The first rays of morning light seeped through the gap in the curtains, falling softly across the blanket.
Shikime Natsu stirred awake from sleep.
As his consciousness slowly gathered itself, the first thing he became aware of was the soft, warm presence pressed against his side.
The unmistakable warmth of a girl's body.
He tilted his head slightly and looked at Kamuro Masumi, still fast asleep on the pillow beside him.
Her sleeping face was peaceful and still. Her long lashes lay like two small fans resting against her eyelids, trembling faintly with every quiet breath.
The face that usually carried a touch of cool indifference was completely unguarded now — looking, in this moment, unexpectedly gentle and sweet.
As though sensing his gaze, or perhaps roused by the morning light, Kamuro Masumi's lashes fluttered.
Her eyes opened slowly.
Those violet irises still held the hazy unfocus of someone freshly woken — but the instant they found Shikime Natsu's face, so close to hers, the fog cleared all at once. What replaced it was a faint, soft blush of shyness and something that looked very much like dependence.
"...Good morning, Natsu."
Her voice was soft and drowsy as she murmured the greeting. Almost without thinking, her body shifted, nestling closer into Shikime Natsu's chest — like a cat finding a warmer spot.
However.
The moment she moved.
She felt something.
Against her lower abdomen — something hard, and unmistakably warm, pressing against her.
As someone who had just experienced that for the first time last night, Kamuro Masumi understood in an instant exactly what it was.
"—"
Her cheeks erupted in scarlet. The flush spread all the way to the tips of her ears.
Shikime Natsu noticed too. A slightly awkward yet perfectly composed smile crossed his face.
"That... is a perfectly normal physiological phenomenon," he said quietly.
"After all... Masumi is right here beside me."
Hearing those words, Kamuro Masumi's heart skipped a beat.
She bit her lip. Those misty, water-soft eyes darted shyly to one side, stealing a glance at him.
She hesitated for a moment.
Then, as though arriving at a decision, she reached out and gently took hold of Shikime Natsu's arm.
"Um..."
Her voice was barely a whisper — so faint it was almost inaudible.
"If... if you're uncomfortable..."
"I can... help you with that. A little."
[The following 10,000 words have been omitted...]
The two of them got dressed.
Shikime Natsu stepped into the kitchen and, with practiced efficiency, quickly put together two simple breakfasts.
They stood side by side at the slightly cramped washbasin, brushing their teeth and washing their faces — Shikime Natsu had even taken the trouble of slipping back to his own dorm to fetch his toothbrush cup.
The mirror reflected the two of them together.
They really do look... well-matched.
After finishing breakfast, the two began getting ready to head to school.
And right at the moment they were about to step out the door —
Kamuro Masumi suddenly stopped.
She turned around. Rising up onto her tiptoes, her hands lightly resting on Shikime Natsu's shoulders, she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
"Mwah."
"Morning kiss," she whispered with a flushed face, eyes shimmering with quiet happiness.
Watching the girl's adorably shy yet earnest attempt at expressing her feelings, Shikime Natsu couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gave her head a fond ruffle.
"Mm. Morning kiss."
His mood... was exceptionally good.
The two of them left the dormitory building together.
On the way downstairs, Shikime Natsu noticed something rather strange.
The corridors were completely empty. Not a single other student in sight.
He checked the time. It was right in the middle of the morning rush — the peak hour when students should have been streaming toward class in a noisy, bustling flow of footsteps and chatter.
Yet right now, the hallway was oddly, almost eerily quiet.
No one else at all.
That really is... a bit strange.
Still.
For Shikime Natsu, it was actually a welcome thing.
After all — being able to walk to class together like this, just the two of them, with no one to interrupt, no prying eyes to worry about.
This kind of experience was... rare. And precious.
He found he rather liked it.
They stepped out of the dormitory entrance and into the warm morning sunlight.
Shikime Natsu reached out, quite naturally, and took Kamuro Masumi's hand.
Feeling the warmth of his palm against hers, Kamuro Masumi's body stiffened slightly.
Her instinct was to pull her hand back — but she couldn't quite bring herself to let go of that warmth.
"Natsu..."
She cast a slightly anxious glance around them. There was no one here now, but that didn't mean it would stay that way.
"If someone sees us like this..." she said quietly, her head bowed.
