Besides Karuizawa, there were a few other girls with her, likely from the same group—even eating together.
Kaoru greeted her, then noticed the slightly odd expression on Chiaki Matsushita's face beside her.
"Why are you alone?"
Karuizawa spoke in a tone one might use with a friend, curious, though it was clear she was suppressing a faint smirk.
Kaoru knew what she was asking and replied, "Originally, Hashimoto wanted to come with me, but I refused. I'm used to being alone."
"Oh, so you're what they call a lone wolf?"
Karuizawa patted her chest in mock relief. "As long as it's not because you have no friends, I can rest easy."
Kaoru fell silent for a moment.
What's with this sharp tone? Has she been upset these past few days?
'Still, going all out like this in front of friends might raise suspicions, Kei.'
"By the way, Mitoma-kun, are you dating Ichinose-san?"
Karuizawa brought up the recent rumors.
"I saw you two together yesterday too—is it true?"
When it came to romance, girls were naturally curious.
Karuizawa easily diverted the attention, and even Matsushita looked interested, not to mention the others.
"Yeah, we're dating."
"Wow, since when?"
"Before Christmas."
The first semester, before Christmas, Kaoru wasn't planning to reveal the truth.
If people knew they'd been dating for a while, they might start imagining all sorts of scenarios.
"I'm even more curious now—what was the moment that made you two start dating?"
Karuizawa played dumb, seizing this opportunity to push a little.
"Can't say. It's a bit embarrassing." Kaoru raised an eyebrow.
What was she thinking?
"Eh? First time I've heard a guy say something like that."
Karuizawa looked genuinely surprised. "Could it be... something a little naughty?"
"How naughty do you think it was?"
Kaoru remained calm.
He'd deal with her later.
"Well... maybe just..."
Karuizawa suddenly felt guilty and stammered, making Matsushita and the others recall certain images.
Their faces flushed.
"I-I don't know, but I heard you might have something going on with a second-year senpai."
It was obvious she was clumsily changing the subject.
"Second year... are you talking about Asahina-senpai?"
Kaoru followed her lead, already guessing her little scheme.
"Yeah, that's the name."
Karuizawa nodded. "What's... what's the situation between you two? Some say you stole someone's childhood friend?"
In an instant, the atmosphere around them grew strange.
Kaoru understood—Karuizawa was laying the groundwork for him.
If he admitted to Asahina, she could also step forward without causing an uproar.
"It's a long story. While things might look like what you're suggesting, even if I had those intentions, Asahina-senpai might not agree. So, for now, let's put aside that bold idea."
His words were cautious and ambiguous.
At first glance, it seemed like he was denying Karuizawa claim, yet he never outright rejected it.
The implication was clear—if Asahina gave her approval, he'd admit to it.
Karuizawa wasn't entirely satisfied, but since they were in public, she couldn't press further without being rude.
So, she gave Kaoru a hand signal.
...
After he left, Nene couldn't help but speak up. "Mitoma-kun seems to have a lot of trouble. I heard from the boys that senpai is planning to expel him again."
"So he really did steal someone's childhood friend!"
"But he's so handsome... I kinda wish it was me he stole."
"Rino?!"
"Ahaha, just kidding."
Truthfully, Karuizawa wasn't worried at all about the conflict between Kaoru and Nagumo.
She had complete faith in him.
Even if he really got expelled, she could just drop out too.
In fact, that might be better.
Out in the real world, they wouldn't have to worry about prying eyes and could do whatever they wanted.
Karuizawa was a little concerned about whether she'd make a good housewife, though.
"Are you and Mitoma-kun friends, Karuizawa-san?" Chiaki Matsushita asked.
Caught off guard by the sudden question about their relationship, Karuizawa panicked for a split second before suppressing it.
"Yeah. Is there a problem with me being friends with Mitoma-kun?"
"N-no, not at all." Matsushita quickly denied, "I was just thinking... apart from Hirata-kun, Karuizawa-san doesn't seem to pay much attention to other boys."
Since Hirata Yosuke used to be her boyfriend, she had to maintain appearances.
Besides, the boys in class were just too disgusting, Karuizawa thought to herself.
"Judging by appearances, Mitoma-kun is more handsome than Hirata-kun, isn't he?"
"So Karuizawa-san likes that type of handsome guy?"
"Yes. I only realized later that Hirata-kun wasn't right for me. I really like Mitoma-kun's type."
"Ahaha, is... is that so?"
Matsushita couldn't continue the questioning.
She felt Karuizawa wasn't lying—this girl might genuinely think this way.
Although Karuizawa's persona was that of a gyaru, and bold statements weren't unexpected from her, this didn't seem like an act.
There was even a sparkle in her eyes.
...
After the meal, Karuizawa naturally didn't return to the girls' dormitory but went to the outer corridor instead.
When she didn't see Kaoru there, her initially cheerful expression suddenly fell.
"Over here."
At the familiar voice, Karuizawa quickly spotted Kaoru sitting on some steps not far away—a rather inconspicuous spot that was easy to miss if you weren't looking carefully.
"At least you're sensible. I thought you'd be playing with Ichinose again."
Karuizawa walked slowly toward him with her hands behind her back. "Was that engagement ring Sakayanagi's been bragging about really from you?"
"I gave it to her."
Kaoru looked somewhat frustrated. "I didn't expect her to make such a fuss about it. When I gave it to her, she seemed completely reluctant."
"Girls often say one thing but mean another."
Even so, Karuizawa still felt dissatisfied. She had never flaunted anything like that!
"So, are you still angry now?"
Kaoru stretched out his hands toward her, making her blush instinctively.
"N-no, I'm not angry!"
Karuizawa denied it at first, then gritted her teeth and lowered her voice. "Even if I were angry, what could you do? Do you even know why I'd be angry?"
"I'll go on a date with you next Christmas."
Seeing she wasn't coming closer, Kaoru took her small hand in his. "But Christmas is too far away. Can I have Valentine's Day instead?"
Karuizawa had been keeping a stern face, unwilling to agree, but for some reason, her cheeks grew hot, her body softened, and she was effortlessly pulled into his embrace.
"P-people might see us!"
Flustered, her heartbeat quickened, yet she could feel his familiar warmth again in his arms.
"Even if it causes public outrage, Kei is my girlfriend."
Kaoru lightly tapped her nose, smiling faintly. "Where's that bold attitude from earlier?"
That was then, this is now—how could she possibly keep it up?
"I don't know. Maybe I gave it all to you."
Blushing, Karuizawa adjusted her position, sitting on his lap and facing his chest.
She nuzzled against him a few times, breathing in his familiar scent as her heartbeat gradually steadied.
"I don't care anymore. Even if someone sees us, it's all your responsibility!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Kaoru wrapped his arms around the girl's slender waist, his palm resting on her back.
Her slightly plump, perky bottom pressed against his thighs, soft and supple.
The scent of the girl enveloped him like the fragrance of early spring, faintly teasing his primal instincts.
Karuizawa giggled, her eyes curving into crescents.
She hadn't meant to look so happy.
But clinging to someone she liked was inherently joyful, enough to wash away her earlier unhappiness.
"Are you really going to spend Valentine's Day with me?"
Karuizawa felt both anticipation and worry. "What about Ichinose?"
"If you want, I can bring both of you along." Kaoru was dead serious.
Karuizawa flushed with embarrassment.
Two girls accompanying one boy—how shameful!
Not to mention dates, every time they were together, they'd inevitably end up doing something naughty.
Did that mean they'd have to do those naughty things together too?
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