Chapter 1 : Opening of the Third Term of the Second Year

THERE WERE CROWDS on the way to school. A sight not seen during winter break.

I didn't dislike the serene scenery, but unexpectedly, I may have preferred watching the waves of students.

Or perhaps, I had just gotten used to the current view in front of me.

As I felt the end drawing near, perhaps I subconsciously started to cherish it.

"What's the matter, Kiyotaka? You've stopped."

My right arm was enveloped in warmth, and looking up at me from it was Kei, my girlfriend.

Her moist lips caught my eye. She must have put on her favorite lipstick before leaving.

"No, it's nothing."

I muttered this and started walking with her. The daily life of spending time with her was at least free from boredom.

Even if I was silent, Kei, who loved to chat, provided topics of the day on autopilot. However, I find myself increasingly distanced from the time I used to spend alone.

If asked if those days spent together were necessary or unnecessary, I'd say it was half-half.

What was necessary was that, by repeatedly conversing with someone, it improved my communication skills. This was a valuable opportunity to polish my developing skills.

On the other hand, because of my inexperience, I often failed in my responses to the recipient.

Especially when I dealt with Kei in a bad mood, there were still times when I chose the wrong answer and ended up worsening her mood. I still struggled with that part.

On the contrary, the drawback was that the time to polish my individual skills was reduced. Other than the benefits of communication, dating, and understanding the opposite sex, I was sacrificing many other things.

"What? You were staring at my face."

"Do you dislike that?"

"It's not that I dislike it, but... Hmm, I want to kiss you again. A lot."

On the last day before the end of winter break, Kei and I spent the whole day relaxing in our room.

What transpired between a young man and woman sharing the same space shouldn't require much elaboration.

Kei drew my arm further into her embrace.

Except for the time we were changing our shoes after arriving at the gate, we were stuck together from start to finish until we entered the classroom.

"Everyone, good morning~"

It was the start of the third term. Upon entering, Kei waved to her friends in the class. She slowly released her hands from around me and winked at me saying, 'see you later.' Leaving behind that deep affection, she left. Afterward, I moved inside the classroom to my seat and placed down my lightly-filled bag.

Ever since tablets were introduced in classes, we didn't need to carry as many things, but the bag was still indispensable.

"Damn, don't come to school like that. It's embarrassing, Ayanokōji."

Sudō, who was already in the classroom, looked awkward as he called out to me.

"Going to school arm in arm, isn't that the peak of cheerful people? Dammit, I'm envious."

Although he found the situation embarrassing, he was somewhat envious of it.

"I want to clarify that it wasn't my idea."

"Obviously! Hell, it'd be seriously creepy if you'd wanted that, for real."

He continued to murmur, objecting to the idea, while bringing his face closer to mine.

"Being lovey-dovey is fine and all, but have you seen the school's email about first-years being caught during winter break? I'm not worried about you guys, but just be careful."

"Oh yeah, I did see that email."

Near the end of winter break, an email arrived from the school stating that penalties were imposed on two first-year students.

The names were kept anonymous, but it was said that a male and female student were spotted by a third party, engaging in an act deemed as an impure interaction.

Any activities with the intent of sexual stimulation were strictly prohibited, so they naturally were punished.

"They should've just done it indoors. How about you? What are your thoughts as a senpai?"

"What do you mean, 'how about me'?"

"Do you... want to do various things... outside?"

He shouldn't have asked if it made him so embarrassed, but I didn't say that.

"I can only state as the email suggests. The school premises are full of watchful eyes and surveillance cameras. If you do something strange, there's a high risk of being caught. I wouldn't choose to give in to my instincts."

"Oh, okay. That sounds like a unique perspective only you would have... It's a bit off-putting."

I ended up throwing Sudō off, albeit in a different way than expected.

"—Phew."

I heard Sudō's rather deep sigh. It seemed to have slipped unconsciously, but realizing what he had done, he hurriedly apologized.

"That wasn't about you. Sorry if it seemed like an unpleasant sigh."

"I'm not bothered, but is something wrong?"

He had raised his voice in public many times before, but he wasn't prone to sighing a lot.

This change was not to be underestimated.

"Lately, I've been feeling a bit tired. I thought I could balance both studies and sports, but it's getting tougher. Eh... It's not a big deal."

Seeming to regret discussing the cause of his sigh, Sudō tried to downplay it.

Expressing my concern at this point might backfire.

So, I just gave him one piece of advice.

"Even if you cram knowledge, if you rush it, it's likely to spill over. Too much hurry spoils the curry."

"Yeah... Anyway, I'm looking forward to working with you again from today forward."

Switching gears, he smiled and headed to his seat.

Just then, Satō, who had just entered the classroom, greeted her classmates and passed by me.

"You two seemed quite close this morning."

Whispering so, she added, "Thanks for the meal,"[2] before joining her group of girls.

Apparently, she had witnessed my walk to school with Kei from behind.

───

[2]: Satō saying ご馳走様 (Gochisōsama) which is most commonly said after finishing a meal (for example いただきます (Itadakimasu) is said before the meal). In this case, she's basically thanking Kiyotaka for the lovey-dovey KiyotakaxKei shipping material they've given to her…