『』『』『』『』『』
Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring...
It was 6:30 in the morning.
『Mm... 』
A groggy sound escaped from Kumagawa's lips as the relentless ringing of his phone filled his bedroom. He lazily rolled over, still half-buried in his sheets, and squinted at the bright screen with one barely open eye.
『...Ugh, what kind of cruel person calls someone at this hour...? 』
He tapped the answer button without even checking the caller ID.
『...Hello? 』
"—It's me, Kumagawa."
『Manabu-senpai? Did you really call me in the morning? Have you somehow developed a new way to harass your precious underclassmen? 』
"—What are you saying?"
『...It's nothing. So, what is it? Did you need something from me?』
Judging that it would be pointless to toy around with the student council president who was already notorious for his no-nonsense, rigid personality, Kumagawa decided to skip his usual habit. If it had been Kushida, he would've toyed with the conversation a little longer.
But Horikita Manabu was no fun.
This student council president really wasn't any fun.
Unlike a certain student council president from his memory.
"—Do you have free time right now?"
『I'm not going. 』
"—...What?"
『I said, I'm not going. 』
"—...I haven't even said anything yet."
『What are you saying, Manabu-senpai? The moment you called me this early, it was already obvious. You need my help with something, right? Maybe you're short on hands, maybe there's just too much work. Either way, since you called me before the sun properly came up, it must be urgent.』
Kumagawa paused with a dramatic sigh, as if bearing the weight of great responsibility.
『But still... it's morning, you know? If I leave now, what'll happen to my peaceful plans and my sacred rest? I can't just throw those away. That said, since you went out of your way to call, I'll at least hear you out. So, come on, what is it?』
"—..."
For Horikita Manabu, dealing with Kumagawa Misogi was nothing short of exhausting. In his three years at this school—no, perhaps in his entire life, this was the first time he had ever met someone he could genuinely call thoroughly annoying.
But still....
It was a strange, almost unnatural sensation.
Manabu wasn't the type to be easily irritated. He had always been rational, calm, and collected. But whenever it came to Kumagawa, it felt like something unpleasant was being forcefully stirred up from within. Something dark.
A nauseating feeling, really.
"—...That's right. I need a helping hand right now."
Manabu used his usual tone of voice, the tone of voice of the student council president. But he was definitely holding back his urge to lash out at Kumagawa. Thankfully, he managed to restrain his anger. It wouldn't do any good to lash out at Kumagawa, since it would be a waste to get all violent with him.
It would just be too much of a waste of effort.
"—Tomorrow's the last day of summer vacation, and the school staff is short on hands."
『Oh? And what does that have to do with us? Don't tell me the school's roping in the student council as unpaid labor? 』
"—You catch on quick."
Despite his annoying attitude, Manabu could give him credit for his quick thinking... though usually, he was kind of slow on the uptake. How could someone be so keen and slow at the same time? Manabu genuinely wondered about the "thing" called Kumagawa Misogi.
"—They're especially short-handed at the pool. Normally it's reserved for the swim club, but that restriction was lifted for the final three days of summer break. So, the school asked the student council to help out, considering the size of the facility."
That pool was even bigger than the one students usually used during swimming class. For the last three days of summer vacation, it had been opened for general student use. When a huge crowd flooded the pool on the first day, the school had to impose additional restrictions. Students were only allowed to use the pool once during those three days.
But even with that additional restriction, it didn't hinder the students' enthusiasm. Considering it was a particularly hot summer, not just the first, but even the second day had been packed, more so than the first. As a result, the final day was expected to be even busier.
Because of that, the school staff became overwhelmed by the sudden influx of students, and so, they asked the student council for help.
『I see, so that's the situation. I understand it now. But still, why me specifically? I am a student council member, sure—but I haven't even been officially announced yet. Metaphorically speaking, I'm basically just a placeholder.』
"—It can't be helped, the other members already took shifts on the first and second days. They've fulfilled their part, and now they're enjoying what's left of their vacation."
Most of the student council members had already contributed, so it was safe to assume many of them were planning to spend their day at the pool today. And while Manabu could technically use his authority to force them to work again, considering how intense the previous days had been, especially with the overwhelming number of students, it would've been too cruel to ask for them to work again.
『Hahaha, I see, I see. So I'm the one being used now. Well, honestly, I'm used to being taken advantage of like this, so it'd be a lie if I said I didn't see it coming.』
"—Don't worry. You only need to work until midday. The pool opens at nine, so it'll just be three hours of work. After that, you're free to spend the rest of your day however you like. Tachibana will be there too, so you won't be alone."
