them about to leave—

"W-wait!", PA-san, who had been hesitating and torn, suddenly panicked.

'It's fine if Seika leaves, but K-K-K-Kaito-kun… y-y-you don't have anything you want to say to me?'

She didn't even know what she was thinking, only that her brain got hot and—snap—she grabbed the younger pretty boy's wrist.

"You can't go!"

Ijichi Seika: "?"

'Why you grabbing him like that?'

"…Miss PA, do you have something you want to say to me?", Kaito also fell silent but didn't shake off her grip. After all, he did see a lot of things he shouldn't have seen earlier.

"I-I mean…", PA's face turned red, then suddenly as if inspired, she nodded firmly, "Yes, I do have something to say to you."

Seeing her so full of conviction, Kaito didn't refuse, only turned to Seika, "In that case, manager, please head downstairs first. I'll be there shortly."

Seika was a bit reluctant.

But since her future brother-in-law said so, she couldn't oppose him. After hesitating, she reminded him, "Well… if anything happens, call me, I'll come right back."

Kaito nodded, sincerely replying, "Thank you, manager, for your concern."

'I-it's not like I'm worried about you! I'm just keeping an eye on my sister's future husband.'

Blinded for a second by those eyes full of her reflection, the super-tsundere manager blushed and left.

Once she was gone, only two people remained in the room.

Kaito looked at the PA-san still holding his wrist, "Miss PA, could you let go of my hand first?"

"Huh? Oh, oh!"

The long black straight-haired big sister snapped out of it and quickly let go like she was shocked, sitting back on the sofa stiff as a wooden doll.

"The manager has left. If it's something inconvenient to say in front of her, now you can speak," Kaito sat across from her, ready to listen.

PA: "..."

Even she didn't know what she wanted to say.

At this point, saying "my body moved on its own" was too lame.

Facing the younger pretty boy's eyes that seemed to contain a galaxy, PA-san's CPU began to spin at high speed.

'Something inconvenient to say in front of Seika…'

'Inconvenient…'

'Seika…'

'Wait—Seika!'

Suddenly a light bulb lit up.

'Seika I'm sorry! I'll never forget your great kindness! Once I get through this, I'll apologize by groveling on the floor! I'll even work free for three months without salary if needed!'

After repenting a thousand times in her heart, PA-san sat upright, face full of solemn seriousness, "Kaito-kun, do you know?"

Kaito furrowed his brow, "What do you want to say?"

"Actually Seika…"

PA took a deep breath, "Has always… liked you!"

"..."

After a long silence.

Kaito: "?"

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