Ugh, I wish I could find a good use for this. But in the end, nothing comes to mind, and the days just pass by.

Of course, leveling up might change something, so I make sure to use up all my MP every day.

One sunny day, as I was going about my usual routine…

During class, I absentmindedly stared at Haruka’s back, sitting two rows diagonally in front of me.

Maybe there’s a chance— (A chance for what!?)

!?

Suddenly, a bad feeling hit me, so I immediately stopped time.

Then, to avoid Haruka’s gaze, I looked out the window.

Two seconds later, time resumed. After a brief pause, I casually glanced back at Haruka—only to see her looking right at me. Close call.

But in situations like this, the better move is to deliberately meet her gaze and put on an exaggerated shocked expression, as if to say:

“Huh? Haruka, you’re staring at me—do you have something to say? Could it be that someone as amazing as you actually has feelings for me?”

Usually, she’d tilt her head in confusion, blush a little, and then hurriedly look away. Heh.

Sigh… but this is kinda pointless.

Is this really the only way I can use this power?

But today was different.

Haruka didn’t look away—instead, she glared straight at me.

Huh!? Why? Did I do something!? Well, I have been doing stuff, but she shouldn’t know… Wait!?

Instinctively, I glanced at Yōji next to me—only to see him quickly avert his eyes.

Oh? Yōji, my dude. Did you do something?

Meanwhile, Haruka kept glaring at me.

I made a shooing motion with my hand, as if to say, “You should face forward, or the teacher’s gonna get mad.”

She didn’t seem convinced, but reluctantly turned around.

Then, a note got passed to me from Yōji.

“Sorry. I was gonna tell you later, but Haruka found out. She doesn’t know the details, but she knows we’re hiding something. My bad.”

Ohhh?

I see.

Wait, what do we do now?

When the next break came, Haruka marched straight over to me, leaned in, and whispered, “Meet me on the roof at lunch.” Oh, and Yōji was coming too, apparently.

…Well, if she doesn’t know the details, maybe we can still salvage this?

Ah, the good old days when I still thought that way.

Now, it’s lunchtime on the roof.

The weather’s nice, sparrows are chirping (“chun chun”), and the atmosphere is peaceful—except for Yōji, who’s currently getting absolutely destroyed by Haruka’s relentless interrogation. He’s already crumbling, desperately shooting me pleading looks. Oh yeah, Yōji’s always been weak against Haruka.

“Cut Yōji some slack.”

“Then, Hideaki, you confess.”

“There’s nothing to confess. Like, what do you even think is going on?”

“Look at how Yōji’s acting. You can’t fool me. Spit it out.”

“Quit screwing around. Using Yōji as a shield? Cut the crap! I told you, there’s nothing!”

I faked a little outburst for effect.

Haruka flinched, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Hideaki. It’s just… lately, I felt like you two were leaving me out. We used to do everything together, all three of us, but now…”

She clung to Yōji, sobbing. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she kept repeating, while Yōji floundered helplessly.

“Hey, Hideaki… maybe we should just tell her? Haruka would help us.”

Oh, you idiot. Don’t fall for it! Haruka’s not that meek!

But… too late now.

Ugh. Fine.

I stepped closer to Yōji and Haruka, grabbed Haruka’s wrist, and—

—Time, halt!

Then, I pulled her arm away from her face.

Time resumed.

“Yōji, look. Haruka’s not some innocent saint.”

There stood Haruka—without a single tear on her face.

“Ah!”

“Ah,” my ass.

Yōji might be a super-capable guy, but the moment Haruka’s involved, he turns into a total pushover.

“Hmph. I’ll give you credit, Hideaki. But it’s time to pay the piper. What was that just now? You’re not seriously thinking of keeping quiet after this, right?”

Well, whatever. I scratched my head. Problem is, I’ve got over eight minutes left on the cooldown. Damn it, even my time magic’s being useless right now.

“Let’s just eat lunch first.”

“No, explain first.”

“I can’t use it again right now. Right, Yōji?”

“Yeah.”

“Ugh… fine.”

“Why do you believe Yōji so easily?”

“It’s called trust earned through daily behavior.”

Sigh. Yōji, you’re hopeless. No way you’d ever win against her like this.