After Suzumiya somehow regained her spirits, we stayed in the infirmary for a while and discussed future plans.
First, refusing to converse with Iizuka.
Not responding even when spoken to.
Properly explaining to her friends to understand that she doesn’t want to talk to him anymore, and asking for their cooperation in ignoring him when he tries to talk to her.
Also, using me when he’s persistent.
At this point, since I brought her to the infirmary, everyone probably knows that Suzumiya and I are close.
Of course, Iizuka too.
So we decided to use that to our advantage.
Probably, the socially awkward Iizuka won’t be able to act tough if I show up.
We also considered blocking him on her smartphone, but decided not to and just ignore him instead.
This way, we can still somewhat keep track of his actions.
But I instructed her not to reply or answer his calls.
Other than that, getting her family’s understanding.
Telling them about what actually happened today, that she doesn’t intend to be friendly with him just because he’s a childhood friend, and making her parents understand that he’s being very troublesome.
When I asked if we should complain to his parents through her parents, she said his parents are pretty much the same, so it probably wouldn’t be effective.
To be honest, up to this point, I don’t really care about all this.
From here on is the important part, discussing the revenge for the homemade cake.
A homemade cake gift from a female classmate.
Doesn’t it sound divine?
I might be called a virgin for making a fuss about this, but it’s not like I don’t have any romantic experience.
I’ve had girlfriends in the past, and I’ve been confessed to by girls several times.
But I’ve never received homemade cakes or sweets.
Because the girls who’ve shown interest in me were usually the gyaru type.
The kind of girls who seem unfamiliar with homemade sweets or cooking.
That’s why I have an extraordinary longing for homemade sweets made by a female classmate!
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
And so, for a proper do-over, I was invited to Suzumiya’s house this weekend.
She said she’d let me eat it right after she made it.
To be honest, I’m a bit hesitant about meeting Suzumiya’s family, but that’s a minor concern in the face of the longed-for homemade cake.
By the way, just to be clear, it’s not that I’m happy because I like Suzumiya.
It’s just the fact that it’s from a female classmate that hits the spot.
And for me, Suzumiya is more of a friend with similar interests than a romantic interest.
She’s high-maintenance, but an interesting girl in the class to watch.
I’ll say it again, Suzumiya comes with the troublesome landmine called Iizuka.
I don’t want to deal with such a hassle.
And then Saturday came.
I arrived at the Suzumiya residence.
I’ve been here many times before.
I’ve walked her home several times after our library duty.
But this was my first time entering.
I rang the doorbell, and Suzumiya answered.
Suzumiya, who opened the door to greet me, was dressed up so nicely it was like asking “Are you going out now?”
So, as a courtesy, I complimented her, “It’s my first time seeing you in casual clothes, but Suzumiya-san, you’re quite stylish, aren’t you? It really suits your calm atmosphere.”
Hearing my words, Suzumiya’s face turned bright red, “R-Really? Ehehehehe” and looking pleased, so I’d say the first phase was undoubtedly successful.
Suzumiya’s mother was at home, but her father was absent.
She apparently has a middle school-aged younger sister, but her sister was also out for club activities.
I greeted Suzumiya’s mother and gave her the daifuku and pears I brought as a gift.
I bought the daifuku and pears at a nearby supermarket on my way.
I didn’t know, but apparently Suzumiya loves anko (red bean paste), so she was thrilled with the daifuku.
I thought she was weird, but also that it was very Suzumiya-like.
The gift strategy also went well, successfully completing the second phase.