Shiina recommended a few books to Ichinose before waving goodbye.
On the way back, Mako remained silent, as if nothing had happened earlier.
Kaoru, too, acted as usual, listening to Ichinose chatter about trivial details of their plans for the next day.
She suggested meeting in Kaoru's room—tomorrow was supposed to be a lively birthday party.
"Don't tell Kikyō. I'm planning to prepare a birthday cake for her. It's a secret~"
"Won't my room be too cramped?"
"Should we get a room?"
"..."
After Kaoru left, the two stood silently in the elevator, staring at each other.
Ichinose's smile faded, replaced by a slightly troubled expression.
"I don't think he's ever been in a proper relationship."
The words sounded like a complaint about Kaoru, immediately catching Mako's attention. She turned to Ichinose, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
"Do you think he is particularly good at handling girls?"
"He probably is, otherwise..."
Mako couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence—otherwise, why would so many people like him? Otherwise, why would her first kiss have disappeared? She quickly changed the subject.
"Honami-chan, do you think he's done a lot of terrible things in the past?"
Ichinose shook her head. "It's not about the past. He lacks experience."
Mako was puzzled, but then she noticed Ichinose Honami pausing for a moment, as if reconsidering her own words.
Frowning, she corrected herself, "No... Something must have happened to him before. That's why he's willing to change."
Silence filled the elevator as Ichinose Honami seemed lost in thought.
Amikura Mako hesitated.
Should she tell her best friend what had just happened?
But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, the girl unconsciously touched her fingers, feeling a fleeting, almost transparent sensation—like the brush of a meteor's tail.
"Mako, what were you two doing just now?"
Faced with Ichinose Honami's casual question, Amikura Mako smiled faintly and shook her head gently.
"We just talked. Nothing else."
"Really?"
Ichinose Honami muttered something too quiet to hear, but soon, as if remembering something, she flashed a bright smile at Amikura Mako.
"Mako."
"Hmm?"
"If he ever makes you unhappy, tell me right away. I'll teach him a lesson for you."
...
Kaoru had sent a few messages to Tachibana Akane, but after waiting for what felt like ages, all he got was a "read" receipt—no reply.
Not the worst outcome.
At least she hadn't blocked him, and she was willing to read his messages.
Meanwhile, Asahina Nazuna had bombarded him with texts—some asking what he planned to do with Class 2-A, others probing for hints about his next move.
Logically, Kaoru shouldn't have answered her. But ignoring her completely would make him seem overly suspicious.
So, he told her everything.
After a long pause, Asahina Nazuna finally replied.
[You trust me too much. Honestly, I'm not even sure if I'll tell Nagumo-kun. After all, he's my childhood friend.]
[Not calling him by his name anymore, Senpai?]
[Won't you get jealous?]
[If you're already considering that, then I have no regrets. Even if you side with him, I'll defeat both of you together.]
Silence lingered on the other end before a single question finally came through.
[Actually, there might be room for reconciliation between you two… There's no need to be so tense.]
After all, they were childhood friends. Kaoru sighed as he typed a reply to his senior.
[I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position. I'll be more mindful of that in the future. But I should also clarify—this matter wasn't my decision. It was Nanase's. Given his personality, after Horikita-senpai's expulsion, he'd start looking for the next interesting opponent. I just wanted to settle things now to avoid trouble later.]
[I understand. But with things escalating like this, if someone else gets expelled because of you two…]
[About Muto-senpai… I truly am sorry. And besides, I'm jealous of him. So I won't stop.]
[...]
Through a phone screen, it was hard to gauge Asahina Nazuna's emotions.
Kaoru felt they needed to talk face-to-face—their emotional foundation was too fragile as it was.
...
Soon, the next morning, Kaoru spotted Kushida at the Keyaki Mall.
She stood smiling under a tree, dressed in a brown coat over a fitted white blouse that accentuated the youthful curves of her figure. Her knee-length skirt revealed slender legs clad in black thigh-high socks, while her feet were hidden in a pair of chunky boots, leaving no trace of her ankles.
Just her outfit alone drew plenty of attention, let alone the fact that she was the legendary "Little Angel" of their grade.
It almost looked like she was on a date!
And in truth, today's plans weren't far from one.
"So, what are we doing today?"
Noticing his lingering gaze, Kushida playfully blinked at him.
"Hurry up and decide, or everyone's going to keep staring."
Kaoru was already aware of the murmurs around them.
After all, he was Ichinose Honami's boyfriend, and Kushida was the first-year's beloved angel—naturally, their pairing was bound to stir gossip.
"Let's just walk around for now."
He instinctively reached for her hand but stopped himself.
Kushida let out a soft hum, trailing behind him.
Though they weren't doing anything special, she couldn't suppress her bright smile, her light steps playfully stomping on his shadow as if she were hopping along.
For the students, Keyaki Mall was a place they knew all too well, which left Kaoru slightly stumped.
What exactly were they supposed to do here?
Then, as if reading his mind, Kushida tugged lightly at his sleeve and whispered.
"Hey… wanna go book a room?"
Kaoru nearly stumbled, turning to stare at her in shock.
A slender finger then poked his cheek as her voice dropped to a teasing murmur, "I heard there are private rooms here for resting. Wanna try one?"
"That's not the issue. Do you even realize what you're saying?"
Kaoru kept his expression blank, though her words were every man's ultimate fantasy.
"Duh. You think I dressed up this nicely for them?"
Kushida huffed, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Seriously, I've never done this before. I kinda wanna try it. And doesn't the idea of doing it on campus sound exciting?"
"So this is what you want for your birthday?"
For the first time, Kaoru was genuinely stunned by her.
"Hmm, you do have a point. That really wouldn't be appropriate."
Kushida withdrew her index finger, her face thoughtful. "Then let's wait until we've had our fun before getting a room."
Kaoru had to be firm in his opposition. "Hotels keep records. We'd better go back to my place instead."
Unexpectedly, Kushida burst into laughter, her eyes full of teasing.
"Is it possible... that I was just joking?"
The girl laughed for a while before quickly composing herself, her expression turning serious.
"But today is my birthday, so you have to listen to me. No objections allowed."
Kaoru had a feeling today might not go smoothly.
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