At 10 p.m., Fujiwara Chika stretched at her desk, having completed two hours of diligent studying.
The graceful curve of her silhouette would have been a lovely sight—unfortunately lost on Masao, who wasn't present to appreciate it.
Think of the devil, and...
Remembering that Masao might be home by now, Chika picked up her phone and opened Line.
[Chika]: Are you home yet, Masao-kouhai
His reply came moments later.
[Masao]: Got back safely. Thanks for checking, Fujiwara-senpai.
Leaning back comfortably, she continued typing.
[Chika]: Hey, can I ask you something?
[Masao]: Go ahead, though I reserve the right to remain silent.
[Chika]: So unchivalrous! Shouldn't you be saying "I'll answer anything for you" right now?
[Masao]: What if you ask for my measurements or something equally compromising?
[Chika]: Who would ask about THAT?!
In her room, Chika's cheeks warmed as she stared at the screen.
'Why would anyone be interested in those details?'
[Chika]: You get so bold behind a screen! Anyway... why do you admire that person?
Her grip tightened on the phone as she awaited his response.
She knew about Yamagami Tetsuya's background—how public sentiment toward him wasn't entirely negative, partly due to the current administration's failures.
She wondered if Masao's admiration stemmed from broader societal discontent—valuable intelligence for her future political aspirations.
[Masao]: You mean "That Guy"? No particular reason, I just...
The message trailed off.
[Chika]: Just what? Don't leave me hanging!
Masao waited just long enough to build anticipation before responding.
[Masao]: Just wanted to give you a shot
Chika: (゜ロ゜)?
After a baffled moment, understanding dawned, and her fingers flew across the screen.
[Chika]: Hmph! Teasing me again! I'm ignoring you!
She tossed the phone onto her bed and crossed her arms. When a notification chimed moments later, she eyed the device warily.
"Well, I said I'd ignore him, not that I wouldn't check my messages," she rationalized, retrieving the phone.
Another message from Masao glowed on the screen.
[Masao]: Get some rest then, Fujiwara-senpai. Don't forget to study—feel free to ask if you need help.
Despite herself, Chika smiled.
"Asking you for help? How presumptuous. I'm the senpai here!"
After a moment's hesitation, she typed a brief reply.
[Chika]: Good night.
"A Fujiwara must always be polite," she told the empty room. When no further messages appeared, she finally went to prepare for bed.
Unbeknownst to Chika, Masao's joke about wanting to give a shot contained more truth than either of them realized—a casual remark that would, in years later find unexpected fulfillment when he'd ask, "Which 'gun' would you prefer—the one in my hand, or mine?" earning him the epithet [Gun Hero].
—
Meanwhile, Masao had been juggling multiple conversations.
[Eriri]: MASAAO! If you dared to stay over tonight, I'd END YOU!
[Masao]: Now, now, what's got you so worked up?
[Eriri]: Those doujinshi you sent! The Sunflower one was bad enough, but HYDRANGEA?! What were you THINKING?
[Masao]: What's wrong with it? I thought the artwork was quite good.
[Eriri]: The PLOT! Pure and lovely Yoko, childhood friends with Itagawa... and you introduce some blond interloper! I SWEAR I'LL ERADICATE ALL NTR FROM THIS WORLD!
Masao could practically feel Eriri's rage radiating through the screen. He'd forgotten how fiercely she championed the Childhood Friend Faction.
Corrupting perfect childhood friends was apparently his gravest sin.
Thankfully, the heroine sported black hair—had she been a golden twin-tailed type, Eriri might have stormed from Tokyo to Chiba already.
Seeking damage control, he reached out to her mother.
[Masao]: Sayuri-san, Eriri seems quite upset.
[Sayuri]: Indeed! She's been demanding we pulp the Hydrangea print run—calling it "the ultimate betrayal of childhood friends everywhere." Not to worry—I've never been sentimental about such tropes. The publication will proceed as scheduled.
[Masao]: Thank you for your support Sayuri-san.
[Sayuri]: Of course! And once your exams are over, you must visit. I'll make sure you receive proper hospitality~
[Masao]: But Eriri might—
[Sayuri]: Oh, she'll have moved on to a new thing to be angry by then!
Masao remained skeptical—Eriri's grudges were legendary. Perhaps if the system granted him a pure wholesome doujinshi by then, he could offer it as a peace offering.
[Masao]: I'll visit when I have time.
Switching conversations, he found another waiting message.
[Yukinoshita]: Have you returned from Tokyo, Masao-kun?
Yukinoshita Yukino—ever concise.
[Masao]: I Just arrived. I'm touched by your concern Yukinoshita-san.
[Yukinoshita]: Concern? Don't misinterpret common courtesy. I'm just ensuring you're rested for tomorrow's full-day study session. If you doze off, don't expect leniency.
[Masao]: A whole day with you? I'm already looking forward to it. Good night, Yukinoshita-san.
[Yukinoshita]: Good night.
Setting his phone aside, Masao stretched.
"I'm quite the popular fellow," he murmured to the empty room. With a weary sigh, he turned off the lights and surrendered to sleep.
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