Women's uniforms take more effort to change out of than men's. This is not unique to First High School; it is likely similar at any school.
During the short break, the changing room before PE class is always filled with a frantic atmosphere. Students rush to undress, hang their clothes on hangers, stow them in lockers, and change into gym clothes. There are enough biometric-enabled lockers for everyone, but since the system requires students to register their vein patterns with each use, that time must also be factored in.
"Oh, Lina. Was your usual spot taken?"
As she stowed her CAD and information terminal in the small compartment inside her locker, Miyuki asked Lina, who had come to the locker next to hers. By February of their first year, locker positions were mostly fixed; Miyuki used a locker in the center of the right wall, with Honoka on her left and Shizuku on her right. Since Shizuku was studying abroad, the locker to Miyuki's right had been left unused—at least within Class 1-A.
"Not exactly."
Lina usually used a locker near the entrance, so this was the first time she was changing next to Miyuki. In response to Lina's curt reply, Miyuki didn't seem particularly interested as she reached for her jacket.
"Everyone asking who I'm giving chocolate to... I know they don't mean any harm, but it's gotten a little annoying."
"Everyone is curious. Because you are cute, Lina."
"Then why aren't you bombarded with questions, Miyuki?"
Lina's retort cut off mid-sentence the moment Miyuki unzipped her uniform dress and began to slip it off her right shoulder. The motion was nothing special, yet it transfixed Lina, stalling her tongue.
"Who knows? Perhaps because I lack sex appeal?"
Lina felt inexplicably irritated by Miyuki's remark. Unconsciously trying to compete, she stripped off her own uniform dress with vigor. This time, it was Miyuki who let out an admiring breath at the sight of Lina's semi-nude form emerging from beneath the uniform.
"Lina, you have a wonderful figure. I'm envious."
"Is that sarcasm? What reason could you possibly have to envy me, Miyuki?"
"Because your waist and hips are toned just right; it's very sexy. You aren't just thin—you're shaped up properly."
"M-Miyuki, you are the one with a perfectly feminine body without a single bony spot! I'm the one who feels like getting jealous!"
They praised each other's bodies, and Miyuki even went so far as to reach out and touch Lina's waist, wearing a small, devilish smile. Just as Miyuki removed her hand from Lina's waist, a loud clatter came from behind them.
Miyuki turned around, and Lina looked over. There was Honoka, knees giving way as she clung to her locker for support.
"…Shall we finish changing quickly?"
"Yeah."
Lina agreed immediately to Miyuki's suggestion, feeling exactly the same way.
The entire school was wrapped in a giddy atmosphere that didn't subside even during the lunch break; if anything, it had only grown more restless.
"Ah, Shiba-kun!"
"Yes?"
Having walked into the hallway for a bit, Tatsuya was called from behind. He knew who it was from the voice and presence, so he turned around without showing any particular reaction.
"Hirakawa-senpai, and Chiaki. Do you need something?"
"Here. A thank you for your help."
"From me too. Thank you for saving my sister, and for forgiving me."
"You're welcome."
It was blatantly obligation chocolate, but Tatsuya accepted it politely from both of them and bowed on the spot.
"Well then. If we stay near Shiba-kun too long, other people won't have a chance to hand theirs over."
"Shiba-kun is totally popular, huh?"
"Chiaki, that phrase is obsolete."
With a wry smile, he watched the Hirakawa sisters leave. Just as he was about to start moving again, he was called from behind once more.
"Tatsuya-kun, do you have a moment?"
"Watanabe-senpai, and Ichihara-senpai as well."
"We wanted a little of your time."
"…Understood. The Student Council Room... no, that won't work. Is the Public Morals Committee HQ acceptable?"
"I don't mind where we go."
"Erika is watching, you know."
"…I appreciate your consideration."
It was strictly obligation chocolate, so there shouldn't have been a problem. However, if Erika witnessed the person who stole her brother (in her mind) giving chocolate to another man, it would likely cause various problems for both the giver and the receiver. At Tatsuya's suggestion, the three of them headed to the Public Morals Committee HQ.
"By the way, where did Kanon go?"
"If it's Chiyoda-senpai you mean, she took a bento box full of chocolates to Isori-senpai, who is working in the Student Council Room."
"I see. That's why the Student Council Room was a no-go."
Mari, recalling Tatsuya's mutter from earlier, nodded in understanding as she looked toward the stairs leading to the Student Council Room.
"So, may I ask what business you two have with me?"
"Oh, it's nothing major enough to be called 'business.' We just thought we'd give this to you."
"From me as well. You have helped me in various ways, Shiba-kun."
"Thank you very much. I will give you a return gift along with a graduation gift at the ceremony."
"You don't need to worry about that. You look like you'll have a massive amount of return gifts to prepare, anyway."
Tatsuya's "war spoils" (though he didn't think of them that way) were known even among the upperclassmen. Since he had received chocolates not just from his own grade but from seniors as well, it wasn't strange that the news had spread throughout the school.
"I don't recall doing anything to warrant receiving so much..."
"They're just framing it as obligation. You know, because you have that sister."
"Miyuki and I are siblings, though..."
Even the one saying it understood it was a token protest, so the conversation ended there without further excitement, and they left the Public Morals Committee HQ. A short while after parting ways with Mari and Suzune, he was called from behind yet again.
"Fouuuund you~"
"…Do you need something, Yasaka-sensei?"
"Here~. Since I've asked you all sorts of things, you know."
"I believe I am the one who is indebted to you..."
"Boys shouldn't sweat the small stuff~. Besides, when a woman summons her courage to give you something, I want you to accept it gracefully~."
"…I accept it with gratitude."
With the start of the afternoon curriculum approaching, Tatsuya offered no further resistance. Waiting for Tatsuya upon his return to the classroom was a chocolate assault from what could only be described as the majority of the girls in the class.
(Finally, we can reach Mayumi...)
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