There Aren't Many New Ways Left for Others to Enter Room 520

More than an hour later.

Ibuki Mio slowly regained consciousness.

She opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the empty bedside.

Had Kitagawa-kun already left?

For some reason, a faint sense of disappointment swept through her heart.

But that made sense.

There had never been a shortage of outstanding girls around Kitagawa Kai. Not only did they know how to care for others, but they were also far gentler in temperament than she was.

How could he possibly have any special expectations of a strange-tempered tomboy like her?

When all was said and done, she had only become friends with Kitagawa Kai thanks to Hiyori.

The boy had been willing to train her and had carried her to the infirmary just now, probably only out of concern for a friend.

She had merely enjoyed a moment of tenderness, yet she had already started imagining things.

How pathetic.

Wait.

Why was she putting herself down?

A flash of inspiration struck Ibuki Mio, and she quickly found a more reasonable explanation.

Damn it!

Kitagawa-kun must have noticed how rapidly she was improving and worried that she would surpass him someday. That was why he had deliberately acted so considerate, hoping to disrupt her martial spirit while he had the chance.

That had been close...

She had nearly fallen for that despicable guy's trick.

Ibuki Mio turned over and saw Kitagawa Kai sitting on the bed beside hers, with Horikita Suzune lying quietly asleep in his arms.

She stared blankly for a while.

The disappointment that had just faded quickly returned, now mixed with a few traces of envy and jealousy.

What if...

The person resting so naturally in Kitagawa Kai's arms right now were her?

The moment that thought surfaced, Ibuki Mio hurriedly looked away.

The fever must have fried her brain!