"If you're planning to build a harem, Natsu... holding my hand this openly in public could seriously work against you, you know."
She sighed softly, as though imagining herself in the shoes of another girl:
"Put yourself in their place. If it were me before — if I'd seen Natsu holding hands with another girl this intimately..."
"I would have told myself I had no chance, and either walked away on my own, or at the very least... kept my distance from that boy, and stopped holding onto those kinds of unrealistic hopes."
Hearing that, Shikime Natsu stopped walking.
He turned to look at Kamuro Masumi's face — a face that was entirely written with I'm saying this for your sake — and couldn't help but laugh.
This silly girl.
She's the real girlfriend. And yet here she is, fretting about things like this.
Rather than let go, his grip tightened.
"So what?"
His tone was light — but there was an unshakeable certainty behind it.
"I'm not about to let Masumi feel like she has to compromise. And besides... haven't I already answered that question?"
Hearing those words, Kamuro Masumi felt something strike her heart clean through.
A wave of warmth spread through her entire body.
"Idiot..." she murmured under her breath, her eyes growing just slightly warm.
"I already feel happy enough."
"As long as I'm with you... something like this doesn't matter at all."
But even so.
Looking at Shikime Natsu's utterly sincere expression, she found she had nothing left to argue.
She simply lowered her head, hiding the smile she couldn't quite suppress at the corner of her lips.
She felt that large, warm hand wrapped snugly around hers.
And her own small hand, almost of its own accord, curled back around his — fingers interlaced.
...
The two of them walked all the way to the classroom, hand in hand.
The moment they pushed the door open —
The room, which had been filled with its usual low hum of chatter, went silent for a few seconds.
Every pair of eyes in the class converged on their interlocked hands.
But.
No one looked particularly shocked.
Because honestly...
The way these two had always been around each other — that oblivious-to-the-world atmosphere, those knowing glances, that undeniable chemistry — had already been edging well past just friends for a while now.
Anyone with eyes could tell there was something going on between them.
Now that they'd finally made it official — finally put words to what was already obvious — the general reaction was less surprise and more: "Oh. Right. Obviously."
"Shiki-san!"
Totsuka Yahiko was the first one to rush over.
He looked at Shikime Natsu with entirely genuine sincerity and said:
"Congratulations! Seriously, congratulations!"
"You finally made it official?"
"I knew there was something between you two!"
Right behind him came Hashimoto Masayoshi, his trademark confident smile already in place.
He walked up and clapped Shikime Natsu on the shoulder, his tone carrying a note of genuine admiration.
"Congrats, leader."
"Kamuro-san is one of the most beautiful ice queens in our class, and you still swept her off her feet. Honestly?"
"That's just like you."
With those two leading the way, the rest of the class chimed in with their congratulations.
Though...
Mixed in among all those well-wishes, a few faces carried somewhat more complicated expressions.
Like Sakayanagi Arisu, seated by the window.
She watched the two of them surrounded by the class, and a flicker of quiet understanding passed through those sharp, intelligent eyes of hers.
So that's how it is...
She thought to herself.
No wonder Shikime Natsu hadn't been bothering her these past two days — hadn't been forcing her into maid duty and humiliating her. He'd been spending his time on Kamuro Masumi instead... That really is a bit much.
Sinking to the level of falling in love — Shikime Natsu really has become indolent.
She let out a quiet hum. Inwardly a little displeased, but outwardly maintaining every inch of her elegant composure.
On the other side of the room.
Morishita Ai, who had been slumped over her desk in a daze, lifted her head at the commotion.
Those wide, expressive eyes of hers drifted — quite calmly — to the sight of Shikime Natsu and Kamuro Masumi's joined hands.
And then...
With no change in expression whatsoever, she looked away, turning her gaze back to the clouds drifting past the window.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the classroom.
Yamamura Miki — who always seemed to occupy the very edge of anyone's awareness — worked up her courage and stood.
She walked timidly over to the two of them, head bowed, her voice barely audible:
"Um... that is..."
"Congratulations... Shiki-san. And Kamuro-san."
"You're... finally together."
"P-Please be happy, okay."
Seeing how visibly nervous she was, Shikime Natsu smiled gently and nodded.
"Thank you, Yamamura-san."
