Chapter 19
Ichika Amasawa left the cafeteria like a tiny magenta hurricane with excellent timing and zero remorse.
She had already done enough damage for one lunch. She had entered beside Kiyotaka, introduced herself as his fiancée, called the girls "future fiancée-mates," praised Pengu like a creature with political importance, and somehow made Arisu's smile sharpen twice in under five minutes.
Then, before returning to class, Ichika leaned toward Kiyotaka with a bright little grin.
"Bye-bye, Kiyotaka-senpai. Don't miss me too much."
Kiyotaka looked at her calmly. "That depends on how quiet lunch becomes."
"Then you'll miss me immediately."
Before anyone could process that, Ichika gave him a quick, innocent kiss near his cheek. It was light, cheerful, and absolutely designed to leave the entire table burning after she walked away.
She waved at the girls.
"Take care of my fiancé, okay?"
Kei shot up halfway. "Don't say that like you're lending us a textbook!"
Ichika only smiled wider.
Honami's smile remained gentle, but something behind her eyes went winter-dark.
Kikyo's angel face stayed in place through heroic effort.
Maya hugged Pengu so tightly the penguin's repaired seam probably remembered Haruto.
Arisu's gaze followed Ichika with the calm of a girl mentally moving a dangerous new piece across a chessboard.
Ichika skipped away.
The table stayed silent.
Then Kiyotaka touched the spot near his cheek and smiled.
"She's affectionate."
Kei's chair scraped. "Why are you saying that like it's normal?"
Honami's voice was soft. "Kiyotaka-kun, you seemed very comfortable."
Kikyo smiled sweetly. "Yes, very experienced."
Maya looked between him and the cafeteria exit. "Does she do that often?"
Arisu rested her chin on her hand. "I would like a clear answer."
Kiyotaka looked at the five of them.
Then his smile dimmed just enough to look hurt.
"I introduced someone important to me, and everyone started glaring."
The guilt landed for half a second.
Honami's expression faltered. "Kiyotaka-kun..."
Kikyo's smile weakened. "That is not what we meant."
Maya loosened her grip on Pengu. "We weren't glaring at you."
Kei's face turned red with frustration. "We were glaring because she kissed you in front of us and left like a smug little gremlin!"
Arisu watched him carefully. "You are pretending to be hurt."
Kiyotaka looked at her.
"Am I?"
Arisu paused.
The pause was tiny, but it existed, and Kiyotaka's grin returned like a blade sliding out of silk.
Kei pointed at him. "You were playing us!"
"I was testing the reaction."
"You mean jealousy."
Maya squeaked and hid behind Pengu. "That word is too strong."
Honami smiled, dangerously polite. "Surprise is more accurate."
Kikyo nodded. "Concern."
Kei crossed her arms. "Annoyance."
Arisu smiled. "Assessment."
From the nearby table, Mako leaned toward Chihiro and whispered, "Five girls just invented five fake names for jealousy."
Chiaki, who had been watching Kei like a detective with a dessert spoon, nodded. "Kei's version has extra denial."
Kei snapped her head toward them. "I can hear you!"
Masumi Kamuro, seated with the friend group after deciding the main table was too combustible, took a calm sip of her drink. "That's why they're saying it clearly."
Mako pointed at Masumi. "See? She understands our culture already."
The heat at Kiyotaka's table was about to rise again when Ai Morishita appeared beside Arisu as if she had been summoned by unstable romantic weather.
She held her tray with both hands, her eyes drifting over the table with absentminded curiosity.
"Arisu," Ai said. "May I sit with you?"
Arisu blinked. "Ai?"
Ai nodded. "My previous table was quiet. This table contains rivalry, concealed jealousy, mascot-based politics, and Kiyotaka. It has superior research value."
Masumi looked up. "You sure you want to sit there? That table has emotional splash damage."
Ai considered this seriously. "Then I will sit at the splash zone."
Mako whispered, "She's brave."
Chiaki smiled. "Or weird."
Masumi shrugged. "With Ai, both."
Kiyotaka's expression brightened.
All five girls noticed immediately.
Kei narrowed her eyes. "Why did you just smile like that?"
Kiyotaka moved slightly, making room beside him so Ai could place her tray down.
The movement was small.
Unfortunately, it moved him a little away from Kikyo.
Kikyo's mask broke.
Not dramatically, but enough.
