"Good morning, Hachiman-kun."
When I opened my eyes in the morning, I saw beautiful silver hair.
As sunlight stread in and I slowly woke up, my eyes t Hiyori's smiling face looking down at from above.
"Morning Hiyori... What's with that look? You seem in an unusually good mood."
I sat up in bed and stretched as I greeted her - just an ordinary morning routine, but Hiyori watched with a delighted smile.
"I'm just happy to be with you first thing in the morning. Fufu~ Your sleeping face was so cute."
Her affectionate words threatened to embarrass , especially knowing she'd been watching sleep.
"My sleeping face is that interesting?"
"Yes! Even if it wasn't , seeing a new side of soone you like is always exciting."
She answered clearly with her usual bright smile.
Ever since confessing yesterday, she'd beco much more direct about expressing her feelings. Not that I minded exactly, but it did leave feeling strangely restless.
"I'm making breakfast, so co when you're ready."
Completely oblivious to my conflicted feelings, Hiyori headed back to the kitchen.
That delicious sll when I woke up must have been her cooking. For soone like who usually skimps on breakfast, having Hiyori's cooking first thing was a real luxury.
"Ah... I forgot one thing."
Turning back, she hurried across the small room toward .
Just as I noticed her cheeks were flushed, her lips gently brushed against my cheek.
"...A good morning kiss. Did... you dislike it?"
She looked up at with slightly anxious eyes - an expression that felt almost unfair.
"...Of course not."
Really, what kind of person would dislike sothing like this from Hiyori? Anyone who would must be so kind of lunatic.
Hiyori imdiately blood into a flower-like smile and humd as she returned to the kitchen. Watching her go, I headed to the washroom to clean up.
"Phew... I'm wide awake now."
Hiyori's excessive enthusiasm had thoroughly shaken .
Woken up with a kiss, now about to have breakfast together - it was almost like...
"What a disgusting thought..."
I'd never felt more repulsed by myself than when I realized I'd been thinking this felt like a married couple's morning.
....
The special exam was approaching its midpoint.
While there was still ti remaining, the deadline was undoubtedly drawing closer.
"Yo. Hikigaya."
"...Now this is rare. You initiating a conversation, Ryuuen."
As I was about to leave the classroom after school, Ryuuen blocked my path with his usual smirk.
"So what do you want? You wouldn't approach without a reason."
"Not in the mood for small talk, so I'll cut to the chase - sothing happened with Hiyori, didn't it?"
"What do you an?"
"That's my line. You really think I wouldn't notice how obvious Hiyori's been today?"
So Ryuuen had noticed after all.
All day today, Hiyori had been unusually close to since morning.
It wasn't like we were being physically affectionate - she mostly acted normal - but the intensity of her proximity was... intense, to say the least.
"...Even if sothing did happen, I don't owe you an explanation."
"True, whatever happens between you and Hiyori is none of my business. But indulging my curiosity isn't a cri, is it?"
"Learning to suppress curiosity is important too. Especially for soone like you."
"Sorry, but my curiosity isn't built to be suppressed."
Ryuuen's smirk never faltered.
What made this annoying was that unlike usual, there was a particularly sadistic edge to his teasing today.
"The whole class is buzzing about you two dating. The funniest reaction was Okabe's - the way he's been glaring at you all day was hilarious."
"I have no idea what point you're trying to make, but could you at least wipe that smirk off your face?"
What was he getting at? Did he just want to see my reaction?
Ryuuen's grin deepened as he gave an appraising look.
"...Hiyori confessed to you, didn't she?"
Caught off guard by how accurately he'd guessed yesterday's events, I couldn't hide my surprise for a second.
"Actually, Hiyori ca to for advice yesterday. Said she wanted to know how to catch a guy's attention."
So that's why Hiyori had been acting strange yesterday. I couldn't imagine Ryuuen giving proper advice though. He probably just pieced it together from her questions and today's behavior.
"Is that so?"
I played dumb, but it probably wouldn't work on Ryuuen.
At this point, he seed completely convinced Hiyori had confessed.
"So what's the verdict? Are you and Hiyori an item now?"
"That's none of your business."
"Tch, not gonna answer, huh?"
It's not like telling him would cause problems, but being teased about it would be more trouble than it's worth.
"Why are you so invested in my relationship with Hiyori anyway? Don't tell soone like you actually enjoys romance gossip?"
"Like I said - simple curiosity."
Having lost interest, Ryuuen's expression beca more neutral.
That made sense - the idea of Ryuuen actually caring about love stories was disturbing.
"Still, giving love advice? You're more compassionate than I thought, Dragon Boy."
"...Call that again and I'll kill you, Monster Boy."
Our bizarre exchange ended on that sarcastic note as we went our separate ways.
......
After school, I found myself amidst the bustling crowd at the Keyaki Mall, pondering how to approach first-year students.
"Um, excuse for a mont?"
A sowhat awkward voice called out from behind. Turning around, I saw a boy and girl staring intently at . The girl kept alternating her gaze between her phone and .
