Mm, She's Asleep (Continued)

Shiranami Chihiro really liked this feeling.

But this won't last forever.

She made her decision, and it has to be today, right now.

Even though today is Honami's birthday.

The candles were blown out, the cake was divided up, and the wishes were made.

Seeing that things had changed a lot, Shiranami Chihiro reached into her bag and took something out.

"--Ta-da!" The girl raised the 'bottle' in her hand. "Look what good stuff I got from Hoshinomiya-sensei!"

In principle, students are not allowed to drink alcohol.

Drinking alcohol is not allowed, and buying alcohol is not allowed.

Convenience stores do not sell alcoholic beverages to students; alcohol is only available to faculty and staff.

But rules are rigid, people are flexible.

Even the most disciplined Class 1-A has a touch of rebelliousness.

I dislike adults who reek of alcohol and I resist drunken teachers.

But people still have high hopes for alcoholic beverages, which were previously difficult to access.

It's as if being able to drink alcohol makes you an adult.

It's as if simply lighting a cigarette and exhaling smoke makes you an adult.

It's as if simply climbing that step will make you an adult.

Shiranami Chihiro wants to become an adult.

Not an adult who smokes or drinks.

Instead...

In short, Shiranami Chihiro managed to "borrow" a bottle of wine from the Hoshinomiya.

All hesitation, doubt, and indecisiveness—with the help of alcohol, one could surely make a real decision, right?

"... I won't drink."

"Ah, me too."

However, for some reason, even though the drinks they brought out were things that no one should have access to, not only was no one surprised, but both Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Hayate raised their hands to refuse without hesitation.

"Why?!" the girl exclaimed, quite bewildered.

It's wine! It's wine!

Surely everyone will want to give it a try, right?!

Kanzaki Ryuji: "..."

Should I say that such things are no longer novel?

For Kanzaki Takako, alcohol is not something rare or precious that must be consumed only upon reaching adulthood.

Even if the wine was from the Hoshinomiya, or even if it were some kind of expensive wine, he wouldn't care.

"We'll smell of alcohol." Fortunately, Shibata Hayate waved his hand and gave him a reason. "Besides, if we really get drunk, we can't just spend the night here."

"Ah, of course, it's fine if Chihiro wants to drink it."

"I'll pass on Kanzaki and me."

There will be plenty of opportunities to drink after you start working.

"However, you can try asking Asakusa and Ichinose." With a slightly suggestive look, he spread his hands and glanced at Asakusa Toru and Ichinose Honami.

Even Shibata Hayate could probably vaguely guess Shiranami Chihiro's intention in taking out this bottle of sake.

No one really believed she just wanted to use her birthday as an opportunity to drink with everyone.

The purpose of bringing out alcohol at this time and in this setting is, of course, to get someone drunk.

It's really hard to guess who she's trying to get drunk.

Well, if Shibata Hayate were to guess, it would be either Asakusa Toru or Ichinose Honami.

Anyway, one of the two of them has to give each other a push.

Honestly, it's really frustrating that these two haven't started dating yet.

They clearly seemed like they should have started dating a long time ago, but they've remained just friends for a long time. They look like friends, but in many ways, they have the unspoken understanding of someone who's been dating for ages.

This feeling is what annoys onlookers the most.

In particular, one of them is the case of Ichinose Honami.

Outstanding appearance, excellent manners, and a friendly demeanor.

Everyone likes Ichinose Honami.

Especially for boys, this gentle type is the hardest to resist.

But everyone knows very well that as long as Asakusa Toru is around, their success rate is only 0%.

Logically speaking, they should have given up completely.

But, for some reason, these two have not dated in over three months, more than a hundred days since the start of the semester, and they haven't even held hands!

It's annoying to watch.

Looking at it makes one feel an unwanted hope rising in their heart.

It looks so good that you wish you could take its place.

Regardless of gender.

Therefore, the moment Shiranami Chihiro took out the bottle, he instinctively knew what kind of thoughts Shiranami Chihiro was probably harboring.

Everyone is like that.

Everyone was starting to find it hard to watch.

At a time like this, it would be unreasonable to further divide up the already limited amount of alcohol.

Let's give those two guys a good drink!

"Then I'll have a drink with Chihiro Onodera." Gently lifting a strand of hair from the side of her cheek, Ichinose Honami took a step forward with her small cup.

