The long-awaited fourth day had finally arrived. For the other students, it was just another day off—but for , it was anything but.
After tidying up my appearance and neatly adjusting my uniform tie, I left my room. Walking down the lavishly decorated hallway, I made my way toward our eting spot.
Our scheduled ti was noon, but according to a romance novel I'd read recently, the guy should always arrive early for a date—so I followed that rule.
"11:30 AM... This should be fine."
Just as I was about to reach our eting place, my feet ca to an abrupt halt in surprise.
"Asahina-senpai...?"
There she was—Asahina, looking slightly restless. She hadn't noticed yet.
"Did I... get the ti wrong?"
I checked my phone again, but the displayed ti was correct.
"Asahina-senpai, sorry to keep you waiting."
Since I had to say sothing, I stepped forward and revealed myself.
"I should've been the one to arrive early."
"N-no, it's fine! I just got here way too soon! And you're here 30 minutes early too!" she fired back, as if absolving of any bla.
"..."
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Noticing my stare, she tilted her head slightly in confusion.
Though she was wearing the sa uniform as , her hair seed to shine more than usual. Her already fair skin glowed, and the curves of her exposed arms and legs (thanks to her short sleeves) were dazzling. And when she leaned in, a sweet, tickling fragrance wafted into my nose—perfu, maybe? It wasn't overpowering, just fresh and clean.
"How do I put this... you look really beautiful."
"R-really?"
"Yes. And you sll nice too. Is that perfu?"
"Mhm! I found this really nice one yesterday. I'm glad you like it~!"
When I pointed it out, her cheeks softened into a happy smile.
According to that romance novel, won appreciate it when you notice the little things they prepare—seems like it was true.
"It suits you well, Asahina-senpai."
I ant it as a complint, but her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she shot a half-lidded glare.
"Can you stop with the 'Asahina-senpai' thing?"
"What do you an?"
"Becaaauuuse—we're about to go on a date! Calling by my last na is weird, right?"
She pointed at decisively.
"No last nas today! We're doing this properly—first nas only!"
Maybe it was a personal policy of hers. She seed pretty insistent.
"Then... today, I'll call you Nazuna-senpai."
"Drop the senpai too! And the formal speech!"
"Even if you say that, it's kind of..."
Switching to casual speech with soone I've always spoken formally to was a tall order.
"Then... how about 'Nazuna-san'?"
"Hmm... Still feels a little stiff, but I guess it's okay for now."
She seed satisfied enough, so I sighed in relief.
"Now, what should I call you?"
"Just my first na is fine, isn't it?"
"That works, but I want sothing a little more... special."
She tapped her chin in thought—then suddenly lit up, as if struck by inspiration.
"...Hachi-kun. Yeah, how about Hachi-kun?"
"Hachi-kun?"
"Yeah! Since your na's Hachiman, Hachi-kun fits!"
"...Huh."
So the way you're called really does change how you feel about it.
I didn't dislike it. In fact, it kinda worked.
"Now that we've settled that, shall we go, Nazuna-san?"
I held out my right hand to her. At first, she seed stunned, but soon smiled and placed her hand in mine.
"Let's have fun today, Hachi-kun!"
"Yeah. I'll do my best to make sure you enjoy it."
"That's not it—I want us both to have fun!"
"Then I'll do my best so we both enjoy it."
"Mhm!"
With a satisfied grin, she tugged my hand, and our date finally began.
......
The first place we visited was a quiet cafe that Nazuna-san had found, where we decided to have lunch.
However, I hadn't expected we'd attract so much attention just by walking together.
Sure, we stood out quite a bit during the deserted island exam, but I didn't think a simple stroll would draw that many stares. I guess high schoolers are just that sensitive to romance.
"Hachikun, what did you get?"
"I went with this sandwich. What about you, Nazuna-san?"
"The doria. It was really good last ti I ca. Wanna swap a bit later?"
"Sounds good."
