The weekend, during which I made Nanako my lewd crest slave, came to an end, starting the first Monday of December. With the results of the final exams starting to roll in today, many students are likely feeling apprehensive from the morning.
When I entered the classroom upon arriving at school, I found Jessica already seated. Since we had decided to keep our relationship a secret for the time being, we exchanged only a glance, refraining from greeting each other explicitly.
Ignoring my classmates who were oscillating between joy and despair over their test scores, I thought about the plans for the evening. To be honest, there was a plan I wasn't particularly looking forward to.
***
As the final homeroom session of the day concluded, I leisurely exited the bustling classroom into the hallway. Jessica, who had left quickly, was no longer in sight, but since we were headed to the same destination, I didn't rush.
When I reached the old building where the Fortune-Telling Club's room was located, she was waiting for me by the staircase on the first floor. We walked side by side and began to ascend the stairs slowly.
The distance between us had reduced significantly compared to before.
"...Do we have to inform the president?"
"If we don't, she'll make a fuss later."
"But she'll tease us."
"Still, dealing with a sulking senior is even more troublesome."
"Is that from experience?"
"Yes... It's truly a hassle..."
"Is that so..."
With simultaneous sighs, Jessica and I ascended to the third floor and stood in front of the door with a plate reading "Fortune-Telling Club." As usual, I knocked, and the familiar response came.
"...Yes?"
As always, Senior Maragret, the club president, was present. She must have sprinted to the club room right after homeroom.
"It's Ethan."
"Come in."
"Excuse us."
Opening the door, I entered the room with Jessica. The president, upon seeing us together, displayed a look of interest.
"Oh? You came together."
"Yes, well..."
"So, what brings you here today?"
"We have something to inform the president."
"To me? What is it? Oh, please sit first."
"Alright."
I sat across from the president, with Jessica, her cheeks slightly flushed, seated beside me. Usually, Jessica sat next to the president, but her different behaviour today seemed to have alerted the president.
"Well, actually, we..."
"...We've started dating."
"...I knew it. You two were acting suspicious since before the cultural festival."
"Really?"
"...You almost kissed, didn't you?"
"Ah... That time..."
"Ugh..."
"You lied about it, didn't you?"
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm sorry, senior."
Acknowledging that we had deceived her at that time, we both bowed our heads in apology.
"...Alright. Congratulations, I suppose?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"So, have you kissed yet?"
"P-President!?"
"N-No, not yet! We haven't!!"
As expected, the president teased us. This was precisely why I wasn't eager to report to her.
"Hmm... So, am I the only one who knows about you two? Have you told your classmates?"
"I told my family that I have a girlfriend."
"Me too. As for our classmates, we plan to keep it a secret for a while."
"For a while... Oh, you want to be in the same class when you become second-years, right?"
"Yes, something like that."
"Please keep it a secret, senior."
"Got it. I wasn't planning on spreading it around anyway."
With that, our report concluded, but the president didn't seem ready to let us go just yet.
"By the way... Jessica, what did you like about Ethan?"
"D-Do you have to ask that!?"
"It's just surprising that Jessica started dating a boy."
"..."
"Ethan falling for jessica isn't surprising, though. So, what is it?"
"...It's a secret."
As the two of them talked, I remained silent. Interrupting would only make things worse.
"A secret, huh? That's a shame... By the way, Ethan?"
"Yes, President?"
"If you make Jessica cry, I won't forgive you. Take good care of her."
"Of course. She's too good for me."
"Good. Jessica, you're blushing, you know."
"Geez..."
Seeing Jessica's blushing face was incredibly endearing. For that, I had to thank the president.
After enduring the president's teasing for a while, we excused ourselves from the club room. With no plans to engage with any of my lewd crest slaves today, all that remained was to head home.
"Shall we walk to the station together?"
"Yes~"
Walking to the station together wouldn't arouse suspicion as a simple post-club activity. However, public dates after school were off-limits until at least our second year.
***
"──It's gotten quite cold, hasn't it?"
"It's December, after all."
As we left the school building, a cold wind struck us. Noticing Jessica shivering, I asked about her plans for the weekend.
"Jessica, do you have plans for this weekend?"
"...No, not really."
"Then, shall we go on a date?"
"Yes~! I'd love to go on a date."
As we walked towards the nearest station, planning our weekend, a familiar woman appeared in our line of sight.
"Oh, Ethan. Hello."
"Hello, Charlotte."
It was Charlotte, my third lewd crest slave. I felt awkward being seen with Jessica.
"Are you coming back from club activities?"
"Yes. Are you headed to the university at this hour?"
"Yes, just for a bit."
As the conversation with Charlotte continued, I noticed Jessica growing increasingly annoyed. Sensing the tension, I quickly wrapped up the conversation.
"Well, we should get going."
"Take care on your way home."
"Thank you. Excuse us."
"Bye, Ethan."
Parting with Charlotte, I walked alongside Jessica, apologizing. It was best to mend her sour mood quickly.
"Sorry about that, Jessica."
"Is she from our university?"
"Ah, yes... She's Charlotte Reed from the Literature Department, a second-year."
"How did you meet her?"
"Through my middle school tutor."
"I see... That tutor was the person we met at the library during the campus tour, right?"
"You have a good memory. Well, she stands out, so it's not surprising."
"She was quite beautiful... but short."
It seemed Jessica was wary of the beautiful women, like Chiya and Iroha, whom I was close to.
"...The way she spoke to me."
"The way she spoke to me?"
"The way she spoke seemed like you two are close?"
"Well, she is like an older sister."
"...We're dating, right?"
"Of course."
"Then you should call me a little more intimately?"
It appeared that the way we addressed each other was an issue.
"Then, from now on... should I call you Jess?"
"Mm!? J-Jess..."
"Calling you by nickname feels a bit early, so..."
"J-Jess!? ...P-Please stick to Jess."
"Got it, Jess."
"Hehe...! Ethan... Ethan~!"
Although her mood seemed to have improved, I felt a bit uneasy as she repeatedly said my name. Jessica might have a possessive personality.