『Hmm. Is that so. But even if you give me such a depressing explanation, it wouldn't change my mind one bit, you know? Even if you promised I'd get to peek at Tachibana-senpai's panties, I still wouldn't change my mind in the slightest. 』
"—..."
Manabu truly didn't expect Kumagawa to just say yes when asked for help, even though it was technically his duty as a student council member. In fact, he had expected him to say something along those lines. But hearing it directly still managed to irritate him.
Because of that, Manabu began to think that maybe he really should've just let him go. That it wasn't too late to leave him be. But at the same time, he realized, or rather, remembered the exhaustion he'd felt after helping around the pool. Even if the work wasn't particularly difficult, managing the sudden influx of students during summer vacation had naturally drained a lot of his stamina and motivation.
And imagining Kumagawa lazing around in his room while everyone else worked, that was something he personally simply couldn't accept.
If he was going to let him off the hook, then it would only be after he worked him to the bone.
"—...Oh right, speaking of Tachibana, that reminds me. I believe she mentioned something about how you destroyed the student council office door."
『.... I don't know what you're talking about. 』
"—Don't lie."
『Hahaha... President, your life's going to feel pretty empty if you spend it nitpicking other people's innocent mistakes, you know. 』
"—Tachibana didn't describe it as innocent."
It was true that he'd acted rather innocently throughout the whole ordeal, at least according to Tachibana. But the claim that he was innocent was something Tachibana herself vehemently denied. After all, there's a big difference between acting innocent and being innocent.
So, by all rights, Kumagawa really was guilty.
『...Tsk. Fine. You win. You can order me around all you like and make me do all the work!』
In the end, Kumagawa Misogi changed his mind just as quickly.
He really was someone with no principles to stand on.
『』『』『』『』『』
After being told by Manabu to help out at the pool as a temporary staff member, Kumagawa decided to head to the pool and do as he was told.
He arrived at the pool roughly 30 minutes later. It was already 7 o'clock.
Although the pool wasn't exactly far from the dorms, it wasn't that close either. Normally, it would only take about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. But Kumagawa, as expected, took his time.
『Hmm.... 』
It also didn't help that he felt like he was forgetting something important.
Because of that, Kumagawa spent the entire walk deep in thought, spending the entire time trying to remember what it was he'd forgotten, which naturally turned his walk into a full 30-minute stroll. But after a while, he decided it probably wasn't that important anyway, after all, if he couldn't remember it, then it couldn't be that important.
And just like that, Kumagawa arrived at the pool.
When he stepped in, several staff members were already at work. Some were setting up equipment, like flotation rings and water safety tools while others were arranging the entry line system, preparing for the incoming flood of students.
The expression on their faces was a natural mix of dread and resignation.
They knew full well what kind of crowd they were going to face today. The previous two days had already worn them down, and now the final day promised to be the busiest yet. Still, despite the gloom, there was some relief mixed in, because at the very least, this was the last day. Even if, by the end of it, they would be completely and utterly exhausted.
"You're late."
Horikita Manabu, who had arrived at the pool ahead of time, naturally approached him. He wore a hat and a plain white T-shirt that didn't do much to conceal his toned physique.
"...I called you around thirty minutes ago."
『And I started walking directly right after. Isn't that enough dedication for a student council vice president who hasn't even been officially appointed yet?』
"I don't remember appointing someone who strolls in half an hour late and expects praise, considering the dorms are only a ten to fifteen-minute walk from here."
『That's absurd, Manabu-senpai. There's no way I could cover that distance in fifteen minutes with all my heart. That's like saying I could go all out in a fight against a bunch of highschool girls as enemies, right? 』
"...So, it's just a matter of motivation, is that what you're saying?"
『... 』
Manabu let out a quiet sigh.
Seeing that Kumagawa was at least physically present, he decided to move on to the task at hand.
"Anyway, go change into something lighter. There's some equipment that needs lifting and setting up before the pool opens."
『Understood, I'll go and change. 』
Saying that, Kumagawa turned on his legs and walked off toward the locker room.
After a short while, he returned, now wearing another plain white T-shirt and dark blue shorts. He slowly made his way toward the other side of the pool, where Manabu was waiting with his arms crossed.
In front of Manabu were several boxes neatly stacked beside a low equipment rack. Most of them were filled with basic items needed to prepare the are before it opened to the rest of the student body. A few boxes were marked with labels from the swim club, suggesting they'd borrowed some of the materials for this short open-use period.
"Start by carrying those to the north side. We're setting up the barrier line over there first," Manabu instructed, pointing toward the end of the pool.
Without as much of a word of complaint, Kumagawa bent down and picked up one of the heavier boxes, carrying it with a surprising ease.
