[Good thing I set my phone to silent beforehand.]
Kotomi sent a ssage that seed like a reply but wasn't quite one.
[?]
Iroha clearly didn't understand the aning of that ssage right away and sent back a question mark.
[If I hadn't put my phone on silent, the notification sounds from your multiple ssages would have likely gotten my new phone confiscated by the teacher.]
[Senpai, aren't you Tokyo's number one? With such good grades, you shouldn't have to worry about teachers confiscating your stuff.]
[I wouldn't bet on it. Speaking of which, I saw the picture you sent ~]
Even though Kotomi had saved the picture without hesitation, she deliberately left Iroha hanging, curious to see her impatient reaction.
[Really, really?! Senpai, do you think my selfie looks good? Do you like it?]
Seeing Iroha's imdiate response, Kotomi couldn't help but smirk and let out a satisfied hum. She had always dread of turning the little devil into putty in her hands, of seeing her flustered or obedient for once!
The first step to achieving this was taking control of their conversations.
Looking back on her past "failures," Kotomi realized that the reason she often fell into Iroha's traps was because she never took the initiative. A slight misstep, and she would find herself being led around by the nose straight into whatever sche Iroha had prepared.
"Past failures don't matter. What's important is the present and future success. Once I take control, won't Iroha have no choice but to obey ? Listen to my commands!"
Kotomi thought smugly, her bright smile catching the attention of not just gumi, who had been sneakily observing her, but even Yukino and Yui sitting in front of her. If she had a tail, it would definitely be wagging proudly right now.
Or perhaps, with gumi's gentle but firm nature, that tail might have been swiftly grabbed and yanked off...
But Kotomi was oblivious to all of this.
Back to the ssages—just as Kotomi was about to type a reply to maintain her upper hand, another ssage from Iroha popped up:
[Senpai~ Did you really think I'd say that? You're overthinking things~ Hehe, I sent my ssages separately on purpose, just to let you feel smug for a mont.]
With just one ssage, Iroha had seemingly read Kotomi's entire thought process. Kotomi even glanced around, half-expecting to find a hidden cara.
If there really was one, Kotomi's first instinctive thought would probably be: "Make sure to use the highest resolution cara to capture my beauty perfectly."
[What makes you so sure? What if that's not what I was thinking?]
[Senpai, if you didn't like my selfie, you wouldn't have saved it to your album.]
Ugh… How did she even know I saved it?! Kotomi grumbled internally.
If the little devil were in front of her right now, Kotomi would definitely ask: "Are you a mind reader?"
Even though Iroha had hit the mark, Kotomi stubbornly replied:
[Yeah, I saved your picture. But wasn't this photo taken by Aimi? That doesn't really count as a selfie, does it?]
[Fine, let's not talk about that. Since I saved your photo, guess what I'm going to do with it?]
After sending the ssage, Kotomi waited about two to three minutes before Iroha finally replied.
[Senpai saved my picture, hmm~ You're probably planning to use it for 'that' kind of thing late at night, right?]
'That' kind of thing?
Kotomi stared at the words, confused at first. What did she an by that?
As if anticipating Kotomi's confusion, Iroha sent a video. When Kotomi tapped to play it, she saw Iroha's small hand tucked inside her desk pocket, with the cara pointed inside. First, Iroha wiggled her fingers as if testing if the recording had started—or perhaps just to get Kotomi's attention.
Whatever her intention was, it worked—Kotomi was fixated on the screen.
Then, Iroha's hand made a particular gesture…
The mont Kotomi saw it, a deep blush instantly spread across her face. She got it.
Oh, she ant that kind of thing?!
As much as Kotomi wanted to deny it, she imdiately recalled sothing she did almost every night before going to sleep. The realization hit her like a truck, and she understood in an instant.
[I swear, I want to teleport to your side right now and smack you over my lap!]
Kotomi furiously tapped on the screen, her intensity making it seem like she might shatter her phone. She had just resolved to take control of the conversation, to stop letting Iroha ss with her. Yet, in the blink of an eye, she had walked right into Iroha's trap again.
