—Can you still walk?
—I twisted my ankle and can't move. Please carry me, young man!
—What a clever idea, elder...
Kanade rolled his eyes, but seeing the swelling on Kasumigaoka's foot, he sighed again.
—Just this once.
Carrying a girl who had rejected him might make him look like a boot-licker.
But he was the one who dragged her into this mess, so he couldn't avoid taking some responsibility.
—Hey, Kanade-kun, who's ever seen you like this?
"…"
Kanade stayed silent.
He finally understood that Kasumigaoka was a master at stirring emotions.
If he wasn't careful, he'd get swept into her rhythm.
The best way to deal with her was silence.
—Let me put it another way. Kanade-kun… who's ever rejected you?
Whistle…
Kanade took a deep breath and nearly dropped her.
You're just trying to expose someone's scars, aren't you?
You're bringing up things that have nothing to do with this.
—Don't get emotional, young man. I'm just asking casually.
Even Kasumigaoka got a little nervous.
If he were still that gentle boy, he wouldn't abandon her.
But the current Kanade… was better left unprovoked.
After a long silence, Kanade replied:
—Shiina Mahiru, you, Sawamura Eriri, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Shinomiya Kaguya…
It wasn't something he needed to hide.
Kasumigaoka knew him well, so it didn't matter if he told her.
—Four…
Kasumigaoka nodded, thinking it wasn't that bad.
—Do you like them a lot?
—I like all four. Not you.
At least the others didn't cause trouble or sabotage his relationships.
But Kasumigaoka did—daily.
It was cruel.
Kanade was angry at himself for having chosen her.
If he'd picked Kato first… would things have been easier?
—Then I'm the most special in your heart!
Kasumigaoka lit up.
She felt she'd found the key to Kanade's heart.
—You're just good at self-hypnosis.
Kanade pursed his lips.
She was even better at it than he was.
Feeling better now?
Let's find a place to treat that foot.
You don't expect me to carry you on my back onto a train, do you?
—If you don't mind, Kanade-kun…
—I do.
—Tsk… then let's go back to where we met earlier…
—Just drop you off like that? Where are you from, senpai?
—Kidding. It's just a bit ahead. See that hotel?
—Senpai, let me remind you I'm under 18.
—So am I. My editor, Machida Sonoko, booked the room.
I'm not like you, lounging around all day. I'm here to gather material.
—…Alright.
Luckily, they were almost there.
Otherwise, Kanade would've collapsed.
Who knows how much Kasumigaoka weighs?
—I have a feeling you're thinking something bad, Kanade-kun. Need me to relax your brain?
—Please don't. I'm afraid I'll drop you by accident.
—Tsk…
Kasumigaoka clicked her tongue and tapped his cheek with a dissatisfied look.
—You'd better not be thinking bad things about me.
If you are… I'll tell everyone about your disgusting appearance!
Of course it was a lie.
She just wanted to keep the appearance of her "little brother" a secret forever.
She had no intention of sharing him with other foxes.
Kasumigaoka felt she had the upper hand:
her junior had admitted she was the most special in his heart.
Next step: uncover all the hidden secrets of the younger generation…
and tailor them to her liking.
The "Boyfriend Adaptation Manual" she kept in her nightstand was already thirsty for him!
—Whatever you say.
Kanade curled his lips.
He used to care a lot.
Now he didn't.
It had already begun, so what did it matter?
Worst case, he'd stay single forever.
And honestly, people would probably believe him more.
After all, he was the student council president.
…
Following Kasumigaoka's directions, Kanade carried her to room 205.
After swiping the card, he placed her on the bed, went to the bathroom for cold water, and set it beside her.
—Senpai, wash your feet first. Then I'll apply the medicine.
Medicine?
Kasumigaoka was stunned.
Then she realized Kanade had slipped away earlier to buy it.
This time, she was truly surprised.
And moved.
While she was thinking of him, he was thinking of her too.
And he still said they weren't meant to be!
—Kanade-kun, help me!
Kasumigaoka was full of energy.
No signs of fatigue.
At first, she wanted to tease him with something like:
"I heard guys worry about taking off a girl's stockings with their own hands."
Now she just wanted to act cute.
—I refuse!
Kanade shook his head and fanned himself, pretending he couldn't handle it.
Kasumigaoka glared at him but said nothing more.
After all, she was still a girl.
And she cared about those things.
After struggling to remove her stockings and wash her feet, she lay back, ready for treatment.
Kanade wasn't moved.
He pulled out a pair of medical gloves, put them on, and got to work.
First, the blisters from walking too much.
He sterilized a needle with a lighter, disinfected it, popped the blister, applied iodine, and bandaged it.
Then the sprain.
He sprayed pain relief, soaked a towel in cold water, and applied a compress.
The swelling hadn't fully developed, so he didn't wrap the foot completely.
He told her to lie down and stay still.
—Is it okay?
Kasumigaoka looked at him with sparkling eyes.
He even knew how to do this.
He was worthy of being her junior!
—Alright. Rest for a while and don't use your feet carelessly.
Kanade nodded.
He watched her expression and said something meaningful.
—It's common sense when going out. Senpai, don't you know that?
—Isn't it enough to have my junior here? I don't need reminders.
Kasumigaoka ignored the jab.
She was more concerned about what he'd said earlier.
—With my feet like this… would you be willing to carry me to school every day, Kanade-kun?
Even if he wanted to, could he be with her every day and handle everything?
Even going to the bathroom would be suspicious.
"…"
Kasumigaoka curled her lips.
She knew she wouldn't see him for a while.
But at the same time, she felt gratified seeing his cold, arrogant side.
—Kanade-kun, since my foot's like this, why don't I stay here tonight?
Maybe it'll heal on its own by morning!
"…"
Kanade looked at her and didn't argue.
—Depends on the situation. If you're lucky, you can move tomorrow.
As for where to stay…
even if you asked me to carry you on the train today, I couldn't.
I just can't anymore.
—Kanade-kun, a man can't say no.
—Whose fault do you think that is?
Kanade rolled his eyes.
—Sleep here tonight. I'll sleep in the hallway…
No! How can I let my son sleep alone in the wilderness while I enjoy luxury?
I'll never accept that!
—Then I'll take the bus?
Kanade spread his hands.
If not the hallway, where else could he sleep?
He couldn't sleep with her, right?
—We can, we can…
Kasumigaoka blushed.
Her shy expression hinted at something.
—We'll sleep in the same room!
Those prone to sexual irritation, don't worry!
Of course she liked Kanade.
But she didn't want to give him everything so quickly…
at least not before seeing him fully.
"…"
Kanade said nothing, as if he were thinking… thinking about something.
After a moment of silence, Kanade nodded.
—Alright, then I'll get another blanket and sleep on the floor.
Accepting the situation calmly was better than hesitating.
Hesitation would only make Kasumigaoka think he had something to hide.
But if he accepted it openly, he'd avoid giving her the wrong idea.
At least Kanade had no romantic thoughts toward Kasumigaoka at that moment.
He just thought she was troublesome.
When he returned with a blanket and quilt, Kasumigaoka was already in pajamas, lying on the bed, looking shy and alert.
—She's very cautious —Kanade thought.
But that was good too.
It showed Kasumigaoka had no hidden intentions.
Or at least, wasn't showing them openly.
After laying out the mat and covering it with the quilt, Kanade lay down directly on it.
A shower was out of the question. He hadn't brought a change of clothes, and Kasumigaoka was watching him closely from across the room.
—Good night, Kanade-kun.
—Good night, good night. Go to sleep already.
The soft light in the room went out.
Silence settled between them.
And though they shared the same