Meanwhile.
In an upscale coffee shop within Keyaki Mall.
Nagumo Miyabi was sitting all alone on a sofa seat in the corner.
The cup of once-rich black coffee on the table before him had long since gone stone-cold.
Nagumo Miyabi's mood at this moment could only be described as foul. Just a moment ago, his informant in the second year had sent him a piece of intel that nearly drove him to madness.
The message stated clearly that someone had seen Shikime Natsu and Asahina Nazuna walking side by side, and that the two of them had gone all the way into the second-year dormitory district.
If he'd come to the second-year dorms—and gone there together with Asahina Nazuna, no less—then whose dorm would Shikime Natsu be heading to? Did that even need guessing?
It had to be Asahina Nazuna's dorm!
No need to even think about it—it had to be that nauseating Shikime Natsu, shamelessly clinging to Asahina Nazuna all the way to her room. What an utterly shameless bastard—
Nagumo Miyabi's fingers gripped the handle of the coffee cup tightly, his knuckles turning pale from the excessive force.
If he had the choice.
Right now Nagumo Miyabi truly wished he could immediately wield the power of the Student Council and deal with Shikime Natsu just like those idiots—Yamauchi Haruki and the others—who'd been suspected of peeping, lumping him in with them and kicking him out of this school for good.
But Nagumo Miyabi knew full well in his heart that he had no way to do that.
And that was precisely what frustrated him the most.
After all, any way you looked at it, Asahina Nazuna had allowed Shikime Natsu into her dorm.
So long as it wasn't a malicious forced break-in into the girls' dormitory, and so long as no violent conflict in breach of school rules had occurred.
Then under the school's regulations, this counted as ordinary private interaction between students.
He had no legitimate grounds to interfere, nor any means to handle it as a violation.
Even though he was now the powerful Student Council Vice President of this school, even though he could command the wind and rain throughout the second year.
In a matter like this, he was utterly powerless.
Once again, Nagumo Miyabi felt this sense of helplessness with crystal clarity.
It seemed that every time he ran into something involving that bastard Shikime Natsu.
Nagumo Miyabi would discover that all the schemes and tactics he prided himself on simply stopped working; he could land virtually no substantive blow at all.
This feeling of hitting a wall at every turn, of being suppressed at every turn, made the ever-proud Nagumo Miyabi feel utterly miserable.
Nagumo Miyabi took a deep breath and released his grip on the coffee cup.
He took out his phone, swiped a few times across the screen, and found Asahina Nazuna's number.
Since he couldn't physically drive Shikime Natsu out of that room.
Then Nagumo Miyabi now intended to simply call Asahina Nazuna directly.
On the call, he would use his status as her childhood friend to seize the chance and thoroughly disgust that bastard Shikime Natsu.
He would, in the most blunt manner, forcibly shatter the intimate, ambiguous atmosphere of the two of them, Shikime Natsu and Asahina Nazuna, being alone together.
In Nagumo Miyabi's subconscious.
He, after all, was the one who had known Asahina Nazuna first—the two of them were childhood friends who had known each other since they were small.
But Nagumo Miyabi keenly sensed that, in Asahina Nazuna's eyes, her relationship with Shikime Natsu was already faintly trending toward surpassing his own standing as her childhood friend.
This feeling of a possession he'd always regarded as his to claim being stripped away bit by bit by someone else.
It made Nagumo Miyabi feel deeply uncomfortable.
The call went through.
He didn't have to wait long; the other end picked up quickly.
However, what came through the receiver was Asahina Nazuna's slightly impatient, coolly aloof tone.
"Hello? Did you need something from me, Miyabi?"
Asahina Nazuna asked from the other end of the line. Though she still addressed him by the habitual "Miyabi," her perfunctory attitude was already plain as day.
Upon hearing Asahina Nazuna's voice, so obviously laced with impatience.
Nagumo Miyabi's heart sank in an instant.
The hand holding his phone stiffened slightly.
Could it be that over a decade of childhood-friendship bonds counted for less in her heart than a Shikime Natsu she'd only known for a few months?
Even his calling just to show a little concern made her feel impatient, made her feel disturbed?
Feigning composure, he cleared his throat and, in a concerned tone, opened by asking Asahina Nazuna.
"I hear that Shiki guy seems to have run off to see you again?"
