Although President Horikita's invitation to join the Student Council had caught me off guard, aside from that, the day had been calm and uneventful until dismissal.
In the classroom, Hirata and Kushida were working to help Sudo just like yesterday, but honestly, I thought it wouldn't be a big deal if he got expelled. It wasn't as if he was useful to the class anyway.
With that thought, I picked up my bag and left the classroom. I ran into Hiyori in the hallway and greeted her. "Hey, Hiyori. Do you have club activities today?"
"Oh, Hachiman. The club's taking the day off, so I was just going to the library. If you're free, would you like to come with me?"
"Sure. Let's go." It wasn't as if I had anything better to do. The class? Who cared?
"By the way, is there any news in your class about that assault?" I asked casually. Hiyori thought for a moment, then replied, "Ishizaki and the others got hurt, but they haven't made any big moves yet."
Were they sitting tight because they were sure they'd win, or were they afraid of giving themselves away? If it was the former, we were in trouble...
"Also, I don't have any concrete proof, but Ryuen might be involved in this incident."
Seriously? If that guy was involved, things could get tricky. We'd only spoken a few times, but he gave off a dangerous vibe.
"I see. Is that all you know?"
"Yes. Besides, I'm not particularly interested in this whole mess."
Even so, if Ryuen really was making a move, he was probably working behind the scenes, where Hiyori couldn't see. He knew she wasn't interested in class affairs, but it was only natural that Ryuen would get suspicious if he saw her hanging out with me, someone from another class.
"Got it. Then let's go to the library."
"Okay."
Hiyori nodded, then suddenly linked her arm through mine and dragged me toward the library.
"Hachiman, about the bento... I've mostly been making Japanese food, but would you like some Western dishes?" Hiyori asked suddenly, holding up a bento recipe book as we read in the library.
"No, I'm happy with what you make now. Your cooking is way better than the cafeteria's. Besides, I'm always eating your food for free. If you want payment, I can pay you."
Lately, I hadn't needed to buy convenience-store bento at all. I occasionally treated myself to a nice meal at a restaurant, but I ate the food Hiyori made for me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Still, watching her pay for everything herself made me feel bad.
"You don't have to. I make it because I want to... If you're asking what I'd like in return..." She suddenly blushed and faltered.
"What is it? If there's something you want, just say so."
At my urging, Hiyori's face turned bright red. "Um... for every meal I make, I'd like a hug as a reward... And before we go to sleep... could you... kiss me on the forehead?"
"Huh... what?" I looked at her without thinking. The fact that she had her head lowered proved I hadn't misheard.
"Are you serious?" As soon as I asked, she gave a small nod.
"Mm... Whenever we sleep together, Hachiman, you hold me. That warm feeling is addictive..."
Her frank words made my cheeks burn. Then Hiyori set the recipe book on the table and took my hand.
"Please... Now that I've said it, I can't hold back anymore..."
This was bad, bad, bad! Hiyori's pleading was so effective that I almost agreed on the spot. Just as I was wavering—
"Hachiman... Is that a no?" She raised her glistening eyes and pressed her case again.
Three hours later.
"Thanks for the meal."
"It was only a simple home-cooked meal. Was it good?"
"Yeah, it was amazing."
"I'm so happy you think so, Hachiman... Then..." Hiyori stood up. Her face was bright red, but she still spread her arms wide.
Seeing her like that, I blushed too and stood up, stepping closer—
"Ah..."
I wrapped my arms tightly around her. Hiyori let out a faint gasp in my embrace and slid her arms around my back, turning it into a mutual hug.
In the end, I couldn't refuse Hiyori's request in the library. I agreed to hug her after breakfast and dinner every day, and to kiss her forehead goodnight before bed. Honestly, it was mortifying, but she'd done so much for me. And when she begged, that look she gave me from under her lashes was so devastating that I couldn't possibly say no.
So now I was holding Hiyori in my arms as we embraced.
