Knock knock.
A boy's voice outside:
"President Yukinoshita, may we come in?"
Inside the clubroom—
Yukinoshita, distractedly reading, tightened her grip on her book.
Aoki, who never knocked, knocking now—couldn't be anything good, especially with the results just posted…
She hadn't expected to actually lose to him.
She'd sat first for years. This was her first time second since middle school.
Her own words were now boomerangs—especially remembering her confidence earlier—
"Aoki, I hope you can maintain this after next week's exam."
She squeezed the book. Digging up this black history was cruel.
She killed the thought, breathed in, and—cool as ever—said two words:
"Come in."
The handle slid; Aoki stepped in.
"Good afternoon, President."
As usual, he put his bag by the chair, took out a book, and opened it.
The only difference was that he actually greeted her.
She said nothing. Hachiman, however, was confused.
He could feel the tension—and he knew Aoki had stopped him from barging in for a reason. But he lacked info to deduce more.
He fished out a light novel and pretended to read, while watching them both.
Silence, save for turning pages.
After a while—
Yukinoshita couldn't hold it.
She drew a deep breath and snapped her book closed.
She looked at Aoki. Opened her mouth. Closed it.
She realized she didn't know how to start. After another pause, she said,
"Aoki… you have nothing to say?"
Like an interrogation. Aoki closed his book and tilted his head, feigning blankness.
Hachiman stiffened.
He'd expected some exchange, but not this level of tension out of the gate.
Aoki didn't answer; Yukinoshita struggled to continue.
She wanted to drop it, but she'd made a promise—and she never broke promises.
So after another pause, she glanced at Hachiman, then back to Aoki, hesitated, and said,
"A… about the apology."
Aoki blinked and put the book back in his bag.
"Oh—I thought you'd forgotten, since you didn't bring it up… You're going to apologize to me?"
Yukinoshita regretted making that bet.
Teeth gritted, remembering her earlier bravado—she inhaled.
A solemn apology, with proper attitude—
After a moment to compose herself, she said,
"A-Aoki… I'm sorry about that day. Since I could have asked for clarification, I shouldn't have said those things…"
Her cool voice stuttered. Remembering her own confident words brought a blush to her cheeks…
Hachiman gaped at her, then at Aoki.
What kind of play is this? Am I the real victim?
Aoki, for his part, almost smiled at her expression, but suppressed it with a cough.
He paused and said lightly,
"I don't mind about that day. But—President Yukinoshita, being second must really grate. Want to bet again on next month's monthly?"
…
Aoki isn't an idiot. Far from it—first at Shūwa makes him a genius.
And asking a genius to retake the lead in a month, when both work equally hard…
Yukinoshita isn't an idiot either. As vexed as she was, she wouldn't accept a near-certain loss.
So, after apologizing—still embarrassed—she ignored his invite.
Until he added,
"Silent because you're scared?"
Her hand, about to turn the page, stopped.
Childish bait—grade-schoolers see through it.
She snapped the book shut, lifted her eyes to him.
No way she'd back down from a taunt like that.
She said,
"Clumsy provocation…"
"But I accept!—So, the stakes?"
"…"
He hadn't thought that far. He blinked and pondered.
Yukinoshita beat him to it:
"Just apologizing is boring… let's raise it. The loser grants the winner one request—not excessive."
"Not excessive… Fine." He nodded.
Meanwhile—
Hachiman looked at them both.
The shock that had faded came roaring back.
What kind of bet is this?
A budget King's Game?
Isn't this the kind of thing in trashy manga?
He was convinced—
He was just a prop in their play!
-------
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