Chapter 13 : Summer Vacation with Sakayanagi

The special exams on the luxurious cruise ship for summer vacation have come to an end, and we've finally settled into a proper room to lazily while away the summer.

This summer has been full of various events, but above all, what influenced the students of this school the most was the change in class points.

After the exams on the ship, the class points are as follows:

- Class A: 974 CP

- Class B: 813 CP

- Class C: 868 CP

- Class D: 192 CP

Based on the results of the shipboard exams, our Class C will be promoted to Class B starting from the second term. Everyone in the class was overjoyed, and it was like a festival on board after the exams. It's natural to be happy since our class was the first to be promoted; Ishizaki and the others were even crying.

While the other classes have shown improvement compared to the first term, Class A is the only one with a negative change. This reflects the current situation. It's partly influenced by what happened at Ryuen, but it's also a result of Katsuragi's defensive strategy as the leader. It's not that he misjudged the strategy; rather, Katsuragi's approach is actually quite effective from a standpoint of maintaining the current status.

However, this assumes we are not in the top class. The title of Class A is something most students at this school desire, so we must always plan our strategies with the assumption that we are targets. Katsuragi's downfall was that he ended up merely considering his own strategy, which led to our defeat.

We don't know how Class A will change from here on out, but whether we can make up for it next time is the question.

….

"When it's noon, please come to my room."

I didn't quite understand what she meant by "when it's noon," but amidst enjoying the end of the shipboard exams and my summer break, I suddenly received a message from Sakayanagi. The email included my room number and even the floor it was on. It must be about the promise we made to spend summer break together on this luxurious cruise ship. Since I didn't have any plans for today, I changed into suitable clothes for going out and left my room.

Stepping out of my room, the intense heat of summer immediately hit me. Not wanting to stay in such heat for long, I hurried to the elevator and pressed the button for the upper floors.

I suddenly recalled something: the girls' rooms are located on the floors above the boys' rooms. In other words, there are no boys on the upper floors. So, for me to be alone on the girls' floor... I could easily imagine the suspicious looks I might get.

Despite feeling this sense of crisis, fortunately, Sakayanagi's room seemed to be close to the elevator. Feeling relieved, I pressed the intercom.

"Please come in, the door is unlocked," she replied surprisingly via email.

Seems like a bit of unnecessary hassle...

Anyway, since I got her permission, I grabbed the doorknob and entered. There, at the entrance, Sakayanagi was waiting for me.

"Long time no see, Hachiman-kun."

"Y-yeah."

As I entered, Sakayanagi smiled gently at me, which made me slightly nervous as she guided me into the room. Stepping inside, I couldn't help but notice how distinctly girly her room was. While I hadn't thought much about it before, entering a girls' room for the first time made me feel a bit stiff, perhaps from nervousness.

"Um... please don't stare at everything..."

Her cheeks blushed slightly as she looked at me with an unusual shyness, unlike her usual composure. This further puzzled me.

…

"Is it delicious?"

"Delicious... it's all my favorite things."

Watching me eat at a rather fast pace while savoring the dish in front of me, Sakayanagi 

smiles happily.

Apparently, she had made lunch for me afterwards, and since I hadn't eaten yet, I decided to treat myself.

"Your cooking is delicious as expected."

"I'm glad you said that. And Hachiman-kun, you do seem to enjoy it."

"Is that so? Well, it certainly is delicious."

It's not the first time I've eaten Sakayanagi's cooking; she made it for me several times when we lived together about a year ago. Everything she makes is delicious, and I couldn't help but devour her cooking greedily after so long.

"Thank you for the meal. Let me bring that for you."

Confirming that I finished eating, Sakayanagi goes to fetch something from the fridge.

What's that? And after waiting for a while,

"Happy birthday, Hachiman-kun."

Sakayanagi appears in front of me with a shortcake from the hall...

Huh? Birthday?

"Hehe, did you forget your own birthday looking like that?"

Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Sakayanagi chuckles.

...! Come to think of it...

"...I completely forgot about my birthday."

"You really forgot, huh? It's a bit late, but I invited you today to celebrate your birthday. I could have said it during the luxurious cruise call, but I wanted to say it face to face."