I took a sip of the coffee that arrived first, and a peaceful mont passed. I'm not much of a talker, but Nazuna-san happily kept the conversation going, so there wasn't the slightest hint of awkwardness.
"So, anyway—"
"!"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
What was that? For a second, I felt sothing like killing intent.
I wanted to glance around, but I didn't want to act strangely in front of Nazuna-san without being sure.
"...It's nothing. So, what happened next?"
"Oh, right! So, Miyabi apparently locked herself in her room all day yesterday. No idea why, but I just got a text from her saying, 'Don't get cocky just because you won once!'"
"Won? Did you two have so kind of competition?"
"Nah, not at all. She's just saying that on her own."
Judging by the exasperated shake of her head, that seed to be the case.
When our food arrived, my phone buzzed with a notification. I checked it, but it wasn't anything urgent, so I slipped it back into my pocket.
"Aren't you gonna reply?"
"Huh? Oh, no. It's just a friend sending details about the school bulletin board rankings and stuff."
It happens every month—whenever the "Handso Guys" or "Beautiful Girls" rankings get updated, Komiya sends the details. I'm not that interested, but so of the rankings are amusing, so I don't mind.
"Ah, that thing. I saw this month's too."
"I skimd through it a bit. You're amazing, Nazuna-san. Second place in the 'School Beauty Ranking'?"
"Ahaha, you're making blush."
She seed genuinely embarrassed—or maybe just used to hearing it. Soone as beautiful as Nazuna-san must get that a lot.
By the way, first place in the rankings was Ichinose. Nazuna-san followed right after. These two had pretty much solidified their positions every month, which just showed how popular they were.
"You're doing great too, Hachikun. You were ninth in the 'Handso Guys Ranking' before, but after the deserted island exam, you jumped to fifth!"
"...Thrilling."
"Your face does not look thrilled."
Yet another side effect of the deserted island exam.
Honestly, I wasn't happy about it at all. If I said that in front of Ishizaki and the others, they'd probably lose their minds.
"...You were already popular before, Hachikun, but it looks like you're gonna get even more attention now."
Her expression as she said that seed oddly displeased.
"I have no intention of getting close to girls who only approach because they want the title of 'second place in the deserted island exam.'"
"Everyone says that at first!"
"Who's 'everyone'?"
"Hmm... Miyabi, maybe?"
"Ah... fair point."
My imdiate agreent made Nazuna-san giggle softly.
And so, the beginning of our date got off to a very promising start.
.....
After finishing lunch, Nazuna-san and I headed to the library inside the luxurious cruise ship.
However, there was one problem. Ever since we left the café, I could tell soone was following us.
Fortunately, Nazuna-san didn't seem to notice, so as long as they weren't after information or ant harm, I decided to ignore it.
"I'm a little surprised. I didn't know you read novels too, Nazuna-san."
Just making small talk, I asked Nazuna-san, who was happily holding my hand as we walked.
She was the one who suggested going to the library. Apparently, she rembered ntioning once that I liked books.
"I read quite a bit! Both manga and novels. For novels, mostly romance. What about you, Hachikun?"
"Mysteries, I guess."
"Mysteries, huh... Never really tried those."
"I haven't read much romance either."
"Then today, I'll enlighten you."
"Enlighten ?"
At my response, she giggled, looking both amused and delighted. Her beautiful profile was so captivating that I found myself staring for just a mont.
By the ti we finished that conversation, we had already arrived at the library. As expected of a luxury cruise ship, it was far larger than the one at school.
"Wow, it really is huge!"
"Yeah... it is."
While overwheld by the sheer number of books, I glanced around—only to notice a girl stacking a pile of books in the corner.
"!"
Crap. This is bad.
I definitely made eye contact with Hiyori.
Her hands, which had been flipping through a book, froze completely, and her sharp gaze locked onto like a vice.
Well... I had considered the possibility of running into Hiyori here, but I assud she'd be too engrossed in her books to notice . That miscalculation was coming back to bite .
This is bad. What do I do...? I did lie to her yesterday, saying I had plans with Ishizaki and the others, so I can't even make an excuse now...
