Megumi Kato: Kotomi, Hold Me

On Sunday, the last day before the monthly exams, Yui Yuigahama studied diligently, her pen scribbling non-stop through problem after problem. Although she had memorized the solution steps, concepts, and common mistakes, Yui still went over practice questions again and again. Each time she reached an answer on her scratch paper, she carefully checked it before writing it down.

After finishing the practice exam, she flipped to the answer section at the back and carefully compared her work. When she saw her score met her expectations, her slightly furrowed brow finally relaxed a bit. After a twenty-minute break, she dove back into the next round of studying.

From breakfast until nearly ten at night, Yui sat at her desk studying, with only a brief break for lunch and an hour-long nap. Finally, around ten, she put down her pen, stretched her arms, and sighed.

"Ah, my pen's out of ink," she murmured, realizing her pen had run dry. She pulled a fresh refill from her desk drawer and replaced it. Her once-new notebook was now down to the last few pages, worn thin by her intense study routine.

Yui Yuigahama, caught up in her study fervor, originally wanted to complete two more practice tests. But then she remembered Kotomi Izumi's advice and obediently switched off her desk lamp, packed up her bag, and went to bed.

Taking a deep breath, she gazed up at the ceiling and murmured, "I hope I do well tomorrow. I don't want to disappoint Mom, Kotomi… or myself."

Meanwhile, having just returned home after tonkatsu, Kotomi, who had freshly showered and was playing Azur Lane in bed, was also thinking, I wonder how Yui's studying is going? She asked me a bunch of questions yesterday and said she'd be studying all day today. Motivation is great, but I hope she doesn't stay up too late.

She even considered calling Yui to check, but when she saw it was already 10 p.m., she dismissed the idea.

Just one more draw, Kotomi thought as she clicked on the game's build pool, hoping for a lucky pull.

What ship will I get? Could it be a golden rarity?!

As the phone screen blinked, a powerful voice suddenly rang out:

"Hey, kid!"

Ahhh! Kotomi clenched her fist, feeling her blood pressure spike. Great, today's build pool is designed to send me straight to rage!

The next day, Monday, 7:30 a.m.

Kotomi got up early. Since she needed extra time to find her assigned classroom for exams, she miraculously resisted her usual habit of snoozing. Normally, she would keep telling herself to sleep just ten more minutes, unmoving beneath her covers.

After changing into her uniform and finishing breakfast, Kotomi left home. She had thought she'd be early, but as soon as she opened the front door, she saw Megumi Kato standing nearby—under a streetlamp, no less—waiting for her.

Kotomi was getting curious about what time Megumi arrived each morning to wait at her door.

Even though Megumi had been looking down at a few neighborhood cats eating the treats she brought, the moment Kotomi stepped outside, Megumi sensed her presence and looked up with a gentle smile.

"Good morning, Kotomi."

"Morning, Megumi."

Kotomi walked quickly over, and as she did, the cats, who had been happily munching on the fish treats Megumi had brought, suddenly turned their attention to her.

One little cat ran up and brushed against Kotomi's leg, mewing affectionately.

Looks like all the neighborhood cats around here love rubbing up against me for affection, Kotomi thought, amused.

"These little cats seem to really like you, Kotomi," Megumi commented, smiling.

"I guess they're just familiar with me since they see me a lot. But it looks like you've also gotten friendly with this orange tabby! I remember she wouldn't even let you touch her before."

"Take their snacks, and you take their hearts. This little guy here eats more than all the others every time," Megumi crouched down and reached out to pet the orange tabby by Kotomi's feet, her fingers brushing lightly, "accidentally" grazing Kotomi's ankle.

When Megumi's fingers touched Kotomi's ankle, a strange tingling sensation shot through her abdomen, her cheeks began to heat up, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

What's going on? I just went to the bathroom before leaving, so why am I suddenly so sensitive?! Was it just from Megumi brushing my ankle?

Kotomi's thoughts raced in surprise.

Thinking back, she realized her body had become increasingly sensitive over the last couple of days. The slightest contact made her feel intensely aware, making her crave… something.

Or rather, some specific kind of action.

But Kotomi was too shy to even think about what exactly she wanted.

"Kotomi, are you okay?" Megumi asked, noticing Kotomi's slightly flushed cheeks and looking genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine!" Kotomi responded quickly in a small voice. Then, she hurriedly added, "We should head to school. We can't be late for exams!"

"Alright," Megumi nodded, standing up.

As she watched Kotomi's slightly flustered movements, Megumi couldn't help but smile with an intriguing expression.

So, just brushing her ankle made her that sensitive? How adorable.

When they arrived at Sobu High School, many students had already come in early for exams, filling the campus with unusual early-morning energy.

The faculty coordinator was nearly in tears. Usually, he had to round up students who didn't arrive until nearly nine, but today, by 8 a.m., a crowd of students had gathered on campus.

"Kotomi, which room are you in?" Megumi asked.

"Class 1-A. How about you?"

"I'm in Class 1-B, so I'll be right next to you."

The classrooms had already been set up for exams before the end of the school day on Friday. Once students arrived, they were expected to head straight to their assigned rooms, settle into their seats, and use the remaining time to go over last-minute notes.

"Kotomi!"

Yui Yuigahama jogged over to them, looking a bit frantic. Only when she reached Kotomi did she relax slightly, bending over to catch her breath.

After a long pause, she finally spoke up.

"Oh, good. I thought I'd be late."

"The first exam doesn't start until 9:30, and it's only just after 8. No need to panic!" Kotomi reassured her, patting her back to help her catch her breath.

"I set two alarms last night—one for 6:30 and one for 7—but when I woke up, it was already 7:30! I was sure I'd be late!" Yui explained breathlessly.

"Even if you'd left the house at 8, you'd be fine. Did you have breakfast?"

"Yes! I had ramen, a sausage, and two fried eggs!" Yui announced proudly, but then she lowered her voice anxiously. "But now I'm really nervous. I did so many practice problems yesterday and reviewed all the key points, but now that it's time, I feel so tense."

Seeing Yui's worried expression, Kotomi gave a gentle smile and hugged her, offering some encouragement.

"Just relax—you've worked so hard studying. All you have to do is keep calm and take it one question at a time. You've got this."

Maybe there was something magical about Kotomi's embrace because Yui suddenly felt her anxiety melt away.

With a light heart, she smiled back and said, "I think… I'm not nervous anymore!"

"Good! Keep that calm mindset. We still have about an hour until the exam, so why don't you go to your classroom and review the points I marked?"

"Alright! Kotomi, I'll go on ahead! And Megumi, good luck too!"

With a quick wave, Yui headed toward her designated classroom.

"Looks like Yui will be fine." Kotomi turned to Megumi and said, "Let's go and settle in, too."

But to her surprise, Megumi didn't move.

"Megumi?"

Megumi slowly spread her arms, smiling up at Kotomi with a soft but direct gaze.

"Kotomi, I suddenly feel even more nervous than Yui. Could you hold me for a moment?"