Convenient Semi-friend ch38

Th-There's a lot more people than I thought there'd be.
I'm glad it's a success.

Like a horse pulling a cart, making all those cranes was worth it.
You were more like an android than a horse, though...

Since we worked hard to make them,
we should take some photos too!
R-Right. You stand over there, Kohaku-san...

You're getting in on this, Suuna-chan.
Eh!? N-No, I'm fine!

It turned into a spirit photo because you kept moving around...
A-Are you saying I'm like a ghost...?
Not what I meant...

The event of youth, the culture festival, has arrived!

We're not in charge today, so we can walk around as much as we please.
Anywhere you wanna go?
R-Ruka-san invited me to walk around with her in the afternoon...

And she said she'd be with her class this morning and that I should come over...
so...
You're so faithful, Suuna-chan.

Alright.
Let's go to Class 2, shall we?
Yes!

What's with this line!?
This is the Absolute Hospitality Casino~
We've got snacks~
End of the line is here~

Business is going a little too well for that Absolute Hospitality Casino...
...
This might take a while.

Let's leave.
Suuna-chan!?

I-I don't wanna bother her when she's so busy...
I guess, but still...
Besides,

I'll also bother you by making you have to hold a conversation with me while we line up, Kohaku-san...
You needn't worry!
I'm not gonna find it a bother, okay!?

They lined up somehow.
Thank you for waiting.
Please sit at whatever table's open.

We're so out of place here. Let's leave.
...Agreed.

Hey wait, isn't that Ruka?
? Where?
The one surrounded by girls over there...

I think she's seen us.
Eh? Where?

Look, she's coming this way.
Eh? Where?

Suuna! I've been waiting for you.
And you are?
That's Ruka.

Eh? Ruka-san!?
Aha. Did you not realise it was me?
The girls in my class really went all out.

I mean, your hair is...
It's a wig.
And your height...
Platform heels.

She has no idea who you are.
That's kinda sad.

And here I went all out with makeup, hair, and even body wrap.
That's why she has no idea who you are.

Ah, b-but you do sound and smell like Ruka-san...
Really? That's good.
Suuna-chan can recognise Ruka by her scent...?

Well then, let's start the game.
Don't worry. It's "absolute hospitality", after all<3

...Right...

Averting eyes more than usual

That's the look of someone who's scared of strangers.
Seriously, you're breaking my heart here!

They finally sat down.
So what'll the game be?
You know how to play poker?
No...

Blackjack?
No...

Baccarat?
No...
Sevens?
Stevens...?
...

Let's play Old Maid.
That's not very casino-ish.

It's absolute hospitality, so going with a game the customer knows well is the best.
Okay, I'm gonna deal the cards.

...Ah, the joker went to Suuna-chan.

She said it was absolute hospitality, but how does she plan on letting Suuna win...?
Suuna.

Show me your cards.
There's no hospitality in that whatsoever.

Oh, shut up.
I mean, if you do that, it'll cease to be a game.
Alright... In that case.

Could the joker
be this one...?

Or this one...
this one...

or maybe this one...

I can't tell. It's the same face for all of them.
I-I'm sorry...

Come on. I'll ask again.
Could you tell me properly?
Y-Yes...

Is it this one...?
Ah
Erm
Or this one...?

This seems awfully lewd, y'know!?
Quit complaining. This was your idea, wasn't it?
Forget it. I'll just look at her cards normally!!

Ruka saw all of her cards, so the game ended immediately, as you'd expect.
Have some premium cookies.
Thank you very much...

What should we do ne-...
Ah, sorry, I need to slip out.
Got it... Suuna.

I've finished my shift,
so wait for me in the back.

...O-Okay.

Wh-Wh-Wh-What do I do? I treated Ruka-san like she was a total stranger just earlier.
That was just plain rude, wasn't it?

Was she... upset at the end...?
Ruka-san probably went easy on me because she's so kind.
I need to apologise...

Suuna.

Boo.

Ruka-san, your hair...
I took it off. The shoes too.

They made a certain someone cold to me this whole time, after all.
I-I'm really sorry about that!

Um, I-I was nervous since you were so different from usual...
so it was a little hard to look at you, I suppose?
Hahaha. I'm not mad.

p10

I was just a little lonely.

Um... You look
really cool in that outfit...
So now you look my way.
I'm sorry.

...But
I really do think

p11

that you're the most lovely...
just the way you are... Ruka-san.

You...

sure say some wild things once in a while.

I mean...
every word...

p12

Ruka-chaaaan!

Geez! I was looking everywhere for you and now I find you doing this kinda stuff again...
...

Let me in on this!!
What is this moron saying?

Actually, your timing couldn't have been worse. Could you not interrupt us during the best part?
You mean you're gonna continue while giving me sidelong glances!? Ruka-chan...?
Eh? We're gonna continue!?
That's so unwholesome!!
The four of them toured the culture festival afterwards.

I'm just glad that Onee-sama's the same as ever.

Warning