Nagumo Miyabi deliberately stressed the word "again" heavily.
Then, without giving Asahina Nazuna a chance to explain, he started rambling on of his own accord.
"Nazuna, I'm only doing this for your own good."
"That Shiki—he's a deep, scheming sort, definitely no simple, decent person."
Nagumo Miyabi slandered him mercilessly over the phone.
"He's getting close to you for some ulterior motive, no doubt. From now on, you'd best minimize your contact with him as much as you can, lest he deceive you."
But what Nagumo Miyabi had no idea of was that Asahina Nazuna had, just now, only barely defined her relationship with Shikime Natsu.
Hearing Nagumo Miyabi so bluntly slander her boyfriend over the phone.
Asahina Nazuna's voice turned cold by more than just a few degrees in an instant.
Her tone carried a few notes of anger she clearly couldn't suppress.
"My affairs are none of your concern, Miyabi."
Asahina Nazuna said coldly into the phone.
"And one more thing."
"Please, from now on, don't speak ill of Natsu-kun in front of me again."
"I clearly told you many times, a long while ago, not to badmouth him in front of me."
"And besides—I'm dating Natsu-kun now. He's my boyfriend."
Wait—her form of address had gone straight from "Shiki-kun, my junior" to "Natsu-kun," and also—had Asahina Nazuna just now said she was dating Shikime Natsu?
Nagumo Miyabi felt a deafening "buzz" go off in his head, his entire mind crashing into a frozen, locked-up state.
Holding his phone, he sat blankly on the coffee shop sofa.
In those first few seconds, he couldn't make sense at all of what Asahina Nazuna had just said to him.
How was this possible?!
Countless enormous question marks instantly sprang up over Nagumo Miyabi's head.
When had this happened? How could it be so sudden?!
How much time had even passed?
Asahina Nazuna and Shikime Natsu had known each other for—generously counting—not even a full year, surely?
Barely a single semester and a bit had gone by!
Just what kind of damnable, bewitching charm did that bastard Shikime Natsu possess?
Not only did he enjoy the favor of Kamuro Masumi and others in the first year.
Now, even Asahina Nazuna—who in the second year had always been curt and cold toward him—had been drawn over to the man, and had even openly admitted to dating him?
Nagumo Miyabi was so furious he was nearly going mad, wanting to flip the coffee table before him clean over.
When it came to looks, he was admittedly no match for Shikime Natsu—but within this school he ranked among the very top tier; and when it came to maneuvering, to power within the school, to personal charisma and leadership, Nagumo Miyabi was positively brimming with confidence.
And yet—why?
Why was it that Asahina Nazuna, of all people, just wouldn't take a liking to him, and instead chose that bastard he hated to the very bone?
Just as Nagumo Miyabi was clutching his phone tightly, his chest heaving violently, his mind still racing as he thought about what words to use next to salvage this dreadful situation.
"Beep—beep—beep—"
From the receiver, a burst of busy tone suddenly sounded.
On the other end, Asahina Nazuna hadn't left him any chance whatsoever to react or speak, decisively hanging up the call outright.
Listening to that merciless busy tone.
Nagumo Miyabi's eyes instantly filled with bloodshot streaks.
He really was about to lose his mind with rage!
The childhood friend he'd pursued for so long had, this very day, become someone else's girlfriend.
And the one who'd snatched her away was, of all people, that thoroughly detestable Shikime Natsu who opposed him at every turn!
Nagumo Miyabi slammed a fist hard onto the coffee table, the jolt sending the leftover coffee splashing out of the cup.
Inwardly he was wracked with frantic regret.
Had he known things would develop to this point today.
Back at the start of the term, when he'd first taken note of the existence of that dangerous fellow Shikime Natsu.
He should have moved to crush him at any cost, should have immediately severed every opportunity for contact between Shikime Natsu and Asahina Nazuna.
But now.
It was all too late—far, far too late.
The deed was done; what was made could not be unmade.
Especially at the thought of that bastard Shikime Natsu, even now sitting snug and secure in Asahina Nazuna's room.
A lone man and a lone woman together in one room, and having just established a romantic relationship besides.
What sorts of things might happen next.
Nagumo Miyabi didn't even dare to imagine it!
Gritting his teeth, Nagumo Miyabi jabbed rapidly at the screen, about to call Asahina Nazuna back again.
