Part 12 — The Third Member and Ambitions to Rule the World (School)
(POV: Renji)
What are you waiting for? Let's get the keys now.
Rather than wait until tomorrow and make my day uneasy, I decided to drag Himeno back to the student council room during the second break.
In the air-conditioned room, Kagurazaka Serina looked at us with tired eyes. She twirled a silver key between her fingers.
"You guys are really enthusiastic," Serina quipped. "But remember the rules. A new club needs at least five registered members to be officially recognized and receive funding. Right now, there are only two of you. That's three short."
"Five?" I groaned. "Finding one friend is hard enough, let alone three."
Himeno sat casually on the guest sofa, smiling meaningfully. "Don't worry. I already have a candidate for the third member. She'll definitely want to join."
"Who?" I asked.
"Your childhood friend. Aina."
I was silent. "Aina?"
"Why? Isn't that the most efficient solution? She sticks to you like gum. If you go in, she'll definitely follow," Himeno explained logically.
"Are you sure?" I asked hesitantly, my brow furrowed. "I mean... taking Aina to a place where it's just the two of us... you know the situation, right?"
What I mean is: Don't you feel sorry for making Aina witness our 'fake intimacy' every day? It's torturing her soul.
But Himeno misunderstood. She looked at me with raised eyebrows, slightly offended.
"Why? Do you doubt my powers of persuasion? Or are you afraid Aina will spill our secrets?" Himeno snorted. "Don't worry. I can control her."
Serina tapped the table impatiently. "Never mind. You can sort out your domestic issues later. Here's the key. The room is in the Old Building on the second floor, the former Geography room. Clean it yourself."
Tring.
The key was thrown and landed smoothly in my hand.
"Thank you, Kaichou," I said.
I immediately handed the key to Himeno—since she was the boss—and turned around. "Okay. I'll go pick up Aina."
--
(POV: Aina)
The sky outside the window is clear, but my heart is cloudy with a thunderstorm.
I buried my face in the table. My lunch was untouched. My appetite had disappeared because of what I had seen that morning. Renji and Himeno... in one car... hugging...
I'm tired...
"Aina."
That voice.
I looked up quickly. Renji was standing at the classroom door. He looked a little out of breath. His face was serious. He walked straight to my desk, ignoring the whispers of my classmates (because of his current status as Himeno's boyfriend).
"What's up, Renji?" I asked softly, trying not to sound too hopeful.
Renji stared at me intently. "Come with me for a moment. I have something to discuss. It's important."
My heart is beating fast. Is it important?
My wild imagination immediately kicked in.
Could it be... Renji wants to take me to a secluded place?Does he want to tell me that his relationship with Himeno was just a lie?Or... does he want to do 'adult' things to make up for his guilt towards me? In an empty warehouse? Or on the roof?
My face flushed instantly. Imaginary steam came out of my ears.
"Wh-wh-what is that... indecent thing?" I stammered, my cheeks flushing red.
Renji frowned, confused. "Huh? Indecent? No. I just started a Literature Club. I want you to join."
Literary Club?
My imagination changed direction.
Literary Club... It meant a closed room. Silence. Only the sound of pages being turned. And... it was just me and Renji.
Being together every day after school. Reading love poems together. Exchanging glances behind our books.
My eyes immediately lit up. Flowers bloomed in the background of my vision. This was my chance! This was Renji's way of spending time with me without Himeno finding out!
"I want to! I'm coming!" I exclaimed enthusiastically, immediately standing up and grabbing Renji's hand. "Let's go now! Where is the room? Come on, Renji!"
Renji looked relieved. "Good, if you want to. Let's go."
We walked toward the Old Building. Along the way, I smiled broadly and even hummed a little tune. My mood had improved dramatically. Renji still cared about me! He had definitely created this club for me!
"This is the room," said Renji, stopping in front of an old wooden door whose paint was starting to peel.
Renji opened the door.
"Excuse me..." I said cheerfully, stepping in with one foot.
However, my smile froze in a nanosecond.
Inside the dusty room stood a girl with long black hair, standing with her hands on her hips in the middle of the room, as if she owned the building.
Karen Himeno.
"It took you long enough," Himeno complained when she saw us. "And why are you smiling like that, Aina?"
