Chapter 1: “The After-Party and a Study Session for Two”

“This year’s student council election—if I get elected president, I’d want Ryouta-kun as my vice president.”

The offer came out of nowhere, catching me off guard.

After the cultural festival, Kuroki and I lingered in the classroom, sharing a candid conversation. We’d been talking about how we first met, how I’d helped her out a few times in the past, when she suddenly dropped the bombshell about wanting me as her vice president.

“Wait, hold on!” I stammered, my voice betraying my panic. “No matter how you look at it, vice president is way too much for someone like me! There’s gotta be people way more qualified for the student council—”

“No, Ryouta-kun,” Kuroki said, her voice calm and unwavering. “You’re the one I need more than anyone else.”

Her steady gaze didn’t falter, even as I scrambled to deflect. It was clear my protests weren’t going to sway her.

A loner otaku like me, representing the whole school as a student council member? The thought alone was absurd. Sure, I’d been roped into playing the lead in Snow White for the cultural festival, but that was just self-preservation—I wasn’t some pushover who said yes to everything. I’d sworn to never stand out again, and this vice president role was way beyond my comfort zone.

“Kuroki, I really—”

Piro-piro-rin!

A smartphone’s ringtone blared at the worst possible moment, cutting me off. It wasn’t mine, so it had to be Kuroki’s.

“It’s Airi,” she said, glancing at the screen. “Sorry, Ryouta-kun.”

“Y-Yeah, sure.”

While Kuroki took the call from Miyama, I racked my brain for a way to steer this conversation back on track. Even if I agreed to be vice president, could I really support someone like Kuroki, who always aimed for perfection? I’d helped her out before, sure, but that didn’t mean I was cut out for something this big. It felt too simplistic to assume I could handle it.

Kuroki hung up and turned back to me. “Sorry, Ryouta-kun. Airi’s being super pushy about getting to the rooftop.”

“I-I see… Um, about me—”

“The election’s in the fall, so there’s still time,” she cut in smoothly. “Just think about it, okay? You can give me your answer after summer break.”

“Huh? Oh, uh…”

I couldn’t bring myself to flat-out refuse, so the decision got pushed off. Somehow, I felt like Kuroki had expertly cornered me into not saying no.

“Oh, and one more thing,” she added with a playful smile. “Until you decide on the vice president role, I’m pausing the selfies.”

“P-Pause!?” I blurted, my voice cracking.

“Yup. Is there a problem with that?” Her smile was innocent, but I could almost see the True Kuroki lurking behind it, smirking as if to say, You think I’d send photos to a guy who’s dodging my offer?

Kuroki’s selfies… on hold? That hit hard. Checking her daily selfies had become a ritual for me. Kuroki Rui’s midriff-baring selfies, that subtle thrill of superiority from receiving them… The thought of that lifeline being cut off was brutal. And if I had to wait until fall, I’d miss her tanned summer track team selfies—her tanned midriff selfies! That was a matter of life and death.

“Alright, Yuria and Airi are waiting, so let’s hurry—”

“Wait, Kuroki!” I said, swallowing my pride. “I’ll… I’ll seriously think about the vice president thing, so please don’t stop the selfies, okay?”

Kuroki’s smile turned icy, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Hehe… Ryouta-kun, you’re really something.”

“W-What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, flustered.

“You don’t even like me, but you’re looking at me with those perverted eyes, aren’t you?”

“Wha!? N-No way, that’s not—!” I protested, my face heating up.

Kuroki leaned in close, her breath tickling my ear. “Ryouta-kun, you’re the worst,” she whispered, her voice dripping with a seductive edge before she trotted off with a teasing smile.

Her words sent a shiver down my spine—live scolding ASMR, straight to my soul. It was the best.

“Hehe, but I’m not sending any selfies until you decide on the vice president thing! ♡” she called back, twisting the knife.

And just like that, my selfie supply was completely cut off.

☆☆

When Kuroki and I reached the rooftop, a crowd of students buzzed with excitement, many leaning against the chain-link fence to watch the schoolyard below, where the campfire was about to start.

“Yo, Ryouta! Rui-chan! Over here!” Miyama’s voice cut through the chatter, waving us over from the back of the rooftop.

“Sorry for being late, Airi, Yuria.”

“No need to apologize!” Miyama chirped. “You two were picking out food for us, right? My stomach’s growling!”

Kuroki’s expression faltered. “Oh… sorry. We totally forgot to buy food.”

“What!?” Miyama groaned. “Ugh, Rui-chan, you klutz!”

Come to think of it, Kuroki had said we’d go buy food for the cultural festival and told the others to head to the rooftop first.

I completely forgot about that original plan… Did Kuroki forget too?

There’s no way someone like Kuroki would be nervous about being alone with me and talking about everything… right?

“Sorry, Airi,” Kuroki said, her tone gentle, like she was soothing a pouting child. “To make up for it, I’ll treat you to whatever you want. Wanna go buy something now?”

“A treat!?” Miyama’s mood flipped instantly. “Well, I guess I can’t stay mad!”

“Alright, Airi and I will go grab something,” Kuroki said. “Any requests from you two?”

“I’m good with anything. Ryouta?”

“Uh, I don’t really care either.”

“Got it. We’ll pick something then.” With that, Kuroki and Miyama headed off, leaving Yuria and me alone.

We settled down, gazing out at the schoolyard where the campfire preparations were underway. The air between us felt a bit heavy—probably because of that incident during the Snow White play, when I’d covered for Kuroki’s stumble by pushing her onto the bed. Yuria had said she’d “ask for details later,” and the awkward vibe suggested that moment was coming.

She’s probably gonna ask about the play, isn’t she?

“So, anyway…” Yuria started, breaking the silence.

“…!”

I tensed, bracing for the inevitable.

“What were you and Rui doing alone together until just now?”

“Huh? W-What’s with the sudden question?” I stammered, caught off guard.

“You don’t have to hide anything. You said you were getting food and told us to head to the rooftop, but coming back empty-handed is kinda suspicious, don’t you think?”

“Could it have something to do with you pushing Rui down during the play?”

She had a point. It was weird. I couldn’t dodge this one. “W-Well, it’s not entirely unrelated…”

As I’d feared, the conversation circled back to that moment on stage. The awkwardness was suffocating, so I decided to clear things up. “Actually, Kuroki was thanking me.”

“Thanking you?” Yuria tilted her head.

“Yeah. During the play, there was that equipment malfunction when the stage went dark, right? When the lights came back on, Kuroki got startled and stumbled. So I turned it into a scene where I pushed her down and acted like we were kissing to cover for her.”

