The giddy atmosphere enveloping the school persisted well after classes ended. Tatsuya, having been asked (or rather, forcibly volunteered) by the upperclassmen originally scheduled for Public Morals Committee patrol, found himself on duty. While patrolling, he heard a voice that sounded suspiciously like a scream coming from the café.
"Oh, Tatsuya-kun. I didn't think today was your patrol day?"
"The seniors apparently had other engagements, so today it's just Morisaki and me."
"So they conveniently pushed it onto you. I can understand Morisaki-kun, but I would have thought you would be busy after school, too."
"Me? Well, I did plan to dig through some data."
"…You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Acknowledging Mayumi's implication would feel uncomfortably like conceit, so Tatsuya gave his standard "prepared response" for when people asked about his after-school plans. However, it didn't work on Mayumi.
"Well, whatever... By the way, Tatsuya-kun, do you have a moment?"
"I don't mind, but... what exactly did Hattori-president eat?"
As he accepted Mayumi's invitation, Tatsuya directed his gaze toward Hattori, who was collapsed in agony on the table in front of her.
"There shouldn't be any actual poisons within the school, but to be writhing in that much pain... he must have eaten something quite extreme."
"…Yeah, well, it's not poison."
Tatsuya looked at her with eyes that said, 'I know exactly what happened.' Under that gaze, Mayumi slowly, awkwardly looked away.
"Shi... Shiba..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"…Water."
"Understood. Just a moment."
Tatsuya responded obediently to the groan of the man he had assumed was unconscious. For a split second, he debated between mineral water and the water cooler, but since the cooler was closer, he chose that.
"Hattori-president. Here is water."
He placed the cup on the table in front of Hattori and called out to him. Reacting to the voice, Hattori's hand wormed out, blindly searching for the water. The moment he grabbed it, he downed the contents with tremendous force.
"Phew... Shiba, sorry about that. You have my thanks."
"Don't mention it... Are you really alright?"
The relationship between Hattori and Tatsuya was still unfriendly, but Tatsuya would at least show concern for another human being. Hattori seemed momentarily confused by Tatsuya's attitude but quickly regained his usual demeanor.
"I'm fine. Well then, Pres... no, Saegusa-senpai. I will take my leave now."
"Okay, see you later."
Tatsuya was convinced that Mayumi had used Hattori's feelings to relieve her own stress. The pungent smell of cacao and coffee that had been assaulting his nose for some time now only confirmed the theory.
"Um, could you sit down for now?"
Just as Mayumi urged Tatsuya to take a seat, two girls arrived at the scene.
"Ah, there he is!"
"Hey, Amy! I told you not to run!"
"Sorry. Ah, President..."
"It's Saegusa-senpai now."
"…Amy, Satomi. Did you need something?"
Tatsuya wanted to sigh at the sight of Amy rushing in and Subaru, who was calm but focusing far too much on Amy. He managed to suppress it and greeted them.
"Through some twist of fate, we were chosen as representatives... Please accept this."
"That was quite theatrical today."
"Even I feel embarrassed doing this sober, you know."
Subaru, handing over a paper bag filled to the brim with chocolates, was indeed being more theatrical than usual, just as Tatsuya pointed out.
"May I ask what group you are representing?"
"The Nine Schools Competition First Year Girls' Team! Oh, but Miyuki and Honoka's shares aren't in there. Those two probably want to give theirs personally. Also, Shizuku's isn't in there either. She said she'd give it to you after she gets back."
"Didn't Shizuku say to keep that a secret from Shiba-kun?"
"...Ah! Shiba-kun, pretend you didn't hear that! Okay?"
Faced with Amy's pleading, Tatsuya nodded with a wry smile. He had no other choice.
"Great. Well then, Shiba-kun, President... I mean, Saegusa-senpai, excuse us!"
"Sorry for interrupting."
Watching the two hurriedly leave the scene, Mayumi let a mutter slip out.
"It must be nice to be young..."
"You are plenty young yourself, Senpai."
"Thanks. but I can't match that kind of energy anymore."
After sharing a wry smile, Mayumi finally handed Tatsuya the item that was her original objective.
"Here. Valentine's chocolate."
"Thank you very much."
Unlike the chocolates from the Nine Schools Competition team, what Mayumi handed him was clearly sized to be a "Honmei"—a true love gift. Tatsuya hesitated for a split second.
If he hadn't just received a massive amount of chocolate earlier, he could have used his standard "I'm not good with sweets" line to refuse. But having already accepted so many, that excuse was no longer valid.
"Hey, will you eat it now?"
"Here? You want me to eat something you gave me in a place with this many eyes watching?"
Reminded by Tatsuya, Mayumi recalled the surrounding gazes.
"You're right... Then let's move somewhere..."
"In that case, perhaps an empty classroom."
For a moment, Mayumi misunderstood Tatsuya's words, but his next sentence left no room for romantic misinterpretation.
"There is something I wish to consult with you about, Senpai."
"Something you can't let others hear?"
"Exactly. It could be problematic in various ways."
Tatsuya's phrasing was designed to make the surrounding people misunderstand, but Mayumi knew better. Though they were in a blind spot from the others, Tatsuya's eyes did not allow Mayumi the luxury of misunderstanding.
"…I understand. Let's go then. Follow me."
The pause before her reply was because she was using her terminal to reserve an empty classroom. An ordinary student couldn't do such a thing, but for Mayumi, it was effortless.
"Understood."
"Also, this! You mustn't forget it, okay?"
Perhaps to deliberately fuel the misunderstanding, Mayumi theatrically handed the chocolate back to Tatsuya. Seeing this scene, followed by the two of them heading to an empty classroom together... it would be harder to find someone who didn't misunderstand.
For Tatsuya, having people misunderstand was actually convenient, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he was dancing in the palm of Mayumi's hand. As if to prove it, dozens of girls looked at Mayumi with envy, while several boys shot glares of resentment at Tatsuya.
(Since Tatsuya deflected the attack, Hattori became the sacrifice... Though perhaps being toyed with by Mayumi is exactly what he wanted?)
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