Her sweet smile slipped for a few seconds, and her eyes widened with genuine offended surprise, like someone had stolen her seat in a dream and left a receipt. She recovered quickly, but not quickly enough for the nearby table.
Mako gasped. "Kikyo broke character."
Kokoro leaned forward. "Kikyo-chan?"
Nene whispered, "It was only five centimeters."
Chiaki's eyes sparkled. "Five centimeters can be devastating when Kiyotaka is involved."
Kikyo rebuilt her angel smile, though her cheeks carried a faint pink betrayal.
"Kiyotaka-kun," she said sweetly, "you made room very quickly."
"Ai needed space."
"How kind."
The word kind floated politely across the table and landed with tiny sparks.
Ai sat down, completely unbothered by the emotional smoke rising around her.
Kiyotaka rested his chin on his hand and looked at her with deliberate interest.
"Ai."
"Yes?"
"What are your hobbies?"
The entire table stopped.
Kei stared. "Why are you asking her that right now?"
Kiyotaka looked innocent. "Conversation."
Honami's smile tightened. "You are changing the subject."
Kikyo's eyes narrowed. "Very smoothly."
Maya hugged Pengu. "He escaped the cheek-kiss topic."
Arisu's lips curved. "And moved the board toward Ai."
Ai answered as if she had received a formal interview question.
"My hobbies include idol research, predictive analysis, observing human behavior, testing strange theories, and trying to understand why people say they are fine while their expressions commit treason."
Kei stiffened. "Why did that sound aimed at me?"
Ai looked at her. "It applies broadly."
Mako nearly choked at the next table. "She attacked everyone with science."
Kiyotaka smiled. "I also enjoy observing people."
Honami's eyes flicked toward him. "You do?"
"Yes."
Kei muttered, "You enjoy observing people suffer."
"That too."
"Kiyotaka!"
He turned back to Ai. "Favorite food?"
Ai looked at her tray. "Sweet omelets, fruit sandwiches, soft rice dishes, and convenience store pudding. Pudding is interesting because it appears calm but collapses under pressure."
Kiyotaka nodded. "I like pudding too."
Kei's eyebrow twitched. "Since when?"
"Since Ai explained it."
"You can't gain a favorite food from one sentence!"
Kikyo smiled, though her eyes still had heat in them. "He is clearly matching her answers."
Honami leaned forward. "Kiyotaka-kun, that is suspiciously agreeable."
Kiyotaka glanced at Ai. "Is agreement suspicious?"
Ai considered it. "At this table, yes."
Maya lifted Pengu. "Do you like penguin-shaped pudding?"
Ai looked at the plush. "If it maintains structural dignity, yes."
Maya's eyes brightened. "She understands Pengu."
Kei groaned. "Everyone stop joining the penguin faction."
Kiyotaka kept his chin on his hand, smiling at Ai like the rest of the table had become background noise.
"What music do you like?"
Ai's eyes drifted upward in thought. "Idol songs with strange rhythm changes. Also mechanical sounds arranged musically. Also anything that allows spoon-based finger choreography."
She demonstrated a tiny movement with her spoon, completely serious.
Kiyotaka watched.
"I like that."
Kei slapped the table lightly. "You do not like spoon choreography."
"I might."
Honami's smile grew strained. "You are enjoying this too much."
Kikyo's voice was sweet with warning. "He is definitely enjoying this too much."
Arisu laughed softly. "He redirected one jealousy incident by creating another."
Maya whispered to Pengu, "This is advanced."
Ai looked at Kiyotaka, still calm.
"What is your ideal girlfriend?"
The table went silent again, but this time it felt sharper.
Mako froze with her spoon halfway up.
Chiaki slowly lowered her drink. "Important question."
Masumi glanced at Arisu. "Your table is about to detonate."
Arisu did not answer. Her eyes were on Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka's grin widened.
He looked at Ai, not at the others.
"My ideal girlfriend would be intelligent, eccentric, unpredictable, and hard for ordinary people to understand.
Someone analytical, strangely cute, and capable of making a simple conversation feel like a puzzle.
Someone who notices patterns others miss, says strange things with a straight face, and somehow makes weirdness look charming. "
Ai blinked.
Honami's smile froze.
Kikyo's mask cracked again, worse this time.
Maya gasped into Pengu's head.
Kei's face went red with betrayal. "Kiyotaka!"
Arisu's smile sharpened until it looked carved. "That description was very specific."
Kiyotaka's eyes stayed on Ai.
