Nanase-sensei waved the other students away, leaving only Ajitani and the students who had previously rented costumes and set up the venue.
"You guys go back first, don't wait for me. I don't know how long it'll take to finish."
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
Ajitani stood at the end of the corridor, silhouetted by the setting sun, watching Tsuna and the others disappear before turning and entering the dance studio, quietly listening as Nanase-sensei assigned tasks.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Clap, clap, clap… Nanase-sensei leaned against the dance studio's handrail, clapping her hands to bring the gradually distracted students back to attention.
"That's all I have to say. If you encounter any problems you can't solve, come find me. You can go back now."
"Ajitani, stay for a moment."
"Okay."
After the students dispersed, Nanase-sensei led Ajitani into the corridor.
They leaned against the railing side by side, looking at the students playing downstairs, with the cicadas in the cherry trees providing a soundtrack.
"How do you feel about that student? Did he cause you any trouble?" Nanase-sensei asked, her tone casual, as if talking to a normal friend.
"Nanase-sensei, he has a name. It's Ishida Shouya."
Ajitani had grown somewhat accustomed to her behavior recently, but hearing her say it still left her a bit speechless…
"I know, I just wanted to ask how he's been doing lately." Nanase-sensei smiled and nodded.
Ajitani didn't understand why she was asking, but still answered truthfully.
"He's alright. Besides being a bit unsociable, he's quite obedient to Yumi, the team leader, when it comes to venue setup."
When the school year started, she still had some impression of him. Over the first semester of high school, their interactions hadn't exceeded five sentences.
She also knew he was probably a problematic kid… a problematic youth.
Her basic impression of him was still from middle school, mostly based on rumors and gossip about him.
It wasn't until the start of this semester, because of the School Festival, that Nanase-sensei privately approached her and asked her to pay more attention to Ishida Shouya, fearing he might have trouble adapting to this kind of work.
However, everyone was quite satisfied with the outcome. He didn't complain or slack off like the other students; he just quietly did whatever he was told.
"Is that so? That's good then."
Nanase-sensei's light voice interrupted Ajitani's thoughts.
"Does he seem to have some psychological issues?"
"Does he?"
Ajitani looked into her eyes, recalling their time together, and after much thought, she still shook her head.
"Maybe I was mistaken." Ajitani smiled. "Nanase-sensei, is there anything else? If not, I'll head back."
"Yes, I didn't ask you to stay just to talk about Ishida Shouya."
With that, Nanase-sensei led Ajitani toward the teachers' office, discussing School Festival-related matters along the way.
————
"Just one more hug!"
"How long has it been?"
Tsuna glanced at the night outside the window, sighing helplessly, but his fingers, with a hint of indulgence, gently poked Shouko's smooth forehead.
The fair skin beneath his fingertip gradually bloomed into a blush.
"Don't you get tired of hugging like this every day?"
"Never in my life!" Shouko pressed against his chest, shaking her head repeatedly.
She suddenly seemed to think of something, released him, and pretended to wipe away tears. "Other boyfriends give kisses and goodnight kisses—"
"…"
"When did I ever not kiss you?" Her words were cut off by Tsuna's exasperated interruption.
"Not giving tongue? What kind of kiss is that?!"
"Slap…!"
"Mmm…"
Shouko covered her head, her wronged little eyes staring intently at him, clearly indicating she wouldn't forgive him without some sort of compensation.
"Do you know how to give tongue during a kiss?" Tsuna didn't fall for her act, smiling as he walked to the computer desk and sat down.
He hadn't used much force at all; it just meant Shouko's acting was getting better and better. If Shizuka were also there, he would definitely be the one getting lectured.
"Doesn't it just mean sticking out your tongue?"
She had only heard Rinko say there was a way to kiss with tongue; how would she know how to do it…
"I don't know either." Tsuna shrugged, pushing Shouko away again as she tried to cling to him.
"So! So that means we have to try it to find out!"
"No, I don't want to. I'm disgusted by you."
Shouko pouted and gave him a punch, no longer clinging to him, but returning to her seat to draw illustrations.
Tsuna also continued to study the materials his old man had given him—the real study materials.
During the summer vacation, the two had talked about the agency's matters. Daisuke didn't demand anything, as Tsuna was in high school. He just told him to take his time and learn slowly.
He also stated that he was still very healthy and could last for several decades, so there was no need to rush to inherit his position.
"Tsuna…"
"Hmm?" Tsuna turned to look at the hesitant Shouko, a little confused. "What's wrong? A problem with the character in the illustration? Can't remember the character's appearance details?"
Shouko shook her head, denying his questions, then turned to look into his eyes, asking earnestly. "If, I said if…"
"Hmm."
Tsuna watched as the distance between them grew smaller and smaller, somewhat wanting to say, Just ask, but can you not move closer…
The words rolled around on his tongue three times before he swallowed them.
"One day, if I turn into a cockroach, will you still like me?"
"…"
"Who did you learn that question from?" Tsuna was a little curious if these were questions all girlfriends automatically learned nationwide.
"You answer me first!"
"I'd decisively stomp you flat and then use you to trick Hachiko into eating you."
Hachiko: "…"
"…"
Looking at Shouko, who had once again burrowed into his arms, Tsuna could only postpone his studying again.
He truly had never imagined that Shouko would become so clingy after they confirmed their relationship.
For almost a week now, her behavior outside had been normal, but once they returned home, she seemed like a different person, especially when they were alone.
——————
"Dong… dong… dong…!"
As the lunch break bell rang, Nanase-sensei closed her textbook and tapped the blackboard behind her.
"The two classes this afternoon are canceled. We'll go set up the scene, then change into the newly arrived costumes, and have a formal dress rehearsal to see the effect."
After announcing this, she ignored the clamoring students below and turned to leave the classroom.
"The clothes have arrived?" Shouko poked Ajitani in front of her with her pen cap.
"Mm-hmm." Ajitani nodded. "They arrived yesterday afternoon, I didn't tell you guys."
"School Festival, huh…" Tsuna looked at the scenery outside the window, sighing with a strange sense of emotion.
"You guys go heat up your bentos first, don't wait for me. I'm going to buy rice balls first." Before his words had even finished, Nishikata stood up and ran out of the classroom.