Manabu, meanwhile, didn't just stand around giving orders, he moved while carrying the remaining gear, checking the condition of the equipment, and occasionally giving short instructions to other staff members as they passed by.
Considering his position as the student council president, a role respected even by the teachers and staff, the others followed his directions without question.
As a president, he really was efficient whether he was doing an official or unofficial works.
After completing several tasks, the two of them gathered the remaining spare items and brought them over to the nearby staff room. It was standard procedure to keep spares on hand in case something needed to be fixed or replaced during the day.
"Just leave them over there," Manabu said, gesturing toward the corner of the room.
Manabu then glanced at his watch—it was 8:12 AM.
They had been working for around 40 minutes. The pool wouldn't open until 9:00, which meant they still had a solid 45 minutes to spare.
"...Have you had breakfast yet?"
『Nope. I left my room without eating anything. 』
"I thought as much," Manabu said, turning toward the exit. "There should be a food stall open by now. Come. Let's grab something before the work actually begins."
『Ahaha, for someone who practically dragged me here with blackmail, you're surprisingly considerate toward your underclassmen. I don't like it, but I don't particularly hate it either. 』
"...Your opinion is always welcome, no matter how unnecessary it may be. Still, I suppose it's better than hearing you complain all the time."
『Hahaha, it's beautiful to see people like us get along so well~』
Without acknowledging the absurdity of that statement, Manabu simply walked ahead, and Kumagawa followed behind him with his usual smile.
The two of them made their way to the outer edge of the pool facility, where a small row of temporary food stalls had been set up for the last three days of summer vacation. Since the pool had been opened for general student use, the school allowed a few vendors to operate within the grounds—mainly selling quick, easy meals like sandwiches, onigiri, yakisoba, and cold drinks.
Despite it being early in the morning, a few stalls were already open, with the smell of warm food mixing in the summer air.
The two of them decided to eat Yakisoba in the morning. The vendor then quickly handed over two steaming portions in disposable trays.
They moved to a quiet corner where a few benches had been set up nearby. Kumagawa sat on a nearby bench, while Manabu chose the seat directly across from him, maintaining his usual upright posture.
"Kumagawa, there's something I want to ask you."
『Hmm? What is it? 』
"Are you close with Ichinose from Class B?"
『Ichinose-chan? What about her?』
Manabu didn't immediately answer. He took a moment to finish chewing, then looked up.
"She's been recruited into the student council. Nagumo was the one who backed her. She'll be officially appointed after the summer break ends."
『He~e. That's great news, isn't it? I guess I should congratulate her. What do you think, Manabu-senpai? What kind of gift is popular with highschool girls these days? 』
"You don't seem surprised. Did you know about this already?"
『No way, no way, something like that is impossible. For someone with no social skills to have access to that kind of news is just impossible. That's really impossible. 』
"...You don't need to say it three times."
Manabu frowned slightly, but didn't press further.
『But you really seem troubled by Ichinose-chan joining the student council. Is that really such a problem? Or do you just dislike Ichinose-chan as a human being? 』
As a human being, huh....
The person sitting in front of Manabu clearly had no filter when it came to discussing people.
"Well... I won't deny it's troublesome. But it's not a matter of whether I like or dislike her. The issue is that Nagumo is the one backing her."
『Ah! I see, I see. So, what you mean is, because Ichinose is a pretty influential first-year, and Nagumo has already moved to secure her early, you're afraid his influence will spread even further into the first-year groups? And to make things worse, when he becomes the next student council president with that whole radical meritocracy ideology of his, you're worried he'll tighten his grip not only on his own year, but ours as well. Is that what you're afraid of, Manabu-senpai? 』Kumagawa said it all in one breath.
"..."
Manabu stayed quiet for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"...That's a very crude way to phrase it, but yes. That's the core of it."
It was a blunt summary, but not incorrect. If things kept progressing like this, there was a real chance Nagumo would have the first-years under his thumb by the time he formally took over.
『But still, you seem unusually focused on Ichinose-chan. Did something happen between you two? A relationship, maybe? 』
"...It's not a relationship."
Manabu exhaled, as if the question itself was tiring.
"Back in May, Ichinose submitted an application to join the student council, and I turned it down."
『Hmm? Even though she's such a good and naïve girl? 』
"I rejected her precisely because of that. I feared that her good nature made her vulnerable to being influenced by Nagumo."
He had made the judgment early on—to keep the most prominent first-year away from Nagumo's reach. But in the end, Nagumo had simply gone around him and recruited her in secret. His effort had completely backfired.
