With only a few days left until the second semester's closing ceremony, rumors about Kaoru and Ichinose had spread to almost everyone's ears.
Some suspected they might be dating, while others thought they were in that ambiguous zone between friendship and romance.
There were even those who believed Kaoru would confess to Ichinose under the legendary tree, with Santa Claus tossing down gifts of love from its branches and the jingle of reindeer bells echoing through the Keyaki Mall's dormitory rooms all night long.
Of course, some dismissed it as nonsense, while others were overjoyed, eagerly bragging to their childhood friends—only to be met with cold shoulders.
Kaoru had expected someone else to react most strongly, but he never imagined Tachibana Akane would come storming up to him in a huff.
"Are you dating Ichinose?"
Right after school ended, Kaoru ran into Tachibana at the first-floor entrance.
It seemed she had rushed over immediately after class, her forehead slightly damp with sweat, her hair still tied up in that adorable bun.
At that moment, many students passing through the entrance cast curious glances their way—after all, Kaoru had gained some notoriety lately.
"Even the third-years know?" Kaoru was surprised.
He had assumed graduates wouldn't care about first-year affairs.
"W-well, more or less," Akane stammered before growing angry again.
"I always thought we had a good relationship! You used to listen to me in the student council, and now you're sneaking around getting a girlfriend behind my back!"
Squeak—
Kaoru could practically feel the students around them perk up their ears, clearly eager for gossip.
At this rate, rumors would spread that he was cheating on Ichinose Honami with an upperclassman.
"I was just about to tell you," Kaoru said. "Besides, I don't need your permission to get a girlfriend, do I?"
Akane flared up in anger.
Was he implying she was meddling in his business?
"I never said that! I just think you and Ichinose moved too fast. Back in the student council, you were single like me!"
Kaoru sensed something off.
Why did she sound like she'd been abandoned by some scoundrel? All he'd done was say one thing, and now her eyes were welling up with tears.
Wait, had he really given her that many "rewards" for her affection to be this high?
[Tachibana Akane: Angry, hurt, dissatisfied, disappointed...]
[Recommendation: A quick kiss and the "Massage Technique" could effectively soothe the target's mood.]
Unable to make sense of it, Kaoru sighed.
"Don't cry—it's my fault. What do you want?"
"I'm not crying!" Akane touched her cheeks, finding no wetness.
Her emotions were just running high, making her eyes redden.
"I-I'm just a little frustrated."
"Frustrated?" Kaoru was even more confused.
Glancing around, he decided they needed to leave.
"Let's go somewhere else. Too many people here."
Tachibana Akane nodded and, seeing him walk ahead, quickly caught up.
Noticing he was only wearing his school uniform, she wondered if he was cold and moved closer to him.
"Aren't you cold?" she asked, tugging at the scarf around her neck and revealing a glimpse of fair skin.
"Look, I even bought a scarf! See this cute little panda? Isn't its smile adorable?"
Kaoru glanced at her scarf.
Standing just under 160 cm, the height difference between them allowed him an enticing view—though Akane remained oblivious, too busy beaming as she pointed at the little bear on her scarf.
She had spent ages picking it out!
"Well? Isn't it cute?"
"It's cute. So is my senpai."
"Guh… Don't say things like that!"
Akane belatedly remembered—he already had a girlfriend.
Her earlier actions had been too forward, lacking any restraint.
What kind of girl would sidle up to a guy just to show off her scarf?
"You should buy one soon too," she said, trying to maintain her senior demeanor.
"Don't underestimate this place just because it's remote. Winters here get heavy snow—last year, someone even caught a fever!"
Kaoru hunched his shoulders slightly.
She had a point.
Snowfall was probably just around the corner.
Akane was about to say more when she noticed the sharp line of his jaw and the prominent Adam's apple, exuding a distinctly masculine aura.
It was so close she could almost reach out and touch his chin.
She froze.
Why is he so tall?
And the distance between them—so narrow it felt like Kaoru could pull her into his arms at any moment.
In a fluster, Akane hurried ahead a few steps before stopping abruptly.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru asked, puzzled.
"N-Nothing!"
Spotting a nearby tree, her voice suddenly pitched higher.
"I just remembered—there's supposedly a legendary tree on campus!"
Kaoru had heard about this "legendary tree" more than once.
His curiosity piqued.
"The one where confessing under it guarantees success?"
"Huh, you know about it too?"
"Feels like every place has something like this."
"I-It's not a lie! I heard there's a 99% success rate for confessions made under that tree!"
"So, senpai, are you planning to confess to Horikita-senpai?"
"…"
Akane stiffened for a moment before deflating slightly.
"I… don't know if I should. But if I don't do it soon, I might never get another chance."
Kaoru nodded. "Your instincts aren't wrong. After all, senpai is a pitiful little coward."
"You're the coward!" Akane smacked his arm repeatedly in frustration. "I have my own pace—you don't get to judge! And even if I fail, it'll be your fault!"
"Why?" Kaoru was baffled. "What does your confession have to do with me?"
