Morishita Ai

As noon approached, Uesugi Hara finally started to perk up, and the listlessness on his face faded.

With lunchtime drawing near, he didn't dawdle. He quickly washed up and tidied himself before leaving the dorm.

First, he bought a bottle of water at the convenience store downstairs.

He'd originally planned to head straight to the cafeteria, but the figure on a nearby bench made him put off lunch for the moment.

When he got closer, Uesugi Hara gave a helpless little smile. Sure enough, it was that slightly neurotic girl.

Morishita Ai was sprawled over the bench, her smooth blue hair spilling over her shoulders, a delicate diamond-shaped hairpin glimmering among the strands. Her loose gray sweater and pleated miniskirt, paired with black stockings, showed off her youthful figure just right.

One hand rested casually against her forehead, while the other hung limply at her side. Her eyes were gently closed, and in the soft light she seemed to have drifted into a peaceful, light sleep. A faint melancholy mingled with her languid air, and the relaxed atmosphere around her seemed to shut out all the noise of the world, leaving only this quiet moment for herself.

The weather in April was neither cold nor hot, and the warm sunlight settled over them. It really was a perfect time for a nap.

Uesugi Hara glanced over her outfit and nodded to himself. Mm, very fashionable. This girl really knows how to dress.

Still... He raised an eyebrow helplessly. Morishita, were you really that obsessed with black stockings?

Ever since Uesugi Hara had started school, she'd worn black stockings every day.

He simply crouched down to get a closer look at the girl's sleeping face. Without her usual cool demeanor, her features had softened, making her seem much more docile.

As Uesugi Hara watched her, he suddenly thought of Morishita Ai's insolent mouth and her habit of playing little pranks.

It was hard to believe she was the same person as the girl before him now.

Uesugi Hara found it amusing, so he took out his Terminal and recorded her sleeping on the bench, starting with a wide shot and moving in closer, from her sleeping posture to close-ups of her sleeping face. He planned to show her what she looked like.

Why not take photos?

Because the camera would make a sound.

When he was done, Uesugi Hara put away his Terminal, planning to admire her a little longer before leaving.

Why not wake her up? A girl was sleeping there, completely defenseless. What if she ran into a pervert?

Please. Perverts were perverts, not idiots. The many surveillance cameras around weren't there for decoration.

Just as Uesugi Hara was still thinking about her black stockings, a voice suddenly drifted over from beside him, flat and emotionless. "Do you like what you see?"

"Yeah." Uesugi Hara nodded and even gave her an earnest review.

"Want to touch them?"

"Wo—" He got one syllable out before catching himself in time. Turning toward Morishita Ai, who had woken up at some point, he said calmly, "I'm not a pervert, Morishita."

Morishita Ai lazily rolled over and sat up on the bench. When she looked up at him, her eyes held the same cool disdain one might give a piece of trash.

Her gaze settled on him, silent but expressive. Uesugi Hara read two things in it: Go on, keep making things up. I'm listening. And, You really believe that after the way you just reacted?

Under her stare, Uesugi Hara felt a little uneasy and rubbed the tip of his nose. Being looked at like that by her did feel pretty good, but he really wasn't a pervert! Really!

He cleared his throat and explained, "I wasn't looking at your legs. I was just appreciating the beauty around me. Look, this is the video I just took of you sleeping. Isn't it cute?" As he spoke, he handed her his Terminal.

Morishita Ai took it suspiciously, swiped through the screen, and looked at him again. Her eyes were even more contemptuous now.

"Uesugi Hara, you really are a pervert." She tossed the Terminal back to him, sounding certain. "You didn't just sneak a look. You secretly filmed me, too."

When Uesugi Hara opened his mouth to defend himself, she added coolly, "If you think you've been wronged, then explain why most of the footage is of my legs."

Uesugi Hara was at a loss for words. Faced with Morishita Ai's undisguised contempt, he could only give an awkward laugh and bluff. "It's just that you looked so sweet and cute while you were sleeping, Morishita. I couldn't help filming a few extra clips. As for your legs... that was just the angle. It was a complete accident and had nothing to do with me!"

Morishita Ai stared steadily at Uesugi Hara, her expression blank. "Uesugi Hara, did you think you could make me blush and panic like Kamuro Masumi?" She paused, a hint of faint amusement in her eyes. "Sorry to disappoint you."

"And another thing," she added, her voice still flat but tinged with undisguised scorn. "I'm not as stupid as Kamuro Masumi. Do you really think I'd believe that excuse?"

"Miss Morishita, I beg you to show mercy and let me off. I'll remember your great kindness forever. In my next life, I'll repay you even if I have to be your ox or horse." Uesugi Hara clasped his hands together and deliberately put on a pitiful look.

Morishita Ai ignored his joking plea. Instead, picking up on what he'd just said, she asked with idle curiosity, "Why not repay me by offering yourself?"

Uesugi Hara shrank back, staring at her in shock. "Morishita, I never expected you to be so shallow! You're actually lusting after my good looks!" His expression was exaggerated.

He stared at Morishita Ai for two seconds, then abruptly changed his tune, drawing out his words. "Well... I suppose it's not entirely out of the question."

"Heh." Morishita Ai looked him over with undisguised disdain. "Ugly, and yet you dream big."

"I'm not ugly!" Uesugi Hara protested.

Morishita Ai ignored him again. Sitting on the bench, she asked, "Uesugi Hara, do you really like looking at legs?" As she spoke, she unhurriedly stretched her black-stockinged foot toward him.

"Not really." Uesugi Hara's gaze fell openly on the leg she'd extended, his tone as calm as ever. "I'm just curious whether wearing stockings every day gives someone like you athlete's foot."

"Eep!"

Uesugi Hara took a solid kick to the shin—from Morishita Ai.

"Uesugi Hara, if you want black stockings, I can bring you a pair sometime." Morishita Ai glanced at him expressionlessly, her tone impossible to read as either serious or teasing.

"Please... don't do that." Uesugi Hara had almost blurted out, "Please do," but at the last second he managed to change course. He secretly wiped away a bead of sweat. That was close. I nearly said it without thinking.

He didn't mean anything by it. He was just curious what the black stockings a girl wore were like. Really! He absolutely had no ulterior motives!

"Morishita, if there's nothing else, I'm going to make a run for it." Uesugi Hara started backing away as he spoke.

"Trying to run away already?" Morishita Ai said, then gave him another kick in the shin.

"Eep!" Uesugi Hara grimaced in pain.

"Morishita, could you please act a little more ladylike?"

"Sorry, I'm a seasoned martial-arts veteran, not some delicate princess." She raised an eyebrow, answering with a hint of swagger.

"Yes, yes, I understand." Uesugi Hara hurriedly nodded along. "Please show mercy, senior, and forgive this junior for his earlier offense."

"Hmph. Be off with you." Morishita Ai gave a quiet snort and waved him away.

"Right." Uesugi Hara answered and quickly turned to leave.

Morishita Ai watched Uesugi Hara's figure gradually disappear into the distance, wondering what she was planning.