"Someone like Ai."
Ai stared at him.
Her shock was not normal shock. It was Ai shock, which meant her posture straightened, her eyes widened by a measured amount, and her face looked like someone had inserted a romance variable into a logic engine.
"Observation," Ai said slowly. "I have been directly described as ideal girlfriend material."
Mako grabbed Chihiro's arm. "Ideal girlfriend material!"
Chiaki nodded. "The notes are writing themselves."
Kei whipped toward her. "There are no notes!"
Ai looked back at Kiyotaka.
"You are also my ideal type of boyfriend."
The cafeteria table erupted.
Honami's smile became brighter and more dangerous. "Ai-san?"
Kikyo leaned forward, sweetness coating every word. "That was quick."
Maya lifted Pengu. "Pengu has not approved this."
Kei pointed at Ai. "You can't just say that after one pudding conversation."
Ai tilted her head. "The pudding conversation revealed compatibility."
Arisu rested her chin on her hand. "Explain."
Ai turned serious, as if presenting a research proposal.
"Kiyotaka is intelligent, difficult to read, physically attractive, socially adaptive, and capable of tolerating unusual dialogue without retreating.
He also has dangerous charisma and appears to enjoy chaos, which may align with my observation-based lifestyle.
Therefore, a trial date for compatibility and data gathering is reasonable. "
Kei's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Maya whispered, "Data gathering date..."
Kikyo's smile remained, but her eyes had become very sharp. "A trial date?"
Honami's voice stayed soft. "That sounds premature."
Ai nodded. "Premature but informative."
Kiyotaka smiled. "What would the trial date include?"
Kei finally found her voice. "Why are you asking for details?"
Kiyotaka looked at her. "For data."
"You are not allowed to use her words against us!"
Ai answered before Kei could recover.
"The trial date would include pudding comparison, bookstore browsing, idol-song evaluation, crowd observation, and a compatibility discussion. Optional handholding may be tested if both participants consent."
Kei nearly choked. "Handholding data?"
Maya hugged Pengu. "Pengu says handholding requires paperwork."
Honami smiled. "I agree with Pengu."
Kikyo's smile turned bright. "For safety."
Arisu nodded. "And oversight."
Ai looked at them all. "External resistance is high."
Kiyotaka's grin deepened. "But not absolute."
The support table lost control.
Mako leaned back, laughing. "He's helping her proposal!"
Chiaki smiled. "The Girlfriend Search Committee accidentally produced a candidate."
Chihiro blushed. "A very scientific candidate."
Masumi glanced at Arisu. "You're letting this happen?"
Arisu smiled calmly. "I am gathering information."
Kei crossed her arms, red-faced. "Nobody approved this trial date."
Honami's smile remained gentle. "It requires supervision."
Kikyo nodded. "And screening."
Maya lifted Pengu. "And inspection."
Arisu added, "And negotiation."
Ai turned back to Kiyotaka. "Conclusion: trial date accepted in principle, obstructed by emotional council."
Kiyotaka looked pleased. "Good wording."
Kei pointed at Ai. "Do not look happy when he praises you."
Ai's cheeks colored faintly. "Praise received efficiently."
Kikyo stared. "She is stronger than expected."
Honami nodded. "And stranger."
Maya looked at Ai with admiration. "She respects Pengu and pudding."
Kei turned toward Maya in horror. "You're switching sides again!"
"I'm not switching sides. I'm expanding diplomacy."
Kiyotaka looked at Maya. "That sounds official."
Maya blushed. "Pengu taught me."
Arisu's eyes curved. "The board grows more complex."
Kei groaned. "There is no board."
Mako raised her hand from the nearby table. "There is absolutely a board."
Chiaki added, "It has subcommittees now."
Chihiro counted softly. "Fiancée issue, girlfriend search, trial date, Pengu inspection..."
Masumi sighed. "Lunch bureaucracy has defeated ANHS."
Kiyotaka touched the spot near his cheek again, clearly on purpose.
Honami noticed first.
"Kiyotaka-kun."
Kikyo's voice turned sugary. "Do not return to the kiss evidence."
Maya hugged Pengu. "Pengu says that is unfair."
Kei slammed a hand on the table. "You're doing it again!"
Arisu laughed quietly. "He cannot resist a good reaction."
Ai watched his hand with curious calm. "The cheek kiss topic remains unresolved."
Everyone turned to her.
