Hi, Swan-kun's classmate, what's up?

This may be a bit presumptuous and obviously you can say no, but I don't suppose I could get an autograph?

Ha. Sure, why not, if you have a pen on you.

...he did not think this through, uhhhh. I did not think this through. Give me two minutes? I'm almost home.

I can just give Swan-kun one to bring to school with him. He always has a pen.

...he does? Why? I'd appreciate that! Swan-kun doesn't need to know the reason why he wanted that autograph.

No problem. Thanks for the tipoff! Konbini guy would've been a goner without you.

...really? From the tiny forg???? ...okay it was, like, dog-sized, but still!

I'm, uh, happy to help, but holy heck?????

That's where witches come from. They bud like that and they feed on people to grow. Anyway, I've given Swan-kun my autograph, I'm going to bed. Thanks again!

Yeah. Good night!

To Haru: Swan-kun, huh?

What about it?

Thought you didn't like honorifics.

I'm being normal about it.

—sorry.

It's not a big deal, I haven't known her long, and I'm not trying to date her.

Ow ow ow ow yeah okay he gets it. Right. And he's home. Sorry, didn't mean to intrude. He just keeps fucking up when it comes to this guy, huh. Nine times out of ten he wishes he could go back and say the right thing rather than the wrong thing instead.

Anyway. It's late. Thanks for the tip. I have her autograph for you and I'll bring it tomorrow.

Yeah. Thanks. Good night.

G'night.

In the morning at school Haru passes him a notebook paper corner with Yamanaka Junko* ♡ on it.

*山中淳子

"Thank you!"

Haru gives him a thumbs-up and goes back to his class notebook.

And Yutaka thinks that, unlike Haru, Matsumoto Tarō-kun will be happy to see him when he knocks on the door of the AV club later that day.

Matsumoto's in! "Hi, Iwasaki-san."

"Iwasaki-san's my father," he says, for like the tenth time, rolling his eyes. "Say, how're you doing?" he continues, slipping into the room, hands hidden behind his back.