I've got my hands full with the investigation of Hiromi and Haruki's relationship. I'm hesitant to use the word "stalking" since it conjures up images of creepy stalkers. I waited patiently for my hard work to pay off, and it eventually did.

I observed them strolling together, laughing at each other, but the wall between our houses made it impossible for me to get a closer look. My vision isn't as keen as it should be, but I'm still able to see them. On an empty trash, I waited for them to disappear, but they were already in the home.

I decided to call it quits at the end of the day because I couldn't gather any information.

There was a knock at my door as soon as I completed my meal. I was surprised to see Haruki when I opened the door.

"Hello?" It's all over now.

Because of the way his blonde hair was styled and the way he spoke, I knew it had to be Haruki. His shoujo manga protagonist vibes were killing my mind.

"I'm the one you were stalking earlier," I said.

His words freeze my nerves and cause me to choke back tears.

It took me a long time to get back to him.

“Stalking isn't what I'd describe it as."

"Which term would you use?"

With my index finger, I tapped my cheeks and said, "Spying."

"Who brought you here to snoop on us?"

“…Um”

"I'm joking, of course." Since we will be neighbors for a long time, I came here to introduce myself. The awkwardness of bumping into each other and not knowing each other's names would be a problem, right?

I was stumped... My plan to bluff was halted by him.

“Yeah.”

I was relieved, because I had feared that the other person would defeat me. There wasn't a lot to it in the end.

"I'm sorry, but I have a lot on my plate right now." "Would it be possible to do this again?"

I'm a total failure compared to him, a lone wolf that scares everyone with my negative feelings. When Haruki realizes what he's capable of, he'll rule the school, the exact opposite of what happens to me. As a result, I employed my own unique method of separating myself from him.

He looked at me in a strange way. "That's OK with me." I'll see you in the morning. Neighbor.”

As a result, I'll be able to go about my day without being bothered by him at school, and he'll soon forget about me as he makes new acquaintances. In order to build a relationship with a person, I need to know their name, so that they remember me.

I've got proof: When I was in middle school, a girl asked for my name, but I was interrupted before I could give it to her, and she hasn't known me since then.

I was unable to keep tabs on Haruki once he left my house, leaving me unable to spy on him. I couldn't decide whether I was more intrigued by his kind demeanor or terrified of it. To think that he caught me in the act of espionage was a complete shock. Sato's caution reminds me that I'm not being forced to go, therefore I'll do so. Shit! By the end of the week, I have to figure out how they're connected. I'm so fed up with these mental gymnastics.

The next day

During the lunch break I was chilling in my dreamy thoughts at the rooftop while waiting Sato.

“Oi! Stop dreaming in the day will you? I bet it is about Keiko right?”

It was Sato. He had a hamburger in his hand.

“You got problem? I can dream about her accepting me.”

“That’s only the dream. When are you making it real? She is getting propose every day you know.”

He is right though that’s why I am afraid. What if she doesn’t feel the same way? Then you can think our childhood bond is bombed. I might be stepping on landmine.

“I know that but the fact she keeps on rejecting every boy is rather shocking than relief. I am not going to try this month so maybe next time.”

The fact she rejects every boy could either mean she is into someone or she is not interested at all.

Keitaro was giving me a pity face which I deserve.

“About yesterday, did you find anything about their relation?”

“Nah, I couldn’t beside Haruki knew I was stalking him.”

Sato had an awed expression when I said that as he sat next to me.

“Are we busted? If we are, we have to move to plan B.”

“I think we are not; he didn’t say anything about it.”

“So he must be the Mastermind?”

I heard a familiar voice, it was him, without a doubt. Haruki was standing at the rooftop’s entrance hanging his back on the side of it.

Every second of it felt like we were against a final boss in a videogame.

“…” We were both speechless.

Haruki came closer and closer. His both hand was in the pocket so I hardly think he wants to beat us.

“Oh? Did I startle you guys? I don’t mean to do it.”

I grabbed hold myself and asked, “Why are you here?”

“I just wanted to give you guys what you want. About Hiromi and my relations.”

He took a moment before he spoke again.

“To tell you the truth…”

Why I was even curious? I couldn’t wait to hear the answer.

“Hiromi and I…. are……”

Are?? An epic revealing music was being played in my mind. The sweat from my head reached at cheeks and I gulped.

“Siblings, she is my cousin little sister.”

EH?????

How? They were both of a same height, and same grade. Not to mention Sato had the shocked expression like me.

“Hard to believe. Need some prove.” Sato asked.

“Why don’t you ask Yui lover?”

Sato looked at me with curious eyes.

“I guess so” I wasn’t sure myself.

“Miyazaki is my last name.”

It was true after all, me and sato was dumb founded in front of him.

“I know right, we often told that, and that is why I let her walk behind me so we can look like more of a sibling.”

After he spoke about him and Hiromi relation he took a deep breath and did a daring thing I could never imagine.

“Now about you. Isn’t it rude for you to spy me? It is invading privacy you know? For to pay it back, I don’t need apologies since it is boring. It would be more fun if you get what you deserve.”

“What do I deserve?” I gulped.

“You deserve to be treated like a scum bag after all. I will spread the words about you stalking me and my little sister. Then your crush Yui will distant herself from you and your romcom story will end here.”

Haruki put a smirked in his face.

He was exactly right. I had no choice but to ask for his forgiveness.

“So in order to dodge that what should I do?”

I will be probably his slave by tomorrow. As I dwell in the despair his answers were rather to my surprise.

“You have to confess to Yui Kurayaki before this year ends or else I will spread the word about you spying and I will gladly take Yui as my girlfriend. Deal?”

“Isn’t that-” Keitaro stood up and the tension I carried was way too much that I immediately shut his mouth with my hand.

“I accept it.”

My answer was a shock to sato.

“What? Are you sure about this?”

“I guess.”

I am officially waking to my execution now. Why did I even accept it? I can’t do this and I won’t be able to.

“If you propose her before the end of the year, you win and I will do anything you ask but if you don’t then you will have to do things I ask. Deal?”

“I hope you will do your best. Tohmaru.” He was about to left the rooftop but suddenly asked us, “I forgot something. I am finding members for Drama club if you want to join come at our club meeting place.”

Yui is in drama club that means more risks if he is in the club. Should I join the club? If he is not there my effort will be wasted and I doubt that they will easily let me retire from club.

While I was thinking that the sound of the bell made me come back to sense. Sato and I went to our classroom before the respective teacher came.