"Huh? Hachikun, are you hot? You're sweating."
"...I'm fine."
Despite my answer, Nazuna-san pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped my forehead.
"Really fine?"
"Yeah. More importantly, weren't you going to enlighten with so romance novels?"
"! ...O-Of course!"
She gave a determined peace sign, her enthusiasm reignited.
This was supposed to be a date, after all. I'd properly apologize to Hiyori later for keeping it a secret, but for now, I'd send her a ssage asking her to let it slide.
......
『I'm really sorry for lying about hanging out with the Ishizaki group. But there's a bit of a situation. Can you let it slide for now?』
"..."
Upon receiving that ssage from Hachiman, Hiyori clenched her phone in her hand as hard as she could.
"...Liar."
Though she muttered it quietly, her gaze was fixed on Nazuna, who was laughing beside Hachiman.
Not a look of negativity—but one of jealousy. It didn't even have to be Nazuna. The re sight of any girl other than herself next to Hachiman was unbearable for Hiyori.
"...If you wanted to go on a date, you could've just invited . Instead of bringing soone like that, you should just do whatever you like with alone. I'd do anything for you..."
With a slight, dejected slump, Hiyori heard a voice call out to her from beside her.
"Quite the storm of anger you seem to be brewing, hm?"
"...Sakayanagi-san?"
The one who had spoken was Sakayanagi Arisu.
Arisu had spotted Hachiman at the café and followed him all the way to the library.
Fufu~
With a smile, though one that anyone could tell was clearly displeased, Arisu spoke.
"Does it bother you to see the one you love with another woman?"
"...Leave alone. Besides, you're no different, Sakayanagi-san."
"Of course, I'm utterly appalled by his lack of restraint. However, I don't feel any sense of crisis. In the end, Hachiman-kun will undoubtedly choose ."
"...Horny loli-bodied little girl."
"Shiina-san. Even soone as mild-tempered as will get angry, you know?"
Both of them—especially Hiyori, who was in a foul mood—were sharp with their words.
Arisu's temple twitched with irritation, but Hiyori, uninterested, pui~ turned her head away dismissively.
"By the way, though I only caught a little of it, it seems Asahina-senpai calls Hachiman-kun 'Hachi-kun', doesn't she?"
"!...Hachi... kun...?"
Hiyori was visibly shaken by Arisu's remark.
Pet nas weren't sothing people used unless they held a certain level of affection.
"Yes, they seed quite intimate. Apparently, they've even been holding hands this whole ti—and it was Hachiman-kun who initiated it."
Bzzt—
In a fit of jealousy, Hiyori tore apart the book she was holding.
That's public property on a luxury cruise ship, you know...
Arisu nearly pointed it out but decided against it.
"Oh my, it seems Hachiman-kun is on the move. Well then, I'll take my leave."
"...Wait."
As Arisu prepared to follow him, Hiyori swayed to her feet and stopped her.
"I'm... going to keep an eye on Hachiman-kun too."
"...Do as you please. I won't stop you."
With a look that said just as planned, Arisu gave a small smile.
Her earlier provocations were all part of her sche—to punish Hachiman for seducing an older woman behind her back.
Using the genius intellect she was known for, Arisu had calculated the most troubleso situation possible for Hachiman.
Fufu~
With a mischievous smile, Arisu murmured,
"You've been playing around with won too much, Hachiman-kun."
And with that, the spitefully smirking Arisu and the eerily blank-eyed Hiyori quietly began to follow him.
......
After thoroughly enjoying our conversation about books to our hearts' content, Nazuna-san and I spent about forty minutes in the library before heading back to the lobby.
"Uuun~ That was so much fun!"
She stretched slightly, turning her face toward with a beaming smile.
"So, where should we go next? Is there anywhere you'd like to visit, Nazuna-san?"
"Hmm... How about the pool? Y'know, the one on the deck?"
"Sounds great. I've never been to the deck pool before, so I'm looking forward to it."
