Hoshino Arc: An Ordinary Day, an Ordinary Night

"But... why me? Shouldn't this kind of competition for honor be for the more senior students?"

Upon hearing him mention his seniors, the Swimming Club president, who was himself a senior, looked embarrassed.

"Ahem. Hoshino- Hoshino, you're a boy, you should know this: the other boys who join this club are either there to gather information or to see the swimsuits of the upperclassmen, underclassmen, and classmates. There are almost no boys like you who are so focused on practicing swimming."

"Instead of just sending any boy to the first round, it's better to send you, who practices diligently all the time. You might even get a prize—you'll receive awards from the competition and the school, and our Swimming Club can get more funding from the Student Council."

"Besides, this competition is divided into male and female groups, so the boys and girls will start together. Compared to other guys who often peek at girls' swimsuits, you, who already have a girlfriend, are less likely to cause offense to the girls, which is beneficial for team harmony." Yi

Listening to it this way, it seems quite reasonable to send him.

Wait a minute, who has a girlfriend?

Hoshino En suddenly realized that there was a big loophole in the other person's words.

Although his relationship with Karuizawa Kei was practically over, that happened just yesterday, so it's clear that the club president's idea of "his girlfriend" is someone else.

Of all the girls he knew, the only one who had ever "observed" his practice at the Swimming Club was Kamuro Masumi.

The thought of that guy made Hoshino En furious: Couldn't he at least hide when he's "secretly taking pictures"??

Taking photos in public like that is bound to cause misunderstandings!

However, since her actions had brought him such convenience, he decided not to dwell on it.

"What about the other spots? How did the Swimming Club decide? Was it by lottery?" Wu

"Yes, yes."

The president coughed awkwardly, realizing he'd been guessed right away.

"But if you don't want to go, I won't force you."

National competitions, which mean competing outside the school, are one of the few opportunities to communicate with the outside world.

Hoshino En would never refuse such an opportunity.

Not to mention, their birthdays are in July, giving him a perfect opportunity to give them their birthday presents.

But...

"Senior, will this competition interfere with our first-year exams?"

July is mid-summer, and that very important Special Exam might start around that time.

He can communicate with the outside world using points even without participating in the competition; but the Special Exam is a once-in -Once and for All, and he's counting on it to secure his future. He can't just give up this chance to leave school.

"Of course not, the competition starts on July 25th, by which time your Special Exam will have already been completed—"

He suddenly stopped speaking halfway through his speech and immediately covered his mouth.

Oh crap! I've been tricked into revealing information!

"Since you put it that way, senior, my answer is naturally 'yes'."

"However, could you reveal a little more information about the first-year exams, senior?"

Hoshino En Yuuki moved closer to the club president, trying to put her right hand on his shoulder, but the club president didn't let her succeed—he immediately jumped up and backed away.

"Since you, Hoshino -kun, agree, I'll report it to the Student Council and advisor. We'll let you know when it's ready to go."

"That's all, I'll be going now."

He finished speaking very quickly, then immediately rushed out the door without looking back. His back looked flustered, yet his flustered demeanor carried a resolute determination.

Hoshino En: "..."

Senior, you're a third-year student, right? Unlike second-year students, you don't have Nagumo backing you up. What are you afraid of?

Is it really necessary?

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 141, Section 132.5: Hoshino Arc: An Ordinary Day, An Ordinary Night

On a typical school day, I woke up at the same time as always.

Pulling back the curtains, the sky outside was already bright, as if urging people to hurry up and start working or studying.

Ugh, I hate this kind of weather that seems to be rushing me.

I took off my pajamas, changed into my workout clothes, and gently pushed open the door to go out.

Although it gets light exceptionally early these days, there are still as few students and teachers on the streets as ever—everyone would rather stay in bed a little longer than rush to work as soon as it gets light.

That's true. People who rush to school or work are either genuinely passionate about life or are overworked and oppressed by their bosses and life itself.

But I, who get up early, don't fall into either of those categories; I'm simply going out for my routine morning exercise.

Maintaining good health is a prerequisite for enjoying life; without good health, there are many things you cannot do.

I circled the track, greeted Horikita Manabu who also enjoys regular exercise, and brushed past Karuizawa Kei, who had finally recovered and resumed her morning workouts. I leisurely enjoyed the moment of tranquility in the morning.

4. After my morning exercise, Karuizawa Kei and I took the elevator one after the other to go back to the dormitory to wash up.

"En-kun, may I come to your room tonight?"

"Looking for me? What do you want?"

I turned to look at her. Her face was flushed from the exercise, but I felt that the flush on her face was different from that kind of "red".

Noticing my gaze, she became unusually shy, and her tone even carried a hint of embarrassment.

"It's... you know what I mean~"

Because there was a display screen outside the elevator on the first floor that showed the situation inside the elevator, she didn't have any physical contact with me, but the expression on her face clearly told her what she was thinking: she glanced down and licked her slightly dry lips.

How could I not understand Lin's expression?

So I turned my face back and said righteously, "No, you can only do that kind of thing once a month at most, no more frequently; and you shouldn't do it by yourself either, doing it too much will not only harm your health, but also make you mentally exhausted."

This girl is already trying to play with fire again; doesn't she realize the magnitude of the consequences?

"If you really can't stand it, go to the gym and work out until you don't have the energy to think about this kind of thing anymore."

Upon hearing my words, Karuizawa Kei revealed a mischievous smile, her eyes filled with amusement.

"I didn't say I wanted to do that kind of thing. I just wanted to go to your room and play for a while. What are you thinking, En-kun?"

"And I think: if you're unwilling, then no matter what I do, you shouldn't be swayed, right?"