[Senpai, are you flustered now because I hit the mark?]
[Flustered my foot! I'll have you know that your horoom teacher was also my middle school teacher. I still have her contact information. If you don't behave, I'll give her a call and tell her that you were playing with your phone in class and teasing your senior!]
[Oh, and if Hiragi-sensei asks who I was texting during class, should I just say it was you, Senpai? Right in front of Aimi? After all, I'm a very honest and well-behaved girl. You're the only person in my life who ever brings out my mischievous side, Senpai, because—]
Kotomi froze as she read Iroha's reply. If it had only been the first half, she wouldn't have been too fazed. But the latter part of the ssage left her feeling completely unsteady.
She didn't know whether to sit or stand. Since it was still class ti, she couldn't even leave to get so fresh air. As her face grew increasingly red and her heartbeat accelerated, her phone suddenly vibrated again. This ti, Iroha had sent a voice ssage instead of a text.
The teacher at the podium had just finished explaining a key concept and allowed the students a few minutes for discussion. The classroom buzzed with conversation, giving Kotomi the perfect cover to discreetly listen to the voice ssage.
She lowered the volu, leaned in slightly, and listened as Iroha's sweet, teasing voice played in her ear.
"Senpai, you feel like my fated person. Did you smile when you heard that~?"
[I did not! Focus on your class!]
[A tsundere Senpai is just the cutest!]
Kotomi's face turned an even deeper shade of red as she hastily exited the ssaging app.
A few minutes later…
Kotomi quietly opened her photo gallery and set Iroha's picture as her phone wallpaper.
...
Chiba City Private Middle School
After finishing her chat with Kotomi, Iroha exited the ssaging app. If Aimi were to glance in her direction at that mont, she might be surprised to see that Iroha's lock screen wallpaper was a couple-like photo of her and Kotomi taken at the Tako-nee's Sukiyaki restaurant. anwhile, her ho screen wallpaper was a photo of the two of them at Enoshima.
Of course, even if Aimi wanted to see, Iroha wouldn't necessarily show her. Ever since changing her wallpapers to photos with Kotomi, she had been reluctant to let others see them—not even Aimi.
After all, Aimi was Kotomi's younger sister. If she found out that Iroha had taken so many pictures with her sister without her knowing, even the mischievous Iroha would feel a little guilty.
Aimi, I'm sorry… Iroha murmured in her heart, tucking away her phone and returning to the lesson, quickly scribbling down the notes she had missed.
"Iroha, what were you doing just now? Playing on your phone during class? That's so unlike you. Not only that, but you kept grinning too. Aren't you afraid of getting caught by the teacher?" Aimi, who was sitting next to her, whispered while jotting down notes.
"Did I?" Iroha asked in surprise. She hadn't realized she had been reacting so obviously.
"Even if I exaggerated a bit, it was pretty close. Who were you texting that made you so happy…?" Aimi trailed off, as if suddenly realizing sothing. She leaned in closer to Iroha and whispered, "Don't tell … you have a boyfriend?"
Iroha shook her head firmly. "I don't have a boyfriend. Never had one, and I don't plan to."
"Then were you..."
Aimi thought for a mont, and then a shocking possibility ca to mind. Lowering her voice but unable to hide the slight tremor of nervous excitent, she asked, "Iroha, do you like girls? You don't have to say it out loud—just nod or shake your head."
I was just chatting with your sister… Iroha almost blurted out but stopped herself at the last second. Instead, when she heard Aimi's question, she hesitated for only a mont before silently nodding.
Aimi wasn't particularly shocked—after all, she liked girls too. She adored Kotomi! So upon learning that her best friend Iroha also liked girls, she wasn't surprised; instead, she felt a strange sense of camaraderie.
"So you like girls… Have you told anyone else?"
Iroha shook her head.
"Phew… I'm the first to know, huh? Don't worry, Iroha. I like girls too, so I'd never make fun of you.
It's just… I didn't expect us both to have the sa preference. We really are best friends! So~ were you texting your girlfriend just now?!"
