The day after signing the contract with Ogitsu Yoshiko, Takashi was surprised to find that the paparazzi camping outside the school gate were gone.
He had no idea what method she used to get rid of those clingy pests stuck to him like gum on a shoe.
Though the paparazzi were gone, Takashi still had to wear a mask when going out—he'd be recognized otherwise.
But at least he could return to something resembling normal school life.
"You haven't gone to visit your dear little sister lately. What, had a sudden change of heart?"
In the student council office, Hitomi sat at the round table, looking curiously at Takashi, who was seated in the vice president's chair, nose buried in a Waseda University entrance exam from last year.
"I told you, I'm just playing around with those girls. With you—"
Just as Narii looked over, Takashi abruptly switched topics: "Ah, by the way, the six-school joint exam is coming up soon. Are you all ready for it?"
Life had returned to normal, and Takashi's first instinct was to open his contacts, planning to randomly pick a lucky girl for a date.
But when his homeroom teacher reminded him that the six-school joint exams were approaching, Takashi thought about it and decided—maybe it was better to study for now.
After all, once the exams were over, summer break would begin.
During the break, Hitomi would be learning how to manage her family's company under her grandfather's guidance, and Narii would be vacationing in Hawaii with her mother.
There would be plenty of opportunities to date other girls later.
Why rush?
"Humans who don't naturally acquire this level of knowledge with age should just be eliminated."
Hitomi spoke with contempt.
"But your scores aren't higher than mine."
Takashi's tone held a trace of pride.
It was the only area in which he could outshine Hitomi.
Well, not the only one. He could also "outshine" her in bed—but Yozakura had a dominant personality and preferred to be on top.
"Does your family also have property in the city center?"
"Was your birthday gift also a property deed?"
"Do you also have money you can't finish spending?"
"Do your parents' words count as policies?"
Each sentence from Hitomi hit Takashi like a slap.
"You..."
"Enough, enough! I was wrong, Miss Hitomi!" Realizing she was enjoying herself, Takashi quickly surrendered.
"Still feeling smug?"
"Not at all, not at all."
Narii, watching them bicker like an old married couple, tilted her head and poked her cheek with her pen cap.
Aren't they getting a little too close?
What she didn't know was that beneath the round table, Hitomi had already slipped off her indoor slipper and, using her toes, expertly unzipped his pants and stepped on the "third leg" of a certain man.
Takashi's legs tightened, clamping around Hitomi's mischievous foot. His eyes shot her a warning: Stop it! Narii's right here!
But Hitomi simply smiled, raised her chin, her crescent-shaped eyes clearly saying: That's exactly why it's exciting.
You trying to get me killed!?
Then don't get hard!
Through the silky white thigh-high socks, she could feel "Little Takashi" bursting with energy.
Watching him try to keep a calm expression while Narii sat beside them cluelessly, Hitomi had to struggle not to laugh.
The study session went on until 6 PM.
When the bell rang to urge students to leave campus, Narii packed her stationery and test papers into her bag.
Noticing that Takashi was still focused on his practice questions, she reminded him, "Takashi, school's over. Time to go."
"You go ahead. I want to solve this problem before I leave."
His expression was serious, eyes glued to the paper.
In truth, he couldn't stand up.
If he did, Narii would witness firsthand what it meant for the dragon to raise its head.
"Narii, don't bother with him, let's go."
Since Hitomi was the one who caused Takashi's current predicament, she knew exactly why he couldn't stand.
Leisurely withdrawing her delicate foot and slipping it back into her shoe, she stood up, tidied her bag, and pushed Narii away.
Takashi stared wide-eyed: "Huh???"
Wait—you're just going to tease me and leave me like this?
Can't you tell I'm practically boiling with frustration?
"What's wrong?" Hitomi turned around, pretending to be innocent.
The two locked eyes in silence.
One second. Two. Three… Five full seconds passed before she suddenly slapped her forehead, as if realizing something. "Oh, I forgot."
"Mm."
Just as Takashi thought he might unlock a new location: Student Council Room √, Hitomi pulled a key from her skirt pocket and placed it on the table.
"You can lock the door today, Mr. Vice President~"
"We'll be going now."
With a disbelieving expression, Takashi watched Yozakura push Narii out of the room.
She really left.
Just like that, she left, sparkling and smug!
"I—" Takashi suddenly felt the urge to curse.
You just wait.
He looked down at his peerless little brother and swore fiercely in his heart.
You'll pay for this. I'll make sure you get it good later!
…
By the time Takashi finished locking up the student council room and wheeled his scooter out of campus, the sky was already dark.
Now that the paparazzi were gone from the gate, he could ride his scooter freely to and from school.
Tokyo's traffic was insane. During rush hour, riding a scooter or bike was way faster than driving.
As he reached the school gate and put on his helmet, just as he swung his leg over the scooter, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
Turning around, he saw Yasuraoka Hanabi standing there with her hands behind her back, smiling sweetly.
"What are you doing here?"
Takashi looked surprised.
"Well, you weren't replying to my messages."
Hanabi puffed her cheeks and stomped her foot in frustration.
"I didn't see it."
"Liar! It shows as read."
She held her phone up, showing the read message.
Takashi glanced at it. It read:
[Kitahara-kun, this year's final summer festival—can I invite you to go with me?]
He didn't even remember seeing it. He probably glanced at it in passing while replying to other girls, and it got buried in the flood of incoming messages.
He really had too many girls to reply to.
It was a problem few would understand—especially not the kind of people who nap all day and wake up with zero new messages from anyone.
"You don't want to reply to me, do you?"
Hanabi's eyes began to tear up, on the verge of crying.
"The last time you talked to me first, wasn't it because you lost a bet with your friends?"
Wow, what a drama queen.
Takashi had seen every type of girl. He immediately saw through her act.
The acting was so fake.
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