The entire Japanese language class was spent on a test. Although Shizuka Hiratsuka had referred to it as a "small quiz," it consud the entire period.
By the ti the tests were collected, many students wore expressions of despair, their faces crestfallen. So were visibly racking their brains, likely already dreading how to explain their performance to their parents.
After gathering the tests, Hiratsuka-sensei lingered briefly before dismissing the class. With an air of gravity, she delivered a warning:
"I know that so of you have started slacking off again after the monthly exam. But let remind you: the midterms are next month. I hope you won't forget the difficulty level of the last test."
Her words ignited an uproar.
"What?! Another major exam so soon? Two full-school tests in two months—who can handle that?"
"I was planning to take it easy next month..."
"Just thinking about how hard the last test was is enough to ruin my sleep!"
"Are the teachers just throwing caution to the wind? Why is this sester so intense? Back-to-back exams like this..."
"Ugh, just kill now."
The classroom was soon enveloped by a heavy gloom, as if all traces of joy had been sucked away.
Seeing the oppressive atmosphere, Hiratsuka-sensei coughed lightly to refocus the students' attention before continuing:
"That said, I understand it's been a stressful few months. Studying requires a balance of effort and relaxation. So, after the midterms, the school will host a sports festival. And as usual, you'll get three days off following the exams."
Her announcent sparked another uproar—but this ti, the mood had completely shifted.
"Sports festival!"
"Finally, a chance to relax and chat in the back rows without a care!"
"What snacks should I bring?"
"Cheerleaders in white skirts? Count in!"
"I'd love to see Izumi-san participate in the running events."
Hearing her na, Kotomi, who had been resting her head on her desk, imdiately opened her eyes wide.
Why were they suddenly bringing her up?
Realizing they were talking about the sports festival, Kotomi instinctively slid down in her seat, trying to make herself less visible, as if hoping to disappear entirely.
She'd learned from experience: when classmates suggested soone for a sports festival event, it wasn't because they thought the person was particularly skilled. It was all for the spectacle and fun of teasing them.
Kotomi knew this ga all too well. So, as soon as she heard ntion of the sports festival, she not only slid under her desk but also shuffled closer to gumi, hoping to blend into gumi's "Passerby Heroine Aura" and minimize her own presence.
In her cautious retreat, Kotomi unknowingly ended up directly beneath gumi's desk.
gumi, who had been quietly observing Kotomi the entire ti, naturally noticed her antics. Seeing Kotomi's "self-surrender" move, a mischievous smile crept across gumi's lips.
Seizing the mont, gumi slipped off her indoor shoes and used her legs, wrapped in black knee-high socks, to gently encircle Kotomi's neck. This subtly restricted Kotomi's movents.
"-gumi!" Kotomi squeaked, her face flushing.
Ignoring Kotomi's protest, gumi leaned forward slightly to peer down at her and teased with a playful smirk:
"Kotomi, you know, when people see sothing soft and squishy, they often get the urge to step on it."
"Huh? W-what do you an?" Kotomi stamred, shrinking her neck instinctively as a strange chill ran down her spine.
"I an, I love stepping on soft, squishy things too," gumi said, her mischievous intent now fully visible.
"gumi, s-stop using your feet already..."
"Does it hurt?"
"No... It's just a bit tingly, and... kind of ticklish."
"Then I won't stop. But you'd better keep your voice down. Yui's right in front of us, and if you're any louder, she—or soone else—might hear us. Or..." gumi's voice dropped an octave, dripping with playfulness. "Maybe you enjoy the thrill of being discovered?"
"I absolutely do not—ahh!"
By the ti Hiratsuka-sensei finished her announcents and left the classroom with the tests, the students were divided between relief and dread.
So were still fretting over whether they could survive the midterms, haunted by the difficulty of the last exams. Even rumors from Class 1-B about confiscated phones and crushed spirits had reached their ears.
Others, however, had embraced a more carefree attitude. They were already brainstorming what snacks to smuggle in for the sports festival.
A few sporty students, eager to show off in front of the girls, huddled together to discuss which events to join.
Yui, ever the optimist, erged from under her desk, dragged Yukino into the conversation, and started planning snacks.
