Chapter 333: Sorry, Miss, You Can Only Drink Soup

No words were exchanged that night.

The next morning, the sky cleared after the rain.

"Good morning, Amamiya-nii," greeted the elementary school boy as he stepped out of his house and spotted Amamiya emerging from the neighboring home. He looked up and smiled.

"Good morning," Amamiya replied with a nod, his gaze resting on his childhood friend.

Miko had reverted to her usual laid-back demeanor overnight. Noticing Amamiya's gaze, she blushed slightly, glared at him in irritation, and walked past him as though nothing had happened.

"Amamiya-nii, did you have a fight with sister?" the elementary school boy asked, casting a glance at Miko.

Miko's heart skipped a beat. She quickly shook her head in denial.

"There was no quarrel."

"If Miko says there wasn't, then there wasn't," Amamiya said nonchalantly. "I acted impulsively, and your sister took issue with me unilaterally."

Miko, now grinding her teeth, shot Amamiya an indignant glare.

Impulsive? His hands had been inside her pajamas! That was anything but impulsive—it was premeditated!

"My sister doesn't dislike you," the boy said matter-of-factly. "Last night, we slept together, and just before dawn, I heard her talking in her sleep about Amamiya-nii."

Curiosity piqued, Amamiya asked, "What did your sister say?"

Miko frowned suspiciously. "...Did I really talk in my sleep?"

"I heard it clearly," the boy affirmed, his expression calm and unwavering. "My sister said to behave honestly, sleep properly, and stop pushing her so much."

As the boy finished speaking, Miko's face flushed crimson, and she turned to Amamiya, her eyes brimming with shame and anger.

They got discovered!

Before Miko could respond, Amamiya cast her a calming glance and asked the boy, "Is that all she said in her sleep?"

The boy nodded. "Nothing else."

"That's a relief," Amamiya said with a composed expression. "I didn't do anything else, after all."

"Huh?" The boy tilted his head in confusion.

Embarrassed, Miko reached out and pinched Amamiya's waist.

"Sleep-talking is a normal physiological phenomenon. Don't dwell on it," Amamiya said hurriedly. Then he added, "Let's end this topic here. If we keep going, your sister might kill me."

The boy blinked at Amamiya, shrugged, and ran off to join his friends as they headed to school in a group.

"Don't blame me," Amamiya said, turning to Miko. "You were the one talking in your sleep."

Miko bit her lower lip, her face still warm with embarrassment. "If it weren't for you last night..."

She stopped mid-sentence, raising her hand as though to strike him.

"Hana is coming," Amamiya murmured as a warning.

Miko hesitated and dropped her hand.

While their friend Hana was still at a distance, Amamiya said in a low voice, "You were at fault last night too."

"Excuse me?" Miko's eyes widened in disbelief.

He had put his hands inside her pajamas, and he had the audacity to say she was at fault?

"We shouldn't have let Kyousuke in at that moment," Amamiya explained, keeping his voice down. "I can leave first. Then you can call Kyousuke after."

Miko tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear and sighed. "I know. But you didn't see Kyousuke's expression at the time. As his big sister, how could I turn him down?"

"Let's not dwell on last night," Amamiya said seriously. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again tonight."

"Tonight?" Miko blinked, confused.

"Without the sun, the futon won't dry properly," Amamiya said confidently. "Want me to come over your house?"

"No need," Miko snapped, turning away with a huff. "I'm sleeping alone tonight."

After meeting up with Hana, the three walked to school as usual.

Once at school, Amamiya spent some time in the game club, playing a couple of board games and teasing Hana before returning to class.

Back in the classroom, he took out a pen and paper, beginning to draft the campaign speech he'd conceived the previous night.

Although he'd enlisted Hayasaka's help, it was wise to prepare for all possibilities. Party A and Party B didn't always reach agreements easily, after all.

Time passed quietly, and the second class of the afternoon was underway.

With the arrival of the plum rain season, a light drizzle began to fall unnoticed outside the window.

