Time slipped away at school. Before I knew it, dismissal bells chimed across campus.

Students packed bags. Some headed to clubs. Others left straight away.

"Dude, today's your turn to clean the classroom. You can't just bail!"

Just as I stood to leave, Nishi called out.

"Huh? Really?! I totally missed the cleaning schedule..."

I slumped back into my seat, hand on my forehead. "You guys go ahead. Who's my partner?"

"Tomoko Kuroki, I think. Good luck! See you tomorrow."

Nishi waved and strode out.

"See you."

Watching him go, I paused slightly. My gaze landed on the messy-haired girl ahead.

Was it her? The weird one who’d canceled my anti-girlfriend aura. Then boosted her affinity toward me...

Why did I feel zero urge to pursue her? She seemed the easiest target... Yet no interest sparked.

As classmates filed out, only I and the front-seat girl remained.

Sunset light flooded the room. She sat motionless. I shook my head. Shouldn’t she be cleaning?

I grabbed a broom, bucket, mop, and rag from the back closet. Approaching her:

"...Um... You’re Tomoko Kuroki, right? Time to clean..."

Her body trembled slightly. She ducked her head lower.

No reply. I stared, speechless. Our affinity was positive—why ignore me?

"...How about you sweep... I’ll wipe windows and mop?" I suggested tentatively.

"...Y-yes!" Tomoko stammered, shaking all over.

"Let’s start then!"

I nodded, placing the broom by her desk. Bucket in hand, I left for the restroom.

Glancing back, I saw her rise robotically. She gripped the broom and began sweeping.

"What a weird girl..." I muttered. Affinity at twenty shouldn’t mean this coldness. Even my sister, at ten points, wouldn’t blank me.

Returning with water, I found Tomoko sweeping wildly. Dark circles under her eyes—lost in fantasy.

—This counts as cleaning?!

My eye twitched slightly. Such an unreliable partner...

I wet the rag and scrubbed the windows.

Finished, I turned. She still swung the broom haphazardly. The floor was nearly clean—her effort meant nothing.

Shaking my head, I dropped the rag. Mop in hand, I ignored her and started mopping.

Once done, I surveyed the spotless room. Patting my hands, I nodded in satisfaction.

—All set!!

"Cleaning’s done. Heading home!" I grabbed my backpack, cheerful.

Alone in the empty classroom, Tomoko snapped from her daydream. A lovesick grin spread across her face.

"...Hehehe..."

After a moment, she blinked at the deserted room. "Ah! I haven’t cleaned yet!"

She snatched the broom and swept frantically.

——————

Leaving school, I headed to the nearest supermarket. In high spirits, I’d cook a feast for Ruri and Hidetomo.

"What tonight?... Seafood feast... or barbecue?" I pondered while walking. Ruri loved seafood. Hidetomo preferred beef.

A yin-yang hot pot! Perfect for both tastes.

I recalled last night’s hot pot at Tsuchida’s. Barely got any meat...

Just thinking of it made me crave that warmth. Nothing beat family gathered around steaming broth.

Buy ingredients first. Then dig out the yin-yang pot at home.

At the supermarket, I swept through the fresh section. Paid quickly and hurried home.

But on my way, my maxed recon skills tingled—someone was tailing me.

—What audacity!!

I’d always been the hunter. Now some fool dared target me?

Only girls would stalk me out of hatred. That made sense.

I glanced back. A shadowy figure crept after me, relentless.

I ducked into an alley, waiting at the corner.

Soon, a girl peeked out, searching.

"It’s her! That chuunibyou girl!!"

The purple-haired, eyepatch-wearing teen spotted my mocking stare. She panicked, trying to flee.

I yanked her collar, holding her fast.

"Let go!! Evil sorcerer!!" she shrieked, trapped.

"Hey! Why tail me?" I released her.

She spun, parasol raised defensively. "To find your lair. Didn’t expect discovery," she grumbled.

"Then I must defeat and judge you."

"Eh?!"

She lunged. Bad news—I clutched a heavy grocery bag. No fighting this chuunibyou nut.

Retreat was the only option!

I spun and sprinted. My stamina should lose this frail girl.

Under the setting sun, I ran without looking back. She chased doggedly. Anyone who knew me wouldn’t blink—being hunted by girls was normal for me.

". Explode, reality! Shatter, spirit! — Banish this world!!"

Her chant made me glance back. She hadn’t fallen behind—she was closing in.

Worse, her parasol had morphed into a massive, bizarre weapon. Just like last time.

I gulped. This uncanny realism felt no illusion.

Passersby showed no surprise. They saw nothing. Only I witnessed this shift. Why?

Could my internal system be causing it?

Possible. But no time to ponder—if that weapon hit me, I’d die.

I checked my right sleeve. Dark mist seeped out—my umbrella was transforming too.

But groceries weighed me down. No free hand to fight, let alone flee properly. That’s why she caught up.

Why not drop the bag?

Impossible! Premium seafood and beef—I’d spent a fortune!!

—So I can’t let go, no matter what!

A true foodie’s cry from the heart.