Tae is a neurotic mess of an adult she will buy this at least at first. She will most likely try and make an excuse on why she can't come and Mai will assure her that Houjou is an annoying twat.
If anything Tae is going to actually believe this and make an excuse on why she can't go bowling and were gonna get another scene in school of Mai being sad and Houjou coming in bragging and all 'You're welcome I got rid of that pest that was bothering you" etc etc.
This series has been wholesome AF and it should have no issues continuing that route as soon as I saw Houjou taking up half a page in that stupid pose I rolled my eyes. I hope this crap doesn't last too long. I enjoy a flustered as hell Tae and a seducing Mai messing with her I don't need forced drama crap in a series like this.