Morning Mischief and the Wrath of a Bun-Eating Artist
The dining table was filled with the scent of fresh breakfast—crispy toast, sizzling bacon, warm miso soup, and soft, steamy buns. In the midst of this morning tranquility sat Eriri Spencer Sawamura, blonde twin tails slightly frazzled, puffing her cheeks like an indignant squirrel.
While chewing on a bun, she glared daggers at Yukima Azuma, who sat across from her looking far too innocent for someone so guilty.
"What's wrong?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, lips curling into a soft, clueless smile.
(=w=)
Eriri scowled harder, puffing out her cheeks even more.
"Who wakes up a girl like that!?"
Yukima blinked and gave a casual shrug, clearly unrepentant.
"You didn't ask not to be woken up like that."
Eriri's soft canine tooth peeked out as she grit her teeth, her fair cheeks turning pink. Her voice lowered to a growl.
"Can't you use a more normal way to wake me up?! Like a—like a—"
Her thoughts raced.
Like a morning kiss…!
She didn't say it aloud—absolutely not. But her heart hammered as she imagined the scene. It wasn't like they hadn't kissed before. At this point, weren't they technically more than friends?
Still, Azuma's next words threw cold water all over that idea.
"A little morning exercise is good for the body. But you were going to be late. I had no choice."
Eriri froze.
(°°)???
"Exercise… what?"
It took her a second. Then it clicked.
Her face erupted in red.
"W-WHO SAID THAT KIND OF THING?! You Baka, Aho, HENTAI!!"
( //>///<)
Her shout rang through the house like an explosion.
Just then, Kasumigaoka Utaha, elegant as always, returned from the bathroom with a towel draped over her shoulders, wiping the last droplets of water from her raven-black hair.
She raised an eyebrow. "I heard 'hentai' just now…"
Her eyes immediately narrowed toward Azuma.
He raised his hands in surrender.
"I swear, I didn't do anything hentai. Not today!"
Utaha gave him a flat look.
"…I'll be the judge of that."
A New Day at Toyogasaki
After breakfast, the three left for the station together, the early morning sun spilling golden light across the streets. They blended into the flow of students heading toward Toyogasaki Private Academy, uniforms crisp, bags slung over shoulders.
The sight of Azuma walking beside two of Toyogasaki's famous beauties—Eriri and Utaha—naturally drew attention.
Students whispered. Girls giggled. Boys glanced, not with envy, but with a sense of awe.
Everyone knew by now.
The trio belonged to the Game Development Club—the team that had created White Album: Memory Refrain. The club's explosive success had placed Toyogasaki in the spotlight. Their faces were familiar now.
There were no ceremonies today—it wasn't the start of the school year. Just a return after summer vacation. Still, the energy was high.
As they entered the gates, Utaha waved goodbye and headed for her third-year classroom.
Azuma and Eriri made their way to Class 1-E.
A Familiar Fragrance, and the Smile of an Angel
As soon as Azuma sat down, a sweet floral scent tickled his nose. It was faint, like tuberose at night—calming and elegant.
He turned toward it instinctively.
And there she was.
Kato Megumi, with her bob-cut hair framing her face perfectly, approached with a gentle smile that made the morning instantly brighter.
"Good morning, Megumi," Azuma said softly.
She held a finger to her lips.
"I was going to surprise you by covering your eyes. But I guess Azuma-san is too sharp."
Then she did it anyway—giggling as she slipped behind him and gently covered his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"Hmm… Is it Megumi?"
"Correct. I guess you are sharp."
(~~)♡
They exchanged warm smiles, the kind that said we've been through a lot together.
And watching all this from her desk was Alya Kujou, the silver-haired Russian beauty, currently feeling like a spectator at a romantic play.
She raised an eyebrow.
(=~=) "It's only morning, and I'm already being force-fed dog food…"
Still…
Alya bit her lip, her expression wavering. There was a hint of longing in her eyes. This playful closeness… this casual warmth…
She didn't have that.
Back home, or here.
"Pay attention to me too!!" she blurted in Russian, arms crossing defensively.
Megumi blinked.
She didn't understand Russian, but she could sense Alya's mood clearly. She turned to Azuma with a questioning smile.
(=U= ✿) Another one of your girls, huh?
Azuma averted his gaze. He had, after all, said something like "You are all my wings" to Megumi.
And now?
That harem declaration was starting to make him feel very, very guilty.
Return of the Ice Queen
The classroom chatter died down when the door clicked open.
Kirisu Mafuyu stepped in, her expression crisp and stern, her beauty amplified by her no-nonsense aura. With a tap of the chalk against the blackboard, order returned.
"Everyone, return to your seats. Morning self-study is about to begin."
The class snapped to attention.
Mafuyu surveyed the room. Her eyes landed briefly on Azuma. Seeing him sitting up straight, seemingly well-behaved for once, a small sigh escaped her lips.
Maybe he really is maturing…
She blinked and pushed the thought away.
"Summer vacation is over. From today, we begin the new semester. Focus up."
"This term's academic workload will be heavier. The exams more challenging. No slacking."
She placed a stack of forms on her desk.
"One more thing: the Student Exchange Program."
Students perked up.
"Toyogasaki Academy has academic exchange agreements with two other private institutions: Shuchiin Academy and Hyakkaou Private Academy."
"During the second semester, eligible students may apply to study at one of these partner schools."
Mafuyu's tone shifted subtly, becoming more serious.
"Let me be clear—Shuchiin is an aristocratic institution. Over 90% of their students come from powerful, influential families."
"If you do not have a prestigious background, your experience there may be… unpleasant."
She hesitated.
"But that pales in comparison to the risks of the other school."
Her gaze swept the room.
"I do not recommend applying to Hyakkaou Private Academy."
The room tensed.
"Its nickname is Gambling Hell. At that school, gambling is legal—encouraged, even. It overrides everything: academics, ethics, even friendships."
"Students can rise or fall overnight. Debts. Power. Status. Reputation. Everything is tied to gambling."
"I have a duty to protect you. And I must tell you plainly—if you go there, you risk losing far more than just your grades."
Silence.
"That concludes my explanation. Anyone interested in applying may collect a form after class."
With that, Kirisu Mafuyu turned on her heel and exited.
Aftermath and Questions
As soon as the door closed, whispers erupted.
"Gambling school?"
"Aristocrat academy?"
"This sounds like an anime plot…"
Alya leaned closer to Azuma, eyes narrowed.
"Yukima-san. Is there really a high school… where gambling takes precedence over studying?"
Azuma nodded slowly.
"Yeah. It's real. Absurd as it sounds."
"Hyakkaou is backed by the Momobami conglomerate. You don't get invited—you apply. And once you're in, you're on your own."
"The school operates under a strict hierarchy based on gambling wins and losses. Some of their rules are outright insane."
Alya's face darkened.
"How is that even allowed?"
Azuma gave a half-smile. "Japan has… unique schools sometimes."
"In any case," he added with a glance her way, "Kujou-san. I seriously recommend you don't apply to Hyakkaou."
Alya blinked. For a moment, she was caught off guard by the quiet concern in his voice.
She turned away to hide her flustered expression.
"I-I wasn't planning to anyway, Baka."