『Then, what are you going to do about Ichinose-chan? Are you going to kick her out of the student council, perhaps?』
"Unfortunately, that can't be done." Manabu said in a rather serious tone. "Even as student council president, there are limits to what I can do unilaterally. Dismissing a new member, especially one recommended by the vice president, is essentially out of the question. If I were to revoke her appointment without proper cause, it would be seen as an abuse of power. "
『Proper cause... 』
Indeed, in the structure of the student council, even the president's authority had boundaries. Manabu couldn't simply remove a member based on suspicion or personal dislike. Especially when that member had been formally recommended by the vice president, someone with almost equal standing in terms of administrative authority.
Even if he had a dozen justifiable concerns, without a clear violation of rules or conduct, any attempt to revoke Ichinose's appointment would reflect poorly on him. Especially when the person in question has a really good reputation on the school.
"...That's why I'm not planning to remove her," Manabu said plainly.
『Then what are you planning? 』
"I intend to keep a close eye on her. And, if possible... I want someone who can act independently of Nagumo to stay near her."
Manabu didn't say it outright, but the meaning was pretty straighforward.
Kumagawa smiled.
『Like this, it really makes me realize how amazing our student council president truly is. The capacity at which he can overwork someone and still manage to assign them even more work is astounding. If it's something you urged me to do, then I guess there's nothing I can do about it. 』
"Don't worry. I wouldn't ask something of you if I didn't think you were capable of handling it." Manabu responded without missing a beat.
『Ahaha, you really shouldn't place your trust in me. I'm pretty much famous for betraying everyone's expectations.』
"..."
It was hard to refute.
Kumagawa Misogi.
Manabu had to admit, he held complicated feelings about the boy.
He didn't know how to evaluate him.
Kumagawa's actions and words were always contradictory, to the point where it was impossible to tell whether what he did was for good or bad.
There were moments he placed genuine expectation in Kumagawa's abilities. And at the same time, just as easily, he found himself doubting them.
Even now, Manabu wasn't sure whether allowing him into the student council had been the right move. Normally, Kumagawa would've never made it past the initial consideration. His motives, nature, and personality were too convoluted for something like the student council.
But the time was running out for him.
Nagumo Miyabi was already on track to become the next student council president.
Manabu could have placed his hope in Ayanokouji. In terms of ability, that boy was more than qualified. However, Ayanokouji had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the student council. That alone severely limited Manabu's options. There was still a bit of time left to try and persuade him, but that was a conversation for another day.
For now, he should feel pretty satisfied with Kumagawa.
But then again, the more he spoke to Kumagawa, the more he felt certain of his choice, and at the same time, the more he doubted if he was making the right choice.
Well, perhaps it was best to just leave Kumagawa be. He'd probably go off and do something stupid and unpredictable anyway.
『Hey, Manabu-senpai. Are you thinking something rude about me just now?』
"Anyway, do you have any plans after the work is done? Or are you heading straight back to the dorm?"
The pool was about to open in around 15 minutes. The pool was set to open in about 15 minutes. From their spot near the food stalls, Kumagawa and Manabu could already see a few early arrivers in swimsuits milling around, waiting for the gates to open.
『Hey, hey, you're talking like I don't have any friends at all. 』
"....."
Considering Kumagawa's reputation, it wasn't a stretch to imagine. Most students either avoided him or didn't know how to deal with him. The only one who had regular contact with him was Kushida, and that was because they were childhood friends
『But now that you mention it... "plans," huh. It feels like I'm forgetting something. I wonder what it is... 』
"Do you perhaps have plans with your... friends? Maybe Kushida?"
『Ah! That's right. There's no doubt about it. What do I do? If I stay inattentive like this, I might end up having no friends at all. What should I do!?』
Manabu had simply taken a shot in the dark, but somehow, he hit the mark.
"...When exactly were you supposed to meet? Where?"
『Hmm... I have a feeling that we agreed to meet at 8:30 AM. In the dorm lobby. With some of the other students from Class D. 』
Manabu quietly checked his watch. It read 8:48 AM.
"..."
In his head, Manabu let out a long sigh.
It was already too late.
No, it was well past late.
Even if Kumagawa sprinted straight back to the dorms, there was no salvaging the original meeting time. He might catch them somewhere along the way, assuming they hadn't already left. But judging by how calmly Kumagawa continued eating his yakisoba, it was obvious he wasn't in a hurry either.
Was he really just forgetful? Or did he simply not care about the whole appointment in the first place?
Manabu couldn't decide.
Kumagawa's behavior always walked a fine line between genuine carelessness and intentional disregard. And because of that, it was hard to tell whether he had actually forgotten or had just decided it wasn't worth remembering.
"...For now, why don't you call Kushida?"
Manabu hadn't said it with any particular intent. It wasn't a serious suggestion, nor was it was a practical advice. He simply said it because it felt like something to say. But the moment those words left his mouth, Kumagawa sat straight up and opened his eyes wide.
