Ayanokoji's Quilt

Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, small woods.

"Ah, I've been discovered."

Ayanokoji Kiyoko emerged from the bushes with a robotic expression, then looked at Morishita Ran in Amasawa Reigetsu's arms, and then back at Reigetsu.

Amasawa: This guy hasn't even done anything, yet I feel like my death is imminent!?

"Ara~ Re-kun, who is that in your arms?"

"Ah... well, a classmate... I think?"

He hadn't actually done anything. He simply didn't want to fight, so he used induction to make Morishita Ran believe she was fighting him while she was actually just asleep. But why did he have the distinct feeling of being caught in bed?

Amasawa Reigetsu did not understand.

"No! Amasawa Reigetsu, I surrender, don't keep fighting, ahhh!!"

Amasawa Reigetsu understood.

Morishita Ran was ruthlessly tossed to the ground, replaced by the usurping Ayanokoji Kiyoko.

"You used 'induction' on her, too."

"This is cheating ( ᗜ ‸ ᗜ )"

"My heart is beating so fast, my face feels hot... am I blushing?"

"Rei, say something."

Amasawa Reigetsu didn't speak; he simply leaned down and sealed Ayanokoji Kiyoko's lips, preventing her from continuing.

This robot—why does it feel like she's trending toward becoming a yandere? Damn it, I really can't beat her. My ending won't be like those weird stories, will it—

A place unknown to all, the basement.

"Rei, I love you, I love you, I love you so much♡. But why would you try to run away? Is the love I give you not enough?"

"Come, let us continue to love each other, until death does not part us—"

"Or perhaps, I should make you a part of my body... that way you will never leave me again♡"

A cold sweat broke out on Amasawa Reigetsu's back. Things like this should only happen in those weird stories next door... right?

Ayanokoji Kiyoko's robotic eyes widened abruptly, her pupils contracting violently from the sudden assault before rapidly dilating.

Ayanokoji Kiyoko: Ha!

The "hajimi" had its fur standing on end.

The scent belonging to Amasawa Reigetsu forcefully enveloped her. That touch, carrying an irresistible weight, dismantled her defenses bit by bit. Her shoulders, which had been slightly tense from nervousness, quietly relaxed.

The mechanical indifference in those clear eyes gradually melted into a pool of spring water. She slowly, submissively closed her lids, her long lashes casting quiet shadows beneath them. When she opened them again, the clarity in her gaze had been replaced by a layer of hazy mist.

"Rei... so overbearing. I love this feeling so much♡"

Their lips parted. Ayanokoji Kiyoko no longer tried to push him away; instead, as if she had found the safest harbor, she subconsciously nuzzled her head against Reigetsu's chest.

Is she really a hajimi?

Amasawa Reigetsu gently comforted Ayanokoji Kiyoko, then looked at Morishita Ran, who was about to wake up—

Wait, there's another expert?

Is this small woods being broadcast by the Throne of Heroes right now!? Isn't this even more excessive than high jumping? This is an invasion of my privacy, isn't it?!

Amasawa Reigetsu was speechless. Perhaps the Acting Director, the homeroom teachers of classes A, B, C, and D, the leaders of those classes, the first, second, and third years, and even Ayanokoji Atsuomi, and even Amasawa Ichika who would arrive in the future...

This kind of thing... that's impossible, right?

In the opposite direction, Sakayanagi Arisu was leaning on her cane, her face flushed, watching him with fanatical eyes. The hand gripping her cane trembled slightly, as if she were about to collapse at any moment.

"Who is stronger, you or Ayanokoji?"

"9-1, I'd say. In nine seconds, I'd be beaten into a mist of blood."

The answer the boy named "Rei" had once given her in the White Room echoed in Sakayanagi Arisu's ears.

The corners of Sakayanagi's lips curled into an almost obsessive arc. That smile lacked her usual sense of effortless control, revealing instead a kind of near-devout fanaticism. Her fingers gently stroked her cane, as if she were touching Amasawa Reigetsu himself.

Amasawa Reigetsu is a true genius. He is truly favored by the heavens, isn't he?

But even she didn't notice that the instinctive longing radiating from her very bones was making Sakayanagi Arisu's heart beat uncontrollably, staining her pale cheeks with an unusual flush.

Huu...

Sakayanagi Arisu let out a long, heavy breath, as if trying to exhale all her thoughts. Satisfied, she gently stroked the cane that had come from Reigetsu and turned to leave.

Thanks for the treat. (Licks lips)

Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, tree-lined path.

Amasawa Reigetsu paid no mind to Sakayanagi Arisu, who had been peeking from the sidelines before reaching a climax and leaving on her own accord like a scumbag who refused to acknowledge her partner after pulling up her pants. In truth, if he had kept her there any longer, the crowd of onlookers likely would have doubled.

At this moment, Amasawa Reigetsu had Morishita Ran on his left and Ayanokoji Kiyoko on his right—if they didn't return to class soon, Kiyoko wouldn't be able to retrieve her terminal!

Rewinding time by two minutes—

"Waaaaahhhhhh!!!!" Morishita Ran finally woke up from her nightmare—though Amasawa Reigetsu hadn't intended for it to be a nightmare; he had only wanted her to spar with him in her dreams. Who knew this little girl would be so pathetic?

"Wh-wh-wh-where is this?! Amasawa Reigetsu, I surrender, you can't hit me anymore!... Eh? My body doesn't hurt? What's going on?"

Morishita Ran struggled to sit up, then saw Amasawa Reigetsu looking at her alongside an unfamiliar girl who radiated an aura of pure mediocrity. She immediately bristled, hissed, and surrendered in one fluid motion, only to realize she had no wounds. Her Hajimi code conflicted, and her brain froze.

"This is my classmate, Morishita Ran from Class A. She dragged me into a fight the moment she entered the class; I didn't do anything," Amasawa Reigetsu introduced her to Ayanokoji Kiyoko, then grabbed Morishita Ran by the scruff of her neck—or rather, her collar.

"This is my... uh..."

"I am Ayanokoji Kiyoko from Class D, and I am Amasawa Reigetsu's moth—"

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!!!! Shut it! Do you want to ruin this story? You repressed girl!"

Seeing Ayanokoji Kiyoko realize something was off halfway through her sentence, Amasawa Reigetsu's instinct for emergency avoidance kicked in, allowing him to use his once-per-chapter teleportation to cover the mouth of the girl about to spout nonsense.

"I am Amasawa Reigetsu's loyal dog. Pleased to meet you, woof."

That was acceptable enough. He looked over at Morishita Ran, who showed no signs of surprise at all.

Stand users really do attract one another.jpg

Amasawa: "Take out your terminal, let's add each other."

Morishita Ran: "Are we starting a harem group chat? Sure, why not?"

Ayanokoji: "What is a terminal?"

Amasawa, Morishita Ran: ?

Ayanokoji's quilt was already out on the balcony, drying in the sun.