Meanwhile, Anji Seiji was having a rough time.
He'd planned to grill his aibo on the walk home about his transformation from otaku to ultimate normie. But before he could, a bombshell girl snatched Satoru away…
In that moment, Anji felt a thick wall between him and Satoru. Damn it! Aibo, is there no room for your bro anymore?
Tearful.
Lost in thought, Anji wandered to the kendo club's training room.
The kendo club was White Hill High's elite, with students clamoring to join. And his bro, Kobayashi, was personally invited by the club president, the goddess dubbed Flower of the Peak, Miyajima Sakura.
Come to think of it, Satoru had been carrying a sword lately… though he rarely showed up to practice.
Noticing the training room door ajar, Anji peeked inside. No Satoru, naturally. But he instantly spotted the striking Sakura, her face stern, lecturing another stunning girl.
Kobayashi Ayaka.
As White Hill's Beauties Expert, Anji recognized her instantly. A third-year like Sakura, Ayaka was her best friend and kendo club vice-president, with sword skills second only to Sakura's.
Sakura must have a thing for his bro. Friend's girl, off-limits. Anji ditched ogling Sakura, focusing on Ayaka's slender figure instead. Less curvy than Sakura, but elegantly lean—a different charm.
Sakura's face was taut. "Ayaka! You've been slacking!"
Ayaka looked confused. She'd skipped practice yesterday but had gotten permission… Why was she getting chewed out now? As besties, Sakura usually turned a blind eye to her attendance.
"What's up?" Ayaka blinked.
She glanced at her clubmates, who shrugged cluelessly. Whispers floated:
"President's been off since yesterday."
"Not sure if she's mad or embarrassed…"
"Probably mortified."
"Anyway, Ayaka, you've missed too many sessions. You're due for punishment. Spar with me today, and join morning training all week!" Sakura waved her hand decisively.
"No way…" Ayaka's pretty face fell. "Morning training's for newbies… And sparring with you, Sakura? I'll lose every time…"
Both were brutal—early mornings and guaranteed defeats.
"Get your kendo gear. Grab your sword," Sakura ordered, brandishing her bokken with authority.
"…Fine." Ayaka slumped, wondering if Sakura's period came early, making her extra cranky. But no, she'd seen Sakura through those before… She grabbed a newbie. "Kase!"
"Y-Yes, Ayaka-senpai!" Masafumi Kase stood ramrod straight.
"Has Kobayashi Satoru not shown up?" she asked.
"Nope… Kobayashi-senpai hasn't come in days…" Kase said, disappointed.
"Favoritism…" Ayaka muttered. She'd skipped one day for a mixer and got this treatment, while Kobayashi ditched repeatedly and got a pass. What's with that?
"A-ya-ka!" A sharp, syllable-by-syllable voice came from behind.
Ayaka turned to see Sakura, arms crossed with her bokken tucked in, glaring. She heard my chat with Kase.
"Yes! I'm going!" Ayaka bolted to the changing room, cursing internally. Kobayashi Satoru, huh? Cross me, and you'll pay!
She dared mention Satoru. Sakura huffed, cheeks warming. If Ayaka hadn't misinterpreted that word in front of him, Sakura wouldn't have humiliated herself… Ugh, does Satoru think I'm a perv for saying that?
Her hands cupped her face, body twisting unnaturally, thighs rubbing, knees knocking.
"There she goes again…"
"Is the president sick?"
"No! President!!"
Kase's sharp gaze flicked to the door, sensing something.
Hiss. Anji sucked in a breath, retreating fast. That delinquent-looking kouhai's senses are too sharp.
Anji, the duller type, nearly crashed into someone while fleeing. His coordination saved him, sidestepping just in time.
It was a girl… a gorgeous one. By the time Anji realized, it was too late to regret.
"S-Sorry." The girl assumed it was her fault, bowing.
Petite, barely over 1.5 meters, she had a delicate, pearl-like charm. Shoulder-length short hair, pure vibe, but her figure… damn. Her chest strained her clothes, creating an oddly erotic contrast with her innocent face.
She carried a bulky wooden case—a guitar case, maybe? Music club?
Anji pieced it together. Asakusa Ibuki, third-year, in both swim and light music clubs.
"Ah… uh…" Anji tried to speak.
But his slow reflexes failed. Ibuki hurried off, leaving him with her petite back and swaying guitar case.
Should I… join a club?
Anji mused. Satoru got lucky after carrying a sword. Maybe he needed to lug something too?
…
…