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Lately, I've been feeling like I'm being watched. It's been especially noticeable since the winter break ended.
"Senpai? What are you looking at?"
We were in the university cafeteria. Iroha, sitting across from me, peered into my face with a puzzled expression.
"Oh, nothing in particular..."
I think it's all because Iroha has no intention of hiding the fact that she's dating me. When we walk together, she's unusually close, and in less crowded areas, we'll casually hold hands. And since we meet almost every day in the cafeteria like this, we're probably openly recognized as a couple. That alone would be fine, but Iroha was the winner of the campus festival's beauty pageant. She's a minor celebrity on campus, and the gazes from other guys are particularly stinging. Hachiman, maybe you're a little too self-conscious...
"Hey there, Hachiman! Iroha-chan! Long time no see!"
My thoughts dispersed with a loud voice that seemed to dismiss my worries as trivial. I turned at the familiar voice to see Nene-san waving as she approached. A half-step behind her, Tetsu-san's figure appeared.
"Oh, hey."
"Wow, it's been so long since we met at university!"
Iroha waved back, and soon the two of them surrounded our table. It felt like ages since I'd seen a scene like this. The two fourth-year students apparently had no more classes to take, and this was the first time we'd met at university since the winter break.
"It really has been a long time. Hikigaya-kun, you haven't been joining us for Apex recently."
"Well, you know... things have been busy."
As Tetsu-san, who sat next to me, said, I hadn't had the chance to play games with them lately. That's because I spend most of my private time at Iroha's apartment. Even when I tried to leave early for errands, she'd stop me with a very cunning "Are you leaving already...?", and as a result, I've just been spending more and more time there. Is my willpower too weak when it comes to Iroha?
"It's unusual to see you at university."
"Yeah, I had something to do today."
Nene-san replied to Iroha's question and pulled out a wrapped box from her tote bag. Oh, right, today was Valentine's Day. I had completely forgotten since the atmosphere wasn't as festive as in high school.
"Here, this is for Iroha-chan. I have one for Hachiman too!"
"Ah, yes. Thanks."
It was an unexpected development, and my response sounded a bit too much like a sports club member. Receiving chocolate from a senior was a first. Iroha and Nene-san were like friends, so it could be called "friend chocolate," but what would this be called? Junior chocolate? No, probably just obligation chocolate. As I thought about such trivial matters, Nene-san beamed, looking at the small box she had just handed over.
"Since you're here, why don't you try it right away and tell me what you think?"
Well, we had just finished eating, and it was in the cafeteria, so it wasn't an entirely inappropriate situation in terms of time, place, and occasion... But I felt more and more eyes glancing our way. Nene-san was particularly noticeable because she was so hyped up, probably because it had been a while since she was at university, and she and Iroha created a dazzling space together. Eating this here would be a high hurdle...
"Tetsu-chan always loves it every year~"
Judging by Nene-san's tone, she seemed confident in her creation. I exchanged a small nod with Iroha and opened the box I had just received. Inside were what appeared to be handmade chocolate drops... but what were those subtly reddish bits mixed in? Considering the season and compatibility, she probably kneaded in freeze-dried strawberries. As I picked up a single piece, Tetsu-san quietly whispered in my ear.
"...You'll get used to it."
No, what kind of alarming remark is that...? An alarm blared in my head, but there was no option not to eat it now. I braced myself and put the chocolate in my mouth. The first thing I felt was the coldness of the chocolate, chilled by the winter air. Then, as it melted in my mouth, the sticky sweetness of milk chocolate and a tingling, stimulating... wait, something's wrong. Chocolate shouldn't be stimulating.
"...! Th-this..."
"Yeah. It's sweet and spicy chocolate!"
A spiciness gradually grew in presence amidst the sweetness. That fire-breathing heat was probably cayenne pepper or some other strong spice. I couldn't even drink water because the super-spicy chocolate was still in my mouth, and Nene-san continued speaking to me as my eyes started to tear up.
"Tetsu-chan likes persimmon seed chocolate, so I tried to make something similar."
Seriously, Nene-san...? The inspiration is fine, but her arrangement skills are catastrophic. Couldn't you just make such challenging things for Tetsu-san only...? I looked at Tetsu-san, pleading for help, but he smoothly averted his gaze. Damn it.
"Mmm... Mmm! Haa... Nene-san, by the way, did you taste it...?"
"Huh? I can't eat spicy food, so no."
I see, so that's how this hazardous substance saw the light of day... As I took water into my mouth to soothe my tongue, Nene-san's gaze turned to Iroha.
"Iroha-chan, you should try it too!"
"Ah, ah, yes. I'm full right now, so I'll enjoy it slowly at home!"
Iroha smiled brightly at Nene-san, then looked at me. With an added calm wink. This girl is absolutely planning to make me eat it. No doubt about it. I know these things.
After that, we had a lively conversation, catching up after so long, and it was nearly one in the afternoon. Lunch break was almost over. I had to leave soon.
"Well then, I have part-time work."
My classes for today were until noon, and then it was time for my part-time job. When I started to leave, it seemed like the others would disband as well.
"Bye-bye! Iroha-chan, tell me what you think too!"
"...Understood!"
"I'll invite you to Apex again."
