---Ten Minutes Later---

I slumped lifelessly onto the desk. In the brutal battle of academics just now... I didn’t gain the slightest advantage. There were even moments when I almost got stumped by her...

“Damn it... Is this woman really that strong? Even someone like me can’t break through her defenses?”

As I lay there defeated, my gaze inadvertently caught sight of the stash of snacks and a game console shoved under the bed.

So that’s the true source of those earlier ruckus noises, huh?

Could it be… that someone as perfect as Dojima-san, a model high school girl, actually enjoys gaming?!

Reading manga and eating junk food is one thing, but gaming too?

Wait a minute... Don’t tell me... she’s also... a transmigrator?!

Such a complete contrast between her school demeanor and home behavior—no normal person could pull that off, right?!

...Or maybe… Dojima-san… suffers from some kind of mental split, like schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder?

...No, that doesn’t seem right either! If it were a disease, why would she hide her other side whenever classmates come around?......

That’s not the priority right now. What matters most is figuring out how to make her willingly reveal this hidden side to me.

That’s the most crucial part—every girl has another side to her outside of public view. It’s a protective mask, a form of self-preservation.

The thicker the mask, the more vulnerable and soft she is on the inside. If I can completely tear down her protective shell, I’ll be able to see her truest self.

Only when I see that genuine side can her affection increase during my pursuit. Otherwise, trying to capture her heart with that shell still intact would undoubtedly end in failure.

“Oh?! You’re studying!”

Dojima Taihei walked in carrying an electric stovetop. “Hurry and tidy up. We’re having hotpot tonight, Komari!”

“Hai!~”

Dojima immediately stood to start clearing her textbooks from the desk. Her swift shift in demeanor visibly startled Taihei, who stood frozen for a moment, then sauntered to the desk to glance at me tidying up as well.

“Chiyo.”

“Yes, senpai?” I looked up, tucking my textbook into my backpack.

“Come over and hang out more often, alright?”

“......”

A sudden comment delivered this casually left me a bit dumbfounded. What was this supposed to mean?! Did he just sell out his little sister already?!

Uncle-in-law, I haven’t done anything yet! Your sister’s affection score for me is still at -100!

I glanced at Dojima-san across the table; her face appeared to be withholding some strange emotion while glaring at her brother.

“...Alright, senpai,” I replied, barely keeping my composure. With his assistance, it seems my plans for advancing this relationship had gained major traction.

After plugging in the stovetop, Komari smiled faintly, nodded, and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, she returned, donned in gloves and carrying a steaming hotpot, setting it atop the electric stovetop with ease.

Bowls, sauces, and chopsticks prepared, the three of us gathered around the table.

“Itadakimasu~”

I said as I grabbed my chopsticks and reached into the simmering pot. But just as I extended my hand, I felt an intense heat—a gaze burning through me.

Following the line of sight, I caught Dojima with an oddly fiery expression, fixating intensely on... the cola in my hand.

Her look elicited a smirk from me. I dug into my schoolbag and pulled out another can of cola, placing it in front of her.

“Here... My apologies......”

Dojima’s hurried reaction caught me off guard as she waved her hands in hesitation, seemingly trying to refuse.

This irritating person… surely he’s discovered the messy side of me at home, right?......

“Dojima-san, isn’t cola essential for hotpot?!” I declared firmly, “Scalding hotpot alongside the fizzy excitement of carbonated drinks! Pair it with snacks, and that’s what life’s all about!”

“...Alright......”

After my impassioned speech, Komari swallowed hard and reached out for the cola before her.

She seemed to resonate so strongly with my words that her feelings of annoyance toward me reduced significantly.

——Cola truly *is* the best drink in the world!!

Noticing her affection score rise from -100 to -50 above her head, the corners of my lips curled slightly upward.

Looks like my hunch was spot on. This tentative probing yielded massive success—my earlier remarks clearly struck a chord with her...

*Crack*—

As she opened her can of cola, what happened next shattered my perception of reality entirely.

Komari... shrank.

Yes, you heard that right—she *shrunk*!......

Impossible creatures! Could this cola I bought truly be some experimental concoction, like APTX4869 from a secret organization?!

This is an earth-shattering revelation!!!

Wait! Why does Taihei look utterly unbothered? He’s still casually eating hotpot after seeing his sister shrink down?! What even is this?!

Your sister has turned *tiny*! And you have no reaction?! Am I dreaming right now?!

Ow!—

I pinched my cheek, the sharp jolt snapping me back into reality. This wasn’t a dream at all.

If this isn’t a dream, then what in the world is happening here?!

No way! Could it really be because of *me*? Did my purchase of that so-called cola from some shady organization actually cause Dojima-san to shrink?!

Ahhh! Why has fate entangled me into something so absurd?!

This is bad! This is seriously bad! I might have caught the attention of some ominous secret group!

But... I’m just an ordinary high schooler! I’m neither a renowned detective nor anyone remotely special! How did I get swept into this chaos?!

“Hmm? Chiyo-kun, why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your liking?” Taihei asked, puzzled by my dazed expression.

“No, it’s nothing... I just suddenly got caught up in some memory……”

I forced a weak smile and raised my head.

Meanwhile, the shrunken Komari leapt onto the table and began gulping down cola.

“Ohhh~~~”

After taking a substantial swig, she finally set down the can with a breath of satisfaction.

“I’m sorry, Chiyo-kun. Komari must’ve startled you,” Taihei said slowly as he savored the hotpot broth.

——Senpai, have you finally realized it?!

Wait, no... Why does what you’re saying not even sound surprised……

So Komari’s change wasn’t caused by the cola I brought, huh?

“...What’s going on here... Senpai... Could you please enlighten me on this situation......” I stammered, my gaze switching uncertainly between the shrunken girl and Taihei.