Lunchtime at Ichinose Academy was unusually long, giving students more than enough time to rest. Hayakawa Shiro usually liked this part of the day—it gave him a chance to breathe after a grueling morning of study.
But right now…
What the hell is this situation?
He and Furuhashi Fumino were sitting across from each other in a little gazebo by the school's lakeside. They locked eyes.
Fumino's cheeks were faintly red, her gaze darting nervously. Shiro, meanwhile, kept a perfectly blank expression.
"Hayakawa-kun…"
Fumino's voice was hesitant, her face a swirl of conflicting emotions. "What was that just now? Why were you and Tanaka-kun… you know…?"
What do you mean, "you know"? Can't you at least finish the sentence? You're going to make this sound way worse than it is.
Shiro's face darkened. "When he confessed to you at lunch earlier, I was standing right there."
"E-Eh?! You heard that?!"
Fumino's face flushed crimson. She couldn't even bring herself to look at him.
"Yeah. And just now, when I ran into him, I overheard him telling his friend that he was going to confess to you again."
Shiro frowned, displeasure edging into his voice. "That's unacceptable. The midterms are only two weeks away. If he keeps distracting you like that, it'll ruin your preparation. So, I had a little… discussion with him. We disagreed. That's when you showed up."
"Disagreed"? You mean you two beat each other into the ground!
"… …"
Fumino lowered her head. But as she thought about his words, something started to click in her mind. Yes—this could only mean one thing.
Hayakawa-kun… must have feelings for me!
Otherwise, why would he fight off someone who was about to confess to me? Saying it's to protect my grades is way too flimsy an excuse. It has to be jealousy!
Her mind went into overdrive, a scrambled mess, her whole body stiff and panicked like some low-level NPC blinded by a status effect.
These past few days she'd felt something was off with him. Every so often, he'd twist her words into something embarrassingly indecent. Now it all made sense—his brain was completely occupied with romance and… that!
Wh-Wh-Wh-What do I do? Hayakawa-kun… actually likes me?!
Fumino bit her lip, her teeth trembling slightly, her whole expression an awkward attempt at holding herself together.
Calm down, Fumino… don't jump to conclusions yet. If this is just a misunderstanding, it'll be the most humiliating thing ever.
I need to confirm it.
"Then, Hayakawa-kun…"
She forced herself to meet his gaze, gathering all her courage. "That thing you said to Tanaka-kun earlier—what did you mean by it?"
"Uh…"
Shiro blinked in confusion. "Which part are you talking about?"
"T-The part about me being… yours," she whispered, her face now fully crimson, steam practically rising from her head.
"Oh, that."
Shiro scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, I had to make him back off, right? So I just said something embarrassing to scare him away."
"I see…"
Fumino exhaled in relief, though inside, her heart felt strangely hollow, like a spice rack knocked over with everything mixed together.
Good. That means I can focus on studying again.
At least, that's what she tried to tell herself.
"But I was serious."
"…Huh?"
Fumino's voice shot up three pitches. Her hand flew to her chest, where her heart pounded uncontrollably.
"Yes. I won't give up."
Shiro's eyes bore into hers, sharp and unwavering, blazing with a determination that reflected the terrifying brilliance of the humanities queen herself.
Serious. Dead serious.
Student… and rival!
Whether it's teaching you science or crushing you in the liberal arts—I mean every word of it.
Saying it aloud in front of Tanaka might have been a little embarrassing, sure, but so what?
It doesn't matter how many times I've been crushed under your heel. What matters is the next battle—how you'll twist and scheme to win again, and how I'll find a way to counter it.
Come. No matter how underhanded or ruthless I have to get, let's face each other in a "fair and square" showdown!
That was Hayakawa Shiro's declaration of war against Furuhashi Fumino—a vow to never give up, no matter how many defeats.
I, Hayakawa Shiro of Ryouryou Academy, challenge you, Furuhashi brat. Dare you come forth and meet me in battle?
His burning eyes locked onto hers, so fierce it was as though the heat of his fighting spirit might spill out of them.
Fumino: "…"
So… so overbearing!!
What is with this guy?! That's practically a love confession! And he said it to my face—so outrageously direct!!
"Mmph…"
Fumino's head felt like a boiling kettle, steam ready to burst from the spout. She couldn't bring herself to respond. She had no defenses against this kind of intensity. It reminded her too much of her father.
"…Anything else?"
Shiro, seeing her silence, looked a little disappointed, but still asked.
"N-Nope! Nothing else at all!"
She shook her head rapidly, flapping her hands like a panicked sparrow. "That was more than enough!"
Nothing could be more direct than what you just said. I already fully understand your feelings!
"Then I'll head back to class. You should too. Listen carefully this time."
He turned to leave, but paused as though remembering something. "Oh, and you don't need to worry about Tanaka anymore. He shouldn't be bothering you again anytime soon."
Behind him, Fumino murmured softly, "And… if he does come back?"
"…Then he'll regret it."
Shiro's voice dropped low, his brow furrowing, shadows flickering across his expression. "Anyone who gets in my way—I'll erase them."
Fumino caught only fragments of his words, but it was enough to send a shiver down her spine. Her heart sank.
As expected, Hayakawa-kun is… just too much. I can't accept this!
…
What do I do?
Hayakawa-kun… actually has feelings for me…
In the library, Furuhashi Fumino buried her face in her arms, twisting in frustration.
But we're student and tutor… student and tutor…
She slumped over the desk, covering her face as though on the verge of tears.
If I flat-out rejected him…
Inner theater:
"Pathetic little bug, how dare you spurn my burning passion…?"
"How arrogant of you…"
NOOO!!!
He's being so serious with me—if I reject him, wouldn't that make me heartless? Cruel and cold?
But if I just accept it and go along with him…
Her head dropped low, her cheeks flushed to the roots of her ears. No. I can't. That would be too irresponsible—to both of us. I can't do that.
"Furuhashi…"
Suddenly, Shiro's voice called from beside her.
"Y-Yes! I'm here!"
She jumped up in surprise, blurting out before she realized. But when she turned her head, both Shiro and Ogata Rizu were staring at her. Her energy deflated instantly, and she hunched her shoulders like a scolded puppy. "…What is it?"
"Well… it's hard to explain in detail right now,"
Shiro studied her carefully, pausing as if weighing his words. His expression was uncharacteristically serious.
"But would you and Ogata be willing to stay at my place for the next few days?"