After thoroughly defeating Sato in their little verbal duel, Iroha smiled with satisfaction.
But the curious glint in her eyes hadn't faded.
Recalling Sato's earlier expression, she glanced once more at the dazzling blonde girl on stage, and suddenly the fire of gossip lit up in her eyes…
In an instant, she had already written a ten-thousand-word Light Novel in her head about love, hatred, and betrayal. From the look Sato gave earlier, she was almost certain he knew the freshman representative.
She was particularly sensitive to other people's expressions.
"Nohara-kun, do you know Sawamura-san?"
She asked the question, trying to sound casual.
"...Sawamura?"
Sato's reaction was one of confusion at first, then recognition.
Iroha blinked. That reaction doesn't seem quite right… Did I guess wrong?
But Sato, unaware of the whirlwind of thoughts in her head, looked up at the elegant girl on stage who was reading from her script in a clear, crisp voice. He muttered under his breath:
"Sawamura Spencer Eriri… Didn't the announcer just say that?"
"Mm-hmm," Iroha replied, disinterested. She pouted, her glossy lips forming a slight pout. The gossip fire that had ignited in her heart suddenly fizzled out.
But the more she thought about it, the more irritated she felt!
She stole a glance at Sato. What's up with this guy's taste anyway?
It's not like I'm lacking anything, right? So why does he act so indifferent toward me, yet look so intrigued by Eriri?
They'd only just met, but comparison was unavoidable, and the girl couldn't help but mind.
Iroha glanced down at herself, then up at Eriri on the stage, and finally turned a judging gaze on Sato.
Wait… could he be into flat-chested girls?
Ugh, no taste whatsoever!
Just as her glare became increasingly pointed, Sato turned and caught the expression on her face. He blinked, confused.
"Are your eyes bothering you?"
"You're the one with eye problems!"
Iroha rolled her eyes. Is this guy dumb or what?
"Anyway, how much do you know about Sawamura-san?"
Huh?
Iroha stared at him, then said suspiciously, "Nohara-kun, calm down. Being a creeper is illegal!"
"What the hell are you imagining?! I'm just curious. You know... Curious!"
She gave him a skeptical look, her imagination beginning to spin again. He totally knows her, right?
But… was that even possible?
He looked clueless when I mentioned her name earlier… Still, she sighed and asked anyway:
"You really don't know Sawamura-san?"
Sato's expression was odd. "We're all freshmen. Why would I be expected to know her? Isn't it weirder that you do? Why do you know so much?"
Iroha huffed proudly. "Because I did my homework before high school started! I know everything from new students, past legends, you name it."
Sato rubbed his temples. "Seriously… is it all girls, or just you?"
"None of your business. Want to hear it or not?"
"Ahem… please enlighten me, Isshiki-san."
Resigned, Sato politely bowed his head. Can't win under the same roof…
Satisfied, Iroha began her explanation:
"Sawamura-san is in the arts program. She's won multiple gold medals in national competitions since middle school. People call her the 'Ace Illustrator.' I even heard the principal went to great lengths to recruit her to build the art department."
"And, apparently, she's a mixed-blood cuz her dad's a British diplomat, and she lives in a castle!"
Sato's face twitched slightly. Wait… for real?
He looked up at the elegant girl again. That was definitely Eriri. Who would've thought she acted like such a proper lady in her day-to-day life?
No, no... if what Isshiki says is true, then Eriri isn't just playing the part of a refined young lady. She actually is one!
Noticing the change in his expression, Iroha's suspicion deepened.
"Nohara-kun definitely knows Sawamura-san, doesn't he?" she declared with confidence.
Sato glanced at her and flatly denied, "Nope. Don't know her."
Pft. Yeah, right. Like I'd believe that.
Iroha stared at him, inwardly convinced she had uncovered something big. But what's their relationship?
Dating?
No way, what kind of couple doesn't even know each other's full name?
As Iroha puzzled over it, something unexpected happened:
Eriri, still on stage, suddenly locked eyes with Sato in the crowd. Her expression froze, and she even forgot to continue reading her speech.
The murmurs from the audience and confused glances from teachers finally brought her back to reality. Eriri fumbled through the rest of the script, stumbling over her words.
Her heart was clearly in turmoil.
No way… what's he doing here?!
Eriri stammered her way through the ending, bowed stiffly, then quickly exited the stage. But before she left, she threw one last glance in Sato's direction.
Then she turned abruptly and disappeared into the crowd.
Sato watched the scene unfold, deep in thought. Did she recognize me?
He smiled faintly. Who would've thought that Eriri can actually get flustered. I always thought she was just as bold in real life as she was when drawing those wild doujins…
Yep, he totally knows Sawamura-san!
As Sato chuckled to himself, he didn't realize that beside him, Iroha's gossip instincts had ignited once again. Her eyes practically blazed with curiosity and speculation.
Sensing her stare, Sato turned toward her. She quickly looked away and pretended to be focused on the stage.
Hmph! I, Iroha Isshiki, will get to the bottom of this!
The girl swore it silently to herself, determination flashing in her eyes.