My birthday is August 8th, but today is already nearing the end of summer vacation. Come to think of it, I think I called during the luxurious cruise on August 8th.

"...You remembered?"

"Of course. There's no way I'd forget Hachiman-kun's birthday."

"...I see."

"Hehe, what's wrong, Hachiman-kun? Your face is red?"

I feel somewhat itchy all over. It might be embarrassing... Sakayanagi , who was looking at me like that, then presented a wrapped box towards me.

"This is a birthday present. Please open it."

Looking inside the box...

"A necklace?"

"...Yes, emotionally, I thought this was the only choice..."

She blushes deeply at her own words, but what does she mean by 'emotionally'? Come to think of it, I heard that gifts often have some meaning...

"Thank you, Sakayanagi . I'm really happy."

I can only give a simple impression, but it's the utmost gratitude I can express.

"U-Um... Shall we eat the cake?"

For some reason, she turns away from me, and changes the subject, focusing on cutting the cake.

"This time, I made a shortcake that Hachiman-kun likes."

"Did... Did you make this?"

"Yes? Of course. "

She says it as if it's obvious, but what's in front of me is not just shaped beautifully, but also looks very luxurious with its decorations. I can understand how incredible it is that she made this.

"Hachiman-kun, do you want cake?"

She stops cutting momentarily, smiling as if she's thinking of something mischievous, and looks at me.

Uh-oh... this doesn't look good.

"I want to...?"

"Is that so? Then, could you call me by my name?"

"...Why?"

"I don't like being called by my last name. Besides, isn't it odd for me to call you by name and you call me by my last name?"

"Well, that's because you..."

"Isn't it strange?"

As I begin to speak, Sakayanagi interrupts with an overwhelming sense of pressure and a smile. Where did she learn to assert herself like this?

"...Arisu."

I feel like I can't win no matter what, so in the end, I decide to call her by her name.

"Hehe, that's nice. Shall we eat the cake now?"

Seemingly pleased, she resumes cutting the cake in a good mood. I eagerly await the cake, but for some reason, Arisu keeps the plate with the cake on it in front of herself, not bringing it over to me.

"Um, what about mine?"

"Here it is."

She points to the cake in front of her as if it's obvious.

"Then could you move it over here..."

"I'm sorry, there's only one fork right now, so ahhh."

Saying this, Arisu points the fork at the cake and, with a smile, brings it to my mouth.

"Uh... I mean 'ah'..."

I was about to say it's embarrassing, but my words are drowned out by Arisu. What should I do? Maybe Arisuis doing this out of goodwill, so should I not refuse?

"Ahh..."

Opening my mouth, she still has a wide smile as she puts the cake in. It's perfectly sweet, with just the right amount of cream. Honestly, this is the most delicious cake I've ever had.

"How is it? Ah, it seems you liked it."

"It was really delicious, but how did you know?"

"You're easy to read from your expressions. Want more?"

"...Please."

When I say that, she smiles happily and feeds me another piece.

….

[Arisu POV]

Today was a very enjoyable day. We celebrated Hachiman-kun's birthday and had a fulfilling day with activities like chess.

But above all, the greatest reward today was being called by my name. I didn't show it on my face at the time, but I certainly felt my heart swell. I felt my face flush with heat.

As I thought, I am...

…And I even got to give him a present.

At that moment, I was worried if Hachiman-kun understood the meaning behind the gift I gave. But judging from his reaction, it seems he didn't notice. Well, I didn't expect Hachiman-kun to understand such maidenly feelings anyway.

As for the meaning of the necklace...

"Well, thanks for today."

"No, you're welcome to come by anytime, you know?"

"...Well, not so fast. See you, and make sure to lock up properly."

"Hehe, yes, see you again."

[I want to be by your side, I always want to be with you.]

That's what it means, you know?

Even if you don't realize it, I won't give up.

I want to save you.

I want to teach you what true emotions are, even though you know nothing.

I want to make you aware of the existence of emotions called 'me.'

I am Sakayanagi Arisu, and nothing is impossible.

Please wait until then.

Because I will definitely change you.

=================================

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