Sakura’s situation has been resolved for now. All that’s left is dealing with Sudō’s violence incident, and the immediate problems will be settled.

Thanks to handling the stalker issue, Sakura agreed to testify as a witness. Good deeds really do come back to you.

And so, the student council hearing is currently underway. From Class D, Sudō, Horikita, and Ayanokōji are participating, along with Chabashira-sensei.

…In the end, no clues were found aside from Sakura. In this situation, arguing head-on to prove Sudō’s innocence seems difficult.

What is Ayanokōji planning to do?

“Matsushita-san, are you that concerned? About the hearing?”

Karuizawa, walking beside me, called out. I must’ve been spacing out.

“Well, yeah. Ayanokōji-kun is in it too.”

“You’re pretty close with Horikita-san and Sudō-kun in class, right? I don’t get it though—why is Ayanokōji-kun friends with Sudō-kun? He should definitely be talking more with Hirata-kun.”

“Hirata-kun seems to trust Ayanokōji-kun quite a bit too.”

“Exactly! He talks about him a lot. Like, ‘Ayanokōji-kun is the most reliable in the class.’ I might get jealous, even though he’s a guy.”

Karuizawa said that half-jokingly.

Hirata has probably already noticed. That Ayanokōji is hiding his abilities, and that if they could rely on him, moving up classes might be possible.

“By the way, what about that? The double date plan.”

“Ah… yeah. Probably after Sudō’s situation is resolved, but how about going to the pool? It’s been really hot lately.”

“Oh, the pool is… um, sorry, I can’t swim.”

“You don’t have to swim. There are shallow pools and lazy rivers too, right?”

“Hmm… I guess… maybe that’s okay.”

Karuizawa answered hesitantly.

That was unusual, and it surprised me. She’s normally all in for these kinds of events.

…She doesn’t have a tattoo or something, right?

Well, I wouldn’t really care if she did.

More importantly, there’s another problem. I suggested the pool, but buying a swimsuit costs points.

I can’t exactly go in a competition swimsuit, and if I go, I want something cute…

That’s a dilemma.

While thinking that, my device chimed. A message from Ayanokōji.

The hearing didn’t reach a conclusion today. The result has been postponed to tomorrow’s rehearing.

A rehearing, huh.

I don’t know the details from just that message, but Sakura should’ve testified today.

If it still wasn’t decided, then we’re probably at a disadvantage.

Still, something feels off. I saw Sakura’s photo evidence myself.

With that and her testimony, we should’ve been able to get at least some concessions from the other side. Especially with Ayanokōji’s arguments.

Honestly, if we go into the rehearing like this, we’ll lose. So there’s something I want you to prepare.

The message continued.

What he wanted was a dummy surveillance camera.

A dummy camera… the special building… I see. I can tell what he’s planning.

“Karuizawa-san, sorry! My boyfriend’s calling me!”

“Oh? Ayanokōji-kun? That’s rare. Go ahead!”

After excusing myself, I rushed to the electronics store.

I got the dummy camera without any issue.

Installation was apparently being handled by Sotomura-kun from our class.

The hearing is tomorrow at 4. There’s no time to waste.

I hurried to the special building and handed him the camera.

He seemed motivated—maybe he’s getting some kind of reward.

This should be fine.

* * *

The next evening, I had a private discussion with Ayanokōji.

Of course, the topic was the outcome of the incident.

“Class C withdrew their complaint.”

“You mean you made them withdraw, right? As expected of you.”

“No, I left it to Horikita this time. I guided things, but I didn’t act directly.”

Hearing that, I felt that faint, dark jealousy inside me again.

Jealousy toward the girls hovering around him is normal. That’s natural as his girlfriend.

But what I feel toward Horikita is different.

Ayanokōji sees her as something special.

Not as a girl, but more like… a parent or a teacher.

More precisely… expectation.

He recognizes her potential and is fostering her growth.

That’s what makes me feel uneasy.

…I think I’m capable too, even if I’m not on her level.

“Something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, about the double date—let’s go to the pool this Saturday.”

“The pool? Sure.”

His plain response felt strangely distant today.

Silence followed.

How did we usually talk again?

“…So that was the result of your strategy. Well done.”

Breaking the silence was neither of us, but the student council president speaking from behind.

He had noticed that Ayanokōji guided Horikita.

He had seen his ability firsthand that night.

“Tachibana. There’s still one secretary seat open, right?”

“Yes… wait, President, don’t tell me—”

“Ayanokōji. If you wish, I’ll offer you the secretary position.”

The small girl with the bun hairstyle beside him looked shocked.

There weren’t supposed to be any Class D students in the student council.

This must be extremely unusual.

“…I see. Sorry, but I refuse.”

“Eh!?”

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

The president backed off easily, as if he hadn’t expected success.

Even though the exchange was brief, it felt like they understood each other.

The Horikita siblings… maybe they hold some special meaning to him.

…The student council, huh.

Even if I applied, I probably wouldn’t be accepted.

I heard all first-year applicants were rejected.

Yet he’s in a position to be invited.

He really is amazing.

“Are you sure it was okay to refuse?”

After they left, I finally asked.

At least it gave us something to talk about.

“I’m not interested in the student council. Like clubs, there might be benefits, but…”

“I see. Then maybe I’ll apply.”