I puffed out my chest a bit, framing it as my heroic save to ensure no one thought Kuroki had messed up.

“I… see,” Yuria said, her tone softening.

“You get it now?”

“Sorry, Ryouta. I totally misunderstood.” She gave a small, apologetic smile.

Misunderstood?

“I thought, knowing you, your lust just took over on stage, and you used the play as an excuse to push Rui down.”

“T-That’s way too much of a prejudice!” I protested, my voice rising. “What do you take me for, some walking embodiment of lust!?”

“I mean, aren’t you? You’re always ogling my thighs.”

“Well…” I faltered, unable to fully deny it. “I won’t exactly deny that.”

“At least try to deny it!” Yuria snapped, exasperated.

Thighs are thighs, okay? It’s only natural to look. I kept that defense to myself, though.

“Anyway, hearing that puts me at ease,” Yuria continued. “After that stage stunt, I thought you two might’ve snuck off for a little rendezvous or something.”

“No way I’d do that!” I said, flustered. “And there’s no way I could with someone like Kuroki Rui!”

“Yeah, fair point,” Yuria conceded. “You’d be better off going for someone closer to you, Ryouta.”

“Someone closer? You mean Tanaka?”

“Oh, uh… maybe steer clear of her. Tanaka seems… intense.”

Hear that, Tanaka? They’re talking about you.

Yuria and I kept chatting, watching the schoolyard as the campfire preparations continued, waiting for Kuroki and Miyama to return.

“By the way, Yuria, don’t you have to help with the campfire?” I asked. “You’re on the festival committee, right?”

“The guys and male teachers are handling the campfire setup, so us girls get some free time. But in exchange, we’re stuck with boring stuff like checking supplies and doing the accounting after the festival.”

“Oh, got it.”

Now that she mentioned it, I noticed only guys working in the schoolyard.

“Why’d you even join the festival committee?” I asked. “I didn’t peg you as the type for that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Yuria shot back. “I’m the type who gets things done when it counts.”

“Huh… was that a dirty joke?”

“No way! Don’t lump me in with you!” she huffed, clearly annoyed.

Lumping her in with me… ugh, she’s making it sound like I’m some kind of walking dirty joke.

“I joined because… Rui was about to get roped into it,” Yuria admitted. “Our classmates are always piling work on her, right? Sure, she can handle anything and does it perfectly, but she’s still human. She gets tired like anyone else, and it’s gotta be exhausting. So I thought if I stepped up, it might lighten her load a bit.”

For Kuroki, huh…

It reminded me that Yuria had also volunteered to play the prince to ease Kuroki’s burden, even though the play ended up double-cast.

“Hey, Ryouta, why’re you grinning like that?” Yuria asked, narrowing her eyes.

“No, it’s just… you’re a really good friend, Yuria.”

“W-What’s that supposed to mean?” she stammered, flustered. “Are you complimenting me?”

“Of course I am. I mean, I’ve barely got any friends, let alone the confidence to do something like that for them.”

If I were in Yuria’s shoes, I doubt I’d have the guts to sacrifice like that. I genuinely respected her for it.

“Okay, but like, hypothetically, if Tanaka was about to get stuck with committee work?”

“I’d let Tanaka handle it,” I said flatly.

“That’s harsh!” Yuria laughed.

“She could use some social skills, you know.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“Yo, you two! Sorry for the wait!” Miyama’s voice rang out as she and Kuroki returned from the rooftop entrance, their arms loaded with plastic bags overflowing with food.

“H-Hey, what’s with all that stuff!?” I exclaimed, eyes wide.

“We bought out everything on sale for half price!” Miyama grinned. “It’s, uh, SDG… something, right?”

“SDGs,” Kuroki corrected. “But still… that’s a lot.”

Sure, it might be SDGs, but if eating all that makes Miyama’s already huge chest even bigger, it’ll just increase tissue consumption, so it’s a wash, right…?

“Let’s all eat together until the campfire starts!” Miyama said, already digging into the bags.

Well, if it meant her ultra-busty figure got even bustier, I wasn’t complaining. As long as I got to enjoy the view, I stopped overthinking it.

☆☆

As evening deepened, a crowd gathered around the campfire, anticipation buzzing as they waited for it to be lit. An announcement rang out, signaling the end of the cultural festival, and I felt the frenetic energy of the day finally winding down.

We settled in to eat the haul Kuroki and Miyama had brought back, but as I nibbled on a frankfurter, I couldn’t help but gape at the scene before me. Miyama was tearing through yakisoba, frankfurters, and three packs of five takoyaki each with ferocious enthusiasm, while Kuroki, to my surprise, polished off her own takoyaki and three packs of yakisoba with equal gusto. What’s with girls’ stomachs…!? Miyama was one thing, but I never pegged Kuroki as such a hearty eater.

Yuria, meanwhile, barely touched the food, picking at just two or three takoyaki and nothing else. Is something wrong? Is she sick?

“Yuri—… I mean, Ichinose,” I ventured, “why aren’t you eating more like those two? There’s still fried chicken and tamasen left.”

“Geez, Ryouta-kun,” Kuroki teased, “you’re as tactless as some old uncle. Yuria’s been on a die—”

“Hey, Rui!” Yuria interrupted, shoving a tamasen into Kuroki’s mouth to silence her. “Don’t say it! You’re the one with no tact!”

“Mmm,” Kuroki mumbled through the tamasen, unfazed. “This is delicious.”

“Ugh, Rui-chan, that’s not fair!” Miyama pouted. “Airi wants tamasen too! Ryouta, grab me one!”

The tamasen sat in a plastic bag right in front of me, so I reached to hand one over, but—

“Ryouta, feed it to Airi, ahh~!” Miyama chirped, opening her mouth expectantly.

“H-Huh!?” I froze, my hand hovering over the bag.

She was fully in “ahh~” mode, leaning toward me. No way am I doing this!

“There’s no way I can do something that embarrassing!” I protested, my face heating up.

“It’s not embarrassing!” Miyama insisted. “Yuria did it to Rui-chan, didn’t she?”

That was just to shut her up, though.

“Airi, stop,” Yuria cut in, her tone wary. “Getting Ryouta to feed you… feels kinda risky.”

“That’s the lamest reason to say no.”

“Ryouta-kun’s hands are all dirty from touching who-knows-what,” Kuroki added, her voice dripping with mock concern, “so let’s not, okay?”

“Don’t say something so hurtful like I’m some kid!” Miyama shot back.

