Nishikata: "Oh, really? What did you have in mind?"
Takagi: "Well…"
Takagi shifted on the spot before stopping.
Takagi: "You have to come with me on a double date."
Nishikata: "Wait, what?!"
Takagi: "Well, Sumire asked me to set up a double date with her and that person who was one of the Toro cats."
Nishikata: "Who, Sakura?"
Takagi: "Yep."
Nishikata shot her a confused look, before facepalming.
Nishikata: "Yep. Gotcha."
Takagi: "You know, I'm surprised that you're not objecting to the fact that I referred to it as a double date."
Nishikata: *blushing* "W-well, if it's part of a punishment and it's to help out a friend, I can't really refuse, can I?"
Takagi: Dammit… I can't make him feel like I'm forcing him into this! "I mean, I won't make you come if you don't want to…"
Nishikata: "Wait, isn't that the rules of the challenge?"
Takagi: "I-I'll think of something else if you don't want to."
Nishikata: "I mean, if it's to help a friend…"
Takagi: "Sweet! I'll ask Naoto to contact Sakura and see if she's available on Saturday!"
Nishikata: "Actually, I could contact him."
Takagi: "That works too. I'm looking forward to it!"
Nishikata: Does she actually… She actually wants to? She could mean that as in she's excited for her friend, but it doesn't feel like that. Still, it's better to assume the worst than the best…
Takagi knew exactly what was going on in Nishikata's mind given his expression whenever he was analysing one of her hints.
Takagi: Alright, let's do this. "It'll be fun to spend the day with you, Nishikata!"
Nishikata: *blushing* Well, looks like I got my answer… "Y-yeah. I'm hoping for the best for those 2 as well."
Takagi: "They don't know each other that well, though. They just met yesterday so Sumire said that she wants to use this to get to know Sakura."
Nishikata: "Fair enough."
With that, the 2 of them headed home. It didn't take long for them to catch up with Nagatoro and Senpai as they were moving much slower than normal. With everyone exchanging a "Sup", Senpai was the first to speak.
Senpai: "So as I was saying, I, uh, I know a good massage to help with headaches. I found out after a particularly long gaming session. I'm not sure if it'll work with you, but…"
Nagatoro gave him a weak smirk.
Nagatoro: "So you're trying to get an excuse to get in my room? Pervert. Although if you'll insist…"
Senpai sighed. This was Nagatoro's routine whenever Senpai proposed anything to her and he'd learned to deal with it.
Takagi: "Hey, Naoto? Hayase-chan"
Senpai: "Yeah?"
Takagi: "Are you and Hayase-chan down to come to the arcade with me, Nishikata, Sakura, and Sumire on Saturday?"
Nagatoro: "I'm down, if I'm doing any better in this department…"
She said this last line while pointing to her temple.
Senpai: "I think I'm ok with it, too."
Nagatoro: "You trying to go on a date with me, S- whatever, forget it."
Senpai was surprised. He couldn't remember the last time where Nagatoro wouldn't have lost anything from not teasing him yet still chose to not tease him.
Senpai: "I'm looking forward to it too, Nagatoro."
Nagatoro looked at him, blushing but quickly turned away to hide this fact.
Nagatoro: "You're so gross, Senpai!"
Teasing her Senpai gave Nagatoro some new energy, but that energy quickly dissipated.
Senpai: "Still though, this sounds like a triple date, but Takagawa and Sakura are… You know."
Takagi: "Sumire told me she might like Sakura but wants to get to know her first."
Senpai: "Oh, ok. I… I'll check with Sakura, then."
Senpai: Sakura's lesbian? That's weird, I thought that she'd had a boyfriend before. Then again…
Senpai thought back to all the times she'd just used the horniness of the guys around each other and the time she blushed at the president's physique.
Senpai: I guess there's evidence.
Nagatoro had perked up at hearing the news that Sakura wouldn't be toying with her Senpai anymore, but quickly slumped back down.
Nagatoro: "Ugh, hangovers suck. I can honestly see where you're coming from now, Senpai."
Senpai shot her a small smile before noticing that her hand was dangling unusually close to him.
Senpai: How long- nevermind. "Nagatoro? Do you want…"
Senpai pointed at her hand and back to his own. Nagatoro blushed but quickly forced a smirk.
Nagatoro: "Are you trying to take advantage of me since I'm hungover? You're so creepy, Senpai!"
Senpai: That doesn't even make sense…
Nagatoro: "Still, if you insist…"
Nagatoro reached her hand out towards Senpai. While she was smirking, her mouth was wobbly and her blush was prevalent. Senpai took her hand, turning red. Just as he did, a familiar voice rang out behind him.
Sakura: "Bold today, aren't we, Senpai-kun!"
Nagatoro and Senpai both went flush and released each other's hands before tentatively reconnecting.
Senpai: "Y-yeah. I guess we are."
Everyone shot Senpai confused looks, all of which turned into approving smiles. All except Nagatoro, who was just simply happy.
Sakura: "You're not the only one, Senpai-kun! How are you 2, Takagi-chan, Nishikata-kun?"
Nishikata: "S-she just made me do it as a challenge!"
Takagi simply shot Sakura a smile.
Sakura: "Alright. Well, I'll be seeing you guys-"
Senpai: "Hang on a sec. Sakura, are you down to hang out with all of us and Takagawa on Saturday at the arcade?"
Upon hearing Takagawa's name, Sakura blushed slightly before nodding in affirmation.
Senpai: So that's even more confirmation…
Sakura: "That sounds like it'll be fun. Then again, how'd you know about me and Takagawa?"
Senpai looked at Takagi who shrugged.
Takagi: "She asked me to check with you and I figured that since you know Senpai the best out of everyone who's not hungover, he should check with you."
Sakura: "Wait, what? You're not… you know."
Senpai: "What?! No! I-is it ok if I tell her, Nagatoro?"
Nagatoro: *blushing* "I guess she's fine, but Gamo and Yoshi can't find out about this."
Senpai: "Well, Nagatoro got drunk off of whiskey chocolates."
Sakura: "What was that, Senpai-kun?"
Senpai: "W-whiskey chocolates."
Nagatoro tightened her grip on Senpai's hand as he spoke and went even redder. Sakura, on the other hand, had to suppress laughter.
Sakura: "Y-you got drunk on chocolates?"
Nagatoro gave her a quick, embarrassed nod.
Sakura: "Wow… You're a real lightweight, Toro-chan?"
Nagatoro: "S-shut up."
Sakura couldn't suppress a small giggle at seeing Nagatoro in this state.
Sakura: *playful* "You didn't do anything lewd with her, did you Senpai-kun?"
Senpai: *blushing* "Wha-no! Of course not! She was drunk so… Even if she wanted to, I'd refuse!"
Sakura shot him a look of approval before continuing.
Sakura: "Do you guys have time later today? I have something important to tell you."
Everyone shot her a nod before Nishikata interjected.
Nishikata: "If it's important, why are you telling me and Takagi? We barely know each other."
Sakura: "We~ll, you guys seem trustworthy."
Nishikata: "If you say so…"
The rest of the walk home was fairly uneventful with Nagatoro and Senpai as well as Nishikata and Takagi holding hands. Of course, they were being followed by Yukari, Mina, and Sanae.
Mina: "Yukari, can we go now? I'm hungry."
Yukari: "Hang on! I just need 1 good picture!"
With another click, Yukari put her phone away.
Sanae: "Is this really necessary? You're being kind of a creep."
Yukari: "It is! These photos are so adorable, don't you agree?"
Mina: "Let's just go home…"
Sanae: "Yeah."
Yukari: "Alright then."
With that, everyone headed home.
