After finishing up barbecue with Yoshino and the others, Shichen dropped them off and went to pick up Tohka and her group.
He didn't expect to see Tohru and Yami waiting at the school gate.
"Shichen!"
Tohru immediately spotted him and sprinted over.
Since it was her day off, she'd put on some casual clothes. The look was refreshing and youthful—and at nearly 180cm tall, she stood out. Super tall and striking.
With Yami next to her, she looked like a kid in comparison.
They were both blonde, so they probably looked like foreigners to most people. Tohru had hidden her tail, so unless you noticed the height difference, she looked completely normal.
"Tohru? You guys came too?"
Shichen caught her as she jumped into his arms, immediately feeling the full impact of her "assets" in motion.
"Mmm~!"
Tohru hugged him tightly and took a deep whiff. The way she acted like a simp didn't match her stunning appearance at all.
"Why do you still smell like barbecue?"
Shichen himself didn't carry odors, but his clothes weren't so lucky—there was still plenty of smoky scent lingering.
"I was just eating with Kanna and the others," he explained.
"What?! Why didn't you invite us?"
"You want in? We can go again later," he offered, glancing over at Yami.
"No thanks," she said, giving a small shake of her head.
"Eh? Why not?" Tohru turned toward her.
"Because barbecue still doesn't beat your cooking," Yami said softly.
"Oh? Well then, I'll take that."
Tohru beamed with satisfaction.
"So what are you two doing here anyway? Something going on?"
Shichen gently patted Tohru's lower back, signaling her to let go.
Tohru obediently backed off and smiled. "Nothing serious. It just happened to be around this time, so I figured we'd come meet up with Utaha and the others. I mean, you were gonna show up anyway, right?"
"Fair."
Shichen nodded, then turned to Yami again. "How've the past few days been for you?"
Lately, she'd been heading out solo every day. Except for meals, she basically lived at the library, researching everything about this world.
"Pretty good. I've learned a lot," she answered.
"That's not what I meant."
"Huh?" Yami tilted her head.
"I meant this house—our home. How do you feel about it?"
She pursed her lips like she was holding back a smile. "It's warm. Lively. Everyone's really nice. I like it."
"Glad to hear it."
Shichen raised his hand and gave her a gentle pat on the head.
"Why are you always doing that?" she sighed, shooting him a look.
"Force of habit," he said. Still didn't move his hand though.
Yami just shook her head lightly—but didn't stop him either.
"I want some too!"
Tohru couldn't help herself. She grabbed his other hand and placed it on her head.
"Okay, okay."
Shichen lovingly patted her head too.
"I still don't get what's so great about this…" Yami mumbled—but her eyes were already half-closed, clearly enjoying it.
Shichen didn't call her out on it. With one hand patting a tall girl and the other ruffling a small one, he soaked in the joy of a good old head-pat session.
High school wasn't like elementary. The school gate was quiet, the guard stayed inside, and no one was around to interrupt.
But not long after, Toyogasaki Private Academy's school bell rang.
Its chime echoed across the campus, followed by the usual commotion—chatter, cheering, the sound of freedom.
Seriously, getting out of class is one of life's purest joys.
Most high school students joined a club, whether by obligation, genuine interest, or questionable motivation.
So when the bell ended, only a few "Go-Home Club" types started trickling out toward the gate.
"Hey, isn't that…"
"…Kasumigaoka-senpai's boyfriend?"
"And what about Princess and Sawamura?"
"He can't be dating all three, right? That'd be insanely lucky."
"Wait, who are those two hotties with him?"
"Look how tall she is! And why's she hugging him!?"
"And that tiny one's seriously cute…"
Even from afar, Yami caught the gossip. Her brow twitched. The ends of her hair started fluttering like they were ready to curl into fists.
"Don't get worked up," Shichen said, catching her restless golden strands.
"Hmph, is that what you think too?"
She turned to squint at him suspiciously.
"Of course not. I just think you're cute."