Kuroki and Yuria’s cold stares pinned me down, and I felt the weight of an impossible choice. Ugh… I might never get another chance to shove a tamasen into Miyama’s mouth…

“F-Fine, whatever,” I sighed, giving in. I pulled a paper-wrapped tamasen from the bag. The warm egg omelet, nestled between two shrimp crackers, wafted a savory mix of soy sauce and mirin, the fluffy egg inside tempting my own appetite. I brought it to Miyama’s mouth, and though her eyes were closed, she must’ve sensed it by smell because she chomped down on it with gusto.

“…Mmmph! Tamasen’s so good~!” she exclaimed, chewing happily.

What’s with that reaction speed… Is she a dog or something? Her reaction was unreal.

“Thanks, Ryouta!” Miyama beamed. “It might’ve tasted even better because you fed it to me.”

“R-Really?” I managed, a grin creeping onto my face as I blushed.

But the whole time, I could feel Kuroki and Yuria’s glares boring into me, their silent judgment making my skin crawl until the campfire finally started.

☆☆

As the sun sank lower, the campfire—the grand finale of the cultural festival—roared to life. Down below, lovey-dovey couples gathered, swaying to the folk dance reserved for the riajuu. Meanwhile, up on the rooftop, the non-riajuu and anti-riajuu hurled curses and insults at the scene below. This must be what they mean by heaven and hell…

[T/N: Riajuu is Japanese internet slang meaning “Somebody who has a good life.” often used by otaku to refer to people who have girl/boyfriends and are popular with their peers.]

Yet, amid the bitterness, Kuroki, Yuria, and Miyama stood apart, their gazes fixed quietly on the flickering flames, untouched by jealousy.

“This year’s cultural festival… it’s over, huh,” Kuroki murmured, a trace of loneliness in her voice. “Just one more left for us.”

Her words hit me. She was right—we only had one more festival to go. The old me would’ve scoffed, Good, let it end already, but this year’s festival had been surprisingly fun. The thought of it being our second-to-last left a pang of melancholy.

“Airi thinks choosing a play over a café this year was the right call!” Miyama chimed in, her voice bright. “Prepping and memorizing the script was tough, but acting was so fun! Seeing Yuria and Rui-chan as princes—and Ryouta’s girl look was sooo cute—was totally worth it!”

Hold on, that last part about my crossdressing is completely unnecessary!

“Yeah, same here,” Yuria agreed softly, nodding. “It’s all thanks to Rui suggesting the play.”

“Me?” Kuroki blinked, surprised. “I was so busy with the track team I barely helped with prep, and I caused trouble with the double-casting. I don’t deserve any thanks… But thanks to you and Airi working so hard, I’m the one who’s grateful. And you too, Ryouta-kun.”

“Rui…” Yuria said, her voice soft.

“Rui-chan…” Miyama echoed, her tone warm.

The three of them instinctively clasped hands, their shy smiles glowing with mutual gratitude. Watching their pure, untainted friendship warmed even my outsider’s heart. They’re so close… like sisters.

But that closeness probably meant keeping secrets to protect their bond—like Miyama’s part-time job, Yuria’s hidden otaku side, or Kuroki’s perfectionism and her darker streak. All to keep this friendship intact.

“Man, there are a ton of couples around the campfire this year, huh?” I remarked, glancing below.

“Ugh, Airi wants a boyfriend too~!” Miyama whined.

“Don’t you already have one?”

“Ah! I mean, like, someone from our school! Someone to flirt with at the festival like that!” Miyama scrambled, her cover for her part-time job slipping as she kept up the boyfriend pretense. I’m shocked she hasn’t been found out yet… or maybe Kuroki already knows?

I stole a glance at Kuroki, only to find her staring right at me. Our eyes locked unexpectedly.

“W-What?” I stammered.

“…Hehe, nothing,” she said, turning to the chain-link fence and gazing at the campfire. “Next year… maybe one of us will be down there.”

“Ooh, does Rui-chan have a crush~?”

“Hehe, who knows?” Kuroki replied playfully. “By the way, Yuria, do you have a crush?”

“Me? I’ve said before I don’t really wanna talk to guys.”

“What? But you talk to Ryouta all the time!” Miyama pointed out.

“Huh? No way!” Yuria protested, flustered. “Ryouta’s just… I only talk to him ‘cause you and Rui do, Airi. I’m just being nice!”

Sure, Yuria, and later you’ll whisper, “That was a lie,” right? God, this gyaru’s too perfect. And those thighs…

“What’s with that creepy grin, Ryouta?” Yuria snapped. “Gross.”

“No, I was just thinking… how wonderful.”

“Wonderful!?” she exclaimed, red-faced. “Stop it, you’re seriously gross!”

Yuria refused to speak to me for the rest of the campfire, her embarrassment palpable.

☆☆

As the campfire’s flames dwindled, our second-year cultural festival drew to a close. The riajuu fervor faded, leaving the school in a tired, tranquil hush. We returned to the classroom for the final homeroom, and with everyone exhausted, the class agreed to leave cleaning up the play props for tomorrow before heading home.

“I’ve got a festival committee meeting, so I’m off,” Yuria said, heading out.

“I’ve got a track team meeting,” Kuroki added, following her. “I’ll head out first, okay?”

Even after a day like this, the track team had a meeting for an upcoming competition. Sports clubs are brutal.

Guess I’d head home too. I grabbed my bag and stood, but Miyama, seated in front of me, spun around.

“Ryouta, Ryouta! Wanna walk home together?”

“Huh? Uh, sure, I don’t mind.”

With Kuroki and Yuria gone, it made sense she’d ask me. We left the school building side by side, the moon already glowing in the night sky. Past 7 p.m. already… It’s been a while since I’ve left school this late.

“The festival was so much fun!” Miyama chirped.

“For you, it’s less ‘fun’ and more ‘delicious,’ right?” I teased.

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” she huffed. “Like Airi was just eating the whole time!”

She was totally just eating the whole time, though…

“But festival food is so cheap and yummy, right? I wish every day was a festival!”

“The people making the food wouldn’t be thrilled to hear that,” I pointed out.

“Airi kinda wants to do food stalls next year!”

She probably just wants to eat… But that’s better than another play like this year.

“Oh, but I also wanna do another play!” she added.

“I’m never doing a play again,” I said firmly.

“What!? Come on, let’s do it! It was fun!”

“If this year’s success means next year’s play will be another gender-swap thing, I’ll get stuck as the princess again.”

Popular kids loved that gimmick. I’d pulled off the princess role decently this year, but it was inevitable they’d find it hilarious to cast me as the lead again.

“Aww… Airi wanted to be the princess next time!” Miyama pouted.

