Mash-Up: Anything for Money

Hakuto ignored Utaha and randomly grabbed a book from the shelf before heading to a seat by the library window.

Of course, it wasn't that book he had originally intended to take—How to Get in Touch with a Rich Lady—but another one entirely.

Seated at his spot, Hakuto glanced toward the front desk, only to find it still empty. He sighed. Looked like he'd be stuck in the library for a while longer.

"So, the loyal lapdog kouhai also has the skill of completely ignoring people, huh?"

Unyielding as ever, Utaha sat down directly across from him.

"If Senpai is really this bored, do you need me to recommend a club for you?"

"Oh? I never expected Kouhai-kun to be involved in club recruitment. Now that's surprising."

"But if it's your request, then… I suppose I'll allow you the privilege of inviting me."

Hakuto pressed his fingers against his forehead and sighed helplessly.

"It's not a request… Never mind."

The issue of Rikka's club members wasn't really on Hakuto's mind—not because he didn't care, but because it wasn't even a problem to begin with.

It was a simple matter. They needed three members, and he had two unemployed friends on hand. 

As for the last one, they could easily find someone.

So he never actually intended to invite Utaha to join—he had only brought it up to shut her up.

After all, he knew her well. 

A naturally talented writer, a bestselling novelist, a consistent top student despite sleeping through classes, and someone who had never been involved in any club activities.

By all logic, she shouldn't be interested in joining any club.

Yet… why did she look so intrigued?

"Rikka wants to start a club, but she still needs a few more members before it can be officially formed."

Utaha nodded. "Takanashi-san, huh…"

Since they had gone to the same middle school—and since Hakuto was once a key figure there—Utaha was naturally aware of Rikka, though she didn't know her well.

"Senpai still remembers her?"

"Of course. That incident back then was practically common knowledge at school."

"Takanashi-san was one of the people involved, so she left a strong impression on me."

Hakuto was about to continue the conversation when he noticed the library staff had finally returned to the front desk.

"Sorry, Senpai, I have something I need to take care of."

He put down his book and quickly walked toward the counter, not even bothering to continue their conversation.

Utaha smiled, pulled out her phone, and snapped a picture of Hakuto's retreating figure.

"Why are you so fixated on that blonde tsundere?"

She muttered to herself. It was unclear whether she was questioning his actions or just complaining.

After a while, Hakuto returned to his seat, looking utterly exasperated.

"What happened?" Utaha asked.

"If they're not hiring, then they should've taken down the recruitment notice sooner."

Hakuto grumbled, annoyed that he had wasted so much time waiting there for nothing.

Utaha raised an eyebrow at his words.

"Kouhai-kun is looking for a job? Does the school even allow that?"

"The school doesn't allow a lot of things."

"Fair point…"

"But then, what about that blonde tsundere?"

"What about her?"

"Hmm? If the devoted lapdog starts working, what happens if someone else swoops in and takes her away?"

"What does that have to do with me?"

Hearing Hakuto's words, Utaha couldn't believe her ears. Her pupils even dilated slightly.

They hadn't seen each other for a few months, but since they attended the same school, she still heard bits and pieces of news.

Just recently, she had overheard some girls in class talking about Hakuto and Eriri.

But now, hearing it straight from the source… Why did it feel like something had changed?

Did they have a falling out? No, that didn't seem right… Considering their relationship, what kind of conflict could they possibly have?

To put it nicely, he was a pursuer. To put it bluntly, he was just a lapdog—not even a friend.

Utaha scanned her surroundings. This was a bombshell of a revelation, and it had come out of nowhere.

She even wondered if this was some elaborate scheme by Eriri to get back at her for past grievances.

"Kouhai-kun, this isn't some kind of 'Master's decree' or something, is it?"

Hearing Utaha's words, Hakuto almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He patted his chest, took a deep breath, and retorted with annoyance.

"So what if the lapdog stopped being a lapdog? Why are you acting like it's the end of the world?"

At his response, a strange emotion welled up in Utaha's heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Can you tell me why?" she asked cautiously.

Hakuto stood up from his seat and picked up the book he had just borrowed.

After hearing her question, he thought for a moment.

Finally, he came up with the perfect excuse—one that wouldn't expose the contract and wouldn't drag himself into trouble.

"Senpai should know the name 'Kashiwagi Eiri,' right?"

Utaha nodded.

"That blonde tsundere's pen name. I remember she even threatened to kill me if I ever told anyone about it."

"How do you know about it?"

Though Utaha didn't know why Hakuto was bringing this up, she thought back for a moment before answering honestly.

"I stumbled upon it by chance. Besides, her art style is pretty distinctive."

"But why are you asking about this? You should know the name 'Kashiwagi Eiri' better than I do, right?"

Hakuto smiled, then slowly shook his head.

"No, no, Senpai… Sawamura-san never told me that name."

Utaha's eyes widened in disbelief. She stood up, replaying past memories of the three of them together.

Now that she thought about it, whenever the three of them were together, none of them had ever uttered the name Kashiwagi Eri. 

But when it was just her and Hakuto, they had brought it up before.

At the time, Utaha had assumed that Hakuto knew because Eriri had told him. But now, it seemed that wasn't the case at all.

Hakuto continued speaking.

"In her eyes, I never knew she drew 18+ doujinshi. I never even knew she was a hardcore otaku."

"The persona she maintains in front of me is the same one she upholds at school."

"That cool, refined ojou-sama who sips black tea on the balcony while reading magazines."

As he spoke, a faint trace of loneliness appeared on Hakuto's face. It wasn't an act—he truly felt a sense of defeat in that moment.

But that loneliness quickly faded. After all, it wasn't like he truly loved Eriri. It was just a contract.

One gained emotions, the other gained material benefits. Neither owed the other anything—he had no right to blame her.

Seeing Utaha frozen in place, Hakuto didn't say anything more.

He simply returned the book to the shelf and left quietly.

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