The more Gotou Hitori thought about it, the more uneasy she became!
Enjoying the entire club room alone? What a joke! That was clearly a lie from the start!
First of all, the club president loved napping. Sure, when she was knocked out, she might as well be a decorative plant—but what about before she actually fell asleep? That presence was definitely not ignorable!
Second, Touji-san and Number Three didn't come every day... but they did come. That meant she'd never have it entirely to herself!
Finally—there was Number Five. She could easily be just like Hitori herself, a misfit or a mystery. There was no guarantee she'd be quiet.
Ugh!
I was totally deceived!
Gotou Hitori's heart was flooded with silent tears!
Forget it!
At worst, I'll just become a ghost member!
She clenched her fists with a determined expression, eyes shining with the tragic resolve of someone embracing the shadows.
...
Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka Touji was engaged in a low-key online chat with Kani Nayuta.
[Kani Nayuta]: "Does Winter-sensei like playing games?"
[Touji.]: "Not really."
[Touji.]: "I prefer reading novels and manga."
[Kani Nayuta]: "What about doujinshi~?"
[Touji.]: "???"
[Kani Nayuta]: "( ∼◕‿◕)☆ I'm curious!"
[Touji.]: "Never bought any."
The truth was, ever since childhood, Utaha had been extremely clingy with him. Touji had always refrained from getting into anything too "revealing," afraid of being socially annihilated if she ever found out.
[Kani Nayuta]: "Really? Is Winter-sensei that pure? That's unexpected!"
[Touji.]: "From your tone... sounds like you've bought some?"
[Kani Nayuta]: "I-I bought doujinshi by Kashiwagi Eri! (/ω)"
[Kani Nayuta]: "You know her, right? Kashiwagi Eri! She's huge in the doujin world. Super steamy content!!"
[Kani Nayuta]: "The day I read her work... it felt like I opened a door to an entirely new dimension...!"
[Touji.]: "..."
Is the world really that small?!
Kashiwagi Eri, you traitor! How dare you corrupt a perfectly innocent girl like this!
Touji lifted his gaze toward Eriri Spencer Sawamura, who was currently surrounded by her classmates, smiling with poise, grace, and the kind of elegance that made her look like a noble lady from an anime.
Almost as if she sensed his stare, Eriri suddenly turned her head and met his eyes. She gave him a polite, ladylike smile before turning back.
Touji: "..."
This... this isn't the Eriri Spencer Sawamura I know!
Something about this was so incredibly off it gave him goosebumps!
...
"Uwaaaaaaaah!!"
"This is bad! Really bad!!"
In a quiet residential area in Tokyo's Meguro Ward, inside a modest second-floor bedroom, a silver-haired girl with an adorably calm appearance clutched her mouse in despair.
Kani Nayuta was panicking.
She quickly recalled the last three messages and tried to patch her blunder:
[Kani Nayuta]: "I haven't bought any! Honest!"
Her mood was a swirling typhoon of regret.
Even though she managed to recall the messages fast, the 'read' receipt had already appeared. Which meant...
Touji-san definitely saw it!
Am I going to be misunderstood now? Will he think I'm a total pervert?!
Uuuuuu... why did I get so carried away?
...
Back at Toyosaki Private Academy, First-Year G Class—
Kasumigaoka Touji couldn't help but stifle a laugh when he saw Kani Nayuta hastily delete her message, only to play it cool with a follow-up saying she hadn't bought anything at all.
He quickly tapped back a reply.
[Touji]: "Too late, I saw it already!"
[Kani Nayuta]: "..."
[Touji]: "So Kashiwagi Eri's doujinshi are that exciting, huh?"
[Kani Nayuta]: "...They're okay."
Yeah right. You didn't say that before.
Didn't you gush about 'stepping into a whole new world'? What was that, a fever dream?
Touji's lips curved into a knowing grin. This was too good to pass up.
[Touji]: "Where do you even buy those? Got any solid recommendations?"
Though it looked like teasing on the surface, he was actually curious. The times had changed—back then, buying doujinshi might've been social suicide. But now?
Now it was a guaranteed affection buff.
Real ones know.
After a pause…
[Kani Nayuta]: "…?"
She probably thought he was still messing around, but after a bit more hesitation, she sent another message.
[Kani Nayuta]: "You can buy them online at Melonbooks. Lots of big circles publish their stuff there."
[Kani Nayuta]: "Highly recommend 'Silver-Haired Fans Overcome Humiliation!! Degeneracy of a Slave'!!"
[Touji]: "…"
Hold on. That title… isn't that just you with the names changed?!
He stared at the message in disbelief.
[Kani Nayuta]: "Ehehe~ (^▽^)!"
[Kani Nayuta]: "Never thought I'd be recommending doujinshi to an idol. What a strange twist of fate~."
You're not the only one feeling weird here!
Just as the conversation started spiraling deeper into the abyss, the class bell rang, marking the end of the period.
...
Lunch Break—
After enduring four morning classes, it was finally time for lunch.
Like yesterday, Touji met up with Kasumigaoka Utaha, the two of them heating up their bento together before heading up to their favorite rooftop spot.
The moment he pushed open the stairwell door, he was greeted by a blindingly clear blue sky. It looked like it had been scrubbed clean, with only a few lazy clouds drifting like fluffy marshmallows overhead.
Side by side, the two walked over to the same bench from yesterday.
"…"
Utaha broke the silence first, her voice as composed as always.
"Onii-san, how's the Nap Club going?"
"Hm? Still in the works. I brought the club application and a pen, though. You can fill it in after we eat."
Touji handed her the papers with a casual shrug.
Utaha picked up a piece of Kasumigaoka-style tamagoyaki from her bento, taking a delicate bite.
Tamagoyaki—Japan's most iconic home-style dish.
But Touji wasn't ordinary. As a food blogger, he always put his own spin on things. His version was infused with diced carrots, finely chopped ham, scallions, and milk. Perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of salt.
Nutritious, flavorful, and undeniably warm.
"Mm…"
Utaha chewed thoughtfully, her slender throat moving slightly as she swallowed. Then, glancing at him sideways, she asked:
"How many members so far?"
"Four, including you."
"That's almost enough to get it approved, right?"
She recalled the minimum was five members to form an official club.
"Probably," Touji nodded, eyes glinting with anticipation.