"But if I succeed... then it would mean that you, En-kun, actually want it too, wouldn't it?"

Ding-dong--

Just then, the elevator stopped; this was my floor.

"Anyway, I'll be bringing some friends over tonight, En-kun, so be prepared! I'm really looking forward to En-kun late-night snack!"

Bye-bye~

She waved at me, and then the elevator doors closed.

Judging from her tone, is she planning to come here for free? And she brought some hot girl with her??

... Tsk, never mind, she knows what she's doing, she probably won't cause any trouble on purpose.

Let's assume this is a task she assigned to me to improve the impression I've made on the other students in the class, so I'll accept it with "high expectations."

After showering briefly in my room, I threw my gym clothes into the washing machine, changed into my clean school uniform, opened the door, and headed to the cafeteria.

However, my friend Ayanokoji, who used to go to and from school with me, hasn't had any contact with me, openly or secretly, since June. Although we live next door, we are like two parallel lines that never intersect.

Did my actions give him the impression that "associating with me would cause trouble"?

Never mind, this works just right.

He's acting very strangely. Although I'm trying my best to get him back on track, if he doesn't want to, there's nothing I can do.

This kind of eccentric and stubborn guy only brings me trouble. Now I don't even have the chance to "watch him slowly become the person I want him to be." It's better that he cuts off the relationship himself. At least I'll have a reason not to bother with his problems anymore.

However, we can't openly break off relations; let's just treat him like an ordinary classmate, similar to Sudo or Hirata.

After breakfast, I went to the classroom alone. There weren't many people in the classroom, but they were all having a lively discussion about something.

Except for a slight decrease in the panic on his face, everything else was just like it was in early May.

But unlike before, after I came in, they all glanced in my direction and then lowered their voices to talk.

The sequelae of the previous "angry 0∮≥∥◎umbrella"∠)]‰~±:" are still there...

However, instilling "fear" in others is also a way to maintain safety and avoid trouble, so I didn't have any complaints.

Sitting in my seat, I watched my classmates come into the classroom one by one, chatting with their friends about all sorts of things, laughing and joking from time to time, but without any conflicts or chaos. My mood improved as a result.

This is the kind of class I want! No trouble, no disturbances, and no "useless socializing" that gets me into trouble. My previous outbursts were definitely the right thing to do.

Good morning, Hoshino.

Just then, my only deskmate Ken Sudō, arrived in the classroom. After the last discussion, he became much warmer towards me and his temper was also more subdued.

Isn't it better this way? Unlike before, when I always had a sour face and would take my anger out on everything around me, which only showed my arrogance and rudeness and did nothing to improve my life.

After all the students in the classroom had arrived, Chabashira Sae, the homeroom teacher of Class D, also arrived. The day's classes began uneventfully with the class meeting she led, and ended just as uneventfully.

In the afternoon, I went to the Swimming Club as usual and began my daily practice.

After learning about the competitions and exams in July, my interest in the Swimming Club diminished considerably.

After that Special Exam and the swimming competition are over, I probably won't come back to the Swimming Club.

However, that's not a problem. Although the school has strict control over clubs and doesn't allow "shadow members" who don't show up for a long time, if I win a prize in the competition, the club members will "explain" my absence—I've already discussed this with the club president.

After practicing for a short hour, I changed back into my school uniform, grabbed my swimming gear, and went straight to the library, where I spent the rest of the afternoon with the library's Silver Fairy.

However, Shiina seemed a little off today. Although she was still snuggling up to me and reading, just like she had for the past two months, her gaze kept drifting in my direction rather casually.

When I looked over, she would immediately turn her gaze back, her cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple.

"Shiina, what's wrong with you today? You seem a little distracted!"

Because her appearance was so enigmatic, I just asked her directly.

"I... I'm fine, En-kun, you don't need to worry about me."

She said she was fine, but her face remained flushed and didn't turn back.

Something's clearly up.

But since she doesn't want to talk about it, I won't interfere. Girls always have some secrets they can't tell the opposite sex, and constantly asking will only cause trouble.

The afternoon passed quickly. Shiina and I ate together as usual, and then went our separate ways.

The night was my personal free time. I returned to my room, waiting for Karuizawa Kei and her friends to "visit," while wondering who she would bring.

Is it Sato Maya? She made quite a sacrifice this time, so it's understandable that Karuizawa Kei wants to reward her.

It could also be Matsushita Chiaki, who is a "wolf in sheep's clothing" type, as can be seen from the unusual details in her usual attempts to act like a gyaru (a Japanese term for a sassy, aggressive woman).

Did Karuizawa Kei choose this "absolutely safe place" because she wanted to confront her?

Or perhaps...

While I was thinking, I spread out the chess set that Sakayanagi had given me and began to "play" against myself.

The custom-made chessboard is beautiful, but it has only been used once in Kaifeng so far, which is such a pity.

As I was thinking, my thoughts drifted to some strange place without me even realizing it.

Just as the game of chess was about to end, the doorbell rang suddenly.

... It's finally here.

I walked to the door and opened it, but what appeared before me was Karuizawa Kei... and Shiina Hiyori, who was holding her hand, or rather, being pulled over by her.

When did these two "collude" together?

Oh, they seem to be neighbors, so it's quite normal for them to keep in touch.

"Good evening, En-kun, I've brought my 'friend' with me."

Karuizawa Kei said with a smile, as she pushed Shiina Hiyori into my room.

Good evening, En-kun.

Compared to her, Shiina Hiyori seemed a bit nervous.

She let Karuizawa Kei help her to my bed, her face flushed, looking like a dazed doll.