Uesugi Hara and Ayanokoji chatted idly, the sea breeze carrying the sunlight over them. It was wonderfully relaxing.
He had no idea that a guest was about to arrive at his room: Ichinose Honami.
Ichinose Honami stood in front of his door, holding a neatly folded shirt. She had borrowed it from Uesugi Hara earlier and had taken several days to return it, worried that waiting any longer would seem strange.
Without giving it much thought, she raised her hand and knocked.
Inside, Karuizawa Kei was tossing and turning on the bed, unable to sleep.
When she heard the knock, she jumped right out of bed without thinking, assuming Uesugi Hara had returned. She hurried over and opened the door.
Their eyes met.
Karuizawa Kei's smile froze on her face, and a trace of panic flashed in her eyes. Ichinose Honami furrowed her brow, looking baffled. Why was Karuizawa there?
She instinctively glanced up at the room number to make sure it was indeed Uesugi Hara's room, then looked back at Karuizawa. But when her gaze swept over Karuizawa Kei's pajamas, her pupils shrank.
She had seen Karuizawa Kei during the exam a few days ago, and had long heard rumors that the Class D girl was dating Hirata Yosuke. This scene was hard not to read too much into.
"May I ask why you're in Uesugi's room, Karuizawa?" Ichinose Honami asked first, her tone probing. "And where is Uesugi?"
Karuizawa Kei's heart raced, but she kept telling herself, Don't panic. Absolutely don't panic! She took a deep breath, and the alarm on her face gradually faded. Then she furrowed her brow and pulled Ichinose Honami into the room.
The other girl had clearly come to see Uesugi Hara. Leaving her standing in the doorway would only draw more attention.