My world collapsed again. The flowers of my imagination withered and died instantly.
I turned stiffly toward Renji. "Renji... why is he here?"
"He's the vice president," Renji replied flatly, scratching his cheek.
My shoulders slumped. My enthusiasm evaporated. So this wasn't a "paradise for two" with Renji. It was a "spectator's hell" where I had to watch them date.
"I'm going home," I muttered, turning around. "I don't want to be the third wheel. You two are going to get all lovey-dovey, right? I don't want to see it."
"Wait!" Himeno exclaimed.
"What else? Showing off?" I snapped.
Himeno walked closer, her face serious. She stared at me intently.
"Listen, Aina. This club isn't a place for dating. It violates the sanctity of literacy," Himeno said in a strangely dramatic tone. She spread her arms wide.
"This Literature Club is just a cover! This is our headquarters!"
"Huh?" Renji and I stared blankly.
Himeno's eyes flashed strangely. She pointed to the ceiling of the room, which was covered in cobwebs.
"My goal isn't just to read books... My goal is to gather information, observe the students' movements, and ultimately... CONTROL THIS SCHOOL FROM THE SHADOWS!" he shouted enthusiastically.
Silence.
The wind blew gently through the open window, blowing dust around.
Himeno struck a cool pose, her hand covering half her face. "We'll be the invisible rulers who control the student council, the teachers, and the entire social hierarchy of this school! Fuhahaha!"
I looked at Himeno, then looked at Renji.
"Renji..." I whispered. "Your girlfriend... is she okay?"
Renji massaged his temples, looking very tired. He sighed deeply.
"Sorry, Aina," Renji whispered to me. "It seems like this 'Perfect Princess' has a case of Chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) that's come back late."
Renji looked at Himeno, who was still posing strangely, with pity. "She thinks life is an anime where she's the villain."
I blinked. Himeno Karen... the perfect girl... turns out she's a little crazy?
For some reason, my fear and insecurity lessened a little. Seeing this strange side of Himeno made her seem... more human. And a little funny.
"So..." I held back my laughter. "Our mission is to take over the school?"
"Exactly, Aina!" Himeno pointed at me. "You'll be my Spy! A spy who infiltrates the commoners!"
"Okay, okay, Queen of Darkness," I said with a giggle. "I'm in."
At least, if the activity is this strange, it seems like there won't be any romantic scenes that will make me jealous. Maybe this could be fun.
----
Part 13 — Secret Connections and Hands Held Too Long
(POV: Renji)
"The strategy meeting has begun!"
Himeno hit the dusty teacher's desk with a roll of paper, creating a small cloud of dust.
"We need two more pawns. Two souls we can use for our noble cause," Himeno said theatrically. "Any suggestions?"
Aina raised her hand enthusiastically, as if she were in kindergarten. "Me! I have a suggestion!"
"Go ahead, Agent Aina," Himeno pointed.
"How about we ask Yuuki-kun?" suggested Aina. "He's Renji's classmate, he's smart, and he knows me well too. Yuuki-kun will definitely want to help!"
I clapped my hands once. "Good idea, Aina. Yuuki is easygoing. He definitely won't mind lending his name to fill the quota."
Naturally, my hand moved to stroke the top of Aina's head.
Knock, knock.
"Very clever," I praised him.
Aina closed her eyes, enjoying my caress with a wide smile like a cat being petted. "Ehehe~"
Suddenly, the room temperature dropped ten degrees.
I turned my head stiffly. Himeno was staring at my right hand on Aina's head with a gaze as sharp as a razor. Her eyes seemed to say: "You're caressing another girl in front of your 'girlfriend'? You must have nine lives, huh?"
I quickly pulled my hand away. "Ahem. So, let's go find Yuuki."
Himeno snorted rudely, turning her face away. "Tsk. Typical easygoing man. All right, let's drag that beauty over here."
--
The three of us returned to my classroom. Yuuki was sitting casually at her desk, reading a fashion magazine.
"Hey, Yuuki," I called out. "We need your help. Join the Literature Club. We need a fifth member."
Yuuki closed her magazine, looking at the three of us in turn—me, Aina, and Himeno. She smiled meaningfully.
"Wow, that's an interesting offer," Yuuki replied casually. "But sorry, I'm busy. My schedule is packed."
