Chapter 043 The Ninth Girlfriend? / Only Hiyori Can Save the Day
Shimizu Akira checked the time; it was nearly 3:00 PM.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had sent word over the transceiver earlier that he was safe and sound. However, the rain continued to fall, and looking at the intensity, it wasn't going to stop anytime soon.
His tablet suddenly vibrated. He picked it up to see a mass notification from the school.
Due to heavy rainfall, all activities are temporarily suspended. Weather forecasts indicate the rain will continue until tomorrow. It is recommended that all students remain in their tents today.
"Senpai!" Following their earlier heart-to-heart, Nanase Tsubasa's reliance on Shimizu had become increasingly obvious. She looked at him reflexively. "What should we do now? Are we staying here?"
She was thinking that if it got cold at night—even though they didn't have blankets or heating tools—if she and Senpai huddled together for warmth... it didn't seem out of the question.
Shimizu thought for a few seconds. "We have to leave here. If you stay the night like this, you'll definitely catch a cold."
"Then..." Although Nanase was somewhat reluctant, she nodded obediently. "Where to?"
Shimizu looked at the map. "It's about an hour's walk to my tent. There are a lot of slopes on the way back, and the path is harder than before. Do you live close by?"
"It would take me about forty or fifty minutes," Nanase shook her head.
"How about this." Shimizu scrolled through his tablet and found Ichinose Honami's relief station nearby. "Let's spend twenty minutes walking to the relief station over there to check the situation. They should have beds for us to manage for one night. If not, we'll borrow umbrellas, raincoats, boots, and other gear before heading back to our respective tents. How's that?"
Nanase found no issue with that and nodded. "I'll follow your lead, Senpai."
She glanced again at Shimizu's bare upper body. "But... Senpai has no clothes to wear. What will you do?"
Shimizu thought about it. "How about you let me wear your clothes? I don't mind if they're wet."
"...Okay." Nanase was a bit shy, but she didn't hesitate, handing over her tracksuit.
He pulled her tracksuit on. It was a bit small; the sleeves were short, and the pant legs were high, making him look rather comical.
Nanase couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Senpai looks so strange in my clothes..."
"What are you laughing at?" Shimizu pulled at the collar helplessly. "Better than being naked."
Nanase laughed harder, but as she watched him, her smile gradually took on a different meaning. Senpai's body was covered in her scent. And her body was covered in Senpai's scent. It was as if... they had swapped.
"Let's go." Shimizu didn't notice the change in her expression and picked up his bag. Nanase followed obediently.
The rain was still falling, and both of them used their backpacks to shield themselves as they walked side-by-side. Nanase kept her head down, staring at the path.
"Senpai."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think... there will be many people at Ichinose-senpai's relief station?"
Shimizu considered it. "The rain started at 9:00 AM; most people should have returned to their own tents. There shouldn't be that many."
"Then... if people see us like this, will they misunderstand?"
Shimizu turned to look at her. Nanase's head was down, and the tips of her ears were bright red.
"Misunderstand what?"
"Like... misunderstand us..."
"Us what?"
Nanase bit her lip. "Misunderstand that we did something strange..."
Shimizu couldn't help but chuckle. "You called me 'pervy' earlier, but you're not half-bad yourself!"
Nanase's face flushed, and she turned her head away.
'Senpai is a bully!'
Normally, if a man and a woman were wearing each other's clothes on a rainy day, wouldn't anyone think something unspeakable happened? Her logic was perfectly normal.
However, Shimizu naturally patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry. This relief station only aids girls. The people in charge are Ichinose Honami and Shiranami Chihiro—both are very kind. Honami is my girlfriend; she'll explain things for us."
Nanase finally sighed in relief, though she felt inexplicably dejected.
They walked for a while longer, and the rain gradually subsided. Ten minutes later.
"We're here." Shimizu stopped suddenly.
Nanase looked up to see a folding shelter with a warm yellow light glowing beside it. In the misty rain, that light looked exceptionally cozy.
"Relief Station · Third Outpost," Shimizu read the sign and looked at her. "Let's go in."
"Okay."