“Really? Then if you say you want to be the princess and ditch the gender-swap idea, I’ll back you up.”

“For real!?”

If we ditch Kuroki’s gender-swap idea, I won’t have to play the heroine, and Miyama gets to be the princess. It’s a WIN-WIN.

I could laze around backstage instead of slaving over food stalls. Much easier.

“Okay, Airi will be the princess, and Ryouta, you’ll be the prince!”

“Yeah, leave it to—wait, the prince!?” I sputtered. “Me!?”

“Yup! If Ryouta’s the prince, Airi will convince everyone!”

“No, no, how does it end up like that!?”

“Airi doesn’t want anyone else to do it! If it’s not Ryouta, I’m not doing it!”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?”

I didn’t get it, but Miyama was dead-set on dragging me back on stage. Sure, she might feel comfortable with me since we talk a lot, but… think about my feelings, Miyama!

“We don’t even know if we’ll be in the same class next year,” I said, hedging. “But, well, I’ll think about it.”

“Really? Yay!” she cheered.

“I said I’ll think about it.”

Between Kuroki’s vice president request and now this, I’ve got another thing to put off… Ugh.

“With Ryouta… together… ehehe,” Miyama giggled, her cheeks looking suspiciously red in the dim light.

“Oh, right, Ryouta!” she added suddenly. “About tomorrow after school…”

“Hm?”

“Can I come over to your place?”

“Huh… my place?” I blinked, caught off guard. “What’s with the sudden request?”

“Is it okay?”

It wasn’t exactly not okay… but Miyama wanting to come to my place? Alone? My mind raced. Between that almost-boob-touch before the play and now this, could she… be hitting on me?

“I-If my place is fine with you…” I managed.

“Yay! Then tomorrow after school, let’s go home together, okay?”

Holy crap. Miyama wanting to come to my place… My heart pounded. Hoping for a chance, I stopped by a store after parting ways with her and bought two boxes of necessary items, just in case.

☆☆

And so, the next day after school…

“Here I come!”

The moment Airi stepped into my room, she dragged the low table from the corner to the center, spread out her study materials from her bag, and plopped onto a cushion on the floor.

“Alright, let’s get started… Study session!”

“Yeah, I’m all prepped—wait, study session?” I blinked, my expectations crashing.

“Yup! The test’s in two weeks, you know? If I get another failing grade, I’ll be banned from my part-time job, so we promised to have a study session!”

I’d been hoping for something else… but a study session? My dreams of hands-on health and physical education—where I tied with Kuroki for the top score—evaporated. Just a study session, huh.

“Ryouta’s room has such cool AC~ Airi’s house has this super old AC that racks up the electric bill and sometimes just goes kaput.”

Miyama plopped her ultra-busty chest onto the table while fanning herself with her hand like a makeshift fan.

Seeing her like that, Airi was almost too sexy for my brain to handle. I’d hoped to flex my knowledge, but… just a study session. With final exams two weeks away at our top-tier public high school, it made sense. Post-festival, everyone shifted into study mode.

“A study session’s fine, but how many subjects did you fail last time, Miyama?”

“Pretty much all of them!” she admitted cheerfully.

“Yeah, you’re screwed.”

“Ugh, don’t give up on me! Airi hasn’t given up yet!” she huffed, her chest jiggling as she puffed out her cheeks. Why does my brain keep zeroing in on her chest after expecting that?

“I’m definitely avoiding failing grades! I’ve gotta balance studying and my job!”

Her determination was a small saving grace—if she’d given up, it’d be hopeless. “Please, Ryouta! I’ve gotta start picking up shifts again next week, so I wanna get a good chunk done today!”

“Alright, alright,” I sighed. “We made a promise, so I’m not backing out.”

“Really!? Thanks, Ryouta!” Airi flashed a dazzling smile, her white teeth gleaming as she dove into her books with enthusiasm.

If she’s this motivated, why doesn’t she study like this normally? With her part-time job and living with just her mom, she probably has a ton of housework too. Going too hard on her would be harsh, so I resolved to teach her gently.

“Ryouta, I don’t get this part.”

“Hm? Where?”

“This whole page~”

“…”

Maybe I should go hard on her after all.

☆☆

We tackled math, modern Japanese, and classical Japanese in one go, mixing in practice tests along the way. Miyama surprised me with her focus.

“Alright, this one’s correct too,” I said, impressed. “You can do it when you try, Miyama!”

“Hehe! Even Airi’s a pro at cramming, so my memory’s pretty good, you know!”

Is being a pro at cramming something to brag about…?

“So, what, you crammed for the high school entrance exam too?”

“Yup! I passed with a week’s worth of cramming!”

A week’s worth of cramming!? That’s not even cramming anymore!

“…You studied for just one week and got into our school?”

“Yup! It went surprisingly well!”

No way, that’s normally impossible!

“You wanted to get into our school that badly, Miyama?”

“Hmm, not exactly our school specifically,” she said. “I just wanted a public high school. Like I told you, with my family’s finances, a private school would’ve been tough.”

Private schools came with steep costs—textbooks, facility fees. For Miyama, living with just her mom, a public school was likely about easing the burden. Add her part-time job to the mix, and she was working harder than I’d realized. Miyama’s kind of amazing.

“Plus, with transportation costs, a school close by seemed better,” she continued. “My options were either the public high school full of delinquents or our school, which I could walk to.”

“That’s an insanely extreme choice.”

“Haha, right? But Airi hates delinquents, so I figured I’d pick our school to find a new version of myself. Pretty good choice, if I do say so!”

Uh, you chose it…? It’s more like you were the one chosen, but she’s talking like she picked it. I’d slaved away at cram school for a year to get in. Could Miyama be one of those hidden geniuses who’d shine with proper effort?

“Well, getting into high school was fine, but it’s been tough ever since. My test scores are always a mess.”

“But you picked this stuff up right away when I taught you!” I pointed out. “You’re totally a genius, Miyama!”

“Huh? R-Really!?”

“Yeah, you’ve learned so much in this session. That’s seriously impressive!”

After being strict, I figured some praise would balance things out—carrot and stick. But Miyama’s eyes lit up, and she got cocky.

“Ehehe, I knew it! Airi’s a genius, right?”

Crap, I overdid the praise.

“Oh, oh! Since Airi worked so hard, how about a reward? Pat my head!”

“Huh? Pat?”

Miyama grabbed my hand and placed it on her head. She wants a head pat?

In light novels, head-patting scenes were standard, but I’d heard real girls hated their hair being touched… “Hurry up and pat me~,” she urged.

“O-Okay,” I said, hesitating. Miyama’s always so clingy with everyone, so she must like this kind of thing, right…?