"...What's wrong? Also, what's with that expression? Did I say something strange?"
『It's the expression of a pigeon that was just hit by a peashooter. It's the expression of, so there was a method like that! 』
"..."
『Anyway, I guess I should call Kushida-chan right now and explain my forgetfulness. Seriously. To think she didn't remind me about our appointment! What a useless appointmenter. 』
"...Uh-huh. Yeah. Good luck with that."
Without further ado, Kumagawa downed the rest of his yakisoba in record time, stood up, and walked off as if nothing had happened.
Of course, he didn't pay.
So naturally, the burden fell to the one sitting directly across from him.
"...This guy," Manabu muttered, sighing as he pulled out his phone with a slightly irritation feeling.
『』『』『』『』『』
On the other side of campus, at the dorm lobby, there's other person that feels irritated.
"He's late!" Kushida Kikyou snapped, arms crossed and foot tapping the floor impatiently.
It was already well past the time they had agreed on 8:30 AM, and the person in question hadn't shown up, called, or even sent a message. It was now nearly 9.
Several students from Class D had already assembled in the lobby, among them the usual trio of idiots: Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou, as well as Ayanokouji, Horikita, and Karuizawa. Seeing the uncharacteristic tone in her voice, everyone was caught slightly off guard by Kushida behavior.
"...It's rare to see Kushida-san really angry," Karuizawa whispered, leaning toward Ayanokouji who stood quietly next to her.
"I agree," he replied flatly.
It was indeed a rare sight.
Kushida Kikyou, who always spoke kindly and smiled like the embodiment of sunshine, was now genuinely irritated. Her usual soft behavior was nowhere to be seen. But then again, no matter how patient or kind someone appeared on the outside, they were still human. Everyone had their limits. And for Kushida, that limit apparently had a name.
Kumagawa Misogi.
"...Well, I guess that's just the privilege of a childhood friend," Ayanokouji murmured, watching her expression carefully. "She's probably a lot more open with him than she is with others."
Kushida and Kumagawa's relationship as childhood friends was fairly well-known rumor across the school by now. It had been a surprise at first, Kushida being close to someone like him, but in hindsight, it explained why they were often seen together in casual conversation lately.
However—
"Huh? What kind of stupid take is that?" Karuizawa cut in without hesitation, frowning slightly. "You don't have to be childhood friends to get angry when someone ghosts you. What, are you saying she can't be mad at someone unless she knows them since kindergarten?"
"...Fair point."
If Karuizawa said so, it was probably true. She had a strong sense for social dynamics, and no shortage of friends herself. Surely someone like her had one or two childhood connections in her past.
Unlike him, who didn't have a single one.
"This is stupid. We're already way past the appointed time. Why are we still waiting on that idiot?"
This time it was Horikita who spoke.
Ayanokouji glanced at her. It was fairly obvious who she meant by "idiot" in this particular case.
Honestly, it was still a bit surprising that she had agreed to come in the first place. It had taken considerable effort just to convince her—well, more like pressure her—into accepting the invitation. Even now, she still looked mildly annoyed, as if she hadn't forgiven him for the coercive tactics he'd used.
"Well, aren't you rather excited about the pool after all?" he teased, trying to lighten her mood a little.
"Shut up, Ayanokouji-kun."
"...Okay."
She really was in a bad mood today. Though, to be fair, Horikita always seemed somewhat irritated—it was just that the intensity varied from day to day. And right now, the dial was cranked up a little higher than usual.
Ayanokouji quietly wondered whether the cause of her worsening mood was himself... or Kumagawa's obvious tardiness.
Knowing Horikita's personality, it was probably both.
"Aghh! That idiot Kumagawa! Where the hell is he!?" Ike shouted, throwing his arms in the air.
"Damn it! We were supposed to be in the water by now, checking out all the hot girls in swimsuits!" Yamauchi said angrily.
"Tch. If he doesn't show up soon, I'm seriously gonna knock his damn teeth out," the red-haired man growled, cracking his knuckles with visible irritation.
For them, this was supposed to be the perfect opportunity to ogle girls in swimsuits under the guise of "class bonding." Kumagawa being late didn't just inconvenience them, it delayed the entire plan they'd built up in their heads for days.
In short, the longer he didn't show up, the more tension grew.
Ayanokouji checked the time.
8:50 AM.
Just ten more minutes before the pool officially opened to the rest of the school.
At that exact moment, Kushida, who was practically fuming at this point, felt her phone vibrate in her hand. The screen lit up with a familiar name.
She immediately picked it up without hesitation.
"Kumagawa-kun! Where are you!?" she snapped the moment, the call connected.