"Come on, Yuuki! Just lend me your name!" Aina persuaded him.
"No way," Yuuki refused again, but then he stood up. "But... I know someone who really wants to join. In fact, he's already waiting for you guys."
I frowned. "Wait? We just created this club 30 minutes ago. Who would know about it so quickly?"
"Just come along," Yuuki said mysteriously.
We were led down a corridor, up to the third floor, and stopped in front of a familiar large door.
Student Council Room.
"Yuuki? Are you sure?" I whispered. "The Red Demon Queen is in there."
Yuuki just chuckled and opened the door without knocking.
Inside, Kagurazaka Serina was standing facing the window, with her back to us. Her back was straight, her red twintail hair swaying gently.
"They're here, Serina," Yuuki called out familiarly. Without the honorific 'Kaichou'. Without politeness.
Serina turned around stiffly. Her usually fierce face looked a little... nervous?
"Y-you guys..." Serina cleared her throat loudly. "Ahem! I heard you guys are short on members."
"Wait a minute," Himeno interrupted, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Yuuki and Serina alternately. "You two know each other? You seem very close?"
Yuuki put his arm around Serina's stiff shoulder. Serina didn't push him away, something impossible for an ordinary person to do.
"We're childhood friends," Yuuki explained casually. "Our houses are next door to each other. I've known his true nature since he was a little kid."
"YUUKI! Watch your mouth!" Serina snapped, her face flushing red. She elbowed Yuuki hard in the stomach.
Yuuki grimaced but kept smiling. He leaned slightly toward Serina's ear, whispering softly, but I could still see his lips moving.
"This is your chance. He needs members. Join, and you can see him every day."
Serina gasped. Her face turned red, like a boiled crab. She glanced at me shyly, which didn't match her fierce image at all.
"So!" Serina stared at me sharply, trying to return to bossy mode. "Because I feel sorry for your pathetic club that's going to be disbanded due to lack of members... I-I'm willing to join! As a supervisor! Yes, that's right! As a supervisor of the student council!"
My eyes lit up. A savior!
"Is that true, Kaichou?!" I stepped forward, grabbing Serina's right hand with both of my hands.
I shook her hand enthusiastically. "Thank you so much! You saved my life! With the student council president on our side, our club will definitely be safe! Thank you, Serina-senpai!"
Serina's hand felt small and cold in mine.
"Eh? Ah... th-that..." Serina stammered. Her eyes stared at our joined hands. The redness in her face now spread to her ears. Imaginary smoke began to pour out of her head.
"N-no need to overreact! I-it's just a job! Let go, you idiot!"
Serina pulled her hand away roughly, turning her face away while shaking her twintail hair.
"Hmph! Don't think I'm doing this because I like you or anything! Don't get excited!"
Classic tsundere, I thought to myself. But I was too happy to care.
"Well then, Yuuki! You're number five!" I said to Yuuki. "That's perfect!"
Yuuki shook her head quickly. "Ah, sorry. I suddenly have a stomachache. I have to go to the infirmary. Bye~"
Yuuki waved goodbye and ran off, leaving the four of us behind.
"How strange..." I muttered.
I looked back at Serina and smiled. "Please help me, Senpai."
Serina glanced at me shyly, her eyes glistening with a strange sparkle. That look... was it a look of love?
"Yes..." she whispered softly.
"That's disgusting!"
A very loud, fake cough broke the moment. Aina stepped forward, separating the distance between me and Serina. Aina's face was scowling as much as possible.
"Enough holding my hand! It's taking too long!" protested Aina, glaring at Serina. "Renji, your hands will get sweaty."
"Huh? Sorry," I scratched my head.
Now there are four of us. Me, Himeno, Aina, and Serina. Still one short.
"Let's find another one!" says Himeno.
---
One hour later.
The four of us walked slowly down the corridor. The result: Big Zero.
Every time I invited other students, they were enthusiastic. But as soon as they saw Serina standing behind me with a fierce look on her face (even though she was just nervous), they immediately ran away in fear.
"Please forgive me, President! I didn't break the rules!""Don't punish me!"
Serina's "Red Queen" aura was too strong. No one dared to be in the same room with her.
"It didn't work," I complained as we returned to the dusty club room. "Everyone is afraid of you, Senpai."
