"Ugh… it's pouring…"
"Yeah…"
"Weather said sunny…"
On a Remedial Class holiday, despite the camp's study grind, today's a rest day. But rain ruins plans for fun. Mash heads to the girls' room to wait it out.
"Nn…"
"Morning, Koharu-chan," Hanako greets.
"Morning. Azusa-chan's… still out," Hifumi notes.
"Nn… ngh…"
"Morning… Azusa, you okay? You're usually up early," Mash says.
"Azusa-chan, it's morning~"
"Nnn…"
Mash gently shakes Azusa, but she won't budge.
"Maybe she's been pushing herself too hard," Hanako says. "Let her sleep. It's a holiday."
"Nn… no… cute things… fluffy… bad…"
"She's having a nice dream~♡" Hanako giggles.
Azusa mumbles, clutching her pillow tightly. The group feels a warm pang in their hearts.
"Nn… Sen… sei…"
"Am I in her dream?" Mash wonders.
"Probably. Azusa-chan loves you, Sensei~" Hanako teases.
"Embarrassing… What am I doing in her dream—"
"D-Don't, Sensei… it's… too big… won't fit…"
!?
The three girls jump back, shocked. Mash, clueless, tilts his head.
"Too big!?" Koharu gasps. "What's that!?"
"Don't interrogate her!" Hifumi squeaks.
"Ngh… Sensei, no… can't fit… in my mouth…"
"Should we wake her!?" Koharu panics.
"Let's watch a bit longer~♡" Hanako smirks.
"Guys, Azusa-chan says 'Sensei doesn't care!'" Mash interjects.
Koharu's intensity silences him. Azusa mumbles again.
"Sensei… no… this is… wrong…"
Gulp.
"What am I doing in her dream?" Mash mutters.
"…A giant choux cream… at this hour… I'll get fat…"
Thud! The three girls collapse. Mash mutters, "What am I doing?"
"Choux cream!?" Koharu yells. "So misleading!"
"Not what I expected, but… very Azusa-chan," Hifumi sighs.
"She loves choux cream that much, huh? I'm touched," Mash says.
"Haha…"
A flash and thunderclap startle Hifumi and Koharu.
"W-Was that lightning!?"
"Lightning!?"
"Oh no…" Mash says.
"What?"
"The laundry's outside!" Hanako gasps.
"What!?"
"I'll get it!"
"Sensei!?"
Mash leaps out the window into the downpour, racing to save the laundry. The girls follow in a rush.
"This is bad!"
"We gotta grab it!"
"Sorry, I forgot!"
"Later! Hurry!"
"Nn…? Everyone? Wait, I'm coming!" Azusa stumbles after them.
Ten minutes later, the Remedial Class, now in swimsuits, gathers in the gym.
"Announcing the first-ever Remedial Class swimsuit party! ♡" Hanako declares cheerfully.
But the mood's grim—except for one.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
"Sensei… drying okay?" Azusa asks.
"Water's gone, but the stains are stuck."
"All our clothes got soaked… and the lightning caused a blackout. No dryers or washers," Azusa reports.
"I thought Sensei's slap-drying would work… nope," Koharu sighs.
"My training gear's all I've got left. And it's cold," Mash shivers.
The old gym lets in chilly drafts. Catching colds is a real risk. Mash thinks fast.
"I've got an idea."
"What?" Achoo!
"When it's cold, body heat's best. Let's huddle up and warm each other."
"Good plan, Sensei," Azusa nods.
"No other choice… Here goes!" Hanako hugs Koharu.
"Eek! Don't just grab me, idiot!"
"Come on, Hifumi-chan, Azusa-chan!"
"Wah!"
"S-So sudden… but… warm," Hifumi admits.
The girls cling together, sharing warmth like they're wrapped in blankets.
"Sensei, join us. There's room," Hanako offers.
"I'm fine. Not that cold."
"Your legs are shaking like a newborn fawn," Koharu points out.
"Just imagination."
"Liar! You look pale!"
"No, really, it's fine. A guy shouldn't squeeze in with girls—"
Azusa steps away, grabbing Mash's hand firmly.
"Don't care. You getting sick ruins everything."
"But—"
"I'm over it. Touching you doesn't faze me."
"Sensei can touch me more~" Hanako teases.
"We've been together this whole time. No worries!" Hifumi adds.
"Plus, Sensei's big, so more warmth," Azusa says.
"…Alright, I'll take you up on that."
Azusa pulls Mash to sit with them. She clings to his hand for warmth.
"You're right… Sensei's way warmer. Like a heater," Azusa says.
"His arm's so warm… and big—n-nothing!" Koharu blurts.
"Front, excuse me!" Hifumi says.
"Back, pardon me~ Really warm~" Hanako purrs.
Hanako's at his back, Hifumi in front, Koharu on his left, Azusa on his right—clinging or leaning. Anyone else would blush, but Mash stays expressionless.
"Missed human warmth. This is nice."
"Hm? Say something?" Koharu asks.
"Nothing. Let's stay like this till the rain stops."
"Yes!"
"Sure."
"F-Fine…"
They huddle until the rain eases, a small but precious memory for Mash.
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