Though seeing Karuizawa Kei here was unexpected, considering the nature of ANHS, it wasn't really strange.
In fact, it would be more unusual not to run into a few familiar faces at Keyaki Mall.
"Where are you guys headed?" Karuizawa asked with lively interest. "Want to go to karaoke together?"
"Yeah, we were just about to go sing. Ichinose-san, you should come too." Chiaki Matsushita extended the invitation to both of them, a faint smile on her lips, her dimples barely showing.
"Karaoke at this time?" Ichinose blinked in surprise.
It was still afternoon—usually, girls preferred going for tea and desserts at a café.
"Well, I just got dumped." Karuizawa said it as if it were nothing.
"I recently broke up with Hirata-kun, so I wanted to go out and unwind."
Ichinose's eyes widened.
She knew about Karuizawa relationship with Hirata Yosuke—they were practically the fastest couple to go public in their year, to the point where even Class B students had heard about them.
Yet, she never expected to hear about their breakup today, straight from Karuizawa mouth.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't know about that." Ichinose clasped her hands apologetically.
"But I really have to head back now. I don't have time to join you."
"Alright."
A flicker of disappointment passed through Karuizawa eyes before she quickly followed up.
"In that case, can we borrow Mitoma-kun for a bit?"
'Heh, didn't see that coming, did you?'
She was feinting east while attacking west.
Sure enough, Ichinose froze.
"I'm not really good at singing," Kaoru said regretfully.
Compared to his idols, he was practically tone-deaf.
"What does that matter? It's more fun with more people! Besides, you've already finished discussing student council stuff with Ichinose-san, right?" Karuizawa finally revealed her true intentions.
"You should relax once in a while. Think of it as a little mixer between Class D and Class A."
Kaoru found it amusing.
Wasn't she worried about raising suspicions?
Inviting a guy from another class so eagerly right after a breakup made her seem a little too desperate.
Next to her, Chiaki Matsushita was already wearing a strange expression.
"No, I still have things to do."
Karuizawa Kei's expression fell for a moment, but she didn't give up.
After rolling her eyes thoughtfully, she asked with some confusion.
"Is this about the recent exams?"
Kaoru wasn't sure what she was getting at.
After thinking for a while, he replied: "We've already started preparing test papers. After the minor exams, our class will probably have a review period too."
There was no need to hide this information—anyone could easily find out about a class's activities with minimal investigation.
Therefore, Kaoru saw no reason to keep it secret.
"Wow, as expected of Class A students!" Karuizawa's eyes sparkled.
"So Mitoma-kun will be preparing for review sessions too?"
"I'll probably help my partner with tutoring," Kaoru replied, beginning to sense her intentions.
"People with high academic abilities really have it easy. My grades with Matsushita and the others are terrible," Karuizawa suddenly sighed.
This wasn't entirely an act—she was genuinely worried about this matter.
Kaoru glanced at Chiaki Matsushita, who gave an awkward smile in response.
However, Chiaki didn't find the situation particularly strange.
Previously, Hirata Yosuke had been the one tutoring them.
Now that Karuizawa and Hirata had broken up, meeting again would likely be uncomfortable.
Chiaki figured this was probably what was troubling Karuizawa.
That said, Chiaki didn't really understand why Karuizawa had broken up with Hirata in the first place.
Both parties had kept the reason completely secret—no one knew what had happened.
"It's fine. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me. Even though we're in different classes, I'm happy to help."
"Eh, really?"
"Really."
Watching Karuizawa's visibly happy reaction, Ichinose Honami felt something was slightly off, though she didn't dwell on it.
Instead, she offered them a warm smile.
"I can help too. If it's just tutoring, that's no problem at all."
"I was just wondering what to do about this—this is perfect!" Karuizawa suddenly seemed a bit embarrassed.
"But isn't this too much trouble for you?"
"Not at all. Feel free to ask me anything," Ichinose replied cheerfully. She always enjoyed being helpful.
"Hehe, I won't hold back then."
In a moment unnoticed by Ichinose, Karuizawa shot Kaoru a mischievous smile.
"Please take care of me~"
What is this girl planning now?
Didn't I warn her that I'm dangerous?
Kaoru felt an unusual pang of headache.
Even he sometimes struggled to navigate such complicated relationships.
"Ichinose-san, Mitoma-kun, bye for now!"
Soon after, Karuizawa waved at them both, her face beaming with smiles.
"Karuizawa-san, let's go. If we don't hurry, all the private rooms will be taken."
"Coming right away."
The moment she turned away, Karuizawa's cheerful expression vanished completely.
With an impassive face, she followed after Chiaki and the others.
The school's tracking feature sure is convenient...
...
With their date interrupted by Karuizawa's appearance, the two had no reason to stay at Keyaki Mall any longer and could only return to the dormitory.
The walk back was mostly silent.
"When's your birthday?" Kaoru finally broke the quiet atmosphere.
"July 20th... this year's birthday has already passed," Ichinose Honami gazed at the fiery sunset clouds in the sky.
"Before I knew it, I've already turned sixteen."
Kaoru fumbled in his pocket for a moment before pulling out a small object.
"Sorry, I completely forgot about this and didn't prepare a gift. Consider this my apology."
When Ichinose finally saw what he was holding, her face immediately flushed with warmth.
With a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, she asked, "What exactly does this mean?"
"I got it from a blind box draw. Too bad there was only one, otherwise we could have matching rings." Kaoru took her small hand and slowly slid the "Wedding Ring" he'd previously drawn onto the middle finger of her left hand.
"You... we... haven't even..." Ichinose became completely flustered, quickly covering her mouth.
After struggling for words, she finally managed to ask, "Are you serious about this?"
"I'm serious now, and I'll be even more serious in the future," Kaoru said, looking into her eyes.
"But as you said, our relationship can't be like an ordinary one."
Ichinose Honami's expression was complicated.
To say she didn't care would be a lie—no one could be indifferent to their boyfriend's divided affections.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to make a choice either.
"When's your birthday, Kaoru?"
"July 1st."
"That's already passed, hasn't it?"
"There's always next year."
"That's not the point! I had no idea about this at all!" Ichinose Honami was upset, though she wasn't sure who she was angry at.
"I'm supposed to be your girlfriend, yet I know nothing about you."
Kaoru blinked.
Truthfully, he was the same.
Then, as if making up her mind, Ichinose Honami asked.
"Can I see your room?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke.