Ideal Partner

I-It's also Christmas time and is really getting pretty cold lately, huh?

But! This is a perfect time to have a super hot and engaging challenge against Suzuki! Yes, I think it's been a while but whatever. I haven't focused much on thinking of a new thrilling dare for that girl since I-I've been dealing with some kind of psychological confusion but this is the day....! The day that I will be officially defeating Suzuki in a match!

To think that it is lunchtime, this is a perfect opportunity! Man, everything must be perfect today! If the opportunity is taken, it will follow through! I should be composed for this.

"What are you standing there, cherry boy?" asked Amatsuka.

"Wah!" I reacted. "Oh, it's just you, Amatsuka-san."

Did she just call me a cherry boy?

"Looks like you're going to confess, eh?" said Amatsuka. "You're getting really fidgety, y'know."

"I-I'm not! I was just thinking of how to embarrass Suzuki!" I said.

"Huh? Look, you don't need to consume some brain cells to answer th-" said Amatsuka.

"-A-Anyway, where is she? She wasn't in the classroom when I checked five minutes ago," I said.

"She remained in the chemistry lab even when the class has finished," said Amatsuka. "Hoho, so she is in your thoughts again, huh?"

"S-she's not!" I responded. "I-It's all about the plan! I gotta get going!"

I better leave before she ridicules me!

"Phew, phew~ Keep the ship sailing!" yelled Amatsuka as I was gaining distance from her.

Chem lab... Chem lab... Ah, there it is.

I-I better time my entrance! She needs to be shocked by my trial! HAHAHA! It feels like I am about to liberate my kingdom from a tyrant!

"Suzuki, are you bus-" I said but...

"Kotori!" called Riko.

Hide! Why is Riko inside as well?! I never thought she'd be with Suzuki this time!

I-I forgot! She's still a student all along. How foolish I can be?!

Good thing I heard her immediately since the doors and windows are opened in this room for great ventilation.

Tsk, my impressive entrance has been spoiled. Guess I'll leave for now.

"Say, what is your ideal romantic partner?" asked Riko.

E-Eh?! Suzuki's boyfriend type? N-Not that I'd want to know but... To be clear, I am not eavesdropping, okay? I just happened to be in the area...

"Me?" asked Suzuki. "Hmm, let's see... Maybe someone who is smart."

S-Smart? Hmmm...

"That's so vague," said Riko.

"I never said I'm finished," said Suzuki.

"Hehe, my bad~" reacted Riko.

"Hmm, someone who is smart, dependable, caring, doesn't have anger management issues, and of course, kind," revealed Suzuki.

I-I think I got all those characteristics... Wait, why am I assuming?!

"What about physical characteristics?" asked Riko. "I'm sure you have preferences too!"

Wow, so this is what they call a girl's talk, huh? P-Pretty interesting, a bit.

"I don't mind about the physical traits, anyway," said Suzuki. "I'm more observant about the inner characteristics of the person."

"T-That's pretty mature, isn't it?" said Riko. "Aside from what you enumerated earlier, are there more to those? I want to know!"

S-she's asking her those things?! I-I'd be pretty embarrassed if I was Suzuki...

"This really feels like an interview, Riko," said Suzuki.

"C'mon, where's the harm~?" asked Riko. "I'm pretty busy with the student council and I wanted to unwind for a bit, y'know."

"Well, I want someone who talks about what they see as fun, someone who I enjoy to be with, someone who makes me laugh whenever I am with him," said Suzuki. "Someone who has this messy hair whenever we walk together in the morning on the way to school, so that I can play with his hair. He will then get annoyed but I will fix it either way. He must have sucked in fashion, anyway. His reaction gives me a laugh."

"T-That's so sincere..." said Riko.

W-Why I am blushing right now...?! S-Stop thinking about it, Tanaka!

"He turns red quickly than we could ever do. Haha, he really gets shy of whatever situation we've been in. It's cute, to be exact," said Suzuki.

W-Who is she talking about anyway...?! I-It gives m-misleading thoughts...

"He is determined to do everything just to reach his goal. What a hard worker, isn't he?" asked Suzuki. "Even though he feels defeated, he never gave up. I like that determination. Though, he never lost. He's isn't aware, though. Hahaha."

"Judging from your tone and delivery, it sounds like you have someone you like already, hmm~" teased Riko.

"Well, you're right, I guess," said Suzuki.

W-What? S-So she really has someone she likes?! I-Is this the time I will finally know Suzuki's biggest secret? T-This is vital information but... why am I feeling a bit disappointed? E-Emotions are weird.

"Who is it? Who is it?" asked Riko. "This might be the greatest revelation I will hear from you!"

"That person is..," said Suzuki.

T-That person is...?

"You, who has been eavesdropping all along!!" yelled Suzuki.

"M-Me?!" I reacted.

G-God, I am so startled! For real! M-My heart beats terribly fast!

C-Crap, busted.

"Yeah, you're eavesdropping, right?" asked Suzuki.

"Tanaka, you were here?!" asked Riko. "S-Since when?!"

"I-I was just passing along..." I said.

"That mirror behind you doesn't agree with your explanation, defendant," said Suzuki as she points at the mirror behind me.

W-Wha...!? I forgot that there is a mirror on the wall facing the chemistry lab!

"You were here from the start, right?" asked Suzuki. "Do you need anything?"

Eek, I'm cornered!

"I-I was here to commence a challenge against you but when I came here, Riko-san suddenly spoke and I got startled," I said.

"You could have just called me," said Suzuki. "Now you're labeled as an eavesdropper."

"Y-Yes, I apologize," I said. "J-Just forget my intention and I'll think of another challenge tomorrow."

I feel it was spoiled, anyway. Sigh.

"With that said..," said Suzuki. "Riko, we'll be going for now. I don't want to spoil Tanaka's well-thought trial."

"C-Challenge? What do you mean?" asked Riko.

"It's our own little secret, so I won't tell you~," said Suzuki.

"Aw, c'mon!" reacted Riko.

"Let's get going, Tanaka," said Suzuki. "To repent for your sins, you have to treat me a melon bread, okay?"

"Is eavesdropping considered a sin now?!" I reacted. "Wait, my phone suddenly vibrated."

"Check it out, it might be your order of an anti-blushing pill," joked Suzuki.

"It isn't!" I reacted.

"Hahaha, I so love your reaction!" said Suzuki.

Jeez...

"Wait, Kotori," said Riko. "So who's the one you like?"

Whoa, so it is now the start of Christmas sale of online games...

"I believe I answered that question already," replied Suzuki.

"H-Huh...? When...?" asked Riko. "Hmm..."

"Let's go, Suzuki," I said. "I'm pretty hungry as well. Come with us also, Riko."

"Thanks, but I have to go back to the council shortly," said Riko.

"Is that so...?" I said.

"Full speed ahead to the cafeteria!" said Suzuki.

She pulls my arm while running. Is she that excited?

"Wait, aren't you a little bit pushy today..." I said.

"I got it!" said Riko. "So the person you like all along is...!"

I didn't hear much of their short conversation a while ago so I don't have an idea but Suzuki is doing a "Sssh" finger sign while looking towards Riko, winking. Do these two have another secret or something?

W-Well, I don't wanna know it anymore!

It feels like I'm forgetting something but whatever...

"So, what's your challenge again?" asked Suzuki.

---END OF CHAPTER 36---