Even if it meant a quarrel, he was going to break up their being alone together right now.
But in the very instant he was about to press the dial button.
The phone screen suddenly flashed, an incoming-call display cutting his action short.
Someone was calling him right at this moment.
Seething with anger, Nagumo Miyabi dropped his gaze onto the caller's name.
When he saw the name clearly, his pupils contracted slightly.
Horikita Manabu.
The current Student Council President—and the very man he'd always wanted to surpass.
Why, of all times, did it have to be this worst possible moment?
This Horikita Manabu hadn't called earlier or later, but had to call right when he'd just been hung up on by Asahina Nazuna.
Nagumo Miyabi took a deep breath, forced down the rage in his heart all the same, and then pressed the answer button.
The call connected.
Horikita Manabu's cool, detached voice came through, with no superfluous pleasantries, getting straight to discussing with Nagumo Miyabi some important Student Council matters that needed handling in the near future.
Listening to the icy, work-related instructions from the other end of the line.
Nagumo Miyabi could only grind his teeth and swallow it all down, forced to shift his attention onto Horikita Manabu's words.
Meanwhile.
On the other side, in the second-year girls' dormitory.
After hanging up on Nagumo Miyabi, Asahina Nazuna casually tossed her phone back onto the nightstand.
She turned her head, looking toward Shikime Natsu, who sat across from her.
Shikime Natsu had naturally heard the contents of that phone call just now.
Looking at Asahina Nazuna, a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth, he opened with a teasing remark.
"It seems,"
"Vice President Nagumo really does have quite the grievance against me."
Hearing this joke from Shikime Natsu, spoken without any anger at all.
Asahina Nazuna let out a somewhat helpless sigh.
She scooted closer to Shikime Natsu's side, reached out, and gently took hold of his hand. "Natsu-kun."
Asahina Nazuna looked at him.
"Don't take Miyabi's words to heart."
"That's just how he is—always self-righteous, thinking everything has to go his way."
Having soothed Shikime Natsu.
Asahina Nazuna's face once again broke into that radiant smile that belonged to a girl in love.
She tossed all those unpleasant matters from a moment ago completely out of her mind.
"All right, enough about him."
Asahina Nazuna said to Shikime Natsu, her tone turning brisk and cheerful.
"Today is, after all, the anniversary of you and me, Natsu-kun, officially starting to date."
"To celebrate this special day."
She blinked, a mysterious gleam flickering in her eyes.
"I plan to give you a present."
So saying, Asahina Nazuna turned and pulled open the top drawer of the nightstand.
She rummaged around inside for a moment.
Then, when she turned back around, a small, delicate object had appeared in her palm.
It was a good-luck charm.
Unlike the slightly crude study omamori she'd given Shikime Natsu for the first time at the start of the term.
This new charm—whether in the cut of its fabric, the stitching along its edges, or the embroidered pattern upon it—was far more refined and lovely.
The stitches were fine and neat, with no stray threads anywhere.
Clearly, Asahina Nazuna had put in no small amount of effort in private practicing her handicraft.
Cupping the charm in both hands, Asahina Nazuna held it out before Shikime Natsu.
"I made this myself, stitch by stitch, with my own hands."
Asahina Nazuna looked at Shikime Natsu, her pair of violet eyes brimming with anticipation and bashfulness.
"There's a prayer slip tucked inside for safety and protection."
She told him in a soft voice.
"Please accept it. Keep it with you from now on, hold onto it carefully, and treasure it well, okay?"
Gazing at the handmade work before him, so full of a maiden's heartfelt feelings.
A trace of tenderness flickered in the depths of Shikime Natsu's eyes.
He nodded with a smile.
"Of course."
Shikime Natsu said to Asahina Nazuna.
Then he reached out and, with great solemnity, took the exquisite charm from her palm, carefully tucking it into the inner pocket of his uniform.
Seeing that Shikime Natsu had accepted her gift.
A delighted expression at once appeared on Asahina Nazuna's face.
That joy welling up from within made her whole person look all the more brilliantly captivating.
Then her violet eyes gazed unblinkingly at Shikime Natsu, her stare positively sparkling.
That look of her chin tilted slightly upward, words hovering on her lips yet held back.
As if she were brimming with expectation, waiting for something to happen.
Watching this adorable reaction of hers, her every thought written all over her face.
