As the afternoon's first bell rang to signal the end of class, Rei Ao was about to stand up when a familiar figure appeared at the classroom door.
"Rei Ao-senpai~"
Isshiki Iroha stood in the doorway, hands hidden behind her back, a sweet smile lighting up her face. Today she'd styled her brown hair into twin pigtails, which swayed gently as she tilted her head—giving her a bright, youthful aura.
Rei Ao stepped out of the classroom.
"Yo, Iroha-chan, what wind blew you here?"
Iroha, not caring about the curious stares from the surrounding students, rested her chin on her hands.
"Senpai, you know about the school's upcoming sports festival, right?"
"Heard about it from the sensei, yeah. Even chatted a bit about it with Megumi and the others earlier."
"Oh? So you've already discussed it with Katou-senpai, huh."
Iroha's eyes flickered briefly, but that smile returned as quickly as ever.
"So, have you decided what events to enter, Senpai?"
"Haven't decided anything. Not planning to join, actually."
He answered succinctly.
"Ehhh? Why not?!"
Iroha puffed her cheeks in protest.
"You're so good at sports, it'd be a shame not to participate!"
Rei Ao couldn't help but chuckle.
"Were you guys all in cahoots today? You're saying the same thing as Michiru earlier. But honestly, I'm just not interested. Those competitions are too simple for me."
At that, Iroha's eyes gleamed with an idea. She flashed a cunning grin.
"Then how about the pairs events? For example… a three-legged race?"
Rei Ao paused and turned to her.
"A three-legged race?"
"Yes!"
Iroha hopped in place, clasping her hands in a pleading gesture.
"Will you do it with me, Senpai? I really want to try it, but I can't find the right partner in my class…"
Rei Ao eyed this underclassman of his, whose over-the-top performance suggested her real motive. He could guess about seventy to eighty percent of her intentions—clearly part of her "get closer to Senpai" plan.
Still, seeing her work so hard at this little act was…amusing.
"Oh?"
He deliberately drew out his response.
"Why me? A cute, lively girl like Iroha-chan must have plenty of friends in your own class."
A light flush swept over Iroha's cheeks, but she quickly maintained her cheerful front.
"Because… because you're the most dependable, Senpai!"
Rei Ao let out a laugh.
"That's pretty flimsy logic."
"Senpaaai~"
Iroha tugged gently on his sleeve, shaking it.
"Say yes, pleeease! I promise to practice really hard so I won't slow you down."
Seeing her eyes brimming with anticipation, Rei Ao mused that this girl really did go all out. He was curious what else she might concoct.
"All right."
He nodded at last.
"I'll do it. But if you keep falling over during practice, I might quit halfway."
"Yay!"
Iroha cheered, almost launching herself at him for a hug before she caught herself.
"Thank you, Senpai! I'll do my very best!"
She gave a lively wave goodbye and skipped off, leaving Class 3's entrance behind.
Rei Ao watched her retreating figure, shaking his head with an amused smile.
Katou Megumi, who had come over, also gazed after Iroha.
"Looks like that junior girl has her sights on you too, Rei Ao-kun."
"Can't be helped—I'm just that charming, you know?"
He gave a little grin.
"Megumi, want to head to Shizuka-sensei's office for a bit?"
All at once, Megumi's shoulders stiffened slightly. She pursed her lips with a hint of suspicion.
"You're not planning something weird, are you?"
"Hahaha, who knows?"
He took Megumi's hand, leading her toward the Hiratsuka Shizuka's office. Megumi, fully aware of his intentions, did not resist.
…
Knock-knock.
Rei Ao tapped on Hiratsuka Shizuka's office door.
"Come in," came a voice from inside.
The moment he opened the door and stepped in with Megumi, Hiratsuka Shizuka looked up.
Though her face momentarily showed delight, it then immediately shifted to a look of somewhat bitter grudge.
"Tsk, if it isn't that boyfriend who sets his sights on every pretty girl. What do you want? Come to show off your relationship?"
Obviously, Shizuka harbored some envy about how often he was close to various attractive women. Rei Ao responded by closing the door behind him, pulling Megumi inside. Shizuka abruptly sensed danger and straightened in her chair.
She watched, seeing Rei Ao's playful grin:
"Shizuka-sensei, you said you wanted me to keep you company. I happen to have time now—so do you?"
He advanced step by step, like each footfall thudding on her heart.
"I…!"
Shizuka's gaze shifted downward, suddenly noticing something in his stance that made her throat go dry. This was her office, and she felt a pang of panic. The subtle taboo of it all, plus Megumi being right here…
She tried making an escape excuse.
"Cough, I have a class next period."
"I'll handle it."
Rei Ao was already in front of her, scooping her up onto the desk. The heat in his eyes made Shizuka's heart pound.
"Shizuka-sensei…what now?"
"!!!"
She reddened fiercely under that intense gaze. Unable to tear herself away, she gulped softly.
"F-fine then! Do what you want, jeez!"
"You said it yourself~"
Rei Ao snickered, starting his "whatever he pleases." Across the desk, the papers rustled. Shizuka closed her eyes, anticipating a thoroughly scandalous move.
Megumi merely observed quietly, planning to join in when the timing was right…
…
Student Council.
Sitting behind the table, Shinomiya Kaguya stared blankly, the midday sunlight shining through the windows onto her glossy black hair.
Yet none of that bright light could chase away the gloom etched between her brows.
Her slender fingers tapped restlessly on the desktop—tap, tap, tap—an irregular beat betraying her disquiet.
"Rei Ao… again going after a new girlfriend?" she whispered, voice nearly inaudible.
By rights, as Student Council President, she should forbid such conduct that violated campus norms. Yet she found herself oddly preoccupied by news about him.
Just then, the council-room door slammed open.
Like a pink whirlwind, Fujiwara Chika bounded in, hugging a precarious stack of file folders.
"Kaguya-chan! I finished transcribing last week's meeting minutes—eh?"
She halted abruptly, instantly sensing the heavy mood that hung in the air.
~~~
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