"By the ti the festival happens, our family's bakery should be back in full swing. I'll bring so sweets from the shop. How does that sound?" Yui suggested.
"Count in, but hold the chocolate on my portion," Kotomi mumbled, her voice faint.
"That's a great idea," Yukino agreed, nodding. But as she glanced at Kotomi, who was slumped over her desk with a flushed face, her curiosity piqued.
"Kotomi, are you feeling unwell?"
"Ah, no, nothing like that! I just think the classroom is... a bit warm," Kotomi stamred, forcing a laugh as she wiped nonexistent sweat from her brow. She shot a sideways glare at gumi, who was clearly enjoying herself.
Yukino's gaze shifted to the open window beside Kotomi, and for a mont, she seed unsure how to respond. Her attention then landed on Kotomi's disheveled uniform collar.
"Kotomi, sit up straight."
"Huh?"
Caught off guard, Kotomi instinctively adjusted her posture, sitting as straight as a model student during a ceremony.
Yukino leaned forward and straightened Kotomi's collar. Satisfied, she gave a small nod.
"Sotis, the way a person dresses reflects their character. Even if it's just a uniform, you should wear it properly. By the way, isn't your tie a bit loose?"
"Ahaha, I guess I'm just used to wearing it this way. It feels cooler," Kotomi said, chuckling sheepishly.
In the back row, Mashiro Shiina lay face down on her desk, seemingly asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, the group lowered their voices.
Unbeknownst to them, Mashiro wasn't asleep at all. She'd been quietly watching everything—including gumi's playful antics under the desk.
Lightly biting her finger, Mashiro's eyes lingered on Kotomi.
"Kotomi, there's sothing stuck in your hair," Yukino suddenly said. She leaned forward and plucked a few strands of fur from Kotomi's white locks.
"What's that?" Yui asked, peering at the hair. The strands were gray, distinctly not Kotomi's color.
"They feel soft... like cat fur," Yukino said after examining the texture.
Kotomi glanced at the fur and imdiately understood. She must've picked it up this morning while cuddling their short-legged cat.
"It's cat fur," Kotomi admitted.
Hearing this, gumi's expression shifted as she spoke in a mock-serious tone:
"Could it be... a sneaky cat?"
Kotomi naturally understood that gumi Kato was joking, but she still instinctively clarified, "The cat hair in my hair must have gotten there while I was holding my cat."
The others, including Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama, were visibly surprised. They had visited Kotomi's house not long ago and hadn't seen any cats there.
Even gumi, who shared an unusually close relationship with Kotomi, didn't know about her having a cat.
Shiina Mashiro, who had been lying on her desk seemingly asleep, sat up slowly upon hearing about a cat. It seed this topic had piqued her interest.
Faced with everyone's curiosity, Kotomi explained what had happened after she returned ho from the convenience store last night. She also pulled out her phone to show them photos of the short-legged cat.
She had taken several pictures of the cat that morning while holding it. The cat had been more than willing to pose.
Upon learning that the cat had effectively "pulled a fast one" on Kotomi and followed her ho, the group couldn't hide their envy.
"It's so chubby and adorable! Wait, does this cat even have side profiles?"
"Hey, be respectful to the cat. It's just... well, very round. But that roundness gives it an adorable charm!"
"Indeed, it does look like a little gas canister when it stands up, just as Kotomi said."
"I want to pet it."
Many girls loved cute animals, and Yukino and Yui were no exception. However, for various reasons, none of them could keep pets at ho. Hearing that Kotomi had accidentally brought a cat ho—and that her parents had readily agreed to adopt it—sparked even more envy.
"Do you think we could visit your house soti to see the cat?" Yui asked eagerly. She had seen many cats before, but none as endearingly chubby as Kotomi's.
"You're welco to visit anyti," Kotomi replied with a smile.
After the second class in the afternoon, most students began packing their bags to head ho. anwhile, Kotomi prepared to go to the art club and continue working on her painting.
"Kotomi, I can't walk ho with you today," gumi whispered, leaning close to Kotomi.
Having grown used to walking to and from school with gumi, Kotomi froze for a mont before recalling what gumi had ntioned earlier.