Ai blinked. "What? I am maintaining continuity."
Kiyotaka laughed softly.
That small sound passed through the table and weakened every defense at once.
Honami's expression warmed despite herself.
Kikyo's smile became real for a breath before she hid it again.
Maya lowered Pengu slightly, cheeks pink.
Kei looked away and touched her necklace before catching herself too late.
Arisu's eyes gleamed with amused irritation.
Ai tilted her head, studying all of them.
"Kiyotaka's laughter increases jealousy turbulence."
Kiyotaka looked at her. "Accurate."
Kei muttered, "I hate that phrase."
Mako raised her drink at the other table. "To jealousy turbulence."
Chiaki raised hers. "To trial dates pending approval."
Chihiro lifted hers shyly. "To peaceful lunches someday."
Masumi snorted. "Peace dropped out."
Kiyotaka leaned back with that playful, dangerous smile.
Ichika's innocent cheek kiss had lit the fuse.
Ai's compatibility trial date had poured glittering oil over it.
And now Honami, Kikyo, Maya, Kei, Arisu, and Ai were all sitting around him, denying jealousy with completely different expressions while the cafeteria watched another unofficial organization accidentally form over lunch.
Kiyotaka took another sip of peach tea.
"So," he said lightly, "should Ai's trial date be before or after Ichika's next visit?"
The table erupted so loudly that Ryūen, passing by the cafeteria entrance, stopped and whistled.
"Kukuku... bro, you're still alive?"
Kiyotaka glanced back.
"For now."
Ryūen looked at the six girls, the support table, and Pengu.
"Not for long."
Kei shouted, "It is not what it looks like!"
Ai calmly raised a hand. "Correction: it is exactly what it looks like, but with insufficient data."
The cafeteria laughed.
Kiyotaka smiled.
Lunch had officially become a research hazard.
Ai Morishita moved closer with the calm confidence of a girl who had just walked into a burning cafeteria table and decided the flames needed a spreadsheet.
The others noticed immediately.
Honami's smile stayed soft, but her eyes tracked the movement like a security camera with excellent manners.
Kikyo's angelic expression tightened by a harmless-looking fraction, which everyone at the table had learned meant danger wearing lip gloss.
Maya hugged Pengu closer, the repaired penguin plush staring forward with one crooked eye as if he had been appointed emotional referee.
Kei's hand flew toward her crescent necklace before she caught herself and slammed it back onto the table like the necklace had betrayed her.
Arisu simply smiled, but Masumi from the support table quietly muttered, "Princess is measuring the battlefield again. "
Kiyotaka rested his chin on one hand, watching Ai with that playful, dangerous amusement he wore whenever the situation became exactly as chaotic as he wanted.
Ai placed her tray slightly nearer to his.
"Kiyotaka," she said, "for a trial compatibility test, couple nicknames may increase immersion."
Kei stared. "Couple nicknames?"
Honami's smile thinned. "Already?"
Kikyo's voice came out sugary. "Ai-san, you move quickly."
Maya lowered Pengu a little. "Pengu says nicknames require approval."
Ai nodded gravely. "Pengu's concern is valid. However, temporary experimental labels are not legally binding."
From the support table, Mako nearly dropped her spoon. "Temporary experimental labels?"
Chiaki's eyes sparkled. "She made flirting sound like a lab form."
Masumi leaned back. "And somehow it still worked."
Kiyotaka's grin deepened.
"What nickname do you want?"
Ai blinked, considering this as if the fate of romance and pudding depended on the answer.
"You may call me My-Ai."
The table cracked.
Kei shot up halfway. "My-Ai?!"
Honami's smile went dangerously still. "That sounds quite possessive."
Kikyo's mask trembled, not from anger alone, but because the nickname was so bold it had slapped the whole table with a flower bouquet.
Maya gasped into Pengu's head. "She added 'my' immediately..."
Arisu's eyes curved. "Efficient. Bold. Annoying."
Kiyotaka looked at Ai, completely unbothered.
"My-Ai."
Ai's posture straightened.
Her cheeks colored faintly, but her face remained solemn. That made it worse.
"Confirmed. Emotional response detected."
Kei covered her face. "Why does she confirm her own blush?"
Kiyotaka tilted his head. "Then what should you call me?"
Ai answered without hesitation this time.
"My-Kiyo."
The cafeteria section went silent for one deliciously awful second.
Then the support table exploded.
