Chapter 331: I Accepted Senpai’s First Time

As Amamiya stepped out of the gymnastics club, he spotted someone leaning idly against the railing not far away.

The girl had striking golden hair tied into a casual side ponytail, shimmering under the sunlight. She was absentmindedly biting a lollipop, her school uniform jacket tied loosely around her waist. The top button of her shirt was undone, revealing a delicate collarbone that caught the light.

Who else could it be but Hayasaka?

The realization hit Amamiya like a bolt of clarity.

Yesterday, they had crossed paths twice—once at the pavilion while feeding a stray cat, and later behind the old school building. At first, he thought it was coincidence. But now, it was clear: she had been tailing him.

——

A moment later.

Tea Room.

Inside the tea room, Amamiya found himself greeted by an animated voice.

"Amamiya! Come have some tea!"

Chika waved enthusiastically, the black bow in her hair bouncing with her movements. Her voice was bright and cheerful. "Kaguya-chan made this black tea, and it's amazing!"

Amamiya resisted the urge to sigh.

I already had some yesterday. No need for the sales pitch.

Still, he silently agreed—Kaguya's tea was indeed excellent.

He made his way to the sofa and sat down as Kaguya gracefully poured tea, her movements precise and elegant. She glanced at him, speaking in a calm tone:

"Tsubame-senpai stopped by our classroom earlier. Did she need assistance with something?"

Amamiya met her gaze briefly. "To be precise, I needed help from Tsubame-senpai."

"Oh? What kind of help?"

Chika perked up with curiosity, leaning closer.

Reaching into his pocket, Amamiya took out a coin and handed it to Chika. "I submitted my application to run for Student Council President this morning. Tsubame-senpai happened to be there and offered to help with my support speech."

After a pause, he added, "She came by the classroom earlier to confirm my thoughts, and I agreed."

"Nani!? That's outrageous!"

Chika puffed up her cheeks in protest, her small fists clenched in front of her. "You got to Tsubame-senpai first for the support speech? Too unfair!"

"First come, first served," Amamiya replied, his tone indifferent.

"Tsubame-senpai is super popular—she's beautiful, has a great figure, and is so cheerful and helpful. Everyone loves her!" Chika muttered indignantly. "With her giving your support speech, the scales of victory will definitely tip in your favor!"

Internally, Kaguya remained composed, but the little Kaguya in her heart was practically fuming.

They only met yesterday, and now she's offering to give him a support speech? What a shameless woman!

By now, Kaguya was lost in thought, pondering who she could ask to deliver her own support speech.

Meanwhile, Amamiya took out his notebook and began doing his homework. "Enough chatter. Flip the coin already."

Evening

By the time evening rolled around, the trio left the tea room and went their separate ways.

Before he knew it, nine o'clock had arrived.

The doorbell rang, right on time.

Amamiya opened the door to find Hayasaka standing there, her hands behind her back. She wore a playful smile, her voice sweet enough to make flowers bloom.

"Good evening, senpai~" she greeted with a soft lilt. "Did you miss Hanamori today?"

Amamiya turned and walked back into his apartment. "I did."

"How many times?"

"From morning to night."

Hayasaka paused, visibly startled.

What's with this guy? Since when did he know how to charm girls?

Regaining her composure, she followed him inside and slipped off her shoes with practiced ease, switching to indoor slippers.

"While I appreciate the effort, your delivery lacked sincerity," she remarked, arms crossed in mock seriousness. "I can only give you a passing grade this time. Do better next time."

Amamiya settled onto the sofa, glancing at her. "Even a passing grade deserves a reward, right?"

"Sorry, senpai. Only exceptional performance earns rewards from me," Hayasaka replied, her tone playful yet firm. "But since you're so insistent, I could consider lowering the standard. As long as you perform well, you'll get Hanamori's reward."

Leaning in slightly, she added with a sly smile:

"So, what kind of reward are you hoping for, senpai?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Although it's a bit embarrassing, if you ask, I could remove my stockings or panties for you as a reward."

Amamiya calmly sipped his tea. "Your suggestion is too perverted. I'll have to decline."

Unfazed, he set his cup down and continued, "In any case, I plan to run for Student Council President next week. I heard you're part of the student council. Is that true?"

Hayasaka blinked, tilting her head slightly. "What do you need from me, senpai?"

Her tone was casual, but as a spy, she instinctively understood the importance of maintaining her cover. A blank, featureless persona would only raise suspicion.