From nearby, Shiraishi Asuka approached as well.
She carried herself with her usual grace, her warm smile firmly in place.
"Congratulations, you two," she said softly, her voice sincere and composed.
Though...
For anyone paying close attention, there was something in the depths of those perceptive eyes of hers — a barely-there flicker of something that looked very much like wistfulness.
It seems... there's one fewer person to share him with now, she thought quietly.
Beyond her.
Every girl in the class who had ever spoken with Shikime Natsu — or quietly harbored some feeling for him — offered their congratulations with a smile.
But nearly all of them couldn't quite hide that faint trace of disappointment on their faces.
And the looks they directed at Kamuro Masumi were full of undisguised envy.
That particular flavour of frustration — the one who was closest got there first — was practically written across their expressions for everyone to read.
Taking in all those complicated looks coming from every direction, Shikime Natsu sighed inwardly.
Ahh...
It seems... I really am a deeply sinful man.
Kamuro Masumi, standing beside him, had naturally noticed all of it too — every small expression from every one of those girls.
A woman's intuition told her immediately: those gazes held far too much of something called affection.
She thought to herself quietly.
If Shikime Natsu had chosen one of those other girls first... then right now, she herself would probably be standing somewhere in that crowd, watching him be happy with someone else, wearing exactly that same wistful, envious expression.
The thought made her grip his hand a little tighter.
But fortunately... she was Shikime Natsu's first girlfriend.
Of course.
Kamuro Masumi knew perfectly well.
With someone as exceptional as Shikime Natsu — and with a personality as freely-wandering as his — there would almost certainly be other girlfriends down the line.
She had made her peace with that before she'd ever confessed.
But still...
She lifted her eyes and looked at the radiant boy beside her, the corner of her mouth curving upward just slightly.
At least... until Shikime Natsu made things official with someone else.
Right now — Shikime Natsu belonged to her alone.
Soon after, the bell rang.
Homeroom teacher Mashima Tomoya walked into the classroom, lesson notes in hand.
The moment he stepped through the door —
He felt it immediately. An unusual atmosphere.
How to put it...
A heavy, oppressive undercurrent.
"Hm?"
Mashima Tomoya scanned the room with a puzzled expression.
"What's going on today?"
"The mood in here is... off."
The midterm results had just come back a few days ago, and everyone had performed admirably. Not a single student had failed out, and the class had gained an additional 100 class points.
By all rights, Class A should have been riding high — energised, victorious, buzzing with good spirits.
So why did it feel like everyone was distracted, even slightly deflated?
The girls especially — each and every one of them looking like something had stolen their soul.
But.
As a conscientious and responsible teacher, Mashima Tomoya didn't press the matter.
He cleared his throat and began the day's lessons.
Time passed quickly.
Before long, it was lunch.
Shikime Natsu, as usual, rounded up the group to head out and eat.
But this time, as he went to invite Yamamura Miki, his gaze drifted around the room and landed on a certain eccentric girl who was currently making vague gestures at thin air.
"Morishita-san."
"Want to come eat with us?"
At the sound of her name, Morishita Ai stopped what she was doing.
She turned her head, fixing those wide eyes of hers on Shikime Natsu for a long moment.
Then, quite abruptly, she announced:
"Shikime Natsu getting the girl was entirely thanks to Morishita Ai."
"..."
Shikime Natsu blinked, then silently rolled his eyes. Wasn't it entirely his own charm that won her over?
But before he could get a word in, Morishita Ai spoke again, her tone completely deadpan:
"Shikime Natsu, rather than inviting Kamuro Masumi alone to lunch, is instead calling Yamamura Miki and me along as well."
"Is there some hidden strategic motive behind this?"
"Could it be..."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, as though she could see right through him:
"That Shikime Natsu is attempting some kind of capture strategy on Morishita Ai?"
"Let me be clear upfront," she said, raising one finger and wagging it.
"Morishita Ai will absolutely never fall for a fickle, two-timing playboy."
Shikime Natsu ignored the speech entirely — as far as he was concerned, every one of his feelings was genuine — and simply produced the bento box of meticulously prepared food, giving it a little shake.
"I made a special bento."
"It's really good."
"Do you want to join us?"
The words special bento caused Morishita Ai's eyes to light up ever so slightly.
