The study session continues and it’s getting late.

Futaro: "Let’s call it here for today. Kiyotaka and I can just sleep on the sofa."

Yotsuba: "We can’t let guests sleep like that."

Miku: "You can use my bed."

But two guys in one bed is too much.

Miku wouldn’t like that either.

Borrowing someone else’s bed isn’t ideal either.

Ichika: "It’s hard to prepare for two people. So Kiyotaka-kun, want to sleep with me?"

Kiyotaka: "Don’t tease me. I sleep on the sofa at home too. I’m fine."

Everyone returns to their rooms and gets into bed.

After confirming they’re all inside, I review the study prints and notes, checking Ichika, Miku and Yotsuba’s strengths and weaknesses.

Click.

Someone leaves their room.

No need to pay attention.

They walk down the stairs and stop behind me.

Ichika: "Yoo-hoo."

Kiyotaka: "What is it?"

Ichika: "I felt like you were still awake."

Kiyotaka: "I’ll sleep soon."

Ichika: "I’ll watch."

Kiyotaka: "It’s not interesting."

Ichika: "Then I’ll read while I wait."

She jogs back to her room and returns with a book.

Kiyotaka: "Emily Brontë."

Ichika: "You read her too?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah."

* * *

We talk about books until she falls asleep.

Kiyotaka: ‘You fell asleep here.’

I could carry her to her room, but Miku should be asleep.

If someone sees me carrying Ichika, it’ll cause misunderstandings.

I lay her on the sofa, cover her with a blanket and sit in a chair, waiting for dawn.

* * *

Morning

Itsuki: "Good morning."

I greet her as she leaves her room.

Seems she woke up first.

She heads downstairs to study and notices me asleep at the table.

Itsuki: "Wasn’t he sleeping on the sofa?"

She looks at the sofa.

Ichika is sleeping there.

Itsuki: "Why is Ichika there?"

Kiyotaka: "Itsuki. Morning."

Itsuki: "I’m going to study. Please don’t disturb me."

Kiyotaka: "Alright."

I decide to study too to create a chance to talk.

* * *

20–30 minutes later—

Ichika: "Mm... Morning."

Itsuki: "Good morning."

Kiyotaka: "Morning."

Itsuki: "Why were you sleeping here?"

Ichika: "We were talking about books and I fell asleep."

Itsuki: "If nothing happened, that’s fine. And it’s nice you covered her with a blanket."

Ichika: 'He covered me? Wait... Did he see my sleeping face!?'

Kiyotaka: "Ichika."

Ichika: "Y-Yes!"

Her face turns red.

Kiyotaka: "What’s wrong?"

Ichika: "Nothing! What about you?"

Kiyotaka: "Let’s start early."

Ichika: "O-Okay."

During our one-on-one session, I deliberately pretend not to fully understand at times and involve Itsuki to help her through weak points.

Ichika notices and plays along.

Nino wakes up.

Nino: "Ugh. You’re still here."

Kiyotaka: "What’s with that reaction?"

Nino: "Nothing. We’re eating breakfast."

No portion for me?

Kiyotaka: "Alright. I’ll summarize Ichika’s problem explanations while I wait."

Ichika: "Join us. Nino didn’t really mean to exclude you."

Nino: "Whatever."

Breakfast begins.

Itsuki: "Where’s Uesugi-san?"

Ichika: "Still asleep?"

Nino: "Of course he stayed over if this guy did."

Ichika: "You two should join the study session."

Nino: "No."

Ichika: "Itsuki participated a bit today."

Itsuki: "I didn’t join. I just answered when asked."

Nino: "Don’t get swayed."

Ichika: "Just be honest."

Itsuki: "I won’t drift away like you two. Ayanokōji-san is one thing, but I don’t get along with Uesugi-san."

Ichika: "You will. Like this."

She styles Itsuki’s hair like Miku’s.

Itsuki: "I’m serious!"

Nino: "Ichika! The part is wrong. Make her look sleepier."

So that’s the issue.

They really are close.

After the makeover—

Ichika: "What do you think, Kiyotaka-kun?"

Kiyotaka: "I wouldn’t notice."

Ichika: "Let’s see if Uesugi-kun falls for it."

Itsuki goes upstairs.

Futaro opens the door.

Futaro: "Morning... Itsuki."

Itsuki: "You can tell?"

Futaro: "If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to sleep."

Itsuki: "W-What!?"

She’s pushed out and shuts herself in her room.

Ichika: "We should wake Miku."

Futaro: "She went to the library."

Ichika: "Then let’s go too."

We wake Yotsuba and head out.

* * *

At the entrance—

Futaro: "Yotsuba, hypothetically, if one of you failed to advance, what would you do?"

Yotsuba: "Repeat second year."

Ichika: "Futaro-kun, I forgot my pencil case. Get it?"

Futaro: "Sure."

He looks like he’s made a decision.

Probably about Itsuki.

Kiyotaka: "Impressive."

Ichika: "You can praise me more."

So I pat her head.

Ichika: "H-Hey?"

Kiyotaka: "As requested."

Yotsuba: "You’ve gotten close."

* * *

Library

Kiyotaka: "Do it like this."

We study as planned.

Yotsuba: "I usually listen to Uesugi-san, but you’re easy to understand."

Ichika: "Right? His teaching is good too."

Kiyotaka: "Thanks. Let’s take a break."

They read.

I bought Ichika a drink since she forgot hers.

I stealthily approach and press the cold bottle to her cheek.

Ichika: "Ah!"

Kiyotaka: "Nice reaction."

Ichika: "I feel like you’ve seen all my embarrassing sides this sleepover."

Later we meet Miku and study together.

We hold one more overnight study session before the test.

Tomorrow is the decisive exam.