Stepping Beyond the Pixels: Loves Intricate Game

Chapter Seventeen: Accotding to Plan?

Some time before Emi's confession.

"Do you think she can do it?"

"Shh! We don't want them to see us, Y/n-chan."

"Why are we in the bush again?"

Not wanting to leave anything to chance, you decided to watch Emi's moment from a distance, with her knowledge of course. Yuki just decided to tag along and she dragged Akui with her, so now you three were hiding in the bushes from a good distance while observing the interactions between Emi and Suzuki. Perhaps you were being overly cautious, but this was someone's life you were talking about, the matter was bigger than a simple confession.

"Wait, he keeps looking at her!" Yuki excitedly whispered, tugging on your arm.

"Sshh, I can see that," you whispered back. "This... this is a good sign." A sigh of relief escaped your lips, but you weren't letting your guard down just yet.

With bated breaths, you continued to watch the two from afar, hoping with everything you had that one of them would make the first move already.

"So this is what you've been up to." A voice teasingly said from next to your ear.

You gasped and almost fell back when your head whipped around only to find yourself almost nose to nose with Kaneko Fuyuhiko, who snuck to crouch next to you. "Eep–!" You had to quickly slap a hand over your mouth before you gave away your hiding spot.

"You-!" Yuki was about to explode on Fuyuhiko, but luckily Akui had quickly placed a hand over her mouth.

"K-Kaneko-kun?!" you exasperatedly whispered. "What're you doing here?"

Fuyuhiko simply gave you a closed eyed smile, completely ignoring how Yuki looked to be being held back by Akui, before nonchalantly responding. "Well, I've noticed how your little group has been acting rather peculiarly this week." He then turned to look on at Emi and Suzuki, an amused twinkle in his eyes. "I guess this is what had you so distracted. Playing matchmaker is see."

The words lumped in your throat, unable to escape as you sputtered. You did not expect for Fuyuhiko to show up and bust you like this. "W-well, actually...uh..." You were at a loss to respond. You weren't even sure why, it's not like you were committing some crime or anything, but the cheeky smirk plastered on Fuyuhiko's face made you feel like you just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar. 'Focus, Y/n! Emi and Suzuki are the priority here.' "The details... aren't important. But, yes, technically I have been trying to set those two up together." You finally responded.

"Interesting. Didn't know you knew about the affairs of the heart, L/n-chan," he teased. "Though, I'd say you're doing a decent job." He looked back up at Emi and Suzuki as they both continued to silently tend to the gardens. Fuyuhiko observed as Suzuki would occasionally sneak glances at Emi. "He's definitely interested in her."

His words pique your interest while Yuki simply scoffed out of spite. "Puh-lease. What do you know about love?"

Fuyuhiko turned to her, a challenging grin on his lips as his eyebrow arched up. "Ha, do you realize who you're talking to? I know the affairs of the heart, and besides, I am a guy after all."

His words got you thinking. Fuyuhiko has had plenty of experience dealing with romantic feelings, so he probably has a better reading on what Suzuki is feeling than you did. Which is why before Yuki could utter her snarky come back, you said, "Kaneko-kun, would you mind sticking around? Our goal is to have him confess today, and you being here would be a big help."

"Y/n-chan?!" Yuki exclaimed in mild confusion.

Fuyuhiko chuckled while nodding his head. "I suppose I can offer you my assistance. After all, what're friends for?" he responded, the hint of his signature boyish smoke still lingering on his lips.