Cote : I Just Want to Grant Your Wish!

After only one glance, Kaoru quickly steadied himself.

Right now, he did not have any strong desire for rewards.

If he could get one, great. If he could not, then so be it. There was no need to force himself to collect every reward like before, only for it to somehow turn into collecting beautiful girls every single time.

He already had enough headaches at the moment. For now, Kaoru did not want to provoke Tsubaki Sakurako.

"Onii-chan, aren't you going to say hello?"

Komiya Kaho encouraged him from the side. "She's been looking over here this whole time. Should I go say hi?"

"I really don't have any special relationship with her. At most, we've met a few times and exchanged a few words. You were there last time too."

Kaoru withdrew his gaze from Sakurako's white-socked legs. White socks placed even higher demands on the shape of a girl's legs than black socks did, and this underclassman really was quite pretty.

However, Kaho had already waved her small hand toward Sakurako and trotted over to greet her.

"Tsubaki-san, good afternoon!"

"You're... Komiya-san?"

"Correct! Eh, wait, no! We've met several times already!"

"I don't really remember students from other classes."

"That's okay! I'll definitely make you remember me!"

Looking at the enthusiastic Kaho, Sakurako clearly looked confused, unable to understand what she was thinking.

Was she trying to become friends with her?

"Kaho, lower your voice a little."

Kaoru had no choice but to walk over. Kaho had always been loud, and once she got going, she could chatter endlessly. One full combo from her would probably leave Sakurako completely stunned.

"Eh? Was I being loud?"

Kaho quickly shut her mouth and looked around before turning back to Sakurako. "Sorry. I just thought Tsubaki-san was kind of cute, so I couldn't help wanting to be friends with you."

If a boy said something like that, it would sound frivolous enough to make Sakurako turn around and leave.

But coming from Kaho, it felt strangely sincere, leaving Sakurako even more confused.

"Friends?"

"Yeah, yeah! Onii-chan thinks Tsubaki-san is cute too, right?"

Kaho nodded like a pecking chick while not forgetting to look at Kaoru beside her. "She's cute, right?"

Kaoru did not know why she had to emphasize it twice.

He looked at Sakurako. She was indeed cute, with delicate features and a cool, unapproachable air. Perhaps because she barely showed any expression, even when confused, she only furrowed her brows slightly, making it hard to guess what she was thinking.

"She's cute."

Kaoru had no awareness that his gaze might be taken the wrong way. He glanced at Sakurako, then smiled. "Long time no see, Tsubaki-san."

When the two of them first met, Sakurako had once asked who had left the deepest impression on him. Back then, Kaoru had teased her a little by deliberately saying Kōenji Rokusuke.

After that, the two had rarely met.

Kaoru had once suspected that she might be a White Room student, but Amasawa Ichika and Yagami Takuya had both tried to make moves, while Sakurako stayed completely still. That made it unlikely that she was from the White Room.

Later, after checking her background, he had been able to completely rule out that suspicion.

"Long time no see, Mitoma-senpai."

Sakurako suddenly took the lollipop out of her mouth, a faint shine of moisture flashing over it. "Are you two looking for somewhere to spend lunch?"

She had already noticed the bento in Kaho's hand. It was a two-person lunch, and Kaho made absolutely no effort to hide her affection for Kaoru.

In her heart, Sakurako had basically confirmed that Kaoru was the legendary harem demon king.

"Ehehe, Tsubaki-san found us out."

Kaho bashfully hugged Kaoru's arm, pressing close to him. "Onii-chan has to eat my bento every day. Honestly, he's so much trouble. Sometimes I even have to feed him myself. It's like taking care of a little kid. Onii-chan really is too spoiled with me."

As she spoke, Kaho leaned into Kaoru with a shy, sweet expression.

Kaoru's face immediately darkened.

He finally understood why Kaho had gone out of her way to greet Sakurako.

She was showing off.

Even if she had to make things up, she wanted to declare ownership early and kill off Sakurako as a potential harem member before anything could happen.

Sure enough, Sakurako very obviously shifted her gaze away.

