Asahina was pleased.
She had finally gained the upper hand over Kaoru, no longer letting him toy with her as before.
The two didn't continue holding hands and soon left the café, stepping onto the streets bathed in the faint glow of twilight.
The city lights flickered to life, gradually illuminating the world before them, while Christmas carols would linger well into the night.
"So, are you sticking with me now, or do you have other plans?" Asahina asked nonchalantly.
"Tachibana-senpai plans to confess to Horikita-senpai. I wanted to see how it turns out," Kaoru admitted, unfazed by the first half of her question.
"Oh? Just to see the outcome?" Asahina hadn't forgotten how Tachibana Akane treated Kaoru.
"Honestly, I don't think Tachibana-senpai stands much of a chance. Horikita-senpai doesn't seem interested in romance."
"Who knows? There might be a twist," Kaoru said, turning to her. "Are you heading back soon?"
"Hmm, someone's curious about the answer?" Asahina flashed a mischievous grin. "If you'd agreed to my offer earlier, you'd already know."
"Well, if you don't mind, I could take you along to meet them," Kaoru suggested, thinking it might be a good chance for introductions.
"..."
Asahina tilted her face slightly, pouting.
He was teasing her again.
If she really went along, wouldn't she just be delivering herself straight to him, turning this into a double date?
"Long time no see, Asahina, Mitoma."
At that moment, Kiryūin Fūka appeared not far from them, greeting the pair with a smile.
Asahina Nazuna wasn't particularly surprised—she had encountered this free-spirited girl before.
"Merry Christmas, Kiryūin-san," Asahina Nazuna replied warmly.
Kaoru also greeted her, though inwardly, he was a little frustrated.
He hadn't had the chance to prepare a Christmas gift for Kiryūin Fūka yet.
"I heard you had a fight with Nagumo?" Kiryūin Fūka didn't bother with pleasantries, cutting straight to the point.
"Not only does your decision interest me, but the person beside you does as well."
Though Asahina was familiar with Kiryūin's bluntness, she hadn't expected her to be this direct.
"Does Kiryuin-senpai usually enjoy gossip?" Kaoru subtly stepped slightly in front of Asahina. "If you don't mind, I can talk with you alone for a bit."
Asahina blinked in surprise, then suppressed a faint smile.
"Did my tone just now upset you?" Kiryūin chuckled, seemingly unbothered by his response.
"Let me rephrase it—when are you going to take responsibility for me?"
Kaoru fell silent.
Even the calmest person would falter at that.
"...Responsibility? What do you mean?"
Sure enough, Asahina voiced the obvious question.
"Unfortunately, though I'm an untouched maiden, he offered so much that I couldn't refuse. So I indulged his... particular tastes."
By the end, Kiryūin seemed too embarrassed to elaborate further.
Even though she knew she was stating the facts, why did this subtle feeling linger?
"Mitoma-kun?" Asahina tugged at his sleeve, offering a faint smile.
"Could you explain a little?"
Having first-year students around was one thing, and she could even tolerate Tachibana Akane's presence—but why was Kiryūin here too?
"The situation was a bit special at the time. I'll explain later," Kaoru quickly deflected.
"By the way, Kiryūin-senpai, aside from wanting me to take responsibility for you for life, was there anything else today?"
"..."
Kiryūin froze for a moment.
Hadn't this guy been panicking just earlier?
Why could he now casually talk about taking responsibility for her as if she were some scorned woman showing up at his doorstep?
"Fufufu, so you won't even spare a pitiful maiden like me?" Kiryūin suddenly laughed with amusement.
"I heard you already have a girlfriend. Asahina knows about this too, right? But your relationship seems a bit... strange?"
Unaware of the full context, Asahina assumed Kiryūin was in a similar situation to hers and nodded.
"As you can see, I had a fight with Nagumo-kun. For now, I'm temporarily Mitoma-kun's... Just how many girlfriends am I?"
She turned to look at Kaoru as she finished speaking.
"My first older-type girlfriend," Kaoru replied without batting an eye. "Also the third one I've officially confessed to."
Kiryūin was stunned, but Asahina simply chuckled and continued.
"That's our current situation. Sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?"
"...You two are bold," Kiryūin admitted, finding herself thoroughly enlightened today.
Coming from an elite family, she had seen so-called mistresses before, but none were as harmonious as these two, discussing it like it was the most normal thing.
"I just stopped overthinking. Sometimes indulging yourself and enjoying life as it comes isn't so bad," Asahina said. "I hope this gossip satisfies you?"
"Without you, Nagumo probably won't have an easy time moving forward," Kiryūin remarked, eyeing Kaoru.
"Also, I find you quite dangerous now."
"Wasn't I always?" Kaoru wondered—hadn't it been obvious when he'd licked her feet back then?
"It's different from before. Now, you give me the creeps. Like if I get any closer, I might end up as your mistress too."
With that, Kiryūin took a few steps back, her expression screaming that a cute girl like her shouldn't be wasted on trash.
Kaoru couldn't be bothered to argue.
Instead, he pulled out a Bluetooth earpiece from his pocket.
"Merry Christmas."
"Is this my Christmas present?"
"What else would it be?"
"If you're trying to woo a girl, at least put in some effort. What's so special about this earpiece?"
"Weren't you just saying you needed to keep your distance?"
"...Fair enough. I'll take it, then toss it in the trash later."
"Were you always like this?"
"Thanks for the compliment."
"Whatever. Just be careful when using it."
Kiryūin dismissed his warning.
What could possibly be dangerous about a simple Bluetooth earpiece?
After handing over the gift, Kaoru bid farewell to the two of them.