"Let's hurry back now." Hayakawa pulled his gaze back, looking at the dorm building that was almost within reach ahead. "Study time starts now."
Ogata Rizu quickly followed him upon hearing this. Although Furuhashi was sullen over being misunderstood by the two, she reluctantly trailed behind. She had no choice; studying had to continue.
At the door of the dorm room, Hayakawa opened his door, then stepped aside and said calmly to the two girls, "Please come in."
"Excuse us." Ogata Rizu walked in without a second thought.
Furuhashi Fumino: "..."
The three entered the room together and sat down at a desk. Hayakawa rummaged through his backpack. "Coffee or water, what are you two having?"
"I want coffee." Ogata Rizu said.
"I'll just have water…" Furuhashi Fumino began calmly, but suddenly covered her head, her face collapsing in frustration. "No! I can't take this anymore!"
"Aren't you drinking?" Hayakawa asked, confused, having just taken out the water.
"Why did Rizu and I so naturally just walk into your room?!" Furuhashi Fumino looked at Hayakawa and Ogata in disbelief, her voice urgent. "And why are you both acting like this is completely normal?! This is a student dorm!"
"..." Hayakawa looked at Ogata with vacant eyes. Ogata returned his gaze with the same expression.
"Uh…" Hayakawa hesitated. "Then should I go to your room instead?"
"Is that the point?!" Furuhashi Fumino covered her forehead in despair, sounding like she was about to faint. "I just don't get it anymore…"
Hayakawa said expressionlessly, "Then how do you propose we study?"
"We definitely have to study," Furuhashi Fumino said weakly. "But studying in your room is too dangerous! What if a teacher comes by to check the dorms or something…"
"Uh…" Hayakawa said perplexedly. "Then we'll just tell them we're studying. Isn't this a study camp?"
"Is it that simple? We'll definitely get lectured," Furuhashi Fumino countered. "If it's Kirisu-sensei who comes, that will be big trouble."
"Ah! That really is a problem!" Ogata Rizu, who had been unconcerned until now, changed her expression slightly. She looked at Hayakawa with some panic. "Hayakawa, that teacher alone…"
"You two are really afraid of her, aren't you?" Hayakawa shook his head helplessly. "Then, just hide in this closet. I haven't put anything inside, so the two of you should fit."
"This…" Furuhashi Fumino looked back at the closet and whispered, "That's the only way, I guess."
And so, the study session began.
Meanwhile, in Yotsuba's Dorm Room
Yotsuba sat on her dorm bed, hugging her legs and looking out the window at the endless forest.
Hayakawa-kun…
It's been so long. You've become so amazing, the top student in the grade, and so handsome.
I can't believe I got to meet you again here! It's really great that I transferred to Ichinose Academy!
"Haaah…" Yotsuba lay down on the bed. Her sparkling eyes were like a clear lake under the night sky, reflecting the dark sky and the scattered stars. Her small face was full of hope and anticipation, and a silly, good-natured smile played on her lips.
You probably don't remember me anymore. After all, we knew each other when we were kids, and it's been so long since we parted…
But I've always remembered you, always fantasized about running into you again.
And then, I suddenly saw you in the corner of the cafeteria. It nearly scared me to death; my heart almost leaped out of my chest. And then…
I was so happy.
Nakano Yotsuba covered her small face, letting out uncontrollable joyous laughter.
It feels like a dream to be attending the same school as you, to even become friends with you, and I even went to your room last time!
If things keep going like this…
"Pat! Pat!" Nakano Yotsuba slapped her flushed cheeks twice. She couldn't keep fantasizing in that direction; her brain would break if she did.
"Knock, knock~"
A knocking sound came from the door.
"Who is it?" Nakano Yotsuba got off the bed and asked.
"It's me, Nino." Nino's voice came from outside the door.
"Nino?" Yotsuba went and opened the door. Nino, wearing casual clothes, stood outside.
"Yotsuba, let me tell you something." Nakano Nino walked in, complaining. "That Itsuki, she actually abandoned me and ran away in the forest during the Test of Courage today! It's unbelievable…"
"Ahaha…" Yotsuba smiled, listening to her sister's minor complaint, which was one of her daily pleasures.
However, after a few sentences, Nino suddenly changed the subject, becoming shy and awkward.
"There's another very important thing today," Nakano Nino's face was pink. Her voice held excitement and anticipation. "I met a boy who made my heart flutter!"
"Eh? Flutter?!" Nakano Yotsuba's eyes instantly widened. She pressed, "Who is it? Who is it?"
"It's a boy I met for the first time today," Nakano Nino said with excitement, lowering her voice. "Itsuki abandoned me in the forest today, right? I was super scared in the forest, but that boy passed through the woods, found me, and rescued me! How is that? Isn't that romantic?!"
"It is!" Nakano Yotsuba was both shy and envious. She also wished a boy would bravely rescue her when she was in danger.
If it were Hayakawa-kun… Thinking this, Yotsuba's face turned even redder.
"He feels just like a Prince Charming, and his looks perfectly match my taste. He is totally my type," Nakano Nino covered her face. "He is my destined person. I can feel it. I'm being completely serious this time."
"That's so great~" Yotsuba became even more envious. She pulled Nino's hand, shaking it gently. "So who is it? Tell me, Nino. You came all the way here, don't keep me in suspense."
"Hmph~ I'll tell you, but you can't tell Ichika or the others. They'll definitely laugh at me. I'm only telling you because you're my most important sister…" Nakano Nino lifted her smooth chin tsundere-style, then said awkwardly, "Promise you won't tell anyone…"
"I absolutely promise to keep Nino's secret!" Yotsuba made a sealing gesture over her mouth.
"Honestly, fine, I'll tell you then," Nino was amused by Yotsuba's reaction, and her shyness faded a little. She then said seriously, "It's someone you know too."
Yotsuba looked at her with anticipation.
"It's that Hayakawa-kun… Hayakawa Haku," Nino said, gathering her courage. Then she instantly covered her burning face. "He's the private tutor Itsuki has been talking about for the past few days. The one I met today was him."
Nakano Yotsuba: "..."
The moment that name left Nino's mouth, Yotsuba felt the time in the room freeze. It was as if the world pitied her, giving her time to fully process the meaning of those words before time continued to flow.
Yotsuba was petrified. Her emotions and soul were frozen within her body. The overwhelming reality crashed into her small world like a car accident, shattering her heart into pieces.
Yotsuba couldn't describe the feeling. Blank mind, a bolt from the blue, spinning world… none of it seemed quite right.
If she had to say, it was bewilderment—so much so that she didn't even know if she should look sad. She could only stare blankly at Nino.
"Yotsuba?" Nakano Nino looked at her in confusion.
"I'm… I'm fine!" Nakano Yotsuba suddenly snapped out of it, instantly flashing a strained smile. "I'm totally fine!"
"What's wrong with you?" Nakano Nino asked. "Are you that surprised?"
"Ah… yes," Yotsuba nodded vaguely, her voice as light as a sigh. "Yes, I'm very surprised."