"If I remember correctly, Komiya-san is a famous idol, right?"

"Mm, I'm not that famous. Without Onii-chan, I never would've become an idol at all. And there are senpai at the agency who are much more amazing than me. I'm just an idol who exists for Onii-chan, to satisfy Onii-chan's—ah!"

Seeing Kaho getting more and more excited, Kaoru calmly reached out and pinched her from behind.

Because she was standing so close, Sakurako's line of sight was blocked, so she could not see what he was doing.

"Sorry. Kaho got a little too excited."

Kaoru smiled lightly while silently warning the girl beside him. "I heard someone in your class withdrew. Is Utsunomiya-kun doing all right?"

Utsunomiya Riku was one of the first-year students who had wanted to join the Student Council. However, he had come with a friend, and after that friend withdrew, his decision to join the Student Council had wavered.

"He's doing fairly well. If you want him to join the Student Council, I can help persuade him when I go back."

Sakurako put the lollipop back into her mouth. Her gaze could not help lingering on Kaho for another moment.

Kaho's face was bright red, and she was making small muffled sounds, which looked rather strange.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Kaoru was very polite.

Although everyone suspected that he wanted to turn the Student Council into his harem group, he personally had no such intention.

After all, the Student Council was only one of his tools. He had no plans to ruin it.

After that, Kaoru left Sakurako's sight with Kaho.

"Uuu, Producer-san is such a big pervert. Teasing a girl in front of Tsubaki-san is too much!"

Only after they entered the Student Council office did Kaho cover herself with teary eyes and accuse Kaoru of his terrible behavior earlier.

"I haven't even punished you for making up stories yet. When exactly did I act spoiled with you?"

Kaoru said irritably, though the way she pouted made him feel a little tempted to tease her again.

"It definitely happened! Anyway, no hitting. You can't just hit a girl like that!"

Kaho turned away from him with a red face.

She was already a high school student. How could he still treat her like a kid? That was too embarrassing.

"As long as you understand that. Next time, I won't be so polite."

Kaoru habitually threatened her, only to see Kaho's cheeks turn even redder as she instinctively pressed down on her skirt.

He paused.

The girl in front of him was no longer the elementary schooler from before.

The uniform skirt, the black knee-high socks, and the soft contrast of her legs made her look far more grown-up than the Kaho in his memories. When he recalled the feeling from earlier, even Kaoru felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.

"Ahem. I'll gratefully accept the bento Kaho prepared."

Kaoru calmly sat in his chair and opened today's lunch box.

Seeing that, Kaho blinked, then very naturally ran over to Kaoru's side. Like usual, she sat beside him and leaned close, almost as if this was where she belonged.

Kaoru wanted to say something but stopped.

This girl definitely knew how charming she was now and was boldly tempting her Producer.

Still, Kaoru had excellent patience.

The two of them finished lunch with their usual tacit understanding.

"Producer-san, is there anything you want to eat tomorrow?"

"I'm not picky. But if Kaho keeps feeding me like this, I might turn into a big fatty."

"That's fine. Even if Producer-san becomes a big fatty, Kaho will still take care of you."

"Kaho is so good to me. By the way, who taught you how to cook?"

"Mm, everyone taught me a little. Kanna-senpai, Kogane-senpai, Hiori-senpai..."

For some reason, as Kaho counted, she suddenly puffed out her chest proudly.

"I've gathered everyone's power inside me. The current Kaho is Super Kaho, with one million times the strength. I definitely won't lose to anyone!"

Kaoru nodded with relief.

No wonder Kaho had suddenly released such a strong motherly glow earlier. It made him want to cling to her and rest.

However, he suspected it was not only cooking. Those girls had probably taught Kaho many other strange things too.

"Producer-san?"

Kaho gently tugged at his sleeve, speaking hesitantly. "Do you have any plans next month?"

"Next month?"

Kaoru froze slightly, then suddenly remembered his birthday.

Last year, Arisu and Masumi had given him birthday wishes.

Now it was already June. His birthday was very close.

"Mm. Next month... the senpai seem to be preparing something..."

