I Won't Be a Loser

When Yoshi Akihisa's text message arrived, Haruto was lingering around the school vicinity, currently being pestered by a girl from a neighboring school. Wearing a different school uniform, he politely declined her invitation. As soon as he read Yoshi's message, he hurried back to the school.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring classroom, Sakamoto Yuuji silently left his seat and began moving towards their class.

Hiding inside the teacher's podium, Yoshi Akihisa remained motionless, waiting. When he received a message from Yuuji—just the number "2," signaling that he was in position and ready—Yoshi slowly crawled out from his hiding spot.

Peeking into the classroom, he spotted the girl who had appeared. Without hesitation, he dashed towards the doorway, blocking one of the exits.

The girl inside the classroom panicked and turned toward the back door, only to find a tall and imposing figure stepping inside, cutting off her escape.

"So, you're the one Haruto has been looking for?" Yuuji asked, his gaze fixed on her. "We've been waiting nearly half an hour for you to show up."

"Miyamizu-kun… I thought he had already left school?"

"He's on his way."

"I see…"

A look of resignation appeared on the girl's face. Her shoulders slumped, her arms hung limp at her sides, and she stood in the classroom with an air of helplessness.

Yoshi Akihisa and Sakamoto Yuuji exchanged glances, both with puzzled expressions.

They had been expecting their "target" to be a male student, even preparing for a potential fight if necessary. Yet, to their surprise, the person standing before them was just an ordinary-looking girl.

Well… maybe not entirely ordinary. Her outfit and overall appearance felt a bit… plain.

It didn't take long for Haruto to return to the school. In about ten minutes, he rushed back into the classroom, only to find his two "lieutenants" standing around a girl who was now sitting in Yuuji's seat, her head lowered.

"Is this her?" Haruto exhaled, stepping into the room and looking toward Yuuji and Yoshi.

"We're not sure if she's the one you were looking for, but this is the person we caught," Yuuji replied, giving a slight shrug. "We don't really know the details. Is she your so-called 'culprit'?"

Yuuji studied the girl sitting in his seat. He had no idea what kind of dispute existed between her and Haruto.

"Well… I'm not entirely sure either."

Haruto approached and stood beside Yuuji, looking down at the girl. As if sensing his gaze, she timidly lifted her head. Two thick braids hung on either side of her face, and she wore large, black-framed glasses. Her eyes darted away, avoiding direct contact with Haruto's .

Something about her seemed familiar. Haruto frowned slightly, searching his memories.

"Have we… met before?" he asked.

"…Y-Yes… on the first day of school…" the girl stammered. "Miyamizu-kun, I… I accidentally bumped into you."

Her voice was soft and trembling. She spoke hesitantly, barely managing to get her words out.

With her response, Haruto's hazy memories sharpened. His expression relaxed into one of realization.

"Oh, that time…" he murmured. "You were that girl."

At his words, the girl clenched her fists tightly, gripping the hem of her skirt as her body trembled even more.

Standing nearby, Yoshi Akihisa and Sakamoto Yuuji watched the scene unfold. Yoshi leaned toward Yuuji and whispered,

"Another one?"

"…Probably."

Yuuji's gaze shifted between the nervous girl and Haruto, unsure of what exactly was going on but choosing to remain silent.

"So… the things that happened these past few days—was that you?" Haruto asked.

The girl hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"I saw a post online," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It said that… if I did this for seven days without getting caught… it would cast a love spell… and make Miyamizu-kun fall for me."

Haruto sighed, rubbing his temple. He glanced at the girl, then at his two friends. After a deep breath, he composed himself.

"If anyone other than me had seen you," he said, "this wouldn't be a 'love spell.' It would be a 'destruction spell.'"

"I-I'm so sorry!"

The girl abruptly stood and bowed deeply, her trembling voice accompanied by the soft sound of tears falling onto the desk. Haruto watched her, feeling a bit helpless.

"Can you promise me you won't do this again?" he asked gently. "Um… what was your name again?"

"…Yoshida… Yoshida Saki. I understand. From now on, I'll keep my distance from Miyamizu-kun. I won't bother you anymore."

"Uh… Haruto …"

Yoshi Akihisa started to say something, glancing at the crying girl. He was about to try comforting her when Yuuji placed a hand on his shoulder and wordlessly pushed him out of the classroom.

With those two gone, Haruto turned his attention back to the sobbing girl before him. Reaching out, he placed his hand gently on her head, stroking her hair. Slowly, her sobs quieted. She looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears.

"There's nothing wrong with liking someone," Haruto said with a warm smile. "You're a cute girl, Yoshida-san. Even without doing something like this, someone will surely like you for who you are."

"M-Miyamizu-kun…"

"So, don't believe in some silly 'love magic'—believe in yourself, okay?"

Tears blurred her vision. Yoshida Saki wiped at her face, nodding as she sniffled.

"Mm!"

Haruto pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to her. As she wiped her tears, he hesitated for a moment before asking,

"By the way… the things that were left at my house—was that you too?"

Yoshida blinked in confusion.

"Miyamizu-kun's… house? No… I don't know anything about that."

"I see."

Haruto had thought the mystery was solved, but it turned out this was only part of the problem.

"…Wait, Miyamizu-kun," Yoshida asked hesitantly, "did another girl—?"

"No," Haruto quickly interrupted. "It's just… some things have gone missing. And, um, those underwear that were left in my desk—I, uh, didn't know who sent them, so I… disposed of them."

"Oh… No, it's okay." Yoshida shook her head, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I should be the one apologizing. My actions were inappropriate. I'm just relieved you don't hate me…"

After hearing the full story, Haruto reassured her once more and sent her home. Then, he left the school with Yoshi and Yuuji.

"That girl really likes you, huh?" Yoshi muttered.

Haruto sighed. "Yeah… on the first day of school, I bumped into her before I even got to class. She seemed really nervous and insecure, so I comforted her a bit. I didn't think it would lead to all this…"

Yuuji gave him a knowing look, while Yoshi scowled in mock jealousy.

"Just remember, you promised to treat us to ramen this weekend."

"Of course. I won't forget."

After parting ways with his friends, Haruto walked home alone.

As he turned a street corner, a small figure appeared behind him, clutching a shiny object, quietly trailing after him.

Haruto had no idea that his simple words of comfort had set so many things in motion.

"Is this really unrelated to the theft?"

Arriving at his apartment, he spotted a small figure crouched at his door, hugging her knees.

"Setsuna?"

"Haruto, you're late," the girl pouted.

Her voice carried a hint of complaint, but her eyes were filled with concern.

"…Are you okay?"

"Mm, it's all taken care of."

Seeing the girl crouched at his apartment door, Haruto slowly lowered himself to her level, spreading his arms to embrace Setsuna. With one hand, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his keys, and unlocked the door.

Holding her close, he stepped inside.

Before Setsuna could react, letting out a small, surprised sound, Haruto reached back and shut the door behind them—firmly.