Even during summer break, the student council and disciplinary committee had their share of tasks. Miyuki, a student council officer, and Tatsuya, saddled with all the committee's paperwork (or perhaps dumped with it?), were no exceptions, dutifully heading to school.
"Chairman, today's work is done," Tatsuya reported.
"Sorry about this. I'm no good with this kind of thing," Mari admitted.
"I'm aware. I'll head out for patrol now," Tatsuya said.
"I'm counting on you," Mari replied with a grin.
"As long as no trouble pops up," Tatsuya muttered with a sigh.
Mari laughed at his exasperated tone. "Trouble seems to love you, Shiba. Who knows, maybe something interesting will happen."
"Spare me," Tatsuya shot back, not bothering to hide his annoyance as he left for patrol.
"I suppose I should do my rounds too," Mari said to herself.
"Oh? Tatsuya-kun's not here?" Mayumi asked, poking her head into the disciplinary committee headquarters.
"Too bad, Mayumi. He just left for patrol," Mari teased.
"You keep shoving paperwork on him. Why not do it yourself for once?" Mayumi quipped.
"…Let's call it putting the right person in the right job," Mari said, slowly averting her gaze from her friend's pointed jab.
Unaware of the banter back at headquarters, Tatsuya began his patrol. When he'd first joined the disciplinary committee, he'd drawn curious stares, but now he was fully accepted as a member.
"Tatsuya-san, on patrol?" Amy called out.
"Yeah. You on a break, Amy?" he replied.
"Yup. It's rare to see you over here, though," she noted.
"During summer break, we alternate patrols with the club alliance," Tatsuya explained.
"Oh, got it!" Amy said brightly.
After a brief chat with Amy from the hunting club, Tatsuya moved deeper into the school grounds.
"Let go of me!" a girl's voice snapped.
"Come on, it's no big deal. Just a little fun!" a guy retorted.
It seemed Mari's prediction was spot-on. An argument between a girl and a guy echoed from ahead, and the girl's voice was familiar.
"Erika," Tatsuya said, approaching.
"Tatsuya-kun!" Erika exclaimed, relief flashing across her face.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"This guy's being a pest," she said, glaring at the boy.
The guy, a Course 1 senior, seemed to recognize Tatsuya's presence and backed off as Tatsuya stepped between them.
"Disciplinary committee, Shiba. What's the issue?" Tatsuya asked calmly.
"…Nothing. I'll ask again later," the senior muttered to Erika before slinking away.
"Ask? He was trying to ask you out?" Tatsuya questioned.
"No big deal. He kept pestering me to hang out," Erika said dismissively.
"Did I interrupt something?" Tatsuya asked, half-serious.
"Nope. I've turned him down a bunch of times, but he won't quit. I was about to report him as a stalker to the committee," Erika said with a smirk.
Guess he doesn't know Erika's true nature, Tatsuya thought, amused.
"Why are you out here, anyway, Tatsuya-kun?" Erika asked.
"Patrol. Juumonji and Watanabe decided we'd alternate days," he explained.
"Gotcha. Good timing, though. You saved me," she said, grinning.
"You in the middle of club practice?"
"Yup. Hey, if you've got time, wanna hit a few balls?"
"Might be a good way to loosen up after desk work," Tatsuya conceded.
"Sweet! Let's go!" Erika said, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the tennis courts.
Tatsuya went along, knowing he could sense any trouble and rush to it if needed.
"Who's that with you, Chiba-san?" a tennis club member asked.
"This is Tatsuya Shiba, my classmate and disciplinary committee member. I'm gonna play a bit with him to thank him for helping me out," Erika replied.
"Hey," Tatsuya greeted, suddenly regretting joining the girls' tennis club. But the other members seemed to welcome him warmly.
"Let's do this!" Erika declared.
"Wait, Erika, I don't have a racket or proper shoes," Tatsuya protested.
"You can borrow a racket. And with your skills, those shoes are fine," she said confidently.
"What's that logic?" he muttered.
No girls' shoes would fit him anyway, so Tatsuya borrowed a racket and took his stance.
"Here goes… This time I'll beat you, Tatsuya-kun!" Erika announced.
Her serve was fast for a girl, surprising the other club members, who widened their eyes.
"Chiba-san, that's—huh?" one started.
"No way…" another gasped.
Erika's full-force serve was effortlessly returned by Tatsuya, who scored a clean return ace.
"Is that all?" Tatsuya said coolly. "Next."
"Seriously, Tatsuya-kun, are you really a beginner?" Erika asked, incredulous.
"First time I've ever played," he replied.
Trained by Yakumo, Tatsuya could return a girl's serve blindfolded. A first-time tennis match wasn't going to trip him up.
"I give up. I can't win," Erika said, throwing up her hands.
"Done already?" Tatsuya teased.
"Let's just rally normally," she suggested.
They continued with an unremarkable rally, working up a light sweat.
"Alright, I'm off. Gotta finish patrol," Tatsuya said.
"Got it. See ya!" Erika replied.
Parting ways, Tatsuya headed back to the disciplinary committee headquarters, having already scanned for trouble during his patrol.
After filing his report, Tatsuya waited for Miyuki at the main gate, browsing his favorite book site on his terminal. But before he could dive in, another familiar voice rang out.
"Cut it out already!" Erika snapped.
"What's the big deal? You're not dating anyone!" the guy retorted.
So he's still hitting on her, even knowing her personality, Tatsuya thought, revising his earlier assumption. Then he noticed Erika's eyes on him.
"Tatsuya-kun!" she called.
"You again…" the senior groaned, spotting him.
"If you keep this up, I'll have to report you to the committee," Tatsuya warned.
"Shut up! This is between a guy and a girl—it's none of your business!" the senior shot back.
As Tatsuya considered his next move, Erika acted first.
"Sorry, but this guy's my boyfriend," she declared.
"What?!" the senior exclaimed.
"Erika…" Tatsuya muttered.
"Sorry, Tatsuya-kun, just play along," she whispered.
With no choice, Tatsuya went with it. "Why'd you spill it, Erika?"
"Can't help it. This guy's too persistent," she said, glaring at the senior.
"Prove it, then!" the senior demanded.
"Prove it?" Tatsuya and Erika said in unison.
They weren't actually dating, so proof was a problem. But Erika's face flushed, and she seemed to have an idea.
"Erika?" Tatsuya asked, wary.
"Fine, I'll show you!" she declared.
"Wait—" Tatsuya started.
"Tatsuya-kun, crouch down!" she ordered.
Knowing she wouldn't listen, Tatsuya sighed and crouched. Before he could react, Erika's lips met his.
"…There's your proof!" she announced triumphantly.
"No way! I'm the one who deserves Chiba-san!" the senior shouted, storming off with a parting shot.
"Erika… what now?" Tatsuya asked, exasperated.
"Let's just date for real," she said, her voice soft.
"Come on…" Tatsuya began, but he stopped. Erika's eyes were earnest, glistening with a rare, vulnerable sincerity that was nothing like her usual playful demeanor.
"Can't tell Miyuki about this…" he muttered.
"Then it's settled!" Erika said, her face lighting up.
"There's that guy to deal with, and I get how you feel," Tatsuya said, relenting.
"Yes! That stalker turned out to be useful after all," Erika said with a grin.
"Seriously…" Tatsuya sighed.
Of course, Miyuki would find out almost immediately. But for now, the two shared another kiss, this time as lovers.
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