The night in Izu, illuminated by neon lights, always had a way of making people want to lose themselves in it.
Dashing men and beautiful women reveled in the vibrant glow, indulging in their youth to the fullest!
On the streets, three individuals stood with troubled expressions, their hearts weighed down by concerns about the upcoming mixer.
This was probably their first mixer since entering university.
"The day has finally come, huh!"
"Is it really okay to leave this to Yoshiwara?"
"Forget that for now. Why did you guys only tell Aina to bring three people? Do you seriously only have one friend?"
As a certified scumbag, Shiro hadn't gotten too close to Aina yet, but that didn't stop him from calling her by name without hesitation!
At the same time, he eyed the two of them with suspicion. Only one guest? Wouldn't that make things awkward? Did their friend not have any other acquaintances?
Well… considering the kind of people who could befriend these two idiots, Shiro didn't have high expectations.
At his words, Iori and Kohei simultaneously turned their heads away...
"We absolutely can't let this scumbag find out that there are actually two of them!"
"No way can we let this piece of trash join the mixer!"
(???;)?
"Why aren't you guys saying anything? Don't tell me your friends are even crazier than you two? Is that even possible?"
Shiro's face showed blatant disgust. Honestly, he couldn't imagine anyone more absurd than these two!
"How the hell do you have the nerve to say that?!"
"If anyone here is crazy, it's you! Anyway, aren't you supposed to be drinking with Azusa-santonight?"
At Iori's words, Shiro froze. A shadow of fear passed over his face at the mention of Azusa!
For some reason, Azusa had been showing him all sorts of bizarre things lately! Were those kinds of kinks even meant for human eyes?!
"I… I told her I'd be back later tonight…"
Shiro said, sounding guilty. He had indeed told Azusa that he'd be late today, but… participating in the mixer? Well, "late" was a vague term.
"This scumbag definitely has no intention of going back!" ×2
Iori and Kohei immediately saw through his act and were already considering whether they should call Azusa to come pick him up.
"Imamura! Kitahara!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Just as the two were about to put their plan into action, the people they were waiting for finally arrived!
Shiro turned his head in curiosity. What kind of people could possibly be friends with these two morons? Another set of morons, perhaps?
Wait… why were there two of them?
BAM!
A sharp pain exploded at the back of his head, making his vision go black.
An assassin!!!
…
Pain… unbearable pain!
Shiro groggily opened his eyes, feeling like he was seeing stars.
Wait… why were there four menacing figures looming over him?
Right! He had been attacked!
Damn it, it must have been because he was too handsome! Given the situation, Kitahara and Kohei must have managed to escape unharmed!
…Wait! Those two idiots wouldn't have just abandoned him, right?!
Shaking his head vigorously, Shiro forced himself to focus on his assailants.
And then… he saw Iori and Kohei glaring at him with expressions twisted like vengeful demons.
(???)
"..."
"Are you guys… playing some kind of cop game?"
Shiro never would have imagined that his own dear friends were the ones who attacked him!
"Yo, you're awake, Kamishiro!"
Iori grinned wickedly, moving in close. "Sorry about this, but as you can see, we already have four people. In a mixer, the numbers should match, right?"
Kohei joined in, nodding. "That's right, that's right. Mixers aren't really for normies like you, Kamishiro."
These bastards!!!
(メ｀ロ′)/
Shiro finally realized, he had been set up! He was the outsider here! These idiots just didn't want him to join the mixer! And besides, wasn't a mixer something otakus shouldn't be attending?!
Their friends were two people, not one!
"Well, Kamishiro-kun, with your looks, you probably don't need a mixer. Plus, don't you already have an older senpai? Why don't you let us have this chance instead?"
"Yo, Yamamoto, no need to waste time talking to him. Just sink him into the ocean!"
!!!
Who?! Who was this ruthless person?!
Realizing there were two unfamiliar voices, Shiro turned his head and saw a man in a white suit with thick lips and another long-haired man wearing glasses. Both were glaring at him menacingly.
And... was it just his imagination, or did their expressions become even more menacing when he made direct eye contact?!
(=ω=;)
"Umm... May I ask your names?"
Facing four people, Shiro decided to humbly surrender his spot.
After all, they seemed pretty desperate. It was obvious that the two newcomers were also virgins like that idiot Kitahara. This was his act of charity!
And it definitely had nothing to do with the fact that they were holding shovels, bricks, and that he was currently tied up!
"Nojima!"
"Yamamoto Shinichiro!"
"..."
Shiro fell silent. It wasn't that he had any problem with their names...
But why the hell did one of them fix his hair and the other adjust his glasses when introducing themselves?!
Can't you guys save your dramatic poses for the girls at the mixer?!
Seeing Shiro's silence, Yamamoto patted his shoulder with a 'gentle' smile. "Well then, Kamishiro-kun! We'll be heading to the mixer now. Don't worry, I'll bring you next time!"
(′?`)
Looking at his overly kind expression, Shiro could no longer hold it in—he coughed up blood and fainted on the spot. That was way too much damage!
Yamamoto, meanwhile, pulled out his comb and started fixing his hair again. "Ahh, as expected, my charm is irresistible even to men!"
(???)
The other three silently took a step back.
He definitely just scared him unconscious! Can't you have some self-awareness?!
They dragged the unconscious Shiro to a nearby alley close to the mixer venue.
Once the event was over, they'd take him back—unless someone hit it off with a girl.
In that case... well, Shiro should be fine sleeping outside in the summer night breeze, right?
"By the way, which school are the girls from?"
Yamamoto asked excitedly. He had been really looking forward to this mixer!
"According to the person who set it up, they should be first-years from Oumi Girls' Academy."
"Oumi Girls'? That's amazing!"
Hearing that, Yamamoto and Nojima were even more hyped. Oumi Girls' Academy had super high standards for beauty!
"Alright, let's go!"
As they stepped toward the venue, Yamamoto suddenly stopped them.
"Wait!"
"Huh?"
"Before we go in, let's decide on a signal!"
"A signal?"
"Yeah! If you're interested in a girl, use your chopsticks to point at her!"
And so, with their plans set, the four young men steeled their resolve and stepped forward—
Tonight…
The hunt begins!