"Got it."
Waving goodbye to the hyped-up Nene-san and the always-cool Tetsu-san, I left the cafeteria with Iroha. As we walked down the hallway and turned a corner, she tugged at my sleeve.
"Huh, what's up?"
I turned around to see Iroha clutching my sleeve. What a cute gesture. When she does it suddenly, it really gets to me, so I wish she'd do it more often.
"Is it still spicy?"
"Yeah, it's still burning, but..."
But why would she ask that specifically? As I wondered, Iroha tugged my sleeve and walked briskly. To a storage space beside the corridor. As if being led to a hiding place, Iroha glanced around. And then—
"Mm...!"
For some reason, she kissed me. Seriously, Iroha... This is a university.
"Did that neutralize it?"
Completely ignoring my bewildered and reproachful gaze, Iroha gave a mischievous, impish smile. It's because she does things like this that I'm getting ruined. I'm falling deeper and deeper into the swamp-like charm of Iroha, and I don't feel like I can ever escape.
"...What if someone sees us?"
"It's fine, isn't it?"
"No, it's absolutely not fine!" I conveyed with my eyes, but she just smiled back at me. And then, for some reason, she suddenly brought her mouth close to my ear.
"Because I still get picked up on campus, you know?"
"...What did you say?"
I instinctively asked again, and Iroha looked satisfied. It seemed my reaction pleased her, but for me, this was not a fun development at all.
"Were you okay with that?"
"I'm fine. If I say I have a boyfriend, they never talk to me again."
Iroha's words reminded me of last spring. Even when we reunited at university, Iroha tried to shake off a persistent pick-up artist with an overly cold attitude. So, while I understood that she had no intention of hiding our relationship, I also became worried. Because at that time, I didn't think she handled it particularly well, to say the least.
"Even so, there must be persistent guys, right?"
"Well, there are. Guys who say things like, 'Isn't it okay to have another boyfriend?'"
The moment I heard those words, a chill ran down my spine. That's exactly the kind of line a pick-up artist would say. I couldn't understand how anyone could even think of such a thing.
"That's not okay at all, then."
"It does irritate me too, but if I just stare at them with a 'Huh?' face and stay silent, they usually stop saying anything."
I recalled Iroha's cold demeanor, as if saying, "What the heck are you talking about?" While it's fine if they back down then...
"Don't do anything that might provoke them. There's a chance they could hold a grudge."
"Mmm, I think I handle that pretty well."
Iroha let go of my sleeve and took my hand instead. She squeezed it tightly with both hands, then pulled me closer as if to draw me in.
"If you're worried, stay closer to me."
"...Okay."
The angle of her tilted face, as if to say, "See?", was incredibly cunning and adorable. As I stood there dumbfounded, Iroha let go of my hand and took a half-step back.
"Well then, see you later."
"Ah," I replied weakly, and Iroha turned on her heel and walked away. As she reached the corridor, she looked back at me and said with a lovely smile,
"Good luck with your part-time job."
Saying that, Iroha walked away. Leaving her presence firmly within me.
—-----------
I arrived at my part-time job feeling somewhat lightheaded.
"Oh, good work!"
When I changed into my uniform and went to the break room, Sakura greeted me.
"Oh, hey, good work."
I returned her bright smile as she looked at me and sat down in the seat diagonally opposite. My shift wasn't supposed to overlap with hers today, but seeing her in casual clothes, she must be done with work. Sakura put away her smartphone, which she had been busily swiping, and then rummaged through her bag. Finally finding what she was looking for, Sakura said, "Here," and offered a small box in front of me.
"It's Valentine's Day today, so I'm giving you chocolate."
"...Oh, thanks."
She handed it over so naturally that I was momentarily slow to react. Sakura was, well... the person who confessed to me and whom I rejected. I think I've managed to behave normally as she wished, but receiving chocolate on this day made me think about various things.
"It's obligation chocolate, so don't worry."
As if reading my mind, Sakura said that and gave a teasing smile. I couldn't tell how much was genuine and how much was feigned. In any case, I had no choice but to take her words at face value.
"Okay. I'll make sure to give you something in return."
"Yeah. But not the same thing as Iroha-chan's, okay?"
Even so, this kid really pushes boundaries that are a bit too sensitive to touch... According to Iroha, she told Sakura herself that we were dating. So I guess I should just accept this teasing.
"Even so, I haven't even received anything yet, though."
"Huh? Really? Is Iroha-chan the type to tease?"
Those words reminded me of this and that, but there were too many instances that came to mind. ...No, what am I remembering in front of Sakura? Lewd thoughts are not good!
"I don't know... But she'll probably give it to me."
"Of course she will. If she hasn't prepared anything, I'll be mad at Iroha-chan."
What kind of logic is that...? They hang out a lot, so they must be good friends, but it's a strange relationship. As I was thinking such things, Sakura smoothly stood up.
"Well then, I'm going home."
"Oh. Good work."
Sakura said that, waved lightly, and left the break room. All that remained was me, the low hum of the refrigerator, and a small box wrapped in elegant paper.
"I'm getting too much..."
That wasn't about the quantity, nor about the weight. I muttered that and adjusted the collar of my uniform before leaving the break room.
============
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