Hanamori's backstory was typical of an inspiring country girl. She hailed from Hokkaido, where, as a child, she learned basic marksmanship from her neighbor's grandfather. Currently, she is attending an all-girls' school in Tokyo, living alone in an old, shabby apartment owned by her relatives. She was also a member of the school's student union—a textbook example of a small-town girl striving for success in the big city.

Amamiya set his teacup down and looked at her.

"I need a speech and flyer designs for my campaign to run for Student Council President. Can you help me with that?"

Hayasaka froze for a moment, silent.

You've got to be kidding! she thought, gritting her teeth internally.

The eldest lady already tasked me with preparations for her campaign, and now you're throwing this on me too? Do your own work! Stop dumping everything on others!

But outwardly, her response was sweet and composed.

"No problem at all!" she replied cheerfully, clasping her hands into small fists and holding them close to her chest. Her voice was syrupy with sincerity. "This is the first time my dear Senpai has asked me for help. Even if I have to stay up all night and risk my life, I will absolutely get it done!"

She paused dramatically, then added with a playful smile, closing one eye and pointing a finger:

"But, shouldn't my Senpai help Hanamori out too?"

Amamiya raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do?"

"There's so much I'd like to do," she began, ticking off her fingers one by one. "Go on dates with you, travel together, watch movies, eat delicious food…" She paused, then leaned in slightly, her lips curling mischievously. "Oh, and I'd love for my Senpai to become my pet—always listening to me and doing as I say."

That last one is your true goal, isn't it? You're downright ruthless!

"Keep dreaming," Amamiya said dryly, handing her a coin. "Flip it."

Hayasaka knew the hidden rule of the coin—it could be "charged" to bring good luck with repeated tosses. Desperate to gather luck for her own benefit, she naturally didn't refuse.

Time passed quickly.

Half an hour later, after the so-called "bad luck period" had passed, Amamiya gave her another charm to ward off evil spirits. Satisfied, Hayasaka prepared to leave.

"Senpai~ See you tomorrow!" she chirped at the entrance, slipping on her shoes and waving. "I'll handle the speech and flyers. They'll be ready the day after tomorrow at the latest."

"See you tomorrow," Amamiya replied with a nod. "By the way, if you're willing to split the rent, it's only 998 yen."

"I'm sorry, but I must decline," she answered smoothly. "It's far too early to live together with my Senpai."

"…"

After seeing her off, Amamiya returned to the living room. He settled down with a book, but before long, a faint rustling sound drew his attention.

He got up and looked outside. It was raining—at some point, without his noticing, the weather had changed.

"It's raining," he muttered to himself.

After a moment's thought, he grabbed an umbrella and stepped outside.

Hayasaka hadn't been gone long; she couldn't have made it to the station yet.

Walking toward the tram station, he soon spotted her—a blonde girl in a sailor suit, hugging her schoolbag under a narrow overhang, seeking shelter from the rain.

"Senpai!"

Her face lit up at the sight of him. She waved, a bright smile spreading across her lips.

Amamiya approached, holding the umbrella over her.

"Hehe~"

With a hop like a playful deer, Hayasaka darted out from under the overhang and tucked herself under the umbrella.

"It's been half an hour, and it's still raining. How annoying!" she grumbled, her fists clenched in mock frustration. Then she looked up at him with sparkling eyes. "I was just about to text you to come rescue me… You must have come all this way just for me, right?"

"That's right," he admitted without hesitation, holding the umbrella steady over her head. "Unfortunately, there's no reward for guessing it right."

The spy maid slipped her arms naturally through his, leaning close with a radiant smile.

"I've already received the best reward," she said softly.

"The rain's getting heavier," Amamiya observed. "Are you heading home or staying over?"

"Sorry, but I'll head back to my apartment," Hayasaka replied decisively, a teasing glint in her eye. "I have an important PE class tomorrow. If I stay over and senpai bullies me, it'll definitely show in class."

"You could always take a day off," Amamiya countered.

"How shameless! Good girls don't lie."

"…"

You, of all people, claiming not to lie? That's the biggest lie of all!

The rainy night was cold, and the streets stretched out empty and silent. It was past 9:30 in the evening, and the world seemed desolate, as if Amamiya and Hayasaka were the only two people left walking under the dim glow of neon lights blurred by rain and mist.

