“There are two conditions for entering into this lover contract, is that okay?”

“Yeah. I was just thinking of adding one condition myself.”

A condition from Ayanokōji-kun, huh. I wonder what it could be. It might be smoother if I hear his first.

“Can I hear your condition first, Ayanokōji-kun?”

“Sure. It’s about the duration of this contract. If either you or I find someone we truly like, we can terminate the contract. How about that?”

I couldn’t help widening my eyes. Honestly, I had thought that if I found someone I truly liked, this contract would become a shackle. It sounds harsh, but throwing away three years of youth just to reach Class A would be a waste.

So I had been planning to set a reasonable condition regarding the contract period, but I never expected Ayanokōji-kun to propose something this convenient for me.

We haven’t known each other long, but he doesn’t seem like the type to actively fall in love with someone. This condition is clearly for my sake rather than his.

“You’re kind, Ayanokōji-kun.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You don’t have to play dumb. Yeah, I understand. That condition is fine.”

One of the conditions I was going to propose was already settled, so I decided one condition from me was enough.

“My condition is about when we start this contract. Let’s see… could you wait one week—no, five days?”

“I don’t mind… is there something?”

“Yeah. I want to inform my friends in my group beforehand. You’re handsome, Ayanokōji-kun, so if there’s someone secretly interested in you, it could cause trouble.”

Five days is pretty quick, but it should be fine. It’s still early after enrollment, and the fact that Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun are already a couple works in our favor.

“I see. That unspoken rule among girl groups, huh. Got it, I’ll leave it to you. If five days is too short, a week or more is fine.”

“Thanks. If it needs to be extended, I’ll let you know. Here, my number and address.”

I gave Ayanokōji-kun my student ID terminal number and address. He nodded and slipped it into his chest pocket.

* * *

Five days passed, and after laying the groundwork with my group, I told Karuizawa-san, Maezono-san, Mori-san and Satō-san that I had started dating Ayanokōji-kun. They congratulated me.

I don’t know what they really think, but they’re definitely a bit suspicious. It’s only been a month since enrollment, and we’ve had plenty of conversations about romance, during which I clearly stated my type was a high-spec guy.

Right now, Ayanokōji-kun’s face is handsome enough to rank in the top five, but everything else about him appears completely average. When I said I was interested in him, their reactions were basically, “His face is nice, but that’s about it.”

I can’t laugh at them. Until just recently, I thought the same.

Still, I got carried away and made this lover contract, but considering Ayanokōji-kun’s actual abilities, it would’ve been fine to date him normally.

The possibility is low, but if he finds someone he truly likes, letting someone with his level of ability go would be a waste.

‘Well then, I should call Ayanokōji-kun.’

I called him from my contact list. After a few rings, he answered.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Ayanokōji-kun? Is now a good time?”

“Yeah. I was just relaxing in my room.”

“That’s good. About that matter, I’ve finished laying the groundwork, so it’s fine to make it public now.”

“Well, I don’t have many friends, and I don’t want to stand out by spreading it around.”

“Fair enough… though if we go on dates, it’ll stand out anyway. The campus is small.”

Still, constantly bragging might leave a bad impression. Especially for someone like him who doesn’t talk much.

“That’s true. I’ll just answer honestly if someone asks.”

“That’s probably best.”

His tone is extremely flat.

Listening to him is oddly calming. I don’t dislike expressive people, but loud types like Ike-kun who make unnecessary noise aren’t my favorite.

In that sense, Ayanokōji-kun’s quiet personality combined with his ability to speak his mind might suit me well.

“By the way, Matsushita. Sorry to ask so soon, but can you spend a bit of time with me tomorrow during lunch break?”

“Tomorrow… during lunch break?”

I couldn’t help repeating it.

I didn’t expect to be invited by him.

Now that we’re in a relationship contract, going on dates is natural, but I didn’t think he was the type to invite people. Could he actually be more aggressive than he seems?

If he suddenly came on strong, it might be a bit scary. That thought crossed my mind for a moment.

But if it’s lunch break, it’s probably not a full date—just eating lunch together as a couple. That’s more cute than scary.

“Yeah. Following your condition, I thought I’d act immediately. Fixing classmates’ behavior isn’t easy right away, but we can prepare for the upcoming midterm.”

“Oh, I see.”

So that’s what it was. I blushed slightly over the phone.

I had been so focused on the lover contract that I completely forgot about seeing his abilities.

“That’s right. See you tomorrow.”

“Wait a second. Ayanokōji-kun, it’s not great to just state your business and hang up while talking to your girlfriend.”

“Is that so? Sorry.”

“It’s fine, I know you don’t mean anything by it. You just feel a bit detached from the world… like you lack general knowledge of a typical high schooler.”

“Yeah, I’m aware I’m out of touch.”

“Is that because of your father?”

“Yeah. He was strict. I barely watched TV. I was always studying, exercising or being taught by private tutors.”

That really is… like I thought before, it’s kind of sad. To think he’s never properly watched TV.

“So you don’t really know celebrities either?”

“No. Recently I’ve been casually watching variety shows to learn.”

“Variety shows aren’t really something you watch to study… but I guess it can’t be helped.”