The rest of the class, who had been watching from a short distance, flinched slightly at the intensity of her voice.
So it really was Kumagawa.
"Yeah, it's really weird to see Kushida-san behave like that."
Once again, Karuizawa, standing beside Ayanokouji, commented on the sudden shift in Kushida's demeanor.
Curious, Ayanokouji turned to her and asked, "Is it really that bad, seeing someone as kind as her acting like that?"
It definitely stood out.
The usual image of Kushida Kikyou the one she carved with the perfect image of a kind and friendly, a model student who always seen with a smile. seeing her lash out so directly can feel a little bit unnatural for most people.
"What? No, I mean..." Karuizawa paused, then crossed her arms. "It's kinda nice, actually. Like, it's a relief?"
"A relief?"
"Yeah. I mean, whenever we're with her, she's always smiling and acting all nice. She never gets mad, never snaps at anyone. It's kind of weird, right? Like, nobody's that perfect all the time. So seeing her angry like this makes her feel more... normal?"
Ayanokouji looked at Kushida, still scolding Kumagawa over the phone. Her voice was sharp, her expression clearly frustrated.
"I see. That makes sense."
As expected, human relationships were complicated.
"But isn't she scolding him a little too much? Is this what childhood friend caring is supposed to look like?" Ayanokouji muttered, watching Kushida continue her phone call, clearly lecturing Kumagawa on the other end.
He said it half-jokingly, but there was something worth noting.
Ayanokouji remembered something that he read a long time ago, it was a book about human relationship, and how attachement work in a realtionshiop. According to that book by bowlby and Ainsworth, individuals who form close, secure bonds during childhood tend to express strong emotional concern, even frustration toward people they care about when expectations are broken. It's not that the emotion is purely anger. In fact, it's often rooted in concern.
In other words, people tend to scold those they're close to more harshly because the emotional stakes feel higher. They expect better from those they value. It's a kind of closeness that expresses itself through disappointment rather than distance.
"Or maybe she's just really mad," he added.
Well, in the end, that was just a theory. Ayanokouji already understood from experience that theories, no matter how logical or well-researched, often broke down in the face of reality.
"Hmm...?"
Something caught his eye.
While Kushida was still on the phone with Kumagawa, Ayanokouji noticed that her attention seemed to drift, not completely, but noticeably, in his direction. More precisely, toward him and Karuizawa. Her gaze flickered their way for a brief moment before she turned slightly, putting more distance between them as she continued talking.
He couldn't hear what she was saying from where he stood, and she'd intentionally stepped further away, probably for privacy.
Unfortunately, humans were inherently curious creatures. And Ayanokouji was no exception.
Fortunately, there was a public water dispenser set up in the dorm lobby. It wasn't there before, but considering the summer heat, the school probably had it installed temporarily for convenience.
He figured it was a good enough excuse.
"I'm going to get a drink," he said as he casually stepped away.
"Huh?" Karuizawa startled at the sudden movement.
"Even though we're inside, it's still summer. It's hot."
"Ah, then can you get one for me too?"
"Sure."
With that, Ayanokouji headed toward the dispenser. Conveniently, or perhaps intentionally, it happened to be near where Kushida was taking her call. He wasn't particularly sneaky about it. He didn't need to be. After all, he really was just getting a drink.
Whether or not he heard anything else that would be purely incidental.
As he reached the dispenser, Ayanokouji casually grabbed two paper cups and filled them with water.
Meanwhile, Kushida stood a short distance away, her back turned slightly, holding her phone close to her ear. Although she kept her voice lowered, and still a little far, Ayanokouji, with his sharp hearing, could make out fragments of the conversation if he focused.
"...And why exactly should I do that?"
A short pause followed.
"And how do you even arrived at that kind of conclusion? As far as I know, you're not that close with either of them. Well... maybe Ayanokouji, but that's beside the point."
At that, Ayanokouji's brows twitched slightly. He wasn't sure why his name had come up. Whatever Kumagawa had said, it was likely something unnecessary.
"Of course I want to know!"
Kushida's voice rose for a moment, her expression turned frustrated. Judging from her tone, it was clear she was being teased or harassed from the other side of the line.
She let out a sigh, brushing her hair back with one hand.
"Fine, I get it... I just need to do that, right? Nothing else I should take note of?"
Another short pause.
"...Now that you mention it, I think so too. I guess I can handle that. It's not really that hard."
Her voice dropped off at the end. A second later, she ended the call.
Kushida stood still for a moment, exhaling as if trying to calm herself down. Then, almost instinctively, her expression softened. The familiar Kushida smile returned, as if nothing had happened. Still, a faint trace of frustration remained on her face.
