On the day of the closing ceremony, light snowflakes drifted outside.
Frost clung to the tree branches, and the distant horizon was shrouded in thick pink-white hues.
The winter sun was cold yet radiant, its faint red glow mingling with the snow, scattering across the grassy fields where patches of green still peeked through the frost.
After the customary farewell speech, the principal delivered many encouraging words to the students.
Kaoru joined everyone in applause before returning to their respective classrooms.
During the homeroom meeting, Mashima Tomonari briefly outlined the precautions for winter break.
Someone asked, "Will there be a special exam during winter break?"
The last summer vacation left a deep impression on the first-year students, with even Class A worrying about whether another special exam would appear.
Or rather, it seemed to be the norm for the school to hold special exams during holidays.
Mashima neither confirmed nor denied this question.
He only mentioned that future holidays might include special exams and warned them not to think they could escape them.
Special exams were the school's way of testing the students, but they also served as opportunities for students to climb higher.
Since the school didn't allow students to stay in the school building—apparently planning to renovate some facilities—everyone left the classroom after the homeroom meeting.
Kaoru walked down the hallway, with many students sneaking glances at him along the way.
Some admired him, while others envied Ichinose Honami.
The reason was naturally simple.
"Aha, got you!"
With a cheerful voice, Kaoru suddenly felt his arm tightly hugged.
Two plump, soft marshmallows pressed deeply against him, as if his entire arm was about to sink into them.
From the softness alone, Kaoru didn't even need to turn his head to know it was Ichinose Honami.
Since deciding to make their relationship public, the two had often walked to and from school together.
Ichinose didn't feel awkward about the harem situation either; instead, she actively enjoyed being affectionate with Kaoru in front of others.
If even she couldn't be happy about it, everyone would probably find their relationship strange.
Not to mention those watching from the shadows.
"Whoa, I wanna hug Honami-chan too!" Kobashi Yume seemed envious and was about to rush over, but Amikura Mako grabbed her by the collar.
"Don't bother Honami-chan. Or are you planning to hug Mitoma-kun too?"
"Ugh…"
Watching their interaction, Kaoru tried to greet them.
Amikura averted her gaze without saying anything, but Shiranami Chihiro's stare was a little intimidating.
"Kaoru, do you have any plans for winter break?" Ichinose asked enthusiastically.
Kaoru thought to himself, Didn't you say you wanted to go on a Christmas date? But outwardly, he replied.
"Nothing much, just some small things to take care of."
"Huh? You're not planning a Christmas date?" Kobashi, still not grasping the situation, excitedly told Ichinose.
"I heard there's a legendary tree at school! If you confess under it, the girl will marry the guy and have five kids!"
Amikura, flushed red, covered Kobashi's mouth.
Even Ichinose was a little embarrassed—how could she say something like that so casually?
"Five kids?" Hirano Rin tilted her head in confusion, counting on her fingers.
"Pregnancy lasts ten months, and ovulation ends around age forty, but the older you get, the harder pregnancy is. If you have one per year, Honami-chan would—mmph!"
Amikura had no choice but to cover her mouth too.
This one was also an idiot—how could she say something like that in front of everyone?
Kaoru felt a bit awkward for them, though he couldn't help but entertain some wandering thoughts about Ichinose's seemingly childbearing-friendly figure.
"Ahaha, a Christmas date or something..." Ichinose forced a smile.
"Actually, Kaoru and I have already gone on plenty of dates before. For me, it's just an ordinary holiday."
"It's so cold out—staying in would be better," Kaoru smoothly agreed.
In an instant, Ichinose pinched his arm, her smile still perfectly intact.
"Mako-chan, what are you all planning to do?"
It didn't hurt, but the gesture alone signaled her anger, leaving Mitoma momentarily confused.
"Probably just hang out for a bit and then go to sleep," Amikura Mako replied nonchalantly, releasing Kobashi Yume and Hirano Rin. "But I'll prepare Christmas gifts for you all, so you can look forward to that."
"Eh, really?" Kobashi Yume waved her hands excitedly. "I—I'll prepare a gift too!"
"Oh no, I think I forgot about Halloween presents," Hirano Rin realized belatedly.
"Halloween's long over, dummy!"
"Isn't it next month?"
"Next month is New Year's, Rin, you idiot!"
"..."
Listening to their bickering, Amikura Mako calmly met Kaoru's gaze.
"Is that so? I'll prepare a gift for you too, Mako-chan," Ichinose said with a smile.
Finally realizing what he should say, Kaoru asked, "Do I get a gift too?"
Amikura Mako and Ichinose nearly lost their composure.
Who just bluntly calls out a girl's little schemes like that?
At least be a little more tactful!
"O-of course! After all, we're friends—yours definitely won't be lacking!" Amikura Mako stammered inexplicably.
"But don't expect too much! It's just a normal friendship gift!"
Ichinose fell silent. Don't say "friendship gift" at a time like this! It's not Valentine's Day!
Amikura Mako seemed to realize she'd misspoken, her face flushing red.
What was she supposed to do? Was this really okay?
She didn't even know if she liked Kaoru.
If she had known, she wouldn't have said that.
They might as well just confess on Christmas and claim him already.
Though the idea of two girls—best friends, no less—becoming the same guy's girlfriends was downright embarrassing to admit.
Still, Amikura Mako secretly admired Ichinose Honami more.
"So I really am getting a gift? I'm a little flattered. I'll prepare one for you too, then," Kaoru said, finally remembering them.
At the very least, he should give everyone something.
But what little rewards could he offer?
