(Un) Fortunately the Yandere is Not After Me

Under the Mistletoe

This plan was going to work... Poorly given who was trying to execute it. It sounded simple, just find a way to get him to the location they agreed upon. This party was still in its early stages, so there was time before any ice skating was going to be done.

However, that's why they didn't have much time to ensure this was a success. Matsu knew her role, while everyone else took care of the mistletoe. A very unbalanced plan, but that was the only way it could be done.

"Ara~ta." Matsu got his attention with a singsong voice. She came up and grabbed his hand. "Are you busy?" He was talking with some of the parents, when she came up to him. It was already clear to him that she wanted to spend time with him.

This feeling when he was with her. Arata couldn't tell just what it was about her. She's a nice girl, but there's something missing here.

"I was just talking, what did you need?" He responded. She asked if he'd like to accompany her, which lead to a few comments from the adults. He rolled his eyes, but it was embarrassing to hear their teasing. Even if they weren't wrong about their assumptions of Matsu's desire.

"Are you enjoying the party?" She started the conversation, as they were away from the crowd. Arata had been. He also thought they did an incredible job on the decor. It was obvious that they worked very hard on it.

"What about you? I can't imagine why'd you be hanging with me, when all your friends are here." He played ignorant to her intentions. Arata was aware of her feelings, but didn't want to let it on to her. If she knew, it was possible that might cause her to rush a confession. That wasn't something he wanted, for more reasons than one.

"Of course I want to be with you, I... I mean, we're friends too, aren't we?" She almost blubbered up that one. Her friends were more than kind enough to help her out here. So, she wasn't going to let them down. "Plus, you never talk with me all that much... Even though we're in the same class..."

"I'm sorry." He realized that despite the convenience. All he ever did was hang out with Yogi and the others usually. Matsu's not the only friend he has outside that group. "I can see how you might think I'm avoiding you, or something."

Was there something he could do to change that? It seemed like he got on a lot of adventures, most of them out of his control. Or maybe that was just his excuse, so that he wouldn't have to confront the elephant in the room.

"It can't be helped, I guess." Matus wasn't glad to hear that nothing was going to happen. She knew she needed to be the one to change that, or else this status quo was going to be the end of her hopes. "Unless, maybe if you want..." She wanted to ask something, anything. But what could there be done to talk with him during school?

Without any words coming out from her mouth. All she could do was twiddle her thumbs and pretend she didn't try to say anything.

"Do you want to... eat lunches with me and Hine?" He could tell it was bothering her. So, in an attempt to make her feel better, he offered something that Hine certainly would've loved. Though her granddaughter might have some dismissal towards it.

"With Hine?" Matsu looked over to the elders. It didn't make any sense to her what he meant. The old woman didn't go to school with them.

Arata clarified, that he ate lunches there on Sundays, with both Hine and Hifumi. Mostly because the Winter meant he couldn't do his usual job of gardening. However, the old lady always loved company. So surely, she'd be glad to see another one of Arata's friends.

Matsu exclaimed cheer to hearing it. She was more than just happy to accept his offer. Leaping in joy, she jumped up to his arms. Which made Arata have to hold her up in a princess carry.