Winter rain fell drizzly. Seemed would fall morning to night, Tokyo to Okinawa. Not heavy, but long, as never stopping.
Yuu arrived school alone.
Yuigahama not only overslept. Too busy chatting him, forgot prepare leave. Likely now rushing ready, running house biting bread?
Yuu no issue waiting, as usual together long slope—but Yuigahama told go school direct. No much chit-chat, entered gate minutes earlier usual.
"Morning, Tenkuji-kun."
Discipline Committee member greeted. Though drizzle, wore raincoat, stood gate guard. Dedication admirable.
Coincidentally, Yuu knew her.
Past task, convinced him Masuzu date worry-free, revealed school odd healthy romance support.
"Morning too."
After polite greet, as Yuu about pass, heard mysterious voice from committee member.
"Tenkuji-kun, everyone cheers you Yukinoshita-san! Fight!"
Yuu stopped. Turned odd expression: "Mean what?"
"Mean as said! Your Yukinoshita-san relationship spread SNS!"
Discipline Committee member secretly pulled phone, poked head under umbrella, opened school network page, let see forum posts.
[Tragic News! School Goddess Confirmed Taken. Couple Showed Affection Committee!]
[I'm your boyfriend, no way let you trouble—Deepest Love Confession, All Men Learn!]
[Can't Study, Can't Study. Ten Unknown Key Points School Star Dating.]
[Only me think Yukinoshita unworthy Tenkuji-sama?]
[Yuu-kun Fan Club Faces Dissolution Crisis. How Much Yukinoshita Yukino Responsible?]
[...]
Seeing, Yuu's eye corner twitched.
"This... seems more exaggerated than before..."
Though had school network app, rarely used. Opened once every two-three days.
Vaguely recalled discussion him breaking wooden arch saving Yukino not as high this time openly aiding committee.
Meaning, dating Yukino news widely spread, nearly whole school knew—from Cultural Fest Committee to school, took < one night. Showed terrifying info spread speed.
"Calm, most cheer you."
Seeing gaze shift, Discipline Committee member hid phone careful, smiled: "True Love Fan Club handles overzealous fans. No worry Yukinoshita-san—just date well, preserve school tradition! Be happy!"
"So." Yuu long breathed as understood not understood. Sudden asked: "True Love Fan Club?"
Discipline Committee member eyes sparkled: "Yes! Founded by group following since autumn exhibit..."
Before further explain, Yuu raised hand, stopped. Tone flat.
"You member?"
Discipline Committee member arms akimbo, chin raised, proudly: "No, I'm offi—"
Then startled realized mistake. Hurried covered mouth, feigned nothing.
"...Cough cough, know nothing."
Yuu not easily fooled.
"Thought all Discipline Committee sweet like this. Misjudged."
Showed friendly smile. Looked down blushing increasingly shy girl. Unhurried: "Truly honor even Discipline Committee has Fan Club member, high-ranking."
Covered umbrella. Serious tone, hand chest. Yuu elegant bowed: "Nice meet. Thanks much info."
"No, t-that... Not mean..."
Discipline Committee member nervous, eyes wildly panicked. None usual spirited gate front look.
"Want autograph? Or photo? By way, don't know name, Officer..."
Before Yuu finished, girl covered face, ran fast. Left regretful cloud-dispersing sentence:
"Sorry, shouldn't misuse authority! I sinnnn—"
"Wait..."
Yuu no time stop. Half-extended hand, watched quick vanish rain curtain.
Lip corner twitched. Ultimately not cruel. Hard held laugh, self-blaming sighed:
"Too far... Meant well cheering. Teasing like that heartless."
Shook head. Yuu dimmed presence since other shouted. Confirmed no one noticed, quick walked school building.
Planted umbrella rack. Ensured umbrella camera view. Opened shoe locker, confirmed indoor shoes not sudden new, no odd liquid.
Then Yuu changed shoes, walked corridor dry.
"Though pretty, though black stockings, if long soaked, smell surely repels..."
Sounded odd, Yuu wanted see Yukino's feet smelly rain-soaked, reluctant remove shoes—such contrast intriguing imagine.
Course, no arousal, let alone like.
Please, weird preference owners, think human, don't keep wanting leave earth.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Class 2F end second floor school building.
Yuu usually climbed back first floor stairs. Way, enjoyed first-year youthful energy, reduced greetings.
Too many second-years knew him. Walk start end might hear dozens mornings. First-years usually dared not loud greet. Polite nod, or pretend not see. Shy level suited him.
Undisturbed, Yuu passed first-years. Maybe early, most students slept desks, corridor classroom dead quiet. Footsteps clear.
But health room front stairs opposite. Many in-out, noisy, bustling, mostly girls.
"What? Health room not open now."
Yuu slowed. After observing, understood.
Rain-soaked feet girls came borrow hairdryer.
Through health room window, Yuu saw girls inside gloomy holding socks. Some dried moisture towels handkerchiefs, others queued waiting front finish hairdryer.
Only clean cute little feet swaying air. For specific preference, no exaggeration called paradise.
Also, faint odd smell drifted. Mixed cold humid rain day air, created hard-explain chemical reaction.
Accidentally smelled, Yuu instant shut olfactory. Held breath, rushed upstairs.
Lucky not summer. Lucky only girls. Else, nose needed temporary rest.
Men's dorm livers knew men's soaked feet smell—especially sports club, post-basketball—not exaggerated called bio-weapon.
Girls' feet maybe not bad, but earth, surely no creature liked such masculine aroma!
Escaping upstairs, Yuu heard familiar melodious voice front health room door.
"Senpai, saw me just now, right? Surely? Waved, but ignored. So mean!"
"Iroha, not didn't see, just..."
Yuu turned, about say.
Saw Iroha walk toward, holding cute colorful short socks, cheeks puffed.
Scene like Alchemist low HP approaching with Q activated.
"..."
Yuu expressionless turned, quick vanished stairs.
"Senpai so fast?!"