My anime/manga fandom can't be that lazy.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it then."

Akiyama Mio sighed softly and put down the water-based pen in her hand.

That's right, it's time to review for the final exams. After school, everyone gathers at Hirasawa Yui's house to study. Since there are usually few people at Hirasawa Yui's house, there's no need to worry about disturbing others.

Actually, it's fine to go to Dongfang Bai's house, but Dongfang Bai is a little worried that if Sha Wu finds out that he brought back such a large group of girls, this little jealous pot might explode.

"Phew, time to rest..."

Hirasawa lay half-reclined on the ground with a relaxed expression. Because it was summer, he was wearing a loose short-sleeved shirt, so his body curves were clearly visible.

"Oh, I think I forgot to bring some snacks."

Kotobuki Tsumugi covered her mouth with one hand, as if she had just realized this. Without snacks during rest time, it's impossible to achieve the best relaxation effect.

"Sister, we've finished all the snacks at home."

Hirasawa Yui, with her hair in a ponytail, walked over with a slight frown. She didn't know when she had finished all the snacks at home, and for a moment, Hirasawa Yui seemed to be on the verge of ascending to heaven.

"No...no snacks."

Dongfang Bai seemed to see a mysterious white mist floating out of Hirasawa Yui's mouth. He smiled helplessly and said, "How about I go buy it?"

"I'll go too!"

Fumino Furuhashi suddenly spoke up, saying that she felt it wasn't right to let the only boy among all the girls go and buy it, and that it would be bad if he was mistaken for being a gofer.

"I'll go too."

Akiyama Mio and Furuhashi Fumino spoke almost simultaneously, exchanging a glance and seemingly both seeing the awkwardness in each other's eyes. At this moment, Tainaka Ritsu coughed and said, "How about this..."

"Let's play rock-paper-scissors, the two losers go!"

"The loser..."

Rock-paper-scissors is the fairest way to play, so Akiyama Mio swallowed hard, hoping to go with Dongfang Bai so that they could have more opportunities to be alone together.

She usually spends time with the other three girls in the Light Music Club, and rarely has the chance to be alone with Dongfang Bai. Now is a good opportunity. If she and Dongfang Bai lose together, then the opportunity will come!

"Let's play rock-paper-scissors!"

Hirasawa Yui seemed interested when she heard about playing rock-paper-scissors, and slowly sat up. Even Kotobuki Tsumugi had an expectant expression, showing that she was very interested.

Going shopping wasn't the main point; Kotobuki Tsumugi simply wanted to play rock-paper-scissors with everyone.

"So... rock-paper-scissors..."

"cloth!!"

All six people stretched out their hands at the same time. Upon closer inspection, everyone except Akiyama Mio and Furuhashi Fumino had scissors, while only the two of them had paper...

"..."

Akiyama Mio's face darkened. Why did this happen? There was a clear chance that she and Dongfang Bai would go together, but she didn't expect to go with Furuhashi Fumino.

"Huh?"

Fumino Furuhashi seemed surprised that she and Mio Akiyama would be going together.

"Are you all alright? Should I go help you?"

Dongfang Bai asked, but upon hearing his question, Fumino Furuhashi immediately waved her hand to indicate that it was not necessary. Akiyama Mio, on the other hand, looked like she had lost her life and was half-heartedly led out of the room by Fumino Furuhashi.

Are they really alright?

Dongfang Bai asked a question in confusion, but only Tainaka Ritsu sighed slightly. Among these people, she was the only bystander who knew the truth best. So, love really is troublesome.

……

"..."

Akiyama Mio and Furuhashi Fumino walked down the street, their expressions both quite subtle, completely silent, as if they couldn't utter a single word. It seemed they had nothing to talk about.

[This is so awkward, so incredibly awkward! I absolutely have to find something to talk about... What should girls say to each other...? That's it!!!]

Fumino Furuhashi realized the atmosphere was too awkward, so she decided to take the initiative to talk to Mio Akiyama: "Um, Mio-chan, do you have someone you like?"

"Huh?!"

Akiyama Mio was taken aback by Furuhashi Fumino's sudden question, and her face instantly turned red. Even someone with a slightly higher emotional intelligence would have noticed that something was wrong.

"Why...why would you ask such a question?"

Akiyama Mio stammered as she spoke, unsure of what to say, as the topic was simply too embarrassing.

"Well, I think it's just a normal issue between girls..."

Fumino Furuhashi wiped away non-existent cold sweat from her forehead. Although she had guessed some of it, she didn't expect Mio Akiyama to be so shy, blushing at the slightest word.

"Have you ever been in a relationship, Furuhashi?"

"Just call me Fumino. Although I've never been in a relationship, I'll do my best to answer any questions you have, Mio-chan."

Fumino Furuhashi looked like a 'love guru,' patting her flat chest slightly to make Mio Akiyama feel that she was reliable.

"Then... Fumi, Fumi-no."

After hesitating for a while, Akiyama Mio finally called out Furuhashi Fumino's name, which was already a great effort for her.

Chapter 44 Creating Friends Out of Thin Air [Please Subscribe Automatically]

It's worth noting that when Akiyama Mio first met Dongfang Bai, she always called him "Dongfang-kun," which was quite distant. It wasn't until they became more familiar that she occasionally dared to call him "Bai-kun."