She needs a little alcohol to give herself a push.

Carefully controlling the amount, she poured half a cup into the glass, then turned her Shiranami Chihiro again to look at Asakusa Toru.

"Then, Tetsu... what about Asakusa -kun?" She almost changed her form of address.

But it's okay, after today, you can call out their names openly.

Asakusa Toru: "..."

Drinks?

Come to think of it, he has never consumed alcohol in his entire life.

Although his parents didn't stop him, he wasn't addicted to things like cigarettes and alcohol, so there was no need for him to get involved.

The idea that smoking and drinking will make you an adult is just wishful thinking on the part of children.

However, it is clear that Shiranami Chihiro's goal is both to become an adult and not to become an adult.

Therefore, only one question remains.

Will he get drunk?

"Come."

He won't get drunk.

After several rounds of drinks, night began to fall.

The disposable paper cup was slightly dampened by the wine, and the girl's face immediately flushed red.

Although it was just plum wine with a low alcohol content, it was still too intense for a young girl who was trying something forbidden for the first time.

However, compared to Shiranami Chihiro, Ichinose Honami was clearly in a worse state.

Her alcohol tolerance seems to be a little... low?

Perhaps it was the atmosphere of drinking, or perhaps it was the immersion in the conversation, but emotions welled up and, without a sound, the door clicked shut.

The terminal screen on Asakusa Toru's desk lit up, and the only two sober individuals who didn't drink sent messages.

It's a declaration of escape.

It's getting late, Kanzaki and I will leave first. Remember to take Ichinose back later.

Shibata Hayate sent a seemingly calm message.

But what Asakusa Toru was thinking when he sent that message is unknown.

Anyway, it probably won't be a happy occasion.

You should confess your feelings too.

Don't let the girl take the initiative.

After a brief pause, he sent another urging message.

Is it relief?

Subtly, Asakusa Toru sensed this emotion even through the screen.

On the Mini-map in the corner of the view, the dots named Shibata Hayate and Kanzaki Ryuji still seem to be leaning against the wall.

However, not long after, they slowly headed towards the elevator.

It was just a brief moment of reliance, a brief moment of letting emotions run rampant, before finally extinguishing them actively.

"... Honami seems to be asleep." It was Shiranami Chihiro suddenly spoke softly, interrupting Asakusa Toru's thoughts.

Although her pretty face was flushed, her eyes revealed a clear and lucid expression.

Shiranami Chihiro, who controls the amount of wine poured for the two of them by holding the bottle, naturally wouldn't let herself get drunk.

She was quite clear-headed.

Following Shiranami Chihiro's words, Ichinose Honami, who had been smiling just moments before, was now slumped over the edge of the small round table, her calm breathing and rising and falling body revealing just how peaceful she was.

Ichinose might not have passed out drunk, since the alcohol in his hand wasn't particularly strong.

It's not the water of life.

However, having just celebrated a joyous birthday, coupled with the growing drowsiness as the night progressed, I felt a sense of weariness.

When the surroundings suddenly become quiet, the girl's thoughts snap and break.

"ZZZ--" Such a peaceful sleep.

Such a pure sense of security.

"Yes, she's asleep." Asakusa Toru nodded gently, seeing that Ichinose Honami didn't seem to be pretending to be asleep.

For no apparent reason, at this moment, Asakusa Toru felt a strange sense of Honami, like when he was looking at a sleeping Ichinose Honami and replying to her voice message.

Cough.

"..." Very carefully, tiptoeing, Shiranami Chihiro shifted her hips, closing the distance.

She sat down next to Asakusa Toru, glanced at Ichinose Honami beside her, and then raised her head:

"So, um, Tetsu-kun, can you tell me the answer now?"

Was Honami's answer "yes" or "no"?

Asakusa Toru lowered his head.

Even though it was only during the time after school, Shiranami Chihiro still made a point of returning to her dormitory and changing out of her school uniform into her own clothes.

She wore a short-sleeved white dress and knee-length white stockings. Her slightly forward-leaning body caused the slightly loose top to hang down, revealing her delicate curves to Asakusa Toru.

That's right, she wasn't wearing her underwear.

Beside me is Ichinose Honami is sleeping. Today is Ichinose Honami's birthday.