With spare time before class, I escorted Akane to their school gates before meeting up with some of my girls to spend time with.

Ririka informed me about her clubs plan to go to a convention together. However, the same difficulty we faced, there wasn't an upcoming cosplay convention nearby. The one closest which would be two weeks from now was in a neighboring prefecture. Since Ririka and I already planned to just go to the Summer Comiket, I told her that if they ever decided to go there, she could ask me to go with her.

Even though she didnt explicitly say it, thats part of the reason why she told me about that plan. And upon hearing what I said, the girls happiness burst forth, earning me a shower of kisses from my girl.

After that, Ririka brought up another paper bag which held another piece of prop for the cosplay. She said its not from an official design but from just one of the authors art for the character that became popular with every fan.

She showed it to me and I do agree that it added another layer to the characters comeliness.

Ririka then put it on over my uniform and snapped another photo of me that got shared to their group chat in an instant.

As always, the girls who saw it gushed out at how fitting it was for me. Those girls, theyd probably still stay the same even with a terrible costume theyd be laughing at how comical it was though.

In any case, I didnt simply let it rest with that. Taking the prop off of me, I put it on Ririka and snapped a few photos of her in it for myself.

Since its just a mantle, it fits her perfectly. And in my opinion, it fits her uniform better than mine because of how it complements her natural hair and uniform.

Upon checking how the photo turned out, Ririkas blush became a great highlight to it. Paired with her blooming smile, it brought more light to how her popularity had been growing recently.

Yep. She told me about getting more attention. Not just from the boys in her year but also some girls started approaching her when she was not with the others.

They noticed how blooming she became and thought it was an effect of makeup.

She corrected them by openly revealing her relationship status and how Im making her everyday brighter. They got curious and asked for my name, of course. But instead of telling them that, the girl showed them a photo of me in disguise, of course as well as that social media handle where they posted my cosplay photos.

Thanks to that, I probably got a few followers from it.

They only created that account last week but it was already in the hundreds the last time I checked

Well, considering the vast internet space, thats just a meager number but in terms of our city it was probably enough to say that its a little famous already.

I wouldnt be surprised if some of my classmates already found it especially those who were active on social media.

Ah. Right. Apart from those few followers my social media gained, Ririkas reveal of her relationship vanished most of those who were still attempting to make a move on her or at least, those who didnt believe her when she told them about being already taken.

Thats good for them but that still wouldnt let them be off the hook for troubling my Ririka. And obviously, its the same for the others.

I might not have a comprehensive list yet but I was ready to sweep a few of those idiots off and make an example out of them especially the persistent ones who wouldnt back down at all regardless of what my girls say.

In particular, I caught one right after I sent Ririka to their school gates. I ran into him on one of the alleys I used to sneak away from the opposing wave of students.

I blocked his path and interrogated him. He recognized me as the guy Ririka was dating so it became easy for me to teach him a lesson.

I didnt beat him up since hes just one of those wimpy idiots who didnt know any better but I scared him to the point that he wet his pants.

I wouldnt go into more detail on that. Lets just say he ran away like a dog in the end as I acted like I was going to chase after him.

He left behind a trail of his piss.

For sure, hed be skipping school. I warned him that if I heard that he was still at it, it wouldnt end with just him pissing his pants. Hed be shitting as well.

Will it be effective? I dont know. I will have to wait for a few days to know. But lets hope it will be, I dont want to smell someones shit.

After that, I moved to the place where I agreed to meet up with Yua.

Or rather, Yua and her mother, Auntie Misora.

The same as last week, shes driving her to school. As for the reason Well, shes still waiting for my answer to the offer she delivered back then.

I already have an answer but its not a Yes or No. I mean, Ive already been convinced by my girls and Juri, after all, so I decided to stop letting this hang over our heads.

Not long after I arrived there, Auntie Misoras car drove by, stopping right in front of me.

As the car windows lowered, I was greeted by the pair of mother and daughters enthusiastic smiles. Yua even opened the door for me to hop in.

And so, without hesitation, I got in the backseat where my girl instantly cuddled up to me even with her mother at the wheel.

Thankfully, Auntie Misora looked at us fondly through the rearview mirror.

With a slightly embarrassed smile, I patted my girls head before greeting her mother, Uhm. Its been a while, Auntie. Im sorry for this display.

You dont have to. That girl has been excited ever since she told me youre willing to talk to me again about the offer. Have you decided already?

I believe so

As I trailed my voice there, I noticed Auntie Misoras forehead creasing, perhaps anticipating my rejection.

I truly appreciate the offer. This might be presumptuous of me as an amateur but if its possible, can I not sign anything yet? Ill be willing to do one or two shoots as a part-time job to get a feel of it.

In my head, since theres still the pending result of the contest where Juri sent my photo, I decided not to dive in right away. Win or lose, Ill be asking for Juris opinion again.

I already told Yua about this so this was just me informing her mother. Shes the agent their agency sent to recruit me, after all.

Hmm? I see. I thought you were going to reject our offer. So, youre saying youre going to try it out first?

Yes. But please, Im not putting that out as a condition. I just dont know if Im cut out for it so as much as possible, I dont want to be a burden to both you and Yua.

Upon saying that, I glanced at my girl cuddled in my chest. She was about to refute me by saying Youre not going to be a burden so I have to stop her with that.

Thankfully, she understood my intention she switched it to pinching my arm though.

On the other hand, Auntie Misora turned around to face me. Maybe to read my expression and determine whether I meant what I said or not.

After a while, she nudged her glasses and fell into contemplation.

It didnt take long. Maybe only a few seconds or enough time for Yua to sneak in a kiss.

I understand. Ill raise this to Mashiro and the higher-up who drew the contract offer.

Thank you, Auntie.

Dont worry. I expected this. Yua also started by only doing part-time. Theyre just that eager to snatch you up before anyone else can. Tell me, no one else gave you an offer, no? For example, the other agency from that photoshoot.

No. Ive never been contacted by them. I readily shook my head.

Juri might be a part of that agency but shes not their representative. Besides, after what they did to her, I doubt shed want me to join the same agency even if she won our bet.

Although she wanted me to be her partner, its probably possible to accomplish that even if I joined a different agency. Hopefully, I could find a way to extract her from the contract tying her there.

From the shit they pulled, I would never trust them. If not for the eccentric old man and his authority, it would really be bad for the girl.

Thats great to hear. Well then, Ill leave Yua to you, Onoda-kun. Satisfied by my answer, Auntie Misora nodded as she looked at her daughter and winked.

Yep. Shes now giving us the chance to be alone.

With that, Yua and I got out of her car and started making our way to her school.