"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
Nanaya retrieved the surveillance camera from the rooftop entrance and pocketed it.
By the time Nanaya and Kato Megumi arrived at the clubroom, the other three members had already begun their club activities—though they were just preparing content for the first chapter of their game.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was in charge of the script, while Izumi Sakura handled the storyboard art.
Megumi, who served as the club's mascot, and Nanaya, who would ultimately handle the programming compilation, could afford to arrive later.
As for Aki Tomoya?
His role was to use his part-time job earnings to purchase reference games and provide snacks for the club members.
Rumor had it Tomoya had recently taken on several more part-time jobs.
Hearing the door open and noticing Nanaya's arrival, Tomoya immediately greeted him:
"Nanaya! You're here! That coding framework you made last time was absolutely amazing!"
"It's alright. I think we still need improvements if we want to create a revolutionary game framework," Nanaya replied casually.
Deeply moved, Tomoya distributed the games he'd purchased along with some snacks to everyone, while enthusiastically talking about his dreams and goals without ever seeming to tire of it.
Eriri felt something was off with Utaha today. During recent club activities, the other girl would always bicker with her—not that Sakura couldn't hold her own in arguments, she just chose to humor Utaha most of the time.
She didn't understand why Utaha kept picking fights with her.
But a silent, distracted Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't seem like the Utaha she knew.
Ever since discovering that Nanaya might have some questionable relationship with her mother, Eriri's sensitivity radar had gone into overdrive.
She walked over to Utaha and tapped her shoulder.
"Eek!"
"Are you okay?!" Eriri jumped back, startled by Utaha's extreme reaction.
"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
Hearing words of gratitude coming from Utaha's mouth made Eriri wonder if the girl had suffered brain damage.
"Maybe you should go rest in the nurse's office?"
"Ah... um..."
Utaha didn't refuse. Only heaven knew how uncomfortable she felt wearing these soaked stockings.
Not to mention all the moisture had concentrated in one particular area!
"I'll go with you," Nanaya offered after hearing their conversation.
"That might be best," Eriri agreed without objection.
After all, Utaha really did need to get her head examined.
"..."
"No, no! That's not necessary!" Utaha hurriedly refused. "I'll be fine going alone."
As she said this, she glanced toward Aki Tomoya.
She hoped he would notice the impropriety of a boy accompanying her, hoped he would realize her physical discomfort.
But unfortunately, Tomoya was completely absorbed in his game.
After one glance at Tomoya, Eriri urged Nanaya to take Utaha to the nurse's office.
"Eriri, couldn't you or Megumi—"
"Sorry, but I have to work on the storyboard. Your plot has too many scenes. And Megumi needs to model for me," Eriri replied, feeling inexplicably pleased seeing Utaha's frustrated expression.
In the end, Nanaya still accompanied Utaha out.
Tomoya remained completely oblivious.
"Nanaya-kun, don't you have something else to do?"
Arriving at the always-empty nurse's office, Nanaya leaned against the wall watching as Utaha lay on the bed.
Utaha wanted to hurry Nanaya along so she could remove her stockings.
And maybe air out her panties.
"Oh? Since when did Kasumigaoka-senpai become so gentle?" Nanaya crossed his arms, showing no intention of leaving.
"Hmph. Is the cheating bastard planning to take advantage of me while I'm unwell?" Utaha retorted. "But don't forget—I still have evidence against you!"
"I didn't report you last time out of generosity, but that doesn't mean I've forgiven you!" She waved her phone at Nanaya.
Originally, she had planned to show Megumi what kind of cheating scum her so-called boyfriend was, so the younger girl could better protect herself.
But between her writing deadlines and recent events—
Not to mention how Megumi was always sticking close to Nanaya—
Utaha never found an opportunity to catch Megumi alone.
"Oh? Seems like Kasumigaoka-senpai has forgotten one important thing."
Nanaya approached unhurriedly and snatched the phone right from Utaha's hand.
"My, there are quite a few photos of me here. Could it be... senpai has a crush on me?"
Utaha's face flushed red with anger. "Give that back! So not only are you a cheater, but a thief too!"
"Oh? I can't let that comment slide." Nanaya stood right beside her bed. "I'm still within your line of sight, aren't I? I'm just deleting my own photos since senpai was violating my portrait rights anyway."
"If you want it back, come and get it yourself." He dangled the phone tauntingly.
"You—!"
How could Utaha possibly get out of bed now?
Her current position had already allowed the moisture to spread across the absorbent stockings.
If she stood up now, Nanaya would definitely see the wetness that had trickled down to her calves!
"My, my. Seems senpai doesn't actually mind my actions."
"You—! Is this how you treat someone who's sick?" Utaha's voice suddenly softened. "Nanaya-kun, please stop teasing me, okay?"
"Fine."
Nanaya gave her a meaningful smile. "I'm not a complete monster. I just want senpai to watch a little video with me."
"Once we finish watching together, I'll return your phone. Consider it you keeping me company while skipping club activities."
"Don't worry, I won't sit too close, and it's nothing inappropriate."
Hearing such simple terms, Utaha felt her resistance waver.
She wouldn't have to move, and could maintain some distance from Nanaya.
"Fine."
Pleased with her agreement, Nanaya sat on the adjacent bed and placed his phone between them at an angle where both could see, but slightly tilted toward himself to prevent Utaha from grabbing it.
"Alright, senpai. Let's watch. I just received this today—it'll be my first time seeing it too."
Hearing this piqued Utaha's curiosity about the video's contents.
Keeping her lower body hidden under the blankets, Utaha decided she could secretly remove her stockings while they watched.
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