Though Asahina wasn't afraid of what Nagumo might do to her, Kaoru was more cautious and simply brought her back to his own room.
What he didn't expect, however, was how readily she agreed—as if she had no concerns about what might happen.
The moment the senior stepped inside, she began scrutinizing the room's decor with a thoughtful expression.
"Is this caterpillar plush yours?"
"Sort of."
"What about these slippers?"
"You can try them on if you want."
"Why are there girls' clothes in your closet?"
"..."
Kaoru was taken aback and quickly moved to check, only to find Asahina grinning mischievously as she poked his cheek with her finger.
"Such a dishonest underclassman, always bringing girls back to your room."
Realizing he'd been tricked—Karuizawa Kei would never leave clothes here—Kaoru tugged at her cheek in mock annoyance.
"A senpai who willingly follows a guy back to his room is no better. Besides, a few people definitely saw you come up with me."
Asahina swatted his hand away, putting on a stern face.
"Honestly, you should be more respectful toward your seniors.Tachibana-senpai often complains about this habit of yours."
The intricate web of female relationships was terrifying.
Kaoru felt like they all knew each other privately and probably gossiped about him behind his back.
Asahina flopped onto his bed and immediately rolled around a few times.
The girl's alluring curves were completely exposed—her skirt rode up near her perky bottom, revealing the plump roots of her thighs.
Her snow-white, smooth skin was fully visible, faintly showing hints of black patterns beneath.
Clearly, she wasn't wearing any shorts, displaying none of the modesty expected of a young girl.
For a moment, Kaoru couldn't decide whether to avert his gaze or keep staring.
The bold senpai hugged Kaoru's pillow, took a sniff, and showed a somewhat satisfied expression as she muttered.
"So this is what a man smells like?"
To be honest, she had expected it to reek of sweat or something unpleasant.
"Senpai, doing this kind of thing on someone else's bed is pretty weird," Kaoru reminded her.
"I'm just too excited." Asahina sat up from his bed, already hugging a caterpillar plushie.
"Starting today, there's definitely no going back for Miyabi and me."
Not just no going back—Nagumo was probably having a meltdown right now.
Kaoru thought about Katsuragi and Mizowaki, wondering if they would understand his intentions.
He never expected Mizowaki to betray Class 2-A.
Anyone with half a brain knew betraying the class wouldn't benefit them.
But if betraying the class could be reframed as stabbing Nagumo in the back, Mizowaki might feel less resistance.
Even so, Kaoru knew something was still missing—a final push to make Mizowaki and the others realize Nagumo could no longer lead Class 2-A and might even bring harm.
Only then would they be willing to abandon him.
"Mitoma-kun, are you planning to do something to me tonight?"
For some reason, Asahina suddenly asked this bluntly.
"Huh?" Kaoru didn't show any sign of being seen through.
"Why would you think that, Senpai? I was planning to sleep on the floor while you take the bed. But if you don't trust me, I can stay somewhere else tonight."
"Do I look like an idiot to you?" Asahina smiled, watching his unflinching expression. "You saw it earlier, didn't you?"
As she spoke, the girl pressed down on her skirt.
No girl would be unaware of whether her actions might reveal something.
Kaoru didn't want to lie—that would go against his earlier words—so he nodded
"It was nice. I wouldn't mind seeing it again."
Asahina Nazuna froze for a moment before flushing with embarrassment and anger.
Wasn't the script supposed to be her teasing Kaoru further?
"Reward time is over. Now it's interrogation time." She put on a stern face. "I have questions for you. If your answers satisfy me, I might reward you again."
"Alright." Kaoru knelt respectfully in front of her, ready to comply—though his gaze involuntarily drifted to her calves.
The black thigh-high socks seemed to be slipping slightly, revealing more of her fair, delicate skin.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Asahina Nazuna pressed her legs together, slightly uncomfortable with his direct stare.
"Why are you asking that, Senpai?" Kaoru found it strange.
If she wasn't planning to accept him, what was the point?
"No counter-questions."
Her reasoning was different—she might not be ready to accept him yet, but she wasn't rejecting him either.
If anything, she wanted to observe him a little longer.
"Do you have a girlfriend or not?"
"Yes," Kaoru answered.
"Who? Ichinose-san?" Asahina knew Ichinose Honami.
She had once talked to her about Kaoru, and Ichinose's reaction at the time had struck her as odd.
"Right now, it's Ichinose and Karuizawa."
However, Kaoru's answer left her utterly bewildered.
"Ichinose and Karuizawa?" Asahina froze for a long moment before suddenly realizing.
"You have two girlfriends?!"