Lately, some people had started saying that Kushida's personality had changed ever since she began spending more time with Kumagawa.
Normally, just like Karuizawa had mentioned, Kushida was someone who never showed irritation or anger. She always smiled and acted cheerful, even when something bothered her. Of course, there had been moments where other emotions peeked through—but recently, she had become more open about them.
It wasn't that she had become unpleasant. Rather, it felt like she was showing more of her real self.
Many students still liked the old, kind, and friendly Kushida. That image of her was hard to let go of. But for some, this new version of her, more honest, more expressive, was a welcome change.
Of course, not everyone felt that way.
Especially Ike and Yamauchi.
To them, the previous Kushida was the ideal one. Kind, smiling, and easy to talk to. The kind of girl that matched their fantasy of what a "perfect" girl should be. So naturally, they weren't happy with the way she'd been lately, and they blamed Kumagawa for it.
Their complaints, however, weren't taken seriously by most people.
Not even by Kushida herself.
In fact, she had started to find them gross.
When she turned back toward the group, she noticed Ayanokouji standing nearby, holding two paper cups.
"Oh! You were getting drinks?"
"Yeah. It's still pretty hot, even though we're indoors."
"I know, right? Well, considering it's still summer, I guess it's easy to get dehydrated."
They casually walked back toward the group, who were still waiting around the dorm lobby. Ayanokouji handed one of the cups to Karuizawa while taking a sip from his own.
"Thanks," Karuizawa said, lightly tapping the cup with her nail as she took it.
Then, without missing a beat, Horikita approached Kushida.
"So? Where's that idiot?" she asked with an annoyed tone, clearly referring to Kumagawa.
Kushida let out a small sigh, her expression returning to its usual calm smile.
"Apparently, he's already at the pool by now. He got roped and forced into helping the school staff prepare things before it opens. That's why he's late..."
"Helping the staff? Is it some kind of part-time job?" Ayanokouji asked, tilting his head slightly.
Can students even take part-time jobs in this school? That was the first thing that came to mind. Sure, it was summer vacation and students had more free time than usual, but part-time work didn't really align with the school's strict policies.
From what Ayanokouji remembered, Advanced Nurturing High School generally didn't allow students to engage in part-time work to earn extra points. Instead, the school encouraged students to join official clubs or participate in school-sanctioned activities if they wanted to gain additional points.
He had heard rumors that some upperclassmen were allowed to run food stalls by the pool during summer, so maybe that's what she meant. It was possible Kumagawa was helping with one of those. But Kushida had said it was "school staff," so Ayanokouji can't be too sure with his deduction.
"Well... something like that?" Kushida replied vaguely, brushing aside the finer details.
Ayanokouji didn't push the topic further. Something about the way she said it made it clear she wasn't telling the whole story, but it didn't seem worth the effort to dig any deeper.
Horikita, however, wasn't so willing to let it slide.
"Then why didn't he tell us sooner if he was already at the pool?" she asked, clearly irritated.
She was already in a foul mood after being coaxed into coming in the first place. And now, on top of that, they were all standing around waiting for someone who clearly couldn't be bothered to send a simple message. It was a waste of time—time she could've used elsewhere.
As if to emphasize the point, she threw a brief glare at Ayanokouji. He, in turn, averted his gaze, pretending to take an interest in the birds nearby.
Kushida paused for a beat, then answered with a light smile.
"He said that he forgot to tell us..."
That explanation only deepened Horikita's frown.
"...That's it?"
"Well... yeah, he's kind of like that." Kushida replied, her voice oddly flat for someone known to be cheerful.
Ike and Yamauchi, who had been quietly sulking nearby, quickly joined in with exaggerated reactions, clearly sensing a chance to look good in front of Kushida.
"Tch, that guy's just messing with us on purpose."
"Seriously! Who the hell does he think he is, standing up Kushida-chan like that?"
It was obvious they were trying to score points in front of her. Whether it was admiration or infatuation, both Ike and Yamauchi wanted to look good. But judging by Kushida's expression, it wasn't working. Instead, Kushida gave them a casual glance. It wasn't a glare, but it was sharp enough to make both of them flinch.
"...I already said he was forced to help out, didn't I?" she said with a half-smile.
"Uh... r-right."
"Y-yeah, totally..."
They looked like scolded puppies.
"Oh? What's this? Kushida-san, Horikita-san, everyone—good morning!"
All of a sudden, Ichinose Honami appeared in the lobby, waving with her usual bright smile. She was accompanied by three of her friends, all dressed in casual summer clothes. Towels peeked out from their colorful bags, it looked like they were heading to the pool as well.
"Are you guys heading to the pool too?"