"Oh, right. Tomorrow's Friday, and you're flying to Hokkaido with your parents?"
gumi nodded. "Yep. It's just the weekend, so we'll fly there tomorrow, attend the wedding on Saturday morning, and then I'll spend the afternoon exploring and picking up so treats for you. Our flight back is at 5 a.m. on Sunday. Hopefully, I'll be ho by Sunday evening."
After finishing, gumi reached out and gently pinched Kotomi's nose. "Don't miss so much that you cry, okay? Big sister will bring you so tasty treats from Hokkaido."
"If we're talking about birthdays and actual ages, shouldn't I be the big sister here?"
Kotomi puffed her cheeks, protesting gumi's tendency to treat her as a little sister one mont and a big sister the next. Then, with a soft sigh, she set her art supplies aside and took gumi's hand.
"It's too crowded here in the classroom. Co with for a mont."
gumi obediently followed Kotomi outside. They walked to a secluded corner of the hallway where Kotomi suddenly turned around and wrapped her arms tightly around gumi.
As soon as they touched, Kotomi lted into gumi's embrace, her soft body trembling slightly.
Feeling the shiver, gumi's heart softened. She gently ran her fingers along Kotomi's, as if counting them.
"One day, two days, three days. It's only three days. I'll be back soon, and the first thing I'll do when I get ho is see you."
Kotomi said nothing, leaning heavily against gumi, her small hands clutching the back of gumi's shirt tightly.
Kotomi could be soft and sweet, but she was also a little heartbreaker—and gumi knew this all too well.
gumi placed her hands on Kotomi's back, intending to return the hug. As Kotomi clung tightly to her, their bodies pressed together, and gumi could feel Kotomi's warmth and curves against her own.
Kotomi's breathing deepened as she murmured, "Be careful on your trip. Eat well in Hokkaido, and ssage every day..."
Before Kotomi could finish, gumi leaned down and sealed her words with a kiss.
Kotomi felt slightly dizzy as she entered the art club room, one hand holding her bag and the other bracing herself against the wall.
She opened the door hesitantly and said, "Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. Mashiro said you went to the restroom," Hibiki Naegi replied, nodding.
Apparently, Mashiro had arrived earlier and preemptively covered for Kotomi by saying she might be a little late.
Half an hour late, as it turned out.
After settling into her seat, Kotomi cast a grateful glance at Mashiro. Although Mashiro couldn't have known where Kotomi had been, she had still taken the initiative to excuse her tardiness.
"Thanks, Mashiro," Kotomi whispered.
Mashiro didn't reply. Her gaze briefly flicked from her canvas to Kotomi before returning to her work.
Since Kotomi had already arrived late and tomorrow was Friday—a day without official club activities—everyone was eager to finish up and head ho early. If necessary, mbers could apply in advance to use the room individually after school on Fridays.
Kotomi quickly adjusted her paints and picked up her brush, determined to make the most of the remaining 30 minutes.
As the final bell rang, the other mbers began packing up their supplies, ready to head ho.
"Good work, everyone!"
"See you tomorrow!"
"Wanna grab ran together later?"
"Hmm... but I feel like having croquettes."
"Ran shops sell croquettes too, don't they?"
"Oh, nice! Kotomi, we're heading to the ran shop by the station. Want to join us?"
Despite only interacting with them during club activities, Kotomi had beco popular among her peers. Her good looks, warm personality, impressive painting skills, and humor had endeared her to everyone.
Hibiki couldn't help but feel that Kotomi's social skills and maturity were beyond what one would expect from soone her age.
But Kotomi had plans for the evening. She intended to revise her novel manuscripts and start drafting volus 4 and 5 of Sword Art Online. (Volu 3 was already complete.)
Smiling apologetically, Kotomi declined their invitation.
"Sorry, I've got sothing I need to take care of tonight. Next ti, for sure."
Her refusal was t with a chorus of disappointnt.
"Aww, what a sha!"
"You missed the barbecue last ti, and the karaoke trip before that!"
"Kotomi, don't tell you're dating soone?"
"Wait, seriously? If that's true, then I'm out of luck!"
"Even if it's not true, you're still out of luck."
"Kotomi, the croquettes at the ran shop are really good!"
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