I started patting Miyama’s head. Miyama’s hair is so smooth, and the more I pat, the sweeter it smells… Damn, this scent alone could make me devour a bowl of rice.

“Mmm… head pats really depend on who’s doing them, huh?” she murmured.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You saying I’m not good enough?”

“Hmm, I wonder~” Miyama teased, dodging the question—a rare move for her.

So I am not good enough?

“Speaking of, guys’ hands are so big, huh?” she said, closing her eyes to savor the pats. “Airi doesn’t have any other guy friends besides Ryouta, so I don’t know about others, but your hands are big and make me feel super safe.”

“Speaking of guys, hasn’t your ‘fake boyfriend’ thing with Ichinose and Kuroki been found out yet?”

“Huh? Nope, not yet, I think.”

“But at the campfire, you slipped up with that ‘I want a boyfriend~’ bit. It’s only a matter of time. Maybe say you broke up before they figure it out.”

“What!? But then I wouldn’t have an excuse for when I’m busy with my job…”

She was dead-set on keeping her job a secret. With their tight bond, I bet Yuria and Kuroki would understand if she told them about her family situation, but she probably didn’t want them worrying or treating her differently. A straightforward, kind girl like Miyama’s lying to protect her secret. I’ve gotta help her keep it, no matter what.

“…But, you know,”

“Hm?”

“If Airi got a real boyfriend… it wouldn’t be a lie anymore, so I wouldn’t feel guilty, right…?”

“A real boyfriend?”

“…N-Never mind!” she blurted, grabbing her mechanical pencil so forcefully it nearly flew out of her hand. “Let’s get back to studying, Ryouta!”

She dove back into her books, cheeks flushed. She’s got a guy she likes, huh? Man, I’m jealous.

“Miyama, I’m rooting for you. Hope you get that boyfriend.”

“…Mmph,” she huffed, glaring at me.

“W-What’s with the glare?”

“…Idiot.”

“Huh?”

“That topic’s done! Here, here, here, and here! Teach me quick, Ryouta!”

“Ugh…”

For some reason, Miyama was mad.

☆☆

The study session stretched until 7 p.m. To my surprise, Miyama stayed focused the entire time, no goofing off.

“Ugh… my brain’s about to explode~” she groaned, stretching her legs under the table and sprawling back on the floor, her body relaxed but exhausted. Even lying down, those ultra-busty peaks stand tall like mountains… What a sight. I wanna take a picture.

While sneaking glances at Miyama’s Everest, I started putting away the study materials.

“Ryouta, you’re so good at teaching!” Miyama said, sitting up. “You explain tough stuff with easy examples, so even dumb Airi could totally get it!”

“Really?”

“Yup! You’d make a great teacher!”

“Me, a teacher?” Her suggestion was so absurd I let out a dumbfounded sound.

A gloomy loner otaku like me at a podium? That’s way too unrealistic. I’d definitely freeze up, and my creepy stare would probably make female students avoid me. “Me as a teacher? Nah, no way.”

“Really? I thought you’d be perfect for it.”

“Nope, not happening.”

“Hmm, okay then! What do you wanna be in the future, Ryouta?”

I’d never seriously considered it. In middle school, I jokingly wrote “stay-at-home security guard” in the graduation anthology for laughs, but as a loner, no one even called me out on it—a hellish memory.

“My future dream… huh. I guess I’ll go to a decent college, get a job at a decent company…”

“And then?”

“…That’s about it.”

“What!? That’s it!?” Miyama exclaimed, incredulous.

“I mean, I get a job, work at the company until retirement, then live out my old age however.”

As a loner, I don’t want the hassle of changing jobs or environments.

“What!? That’s so boring! Aim for something more exciting!”

“Exciting? That’s way too vague.”

“Like, you love anime, right? So maybe make anime! Or draw those cute pictures like that scroll thing!” She pointed at the white-haired loli in a micro-bikini tapestry on my wall.

Even if she says that, I don’t have the talent to be an animator or illustrator… Sure, I’m an otaku, but turning that into a career is tough. I could only see myself as a corporate drone, doing assigned tasks until I die. That’s just how the world works for someone like me, whose only strength is studying.

“Oh, I got it!” Miyama said suddenly.

“Ugh, what now?”

“That light novel you bought at my workplace! Why not become a light novel author!?”

“A… light novel author?”

“You’re always reading those in class, and you’re super smart, so I bet you could do it!”

“N-No way… I just read them as a hobby.”

“Aww~”

Becoming a light novel author wasn’t that simple. Even with years of effort, success wasn’t guaranteed. For an average guy like me, it felt impossible.

“But Airi would love to read a novel written by a kind guy like Ryouta, even just once,” she said softly.

“…Miyama.”

“What kind of story would you want to write, Ryouta?”

My story…

Miyama’s words made a small flame spark in my heart.

“D-Don’t laugh, okay?”

“Of course not!”

“The story I’d want to write is… something like… a harem isekai where the protagonist has the superpower to do whatever he wants with all the boobs in the world.”

The room froze.

“Miyama? Yo, you there?”

“…F-For now, I’ll report this to Yuria,” she said, reaching for her phone.

“Hey! Please don’t tell Ichinose!”

“Then I’ll tell Rui-chan.”

“That’s even worse, stop!”

I lunged to stop her as she opened her messaging app. “Ugh! You pervert, Ryouta!”

“What!? You said you wouldn’t laugh, so I swallowed my shame and said it, and now you’re being harsh!”

“You pervert, Ryouta!”

“Come on! Creativity often comes from eros, right!?”

“You pervert, Ryouta!”

“Stop being a ‘Ryouta Pervert BOT’!”

The room buzzed with our heated banter, Even with the AC on, I was sweating like crazy.

“Are you… looking at Airi’s boobs with those eyes too, Ryouta?” she asked, her tone shifting.

“…N-No, I’m not.” A lie so bad it’d get me killed in one turn of Werewolf.

“If it was any other guy, I’d totally hate it… but, like, for Airi… if it’s Ryouta…” She hid her chest, her summer uniform slightly damp with sweat, and looked up at me shyly. “You’re my only guy friend, and I wanna get even closer… so I don’t mind if you look, Ryouta. You’re… special.”

Her blush deepened as she chose her words carefully. Wait, official permission to stare at her boobs!? I can openly gawk at Airi’s ultra-busty chest every day!?

“R-Really, Miyama!?”

“But in exchange! There’s a condition!”

“C-Condition!? Money!?”

“Not money! Um, about Airi…”

“About you?”

“From now on, don’t call me Miyama… call me Airi.”