Shimizu tapped lightly on the shelter wall. The flap was quickly pulled back, revealing a cute face.
"Shimizu-kun?" Shiranami Chihiro looked surprised, then saw Nanase beside him. "This is..."
"First-year Nanase Tsubasa," Shimizu introduced briefly. "The rain is too heavy; we came to stay for the night."
"The rain is terrible, come in quickly!" Shiranami Chihiro stepped aside and peeked outside. "Is it just the two of you? No one else?"
"Just us."
They stepped inside. Two folding beds were set against the wall with a small table in the middle holding a kettle and some cups.
"Dry off first." Shiranami Chihiro handed them two dry towels. Her gaze lingered on them, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Nanase noticed her gaze and felt a bit uncomfortable, pulling at the oversized clothes she was wearing.
Chihiro quickly looked away, her eyes dimming slightly, but she said softly, "Shimizu-kun, Nanase-kouhai, drink some hot water to warm up. Where did you come from?"
"The B3 beach area." Shimizu took the cup and thanked her.
"I see," Chihiro replied. She looked at Nanase and asked hesitantly, "Um... are you two dating? Why are you wearing each other's clothes?"
"Senpai misunderstand," Nanase said somewhat stiffly, still annoyed by Shimizu's earlier teasing. "Senpai and I are not in that kind of relationship. After all, Senpai is someone with several girlfriends already."
Shimizu shook his head. This kouhai of his was so serious; she was usually obedient and relied on him, but if he teased her, she'd hold a grudge and strike back at the first opportunity. She was a bit like Suzune in that regard. Maybe the two of them would get along.
"Well, actually, Nanase's clothes got wet," he explained. "I let her wear mine, and I wore hers."
Shiranami Chihiro finally offered a relieved smile. "Is that so... Shimizu-kun is the same as always, very considerate."
Chihiro handed them the hot water. "I'll go find two sets of tracksuits for you." She stood up. "Rest here for a moment." She turned toward the inner partition.
Holding her cup, Nanase watched Chihiro's back, feeling something subtle she couldn't quite put into words.
A few minutes later, Chihiro returned with two folded tracksuits. She handed one to Shimizu first, then the other to Nanase.
"Thank you, Shiranami-senpai," Nanase whispered.
"You're welcome," Chihiro replied softly.
Shimizu stood up with the clothes and pointed to a curtained corner. "I'll go change over there first."
Rustling sounds came from behind the curtain. Shiranami Chihiro couldn't help but peek a few times, her cute face turning visibly red. Nanase, though a bit airheaded, immediately sharpened her gaze at this sight.
As if realizing something, Chihiro said stumblingly, "U-um... Nanase-kouhai, you should change too. It's easy to catch a cold in wet clothes."
"Okay." Nanase stood up with the clothes and hesitated. "Senpai... is there another place to change?"
"Over there." Chihiro covered her blushing cheek with one hand and pointed to another corner with the other. "I'll shield you."
Nanase walked over, and Chihiro indeed stood outside the curtain with her back turned. Nanase quickly took off Shimizu's clothes and changed into the dry tracksuit. It was a bit big, but much better than the previous one.
"I'm done," she said softly.
Chihiro turned and looked her up and down, offering a cute smile. "Mhm... it suits you, very cute."
Just then, Shimizu stepped out from behind the curtain. He had changed into the tracksuit Chihiro found; the sleeves were a bit short, but it fit well enough. Chihiro stared at him for a few moments, blushing, before naturally collecting their dirty clothes and tossing them into a laundry basin in the corner. Soon, she brought out a tray with some biscuits.
"Honami-chan had to step out for a bit; she'll be back soon." She placed the tray on the table and arranged two chairs. "Have some snacks first."
Then she picked up the laundry basin and began adding hot water.
Shimizu was startled. "Shiranami, you don't have to do all this, do you?" Preparing clothes, doing laundry, preparing food... it was a bit embarrassing.
Crouching down, Chihiro brushed back her bangs and said bashfully, "Shimizu-kun helped me a lot last time. I... can only do these trivial things."
She soaked the clothes, then picked up a rag, knelt down, and carefully wiped away the footprints they had left. Three minutes later, the tent was as clean and tidy as it had been before they entered.
