Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

At Shuchiin Academy, in an unused classroom...

"Let's begin the first strategy meeting!" Kasumigaoka Utaha declared, arms crossed and voice commanding.

"Eriri, could you take notes on the key points of the meeting?"

"Why me? You do it!" Eriri pouted in protest, her tone brimming with defiance.

Was this so-called Kasumigaoka incapable of considering her dignity?

"Because I'm the one who arranged for this classroom, and besides…" Utaha's lips curved into a sly smile. "I have some information about that junior you're interested in. Are you sure you don't want it?"

"Ugh! F-Fine! But just so we're clear, it's not because of your stupid bait! I'm just being considerate since borrowing a classroom is a hassle!" Eriri grumbled as she reluctantly got up and positioned herself at the podium.

"…" Utaha didn't argue, merely nodding lightly.

To her, Eriri didn't matter in the slightest. As a rival, Eriri was pathetically weak, hardly worth worrying about.

The real reason she involved Eriri was that Eriri and Katou Megumi were close friends—and Utaha needed Katou's assistance. Her bait, the "information about Natsukawa Kanade," was merely a means to an end.

"Katou, since you're the one most in touch with our junior, I'd like it if you could share some insights about him," Utaha said smoothly.

"Uh… well, I only just reconnected with Natsukawa-kun recently," Katou admitted, raising her hand apologetically.

"That's fine. Just share whatever you know—his habits, how he does things. The more detail, the better," Utaha encouraged, her confidence unwavering.

When it came to Katou, Utaha had complete trust.

Eriri might be useless, but she'd once been pursued by Kanade, which meant there was a faint chance Kanade might rekindle feelings for her.

But Katou? No matter how much she knew about Kanade or how she felt about him, she would never pose a threat to Utaha's plans.

Why? Because Kanade… never wavered when he liked someone.

Eating together, spending time alone, even helping with her writing—none of it would sway him. Kanade was the kind of person who, if he liked a girl, would report any such interactions to her beforehand. His loyalty was absolute.

Such unwavering devotion made him incredibly endearing—and even someone like Utaha, who prided herself on being calculating and self-controlled, wasn't immune to his charm.

Before she realized it, her emotions had shifted.

At first, she had been tempted to use Kanade, exploiting him to assuage her feelings for Aki Tomoya. But after Kanade gently but firmly opened her eyes to her misplaced affections, she could no longer ignore his kindness.

He was like a knight rescuing a princess from despair.

Kanade's selfless spirit moved her deeply.

But… he seemed so burdened.

Always there when called, preparing her lunches daily, checking on her whenever Tomoya upset her—even enduring her as a punching bag without a word of complaint, remembering her every preference, and taking care of everything for her…

She had nearly confessed to him. Nearly.

But she couldn't bring herself to do it.

It wasn't shyness that held her back but a principle: if you truly love someone, you must present your truest self to them.

She knew Kanade's feelings for her were genuine. That much was clear. But the way he acted—so self-effacing and submissive—was not the Kanade she wanted to see.

He should be himself!

If he was tired, he should rest. He didn't need to come running the moment she called. She enjoyed their lunch breaks together, but what they ate wasn't important—he didn't need to prepare extravagant bentos every day.

If she used him as a stress outlet, he should fight back! It was her mistake; why should he silently endure?

Utaha couldn't understand why Kanade seemed to lose himself entirely in his pursuit of her. It was as though he erased his own identity.

And so, on that fateful day, she rejected him.

"Sorry, Kanade-kun. I don't like this version of you. Please, take better care of yourself."

She didn't elaborate on her reasons, but she was confident he understood.

After all, Kanade could read her wants with just a glance. Surely, he would grasp the meaning behind her rejection.

She waited, heart full of hope, for him to change and return to her as his authentic self.

But reality was cruel.

Kanade didn't come back.

For a time, he didn't message or invite her to anything. His warm, tender gaze was gone. She knew he was hurt, but she assumed he was taking time to transform.