The price for staring rights was calling her by her first name. First-name basis and sneaking glances at her boobs? This deal’s too good!

Plus, her talk of “special” and “only guy friend” carried heavy implications. Could those two boxes I bought not have been a mistake? Was this heading somewhere kids shouldn’t see?

“If you don’t want to, it’s fine to keep calling me Miyama… but we’re close enough to have study sessions like this, so I thought it wouldn’t be embarrassing to call each other by our first names.”

“C-Close…”

Airi’s body was undeniably sexy, but her heart was super pure. She likely just wanted the same close friendship she had with Yuria or Kuroki. My lust had gotten the better of me, assuming a chance just because we were alone. I’m the worst.

Miyama sees me as a friend.

That’s why she’s okay with me staring at her ultra-busty chest and wants me to call her by her first name.

“Alright, got it… Airi.”

“…!” Her eyes widened.

“That good, Airi?”

“Y-Yup! Perfect, Ryouta!” she beamed, her cheer infectious.

“Calling each other by our first names makes me feel like we’ll get even closer!”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Even in front of everyone, you can call me Airi, okay?”

“What!?” Even with Yuria, I used last names in public. Calling Airi by her first name in front of others—especially Kuroki—would definitely raise suspicions.

“H-Hey, Airi, about calling you that in front of others—”

“From now on, everyone, including Ryouta, will call me Airi-Airi! I’m so happy~”

Ugh… when she says it like that, it’s hard to say no…

“If you suddenly start calling me Airi at school tomorrow, everyone’s gonna be shocked, huh? Ehehe!”

Her radiant smile was impossible to resist. Whatever happens, happens. Bracing for the chaos at school tomorrow, I steeled myself.

☆☆

The next morning, I woke in a room that felt slightly sweaty despite the AC, the heat stirring a peculiar dream. In a hazy blur where I knew I was dreaming, I found myself on a Shinkansen, gazing intently at Mount Fuji through the window.

But then, Mount Fuji began to morph into skin, and as I stared, dumbfounded, it transformed into a giant Airi. …Huh? A giant Airi!?

I pressed my face against the window, gawking. For some reason, she was completely naked, but clouds conveniently covered her, preventing any wardrobe malfunctions. She sprawled across the vast tea fields of Shizuoka, her presence surreal.

When she spotted me in the moving train, she shouted, “Found ya, Ryouta!” and stood, charging toward me. W-Wait, hold on, this is bad! Her ultra-busty chest bounced wildly, wreaking havoc on the environment—and my lower half. Uwooooh!

The giant Airi ran, flattening buildings and fields, her chest jiggling as she closed in—

“Ryou… ta-kun…”

Huh? That’s weird.

I’m in the middle of an insanely sexy dream about Airi, but I hear another familiar voice.

“Ryouta-kun, it’s morning already~”

That clear, beautiful voice…!?

“!?”

My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright, blinking rapidly. Standing in my room was a beautiful girl with long, straight black hair in a summer uniform. Kuroki Rui!?

“W-Why is Kuroki in my room…? Am I still dreaming…? A dream within a dream? Jiro Akagawa!?”

“Sorry to interrupt your panic, but this isn’t a dream,” she said calmly.

“Not a dream?”

“Yup. I came to pick you up a bit early. Your big sister said, ‘It’s hot outside,’ and let me into your room.”

Her words sank in, my brain sluggishly piecing things together. So, Kuroki came to wake me up… Wait, that’s not right!

“Why my room just because it’s hot outside!?”

“That was your big sister’s—”

“That idiot sister…” I groaned. “A-Anyway, I need to change, so can you get out?”

“It’s fine. I’ll face the wall, so don’t worry and get changed.”

“Of course I’m gonna worry!” No matter how many times I insisted, Kuroki—the girl who never bends—didn’t budge.

“Fine,” I relented, “just keep facing the wall and absolutely don’t look, okay? I’m the kind of guy who changes his underwear first thing, so I’ll be naked for a bit.”

“Changing underwear… hehe,” she giggled.

“Hey! Why’re you laughing!? You got a problem with that!?”

“No, it’s nothing. You’re pretty clean, huh, Ryouta-kun?”

“J-Just face the wall already.”

Like an action movie standoff, I made her turn to the wall and started changing.

“Hey, Ryouta-kun,” she said suddenly.

“Ugh, what now?”

“You said you thought you were still dreaming when I woke you up… Does that mean I was in your dream or something?”

“T-That’s…” If I admitted it was a giant, naked Airi charging at me with her ultra-busty chest bouncing, I’d be done for in every way.

“Hehe… You were thinking about me even in your dreams, huh, Ryouta-kun?” she teased, sounding oddly pleased.

“…”

I exercised my right to remain silent. Why does she seem so happy about it?

Come to think of it, didn’t she once call me her “fated one”? I’d always assumed she was teasing, but… could Kuroki actually like me? …No way. If she did, she’d be more obvious, right?

“Ryouta-kun? Can I turn around now?”

“No! Not yet! My, uh, thing is out right now.”

“Hmm…” Her voice carried a playful lilt, making the air feel charged.

Man, what’s with this atmosphere!?

☆☆

Woken by Kuroki’s morning call, I changed into my uniform, got ready, and headed to school with her. At the entrance, my mom had grinned, “This secures Ryouta’s future!” Clearly, she was misunderstanding something.

“Hehe, it was my first time meeting your mom, Ryouta-kun,” Kuroki said as we walked. “She’s pretty young, huh?”

“Yeah. My parents were childhood friends and got married right after high school, so they seem younger compared to my classmates’ parents.”

“Wow… That’s kinda nice. I’m a bit jealous.”

Her gaze lingered on me, intense and unbroken. Why’s she staring like that!?

Could Kuroki… actually like me? Or was this just her teasing, and I was misreading it? More importantly, what did I think of Kuroki Rui?

Until recently, her selfies made me feel close to her, but that was superficial. She was refined, elegant in every move, with a perfectly beautiful face and an irresistibly cute smile. A superhuman—top in academics, athletics, and popularity. The seating change brought us closer, revealing her perfectionist streak, a hint of a mean side, and… her super sexy navel. But even knowing her hidden sides, she remained an untouchable ideal.

I knew I wasn’t worthy of someone like her. Walking to school together felt like a fluke—someone like me, with nothing to offer, couldn’t possibly be her type, even if I’d helped her out twice before.

“Ryouta-kun? Why the serious face?” Kuroki asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Oh, sorry for going quiet. I was just… thinking about you, Kuroki.”

“Huh…?” Her steps faltered, and she stood there, dazed.

