Cooperative Comprehensive Written Exam

Kazehara Tetsu shook his head. "No, that's all."

"That's all?"

Amasawa Ichika blinked, then smiled again. "Oh well. That makes this my exclusive gift."

She patted the pocket again, as if checking that the copper coin was still inside.

"You'd better not give Nanase the same thing when you see her later, Senpai."

There was a sly threat in her voice. "I'm the only one who gets one."

"Got it."

He glanced toward the entrance to the Teaching Building. Most of the students there had already left, and the warning bell for the morning class was about to ring.

"Let's go. We'll be late."

"Mm-hmm, let's go." Amasawa Ichika turned and fell into step beside him as they headed into the Teaching Building.

They walked into the Teaching Building side by side.

When they reached the Stairwell, Amasawa Ichika spoke again.

"Senpai."

"Yeah?"

"Next time you go somewhere farther away, remember to bring me a proper gift. I'll pretend you were just teasing me with this one, but next time, I want a real present."

Kazehara Tetsu glanced at her.

"There's a next time?"

"Of course there is."

Amasawa Ichika grinned. "It's only a matter of time before I make someone like you mine, Senpai."

She waved, then turned toward the Stairwell on the other side.

After a couple of steps, she looked back and made a face at him.

"Thanks, Senpai. I really like the gift."

With that, she darted off. Her ponytail swished behind her as she disappeared around the bend in the stairs.

Kazehara Tetsu stood where he was, watching the spot where she'd vanished.

He looked down at his empty hand.

He couldn't tell whether someone like Amasawa Ichika was genuinely happy or just putting on another act for him.

He shook his head, slipped his