Should he go buy a few things?
Seeing his seemingly touched expression, Amikura Mako felt a small flicker of happiness.
Whether she liked him or not could wait—she did enjoy spending time with him.
Ah, right—I almost forgot about his other side!
Amikura Mako warned herself.
As an innocent girl, she still struggled to accept... licking play.
Noticing this, Kobashi Yume and Hirano Rin also started clamoring for gifts, and Kaoru readily agreed to them as well.
For some reason, the scene made Ichinose inexplicably jealous.
Even though she wanted to accept it, it still annoyed her!
"Heh, it's been a while, but you've gotten quite skilled at flirting now, haven't you?" Sakayanagi Arisu slowly appeared before the group, leaning on her cane, her pretty face adorned with a faint smile.
Despite her petite frame, she wore not only the school uniform but also a thick overcoat, though the white garter stockings beneath her skirt still revealed a glimpse of snow-white, smooth thigh.
"Is something the matter?" Ichinose Honami slightly raised her eyebrows.
She didn't exactly dislike Sakayanagi, but she wasn't fond of her either, given past events that left a bad impression.
"Yes, I just have a word for Mitoma-kun," Sakayanagi replied with a slight smile.
"I won't disturb you."
Kaoru felt a flicker of curiosity.
Initially, he thought his public relationship announcement might provoke some reaction from Sakayanagi, but she had acted as if she hadn't noticed at all.
"A few days ago, someone from the outside came in," Sakayanagi said casually, yet her gaze remained fixed on Kaoru.
Someone from the outside came in?
In an instant, waves of unease rippled through Kaoru's mind, and his expression darkened.
This was a closed-off institution—for students of ANHS, "someone from the outside" naturally meant just that.
ANHS was one of the government's key projects, tasked with nurturing elite talents.
Everything here was confidential; ordinary outsiders wouldn't know a single detail about the school's inner workings, only its existence through promotional materials.
This was also why first-year students were shocked by the school's mechanisms at the start of the term.
If Sakayanagi had gone out of her way to mention this, the outsider couldn't be an ordinary person—and ordinary people wouldn't have the qualifications to enter in the first place.
However, seeing the faint smirk on Sakayanagi's lips, Kaoru suddenly realized.
"What do you mean by 'someone from the outside'?" Kaoru's face turned grim.
He had actually been played by her.
"Oh, outside just means outside. What did you think I was referring to, Mitoma-kun?" Sakayanagi, satisfied with the reaction she'd elicited, couldn't help but feel pleased.
"A few days ago, Ayanokoji-kun went to the office. That's all."
Kaoru stared at her expressionlessly.
Next time, he'd have to spank her again!
As if sensing his thoughts, Sakayanagi instinctively moved to cover her rear, then flushed with embarrassment—she had actually developed a reflex from being spanked!
"Well, I've said what I needed to. You two can go back to your flirting." Sakayanagi didn't consider this a retreat; she had gotten the reaction she wanted, so it was time to leave.
Ichinose was utterly confused.
She had no idea what kind of riddle the two were exchanging, and was "Ayanokoji-kun" referring to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class D?
"Hmph, so cute on the outside, but a completely different story behind the scenes," Kobashi Yume shook her fist at Sakayanagi's retreating figure.
"Next time, I'll grab her hand and give her a good spanking!"
Amikura Mako rapped her on the head—what kind of girl talks about spanking?
"Never mind her. Let's head back together," Ichinose said, taking Kaoru's hand.
Though Sakayanagi's words left her slightly unsettled, she decided not to dwell on it.
Overthinking would only add unnecessary stress.
Instead, she focused on the upcoming Christmas.
"How about we all go to karaoke?" Kobashi suggested cheerfully.
"It's probably packed right now. The break started too early, and everyone's just looking for something to do," Amikura pointed out.
"Alright, let's go to the Keyaki Mall. Christmas is just a few days away, and I still need to prepare gifts for everyone!"
"Are you planning to pick out gifts with us?"
"Yep!"
"Dream-chan, won't that ruin the surprise?"
"..."
In the end, Kaoru eventually parted ways with them.
Ichinose Honami held his hand and whispered, "Should I give Christmas to you and Asahina-senpai?"
"Why would you do that?" Kaoru asked in surprise. "I was planning to spend Christmas with you."
"But Asahina-senpai doesn't know you well yet. You could use Christmas to deepen your bond." Ichinose Honami felt her head spinning—how could a girl willingly hand her boyfriend over to another girl?
Yet, she thought Asahina Nazuna was also a good match.
"Don't worry, I'll manage my time. Let me handle these things—you don't need to overthink it for me." Kaoru tightened his grip on her small hand, his eyes fixed on her lovely face.
Ichinose blushed slightly.
Snowflakes continued to fall as someone walked past them under an umbrella.
Clumps of snow slid silently from the branches, the faint sound seemingly snapping Kaoru out of his thoughts.
Meeting the girl's gaze, he lowered his head.
She understood his intention and gently rose on her tiptoes, brushing her lips against his.
Ever since their first kiss, Ichinose found herself craving this feeling—her heart pounding in her chest, her blood warming, her body softening.
In the moist, passionate embrace of his lips, she could forget many things, savoring the sweet taste lingering between them.
And now, she didn't have to consider anyone else.
She could kiss him in the student council office, in the classroom, in the hallway, on the street, under the dormitory…
She felt like she had become a bad girl—a really bad one—for agreeing to his harem fantasy.
Of course, neither of them noticed someone watching this scene, frozen in place.