Shikime Natsu naturally understood what she was anticipating.
He let out a soft chuckle.
"Since Nazuna-neesan gave me such a thoughtfully prepared gift."
Shikime Natsu looked at her and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Then I, as her boyfriend, simply must give Nazuna-neesan a gift in return."
Hearing these words.
Asahina Nazuna's eyes grew brighter still, yet she looked around with some curiosity all the same.
Shikime Natsu had clearly been dragged over by her on the spur of the moment today; his hands were empty—apart from that phone, where would he have any gift to give?
Just as Asahina Nazuna was puzzling over this.
Shikime Natsu added a further remark.
"That said."
"Since today was rather sudden, I haven't prepared a ready-made gift in advance."
He looked at her, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening.
"So, as for this gift, I'll just go ahead and make it for Nazuna-neesan right here on the spot."
Hearing that Shikime Natsu actually intended to "make it on the spot."
Asahina Nazuna couldn't help but grow quite curious.
"Make it on the spot?"
She looked at him with wide eyes.
"Here? But there aren't any tools here at all."
Shikime Natsu rose to his feet.
"Just wait obediently for me here in the room, senpai."
He instructed Asahina Nazuna.
"I'll be back soon."
Though she had no idea what Shikime Natsu was scheming, since her boyfriend had said as much.
Asahina Nazuna nodded very obediently.
"Mm, I'll wait for you."
After that.
Shikime Natsu walked out of the room.
He took the elevator downstairs and headed straight for a large handicraft specialty store in Keyaki Mall.
In the store, drawing on the clear design in his mind, Shikime Natsu precisely selected some high-grade silk thread, fine satin fabric, as well as some exquisite stuffing and accessories.
Having bought all the materials.
He didn't dawdle, quickly returning by the same route to Asahina Nazuna's dorm.
He pushed open the door.
Asahina Nazuna was still sitting obediently on the bed; seeing the little bag he carried in his hand, the curiosity in her eyes grew even more pronounced.
Shikime Natsu walked over to the desk and sat down.
He laid out the materials he'd bought one by one on the desktop.
Then, under Asahina Nazuna's astonished gaze, Shikime Natsu began his crafting.
Threading the needle, drawing the thread, cutting, stitching.
Shikime Natsu's movements flowed like drifting clouds and running water, without the slightest trace of clumsiness.
His pair of long, handsome fingers darted among the threads and fabric, as if performing some art-laden display.
Time slipped by quietly in the silent room.
Asahina Nazuna didn't even dare breathe loudly, terrified of disturbing him.
Time trickled away second by second.
Shikime Natsu stopped the movements of his hands.
He snipped the last thread end, set the finished product in his palm to examine it, and after confirming there were no flaws whatsoever.
He turned and held the freshly finished charm out before Asahina Nazuna.
When she saw the charm's appearance clearly.
Asahina Nazuna couldn't help letting out a soft cry of delighted surprise.
It was likewise a good-luck charm.
But on the front of the charm, with his consummate embroidery skill, Shikime Natsu had used golden-yellow and orange-red silk thread to vividly embroider a sunflower in full bloom.
The sunflower's shape and color scheme were exactly like the sunflower hair ornament Asahina Nazuna wore on her head all year round.
Small, delicate, and rich with meaning.
It looked exceedingly, exceedingly lovely.
Asahina Nazuna carefully took the sunflower charm from his hand, cradling it in her palms, utterly unable to put it down.
She truly loved this gift far too much.
Not only was it the first gift her boyfriend had given her, it was something he'd made for her with his own hands, stitch by stitch.
This heartfelt sentiment was more precious than any expensive jewelry or accessory.
"Natsu-kun…"
Asahina Nazuna lifted her head, the rims of her eyes slightly red, and looked at him, deeply moved.
"Thank you. I really do love it."
Watching the girl, so moved she was on the verge of tears.
Shikime Natsu reached out and gently ruffled her head.
"As long as you like it."
He looked at her and said with a smile.
"Keep it with you from now on."
He returned to her, word for word, exactly what she had said to him earlier.
"And treasure it well, okay?"
Asahina Nazuna nodded vigorously, pressing the sunflower charm tightly against her chest.
"Mm!"
"I'll definitely treasure it well."
[Sunflower Charm: Brings good luck; effective for Asahina Nazuna only]
____
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