Serina looked down sadly. "I'm sorry... this is what my face looks like..."
"Never mind," Himeno sat on the table, folding her legs. "That's enough for today. Tomorrow is a national holiday, right? We can't recruit members at school."
I thought for a moment. "In that case... how about we meet tomorrow at City Park? We need to have a strategy meeting outside of school so we can think more clearly. We can also bond with the new members."
Aina immediately perked up. "A trip?! I'm in!"
Serina gasped in surprise. "A group date?! I mean... an outside meeting? I... I'll try to come! If I'm not busy!"
Himeno looked at me, a faint smile on her lips.
"Your brain's working today, Renji," Himeno praised, though her tone remained haughty. "Good idea. City Park, 10 a.m. Don't be late."
"All right," I nodded.
I felt relieved. At least the search for members could be postponed.
But I didn't realize it. Gathering Aina (my possessive childhood friend), Himeno (my dominant fake girlfriend), and Serina (the tsundere student council president who is secretly in love with me) in one place on a holiday...
That's like assembling a time bomb and pressing the start button.
---
Part 14 — Nicknames, Black Dragon, and Perfect Ippon
(POV: Renji)
A bright Sunday morning. The perfect time to sleep in. Unfortunately, I had plans with the three most troublesome girls in school.
I stopped by Aina's house first. "Sorry, Renji-kun," said Aina's mother at the door, carrying a laundry basket. "Aina is helping me hang the blankets out to dry in the back. She said you should go ahead, she'll run over later."
"All right, Auntie."
I walked alone to the City Park. The spring breeze felt cool. I arrived ten minutes earlier than the 10 o'clock appointment. I thought I was the first one there, but I was wrong.
Near the fountain sat a red-haired girl.
She wasn't wearing her stiff school uniform. She wore a cream-colored knee-length skirt and a white blouse with a maroon cardigan. Her twintail hair was tied a little lower today, giving her a more mature and feminine look.
Kagurazaka Serina.
She looks... cute. So cute that I have to rub my eyes.
"G-good morning, Senpai," I said awkwardly as I approached.
Serina gasped in surprise. The book she was reading almost fell. "I-Itsuki! You came too soon!"
"You too, Senpai. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Serina turned her face away, her cheeks slightly flushed. "And... stop calling me 'Senpai'. We're outside of school. It feels so awkward."
"Oh, that's right. In that case... Kagurazaka-san?"
Serina frowned. She played with the edge of her cardigan, her eyes staring at her flat shoes.
"Just call me... Serina," she whispered softly, almost inaudible above the sound of the fountain. "Yuuki calls me that. So... you can too."
My heart beat a little faster. Calling the student council president by his first name? That's a serious offense at school. But here...
"All right. Serina... right?"
"Hey there~ Flirting already this early in the morning?"
"Serin-chan looks so pretty today!"
Two familiar voices appeared right behind us.
Serina and I jumped in surprise. Aina and Himeno stood there grinning. Himeno looked fashionable in an elegant black dress, while Aina wore a bright yellow hoodie and sporty jeans shorts.
"Were you eavesdropping?!" protested Serina, her face flushing red.
"We just got here, Red Queen," Himeno teased casually. "But, 'Serina'? May I call you Rina-san? It sounds cuter."
Aina immediately hugged Serina's arm without fear. "I'll call you Serin-chan! Serin-chan is so cute when she's embarrassed!"
"LET GO! DON'T CALL ME BY THAT WEIRD NAME!" Serina struggled, but didn't really resist Aina's embrace.
I smiled slightly when I saw them. It's good that they get along.
---
We moved to an open cafe on the edge of the park. We ordered drinks and began our "meeting."
"So," Himeno stirred her iced Americano. "We need one more member. But before that, we have to strengthen the chemistry of the core members."
Himeno looked at me with a mischievous smile.
"By the way, Renji. I hear you have great potential to lead this 'World Domination Club'. Considering you have experience as... The Dark Flame Master in junior high school?"
Pfft!
I spit out my Lemon Tea. Luckily, it didn't hit anyone.
My face turned pale. My blood ran cold. It was my dark past. My biggest secret, buried deep inside.
"H-how did you know that name?!" I shouted in horror. "That... that was just a phase! A stupid phase in 8th grade! I've repented!"