Shimizu facepalmed.
'This is too domestic! Her housework skills are insane!'
Not to mention the pastries he'd eaten last time were cute too; her "feminine power" was definitely MAX.
Nanase sat to the side, watching Chihiro's busy figure with complex emotions. This senpai was so capable! Laundry, floor-wiping, serving tea—she did everything perfectly without appearing forced. Her expression was calm and satisfied, as if being able to do something for Shimizu was a form of happiness in itself.
Nanase suddenly felt inferior. When she was with Senpai, he was always the one taking care of her—giving her clothes, applying sunscreen, shielding her from rain, and even watching the road for her.
"Alright, alright. If you're this busy as the host, we'll feel like we're sitting on pins and needles." Shimizu made a joke. "I actually quite miss your attitude toward me during the VIP special exam last year."
Shiranami Chihiro's eyes immediately misted over. "Shimizu-kun... back then, I was in the wrong. Have you still not forgiven me... sniff!"
"Uh... I've forgiven you, long ago." Shimizu was at a loss; it was just a joke! This was the legendary "soft girl," wasn't it? He quickly bowed his head in apology. "In fact, I never took it to heart. I'm sorry, I took the joke too far."
"I-it's okay." Realizing Nanase was still there, Chihiro sniffled and covered her red face. "I'm sorry for showing you such an embarrassing side. I'm a bit of a crybaby... even as a second-year, I'm not a mature senpai."
Nanase thought to herself, How is that embarrassing? This girl—who cried and admitted she was wrong just from being teased, combined with her domestic skills—maxed out the "cute" and "moe" charts. Didn't you see the bully Senpai apologize immediately?
Just then, the transceiver on Chihiro's waist rang.
"Chihiro!"
"Honami-chan?"
"I'm bringing back two female students who are in trouble! They're soaked and not in great physical shape. Could you please prepare beds, warm food, and cold medicine?"
"Mhm, I understand."
"Great! See you soon!"
Chihiro put down the transceiver. When she stood up, she instinctively looked toward the beds. Shimizu looked too; besides the two prepared folding beds, there were only two unopened ones in the corner. He thought for a moment and stood up.
"Shiranami, do you have umbrellas and raincoats here? Nanase and I will head out."
"Eh... Shimizu-kun doesn't plan on staying?"
"Mhm, not enough beds."
"But... it's rare for you to see Honami-chan..."
"There's no rush to meet today." Shimizu shook his head. "I know Honami's personality. If she sees us here, she might feel even more conflicted. Since those are two students truly in trouble and we're physically fine, it's better if we leave."
Nanase also stood up and said seriously, "Mhm, Senpai and I are leaving now. We won't make things difficult for Shiranami-senpai and Ichinose-senpai."
Chihiro hesitated. "But... I've already soaked your clothes."
Shimizu waved it off. "It's fine, I'll come pick them up another day."
Chihiro took two sets of rain gear from a box. She was well-prepared—umbrellas, rain hats, and boots. "Then please put these on."
The two spent a few minutes changing. Shimizu didn't forget to thank her: "Thank you, Shiranami. I'm truly in your debt this time. I'll remember this and pay you back later."
Chihiro nodded shyly. "It's nothing, just a small thing. Oh, I'll wash your shoes and clothes thoroughly; just come get them in a couple of days."
Shimizu could already imagine the clothes and shoes smelling wonderful when he picked them up.
The two walked out of the relief station together. Worried about Nanase's safety, Shimizu didn't separate from her immediately, but escorted her all the way to her tent. By then, it was around 5:00 PM.
"Thank you, Shimizu-senpai." Nanase seemed to have let go of her anger, bowing respectfully to him. "Thank you for everything today."
"No problem. As long as you aren't so hostile toward Ayanokouji from now on."
"I... might not be able to guarantee that.
By the way, Senpai..." she suddenly hesitated.
"What is it?"
"You... what... do you think... of my body?"
After saying it, she realized she'd had a slip of the tongue and quickly corrected herself. "Ah, um... not body... ah, please forget what I just—"
"I know what you want to say." Shimizu patted her head. "I like you quite a bit. Didn't I say before I cared about you? It's just that too much happened today; you probably need to organize your thoughts, right? We can talk about the rest later."