"Senpai, Senpai~ This must be the first rain of the rainy season, right?"

Hayasaka's cheerful voice rang out as she stepped lightly on the white bricks of the sidewalk. Each step produced a crisp, pleasant sound, like a lark's song.

Amamiya's gaze lingered on the rain-soaked streets before he gave a slight nod.

"That should be the case," he replied.

From June to July, Japan typically entered its plum rain season, characterized by long days of drizzle. The period was named for the ripening of plums, a bittersweet association with the gloomy weather.

"Senpai," Hayasaka suddenly said, her tone carrying an unexpected weight, "your first time is mine."

"What?" Amamiya turned his head, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Hayasaka flashed a sweet smile, her warmth evident even on this cold, rainy night. "We're sharing an umbrella right now, aren't we?" she said, her voice light. "This year's first plum rain, and here we are, walking together on a rainy night. I've claimed your first time."

Unfazed, Amamiya answered in a flat tone:

"Sorry, but I lost my first time back in elementary school."

"Senpai, you're so mean! You didn't even save it for Hanamori."

It's a fake name—who in their right mind would save it for you?

As their playful banter continued, the tram station came into view.

"The rain doesn't look like it'll stop anytime soon," Amamiya said, handing her the umbrella. "Take this."

Hayasaka blinked, tilting her head. "What about you, Senpai? If you run home in the rain, won't you catch a cold?"

"There's a convenience store nearby," Amamiya replied, pointing toward it. "I'll buy another umbrella."

"Wait a second." Hayasaka reached out, a sly smile spreading across her face. "If you knew the rain wouldn't stop, why didn't you bring two umbrellas in the first place?"

Her expression turned teasing as she held a finger to her lips. "Could it be... that you planned this? Sharing one umbrella is such a perfect excuse to get closer to me, isn't it?"

Amamiya sighed. "Have you considered another possibility?"

"What possibility?"

"This was the only umbrella in the house."

Hayasaka froze for a moment, speechless.

After seeing Hayasaka board the tram, Amamiya turned and headed to the convenience store. He bought a transparent umbrella and two half-price tuna bento boxes, preparing to return home.

While waiting in line to pay, he idly took out his phone and noticed several unread messages from Miko.

Miko: "It suddenly started raining—did you put away the quilt?"

Miko: "I'm helping my mom clean the house and can't make it over. Please get the quilt."

Miko: "Read this message already!"

"…"

The messages were from ten minutes earlier—while he'd been walking Hayasaka to the tram station.

"I just bought a bento at the convenience store," Amamiya replied, puzzled. "What quilt are you talking about?"

Miko responded almost immediately with a sulking cat emoji. "This morning, I put the quilt outside to dry in the sun. Did you forget to take it in?"

"I didn't know it was out there," Amamiya typed back. "So it's not really forgetting."

"…"

After putting his phone away, he hurried home, umbrella in one hand and bento boxes in the other.

When he reached the backyard, he found the quilt drenched, flapping miserably in the cold wind.

Amamiya silently took out his phone, snapped a picture, and sent it to Miko.

"Sorry, your quilt couldn't be saved."

Miko: "I think it's salvageable! Hurry and bring it in!"

By the time Amamiya had settled back inside, the rain had stopped, around 10 PM.

The sound of the doorbell startled him.

Opening the door, he found Miko standing there, dressed in her pajamas, her long black hair rippling in the cool night breeze.

"It's freezing out here," she said, arms folded.

"Well, it just rained," Amamiya replied, stepping aside to let her in. "Humidity always makes it feel colder."

Miko slipped on a pair of house slippers and greeted the Akita dog with a pat on the head before heading inside.

"Where's the quilt?" she asked.

"The bathroom."

Moments later, her voice rang out in exasperation. "It's completely ruined. I'll have to clean it tomorrow and hang it to dry."

"The rainy season just started—it probably won't be sunny tomorrow," Amamiya pointed out. "There should be spare quilts in the closet."

Miko rummaged through the closet and frowned.

"What's wrong?" Amamiya asked, peering over her shoulder.

"These smell musty, like they haven't been aired out in ages," she replied with a sigh.

He leaned in and sniffed, confirming the faint odor.

"You should air out your bedding more often," Miko scolded lightly.

"That's future me's problem," Amamiya said dismissively. "Right now, this doesn't solve tonight's issue." He looked at her seriously. "So... why don't we just share a quilt tonight?"