In the dull, dimly lit classroom, a faint buzz filled the air as the teacher was absent for personal reasons. Sitting in the front row, Kaguya tied her hair with a red ribbon. She appeared to be seated upright, but in reality, she was discreetly typing a message behind the cover of an open book.

"Hayasaka, have you arranged everything?"

In the classroom next door, a blonde girl with a side ponytail rested her chin on her left hand while fiddling with her phone in her right. She let out a silent sigh before responding.

"Miss, this is the fourth time you've asked."

"I'm just worried," Kaguya replied, her fingers typing nervously. "I need to be sure. Nothing unexpected will happen, right?"

"Please trust my professional skills," Hayasaka answered. "Even if something unforeseen arises, I'll handle it before it becomes an issue. Relax."

"Good," Kaguya said with determination. "This is our first time sharing an umbrella. Nothing can go wrong!"

Hayasaka hesitated for a moment before sighing internally.

I'm sorry, Miss. That man already shared his first umbrella moment with me last night.

Not only did we share an umbrella, but I also held his arm. Even if you share an umbrella with him, you won't be able to do that, will you?

Still, she kept her thoughts to herself. Rest assured, I'll take this secret to my grave.

Putting her phone down, Hayasaka rested her head on the desk, her gaze drifting to the drizzle outside the window. Her thoughts wandered.

The forecast says it'll rain tonight... What excuse can I use to get my Senpai to walk me to the tram station again?

Minutes later, her phone buzzed again.

Hayasaka glanced at the screen with one eye open.

"Hayasaka, is the plan confirmed and ready?"

"If you ask me one more time, you'll lose me," Hayasaka replied bluntly.

Kaguya said nothing, finally leaving her assistant in peace.

For Kaguya, sharing an umbrella was a romance unique to student life. When she woke up that morning and saw the drizzle outside, her mind instantly conjured scenes from shoujo manga.

But reality was far less cooperative than fiction. Coincidences were rare. More often than not, people missed their chance, or worse, someone else intervened.

Sure, she could invite him outright to walk home together under an umbrella—but how could she ever bring herself to say such a thing?

In that case... planning is essential.

She resolved to eliminate all uncertainties, to guide Amamiya to her and only her.

First, there was Chika, the walking embodiment of chaos. She needed to be neutralized.

Next was Umi. Thankfully, Hayasaka had already approached her under the guise of a trendy gyaru. Umi had a modeling shoot scheduled and would leave promptly after school. That left no room for interference.

Finally, there was Miko, who gave off an aura of lazy indifference. Harmless, for now.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day.

Amamiya closed his notebook, glanced at the drizzle outside, and began packing his bag. He planned to stop by the election committee to submit his campaign materials.

By the time he finished his errands, it was past four in the afternoon.

The rain showed no signs of stopping, as though it intended to fall until the end of time.

The school building had grown eerily quiet. The playground, usually teeming with activity, was deserted, save for the occasional wandering evil spirit.

Amamiya exhaled softly, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed downstairs.

In the shadows of a corridor corner, Hayasaka leaned casually against the wall, her phone in hand. Her eyes followed Amamiya's movements as she quickly sent a message.

"Miss, he's on his way downstairs and getting ready to leave."

"I see," Kaguya replied promptly.

Taking a deep breath, Kaguya stepped out from behind the shoe lockers and walked to the school's entrance. She stood in the hall, facing the gray, misty drizzle, her heart pounding in anticipation.

Despite the gloomy weather, she felt a flutter of excitement.

When I see Amamiya, I'll tell him I forgot my umbrella. If I say that, he'll definitely offer to share his with me, right?

Kaguya felt confident in her plan. There was no chance it would fail.

He'll invite me to walk home with him under the same umbrella. Absolutely.

At the same time, a cheerful voice called out.

"Kohai!"

The sound reached Amamiya's ears, and he turned toward its source. A senior student with pink hair, a striking figure, and a bold demeanor was waving happily at him. It was none other than Tsubame.

"Tsubame-senpai," Amamiya greeted politely, stopping in his tracks.

"Are you heading home?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her face.

Amamiya nodded. "I just finished some work. I was about to leave."

