Chapter 329: The Fierce Senpai

"I... I really can't stand it anymore..."

Chika grabbed Amamiya's shoulders with both hands, her breathing shallow as her flushed face leaned in closer.

The warm strawberry scent of her breath grew stronger as she spoke, the remnants of the juice she had been drinking lingering in the air.

"Wait, what are you trying to do?"

Amamiya was completely bewildered.

The two people they had just witnessed on the rooftop were entangled in something messy, but that didn't mean he and Chika needed to get caught up in the chaos themselves!

Trying to make sense of her sudden behavior, he ventured a guess:

"Do you want to confront them and convince them to change their ways?"

"No," Chika said firmly.

"Then… do you want to expose their actions in the school newspaper?"

"Absolutely not! Publicizing someone's private life is cyberbullying, and it's a crime!"

If it wasn't that, or the other thing, then what exactly had pushed her to this point?

Chika took a deep breath, her cheeks puffing slightly in frustration before she finally blurted out her true thoughts.

"Amamiya, what was in that envelope Moeha gave you yesterday afternoon?"

For a few seconds, Amamiya stared at her in silence.

"...This is what you can't stand anymore?"

"Of course!" Chika clenched her fists and muttered, "Privacy is sacred and inviolable—Moeha's secret is no exception."

Amamiya looked at her, exasperated.

"Then why are you trying to ask about it?"

"That's exactly why I can't stand it anymore!" Chika replied indignantly, her eyes brimming with resentment. She bit her lower lip, visibly grappling with the conflict between her curiosity and her principles.

The events of yesterday had clearly left her uneasy. Moeha had casually mentioned that more than half of her junior high classmates had been in relationships. At the time, Chika hadn't thought much of it. But now, after witnessing Yamazaki and Kyoko's rooftop escapade, she couldn't help but worry.

It was chaos—pure, unfiltered chaos!

How did relationships between boys and girls become so messy in this era?

Her mind began conjuring irrational scenarios, fueled by her growing paranoia.

Tomorrow, during lunch break;

"Amamiya, didn't you say we were going to eat on the rooftop today? Where are you going?"

"Oh, I'm not heading to the rooftop. A friend invited me to eat lunch somewhere else," Amamiya replied nonchalantly.

"Is that so..." Chika said, hiding her disappointment as she turned away.

On her way back, she bumped into her younger sister, Moeha.

"Hey, Moeha? What are you doing here?"

"Sis, I came to the high school to hang out with some friends. I can't chat now—I'm going to eat lunch with them!"

Something about her sister's tone didn't sit right. Suspicious, Chika decided to follow Moeha discreetly.

She trailed her to the flower garden behind the school, only to stop in shock.

There, under the shade of a tree, Moeha was sitting next to Amamiya. The two of them quietly finished their bento lunches together. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, they hugged each other—and kissed!

No!

Absolutely not!

The mental image alone made Chika feel faint. Doing something like that behind her back was just too much!

But as ridiculous as it seemed, her mind refused to let go of the possibility.

Sure, the envelope Moeha gave Amamiya yesterday could have contained something harmless—a gift, perhaps. The chance of it being a love letter was low, considering the two had only recently met.

But what if?

What if it really was a love letter?

It wasn't unheard of for people to develop feelings quickly, especially at this age. The speed of relationships could sometimes rival that of light. And if everyone else was falling in love, wouldn't it be natural for Moeha to feel lonely if she wasn't?

Chika shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

No matter what, she had to ask Amamiya. If she didn't get clarity now, her overactive imagination might drive her mad.

So that's what is happening right now.

"It's a game card."

"What?"

"Inside yesterday's envelope were two Yu-Gi-Oh! cards," Amamiya explained. "Apparently, Moeha heard from her friends that boys like game cards… though personally, I prefer piloting Gundam."

"That's a relief." Chika let out a long sigh. "So it wasn't a love letter after all."

Amamiya gave her a flat look. "Your sister isn't the type to get caught up in love-struck nonsense. How could she possibly give me a love letter? We've only known each other for a few days."

"Just because you're not in love doesn't mean you can't give it at the speed of light," Chika muttered under her breath, her voice laced with subtle resentment. "Moeha was singing your praises quite a bit yesterday afternoon."

"Oh? What kind of praises?" Amamiya asked, curious.

"I'm not telling you," Chika huffed, turning her face away to avoid his gaze. "Now hurry up and get downstairs."

"Hold on."

Before she could leave, Amamiya reached out and wrapped an arm around Chika's slender waist, pulling her back.

"No… I can't take it anymore," he said, his tone deliberately dramatic.

Chika froze.

"..."

She glared at him, her cheeks rapidly turning pink. "What… are you trying to do?"

The sudden proximity made her hyper-aware of how close they were. If Amamiya leaned forward even a little, their faces would touch.

"I want to play pocky again," Amamiya replied matter-of-factly.

"No!"

Chika's voice rose in indignation as she puffed her cheeks and shot him an annoyed glare.

"That day was just an accident! How could you possibly expect me to agree again?"

"Then let me put it another way…" Amamiya paused for a couple of seconds, his expression shifting into a playful grin. "Fujiwara-san, you wouldn't want your little sister to get hurt, would you?"

"Ugh—!"

Chika's face puffed up in an instant, like an irritated puffer fish. Without hesitation, she headbutted Amamiya.

Bang!

Amamiya clutched his forehead in mock agony, his voice full of surrender. "I'm sorry, I was wrong! Please forgive me!"

"Hmph!"

"..."

By the time afternoon classes ended, the school bell signaled the end of the day.

As Amamiya packed his schoolbag and left the classroom, Tsubame in gym clothes came jogging toward him.

"I—I'm here," she said between breaths.

Tsubame's light panting accompanied her slightly disheveled hair. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, evidence of her recent physical exertion.

"Huff... Huff... I just finished PE class. I was worried you'd leave, so I ran over as soon as the teacher dismissed us…"

"Hey, isn't that Tsubame-senpai?"

The remaining students in the classroom perked up as they noticed her.

"It's really her!"

"Senpai's gym uniform is the cutest thing ever!"

"Wait… is she looking for Natsuki?"

"No way, right? They don't even know each other, do they?"

"Could it be… they're dating?"

"..."

Kaguya, who was still packing her bag, froze when she overheard the last comment.

Dating?

How ridiculous!

The two of them had only just met yesterday and barely exchanged a few words. There was no way they could be in a relationship!

That upperclassman with… well, a certain presence… clearly had some other reason for seeking him out. Probably some kind of deal or mutual exchange.

Hearing the murmurs behind him, Amamiya decided to lower his voice.

"Senpai, let's find someplace quieter to talk."

While building popularity was important with the upcoming election, he had no intention of becoming the subject of baseless gossip.

If rumors started circulating about him and Tsubame, he'd undoubtedly become the public enemy of every male student at school.

"Alright," Tsubame agreed with a cheerful nod.

With a casual gesture, she raised her hand to brush aside the bangs covering her forehead, revealing her smooth, radiant skin. Then, she flashed a smile so dazzling it seemed to light up the hallway.

Amamiya paused for a moment, slightly taken aback.

There was no denying it—her smile was stunning. It perfectly combined the cheerfulness of a high school girl with the confidence of someone older, creating a blend of warmth and charm that made hearts race.

"Ohhh~"

A soft chorus of admiration rose from the classroom behind Amamiya.

It seemed as though a strange switch had been flipped, as the whispers and gasps became a synchronized wave.

Kaguya, watching from the side, furrowed her brows, puzzled.

What on earth were they all going on about?

Her sharp eyes scanned the room, silently berating her classmates.

You've all been brainwashed by some strange force!