Kaho carefully watched his expression.

She had already brought information back to the agency, and now everyone cared even more about his birthday.

"If Producer-san goes back, everyone will be happy too."

Kaoru fell silent.

He had not expected that even his birthday would become such a difficult choice.

"It's okay even if you don't go back!"

Kaho hurriedly hid her disappointment and showed him her usual smile. "Kaho will always stay by Producer-san's side. Next month, I'll make Producer-san a super delicious big cake!"

Kaoru patted her head.

A child this thoughtful made his heart ache for some reason.

"I'll go back."

For the first time, Kaoru expressed his intention to her so firmly. "No matter what happens, I'll go back."

Kaho froze for a long time.

Only when hot tears slid down her cheeks did she finally choke out, "I thought... I thought you wouldn't choose us."

"Didn't I say it last time?"

Kaoru smiled. "Don't underestimate your Producer. With this many beautiful girls around, I won't let a single one go."

Kaho turned and buried her face in his chest, feeling deeply embarrassed that she had cried in front of Producer-san again.

Kaoru patiently stroked her back.

Last time had only treated the symptoms, not the root cause. If Kaho did not see him actually taking action, she would keep tormenting herself internally.

"All right, all right. Don't cry anymore. Kaho, have you thought about where you want to go during summer vacation?"

Kaoru comforted her while redirecting her attention. "Summer vacation here is a little different. Kaho will probably be surprised when the time comes."

"S-summer vacation?"

Although Kaho's voice was still choked, her attention had successfully been caught.

"That's right. Around late July or early August, the school should arrange a summer vacation activity for us according to tradition."

Kaoru smiled.

In truth, he had more or less guessed what kind of exam the school was preparing.

Recently, the school had asked him what he thought of last year's uninhabited island exam and told him to submit a report, saying they would carefully reference his opinions in the future.

It sounded strange, but the Student Council did indeed have that right. As the president, Kaoru was qualified to submit reports to the school regarding special exams.

In fact, when Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi served as Student Council presidents, the school had also seriously considered their opinions and evaluations, constantly adjusting the details of future exams based on feedback from teachers and students.

The problem was that a whole year had already passed since the last uninhabited island exam.

For the school to suddenly ask Kaoru about his thoughts on it clearly meant they were telling him that the next special exam would be another uninhabited island exam.

When Kaoru told Kaho about the uninhabited island exam he had experienced before, she suddenly became excited for some reason.

"So that means I can live together with Producer-san for a whole week on a deserted island full of summer vibes!?"

"I'm not sure whether the first-years will be going too..."

"No, I have to prepare a cute swimsuit! The school swimsuit is too plain. Then I can take walks on the beach with Producer-san, chat around a campfire at night, and look at the stars together. When we get tired, we can sleep in the same tent and wake up together!"

"Wait, Kaho. The uninhabited island isn't for playing around..."

"Don't worry. My swimsuit will only be for Producer-san to see. I'll prepare two sets, one special one and one normal one!"

"No, that isn't what I mean. The school will probably make us survive on the island."

"A survival game is even better! I can secretly act together with Producer-san. No matter what we do, nobody will know. Ehehe!"

"..."

"Oh, right, right! Is there really a cruise ship too? I really want to enjoy summer vacation on a cruise ship with Producer-san! We can take lots of photos and make Rinze and the others super jealous!"

Kaoru realized he could not argue with Kaho at all.

Once she started talking, she could keep going endlessly. Her eyes sparkled, and there was no trace of the sadness from earlier.

Just learning about the uninhabited island was enough to make Kaho incredibly excited. Even her body became restless as she shifted happily beside him.

It seemed he did not need to comfort her anymore.

This girl was looking forward to summer vacation even more than most boys would. She even started shopping for swimsuits online while sitting near Kaoru.

Seeing her this excited, Kaoru grew a little worried.

If the first-years did not participate in the uninhabited island exam, she might actually look like she wanted to kill someone.

Fortunately, Kaoru's worry did not last long.

Less than a week later, the school announced the summer vacation arrangements.

All year levels would participate in the next uninhabited island exam.