"Then let's go together!" Tsubame suggested, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. A bright, confident smile lit her face. "I was just about to head home too. How about stopping by a dessert shop first? I'll treat you! And after that, I might need your help with something..."

Tch.

Hidden in the shadows of the hallway, Hayasaka bit her thumb in frustration.

They had successfully removed Chika from the equation—the embodiment of chaos. Umi wasn't around either. The plan was so close to succeeding... and now this unexpected obstacle: Tsubame.

No.

Her invitation must be thwarted, or everything will fall apart!

Hayasaka's mind raced, and in moments, she devised a countermeasure.

Thud.

A dull sound echoed through the corridor, followed by a stifled cry of pain.

"Huh? What was that?" Tsubame turned her head, startled.

"Let's check it out," Amamiya suggested.

The two followed the sound and soon came upon Hayasaka, kneeling on the ground with teary eyes.

"Kohai, are you alright?" Tsubame crouched beside her, concern evident in her voice.

"I... I slipped on the stairs," Hayasaka whispered, biting her lip and casting a pitiful glance.

"That's dangerous!" Tsubame exclaimed, reaching out to support her. "Let me help you up. Are you hurt anywhere?"

"My foot..." Hayasaka winced, avoiding putting weight on her right foot. "I think I sprained my ankle."

The truth was, as a skilled "spy maid," Hayasaka could leap from a building without injury, let alone sprain her ankle on a staircase. This was all an act to invoke sympathy and redirect Tsubame's attention.

Tsubame, known for her kindness and generosity, would naturally offer help, whether out of genuine concern or social obligation.

Sure enough, without hesitation, Tsubame said, "Let's get you to the infirmary."

The plan was working.

Despite the pain etched on her face, Hayasaka's mind was calm and composed. As long as you understand a person's nature, manipulating their actions is simple. Well, except for people like Chika or Amamiya, whose behavior defies prediction.

Just then, Amamiya, who had been observing quietly, broke the silence.

"I'll handle it," he offered.

"Huh?" Tsubame hesitated. "That might not be..."

Hayasaka swiftly intervened. "No need! I... I'm allergic to men!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Amamiya stepped forward, closing the distance in a single stride. In one fluid motion, he scooped Hayasaka into his arms in a princess carry, stunning both girls.

"Amamiya-kun, what are you doing?!" Tsubame gasped.

Hayasaka, on the other hand, was wide-eyed and mortified. "Put me down this instant!"

Amamiya remained unfazed. "Hasaka-san and I are from the same building floor, and our classrooms are next to each other," he explained. "She helped me out when I got lost the other day, so now it's my turn to return the favor."

"I'll walk to the infirmary myself!" Hayasaka protested, squirming in his hold.

"You've sprained your ankle. Stay still," Amamiya instructed firmly.

"I don't feel that much pain anymore—ah!"

Hayasaka's complaint was abruptly cut off, her eyes widening in shock. He'd pinched her thigh.

How dare he!

"Let's head downstairs," Amamiya said, addressing Tsubame as he carried Hayasaka toward the stairs. "Can you hold the umbrella for me?"

Tsubame blinked, still processing the scene, before nodding. "Uh... sure."

"Wait, let me go—" Hayasaka began, but it was already too late.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the building, Kaguya stood frozen, her pink lips slightly parted in disbelief. She stared blankly at the trio approaching her: Amamiya carrying Hayasaka in his arms, Tsubame trailing behind.

Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?

This wasn't how things were supposed to go!

"It's over..." Kaguya muttered, biting her lip as her plan unraveled before her eyes.

"Good evening, Kaguya," Amamiya greeted her casually. "Why are you still here?"

"I... I forgot my umbrella," she murmured, her gaze darting to Hayasaka. "What's going on here?"

"She fell down the stairs," Tsubame explained. "We're taking her to the infirmary."

"No need," Hayasaka interjected, her voice steady despite her predicament. "Tsubame-senpai can take me. I told you, I'm allergic to men!"

Amamiya countered calmly. "It's raining heavily. You'd both get soaked and catch a cold. Besides, as long as there's fabric between us, it's not technically physical contact, is it?"

"…"