"Okay, Mio-chan, what do you want to ask? It's about love!"

Fumino Furuhashi's eyes lit up slightly as she looked at Mio Akiyama with great interest. Her stare made Mio Akiyama uncomfortable, since it was in a girl's nature to like discussing love, and Fumino Furuhashi was no exception.

"It's about a friend of mine. She seems to have a crush on a guy in her club. Every time she sees him and talks to him, her heart races, her cheeks flush, and sometimes she even faints from shyness..."

It's happened! It's a friend made out of nothing!

[This so-called 'friend' seems to be referring to yourself! And that boy seems to be referring to Dongfang Bai, there's no other boy in the entire Light Music Club besides him, okay?!]

Fumino Furuhashi smiled awkwardly, only able to mentally rant and rave, but outwardly she still appeared to be listening attentively before asking, "So, Mio-chan, why did your friend fall for this person... cough cough?"

Fumino Furuhashi's question clearly startled Mio Akiyama. She stammered for a long time, unable to utter a single word, but then seemed to have made up her mind: "It's just... I've fallen for..."

Upon hearing this answer, Fumino Furuhashi looked enlightened. That made sense. Although she had never been in a relationship, she knew the principle that 'you don't need a reason to like someone'.

"Look at you, that's what being in love looks like."

"Love...love?"

When this topic came up, Akiyama Mio's cheeks flushed again, and she couldn't help but cover her cheeks. Her shy appearance made Furuhashi Fumino's heart tremble.

So...so cute!!!

"Ahem, so what are your friend's plans? Will he just confess his feelings?"

"Confessing directly is impossible! Shyness is only one aspect, plus the possibility of being rejected..."

The thought of confessing her feelings to Dongfang Bai and being rejected made Akiyama Mio feel like she was about to faint. She thought that even if they were just friends in the light music club, there would be a distance between them, let alone being lovers.

This is an extremely high-risk gamble!!!

"Then just gradually build up your feelings and get them to confess their love!"

Fumino Furuhashi raised the corner of her mouth slightly. Usually, it's the boy who takes the initiative to confess, although Japanese girls are very open-minded and it's common for girls to take the initiative to confess.

But Akiyama Mio is different. She's extremely shy. Forget about confessing her feelings, even the slightest intimate gesture could make her faint from embarrassment.

"Slowly build up their affection?"

Akiyama Mio muttered each word carefully, clearly unsure of what to do since she hadn't had much contact with boys growing up. Furuhashi Fumino then smiled and said, "Interests! Find out their interests and create topics to talk about!"

"Boys tend to talk a lot about their interests, especially when girls ask them about it, which usually makes them very happy."

"That makes sense! As expected of... Fumino!"

Akiyama Mio had a look of 'So that's how it works'. As expected of Furuhashi Fumino, one of the most popular beauties in the school, she actually has this kind of special knowledge.

"However, it's best to ask when you're alone, and then find an opportunity to continue the conversation. Mio's personality is suited to taking things one step at a time."

"Alone... Alone?!"

The thought of being alone with Akiyama Mio made her head start to heat up. She knew she would be very shy being alone with Dongfang Bai, and she didn't know if she could find a chance to continue the conversation.

"Well, feel free to come to me anytime if you have any problems! We've arrived."

Fumino Furuhashi pointed to the house in front of them, and the two chatted until they arrived at Yui Hirasawa's house. Mio Akiyama nodded gratefully. She had no idea what to do before, but now with Fumino's help, she had some confidence.

"You guys are so slow to come back, it's been twenty minutes already..."

Ritsu Tainaka lay sprawled on the table, looking like she was about to ascend to heaven. If she didn't get her dessert soon, she would be going to ascend to immortality. Mio Akiyama sighed helplessly, "Alright, alright, this is a cake we bought."

0 ····Requesting flowers···· ········

Akiyama Mio slowly placed the cake box on the table. Hirasawa Yui, who smelled the aroma, instantly woke up from her dream and looked at the cake with anticipation.

"It's nice to have a little something sweet when you're relaxing."

Dongfang Bai glanced at Qiushan Mio with some strangeness. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but ever since Qiushan Mio came in, he had sensed that the other woman seemed to be subtly avoiding his gaze...

"Um……"

Fumino Furuhashi glanced at Mio Akiyama on her left and then at Haku Touhou on her right, looking thoughtful. Ritsu Tainaka seemed to have noticed something as well, and quietly glanced over.

"By the way, everyone, let's play a little game during the break!"

...... ...... ......

"Mini-games?"

Dongfang Bai paused, his hand still holding the fork as he was about to eat the cake. Tainaka Ritsu always managed to do strange things at strange times.

"Truth or dare! There are exactly six of us here. We'll roll the dice to decide who will tell the truth. Everyone can ask one question, and you must answer! Of course, you can't ask anything too inappropriate! Like the color of your panties or something..."

boom! !

Ritsu Tainaka was punched in the head, and a big bump swelled up. The one who did it was naturally Mio Akiyama, whose face was flushed red. How could she say such a thing so casually!

"This looks interesting, I want to play!"

"Mmm, I want one too."