She deliberated for approximately 0.5 seconds, then gave a decisive nod.
"Fine."
"Since Shikime Natsu has extended such a sincere invitation."
"And besides..."
She glanced at Kamuro Masumi standing nearby, and added with complete seriousness:
"Shikime Natsu and Kamuro Masumi only just started dating."
"This is an S-rank high-risk period."
"I have both the duty and the obligation to keep close watch on these two."
"There must be absolutely no impure conduct between them on sacred school grounds."
This is for the peace of the universe.
"..."
Shikime Natsu just smiled and said nothing.
Originally, he'd planned to invite Katsuragi Kouhei, Hashimoto Masayoshi, and Totsuka Yahiko along as usual.
But.
Those three had apparently come to some prior agreement. They exchanged a single look, then unanimously declined.
"We're, uh... in the mood for ramen at the cafeteria today."
"Wouldn't want to impose. Enjoy your meal, leader."
And with that, the three of them slung their arms around each other's shoulders and made a swift, remarkably speedy exit.
Obviously.
They had the social awareness to know they didn't want to be the third, fourth, and fifth wheels glowing in someone else's spotlight.
And so.
The lunch lineup for today became a slightly peculiar combination:
Shikime Natsu, Kamuro Masumi, Yamamura Miki, and Morishita Ai.
The four of them found a quiet spot, sat down, and began to eat.
The atmosphere during lunch was just a touch... delicate.
Yamamura Miki kept her head down, quietly working through her meal, only lifting her eyes occasionally to steal a shy glance at Shikime Natsu and Kamuro Masumi sitting across from her.
After a long while, it seemed she could no longer contain her curiosity — or perhaps she was just searching for something to talk about.
She set down her chopsticks and asked in a small voice:
"Um..."
"Kamuro-san... and Shiki-san..."
"W-When did you two start going out?"
"And... who confessed first?"
The moment the question was out, Morishita Ai — who had been entirely focused on demolishing a piece of fried chicken — immediately froze.
She looked up, ears perking, those big eyes of hers lighting up with the unmistakable gleam of gossip.
Shikime Natsu honestly hadn't expected it.
That Yamamura Miki — usually so quiet, so hesitant she could barely raise her voice — would be the one to voluntarily ask something this earnestly romantic.
He glanced at Kamuro Masumi beside him, who had gone a little shy, and smiled. Then, without any embarrassment at all, he answered plainly:
"Me."
"I confessed first."
While it was technically Kamuro Masumi who had first made her feelings known in her own way, Shikime Natsu was undeniably the one who had made the actual confession. That much was simply true.
"Wow..."
Yamamura Miki let out a soft, wondering sound, her eyes brimming with envy.
"That's so wonderful..."
Beside her, Morishita Ai turned and looked Kamuro Masumi over very carefully.
Right now, Kamuro Masumi's face wore a faint rosy flush, and a smile she couldn't quite keep suppressed played at the corners of her mouth — the smile of someone who was simply, quietly happy.
That soft, radiant aura was worlds away from the poker-faced Kamuro Masumi everyone was used to.
Morishita Ai nodded thoughtfully, and remarked with great solemnity:
"I see."
"It seems... love really does produce some kind of mysterious chemical reaction. One that completely restructures a person's molecular composition."
Then, shaking her head with an expression of deep mourning, she added:
"Still though."
"Someone as wonderful as Kamuro Masumi... and she ends up with a wolf like Shikime Natsu."
"What a terrible waste of a resource."
Hearing that, Kamuro Masumi didn't get angry.
She just looked at Morishita Ai, smiled, and shook her head — her voice gentle, but without a hint of wavering:
"Not at all."
"I think..."
She turned her head and looked at Shikime Natsu with a gaze full of warmth.
"Being able to date Natsu... is something I feel incredibly lucky about."
"It's... the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me in my entire life."
...
Hearing those words, and seeing the kind of atmosphere between the two of them that practically had little pink bubbles floating through the air —
Morishita Ai said nothing more.
She quietly reached for the small carton of milk beside her, jammed the straw in, and took a long, hard pull.
Slurp.
Strange.
The packaging clearly said Full Sugar Sweet Milk.
So why was it...
That the taste in her mouth was so unbearably sour?
____
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