Aimi's gossip-loving soul ignited in an instant.
Sotis, a friend's love life is even more exciting than one's own. They'll offer advice, strategize, and lend a listening ear.
Aimi was no different. The mont she found out that her best friend Iroha liked girls—and might even have a girlfriend—she was beyond curious and eager to help push things along!
Hearing Aimi's question, Iroha paused for a mont, then curled her lips into a playful smile, lowering her head as she chuckled softly. "She's not my girlfriend… yet."
That statent alone was enough to completely ignite Aimi's curiosity. "Not yet?! So that ans you like her?"
"Mhm, I like her a lot." Iroha nodded, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
Aimi was stunned. She had never seen Iroha act shy before. It made her even more curious about this mysterious girl who had managed to capture Iroha's heart so completely.
If given the chance, she would love to et her. Maybe even ask for tips on how to make Kotomi fall head over heels for her.
"Does she like you back?" Aimi asked cautiously.
Iroha shook her head. "She probably… doesn't even realize how I feel about her yet. Sotis, I think she's just a clueless idiot."
Seeing the wistful expression on Iroha's face, Aimi couldn't help but relate. She, too, spent every day thinking about Kotomi, waiting anxiously, unsure of how Kotomi truly felt about her. The uncertainty was both thrilling and agonizing.
Is this what it ans to love soone? Aimi wondered, feeling a bittersweet ache in her heart, like a heroine in a romance drama.
She placed a firm, reassuring hand on Iroha's shoulder and encouraged her with sincerity:
"Iroha, you have to be brave. If you really like her, you need to tell her. I know it's scary—you don't know if she'll accept or reject you. It's natural to hesitate, to be afraid of taking that first step.
But just because fear is normal doesn't an it's right. My mom always told and Kotomi that if you don't express your feelings, then nothing will ever change!"
Iroha's eyes softened as she listened, and after a brief pause, she hugged Aimi lightly. "Thanks, Aimi. I suddenly feel like I understand things a little better. Maybe soon, I'll find the courage to confess, just like you said."
Aimi bead with happiness. The thought of Iroha getting a girlfriend soon filled her with excitent, but at the sa ti, she felt a deep sense of envy.
When will Kotomi finally beco my girlfriend…? Aimi sighed internally.
...
Sobu High School
After class, Kotomi lay her head on the desk for a nap, but barely a mont later, she felt a gentle poke on her cheek from gumi's fingertip.
"Mmm… gumi, what is it?" Kotomi rubbed her sleepy eyes, longing for a proper nap.
"I was just a little curious—what did Tendo-senpai talk to you about when she called you out earlier? Of course, if it's sothing private, you don't have to tell ."
"Oh, it's nothing secret." Kotomi shrugged and told gumi about becoming the honorary president of the Kendo Club.
"Wow! So from today onward, you officially have a title in school leadership!"
"Hehehe, it's just an honorary title. I get a lot of perks, but I don't actually have any real authority over club managent. Which is fine, since I have no interest in that kind of responsibility—it's way too much trouble."
She had to admit, the honorary president position suited her perfectly. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that accepting Tendo-senpai's invitation, joining the Kendo Club, and aiming for next year's Six-School Tournant had been the right choice.
Besides, she was still leveling up her Kendo skills in the system—she had to put that training to use sohow.
gumi glanced at Kotomi and suddenly brought up the art competition.
"Kotomi, have you finished your painting for the competition?"
"Yeah, it's already packed in a wooden crate. It'll probably be shipped out after school today. Ah—though I'm really confident in my work, the waiting period after the deadline, just to find out if I got selected, is still nerve-wracking."
Kotomi rocked back and forth in her chair, looking completely carefree. But those who knew her well understood—whenever she was nervous, she couldn't sit still.
gumi chuckled and offered a suggestion.
"Don't be so nervous. Believe in yourself! Oh, I have an idea—if your painting gets selected, I'll give you a little present. How about that?"
After saying this, gumi's lips curled into a mysterious, unreadable smile.
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