Dominate and Recognition

　　Shinichi's cold expression slowly softened.

　　"It's not as serious as you say. I don't really care about that… Forget it, don't mention it again."

　　Shaking his head, he held her hand.

　　"It was like dying yesterday, but in the future, it will always be like today. We are only one step away from success, so we will work hard—"

　　Before he could finish the following words, he felt the hand he was holding, the little finger playfully inserted into the palm of the clasped hand, and scratched the line of his palm.

　　The sad expression disappeared, Nino raised her head, and met Shinichi's cold gaze.

　　"I will remember this matter for the rest of my life. You can't ignore it! I won't forget it, and neither can you!"

　　No doubt making noise.

　　Then she let go of his hand, brushed her fingernails across his palm, then stuck her tongue out at him.

　　"Hmph, what is so fierce, do you think I will be afraid?"

　　"I just came to greet you. By the way, I told you that I was serious yesterday, and I will be serious in the future."

　　Nino looked away, and walked past him.

　　As she passed by, her voice suddenly became gentle.

　　"...I like you."

　　"This is my first confession, so don't forget about it?"

　　With quick steps, Nino ran towards the wooden house, only the scent of her long hair remained.

　　She left, while Shinichi stared at her back for a few moments, then walked back to the toilet.

　　None of the students who were coming and going nearby noticed anything odd about these two people.

　　Mornings at the forest school were as peaceful as ever.

　　...

　　Shinichi kept splashing cold water on his face.

　　"I was tricked…How unscrupulous is that girl…"

　　He missed Miku and Fumino so much now, at least they wouldn't play tricks on him, and they wouldn't make him feel like his heart was going to explode.

　　When faced with an honest and domineering confession, one who is not hard-hearted cannot be seduced...

　　....

　　Quickly returning to her own wooden house, Nino ignored the strange eyes of other roommates, hid in the blanket, held her red and hot cheeks and screamed silently.

　　"Confession~ first confession in my life~~ So nervous, but happy! Who told that man to look at me with that expression, hahahaha, you are embarrassed, you idiot!"

Smiling coyly with joy, Nino kept tossing and turning on the bed, acting like an idiot, and it took her a long time to get back to normal.

　　Stroking her pounding chest, Nino covered her face and smiled triumphantly.

　　(Asada Shinichi, bastard, don't try to escape from my palm!)

　　...

　　After packing their luggage and having breakfast in the morning, all the 2nd year students gathered in the plaza.

　　One hundred and fifty students from five classes sat on the ground, listening to the teacher in front of them explaining their next itinerary.

　　Shinichi naturally understood what had to be done. Simply put, it is play. Work together to play various confrontation games, and get scorecards from opponents or teachers. The test is teamwork and personal overall ability.

　　After the explanation is over, gather with the team members and the designated team leader will come on stage to draw the first level battle combination, and the game will start ten minutes later.

　　And Shinichi is in the same group as Fumino, Rizu, Sawako.

　　The number of people in the team is between three and five, because there are rules and regulations, so even if three people fight against a five-person team, it will not look inferior.

　　That is, at first the three of them form a team, but Shinichi doesn't know why Sawako suddenly interferes.

　　In that case, Fumino explained to him as the class gathered, and explained her origins.

　　Sekijou Sawako, ranks 1st in science, lower than Rizu and Shinichi, and above average in other subjects, ranks 25th in school, wins many awards in science, Her signature outfit is a white lab coat.

　　For some reason alone, she has a mysterious obsession with Rizu, and clearly says "Ogata Rizu is my opponent!", but always acts like she wants to befriend her but doesn't dare say it out loud.

　　Since she couldn't find anyone to form a team when she signed up, after being found alone by Rizu sitting in a chair, she invites her to join the team.

Shinichi hears that Sawako is so moved that she even cries, and vows to fight for it with her life to win.

　　In short, she is a loyal Ogata Rizu fan.

　　Having assigned this character label to her, Shinichi wouldn't mind it no matter how much she looked at him with wary eyes.

　　After all, if Rizu was listening to him, then Sawako was listening to Rizu, doesn't that mean she was listening to him?

　　Hmph, the use value would be much greater...

　　"Asada-san? Why are you showing a sinister smile…"

　　"Hmph, he might be thinking something indecent."

　　"Sekijo-san, Shinichi-san isn't that kind of person."

　　"Hmm... I guess, I think he's thinking about how to defeat the enemy!"

　　"Is it true? Well, I guess so too."

　　Just that.

　　After chatting with the three of them for a while, Fumino who was selected as the team leader, walked onto the stage to attract opponents to fight in the first level.

　　"Hmm... number 5..."

　　People with the same number are the opponents, and it is better to know the number of opponents and the ratio of men and women in advance, and it is better to discuss the battle plan later.

　　After reading the note, Fumino raised her hand to ask a question among the crowd who had completed the draw.

　　"Excuse me, did anyone also draw number 5?"

　　A response came quickly.

　　"It's me~ I didn't expect to meet your group at the first level by chance."

　　A lazy and mature tone sounded beside her.

Fumino looked away, eyes widening slightly in surprise.

　　"I-Ichika...?"

　　Ichika held a note in her hand, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

　　"Fumino, next game… I need your advice."