"Because you're dating Ichinose!" Akane declared, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Wait, what's wrong with me dating Honami?" Kaoru couldn't follow her logic.
"There must be something wrong! You were single just like me before, but now you've got a girlfriend. It's making me look bad. Even Saki and Maaya have boyfriends now. Doesn't that mean I'm the only one still single?"
Tachibana Akane seemed anxious about her situation.
She had admired Horikita Manabu for nearly three years, yet she still hadn't mustered the courage to take the first step.
Meanwhile, everyone around her was pairing up.
No matter how much she tried to deny it, she couldn't fool herself—she was envious.
"So, Senpai, you just want to get into a relationship?" Kaoru followed her train of thought.
Akane huffed twice.
She couldn't be bothered to explain, but she still spoke to Kaoru in a gentle tone.
"You have to help me. If it works out, I'll treat you to a sundae!"
"Why does it have to be me? I'm sure you have plenty of other friends who could help, right?" Kaoru already had enough troubles of his own and wasn't keen on adding more.
"Only you can help me with this. After all, you're the only one in the world who knows about my feelings."
Even now, Akane refused to believe that her feelings for Horikita had been exposed to anyone else.
She was convinced she had hidden them perfectly.
"No way. I'm new to dating too—I don't know anything about it," Kaoru denied.
"It's fine! Horikita has never been in a relationship either, and you're a guy. You should know what guys like." Akane's face flushed red.
"We can practice first—the whole dating process, even confessing. I want to try it with you."
Kaoru gave her a strange look.
Try it with him?
"I'm not Horikita-senpai. I have no idea how he'd react. I can't act that out or play along."
Akane stared at him as if he were an idiot and sighed.
"You juniors these days are so clueless. Of course I know that. If you could read Horikita's mind, why would I even need to practice with you?"
Kaoru was completely lost now.
"Relax, I'm just feeling really nervous, so I want you to keep me company." Akane averted her gaze.
"Besides, I don't want to ask other guys. You already have a girlfriend, so there won't be any rumors if we're together."
Wait, isn't being with you more likely to cause misunderstandings?
"I don't mind keeping you company for a day, but I'm busy on Christmas and Christmas Eve. Plus, I'd have to let Honami and the others know first."
"Huh?"
Akane was clearly displeased, but then she realized—if she went out with him on Christmas, wouldn't that just make things seem real?
So, she generously forgave Kaoru.
"Then let's go out the day after tomorrow, during the break!"
Suddenly, the girl brightened up again.
"Listen, there's a couples' event going on right now—sundae sets are half-price! We can share one when we go!"
"Eating sundaes in winter?" Kaoru subtly glanced at her stomach.
"What else are you supposed to eat in winter?" Akane thought this junior was a bit slow.
"In summer, it's watermelon and soda. In winter, it's sundaes and ice cream!"
"Whatever makes you happy." Kaoru figured it probably wasn't that time of the month for her—but even if it were, it wasn't his business.
"Mhm. But I don't know how to go on a date. What do I do?" Akane naturally turned to Kaoru for help.
"From what I've seen, people usually go shopping, then watch a movie, and end with a meal. Is that how it works?"
"That's the general process, but it depends on the other person's thoughts." Kaoru flashed a faint smile.
"Since you're the one who invited me on this date, it's your responsibility to plan the itinerary. If you fail to keep me happy, your confession will end in rejection."
Akane Tachibana's expression immediately darkened, and she protested indignantly.
"Isn't it usually the guy who plans everything?"
"If it were a guy, the only plan would be booking a hotel," Kaoru replied matter-of-factly.
Akane froze for a moment before her face flushed crimson.
It suddenly dawned on her—the final step of the date wasn't dinner.
It was her.
"P-pervert!" she stammered, her cheeks burning.
Still, she had no intention of canceling the date.
After all, this was her last chance to act recklessly before graduation.
Even Kaoru had a girlfriend now, which inexplicably filled her with a sense of urgency.
It felt like she, too, had to take that first step—or at the very least, avoid leaving regrets behind.
"This is just a date—no funny business! Otherwise, I'll report you to Ichinose!"
Akane had Ichinose's contact info, and she wasn't above using it as leverage.
"Fine, fine," Kaoru conceded, raising his hands in surrender. "I hope your confession goes well."
Seeing him yield again, Tachibana Akane allowed a small smirk to curl her lips, satisfaction blooming in her chest.
"Well, we'll be going our separate ways next semester anyway. Helping out my senpai a little won't hurt."
…Huh?
His words sent an abrupt stiffness through Akane's expression.
A wave of unease surged within her—more twisted and painful than the moment she'd learned he had a girlfriend.
For the first time, the sound of her own heartbeat rang with terrifying clarity in her ears.
Deep in her gut, a nauseating churn took hold, as if her stomach were convulsing—or as if a hole had been torn open inside her.
Flames seemed to scorch her from within, the agony so intense it stole her breath.
Her throat constricted, strangling her voice.
…What was this feeling?