Today is the day of my date with Arisu, but... I was summoned to Arisu's room. It's what you call an at-home date.

When I rang the doorbell just in case, she said, "Please come in," so I used the spare key and entered. Not to hide it, but I already have spare keys for everyone except Suzune and Kei. However, in reality, it's bad for a boy to go to the girls' floor, so I rarely use them. One of the few exceptions is an at-home date with Arisu, who has difficulty walking.

Arisu: "Oh my, welcome, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "Pardon the intrusion."

Arisu: "You are not intruding, so please make yourself comfortable. The true intruders are those who are not family and do not obey me."

Kiyotaka: "That's a delicate phrasing... but I'll take you up on that."

'Even at a time like this, I wish she wouldn't let her venom toward the Katsuragi faction seep out.'

Arisu: "By the way, which would you prefer, black tea or coffee?"

Kiyotaka: "Perhaps I'll enjoy your brewed black tea for a change."

Arisu: "Yes, understood. Please wait a moment."

A short while later, Arisu finished brewing the tea and called for me.

Arisu: "I've finished brewing. Could you help me carry it?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I'm coming."

Arisu: "Thank you. By the way, for today, would it be alright if we do speed chess in the morning, and after lunch, chess with standard time controls?"

Kiyotaka: "That sounds quite exhausting... but alright."

Arisu: "Then shall we begin right away?"

We set the pieces on the board and began our match.

Arisu: "Has my move reached you?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, painfully so."

Even while sipping our black tea, we continued moving our pieces.

Arisu: "Let us end it here."

Kiyotaka: "A magnificent sacrifice. But I'm one step ahead."

I neutralized Arisu's queen sacrifice with a queen sacrifice of my own. It was a game record similar to what would have happened in the first loop had Tsukishiro not intervened.

Arisu: "I resign."

Kiyotaka: "With this, in speed chess, it's five wins, four losses."

Arisu: "Yes. I won't lose the next one."

Kiyotaka: "Anyway, it's lunchtime. Shall we make something together?"

Arisu: "Yes."

'I thought I'd lose about five times out of ten, and it really seems that way.'

Thinking that, I made spaghetti with Arisu.

After lunch, having finished cleaning up, we faced each other across the board once more.

Arisu: "I won't lose this next one."

Kiyotaka: "Was it five wins, four losses for me too?"

Arisu: "Yes. But by the time you leave, I shall make it five wins, five losses—an even score."

Kiyotaka: "I'm looking forward to it."

Then Arisu moved her white pawn, and the battle commenced.

Arisu: "Normally I would ask you to go easy on me, but please come at me with full force."

Kiyotaka: "When it's against you, Arisu, I'm always giving it my all."

Arisu: "You say such delightful things."

Kiyotaka: "It's truly how I feel. Because I can't win otherwise."

Arisu: "I imagine I am the only one who can draw out your full strength in chess, being a genius."

Kiyotaka: "There's no doubt you can draw out my full strength, Arisu. But I can't say for sure you're the only one."

Arisu: "Is that so?"

Kiyotaka: "Then become the world champion in chess and prove it."

Arisu: "Indeed. That would be the most certain proof. Our abilities are evenly matched. If I, such as I am, become world champion, then there would be no one else who could stand beside you."

'She's quite the confident one, as expected. Her self-esteem is the polar opposite of Honami's.'

Even while having this conversation, our hands kept moving. It seems neither of us intends to spend much time in the opening, even when it's not a speed chess match. We plan to conserve our mental energy for the middlegame rather than the opening, and the endgame rather than the middlegame. Even so, the fact that we are battling in a realm far beyond the reach of ordinary people speaks to the abnormality of our abilities.

Kiyotaka: "A question. Do you think the strong always defeat the weak?"

Arisu: "The definition of strength and weakness is questionable, but you mean to say that even someone with superior overall ability can lose in a specific area. Honami-san's class is a prime example. They will likely be targeted for that weakness and lose from now on. However, you are the polar opposite. In anything you've touched, you achieve results close to the highest standard."

Kiyotaka: "You understand well."

Arisu: "Was I correct?"

Kiyotaka: "Eighty points. Even in a contest of overall ability, someone with a power of 100 who can only exert 30% due to constraints will lose to someone who can exert a full power of 50 without waste. In other words, the presence or absence of such constraints is also an indicator of who is stronger. Since I prioritize protecting all of the girls, I thought I am not necessarily the strongest."

Arisu: "In that case, Kiyotaka-kun, your answer itself was not the model answer but an 80-point answer. The strength of a person's will is immeasurable, and having something to protect can make one stronger. You, Kiyotaka-kun, have the power to see that through. So in terms of overall ability, you are still the strongest."

Kiyotaka: "I see. So that's one way of looking at it. I'm glad I asked you."

Arisu: "Of course. Now, no more chatter from here on. Please come at me with full force."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I'll do that."

From there, just as declared, it was a silent battle. It was a close match, but in the end, Arisu won.

