Ch 40 – 08 May, Sow the Seed

It was Tuesday, the sun was shining brightly, and it was time for lunch break.

Kouta was working on the computer with bread in his mouth, chewing it slowly. While his hand didn't stop working. He had already texted Takao that he would be borrowing the computer at lunch to continue editing yesterday's match into one long advertisement for Floopy Bird games.

Yesterday, upon arrival home, Kouta immediately connected his video recorder to his computer, and he did some editing to the video. and until now he had been working on it. His editing ability improved as a result of his father's instruction and the memories he gained.

Kouta's lightless eyes glided on the computer. He felt like the amount of work he had been doing had increased day by day. Even though he always said in his mind that he would enjoy his life. But these days, he must experience the busiest time of his life.

At the same time, Kouta also got a message from Eriri about her trying to eat lunch together with Tomoya. To be honest, Kouta believes he has already stolen Eriri's body and a portion of her heart. It was just her still haunted or lingering feeling from the past.

The simplest thing to do was to destroy those dreams and feelings that bound her, which may have been the promise she made to Tomoya.

"So, she finally tried to do something… Huh…" Seeing Eriri's message, Kouta mumbled a little, as he knew that he needed to do his part too.

But for now, Kouta tried to make this video as a promotional piece for their game, Floopy Bird.

"Really… how far are you already making those videos… Faaa…"

Kouta turned when he heard someone talking, accompanied by a worried sigh,

"Takao-senpai… Sup…" Kouta greeted her briefly before returning to his work.

"Really, you and Inada… just really like working very hard. Do you want some tea and snacks?" Takao once again sighed as she thought of her juniors, and offered Kouta some refreshment.

"Well, of course. I will like it." Surprised by Takao's kind offer. Kouta stretched out his arms and yawned, but accepted her offer.

While Takao prepared the refreshment, she suddenly asked, "Are you tired?"

"Yeah, a bit. But I'm fine, and I want to finish this fast…" Kouta answered in an extremely calm manner.

"Really?" Takao replied to Kouta's words relatively normally and put refreshments near Kouta's hands.

Kouta took a deep breath and said calmly, "Yeah… On the contrary, I am very curious that Takao-senpai acted like nothing happened yesterday."

"Ah… about that…" Takao blushed slightly, recalling what had happened the day before, and seemed pleased before realizing what had happened. "I'm just being a good senior here. Honored my hardworking junior." She then gave a warm smile and continued her reasoning.

"Takao-senpai, if you continue being this nice. I can't help myself to like you more…"

"You and your mouth…" Takao used her left hand and pinched his nose, Takao who made mischief smiling charmingly. Her eyes are a bit playful. "Haa… Why can't you be just a normal guy?" This time she put a hand to her forehead and sighed deeply.

"Well, if I'm just a normal guy. I don't think I will be here…" Kouta naturally replied with these few words. If he didn't get those memories, he would have more likely stayed in his home, and he would still be sad over his family's death.

It wasn't that he didn't feel sad, but rather that he moved on and tried his best. In the end, Kouta edited the video until the lunch break ended.

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Kouta already had plans after school, so Kouta walked slowly toward the place… No, he would rather search for someone.

Until Kouta found those teenage otaku boys with straight black hair that covered his forehead.

"Oh… Tomoya. It's been a long time." Kouta called out to the boy, who looked unamused by Kouta's presence.

"Ah, yes…" Tomouya's gaze at moment.

"I just want to tell you that. I'm joining the GCC club. Can you try our game?" Kouta spoke happily about the game and told Tomoya how to play the game. He wanted to lighten the mood between them.

Tomoya followed Kouta's instructions and tried playing the game.

"Casual game for mobile.. Huh. Wait, isn't this sewer pole kind of like a Mario game?" Tomoya played the game and gave Kouta his opinion. They had small talk about the game, before Kouta started to talk about the dating sims he played on Sunday that were recommended by Eriri.

"Oh… Are you playing dating sims too!? It's such a good game…" Tomoya's expression brightened up. Seemingly very happy, Tomoya spoke quickly about the dating sims he liked.

Kouta himself only responded by saying that the dating sims were recommended by a friend.

"Oh… Your friend had such good taste," Tomoya said, impressed. While Kouta whispered in his mind that the one who told him was Tomoya's childhood friend. But of course, he didn't need to tell him that. Soon, they wouldn't have any relation to each other. Through those various conversations, Kouta changed the flow to something he wanted to do.

"Ah… It makes me remember Kashiwa Eri. It's nothing new for doujin mangaka to write some sort of manga. But she looks like she's working with another author. I wonder if they're close or anything. And I think her drawing became more refined that day after working with that author… what do you think of Tomoya?"

"Eh that…" Kouta could sense Tomoya's face growing increasingly gloomy. He may have felt really bad after seeing his childhood friend working with other people. They have especially promised to each other in the past to make something together.

In the anime, Tomoya took those promises for granted. But Kouta wouldn't let that happen.

"But… I'm really fortunate to get the same class as Eriri." Kouta said. "I mean, she is one of the top beauties of our year, right?" He added.

"Ah… yes…" Tomoya's face blushed when something must have happened when they  had lunch together.

"She became more beautiful by the day, right…"

"Ah… Right…"

Kouta was surprised to hear Tomoya agree with him. Which makes him wonder a bit what she did to him. Oh, well… He could have asked her later.

"Not only that… she became sexier this day…"

"Eh…" Tomoya was surprised by Kouta's sudden sensual topic.

"You knew her from elementary school, right? Is there really no news about her having a boyfriend or maybe a fiancé?" Kouta asked the question while showing a serious expression on his face.

"What… I don't think so… Do those two have any connection?" Tomoya replied, but his face started becoming paler and paler.

"What are you saying, Tomoya. Of course. There was a big relation between Eriri that changed and boyfriend stuff. Since the majority of women change themselves would be… because they have a man after all. And if they become sexier… well, she most likely already does it, right?" Kouta said what he wanted to say to Tomoya.

Tomoya himself looked very much disturbed when he heard what Kouta was saying. He may have tried to connect things…

Kouta didn't know what Tomoya was thinking, but it looked like what he was thinking really worried him so much.

The expression on her face was different from the usual relaxed one. It was intense, with many conflicts and contradictions.

Oh, well… Kouta felt he was already done with Tomoya. Since his plan was to make a doubt on Tomoya… He wanted to make their relationship blow out.

Even though he and Eriri didn't go out with each other. For someone like a dense-protagonist, those things would be too much. So Kouta left Tomoya with his usual devilish grin.