This is bad—this guy seems even worse than Nagumo!
"For now, yes. Who knows about the future."
"W-wait, how many girlfriends are you planning to have?"
"I haven't counted."
"Is it really okay for you to say such things to me?" Asahina wondered if she'd misheard.
She'd just been considering Kaoru today, only to hear this.
"What kind of person are you? Telling a girl you just kissed that you plan to get more girlfriends while already having two!"
"Because I don't want to hide it from you, senpai." Kaoru knew perfectly well no one would be indifferent to such matters.
This only made Asahina angrier.
She understood what he meant—continuing to be with her despite knowing he had girlfriends was indeed more despicable.
But at least he could've given her some time to process it!
Being hit with such truth right away made Asahina feel like she'd escaped a tiger's den only to fall into a wolf's mouth.
"Do they know?" she couldn't help asking.
"Some do, some don't, but I'll tell everyone eventually," Kaoru replied.
Asahina was dumbfounded.
Frowning, she said, "Do you really think you can make everyone accept your way of thinking?"
She wasn't trying to discourage him—she genuinely believed it impossible.
hether practically or psychologically, girls who could accept polygamy were exceptionally rare.
Let alone a whole group of them.
After a brief silence, Kaoru said, "I don't need reason. If I had to give you up, my coming to this world would be meaningless."
Asahina looked at him strangely.
Was he openly admitting to being a bad person?
"Does that include me too?"
"Having senpai's heart would be best, but having just your person would suffice too."
"What a selfish and extreme way of thinking. No wonder you're so hostile toward Miyabi. But is this really appropriate to say to me? Weren't you just telling Miyabi I'm not his possession?"
"Because senpai doesn't like him, whereas I'm confident you'll come to like me."
"Quite the boastful talk."
Asahina stared at him, and he met her gaze unflinchingly.
After a while, Asahina suddenly smiled.
"Do you know what I want?"
Kaoru shook his head. "No."
Curious, Asahina asked, "Aren't you supposed to be good at guessing?"
"I can't guess this. Only senpai knows what you truly want. If I knew that, I'd be you already."
Hearing this, a faint ripple flashed through Asahina's eyes.
She admitted Kaoru made her feel something completely different from Miyabi.
Miyabi would never play along like this—he'd only give her what he decided was the "correct answer."
"No, you must know." Asahina didn't believe him.
If he could see through her thoughts, how could he not know what she wanted?
"Will there be a reward if I say it?" Kaoru asked.
Noticing his occasional glances at her legs, Asahina blinked and changed her question.
"Let me ask something else—why do you want me?"
Truthfully, she was quite curious about this.
"Because senpai will definitely like me in the future, I can't let senpai down," Kaoru answered matter-of-factly.
Asahina nearly laughed in exasperation—was he reversing cause and effect here?
"Be serious. Is it because of my body?"
"Senpai is beautiful, and I don't intend to miss out. Also... I like you."
"What kind of 'like' is this?"
"The kind where I like you."
After talking for a while, Asahina felt like she couldn't break through his defenses.
She suspected he might be brushing her off, yet she couldn't help but believe him because he genuinely wasn't hiding anything.
After much deliberation, Asahina made up her mind.
"Mitoma-kun, please close your eyes now."
"Why?"
"Don't you want your reward?"
Kaoru closed his eyes.
Almost immediately, he heard the girl hold her breath, followed by the faint rustling of her getting up from the bed.
Light footsteps touched the floor, and her fragrance grew closer—so close it felt like he could reach out and touch her.
A strand of her hair brushed against his arm.
And so, he opened his eyes.
"Where are you planning to go now, senpai?"
Hearing his voice, Asahina, who had just reached the entrance, paused.
"Why did you open your eyes?"
"Because my reward seemed about to run away."
"Just for today. That doesn't mean there won't be one tomorrow."
"Really?"
Asahina had intended to keep up her tough act, but she sensed that Kaoru might actually pin her down and tease her mercilessly, so she quickly relented.
"Let me think about it some more. Even if I agreed, would the others really accept me?" Asahina hesitated—after all, she wasn't the only girl around him!
"Then I'll walk you back," Kaoru said, standing up as if he had no intention of explaining further.
Asahina looked at him, puffing her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
"I never said I was leaving. Isn't Ichinose-san upstairs in your place?"
Kaoru froze.
"At the very least, I should go up and meet your girlfriend, shouldn't I?"
Asahina didn't consider herself a homewrecker, but she also lacked confidence, feeling like a concubine who had to greet the main wife upon entering the household.
Oh right, there was also Karuizawa.