She would give him that time.

Even as they drifted apart, Utaha continued to observe him from afar, eagerly anticipating his rebirth.

But time passed. The sports festival came and went, yet Kanade remained distant. Her heart ached when she saw him chatting and laughing in the hallway with Eriri one day.

What?! He's two-timing?

No. Unforgivable. Unfaithfulness is the worst!

He had said he only liked her, and now he was cozying up to that blonde loser?! It was as if he were mocking her, saying, "See? If you don't want me, others will."

She couldn't tolerate such a sight.

Determined, Utaha confronted Kanade, demanding an explanation.

In her naivety, she thought if Kanade apologized sincerely, she might forgive him.

Instead, he refused her outright.

"Sorry, Senpai. You have the right to reject me, and I have the right to give up. This is over. Please don't contact me again—I don't want Eriri to misunderstand."

She froze.

What was he saying? The right to reject him? She hadn't rejected him! She had just wanted to see the real him!

"No, you misunderstand. I didn't—"

"Ah, Eriri! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Wha—! I told you not to call my name out loud! What if someone hears? Idiot!"

"So what? Doesn't it show how close we are?"

"Who's close to you? Hmph! I'm leaving!"

"Wait for me!"

And just like that, Utaha could only stand there, watching as they disappeared into the golden haze of the setting sun.

…

...

...…

Unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable, Eriri!

It had to be Eriri who poisoned Kanade's mind, making him misunderstand!

Since Eriri was the one who struck first, Utaha wouldn't hold back.

From that day on, Utaha made it her mission to sabotage their relationship.

Sometimes she subtly nudged Eriri toward her "childhood friend route." Other times, she blatantly interrupted their private moments. Any opportunity to meddle, she seized it.

Desperate? Jealous? A scorned woman? Call it what you want. She couldn't let Eriri steal her happiness.

Her efforts finally bore fruit when Eriri rejected Kanade's confession.

Perhaps it was because Utaha had whispered in Eriri's ear: "Before you, Kanade pursued me but failed."

Or maybe Eriri had her own unresolved feelings for Tomoya. After all, Eriri was staunchly loyal to the "childhood friend faction."

No matter how convoluted the process, Kasumigaoka Utaha's goal had been achieved.

Next, she planned to comfort the undoubtedly dejected Natsukawa Kanade and win his heart back.

But she couldn't.

Not that she didn't want to—she simply couldn't.

The day after the confession incident, Kanade had resigned from his club, left the LINE group used for communication, and cut off any personal means of contact.

Still, she didn't give up. If she couldn't reach him online, she would meet him in person!

She felt ashamed—Kanade had known her so well, but she didn't even know which class he was in.

This oversight wasted her entire break; she couldn't arrange even a single meeting with him. Not even a fleeting moment together.

When the new semester began, it took monumental effort, even with her social prowess, to discover his class.

But no matter. Such setbacks were stepping stones to victory. Like a hero leveling up by slaying monsters, challenges made triumph sweeter.

Finally, she located his classroom and asked someone to call him out, only to be told that he was at a club activity.

So, she tracked him again, following his trail to a place called the "Service Club."

What a strange name. It gave her an unsettling feeling, as if opening the door would reveal something she couldn't bear to see.

But hesitation wasn't her style.

"Excuse me," she said, pushing the door open.

There he was—the boy she'd been thinking of day and night.

Kanade wore his usual warm smile. But that smile wasn't for her.

"…"

"Hello, may I help you?"

The speaker was a stunning girl, someone even Utaha had to admit rivaled her in looks. Except… her chest was far less impressive—not even a match for Eriri.

Utaha didn't respond, her gaze fixed on Kanade. Yet he showed no intention of acknowledging her presence.

"I… I think I've come to the wrong place," Utaha stammered, trying to maintain her composure. But the glint of tears in her eyes betrayed her.

"Sorry to disturb you."

She fled.

Because she understood—she'd lost him again.

So completely and cleanly it was as if she'd never had him to begin with.