Mako clutched Chihiro's arm. "My-Kiyo!"
Chiaki started typing immediately. "Trial couple call signs activated."
Chihiro turned pink. "That's actually cute..."
Masumi glanced at Arisu. "Princess, you look calm. That worries me."
Arisu's smile was elegant and sharp. "I am perfectly calm."
Hashimoto, who had made the mistake of passing nearby, whispered, "That means we're all doomed."
Kiyotaka turned back to Ai.
"My-Kiyo and My-Ai," he said, testing the words with a faint smile.
Ai nodded. "A balanced naming structure. Symmetrical affection architecture."
Kei slammed both hands lightly on the table. "Do not call that architecture!"
Honami leaned forward. "Kiyotaka-kun, you accepted too easily."
"I'm being cooperative."
Kikyo smiled with visible strain. "You are being provocative."
Maya hugged Pengu tighter. "Pengu says My-Kiyo is too powerful."
Kiyotaka glanced at the plush. "Does he object?"
Maya looked at Pengu, then back at him. "He objects emotionally."
Ai turned to Maya. "Noted. Emotional objection filed."
Kei pointed at Ai. "Stop making the penguin's opinions official!"
Ai looked at her calmly. "At this table, Pengu has established precedent."
Arisu laughed softly. "She is adapting faster than expected."
Kiyotaka picked up his chopsticks.
"My-Ai."
Ai turned to him. "Yes, My-Kiyo?"
Every girl at the table reacted at once.
Honami's smile flickered.
Kikyo's chopsticks paused midair.
Maya looked like Pengu had just been challenged to a duel.
Kei made a strangled sound.
Arisu's eyes sharpened with aristocratic offense.
Kiyotaka held a bite of his lunch toward Ai.
"Food-sharing compatibility."
Ai leaned closer and accepted the bite without hesitation.
The cafeteria's rumor system detonated.
Kei looked as if her soul had left her body, checked the table arrangement, and returned furious. "Kiyotaka!"
Honami's voice remained gentle through sheer force. "You are feeding her now?"
Kikyo smiled like she had discovered a new reason to commit social violence. "How thoughtful of you, My-Kiyo."
Kiyotaka's eyes glinted. "That sounded jealous, Kikyo."
Her angel smile broke for half a second. "It sounded like pronunciation practice."
Maya whispered to Pengu, "She ate from his chopsticks..."
Pengu, being a plush, remained silent but judgmental.
Ai chewed, swallowed, and nodded seriously.
"Flavor acceptable. Emotional turbulence excellent. My-Kiyo's lunch has strong compatibility potential."
Mako pounded the support table softly. "She rated his lunch and his emotional damage in one sentence."
Chiaki smiled. "Ai is a professional."
Masumi muttered, "A professional table arsonist."
Ai lifted a bite from her own tray and held it toward Kiyotaka.
"Your turn, My-Kiyo."
Kei grabbed her peach tea like it was the only thing preventing her from launching herself across the table. "No. Absolutely not."
Honami smiled. "Perhaps that is unnecessary."
Kikyo tilted her head. "Very unnecessary."
Maya raised Pengu. "Pengu requests inspection first."
Arisu rested her chin on one hand. "Let him."
Everyone looked at her.
Arisu's smile widened. "Evidence is useful."
Kiyotaka leaned forward and accepted Ai's offered bite.
Ai's ears turned faintly pink.
"Feedback compatibility confirmed," she said, though her voice came out a little softer than before.
Kiyotaka smiled. "Good choice, My-Ai."
Ai blinked twice. "Compliment received. Internal idol stability damaged by seven percent."
Kei stared. "She has percentages?"
Maya looked impressed. "She's so organized..."
Kei snapped toward her. "Do not admire the enemy."
Maya hugged Pengu. "I'm not admiring. I'm studying."
Honami folded her hands neatly. "Kiyotaka-kun, since you are sharing food, it would be fair to share with everyone."
Kikyo immediately smiled. "I agree. Fairness is important."
Kei crossed her arms. "I don't care."
Chiaki called from the support table, "You absolutely care."
Kei whipped around. "You are banned from commentary."
Mako raised her drink. "The less-doomed table rejects your ban."
Kiyotaka looked around the table, enjoying every spark.
"You all want food-sharing compatibility?"
Honami smiled. "I want fairness."
Kikyo added, "I want to ensure no one receives special treatment."
Maya lifted Pengu. "Pengu wants dessert equality."