"Yes! Yes we are!" Ike answered with excessive enthusiasm.
"Then why don't we all go together?" she suggested.
"Of course, the more the merrier!" Ike shouted, nearly jumping in place like he was ready to blast off into orbit.
It wasn't hard to guess what he was thinking about. Considering, what they're about to do at the pool later. Ayanokouji, who was unfortunately often grouped with the idiot trio, quietly wondered how he ended up with such an unusual circle of acquaintances.
The group then began walking toward the pool together.
Along the way, more students from various classes were heading in the same direction. It was clear the crowd would only get bigger as the day went on.
Ichinose walked in the center of the group, chatting naturally with Kushida and Karuizawa. All of them seemed to get along well That was natural, considering how strong their social skills were.
Meanwhile, Horikita, who walked beside Ayanokouji near the edge of the group, suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, Ayanokouji-kun. Don't you think this is a little strange?"
"What is?"
Unlike the others, she wasn't mingling with the group, keeping a slight distance while staying close to him.
"At times like this, wouldn't Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun usually push their luck with the girls?"
Ayanokouji then look at Ike and the others.
It was true. Normally, the two of them would be showing off, trying to strike up conversations, crack bad jokes, or get closer to the girls. But today, they were acting uncharacteristically meek, keeping their distance.
"Also, I can't help but think those idiot trio had ulterior motives by inviting us to the pool," Horikita said. She then focused her attention on the bag that Ike held. "Even though we were only supposed to bring towels and swimsuits, that bag looks really heavy."
Ayanokouji followed her gaze.
Ike's bag was clearly larger and bulkier than anyone else's. The way it swayed and tugged at his arm made it obvious it wasn't filled with just clothes.
"Huh, really? Doesn't seem like that to me."
"It doesn't? Just look at that bag." Horikita pressed.
"Maybe he brought other stuff with him? He's the one who planned this whole thing, so maybe it's for that."
"I see... I suppose that makes sense."
It was common knowledge that those three idiots were especially weak to girls, though most of the blame usually fell on Ike and Yamauchi. Sudou on the other hand, for all his short temper, was at least somewhat more normal. It was only because he hung out with them so often that he got lumped into the same category.
Still, seeing them act so unusually meek and quiet was strange. No wonder Horikita found it suspicious.
They continued walking toward the school's special pool facilities, located just beside the main building. Since it wasn't part of the main school structure, students were allowed to come without wearing their school uniforms. Judging by the crowd, it was obvious the place would be packed, it was, after all, the last day.
Even before reaching the entrance, groups of students were already gathered around the area. As expected from a school with state-of-the-art facilities, every grade had a separate locker room. It would've been easy to get lost if not for the helpful signboards and staff members guiding the way.
"Alright, let's meet back here in twenty minutes," Ichinose said, pointing toward the hallway that led to the pool. just what you'd expect from someone used to taking the lead. Having someone like her around definitely made things more organized.
"Hoo... Hoo..." Ike huffed with excitement.
As the girls walked off, Ike's breathing became noticeably heavy, like a dog in heat. Without warning, he picked up the pace, becoming the first one to reach the boys' locker room. Inside, he and Yamauchi rushed all the way to the back, to the innemost corner.
"H-hey, you guys. Today's gonna be special. Don't you feel it!?"
"Y-yeah! We're going further than anyone else in Class D—no, in the whole school has gone!!!"
Ike and yamauchi were attracting the attention of people around them. Sudou then immedielty went over and put both of them into a headlocks, one on each side.
"Geh! What the hell, Ken!?"
"Y-yeah, let go, that hurts!"
Without a hint of mercy, Sudou smashed their foreheads together.
THUD!
"Shut up. You're being way too loud. Look, I get you're excited, but we can't afford to get noticed,"
It was a bit aggressive, but not the worst approach.
"You're surprisingly calm about this," Ayanokouji commented, watching from the side.
"Guess I just wasn't expecting much in the first place. Besides... I dunno, the more I think about it, the more it feels kinda wrong," Sudou replied, scratching his head.
Sudou has the right idea. Sudou might be quick-tempered, but at least in this moment, he was more level-headed than the other two. Ayanokouji silently agreed. Ideally, Ike and Yamauchi would come to understand the issue on their own. But for now, their focus was set on immediate sexual gratification, and nothing else.
Just then, Ayanokouji felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
He checked the screen. A message had come in.
It simply read: — "Already inside."
Ayanokouji let out a quiet sigh.
Knowing what his friends were planning made him want to say something. But in the end, he chose to stay silent. This time, he'd let them deal with the consequences themselves.
For now, It was time to see just how far Ike and Yamauchi's "luck" would really take them.
『END』
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