Nanase sighed in relief. She indeed needed to process everything; way too much had happened today. But hearing those words, she could finally relax.
"Senpai, aren't you worried I'll run away?"
"I'm not. You can't run away anyway."
"Neither can you, Senpai."
Nanase stepped forward and hugged him tightly for several seconds before turning to leave reluctantly. "Then Senpai... goodbye!"
Shimizu watched her back and murmured to himself. "Nanase hasn't become my ninth girlfriend yet, but she's not far off. Doesn't this mean I found two girlfriends in one special exam, making up for all the spots I lost before?"
He shuddered. "Uh... I absolutely cannot let this slip. If Suzune finds out, she'll give me the cold shoulder for a long time."
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Island Day 8
Shimizu Akira woke up and left at 6:00 AM. The rain had indeed stopped, just as the notification said. The sky was a clear, transparent blue.
At 7:00 AM, the three of them sat together for breakfast. Horikita Suzune had made rice porridge, served with school-bought pickled vegetables—simple and warming.
"Suzune, the porridge is delicious." Karuizawa Kei held her bowl. "Thanks for everything lately."
"No need for special thanks," Suzune said plainly. "It's my responsibility to cook. However, did you wash the dirty clothes from the last few days?"
"Not yet! It was raining yesterday! I'll do it today."
"Do you even know how to wash clothes?"
"Usually I just throw them in the machine..." Kei said guiltily. "Suzune, could you teach me?"
"I have to check in for tasks too."
"The road won't be easy to walk after such heavy rain! I'll give you all the snacks Chiaki gave me if you teach me."
"...Only this once."
After living together for a week, although Kei and Suzune had opposite personalities—one extroverted, one introverted—their compatibility was surprisingly good. Their relationship had visibly improved. They were already calling each other "Kei" and "Suzune."
Kei asked Suzune to teach her laundry; Suzune made excuses but eventually agreed.
"What are you smiling at?" Horikita Suzune rolled her eyes at her boyfriend.
"Nothing." Shimizu retracted his smile. "I'll help too."
"You're washing clothes too?"
"Well, it's embarrassing to keep bothering you two."
"Great, let's do it together!" Kei nodded happily.
Suzune glanced at him and didn't refuse. Traditionally in Japan, housework was mostly handled by women, and men rarely intervened. But her boyfriend never seemed to care about that. Last time when she was uncomfortable during her period, he had even made tonic for her. She didn't hate his lack of "macho" energy.
Just as the three were about to enjoy this rare harmonious atmosphere, the sound of bushes rustling came from outside the tent. Someone was here.
Suzune looked up to see Kushida Kikyo standing outside, waving at them.
"Horikita, Kei, Aki-kun, long time no see!"
"Yes, long time no see," Suzune replied coldly.
Shimizu didn't think much of it and stepped forward to hug Kikyo. After all, it had been a full week.
"Kikyo, morning."
"Morning, Aki-kun."
Kikyo smiled and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him for quite a while in front of the other two before letting go reluctantly. "I was worried about things on your end. How is it? Any progress? Have you won these two over yet?"
"Well...!" Shimizu hesitated.
Kikyo glanced at the inexplicably shy Kei, then at the calm Suzune, and understood instantly.
"Horikita is indeed a bit conservative," she smiled. "Aki-kun can take his time. Some girls can only accept intimacy after marriage."
"What nonsense are you talking about! When did I ever say that!" Suzune glared at her. She admitted she was conservative, but not to the point of waiting for marriage.
"Oh, is that so?" Kikyo tilted her head. "Then I apologize." Though her words sounded sincere, Suzune couldn't hear a shred of heart in them.
"Cough..." Kei coughed twice to break the subtle tension. "Um, Kikyo-chan, want to sit and eat something? Also, tell us why you're here."
"No thanks." Kikyo smiled; she wouldn't eat food made by her. "I'm here to talk about Yagami Takuya."
Hearing it was serious business, Suzune stopped arguing. "What do you mean?"
Kikyo smiled and briefly recounted what happened yesterday.