“What’s wrong, Kuroki?”

“…Nothing. It’s just really hot today, huh? My face is getting all warm.” She wiped her forehead with a handkerchief, her cheeks unusually red.

“You okay? Your face is so red—don’t tell me you’re bad with heat?”

“I’m fine! I’m fine… so, um, could you walk ahead for now?”

“Huh? S-Sure.”

I did as she asked, walking ahead while she trailed behind. Our conversation fizzled out, and we continued to school in silence. What’s with her, telling me to walk ahead? I wondered if I smelled—maybe she was being tactful about my body odor? It was summer, after all. Guess I’ll ask Yuria for cologne advice later.

“Ah! Morning, Ryouta!” Airi’s voice rang out as we ran into her and Yuria walking together.

“M-Morning, you two,” I replied.

“Morning, Ryouta,” Yuria said, glancing at Kuroki behind me. “You’re with Rui today?”

“Yup! I ran into Ryouta-kun earlier, so we’re walking to school together,” Kuroki said, spinning a blatant lie. Who came to my room to wake me up?

“Really? By the way, Rui, your face is kinda red,” Yuria noted.

“Huh?” Kuroki touched her cheek.

“Yeah! You okay, Rui-chan?” Airi asked, concerned.

“I-I’m fine! Totally fine!” Kuroki flinched under their worried looks—a rare sight.

“A-Anyway, Airi, Yuria,” she pivoted, “finals are in two weeks—are you guys okay? Did you study yesterday?”

“Ugh, don’t sound like my mom, Rui,” Yuria groaned. “No way I studied.”

“Hehe! Airi studied~ Right, Ryouta?” Airi chirped.

“Huh? Ryouta? Why Ryouta?” Yuria’s eyes narrowed.

Getting suddenly dragged into it by Airi and questioned by Yuria, I wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Uh, w-well…” I stammered, caught off guard. Wasn’t yesterday’s study session supposed to be a secret? Since Kuroki and Yuria had plans, Airi hadn’t mentioned it to them. Why’d you bring it up, Airi!?

No choice, I’ll explain it lightly. “Actually, yesterday, Miyama and I—”

“Ryouta, the name! The name!” Airi interrupted.

Crap, she was right. But calling her “Airi” in front of Yuria and Kuroki felt mortifying. Still, her joyful smile from yesterday—when I’d first called her by her name—flashed in my mind. It was the condition for staring at her ultra-busty chest, so I had to commit.

With a sour face, I tried again. “A-Actually, yesterday… Airi and I had a study session.”

“Ehehe, that’s more like it!” Airi beamed.

““…Huh?”” Kuroki and Yuria let out a stunned sound in unison, Kuroki’s red face snapping back to normal.

“What’s that?” Kuroki asked, her smile tight. “Hey, Ryouta-kun, why’re you calling Airi by her first name?”

Yup, here we go. Despite her smile, I felt an intense, crushing pressure from Kuroki.

“What’s going on? Are you two, like, in some weird relationship or something?”

“N-No! That’s not it!” I protested.

Kuroki kept pressing about the first-name thing. No way around it—I had to come clean.

“M-Miyama really wanted me to call her Airi, and it was part of a little deal we made, so I started calling her that.”

No way was I mentioning the deal involved staring rights—I’d get punched. It was a weak excuse, but not entirely false.

“Hmm. Is that true, Ryouta-kun? Airi?” Kuroki asked, double-checking.

“Yup! Exactly like Ryouta said!” Airi confirmed cheerfully.

Why’s she confirming with Airi? Guess I’m not that trusted, huh.

“Well, yeah, that makes sense,” Yuria said. “Airi’s got a boyfriend, so I figured she wouldn’t have anything shady going on with Ryouta-kun.”

“I thought you two might’ve had something weird going on at first,” Kuroki added, “but… Airi’s got a boyfriend, right? So, Ryouta, why don’t you call us by our first names too?”

“Huh!?” I blinked, caught off guard.

“I’m on board with that,” Yuria said, grinning. “Nice idea.”

Yuria, you sly dog, jumping on this bandwagon…

I’d nearly slipped and called Yuria by her first name before, so it might actually be easier. “Got it, Ryouta?” she pressed. “Call me Yuria, and Rui too.”

“Uh, y-yeah… Got it, Yuria and Rui.”

Calling Yuria felt natural, but “Rui” tickled my tongue, making me flush. Airi tugged at my sleeve. “Ryouta!”

“W-What, Airi?”

“Mmph… Never mind,” she huffed, pouting.

For some reason, Airi stayed sulky the whole walk to school. I’d called her by her name, so why was she mad? Girls are so hard to understand.

For now, I walked with the three of them, my eyes inevitably drifting to Airi’s chest, which had starred in my dream.

☆☆

The classroom buzzed with a quiet intensity as finals loomed two weeks away. Even as I walked in with the trio of beautiful girls, no one spared us a glance, their noses buried in vocabulary books or study handouts. Just days ago, the cultural festival had consumed everyone’s attention, but the shift to study mode was impressively swift.

Caught up in the atmosphere, I opened a textbook instead of my usual light novel as I settled at my desk.

“Hey, Ryouta, Ryouta,” Yuria whispered, leaning close.

“Hm? What’s up, Yuria?”

“…I wanna talk about something in private, so I’m heading to the rooftop. Come up later.” Her voice was low, almost secretive, before she slipped out of the classroom.

Alone with her? My stomach churned. Is this about the name thing, like with Rui? Exhausted from being tugged around by beautiful girls since morning, I reluctantly trudged to the rooftop as she’d asked.

The rooftop baked under the scorching morning sun, the concrete radiating heat. Even Tanaka, who usually lurked in the stairwell until homeroom, was nowhere to be seen.

“So hot—oh, Ryouta, you finally made it!” Yuria called, standing with her hands on her hips, leaning against the chain-link fence. Her long hair gleamed under the sunlight, almost blindingly bright.

Being alone with a gyaru on the rooftop should’ve been a thrilling, ultra-sexy moment, but the vibe felt… off. “So, what’s this about? Don’t tell me it’s about this morning?”

“Yeah, kinda…” Yuria said, her tone cautious. “But first, you and Airi aren’t in some weird relationship, right?”

“Obviously not!” I blurted, my voice rising. “An otaku loner like me dating an ultra-busty beauty like her? That’s pure fantasy!”

“That’s a bit too much self-deprecation, don’t you think?” Yuria said, her brow furrowing.

She’s just backing me up because we’re fellow otakus. “It’s not just me being an otaku. Airi’s got a boyfriend, right? So there’s no way we’d have that kind of relationship.”