Kei looked away. "I'm only here so this doesn't become weirder."
Arisu's smile curved. "Too late."
Ai nodded. "The weirdness threshold was crossed when My-Ai and My-Kiyo were accepted."
Kei groaned. "Stop saying those names like they're official."
Kiyotaka turned to Ai. "My-Ai, are they official?"
Ai looked him straight in the eyes.
"Official within trial parameters, My-Kiyo."
Honami's smile tightened.
Kikyo's eyebrow twitched.
Maya pressed Pengu against her mouth to hide a squeak.
Kei stared at the ceiling like she was asking ANHS for a transfer to another universe.
Arisu laughed quietly. "Ai-san, you are more dangerous than you appear."
Ai nodded. "Thank you. I have idol ambitions."
Kiyotaka set his chopsticks down and leaned back.
"Then let's make it fair."
Kei immediately narrowed her eyes. "That sentence is never safe."
Kiyotaka looked at the five girls, then Ai.
"If Ai gets a trial date, all of you can have one."
The cafeteria table went completely still.
Then chaos arrived wearing lipstick.
Honami's smile warmed too quickly. "All of us?"
Kikyo's eyes shone. "A trial date system?"
Maya hugged Pengu, cheeks pink. "With everyone?"
Kei's voice cracked. "Why are you looking at me too?"
Arisu's expression turned thoughtful. "A rotation system would prevent imbalance."
Ai lifted a finger. "Correction: it may reduce visible conflict while increasing hidden emotional competition."
Mako gasped from the support table. "She diagnosed the plot."
Chiaki nodded. "That's exactly what will happen."
Masumi leaned toward Chihiro. "This is how lunch becomes a tournament."
Chihiro whispered, "A romantic tournament?"
Masumi looked at Kiyotaka's table. "A catastrophe with snacks."
Kei slammed her palm onto the table. "I don't agree."
Kiyotaka looked at her.
"You don't want a trial date?"
Kei froze.
Her face flushed instantly. "I didn't say that."
Honami smiled. "Then you agree?"
"I didn't say that either!"
Kikyo's smile turned playful. "Kei, you should choose one before Kiyotaka chooses for you."
Maya tilted her head. "Maybe Pengu can choose for her."
Kei pointed at Maya. "Your penguin is not controlling my dating schedule."
Ai nodded seriously. "Pengu may serve as neutral mascot, not scheduler."
Arisu smiled. "A sensible restriction."
Kei looked horrified. "Why are we discussing mascot authority?"
Kiyotaka's grin brightened. "Because the trial dates need rules."
Honami leaned forward. "Then I should go first because I started the lunch visits."
Kikyo immediately countered, "Classmate proximity gives stronger priority."
Maya raised her hand. "I had the first penguin-related date, but it wasn't official."
Kei muttered, "I had a mall date too, but that wasn't official."
The entire table turned to her.
Kei's face went red. "Forget I said that."
Arisu tapped a finger lightly against the table. "Childhood precedent gives me senior claim."
Ai added calmly, "As the originator of the trial date format, I possess founder rights."
Kei stared at her. "Founder rights?"
Ai nodded. "My-Ai clause."
Kiyotaka almost laughed.
Kei pointed at him. "Do not laugh. You caused this."
Kiyotaka's smile softened into something more dangerous. "Then I'll take responsibility."
That sentence shut everyone up far too quickly.
Honami's cheeks colored.
Kikyo's angel smile wavered.
Maya hugged Pengu and lowered her gaze.
Kei looked away, fingers brushing her necklace.
Arisu's eyes narrowed with interest.
Ai blinked, then said, "Statement recorded as high-impact romantic provocation."
The support table burst apart again.
Mako wheezed. "Ai is the only person who can turn flirting into a weather report."
Chiaki typed with one hand. "High-impact romantic provocation. Perfect."
Chihiro smiled shyly. "It really was high impact."
Masumi looked at Kiyotaka. "He knows."
Kiyotaka looked at Ai again.
"My-Ai, what would our trial date include?"
Kei nearly fell out of her chair. "Why are you asking her first?"
Ai answered before the argument could eat her alive.
"Pudding comparison, bookstore browsing, idol-performance compatibility, crowd observation, and one optional handholding segment depending on mutual consent and jealousy hazard levels."
Honami smiled tightly. "Jealousy hazard levels?"
Kikyo nodded with a bright smile. "That sounds like something this table would unfortunately need."