"Then it's decided! Let's go?"
Nazuna-san latched onto my arm and began pulling along eagerly.
Up until now, we'd only held hands while walking, but this was the first ti she'd linked arms with like this.
As we walked, drawing glances from those around us, we unexpectedly ran into soone I hadn't expected to see.
"...Hikigaya?"
"Ayanokouji."
"Hey there, Ayanokouji-kun!"
I gave a casual greeting since he was walking toward us, but when Ayanokouji saw Nazuna-san and arm in arm, his eyes widened in rare surprise.
"Uh... Asahina-senpai and Hikigaya, what are you...?"
He asked awkwardly, clearly referring to our current situation.
"What do you an, 'what'... right?"
Nazuna-san hesitated, perhaps reluctant to outright say we're on a date, and instead glanced at with a slightly embarrassed look.
"We're on a date."
Cutting through her hesitation, I answered plainly in her stead.
"A date, huh...? I actually had sothing to discuss with you, Hikigaya, but now doesn't seem like the best ti."
"Today, I was the one who invited Nazuna-san. Since she was kind enough to say yes, I want to make this a special day for her. Sorry, but whatever it is will have to wait."
Ah, that was kinda embarrassing to say out loud...
I stole a glance at Nazuna-san beside and saw her staring at , her face completely red. Hmm. A sight worth seeing.
"I see. Guess I'll get going, then."
"Wait, one last thing."
I stopped Ayanokouji as he tried to pass by, leaning in to whisper at a volu Nazuna-san wouldn't hear.
"...You've probably noticed already, but there are two students tailing and Nazuna-san. Mind checking who they are?"
"Hold on, let just look—!?"
Ayanokouji turned to glance behind us—and imdiately recoiled.
His expression remained unchanged, but sweat broke out on his forehead, and his body trembled with visible panic.
"Hey, Ayanokouji? What's wro—"
"I—I can't. I can't handle this. You're on your own...!"
With just those words, Ayanokouji put as much distance between us as possible before bolting out of the lobby at full speed.
...Well, I only asked him because it'd be easier for , but whatever. No harm done yet, I guess.
"Umm, what was that about just now?"
Ow. My back had been hurting for a while now.
For so reason, Nazuna-san had started slapping my back repeatedly.
"Hmph! You're getting way too bold for a younger guy!"
Then, for so reason, she started pulling on my cheeks.
"Hyah! That hurts!"
"Shut uuup!"
Her face flushed, she glared at half-heartedly. ...Damn, beautiful people really are unfair. Even when they're mad, they still look cute.
"...Just you wait. Next ti, I'll be the one making you all flustered."
Muttering this under her breath, she grabbed my arm again and pulled forward.
Well then...
For now, I'll just enjoy the second half of our date.
......
At the far end of the deck—a nearly deserted space—Karuizawa had been summoned by Ayanokouji.
"Ugh, what's the big idea calling out here all of a sudden?"
"..."
"Wait, Kiyotaka, you're drenched in sweat... Did sothing happen?"
"..."
"Hellooo? You call out here and then just—mmph!?"
Without a word, Ayanokouji pulled Karuizawa into a tight embrace.
Her face instantly burned crimson, and she squird in confusion, utterly lost.
"W-W-W-Wait, what the—!?"
"...Kei. Promise one thing."
"H-Huh? Wh-What are you talking about?"
As he whispered into her ear, Karuizawa stiffened but listened intently.
"Never—under any circumstances—ss with Hikigaya... no, with Shiina Hiyori. Don't provoke her. If you ever run into her, keep things as peaceful as possible."
"Eh? Hah? What's that supposed to—?"
"I've said what I needed to. ...Also... can we stay like this a little longer?"
"W-Well? I-I an, fine, I guess...?"
(K-K-Kiyotaka is... clinging to !? He's way too cute right now!!)
As for why Ayanokouji had ended up in such a state—
The truth would remain a mystery to Karuizawa for a long, long ti.
=================================
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