Arisu: "Haa, haa... With this, it's... five wins, five losses."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, it is. As expected, playing matches with you all day, Arisu, is tiring."

Arisu: "However, I enjoyed it. It was a fulfilling day."

Kiyotaka: "Me too. But sorry. I'm tired, and I have plans tomorrow too, so I'll head back and rest."

Arisu: "Yes. Farewell."

After that, I ate a meal to recover from mental fatigue and went to bed early.

* * *

The next day, freed from the fatigue of the matches, I came to the school library, which is open even during summer break. My rendezvous partner is, of course, Hiyori.

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"

Hiyori: "No. I came early because I wanted to read. Besides, I was looking forward to today and woke up early."

Kiyotaka: "That's good to hear. Your casual clothes look cute too."

Hiyori: "Ah... You too, Kiyotaka-kun... well... you look handsome."

Kiyotaka: "Thanks."

When I complimented Hiyori's clothes, who had said something quite pleasing, she blushed and complimented me in return.

That red face returned to normal as soon as we started talking about books, though.

Hiyori: "What was the plan for today again?"

Kiyotaka: "I thought we'd read at the library, then have lunch at a café while sharing book thoughts, and finally go to a bookstore."

Hiyori: "A day spent surrounded by books with you, Kiyotaka-kun. A splendid plan."

Kiyotaka: "Glad to hear it."

'I was sure this would be right for Hiyori, and I'm truly glad.'

Hiyori: "Then, right away, how about this book?"

Kiyotaka: "I certainly haven't read that one. Then, Hiyori, how about this book?"

Hiyori: "Yes. Since it's a good opportunity, I'll read it. And then..."

In this manner, we chose about three books for each other and sat down side by side to read.

In the library with only the two of us students due to summer break, spending time with Hiyori in this quiet space was the height of comfort. If I looked up, our eyes would occasionally meet, and we would exchange smiles. Even when she didn't notice me, just watching her earnest expression as she faced her book put my heart at ease.

After a while, when I finished one book, it seemed Hiyori had also just finished and was closing hers.

Kiyotaka: "Perfect timing."

Hiyori: "Yes. When not only our taste in books but also our reading speed is similar, it's easy to match and quite nice."

Kiyotaka: "I agree. I doubt I'll ever find a better reading friend than you, Hiyori."

Hiyori: "Oh my, are we not lovers now, rather than friends?"

Kiyotaka: "I felt like using that nostalgic phrase."

Hiyori: "I see. There's no one else around right now, after all."

Kiyotaka: "Exactly. That aside, I'm thinking of heading to the café soon. What do you think? Do you still want to read here?"

Hiyori: "Let's go. But shall we borrow the books we haven't finished reading first?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I was planning to do that."

After that, when we were about to leave after borrowing the books, I took the bag Hiyori was carrying.

Hiyori: "Ah, I'll carry it myself."

Kiyotaka: "It's fine. It's not heavy for me."

Hiyori: "I feel bad, so it's alright."

Kiyotaka: "Let your boyfriend look cool just a little."

Hiyori: "You're already plenty cool..."

There was a weak protest, but I paid it no mind and started walking.

When we arrived at the café, I ordered coffee and a hot sandwich, and Hiyori ordered tea and cake.

Hiyori: "Kiyotaka-kun, I've finished reading the book I bought the other day, so I'd like you to read it next."

Kiyotaka: "Is that okay?"

Hiyori: "Yes, because I wanted you to read it. Besides, my assets will eventually become your assets, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "That's true. But is it okay to say that here?"

Hiyori: "Yes. When we entered, I confirmed there were no classmates around. And I've been checking every time a customer arrives since then."

Kiyotaka: "You're quite observant, as expected."

After that, our orders arrived and we began to eat, but...

Hiyori: "I'll give you a bite of this cake, so could you give me a bite of your hot sandwich?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, you can have some."

Hiyori: "No, that's not it. I said, 'Let me have a bite.'"

Kiyotaka: "What do you mean?"

Hiyori: "Geez. Like this."

Saying that, Hiyori cut a piece of cake, put it on her fork, and brought it close to my mouth.

I accepted it without refusing.

Kiyotaka: "Sorry. So that's what you meant."

I apologized and then carried a piece of the hot sandwich to Hiyori's adorably opened mouth.

'If we were seen doing this, it would be game over immediately. But as Hiyori said, there are no classmates nearby. It should be fine.'

With such moments, we enjoyed our time at the café. Afterwards, we went to a bookstore, bought a new book by a popular author, and headed home.

Hiyori: "Well then, Kiyotaka-kun. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the book."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. I'll definitely read it today and give you a call."

Hiyori: "You have a date tomorrow as well, don't you? No staying up late."

Kiyotaka: "Alright. I'll save it for another time."

Hiyori: "Yes. Please take care of yourself. Your body doesn't belong only to you, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I'll be careful. But the same goes for you, Hiyori."

Hiyori: "I know. Well then, goodnight."

Kiyotaka: "Goodnight."

And so, the most peaceful day for me drew to a close.