Trying to match conversations with friends is admirable.

After that, we kept chatting casually, and about an hour later, we ended the call.

* * *

The next morning.

I was surrounded by my group, being asked about Ayanokōji-kun. They kept their voices low so others couldn’t hear, but it wouldn’t matter even if it got out.

“What was it like when he accepted your confession?”

“He said, ‘If you’re okay with me.’ I was so nervous.”

“That sounds just like him.”

Well, of course. I fabricated a response that sounds like him. But we’ve already aligned on that story, so it’s fine.

The setting is that I confessed and he accepted.

“Are you calling each other by first names yet?”

“Ahaha, it’s only been one day. That’s too soon.”

“True, I still call him Hirata-kun too.”

“Oh, speak of the devil.”

At Satō-san’s words, I looked toward the classroom door. As usual, Ayanokōji-kun walked in with a blank expression. Noticing our gaze, he looked over. When I waved, he awkwardly waved back.

His clumsy wave looked unfamiliar and a bit cute.

“You’re totally hinting at it.”

“Stop it.”

Even so, it’s understandable it would look that way.

* * *

It became lunch break. Ayanokōji-kun glanced at me and left the classroom.

“Well then, I’ll step out for a bit.”

“Ahh, Matsushita-san will probably eat with us less now… that’s sad.”

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll eat with you all tomorrow.”

Saying that, I left the classroom and caught up to Ayanokōji-kun in the hallway.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ayanokōji-kun.”

“That was quick. Let’s go to the cafeteria.”

We headed there together, but I wondered what he planned to do. Is there really a chance to show ability in a cafeteria?

Then he stopped in front of the ticket machine, seemingly pondering the menu… though I doubt that’s actually it.

“Looking for something?”

“You’ll see… Alright, I’ll be right back. Eat somewhere a bit away.”

“Huh? Okay…”

Even so, I was curious what he was doing, and it would be better to eat together as a couple. Otherwise, our relationship might be questioned.

Ayanokōji-kun approached a senior eating the free mountain vegetable set meal.

The topic—buying past exam questions.

I see. A way to save students like Sudō-kun who struggle academically. Horikita, persuaded by him, is holding study sessions, but that alone isn’t enough to escape danger. So this is the method.

Now that I think about it, the last three questions on the quiz were unusually difficult. A test you couldn’t ace through normal methods alone. That was the hint.

If you obtain past exams, you can memorize them and pass. It wasn’t just about academic ability, but whether you could find such loopholes.

In the end, Ayanokōji-kun obtained past quizzes and midterm exams from the senior in exchange for 15,000 points.

“As expected of you, Ayanokōji-kun. I never would’ve thought of past exams.”

“Something about Chabashira-sensei’s wording bothered me. It sounded like she was confident we could get through the midterm without dropouts. This is one of the answers.”

He showed me photos of the past quizzes. The questions were familiar. No doubt—the quiz content matched what third-years had before. That likely means the midterms will be the same.

The fact that the senior sold them for such a high price further supports that.

“With this amount… maybe we should distribute it to everyone the day before?”

“Yeah, that’s probably best. If we want to be safe, maybe three days before, but giving Sudō and the others too much time might backfire.”

“Got it. Should I also tell Hirata-kun to make it easier to share with the class?”

Ayanokōji-kun hasn’t established influence in the class yet. It’s more efficient to have someone with authority spread it.

“Yeah, could you handle that?”

“Leave it to me.”

“You’re quick to understand, Matsushita. It helps that I don’t have to explain everything.”

“You’re making me blush. You’re good with compliments.”

I nudged him with my elbow.

Still, his ability is the real deal. I don’t know how high his academic or physical abilities go, but no one else in the class thought of obtaining past exams.

To come up with such a method from slight inconsistencies in tests and teacher wording… his ability goes beyond academics and athletics.

If he gets serious, maybe… just maybe… we could really reach Class A.

That small hope began to grow.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Matsushita. Let’s eat.”

“I’ll pay this time. You just spent 15,000 points, right?”

“No. I can’t let my girlfriend pay.”

“But…”

“I’ll accept the thought.”

So he’s firm about things like this. His image of a ‘normal student’ seems based on books—maybe he read somewhere that men should pay on dates.

But I genuinely want to treat him. It’s unfair that he alone spends 15,000 points for the class. I want to ease that burden, even just for one meal.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t interact much in the first month, so I didn’t spend many points. I still have enough. And once class points increase, it’ll come back easily. It’s not something you need to worry about.”

“I see… okay. I won’t pay this time. But since you covered the points alone, starting tomorrow I’ll make you lunch to save points.”

Lunch costs add up, especially for a growing boy. I don’t want him eating mountain vegetable set meals every day.

At my suggestion, Ayanokōji-kun paused to think.

“Then… can I take you up on that? I’ll cover ingredient costs.”

“No need. Just accept it.”

“…Alright. I’m counting on you, Matsushita.”

“Leave it to me.”

Making lunch for my boyfriend… what a great girlfriend I am.

Thinking that half-jokingly, I began planning what he might like.

…What kind of food does Ayanokōji-kun like?