Himeno chuckled, pointing at Aina with her chin.
I stiffly turned my head toward Aina. The girl was devouring a strawberry parfait.
"Aina..." I growled.
Aina stopped eating, then stuck out her tongue while gently hitting her own head.
"Tehe~" she said without guilt. "Sorry Renji, I slipped up. Himeno-san asked what the most interesting thing about you was. So I told her about the bandage on your right hand that supposedly seals the Black Dragon."
"AAAAAAA! STOP IT!" I covered my ears, wanting to sink into the ground.
"Black Dragon?" Serina looked at me with a mixture of disgust and amazement. "You... that kind of guy?"
"That's in the past, Serina! The past!" I said frantically.
"Hmm..." Himeno smiled smugly. "It turns out Dog-kun has a wild side. No wonder you're perfect as my slave."
The table was filled with laughter—laughing at me. Serina, though initially shocked, ended up chuckling at my frustrated reaction. But then, her laughter stopped. Her face was red from laughing too much, and the increasingly crowded cafe made her uncomfortable.
"I... I want to get some fresh air," Serina said as she stood up. "It's too noisy here."
He walked out of the cafe area, heading for a somewhat secluded park bench under a tree.
"Leave him be," Himeno said. "He seems like the type who gets easily overwhelmed when socializing."
The three of us watched Serina from the cafe window. But soon after, three scruffy-looking men—local thugs with dyed hair and leather jackets—approached Serina.
Serina seemed to back away, shaking her head. But the thugs just laughed and cornered her even more.
"This is serious," Aina muttered.
Without thinking twice, I stood up. My chair squeaked loudly.
"Renji?" Himeno called out.
I didn't answer. My feet moved on their own. Never mind that I was weak. Never mind that I was just a bookworm. Serina was in danger.
I ran out of the cafe.
"Hey! Get away from her!" I yelled, trying to sound manly, even though my voice cracked a little.
The three thugs turned their heads. Serina stared at me with wide eyes. "R-Renji?"
"Huh? Who are you, kid?" asked one of the thugs, who was twice my size.
I stood in front of Serina, stretching out my arms to protect her. My knees were shaking violently.
"He... he's with me," I said, swallowing hard. "Go away, or I'll call the police."
The thug laughed contemptuously. "The police? Just call your mother too!"
Bugh!
Without warning, a fist flew straight to my left cheek.
I was thrown to the ground. It hurt! It felt like my jaw was going to come off. The world was spinning. I tasted iron in my mouth—blood.
"RENJI!" Serina shouted in panic. She knelt beside me. "Are you okay?!"
"Ouch..." I grimaced, holding my throbbing cheek. "It turns out... it hurts when you get hit..."
The thug came forward again, ready to kick me. "You're weak. Pretending to be a hero."
I closed my eyes, ready to accept the next wave of pain. Sorry, Serina, your hero is useless.
Suddenly, a yellow shadow shot past us.
"DON'T TOUCH MY RENJI!!!"
Whoosh! Brakk!
I opened my eyes. The scene before me was truly unbelievable.
The big thug who had just hit me was now lying on the asphalt, moaning in pain. Standing over him was Aina, in a sturdy horse stance. Her breath was heavy, her eyes burning with anger.
"Wh-what?!" The other two thugs were shocked. "This girl?!"
They tried to attack Aina together.
Aina didn't back down. She grabbed the first thug's arm, twisted her body, and used her hips as leverage.
"SEI-NAGE!" (Shoulder Throw)
Damn!
The thug slammed hard onto the ground.
The last thug tried to strike, but Aina parried with a quick block, then swept his legs.
"OSOTO-GARI!" (Outside Sweep)
BAM!
In a matter of seconds, the three thugs were knocked down. Aina stood up straight, smoothing her slightly messy bangs.
"Leave... or I'll break your hands," Aina threatened coldly, a murderous aura emanating from her small body.
The thugs immediately got up and ran away. "Monster! That girl is a monster!"
Silence.
Himeno (who had just come out of the cafe), Serina, and I stared at Aina with our mouths agape.
Aina turned around. Her fierce expression vanished instantly, replaced by a panicked face that was almost crying.
"Renji! Renji! You're bleeding!"