“…”

Yuria’s expression turned complicated, her frown deepening.

“Y-Yuria?”

“That’s the thing,” she said slowly. “I’ve been feeling something off for a while… Airi’s so pure and innocent. Does she really have a boyfriend?”

“…!” Oh crap, Airi… it’s starting to fall apart, isn’t it?

After a year together, the more you get to know Miyama Airi, the less she seemed like the type to have a flirty boyfriend at another school.

“Up until now, I didn’t want to pry because I didn’t want to mess up our friendship,” Yuria continued, “but lately, Airi’s been acting really close with you, Ryouta… It’s making me wonder even more if she actually has a boyfriend.”

So, Yuria had been mildly curious before, but Airi’s recent closeness with me had fueled her suspicions. Airi was just naturally friendly and charming, but it was easy to misread.

“What do you think, Ryouta? Or maybe—” Yuria’s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. “Do you know something?”

Sweat—whether from nerves or the heat—trickled down my cheek, dripping onto the searing concrete. C-Crap, this is bad. I’d kept Airi’s secret for a month, but I’d gotten careless. I hadn’t expected to be the one under scrutiny.

“N-No way I’d know anything!” I said, scrambling. “Besides, Airi might seem all pure and innocent around us, but she could be different with her boyfriend, right?”

“With her boyfriend?” Yuria tilted her head.

“Yeah. So assuming she couldn’t possibly have a boyfriend based on how she acts normally might be a bit too hasty, don’t you think?”

I deftly reinforced Airi’s cover while emphasizing I didn’t know her private life. Pretty smooth, Ryouta. Hopefully, that’d make Yuria reconsider…

“…I see,” she said, nodding slowly. “Yeah, I’ve never had a boyfriend, so I don’t really get how people change around them… You’re probably right, Airi’s doing her best for her boyfriend.”

“Yuria…” I exhaled, relieved.

“Now that I think about it, Airi’s not the type to lie so cleverly, so maybe I was overthinking it.”

Got away with it. Still, I’d need to warn Airi later about her boyfriend story being questioned.

“But, like, if that’s the case, then maybe I…” Yuria trailed off, her eyes locking onto mine.

“Hm?”

“If I got a boyfriend, could I become a different version of myself too?”

“…You want that, Yuria? To become someone different?”

“I dunno, but for now…” She stepped closer, her light blue manicured finger gently poking my nose. “I’ve got a guy named Ryouta who accepts both the gyaru me and the otaku me, so I don’t really need a boyfriend, you know?” Yuria said with a grin, showing her white teeth.

I’m here, so she doesn’t need a boyfriend…? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? A guy like me, an otaku, as her only male friend had to be boring. Wouldn’t girls want cooler, hotter guys?

“Plus, if I got a boyfriend, you’d probably hold back from staring at my thighs, right?” she teased. “That’d be too sad for you, so I’ll hold off on getting a boyfriend until you get tired of my thighs.”

“H-Hold on, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of them. You sure that’s okay?”

“F-Forever!?” Yuria sputtered, her face reddening. “Geez, Ryouta, you’re such a perv!”

“Don’t say it with a smile! Say it like you’re grossed out!” And scold me more while you’re at it.

“Well, that’s what’s so…”

“Hm?”

“…Never mind. Should we head back to class?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

With morning homeroom nearing, we jogged back to the classroom. That cute, teasing smile Yuria flashed when she called me a perv was different—not just the thrill of being scolded, but something warmer, more electric.

“…Hey, Yuria, can you keep scolding me with that smile from now on?”

“Huh? Gross. That’s creepy.” This time, her disgust was genuine.

That’s it, that’s the stuff, I nodded to myself, savoring it.

☆☆

With the suspicion about Airi cleared, school life settled into a tense, pre-exam rhythm. Classes became intensive review sessions, and student chatter shifted to study topics only.

…Except for two problem children.

“Hey, hey, for summer break, I wanna go bug-catching, hit up festivals, and definitely go to the pool!” Airi chirped.

“Nice, Airi! I was just thinking about getting a new swimsuit this year,” Yuria replied.

During every break, Airi and Yuria gathered at my desk, buzzing about summer break plans. Normally, Rui, the beauty trio’s leader, would’ve reined them in, but she was swamped answering study questions from classmates, leaving them unchecked.

Airi’s risking a job ban if she fails, and Yuria’s grades don’t seem great either, judging by her class behavior. Should I step in for Rui and give them a wake-up call?

“Hey, you two, I get the summer break talk, but what about studying?”

““……””

Both froze, giving me looks like the world had ended.

“H-Hey, what’s with those empty stares?”

“Ryouta, you’re acting all smug just ‘cause you’re in the poster group, huh?” Airi accused.

The “poster group” meant the top 50 students whose names were posted on the bulletin board.

“You don’t get how it feels to be in the reverse poster group like us, Airi and me,” Yuria added.

The “reverse poster group” was the failing students whose names were also posted. Their sparkling smiles morphed into dark, contemptuous glares.

“N-No, I’m not trying to blame you guys!” I protested.

“It’s so easy for you, huh, Ryouta, with your good grades?” Yuria said. “If you feel bad for us, share some of your brain cells.”

“Yuria, you wouldn’t study even if I did.”

“Hear that, Airi? He’s saying we’re dumb ‘cause we don’t study.”

“That’s harsh, Ryouta!”

“You’re blowing it out of proportion!” How did they even get into this school with such a hatred for studying? Airi did it for her family, but what’s Yuria’s deal?

“Oh! I got it! If Airi and I avoid failing every subject on the finals, how about you join us for whatever we plan during summer break, Ryouta?”

“Huh!? What!?”

“That’s an awesome idea! Then I’ll make you run errands for ice cream whenever I want!”

“Yuria, that’s not a plan anymore!”

“In that case, maybe I’ll have you carry my shopping bags,” Rui chimed in, suddenly at my desk.

Why does she always appear when the topic gets like this!?

“Alright, then we’ve gotta study,” Yuria said, turning to Airi. “Airi, let’s do this.”

“Got it!” Airi nodded, determined.

Whatever the reason, they finally got motivated and returned to their desks, cracking open their textbooks.

“Good for you, Ryouta-kun,” Rui said, her sly, scheming smile glinting.

“…S-Sure, I’m thrilled to get invited by beauties like you for summer break, but studying for that reason kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?”

“Hehe… Still so uptight.” Her voice was teasing, almost mischievous. “Let’s have lots of fun together this summer, okay?”

Lots of fun with the beauty trio… What’s gonna happen to my summer!?

A chaotic summer break was fast approaching.