"She seems angry."

After leaving the sports shed, Asahina Nazuna observed Ichinose Honami walking ahead—the girl's face clearly showed puffed cheeks of irritation, her eyes flickering with thoughtful light.

Meanwhile, the instigator of this whole situation seemed oblivious to the changing mood, happily leading the way at the front while humming a tune.

"Asahina-senpai, are you and Ichinose close?" Kaoru tucked the handkerchief into his pocket, feeling slightly regretful that there hadn't been any wishes related to handkerchiefs.

"Well, we met once on the road when she helped me find this charm." Asahina waved her wrist, where a fox-shaped amulet adorned her fair skin.

"My luck was really terrible that day, but fortunately this cute kouhai helped me out."

It was clear she wasn't just relieved about not losing the charm but also quite interested in Ichinose Honami.

"I think you were wearing this charm when we first met too. Is it a treasured item from some shrine?" Kaoru asked curiously.

"Not really. I bought it at school when the term started. It felt like fate—I picked it out at first glance." Asahina unconsciously touched the amulet, her face showing a hint of nostalgia.

Over a year had passed since then.

"Because of fate?" Kaoru pondered. "Senpai seems to share a fated connection with Nagumo-senpai too. I heard you're childhood friends."

Asahina gave him a teasing smile and whispered, "Is Mitoma-kun trying to gather intel about Miyabi from me?"

"I'm gathering intel about Asahina-senpai," Kaoru replied with a straight face.

Asahina poked him with her finger. "Don't think just because you're handsome you can flirt with your senpai so brazenly. Be careful or I'll hit you."

"So senpai can flirt with her kouhai as much as she wants?" Kaoru remained unfazed, already accustomed to such physical teasing.

Asahina giggled for a while before gradually stopping, her tone turning wistful.

"You know, your name is known by everyone in the entire second year."

Since different grades had their classes on separate floors, Kaoru had no real sense of his own fame, except for occasionally running into curious second-years in the cafeteria.

"If they want to take commemorative photos with me, please tell them it's five hundred Personal Points per shot, Asahina-senpai."

Asahina nearly lost her composure, her carefully built mood shattered instantly, leaving only exasperation.

"Are you really that obsessed with Personal Points?"

"Is Asahina-senpai planning to interrogate me now?"

"What a mischievous kouhai. I was the one asking questions, but now you're turning it around on me?"

"Well, my fame comes from Nagumo-senpai. Seeing you standing next to me, I can't help but feel a little guilty."

For some reason, Asahina found this amusing and suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Kaoru slightly bewildered.

However, she quickly composed herself and said quietly, "Actually, I kind of want Miyabi to lose for once. From elementary school till now, his life has never changed. If this continues, he might one day get trapped in it and never recover."

Kaoru understood—Asahina feared that Nagumo Miyabi's growing arrogance might lead to a devastating fall if he ever encountered an opponent he couldn't defeat.

"I remember Nagumo-senpai has always wanted to face the student council president. Do you think the president stands a chance against him, Asahina-senpai?"

"Under Miyabi's leadership, the second-years have strong cohesion. But in the end, strength can only be proven through fair competition." Asahina employed a bit of wordplay here, deftly avoiding giving Kaoru a direct answer—she kept her cards close to her chest.

"You're quite concerned about Nagumo-senpai, aren't you?" Kaoru murmured softly.

"Hey now, that's just the kind of concern reserved for childhood friends. Don't overthink it, Kouhai~" Asahina blinked playfully.

"Honestly, running into you here today was really lucky for me."

"Even if you say that, I'm still going to eat your parfait today, Asahina-senpai."

"Eh? I thought Mitoma-kun would pretend to go to the restroom and secretly pay for me instead."

"That would be a waste of your kindness."

"Mitoma-kun, acting like this won't make you popular with girls, you know?"

"But having Asahina-senpai treat us underclassmen makes us really happy."

"You really are a mischievous kid, aren't you?"

"..."

Though her words sounded like scolding, Asahina Nazuna's face was all smiles, not a trace of irritation in her expression.

Every now and then, she continued poking at Kaoru teasingly.

"Hey, Mitoma-kun, you never seem to smile, do you?"

Kaoru silently looked at Ichinose walking ahead of him.

How exactly was he supposed to smile in this situation?

"Asahina-senpai."

"Hmm? Is there something you want to ask me?"

"Do you want me or the student council president to defeat Nagumo-senpai?"

Asahina withdrew her finger, remained silent for a moment, then slowly revealed a smile.

"It seems Mitoma-kun is quite confident about surprising me?"

"I just want to know your thoughts. Your stance is very important to me." Kaoru paused briefly, "I don't want our confrontation with Nagumo-senpai to cause us to part ways."

Asahina was slightly taken aback, then found it somewhat amusing.

"We've barely met enough times to count on one hand. Why do you care about my opinion?"

"I want to become good friends with Asahina-senpai."

As he spoke, Kaoru couldn't help but turn to gaze at the girl beside him.

Her slightly upturned eyes, lips curved in a faint smile, flawless pale skin, delicate collarbones subtly visible beneath her slender neck—as if proudly displaying her figure.

Her big chest created dramatic curves that smoothly transitioned into gentle lines at her waist, cascading down to her perky, rounded ass that outlined an alluring silhouette.

Her milky-white thighs were particularly captivating.

Asahina froze, genuinely surprised this time.

She recognized the look in Kaoru's eyes—a hint of appreciation, similar to how her past admirers had looked at her.

However, Kaoru's gaze lacked the vulgarity that usually disgusted her.

An unusual silence settled between them.

"Miyabi's enemies aren't necessarily mine," Asahina suddenly said. "You're worried I might mind your battle, but you can rest assured about that. If anything, I'm more concerned whether you'd mind me helping Miyabi."

She and Miyabi Nagumo weren't just childhood friends—they were classmates, naturally standing on the same side.

The most Asahina could do was try not to interfere in the conflict between Kaoru, Manabu Horikita, and Miyabi Nagumo.

Though that said, if help was ever needed, she would prioritize assisting Miyabi.

"Of course I'd mind. I'd definitely mind if Asahina-senpai showed favoritism," Kaoru said shamelessly.

Asahina didn't know whether to laugh or cry, pretending to be angry.

"Your opinion doesn't matter. Kouhai's should stay out of Senpai's affairs."

"Is Asahina-senpai perhaps afraid that a mere junior might defeat her childhood friend?" Kaoru blinked.

"Trying to play that game with your senpai?" Asahina narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Ahem, if I defeat Nagumo-senpai—say, during this sports festival—could Asahina-senpai treat me to a meal?" Kaoru asked without batting an eye.

Asahina's face darkened.

Seriously?

You want to defeat my childhood friend and then have me treat you to dinner?

-----------------------------

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