The oppressive, pencil-scratching silence that had descended upon the classroom during the sudden monthly exams finally lifted. With the final test paper collected, a collective, tangible wave of relief washed through the room, dispersing the solemn atmosphere like morning mist under a warm sun.
Almost instantly, the air crackled back to life with the vibrant energy of post-exam liberation. Lively discussions erupted about weekend plans, a cheerful defiance against the impending doom of future score reports. The logic was universal and timeless: since the results weren't out yet, ignorance was bliss, and the weekend stretched before them, ripe for enjoyment.
Amidst this buoyant chatter, Kasumigaoka Touji found himself the target of a particularly eager inquiry.
"Winter-sensei, what are your plans for tomorrow and the day after?" Kani Nayuta asked, zipping up her schoolbag with a flourish. Like many of her classmates, she seemed to be vibrating with renewed vitality now that the academic ordeal was over.
"Hmm…" Kasumigaoka Touji tilted his head in contemplation. "I'll be staying in tomorrow. As for Sunday… that's still undecided."
He then flexed his bicep playfully in her direction, a confident smile on his face. "Why don't you come over early tomorrow? I'll treat you to a feast."
The invitation immediately conjured images in Kani Nayuta's mind: the premium Hokkaido ingredients he'd brought back, the memory of the lavish seafood banquet he'd prepared before. She swallowed involuntarily, a faint gleam in her eyes.
"Will you be streaming it this time?" she asked, already imagining the online fanfare.
"No stream this time," he clarified, slinging his own bag over his shoulder and leading the way out of the classroom. "I just went live a few days ago. This will be a private culinary event, just for treating you all."
"Oh, I see!" Her enthusiasm didn't wane. "Then I'll come over early to help!"
Kasumigaoka Touji chuckled and waved a dismissive hand. He had firsthand experience with Kani Nayuta's "help" in the kitchen—the tragic state of her attempted potato julienne was etched in his memory. She was, unequivocally, a culinary beginner.
"No need for that," he said gently but firmly. He paused, then added, "Eri will be coming over tomorrow too."
He used the nickname instinctively, a habit formed within the safe, familiar confines of their school.
"Oh?" Kani Nayuta looked at him, surprise coloring her features.
"She's finished drawing the first chapter and wants me to review it," he explained. The first chapter of Tokyo Ghoul had been completed right as Golden Week began. Between his trip to Hokkaido, spending time with Kani Nayuta, and supporting Utaha at her signing event, the review had been postponed until now.
"The first chapter of Tokyo Ghoul?" Kani Nayuta's interest was instantly piqued, her eyes lighting up. The manga adaptation of the haunting song "Unravel" had captured her curiosity from the start. She'd even peeked at some of the preliminary plot settings and was eager to see how they translated into visual form. "I want to see it too!"
"Of course. We'll look at it together tomorrow," Kasumigaoka Touji agreed with an easy smile.
They met up with Kasumigaoka Utaha at their usual staircase rendezvous point, and the trio made their way to a destination Touji had in mind: a charming French dessert shop in Setagaya Ward—the same one he had visited the previous month.
The shop's parfaits were exceptional, a symphony of flavors and textures, and the ambiance was cozy and refined. With the weather growing pleasantly warm, Kasumigaoka Touji thought it the perfect spot for a little post-exam treat and a casual, sweet date.
Since officially getting together with Kani Nayuta, their after-school routines had gained these delightful pockets of shared time. Whether it was exploring a new café, wandering through a park, or simply enjoying a delicious snack together, their daily lives had been painted with increasingly vibrant and colorful strokes.
****
The next day, Saturday, arrived wearing its best weather. The sun shone with brilliant intensity in a vast, cloudless cerulean sky that stretched like an endless, flawless canvas.
At the Kasumigaoka residence, the morning peace was gently broken by a crisp, familiar sound.
Ding-dong—!
Kasumigaoka Touji, who had been in the kitchen contemplating his lunch menu, called out an acknowledgment and made his way to the genkan.
Opening the door, he was greeted by the expected, and always welcome, sight of his girlfriend.
"Yo—!" she chirped.
"Ohayou, Nayuta-chan," he replied, smiling as he stepped aside to let her in. He reached into the shoe cabinet almost automatically, retrieving her designated pair of guest slippers.
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Winter-sensei!" The silver-haired young woman radiated a morning energy that put the sun itself to shame. "And yes, I ate! I had two huge nikuman on the way over."
She held up two slender, pale fingers, pinching them together in an adorable crab-claw gesture for emphasis.
Her eyes then dropped to the floor briefly as she asked a casual follow-up. "Has Eriri Spencer-san arrived yet?"
"Not yet," he answered, following her gaze downward.
Today, Kani Nayuta was wearing a pair of elegant white high-heeled sandals. The pristine ivory hue was a perfect complement to her flawless skin, creating a striking visual harmony. The shoe's elegant arch and delicate pointed toe sculpted the line of her foot, making her already lovely feet appear even more delicate and refined. The heels elongated the line of her legs, rendering them impossibly long and sleek—a sight that commanded and held attention.
"Winter-sensei… why are you staring at my feet like that? It's making me feel shy," Kani Nayuta said, her tone a playful contradiction to her actions. She leaned one hand against the wall, her casual white mini-bag slung over her shoulder, and gracefully kicked off one sandal, balancing on the other leg. Her expression was one of excited anticipation rather than actual embarrassment—a classic case of 'tsundere' in reverse!
"Ahem." Kasumigaoka Touji managed to pull his gaze away, clearing his throat softly.
"It's just… those shoes. They look really good on you," he offered, his praise simple and sincere.
"Ehehe~ I think so too~" she preened, accepting the compliment without a hint of false modesty.
"A little humility, please!" he laughed, bending a finger to give her forehead a gentle, affectionate flick.
"But isn't agreeing with the truth the most humble thing?" she retorted, seizing the opportunity to latch onto his arm, clinging to him with a contented sigh.
Sticking to me first thing in the morning… be careful, or I might just decide we need some 'morning exercises,' he thought to himself, a mischievous idea flashing through his mind.
The two made their way to the living room, where they encountered Kasumigaoka Utaha emerging from the direction of the laundry area, her arms full of freshly washed clothes.
"Ohayou, Kazuko-chan," she greeted Kani Nayuta first.
"Ohayou, Utaha-chan!" Kani Nayuta released Touji's arm and, with a friendly smile, followed Utaha toward the courtyard, likely to help or just chat.
Kasumigaoka Touji didn't mind the shift. He returned to the kitchen alone, his mind refocusing on the day's agenda. After a moment's consideration, he opened the refrigerator and began selecting ingredients for their lunch, setting some out to defrost.
"Yosh—!" he muttered to himself, a spark of culinary motivation igniting.
Now, all that was left was to await the arrival of their other guest, Eriri Spencer Sawamura. The stage was set for a weekend gathering of creativity, camaraderie, and, of course, exceptional food.