Aina immediately knelt down, cupping my face with both hands. Her eyes were teary. "I'm sorry I'm late! Does it hurt? Where does it hurt? Let's go to the hospital now!"
"I-I'm fine, Aina," I said, still amazed. "Since when... have you been good at Judo?"
"Huh?" Aina blinked. "I was in the judo club from elementary school through ninth grade. Did you forget? I quit in high school because I wanted to be a feminine girl..."
Ah, that's right. I forgot because Aina always acts spoiled and careless. It turns out that behind her clingy nature, she is a deadly weapon.
We moved to sit on a park bench. Aina carefully applied a band-aid (which for some reason she always carried with her) to my cheek.
"Sorry, Serina," I said with a grimace. "I meant to protect you, but I ended up getting beaten up instead."
Serina sat next to me, clutching her skirt. Her face was bright red, but her eyes looked at me gently.
"N-no..." Serina muttered. "You... you protected me. Even though you knew you couldn't win, you still went forward. That... that..."
Serina took a deep breath, then quickly looked down.
That's so cool, you idiot! T-thank you!
I laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my head. "Hahaha... thank goodness for that. At least there's Aina the Bodyguard."
"Hmm!" Aina puffed out her chest proudly, but her hand still gripped the hem of my shirt tightly, as if afraid I would be hit again.
On the other hand, Himeno folded her arms across her chest, smiling amusedly at the three of us.
"One late hero, one softened tsundere, and one monster girl," Himeno commented. "This Literature Club is really promising."
---
Part 15 — Delusions in the Dark and a Landing That Was Too Soft
(POV: Renji)
"All right, classes 2-A and 2-B! Since the teacher is feeling unwell, today the classes will be combined!"
The substitute teacher's shouts echoed through the gym. The sun was beating down fiercely that afternoon, causing sweat to pour down even though we were just warming up.
Unfortunately, luck is not on my side today.
"Itsuki! Aina! You two are closest to the door. Take these volleyballs back to the equipment storage room in the back!" the teacher ordered, pointing to the pile of balls.
"Okay, sir..." I replied weakly.
I lifted one side of the ball basket, and Aina lifted the other. We walked out of the hustle and bustle of the field toward the equipment storage room located in a remote corner of the sports building.
"It's so hot, Renji..." Aina complained as she fanned herself with her sports shirt. Her slender neck was sweaty, causing several strands of hair to stick to her skin.
"Hold on a second. The warehouse is right there," I replied.
We arrived at an old iron door with peeling paint. I pushed the door open.
Krieeet.
A cold breeze and a musty smell immediately greeted us. The warehouse was pitch black because the lights had burned out last week and had not yet been replaced. Only a little light from the door illuminated the front.
"It's so dark..." Aina whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She immediately pressed her body close to my arm. "Renji... don't go far, okay?"
"We're just putting the ball in, Aina. We're not going into the haunted house," I said as I stepped inside.
We put the ball basket in the corner of the room. My job was done. I turned to leave.
However, I noticed something strange. Aina wasn't moving. She stood frozen in the darkness, her face bowed, her breathing sounding... heavy?
"Aina? Come on out," I called.
He didn't answer. His dim face looked very red. His eyes were tightly closed, and his lips were moving.
"Aina?"
--
(POV: Aina — Delusi Mode: ON)
Dark. Cramped. Hot. It was just me and Renji.
My brain overheated from exercising and immediately short-circuited. This atmosphere... this is the perfect setting for a scene in the adult shoujo manga I read last night, right?!
In my head, the scenario was spinning wildly:
Renji suddenly kicked the warehouse door shut. BAM!
He walked towards me with a wild look I had never seen before. He pushed my shoulder so hard that my back hit the cold wall. KABEDON!
"Aina..." Renji whispered in a hoarse baritone, his hot breath brushing against my ear. "I can't take it anymore. You look too cute today in those short sweatpants..."
"R-Renji... don't... we're at school..." I moaned in the shadows.
"I don't care," Renji grabbed both my wrists, holding them above my head. He pressed his sweaty body against mine. His other hand began to creep mischievously, sliding under my sports shirt, touching my stomach, then moving upward... squeezing gently...
Aaahn~ Renji...
Be mine, Aina. Right now.
And then his lips crushed mine fiercely—
"WOI! Aina!"
