Chapter 307: 305: So… squad up in ranked? (2)
Hoshino Ai stared at the black-haired girl.
She realized Yukino was even more beautiful than in photos.
Even in the celebrity-packed entertainment world, Yukino would stand in a league of her own.
Hoshino Ai.
Yukino had recognized her first.
She hadn't come looking for Hoshino Ai—it was just that Ai was standing in the path to her room.
Yukino passed by with her usual cold, composed demeanor.
As they brushed shoulders, Hoshino Ai spoke up.
"I'm just friends with Takashi, Yukino-senpai. Please don't misunderstand."
She didn't know what kind of relationship Takashi and Yukino had.
But just in case they were actually dating, she didn't want to be the reason they broke up.
That's why she said it.
Yukino paused and glanced sideways, her eyes chilling as she said, "I don't care what your relationship with him is."
"There's nothing between him and me. Got that?"
She's mad.
She's definitely mad.
Hoshino Ai thought to herself.
"Saying you have nothing at all... that's kind of cold, don't you think?"
Just as Yukino was about to leave again, a somewhat cheeky voice interrupted.
Hearing it, Yukino frowned. Hoshino Ai smiled—and her mood lightened a little.
She didn't know why, but Takashi's voice always made her happy.
The two girls turned at the same time and saw Takashi approaching, his arm in a sling.
"Good evening, my two rumored girlfriends."
Yukino and Hoshino Ai were stunned.
What do you mean, 'rumored girlfriends'?
"Don't joke like that, you idiot."
Realizing he was teasing her, Yukino grew even colder.
Hoshino Ai, being an idol who often appeared on prank shows, was used to playful teasing.
Besides, as the kind of girl who would call Takashi "Daddy" for food, she didn't exactly have high standards of dignity.
She cheerfully waved at him and said, "Hello, rumored boyfriend!"
"Why does the generation gap feel like it just reversed?" Takashi raised an eyebrow. "I liked your old nickname for me better."
Hoshino Ai flushed a little with embarrassment.
It was okay to say it in private, but there are outsiders here now.
"How did you two run into each other?"
Takashi was curious how these two ended up together.
"Wasn't feeling great, so I came out for a walk and happened to bump into Yukino-senpai," Hoshino Ai explained.
"Yukino-senpai?" Takashi raised his eyebrows and teased, "What, have you already made up your mind to be the mistress?"
Takashi always carried a bit of a rogue air, and when he raised an eyebrow and smiled like that, it gave him a particularly mischievous look.
"As long as Senpai doesn't mind, I don't mind being the mistress~" Hoshino Ai replied sweetly.
Yukino coldly responded, "First, I'm not your senpai. Second, I have nothing to do with him. And third, don't joke around—I don't think we're that close."
It was the first time Hoshino Ai had met a girl so blunt.
A little embarrassed, she quickly changed the subject. "So, what are you doing here?"
"Came to pick someone up."
"Picking up Yukino-senpai?"
"Why couldn't I be here to pick you up?"
"For real for real?"
"Of course not."
"Then why'd you say it like that?"
"Just felt like rejecting you in person." Takashi smirked.
"You're so annoying~" Hoshino Ai pouted.
"You talk like a real smartass~"
Just as Hoshino Ai was about to say more, a gentle and delicate voice suddenly called out, "Thanks for waiting~"
"The person I came to pick up is here," Takashi said, waving behind Hoshino Ai.
Before she even turned around, Hoshino Ai saw a girl jog over in a light green form-fitting dress.
She had a stunning, curvaceous figure and a sweet, angelic face.
It was Katsura Kotonoha.
The moment they saw who it was, both Hoshino Ai and Yukino couldn't help but have their eyes drawn to her impressive figure.
Huge.
Just too huge.
Hoshino Ai thought she was already on the larger side, but next to Kotonoha, she felt like a rookie.
As for Yukino, her pupils slowly dilated in shock.
She lightly placed a hand on her chest, her expression growing visibly grim.
"Sorry for making you wait, Takashi."
Kotonoha walked right up to Takashi and gently clung to his left arm, casting a subtle glance at Hoshino Ai and Yukino.
"It's fine. I just got here."
"There's no fireworks festival here, so I'll just walk around with you a bit."
Fairness was important—spread the love around.
After spending time with Umaru, Momo, Tsubame, and Miku, Takashi naturally wasn't going to forget the sweet little bunny who came to him—Kotonoha.
So tonight, he came to accompany her.
Even injured, he didn't stop working. Takashi felt that with this level of professionalism, what couldn't he succeed at?
"Anywhere is fine. I'll go wherever you go."
As long as she could be with Takashi, even just strolling the streets was enough for her.
"Good girl."
Takashi instinctively raised his right hand to pat Kotonoha's head, only to remember his arm was immobilized, so he let it drop.
"Is your arm okay, Takashi?"
Kotonoha had been focused on Yukino and Hoshino Ai, but now she finally noticed Takashi's arm and asked with concern.
"It's nothing. Just need to rest a bit."
Then Takashi looked toward Hoshino Ai and Yukino. "My two rumored girlfriends—care to join us for a stroll?"
Hearing that, Kotonoha turned her eyes to Hoshino Ai and Yukino, her gaze calm as the deep sea.
Just being stared at like that made both girls shiver involuntarily.
"No thanks, I won't disturb the sweet date between big brother and big sister." Hoshino Ai quickly refused.
Her woman's intuition screamed danger—get away from this girl or you might get stabbed.
"…Sure, I'll come," Yukino replied, her eyes narrowing as she stared sharply at Kotonoha.
If she had answered honestly, she'd have declined.
But after that subtle threat in Kotonoha's gaze, she changed her mind.
The well-known reason: Second Miss doesn't respond well to threats—but responds very well to challenges.
"Huh?" Hoshino Ai stared in disbelief at Yukino.
Is the queen herself really this bold?
Kotonoha, hearing Yukino's reply, gave her a deep, quiet stare.
Yukino returned the cold look with one of her own.
Hoshino Ai glanced back and forth between the two, feeling like backing out now was kind of cowardly.
So she changed her mind and said, "Why don't we make it a group of four?"
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