I Won't Be a Loser

The lively and outgoing Sekai Saionji and the quiet, reserved Setsuna —when it came to guessing which one might have a boyfriend, almost everyone in the class, including Katsura, leaned toward Sekai.

"Hey, Nanami, who do you think is more likely to have a boyfriend?"

A girl with looped braids tied with beads turned to the short-haired, tomboyish girl next to her.

Leaning her cheek on one hand, Nanami Kanroji glanced at Sekai and Setsuna before settling her gaze briefly on Katsura. After a moment of thought, she gave her analysis.

"Normally, someone with an outgoing and proactive personality like Sekai's would be more popular. It wouldn't be surprising if she had a boyfriend. That's what most people would think. But if you want an interesting twist, maybe it's actually the quieter Setsuna who's secretly dating someone."

Her detailed reasoning made Hikari Kuroda, the girl with braids, nod in agreement.

"That does make sense. But... what if Sekai anticipated that everyone would think that way and asked the question precisely because the answer is actually her?"

Nanami fell silent, dropping her hand from her cheek as she considered Hikari's counterpoint.

Elsewhere in the classroom, other students were quietly speculating. Most kept their thoughts to themselves, waiting eagerly for Katsura's answer and, more importantly, Sekai's revelation.

Katsura, the one put on the spot, hesitated. She didn't want to upset either of them by guessing incorrectly. Clasping her hands nervously, she studied the two girls in front of her—Sekai with her mischievous smile and Setsuna, who seemed indifferent yet occasionally glanced her way.

After much deliberation, Katsura finally spoke.

"Maybe… both of you have boyfriends?"

Her unexpected answer caused a stir. Many students raised their eyebrows, surprised by the bold guess, but some began nodding, considering it a plausible twist.

Sekai, however, blinked in surprise before breaking into a sly grin.

"Oho~ A daring guess! Well then, time to reveal the truth—"

She raised her voice theatrically, and the classroom fell into silence, everyone holding their breath in anticipation.

"Ta-da~ Since you guessed wrong, I won't reveal the answer! Maybe if we get closer, I'll tell you someday~"

"…Huh?!"

The collective sigh of disappointment from the class was almost audible. Their curiosity remained unfulfilled, and they could only wonder about Sekai and Setsuna.

Katsura, too, found herself intrigued. As the conversation wrapped up, several other girls gathered around the trio, drawn by the lively energy. For Sekai, Setsuna, and Katsura, it marked the start of their first connections in this new class.

That afternoon, with no major lessons on the first day, classes ended early. The students began heading home, while club members stayed behind to promote their groups to potential recruits.

Sekai and Setsuna, who lived close to each other, naturally decided to head back together. Katsura, having packed her things, was preparing to leave when Sekai suddenly appeared behind her and threw her arms around her in a hug.

"Gotcha!"

"Eek!"

Caught off guard, Katsura let out a small, startled yelp, causing Sekai to grin mischievously.

"What a cute reaction, Katsura~"

"Uh, Saionji-san…"

"Sekai. Just call me Sekai."

"S-Sekai-san… could you let me go, please?"

"Let go? But you're so slender, and your skin feels so soft! I bet all the boys in class are dying to hug you. I don't think I can let go~"

Katsura's cheeks turned bright red as she stammered, clearly overwhelmed by the teasing.

"Alright, that's enough."

A sharp flick landed on Sekai's head, causing her to release Katsura with a startled yelp. Turning, she saw Setsuna standing there, hand still raised.

"Ow! Setsuna, that hurt!"

"That's because you were bothering Kotonoha-san," Setsuna replied calmly.

Katsura, now free, gave Sekai an unsure look, though Sekai quickly laughed it off and apologized with a sheepish grin.

"Sorry, sorry, Katsura. I was just joking around."

Katsura hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly, her face still pink.

"Where's your house, Katsura?" Sekai asked cheerfully. "School's done for the day, and if we're heading in the same direction, we could walk home together."

"Is that okay?"

Katsura looked at Sekai, then turned to Setsuna as if seeking confirmation.

"Of course!" Sekai said with a thumbs-up.

After Katsura explained where she lived, Sekai paused, her brow furrowing as she tried to place it.

"That area sounds familiar…"

"It's part of the new residential district," Setsuna offered. "They've built some luxury apartments there recently."

Realization dawned on Sekai. She gave Katsura an appraising look.

"Wait… are you a rich girl?"

Katsura's face flushed again. She shook her head modestly, but her shy demeanor gave her away.

Setsuna, observing how easily Sekai made Katsura blush, sighed inwardly, unsure what to make of the timid girl.

"Well, it's a little out of the way, but it's close enough to our route home. Want to walk together?"

"Really? That'd be nice…"

Katsura's shy smile hinted at her happiness. Throughout her school life, she'd never had friends to walk home with, and the offer left her both excited and nervous.

Sekai simply flashed a grin and gave her a thumbs-up in response.

Meanwhile, waiting outside the school gates, Haruto checked his watch impatiently. Several girls had tried striking up a conversation with him, but he politely declined each time. Glancing at the white school building, he wondered what was taking Setsuna so long.