"WHAT?! YES, I WANT TO!" I shouted in surprise, my eyes wide open.
Renji stood in front of me with a confused and horrified look on his face. "What's wrong? Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"
"Huh? N-no!" I covered my face with both hands. "Forget it! Let's get out of here! Quickly, before I explode!"
I pushed Renji's back in panic. My heart felt like it was going to burst. "You pervert, Aina! What were you thinking?!"
--
(POV: Renji)
Aina was acting strange again. But never mind, the important thing was that we got out of there.
I grabbed the doorknob and turned it.
Crack. Crack.
Doesn't want to spin.
I tried to push him. He didn't budge.
"Eh?"
"Why Renji?" Aina asked anxiously.
"The door... is locked from the outside," I said, trying to remain calm even though cold sweat was starting to form.
"WHAT?!" Aina immediately panicked. She rushed to the door and pounded on it. "HELP! OPEN UP! THERE ARE PEOPLE INSIDE! WE'RE TRAPPED! ANYONE!"
Silence. No answer. Classes were in session, and this warehouse was located behind the building, far from the main field. Our voices would not be heard.
"Damn. The outer lock must have fallen off because it was old," I analyzed. I looked around the dimly lit room. My eyes caught sight of a small ventilation window at the top of the wall, about 3 meters above the ground.
"Aina, look at that. The window is slightly open. If I could climb up there, I could shout to call someone outside."
"B-but that's really high, Renji!"
There's a pile of old vaulting boxes over there. I can climb on them.
I stacked several old wooden crates to make an emergency ladder. The construction was a bit shaky, but it was high enough.
"Hold the bottom part so it doesn't fall," I instructed.
"O-okay! Be careful, Renji!" Aina hugged the bottom wooden crate tightly.
I started climbing. One level. Two levels. Three levels.
My hand managed to reach the window bars. "Good! Just a little more..."
Crack!
The rotten wooden crate couldn't support my weight. Suddenly, my footing broke.
"RENJI!"
The law of gravity took effect. My body slid down. I didn't have time to grab onto anything.
I fell on top of Aina, who was right below me.
BRUK!
My world went dark for a moment.
When I regained consciousness, I realized my position was very... strange.
I pinned Aina's body to the mattress. My legs were caught between hers. My face was buried in the curve of her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her sweat.
And my hands... both of my palms landed on something very soft.
Not a mattress. Not the floor.
This thing is soft, springy, and... elastic? Reflexively, my fingers squeezed it gently to confirm what I was holding.
Puk. Puk. (Sound of squeezing)
"Huh? Why does it look like a steamed bun?" I muttered innocently.
"Hey~"
A small sigh escaped from Aina's mouth.
I lifted my face. My eyes widened when I saw where my hands were.
Right above Aina's chest. Above her tight sports shirt. A fairly large size... C-cup, if my guess is correct.
Aina's face was bright red, as red as a ripe tomato. Her eyes were teary, staring at me with an expression that was difficult to interpret—surprised, embarrassed, but... she wasn't angry? She wasn't going to slap me?
"R-Renji..." she whispered softly, her breath quickening. "Your hand..."
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I swear!" I panicked, trying to pull my hand away.
CKLEK!
Suddenly, the warehouse door swung open. The blinding sunlight flooded the room, exposing our position clearly.
At the doorway stood a red-haired girl wearing an OSIS armband.
Kagurazaka Serina.
He had the spare key to the storage room. His intention was probably to check the club's inventory. But what he saw was: me on top of Aina on the floor, both hands squeezing her chest.
Time stands still.
Serina's eyes widened. Her pupils shrank. Her face slowly changed from shock to bright red with anger.
"I-Itsuki..." her voice trembled with emotion. A black aura began to emanate from her body.
"S-Serina! Wait! This is an accident! I fell and—"
"AT SCHOOL?! IN THE STORAGE ROOM?! IN BROAD DAYLIGHT?!" Serina screamed. "YOU PERVERT!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GOOD MAN! BUT YOU'RE JUST A BEAST WHO LIKES TO PREY ON INNOCENT GIRLS!"
Serina slammed the warehouse door so hard that the walls shook.
"Just die!"
Aina beneath me closed her eyes tightly, resigned. And I... I knew my life had just entered Hard Game mode.