"Being small equals cute now?"
"You can grow taller anytime you want."
"That's not the same—and what do you mean by that?"
"Why stress about it? I like you the way you are."
"…Hmph."
Yami opened her mouth, then thought better of it and turned away, cheeks slightly pink.
"Shichen-dono, do you not like tall girls?"
Tohru asked, pressing her arm against his.
"What do you think?" he smiled.
"Right~"
Tohru thought back to when Shichen turned into a baby—he literally couldn't stop snuggling.
She could feel a tickle in her chest just remembering it.
The Go-Home Club students didn't leave after all. They stayed near the gate like they were waiting for the next episode.
Sure enough, Utaha Kasumigaoka was the first to walk out.
"You two are here too?" she asked as soon as she reached them.
"What, not happy we came to pick you up?"
Tohru shot back, clearly annoyed.
"This was supposed to be some rare alone time with Shichen, you know."
"Wow. Not even a thank you—and now you're trying to monopolize him?"
"What, you wouldn't?"
"There it is."
"Ugh… can't win with you…"
Tohru slumped in defeat.
"Heh."
Utaha shot Shichen a smug glance.
"What's with that face? Tohru's way too honest to argue with someone like you."
"No playing favorites!" Utaha frowned.
"All right, all right.
"
Shichen reached out and stroked her long black hair.
"Heh, I'm not a kid. Head pats don't work on me,"
she said with a proud toss of her head.
"Really?"
Shichen smirked. He'd already seen that little upward curve of her lips.
A normal head-pat might not work on her, but his did. These things depend on the person.
Utaha turned her head away, blushing—only to notice the crowd staring in disbelief.
"What's their problem?"
"Don't worry about it,"
Shichen replied coolly.
Right now, they probably thought he was Utaha's boyfriend—and here he was with two other gorgeous girls. No wonder people were dying for gossip.
Their playful banter probably blew people's minds. Instead of being jealous, they were flirting.
"So, we heading back?"
Utaha asked, pulling her gaze away.
"What, not waiting for Tohka and the others?"
"She might've joined a club or something."
"Club?"
"I think it's the cooking club. Though let's be real—she's probably just there to eat."
"Yeah… that checks out."
Shichen laughed.
"So should we go first?"
"Let's wait. I told her this morning I'd come pick her up."
"Oh really? Then why didn't you tell me?"
Utaha narrowed her eyes.
"You're not in a club."
"Only because of you!" she huffed.
"Me?" Shichen blinked.
"If you hadn't turned me into a novelist, I'd be living that club life right now!"
"Don't pin this on me. You love writing—and let's be real, with your personality, club life would've been a disaster."
"I don't care!"
Utaha crossed her arms like a brat.
"Heh~"
Seeing her act so unconvincing made Shichen chuckle.
"You write novels, Utaha?"
Yami suddenly asked.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Can I read one?"
"Huh? Ah…"
Utaha looked to Shichen for help.
"Go for it. We've got them upstairs. Her pen name's Kasumi Utako, and her books are actually really good~"
"Got it."
"Tohka's coming," Tohru suddenly announced.
Shichen looked toward the campus and saw the familiar flash of purple hair—and beside her, a petite golden-haired girl.
"Shichen!"
Tohka waved and shouted excitedly as she ran toward him.
"Wait up!"
Eriri followed close behind.
They reached him quickly. Tohka threw herself into his arms and started rubbing her head against his chest with a satisfied smile.
"Still this clingy? People are watching, you know."
Shichen smiled and hugged her.
"Don't care."
"You're a princess. Try to look the part."
"Nope."
"Fine, fine."
He gave her hair a fond ruffle, then looked at Eriri.
"Eriri, you not doing club stuff today?"
"I'm in the art club, but I've kinda stopped going lately…"
"Really? You don't have to hold back. I can always pick you up after your club meetings."
"No, it's not that. I've just been kinda busy lately," she waved her hands quickly.
"Busy?"
~~~
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