According to Custom

Hayato, who was in the middle of studying, was interrupted by his phone's notification sound. He picked up his phone and saw a message from Kiyoko-senpai asking if she should make him a bento box tomorrow as well.

After careful consideration, Hayato entrusted the task to Kiyoko. He wanted to use his morning time for training, as the upcoming matches would be high-intensity duels, and his stamina was still insufficient.

After receiving his reply, Kiyoko sent a sticker of a cat giving a thumbs-up. This made Hayato chuckle. He thought that despite Kiyoko-senpai's outwardly intellectual beauty, she used such cute stickers in private chats.

Just as he put his phone down, another message arrived. This time it was from Hinata. After getting acquainted with everyone in the volleyball club, Hayato had exchanged contact information with them in the locker room after practice.

"Kuroba-senpai, there's something about today's training that I don't understand..."

Looking at the message from Hinata, Hayato knew that his arrival was also a stimulus for Hinata. Hinata, whose skills were already lacking, would definitely train harder under Hayato's pressure. Thinking this, Hayato didn't hold back and kindly guided Hinata.

They chatted for a long time before Hinata contentedly told Hayato goodnight, apparently going to rest. Hayato glanced at the time and realized it was indeed time to rest. He put away his books, took a quick shower in the bathroom, and went to sleep.

The next morning, the familiar alarm clock rang. Casually turning off the alarm, Hayato sat up in bed with a yawn. Still in his pajamas, he walked to the window and pulled open the curtains, letting the sunlight stream into the room.

He opened the floor-to-ceiling window and stepped onto the balcony, bracing himself on the railing and feeling the gentle breeze brush against his cheek.

"This very anime-like balcony, and across the way is my childhood friend's house. If this were a harem anime, a girl would forget to close her curtains while changing clothes, right?"

Hayato muttered to himself as he looked at the second floor of the building opposite.

"Yes, yes, it's this one..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Kiyoko, who had also woken up at the same time and was changing into her uniform. Kiyoko had just put on her underwear and was in the process of putting on her white shirt. Then, as if sensing Hayato's gaze, they coincidentally made eye contact.

Kiyoko's face instantly turned bright red, and she quickly walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut.

"Pervert!"

Kiyoko, too embarrassed, even changed her tone of voice. Since no one had lived next door for a long time, Kiyoko had gotten used to not closing her curtains completely. As a result, Hayato got lucky this time.

Hayato awkwardly scratched his face.

"Sorry, Kiyoko-senpai, I didn't expect you to be up this early too."

Since the distance wasn't far, Hayato could be heard if he raised his voice slightly. So, Hayato shamelessly explained. At the same time, he saved the image of Kiyoko's appearance in his mind.

"I didn't expect it to be pure white."

Muttering to himself, Hayato decided to cherish this memory.

With a rustling sound, Kiyoko, having put on her white shirt and then a sleeveless sweater over it, pulled open the curtains. Her face was still flushed as she glared at Hayato with her moist eyes.

"You saw?"

Although it was a question, her tone was affirmative. Hayato dared not answer honestly and quickly shook his head like a rattle.

Unlike her usual intellectual beauty, Kiyoko's current girlish demeanor was more fitting for her age. Of course, Hayato wouldn't dare say that, but he could look.

After staring at Hayato for a while, Kiyoko finally let him off the hook.

Seeing that Kiyoko was no longer bothered, Hayato became playful.

"But Kiyoko-senpai, although white suits you well, the style isn't cute enough. I'll get you a cuter one next time."

After saying this, Hayato saw Kiyoko, who had calmed down, blush visibly, and then she forcefully pulled the curtains shut.

"You saw it all, didn't you!? Pervert!" "Kiyoko-senpai, I'm going to train now~ I'll come find you later~"

Having successfully teased her, Hayato told Kiyoko he was going to train and, without waiting for her reply, happily returned to his room, changed into his sportswear, and went out to exercise.

Seeing that it was about time, Hayato, after finishing his workout, first washed up, then made himself a simple breakfast. Just as he finished eating, he heard the doorbell ring. Grabbing his school bag, Hayato walked to the entrance and opened the door.

Kiyoko was standing at the door waiting for him. Seeing Hayato come out, she gave him a glare before walking ahead. Knowing he had made a mistake, Hayato didn't dare to speak and just followed behind Kiyoko.

"Kiyoko-senpai, I was wrong."

Feeling the cold aura around Kiyoko, Hayato immediately surrendered. Kiyoko turned her head expressionlessly and glanced at him.

"Wrong about what?"

"I shouldn't have teased you, Kiyoko-senpai."

Seeing his good attitude in admitting his mistake, Kiyoko walked over and gave his lower back a firm twist. Only when he grimaced in pain did she let go.

"Kiyoko-senpai, I'm a normal boy in puberty, you know. That was just a small joke. It's not good to pinch so hard."

Rubbing his sore lower back, Hayato complained. Unexpectedly, Kiyoko gave him another glare.

"Hmph, if it doesn't hurt, you won't learn your lesson. Besides, in my eyes, you're just my little brother, not a man."

He grabbed Kiyoko's wrist, spread her palm open, and placed his hand on it for a size comparison.

"See? I've already developed into a man."

"I know you're a man, let go now, people are watching."

Biting her lip, Kiyoko reminded Hayato that they were on the street and she felt she had been blushing too often lately.

Realizing what he had done, Hayato quickly withdrew his hand and then awkwardly smiled, scratching the back of his head.

Pedestrians on the street looked at the two of them with warm gazes.

"Youth is wonderful." "Indeed, a handsome man and a beautiful woman." "They look so good together." "When I was young, I too..."

The various murmurs made the two shy young people quickly flee the scene of gossip.

Finally arriving at the school gate, Kiyoko, thinking about the embarrassing incident just now, was the first to laugh. Looking at her bright smile, Hayato stroked his chin.

"Kiyoko-senpai, you look really good when you smile. You should smile more often."

"Don't be silly, let's go inside."

This time, Kiyoko wasn't flustered by Hayato's teasing. She gave him a flirtatious wink before walking into the school. Hayato, who was zapped by that look, shivered.

"See, that's cute! If you always keep a straight face, you'll get wrinkles."

After muttering to himself, Hayato followed Kiyoko, who had already gone inside, into the school.

Near the shoe lockers, just as Hayato was taking out his indoor shoes to change, Kiyoko handed him his bento. After thanking Kiyoko, Hayato put his leather shoes into the locker with one hand while holding the bento in the other.

"Yo, Hayato, going to school with Kiyoko-senpai again? You lucky dog, I'm so jealous."

Tanaka's voice called out. Kiyoko immediately reverted to her usual cool demeanor. Hayato didn't mind; he figured it meant they were close if a girl had a special side just for him.

After saying goodbye to Kiyoko, Hayato slung an arm around Tanaka, and they headed towards their classroom.

The school day ended quickly. Although the classes at Karasuno High were simple, Hayato listened attentively to the teacher and took diligent notes. Tanaka was doing the same; it seemed he was working hard to pass the exams.

Hayato and Tanaka, who arrived at the locker room first, chatted while changing clothes.

"Hayato, I see you taking notes so seriously. How are your studies?"

"At my previous school, I was always in the top few in my grade."

"Really! My friend, you absolutely must save your best friend."

"The exams? I heard that if you fail, you can't go to the training camp. Okay, for the sake of our volleyball club, I'll help you out."

"Thank you so much."

Upon hearing Hayato agree, Tanaka immediately clasped his hands together in a gesture of gratitude.