If I rembered correctly, these two were from Class 1-C—Tsubaki Sakurako and the other one was Utsunomiya Riku.
"You're Hikigaya-senpai from Class 2-B, right?"
Glancing at her phone, she gave a slight bow.
"I'm Utsunomiya, and this is Tsubaki. Could we talk for a bit about the partner exam?"
"About partners?"
"Yes. Right now, we're looking for senpai with academic ratings of C or higher who might be willing to cooperate."
This was almost too convenient—just when I had been hoping to make contact with first-years.
The question was whether to view those who approached openly as a risk or, conversely, as safe. That distinction could determine the outco of the exam.
"I've been struggling to find a partner myself. Mind if I hear you out?"
Checking the latest pairings last night, I knew Utsunomiya had already secured a partner, but Tsubaki hadn't. Maybe this was about her.
"Standing around isn't ideal. How about we talk at the café?"
Following Utsunomiya's lead, we moved to a nearby café and claid a spot in the crowded seating area.
"Let's get straight to the point. Would you be willing to hear us out?"
Utsunomiya glanced at Tsubaki.
"I don't like owing favors, so I want a clean, no-strings-attached partnership."
Tsubaki said this bluntly, inspecting her nails as she spoke.
Her academic rating was C-, while mine was C . The difference was negligible—no clear advantage or disadvantage either way.
"I get what you're saying, but I have a question. Students with C-range ratings are the most common. Why approach specifically?"
With scores like these, you wouldn't excel, but you'd avoid expulsion. There should be plenty of second-years happy to pair with Tsubaki.
"Well—"
Utsunomiya hesitated, prompting Tsubaki to finally et my eyes.
"It's my fault. I didn't say anything earlier."
Taking that as her cue, Utsunomiya elaborated.
"At first, Tsubaki didn't consult anyone about finding a partner. But by Friday, she started panicking and finally ca to for help."
So, out of urgency, Utsunomiya stepped in to assist. From the sound of it, most of Class C had already settled their pairings.
"With Tsubaki's academic standing, the 5% penalty could be a real problem."
That must have been the main reason for approaching . Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have hesitated.
But I couldn't make an imdiate decision. Even with the deadline looming, randomly choosing a partner wasn't an option.
"One more thing. You said you've been reaching out to potential partners—how many others have you asked before ?"
It might have seed irrelevant, but this detail was crucial.
Utsunomiya's reply surprised .
"Before you, we only asked one other senpai. That didn't work out, so you're the second."
He continued, cutting off my train of thought.
"So if you can't pair up, we'll just have to look elsewhere."
His answer was straightforward. After a brief pause, I realized my options were limited.
"Sorry, but I've already got a potential partner in mind. I can't commit to this right away."
Half a lie, but there was no way for them to verify it.
"Oh... I see."
Utsunomiya exchanged a troubled glance with Tsubaki.
"Well, nothing we can do then. Might as well keep looking."
The mont she realized I wasn't an option, Tsubaki stood up, ready to leave.
"...Right. Senpai, here's my contact info, just in case."
Utsunomiya also stood, handing a slip of paper with his details—likely prepared in advance.
"Thanks for your ti."
With a slight bow, the two of them walked away.
"Tsubaki Sakurako and Utsunomiya Riku. I'll rember them."
Having passed up this chance to secure a partner, my next moves were critical.
Even if I ended up drawing the short straw from here on out, I needed a plan to survive.
.....
As I left the café and turned right at the corner, I collided with a student coming from the opposite direction at the exact sa mont.
"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Huh? Hikigaya-senpai?"
I reached out a hand to help them up. The mont a small hand touched mine, I heard a voice I recognized from recently.
"Ah! It is Hikigaya-senpai! Been a day, huh?"
"Amasawa. What a coincidence."
She gripped my hand lightly as she stood up.
The person I'd bumped into was Amasawa Ichika, the girl I'd t just yesterday.
"Wow, another fateful encounter~"
Brushing the dust off her clothes, she flashed a carefree smile.
"Not really. This kind of thing happens all the ti."
"Senpai's idea of 'all the ti' is kinda weird~. Bumping into soone at a corner like this isn't that common, y'know?"
"...Now that you ntion it, I guess not."
Still, the frequency of running into Amasawa was unusual.
I could chalk it up to coincidence, but what were the odds of crossing paths in this exact spot of the massive Keyaki Mall?
...Though if I dismissed it as just chance, that would be the end of it.
......
"...Amasawa, why are you following ?"
"Actually, I'm free today. I thought maybe sothing interesting would happen if I stuck with you, senpai~"
"Nothing interesting will happen even if you stay with ."
"Then I'll just tag along because I want to be with you!"
"So there's no option where you don't follow , huh..."
With a resigned sigh, Hachiman-senpai gave up.
...Yesterday, I was too excited to really look at him properly, but he's even cooler than when I saw him before. There's sothing mysterious about him—like an adult's charm, maybe?
"Seriously, nothing will happen even if you follow ."
That profile of his is so cool too... Actually, everything about him is cool.