“With your ability, you’d have a good chance.”

Does he really think that?

…No, stop. I’m being too negative today.

Let’s think about something fun.

Right, the pool on Saturday. A date with him, and with Hirata and Karuizawa too.

Maybe I can learn what they usually do for fun.

And I need a cute swimsuit. I’ll go shopping with Karuizawa.

* * *

Summer vacation.

In a few days, a two-week luxury cruise will begin.

Apparently the ship has a pool too, so buying a swimsuit was perfect timing.

We changed into our new swimsuits and went to the school pool.

Unlike the indoor one used for classes, this one is much larger and better equipped.

It’s only open for three days, so it’s pretty crowded.

“This is amazing. I can’t believe the school has a pool this big.”

“I can see students from other classes too.”

Ayanokōji spotted Ichinose and her group from Class B.

Ah, she’s waving.

“Ayanokōji-kun?”

“You have a girlfriend! Don’t look at other girls!”

Karuizawa and I chopped his sides, and he fell silent.

…But still. When we met up earlier and even now…

“Ayanokōji-kun, your body is really well-built. Did you play sports?”

As expected of Hirata—he asked what we all wanted to know but couldn’t.

Before, he said piano and calligraphy. To Horikita, he said tea ceremony.

Back then, he was hiding his ability.

What will he say now?

“…I did a bit of martial arts. Karate and judo.”

“I see, that makes sense.”

“But did you mention that before?”

Karuizawa questioned him.

He hadn’t said it before. No one in class had mentioned martial arts experience.

It would’ve stood out.

“I didn’t like it. My parents forced me to do it. I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“Wow, your family is strict.”

“You came to this school to rebel against your father, right?”

I remembered him saying that.

For a moment, I wondered if I shouldn’t have brought it up, but he didn’t seem bothered.

“Yeah. After graduating, I’ll probably have to help with my father’s work. This school was the perfect place to escape his control.”

“What does your father do?”

“…That’s a secret.”

“In this situation!? Now I’m curious!”

I was curious too, but he clearly didn’t want to talk about it.

Hirata and Karuizawa also seemed to avoid talking about their pasts.

Maybe a lot of people in Class D have difficult pasts.

Hirata is so capable, it’s strange he’s in Class D.

Even if Ayanokōji hid his ability, Hirata should be in Class A.

Karuizawa isn’t the worst either—her communication skills alone could place her in Class B.

Maybe they’re here because of something in their past…

Or maybe I’m overthinking.

“Oh, there’s a volleyball court. Want to try?”

I changed the topic. I didn’t want things to get awkward.

“Volleyball? What do you think?”

“Sounds fun! How about couples versus couples? Loser buys drinks!”

“Volleyball, huh. Sure.”

And so, a 2v2 beach volleyball match began.

First to 10 points, best of three sets.

“Any experience?”

“None. Just know the rules.”

“Alright, let’s take it easy.”

I had some experience in middle school.

He’s athletic, so we should manage.

Karuizawa served.

A clean arc, good control—she has experience too.

I received, Ayanokōji set.

His set was shaky, and the wind made it worse.

“Here!”

I sent it over, but Hirata easily received it.

He’s really good.

Even though he’s in soccer, he’s great at volleyball too.

“Hirata!”

“Got it!”

His spike landed perfectly.

The girls watching cheered loudly.

Karuizawa looked a bit annoyed.

He’s really good. We might not win.

Even if I’m better than Karuizawa, Hirata outweighs Ayanokōji’s inexperience.

“Matsushita. Don’t try to score. Just keep the rally going.”

Ayanokōji gave instructions.

I don’t fully get it, but I trust him.

“Got it.”

I aimed returns at Karuizawa to limit Hirata’s spikes.

The rally lengthened.

But they adapted—setting up quick attacks and switching positions.

We lost the first set.

“Nice!”

“Let’s win straight!”

They high-fived. I was jealous.

“Matsushita. Thanks for buying time.”

“Did it work?”

“Yeah. Now we attack. Set it high.”

Attack? But he’s inexperienced.

Still, the second set began.

Hirata spiked hard.

I thought it was impossible to receive.

But—

Ayanokōji cleanly absorbed the impact and received it perfectly.

“No way!”

“Seriously!?”

Even the crowd reacted.

He controlled it flawlessly.

“Matsushita.”

“Got it!”

I set it high.

He jumped—fast.

Then struck.

The spike hit like lightning.

Cheers erupted.

More than his athleticism, his learning ability is terrifying.

That was like a veteran player.

“Are you really a beginner?”

“I watched Hirata’s spikes and learned the timing. Thanks to your stalling.”

That growth speed is insane.

I swallowed those words.

“Let’s keep going.”

His sets became perfect.

Even when my receives were off, he adjusted instantly.

It felt mechanical.

Like he knew exactly where I wanted the ball.

It was fun.

Not just because we were winning, but because he was elevating my play.

We took the second set, then the third.

My final shot landed. Victory.

A huge crowd had gathered, cheering loudly.

“Join the volleyball club!” someone shouted.

“Matsushita.”

He held out his hands.

He must’ve noticed earlier.

I smiled.

“We did it, Ayanokōji-kun!”

We high-fived.