Tokyo: To reiterate, this is not a dating system.

On the fifth floor of the special building, Genji Aoyama leaned against the wall, slightly panting as he adjusted his breathing.

There is no elevator here—although the school building itself doesn't have an elevator either, Aoyama Genji's class is on the third floor, so climbing up and down is effortless.

Prior to this, the two parted ways in front of the special building; or more accurately, they went their separate ways.

Yuko Asahi was looking for a simple club: one with active upperclassmen, no attendance requirements, and nothing else mattered.

So Aoyama Genji didn't go with her.

He also had his own things to do, such as to visit the Department of Psychological Problems and meet the minister who seemed to be a genius.

Once he had adjusted his breathing to a level that wouldn't seem strange to others, Genji Aoyama began his search on the fifth floor.

Half of the activity rooms here are unused, quiet and without any sound.

After searching around, he finally found the activity room of the Department of Psychological Problems Research in a corner.

After knocking, the sound of a window opening came from inside the activity room, and after another ten seconds or so, a slightly hoarse female voice came from inside.

"...Please come in."

"Sorry to bother you."

Genji Aoyama opened the door to the activity room.

The activity room wasn't very big, and the furnishings were relatively simple. A long table almost divided the entire space into two areas, with a few chairs and a bookshelf placed near the table.

A young girl sat in the "inner area," holding a book that was large enough to cover her entire face.

Genji Aoyama walked to the table and sat down. Through his mask, he caught a faint scent of air freshener, but he didn't pay much attention to it, focusing instead on the promotional leaflet on the table.

Department of Psychological Issues Research: Psychological counseling, relationship counseling, life counseling, and any other area where you need counseling, you will find the answers here!

The phrase "life counseling" was crossed out, and a line of neat handwriting appeared above it: "For this kind of thing, please consult a teacher."

Didn't you cross out "psychological counseling"...?

Although this club doesn't seem very reliable, club activities at Shiratsu High School require teacher guidance and must be conducted under the supervision of the student council.

The fact that this club was able to be established means that its activities are at least recognized.

Perhaps we could give it a try.

With that thought in mind, Genji Aoyama greeted the girl, "Hello."

"Hello, I'm Saki Izumo, the head of the Psychological Problems Research Club." The girl finally put down her book, her voice bright and cheerful, very pleasant to hear. "May I ask what's the matter?"

Contrary to his expectations of a gloomy girl, she perfectly matched all of Genji Aoyama's imagination of an energetic girl—a rosy blush on her bright face, and her clear almond-shaped eyes blinking as she looked him over.

"It's a psychological counseling session about my friend and his girlfriend," Aoyama Genji said, then added, "Could you keep it confidential?"

"Of course, this department is obligated to maintain confidentiality for those who seek our advice."

Saki Izumo placed her hands on her chin and looked at Genji Aoyama with a serious expression. "Please tell me... what your friends' problems are."

"It's like this, my friend and his girlfriend..."

Genji Aoyama revised his own experience of first meeting Yuko Asahi, considering it an essential prerequisite for his consultation.

Then he recounted what he considered the most important moment—Yuko Asahi's sudden hypoglycemia, and the series of events that followed.

After that, the correction progress became -20%, and there was no doubt that the problem was heading in a bad direction.

The key issue is that he hasn't been able to identify the problem so far.

"You mean, after that, your girlfriend... oh no, your friend's girlfriend, underwent some psychological changes that I need to investigate and analyze, is that what you mean?"

Saki Izumo rested her chin on one hand and held a mechanical pencil in the other, the tip lightly tapping her notebook, seemingly lost in deep thought.

"Yes."

"I have a question to ask."

Izumo Saki looked at Aoyama Genji: "Because of your friend's financial support, you two started dating. Is the girl a gold digger?"

"No, my friend confirmed that his girlfriend isn't that kind of person," Aoyama Genji shook his head.

"Is the girl from a poor family?"

"Yes."

"But you said it's not like you, hmm... that's a bit hard to analyze. Is there any other information?"

Saki Izumo's expression revealed a mixture of thoughtful frustration and excitement.

That's all I know about their situation.

"Huh? Isn't this something between you and your girlfriend?"

With a serious expression, Genji Aoyama reiterated, "This is a matter between my friend and his girlfriend."

Saki Izumo looked Genji Aoyama over again, then nodded with some skepticism: "Okay, would it be convenient for me to leave my contact information? I'll contact you after I've analyzed the results."

The two became LINE friends.

As agreed with Yuko Asahi, Genji Aoyama came down from the fifth floor and waited at the stone table in the courtyard.

After he left, some time passed.

The door to the activity room of the Department of Psychological Problems Research was knocked on again.

The air was filled with the smell of air freshener, so strong it was almost pungent.

Yuko Asahi frowned, but still sat down in the chair at the table. She looked at the girl opposite her who was holding the book upside down and felt vaguely that something was not quite right.

After finalizing the details of the event, she slowly began to speak:

"Hello, I'm here to offer some relationship advice to my friend..."

help?

friend?

Saki Izumo hid behind a book that was big enough to cover her entire face, looking up at the sky.

Her once adorable and spirited face now seemed to be filled only with the calm after the joy and the blush on her cheeks.

She felt her mind was calmer than ever before, as if she had just heard a revelation.

That's weird.

What's going on today? Why are all the people asking for advice on behalf of their friends?

Are your friends the same person?

……

After a period of communication, Yuko Asahi's consultation came to an end.

"It's inconvenient... okay."

Saki Izumo smiled brightly, her smile infectious: "Then please come here after lunch tomorrow."

"Thanks."

Yuko Asahi left the activity room of the Psychological Problems Research Department.

The room fell silent again, but Izumo Saki felt herself getting excited.

Her fair and beautiful legs, hidden beneath the pleated skirt, couldn't help but squeeze together, even intertwining, and she almost wanted to moan softly.

But not yet.

Saki Izumo looked at her notebook, which was filled with densely written words.

The two people who arrived one after the other each recounted their own...their friend's problem.

Although the events described are different, Izumo Saki is certain that the friends they are referring to are the same people.

No, to be precise, it was the two of them.

The answer is obvious.

"This is really...this is really..."

Half of the boy's face appeared in Izumo Saki's mind. Although she couldn't see his whole face, his affectionate eyes were imprinted on her heart like an engraving.

That's quite a skill.

"call…"

Izumo Saki looked up at the sky.