"Hachiman..." Hiyori murmured, rubbing against me in my arms. She really knew how to wear down my self-control. Sakanayanagi was good at making me lose my composure too, but she did it on purpose to tease me, so I could endure it. Hiyori, on the other hand, was completely unaware that she was acting so sweet. If this went on for too long, my self-control really would crumble.
"I didn't realize you were such a cuddlebug."
"You're the one who turned me into one, Hachiman."
Me? I couldn't remember ever spoiling her. Since starting school, I hadn't done anything special for her. At most, I'd bought the right to date Hiyori from Ryuen. But whatever. Being doted on like this was embarrassing, but deep down, I was happy. Before coming to this school, almost none of the girls I knew were normal, including my little sister.
Speaking of which, what if Komachi got into this school when she started her third year of high school? That idiot had failed to get into Sobu Junior High, but grades weren't the only thing this school considered. (If she really did come here, she'd definitely chatter nonstop and ruin my peaceful life.) The last time she barged up to the school gates, I'd been on edge, worried Sakanayanagi and Hiyori would hate me. I was relieved when they didn't, but I'd been furious at the time.
Maybe I should join the Sakanayanagi Faction ahead of time, just in case. If Komachi caused trouble, I'd even owe Sakanayanagi a favor to get her to put a stop to it.
"...What's wrong? Why do you suddenly look so scary? Do you hate me holding you?" As I thought about all that, Hiyori looked up at me with an anxious expression.
"Oh, no. I just remembered some unpleasant things from before I enrolled. I definitely don't hate you holding me."
"I see... Hachiman."
"Yeah?"
As soon as I answered, Hiyori hooked her arms behind my neck and pulled my face against the softness of her chest. Warmth and softness enveloped my cheeks.
"I told you before, too. No one here will bully you, Hachiman. Take these three years to heal, little by little. I'll always be on your side." As she spoke, she gently stroked the back of my head, tenderly and affectionately, just like when we'd run into Yukinoshita and the others before.
Ah, if she treated me like this, even painful memories would be cleansed away. This was bad. Hiyori's presence was practically intoxicating. Hearing her say that made me want to lean on her even more...
"...Hiyori."
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
"Hehe... You're welcome."
As soon as I thanked her, Hiyori chuckled softly and tightened her embrace. In response, I unconsciously tightened my arms around her waist.
"Haaah~ I'm sleepy. Time for bed." I stopped moving my pencil and yawned. When I checked the clock, it was already past midnight. That was enough for today.
"Good idea. Though I suppose it's technically morning now, it's still a while until the morning meeting, so let's get some rest." Hiyori, sitting across from me in her pajamas, began putting away her stationery too. She'd already showered and brushed her teeth, so she was ready for bed.
...Come to think of it, it was strange that Hiyori now used the bathroom in my room, kept her toothbrush and uniform here, and had been spending every night in my room lately. Was this basically living together?
As I thought about it, Hiyori came over and linked her arm through mine.
"Then let's go to bed..."
"Yeah."
We slowly made our way to the bed. The moment we lifted the covers and lay down, Hiyori snuggled up to me and looked up.
"Hachiman, please." She leaned her forehead toward me. It was so embarrassing I wanted to die, but a promise was a promise.
I took a deep breath and slowly leaned toward her forehead—
Mwah.
I gave her a light kiss. Hiyori and Sakanayanagi had kissed me on the cheek before, but this was my first time kissing someone. My whole face instantly felt like it was on fire.
"G-good night, Hiyori."
Seeing me flustered, Hiyori nodded, blushing. But the next moment—
"...Good night, Hachiman."
Mwah.
She actually kissed my forehead in return! My body temperature shot up to a lethal level. At this rate, I'd die of a racing heart!
Was this routine really something we'd have to repeat every night from now on?... I was going to die.
In the end, I couldn't fall asleep until three in the morning. It was like when people had accused me of dating several girls at once: I felt like I'd eventually get used to this situation—but wasn't that even more terrifying?
Before you continue