During lunch break the next day.

I was sitting on the rock I use like a bench and was about to open my lunchbox.

"Ah she’s here..."

"Of course I am. Until you become mine I’ll come as many times as it takes."

"You say that but you didn’t show up at all yesterday."

Apparently according to rumors Takatsuka-san sometimes doesn’t come to school.

But knowing how moody Takatsuka-san is, it didn't seem unlikely.

"Because of that I had to take your lunch home."

"That’s my bad. Did you throw it away?"

"No Mitsuki ate it when I got home. She’s still growing so she eats a lot."

"That’s good then. Should we exchange Line so I can let you know when I won’t be coming?"

"That’s a bit..."

"You’re as stubborn as ever. You should just hurry up and become mine."

Takatsuka-san sits down next to me.

Not exactly at a distance that keeps space between us.

"What’s with that face? I haven’t even done anything yet so smiling like that is kind of creepy."

"No it’s just that the other day I did something unnecessary. I thought you might still be angry Takatsuka-san."

"Ah you mean when you recklessly tried to protect me. It’s fine now. Forget about it."

"...Takatsuka-san?"

Takatsuka-san suddenly turns her face away.

Maybe she is still angry.

That makes sense.

In the end things worked out because Takatsuka-san put herself on the line but I jumped in without any real plan and I could have gotten into serious trouble and caused even more problems for her.

"I really didn’t mean anything bad by it."

I try to properly apologize and move in front of her.

"...Takatsuka-san?"

Why won’t she meet my eyes?

Whenever I move in front of her she turns away again.

Even when I quickly circle around like side steps I still can’t see her expression.

I guess I shouldn’t push it.

Giving up I sit back down on the rock and hand her the lunch I made.

"Will you eat it today?"

"I don’t intend to waste food twice."

Good she took it.

As our usual lunchtime begins the topic shifts to the midterms.

"Are you okay with studying Takatsuka-san?"

"You. What rank were you in the end-of-year exams in the first year?"

"Um fifth in the grade?"

"I was first."

"What!?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"No it’s just you always seem like you’re playing around..."

"I take care of what needs to be done."

Takatsuka-san seems carefree but she handles the important things properly.

She can even easily throw two men bigger than her so she’s probably good at sports too.

Aside from being forceful she’s basically perfect.

Well she wouldn’t be able to be that cool Prince otherwise.

"I see. Actually I’ve been struggling a bit with studying."

"If you’re fifth in the grade there shouldn’t be any problem if you just keep doing what you’ve been doing."

"No, not me. While you were absent I was helping Iwabuchi-san study but—"

"Huh? Just the two of you?"

"N-no of course in the classroom or club room."

She suddenly leans in with overwhelming pressure and I get flustered.

Why? Is it bad if I study alone with Iwabuchi-san?

Ah if I get closer with Iwabuchi-san it would be inconvenient for Takatsuka-san since she openly says she’s going to make me hers.

There’s no way Takatsuka-san actually likes me seriously.

"I see. Well I knew that from the start. I was just teasing you."

"That’s really mean."

"Fufufu if you were alone with Iwabuchi you wouldn’t be able to focus on teaching at all."

Takatsuka-san laughs through her nose.

So she saw right through me. That’s embarrassing.

"So anyway Iwabuchi-san seems really bad at studying."

"Of course she is. She’s pretty much all muscle brain. Teaching Iwabuchi knowledge is about as hard as teaching a wild boar to swim."

That’s a bit harsh...

But honestly it’s not exactly wrong either.

"Iwabuchi-san can’t seem to focus when she’s in places she’s used to studying. So I was thinking maybe there’s somewhere else but my house—"

"That’s no good. Absolutely not."

That surprised me.

Takatsuka-san suddenly leaned in close with pressure.

And she looked strangely flustered.

Well I get why she’s against it.

"Yeah exactly. If it’s my house Mitsuki and Umi would definitely get noisy wanting attention. And Iwabuchi-san’s a nice person so she’d probably end up playing with them."

Mitsuki and Umi would be happy but if that caused Iwabuchi-san to fail it would be terrible.

Since Takatsuka-san knows my little sisters she’d obviously be against studying at my house.

"Why don’t you just stop teaching Iwabuchi Ayami. It’s too much for you."

"I can’t do that. I know I’m not good enough but she relied on me so I want to help however I can."

I planned to stick with it until Iwabuchi-san told me it was enough.

I was even willing to sacrifice some of my own study time.

"You’re full of ulterior motives. Just because you help her study doesn’t mean she’ll fall in love with you. At best you’ll just become better friends."

"I-I’m not trying to make her like me or anything."

Well I do sometimes think that getting closer might increase my chances a bit.

I can’t help hoping a little.

But I also genuinely want her to be able to enjoy the training camp.

"Rather than that, wouldn't studying alone with me satisfy those ulterior motives?"

Takatsuka-san lifts my chin with her fingertips.

"I’ll teach you everything about what comes after becoming lovers."

Her lips come so close they’re almost touching mine.

The empty lunchbox is set aside and her right hand is roaming over my thigh.

"I didn’t see you for a whole day so I’m lacking Hayama-kun. There’s a limit to just using imagination so let me touch you."

"N-no that’s not okay!"

I stand up and avoid her roaming hands.

"What, you're so cold."

"You’re just acting just like usual Takatsuka-san..."

"I’ve been the same the whole time haven’t I?"

"No. It’s like you’re not as energetic. You felt different from usual so I got worried."

Takatsuka-san turns her back again.

Today she really has extreme ups and downs.

"Takatsuka-san? Are you really okay?"

"Don’t come around in front of me."

"Ah sorry."

There’s a strange intensity and my feet stop.

I’m not good with being pushed aggressively.

But the usual Takatsuka-san who tries to make me hers never gives off a rejecting feeling.

That’s why when she pushes me away like this it makes me uneasy.

Hmm maybe I’m just dancing in the palm of her hand thinking like this.

But why does she hate me standing in front of her?

"If you’re that desperate to find a place to study just use my house."

"Huh?"

"Didn’t you hear me? I said I’ll provide my house as a study space."

"R-really!?"

"Yeah. Otherwise I’ll have to keep listening to you talk about Iwabuchi Ayami until exams are over."

"But wouldn’t it be a bother if we suddenly show up?"

"It’s fine. My house is unnecessarily big... nothing you’re worried about will happen. But only you and Iwabuchi Ayami. Don’t bring anyone else."

"Okay. Thank you."

I end up grabbing Takatsuka-san’s hand.

She actually faces me now and looks exasperated.

"Honestly you hate it when I close the distance yet you do things like this. You’re a strange one."

"I don’t really hate it though?"

"Huh?"

"I’m still not used to it but unlike when you suddenly confessed before now I know you have good sides too Takatsuka-san."

Right now I know Takatsuka-san is someone who’s liked by stray cats, is kind to my sisters and cares about the cafe she works at.

"Talking like you understand everything."

She snorts and stands up.

"If you let your guard down I’ll take your chastity in an instant you know?"

"I-I’d rather you didn’t..."

"Well then see you later. As always your lunch is delicious. Thanks for the meal."

Takatsuka-san turns her back and leaves, waving her hand lightly.

I pick up the empty lunchbox left on the rock bench.

‘The fact that she properly thanks me is one of Takatsuka-san’s good points too.’

Just that alone makes me want to make it again tomorrow.

Maybe like she says I really am easy.