Most guys would just ignore soone like , but the fact that he doesn't outright reject just shows how kind he is.
"I. Love. You."
"Hm? Did you say sothing?"
"Oh, it's nothing~"
Ahh, even though I'm this close to him...
I want to tell him how I feel even more, but I can't risk him finding out right now.
The reason I ca to this school is to expel Ayanokouji-senpai and Hachiman-senpai. If they decide I'm useless, I'll get dragged back to the White Room.
Even today, I had to pretend it was an accident to et him... I just want to see him normally.
I want to go on dates with him. I want him to eat my homade cooking. I want to live together. I wanna take baths with him, and then in bed, we'd—
"Ehehe... Maybe that's too soon? But I'm always welco, y'know~ ♪"
I hide my face so senpai can't see. If he saw blushing this hard, he'd definitely get suspicious.
"Hey, senpai. Have you decided on your exam partner yet?"
I tilt my head slightly, trying to look as appealing as possible.
...I just hope he thinks I'm even a little cute.
"Not yet. I have so candidates, though."
"If you haven't decided, why not just pair up with already~? I'm pretty smart, y'know?"
That much is by design.
"I told you yesterday. I can't decide right away."
He's still wary of , huh?
To senpai, first-years are nothing but risks—especially because of and that other White Room student.
I want to raise his affection for so we can get closer normally, but... what would make Hachiman-senpai like ? Would seduction work?
"Ah, look, senpai! That plushie is super popular with first-years right now~!"
I point at a random stuffed toy and naturally link arms with him, pressing my chest against him. My chest is bigger than most girls my age, so maybe senpai will react...
"That kind of plushie is really popular? I don't get the tastes of underclassn."
Hmm... I can't tell if it's working.
At first, he kept glancing over, but his expression hasn't changed at all.
Guess I'll just have to get even closer to him... ♪
......
Aside from Amasawa tagging along behind , it was just like any other day heading back to the dorms.
Honestly, it's hard to pin down what Amasawa's deal is.
Just when I think her approaching can't be a coincidence, she starts doing random things and making pointless small talk.
I tried probing a bit, but she deftly dodges anything serious. She's the kind of person who's impossible to categorize as friend or foe.
"Ah! Hikigaya-kun! Wanna walk back togeth—"
As we reached the straight path leading to the dormitory, I suddenly ran into Matsushita, who was also on her way back.
Spotting , she waved with a smile and started approaching—but the mont she noticed Amasawa behind , she froze mid-step.
"What's wrong, Matsushita?"
"Huh? Oh, uh... I was just thinking we could walk back together. Would that be... botherso?"
Her eyes flicked briefly to Amasawa.
Seems like Matsushita thought she might be intruding on sothing, but it wasn't a problem. I didn't mind agreeing.
"It's fine. It's not like it's any troub—"
"No way~! Senpai and I are on a date right now!"
Just as I was about to agree, Amasawa—standing right beside —cut in.
After declaring that to Matsushita, she promptly latched onto my left arm with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Narrowing her eyes, she flashed Matsushita a triumphant grin while wearing a smug, happy expression.
"Senpaaai~ ♡ How insensitive, inviting another girl on our date~ ♡"
"Stop making things up. This isn't a date."
Co to think of it, Amasawa's chest is surprisingly... well-endowed.
"Senpai, you were just imagining sothing lewd, weren't you?"
"...What are you talking about?"
As I brushed off Amasawa's teasing smirk, Matsushita—who had been quietly observing—leaned in with a smile of her own.
"Hikigaya-kun... were you really out on a date with an underclassman?"
Why?
Her face was smiling, but her eyes were terrifying.
"I said it's not a date. Amasawa's just clinging to on her own."
I tried to phrase it diplomatically, but Matsushita just squinted at skeptically.
"Ohhh? Reaaally? But you didn't mind her hanging off your arm, did you?"
"That's a misunderstanding. She did this without asking."
"So you can definitely say you weren't happy about it?"
"...Yeah."
"Bzzt! That's a foul~!"
With a pew-pew gesture, Matsushita "pulled a red card" on and lightly poked my forehead.
"Wait, why are you grabbing my arm now?"
She smoothly looped her arm through my right one.
Sothing even softer and larger than what was on my left pressed against . ...This was morally questionable.
"No fair, Matsushita-senpai! You're making Hikigaya-senpai uncomfortable!"
Wow. I've never seen such a beautifully thrown boorang before.
"It's fine, Amasawa-san. Hikigaya-kun and I do this kind of thing all the ti."
...The fact that I couldn't imdiately deny that with conviction was depressing.
I decided to ignore the two of them bickering with smiles plastered on their faces.
"..."
...Now that I think about it, Matsushita might be slightly bigger? Amasawa's have a nicer shape, but Matsushita's have that softness that cos from sheer volu—
"Senpaaai~ ♡ You're totally thinking, 'I'm so happy getting felt up by my cute underclassman~' aren't you?"
"Hikigaya-kun... you are just a boy after all. How perverted."
"How do you both know exactly what I'm thinking?"
...Do I really have that expressive of a face?
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