Maya raised Pengu. "Pengu can monitor hazard levels."
Kei covered her face. "I hate that I understand the system."
Arisu leaned back slightly. "Ai's proposed format is not unreasonable."
Kei snapped, "Do not approve her paperwork."
Kiyotaka looked at Kei. "Then what would your trial date include?"
Kei's face went scarlet. "Why me next?"
"You objected the loudest."
"That is not a selection system."
"It worked."
Kei stared at him, then looked away. "Something normal. Mall. Food. Maybe shopping. No weird data gathering."
Ai nodded. "Kei route: emotional denial, mall-based bonding, snack compatibility."
Kei slammed the table. "Don't call it a route!"
Maya whispered, "It does sound like a route."
Kikyo smiled at Kei's suffering, then immediately regretted it when Kiyotaka turned to her.
"And Kikyo?"
Kikyo's angel smile returned. "A normal date would be fine. Walking, talking, maybe karaoke."
Kei muttered, "Mask-maintenance route."
Kikyo looked at her. "Moon-necklace route."
Kei's face burned. "Don't you dare."
Kiyotaka looked at Honami.
"Honami?"
Honami's smile softened. "A peaceful lunch, a walk, and maybe a dessert place."
Mako whispered from the support table, "Honami route: peaceful until someone gets too close."
Honami somehow heard it and smiled at Mako.
Mako looked down immediately. "I said nothing."
Kiyotaka turned to Maya.
"Maya?"
Maya lifted Pengu. "Arcade. Plush inspection. Dessert. Maybe a repair shop for Pengu accessories."
Kei looked at the plush. "He's getting accessories now?"
Maya nodded. "He deserves a scarf."
Kiyotaka smiled. "Approved."
Maya's face lit up.
Then Kiyotaka looked at Arisu.
"Arisu?"
Arisu smiled, elegant and dangerous. "Chess, sweets, and a private conversation without interruption."
Every girl at the table immediately objected.
Honami said, "Private?"
Kikyo said, "That sounds suspicious."
Maya said, "Pengu should supervise."
Kei said, "Absolutely not."
Ai said, "Private conversation has high unknown-risk value."
Arisu's smile turned satisfied. "Then it is effective."
Kiyotaka looked around the table, his grin bright with wicked amusement.
"So everyone agrees to trial dates."
Kei shook her head violently. "No, we agreed to argue about them."
Honami smiled. "We agreed they require fairness."
Kikyo nodded. "And rules."
Maya hugged Pengu. "And Pengu."
Arisu added, "And order."
Ai finished, "And data."
The support table raised their drinks almost automatically.
Mako said, "To the trial date queue."
Chiaki added, "To My-Ai and My-Kiyo, who started the feeding crisis."
Chihiro smiled. "To peaceful lunches someday."
Masumi snorted. "Peace has been waitlisted."
Kiyotaka picked up one more bite and held it toward Ai again.
"My-Ai?"
The five girls reacted so fast the table nearly shook.
Kei yelled, "No second feeding!"
Honami leaned forward. "Fairness first."
Kikyo smiled sharply. "Equal treatment."
Maya raised Pengu. "Inspection!"
Arisu tapped the table. "Order."
Ai looked at Kiyotaka, cheeks faintly pink, and said with perfect seriousness, "My-Kiyo, the second feeding test may be postponed due to external pressure."
Kiyotaka lowered the chopsticks, smiling.
"Understood."
Kei collapsed back into her seat. "I can't believe postponing feeding felt like a victory."
Kiyotaka looked at her.
"You're cute when you win small battles."
Kei's face erupted red. "Don't reward me!"
Honami smiled despite herself.
Kikyo laughed softly.
Maya hugged Pengu with a little bounce.
Arisu watched Kiyotaka with sharp amusement.
Ai tilted her head. "My-Kiyo's compliment distribution maintains table instability."
Kiyotaka took a sip of peach tea.
"Accurate."
Lunch continued after that, though nobody could honestly call it eating anymore.
It was a trial date negotiation, jealousy tournament, food-sharing scandal, nickname disaster, and Pengu-approved committee meeting disguised as a cafeteria meal.
And at the center of it all sat Kiyotaka, smiling like a boy who had only meant to enjoy lunch, while My-Ai calmly documented the emotional damage she had helped create.
By the end, the trial dates had not been scheduled.
Officially.
But everyone had already started planning theirs.