"Yagami Takuya approached you proactively?" Suzune frowned.
"Mhm. When he came, he was wearing his watch."
"Wearing his watch?" Kei immediately picked up her tablet to check the GPS.
Kikyo shook her head. "Kei, don't bother. His location is gone; he probably damaged it on purpose."
"It was there yesterday, but gone a day later?"
"Yesterday I said I'd have Aki-kun teach him a lesson, and his watch lost signal," Kikyo said with amusement. "He must be scared."
Shimizu's lip twitched.
'Is this Yagami Takuya guy really that cowardly?'
But from the sound of it, this guy is indeed the one behind the plot against Ayanokouji.
"However, since you talked back to him like that and he still wants to retaliate, it seems he plans to move against you." Shimizu's expression turned serious. "How about you move your tent over here?"
"No need." Kikyo shook her head. "Our two groups have completely different routes. Besides, I asked Chabashira-sensei; she said she'll increase patrols at night and protect the class students."
Speaking of which, Kikyo was a bit surprised; the usually unmotivated Chabashira-sensei was not only proactive with her but also very attentive to Haruka and Airi.
Shimizu's expression didn't relax. Teachers protecting them is good, but with Yagami Takuya, who knows?
From now on, he'd spend two to three hours a day searching the island with Ayanokouji for Yagami. This guy really deserved a beating for threatening Kikyo.
"By the way, I recorded our conversation." Kikyo didn't want to play the parts with the swearing for Suzune and Kei, so she waved him over to a private spot and handed over a voice recorder.
After listening, Shimizu looked thoughtful. "Handing this to the school would be enough to disqualify Yagami—threatening you and smashing tablets. However..." He looked at Kikyo. "You revealed a bit of your 'bad side' in there too. Handing it over means giving your dark past to the teachers. If Tsukishiro gets the recording, and for the sake of 'fairness,' he decides to go public..."
"That..." Kikyo froze. she hadn't thought that far ahead. Looking back, it really was no different from self-destructing alongside him. Yagami telling others is just verbal rumors without evidence. But handing over a recording? With the relationship between Tsukishiro and the White Room, isn't that just handing them evidence on a silver platter?
"Keep the recorder for now. Don't let anyone hear it, Kikyo."
"Mhm. But he's already leaked my past to several people... what do you think I should do?"
Shimizu thought about it. "Two ways. One: take down Yagami Takuya himself and ruin his reputation at school. With your popularity, no one will believe a word he says—just like Ryuen last year."
"And the second?"
"Follow Honami's example: go public with your past and confess everything yourself."
Kikyo didn't hesitate for a second. "I choose the first one."
"Not even a moment of hesitation?"
"Me, follow that woman's lead? Forget it." Kikyo pouted. "Besides, she made a mistake for her sister's sake; I did it purely to get back at those people. The nature is too different."
She saw herself clearly; she was a bad woman who couldn't be "redeemed." If she showed her dark nature, she'd be hated 99% of the time.
"Then it's simple." Shimizu nodded. "As long as we find evidence of Yagami Takuya hurting Ike Kanji, he becomes a criminal who intentionally harmed others. First, it gets him expelled; second, once his reputation is trash, the rumors he spreads will naturally be dismissed."
"So, we'll have to ask one person for help."
"Who?"
"Shiina Hiyori. She was the first to sense your true nature last year. Since we're looking for a culprit, there's no one better than Miss Detective."
"What about you?"
"Because I have to go with Ayanokouji to catch Yagami, I won't have time to investigate."
"I see... Shiina-san is indeed very smart." Kikyo looked thoughtful. "That woman did help me out back then. This would be the second time. In that case, it wouldn't be out of the question to let her be your eighth girlfriend."
"Ah? Actually, I already found one..."
"Then she'll be the ninth."
"Actually... there's one more..."
Kikyo glared at him. "I didn't say you couldn't find more girlfriends; I'm not some yandere. But finding two in one week? You have Horikita and Kei with you, at this rate...!"
"Uh..." Shimizu quickly cut her off. "It just happened that they both came at the same time."
When it came to feelings, he didn't have much of a choice.
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