Chapter 347: Little White Rabbit and Big Bad Wolf

After seeing Hayasaka off, it was already 11 p.m. Amamiya decided to take another bath before heading to bed.

Barely minutes after lying down, his phone vibrated with a message from Chika.

"Ahhh, I can't sleep!"

"Want to go out for food?" Amamiya replied.

"No, eating this late will definitely make me gain weight!"

"So you want to go out and play?"

"Hey, how did you guess?"

"Because Kaguya said your mind is always filled with food, games, and dancing."

"Kaguya-chan really figured me out, huh…" Chika sent a follow-up message. "Fine, I'll be honest. I want to go out and play!"

"What kind of play?"

"Swimming!" Chika declared enthusiastically. "If you don't swim at the beach in summer, it's like eating saury without lemon. You'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Amamiya sighed. "It's already late. The beach isn't an option right now."

"Then tomorrow morning!" Chika replied immediately. "We'll wake up early and head to the beach."

"What time do you have in mind?"

"Five o'clock," Chika said with surprising decisiveness. "We can sleep on the way back anyway."

"Fine, fine."

Satisfied, Amamiya put his phone down and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, at exactly 5 a.m., Amamiya was abruptly woken up by Shimizu.

"Amamiya, it's time to get up," Shimizu announced, her tone firm. She had clearly stayed up all night scrolling through her phone and now served as a surprisingly reliable alarm clock.

Still groggy, Amamiya grabbed his phone and messaged Chika.

"Are you awake?"

"Wide awake! Getting up now!" Chika replied almost instantly.

"I'll be there soon."

Amamiya sighed, put his phone down, and dragged himself out of bed to wash up. Once ready, he left his room and walked to the next door, knocking lightly.

The door creaked open, revealing a pair of wine-red eyes peeking out from the dimly lit interior.

"Kaguya?" Amamiya's tone faltered slightly. Guilt began to creep in as he remembered his late-night conversation with Chika. They had deliberately planned the outing without involving anyone else.

"Why are you up so early, Kaguya?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Kaguya narrowed her eyes, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Because someone insisted on knocking at an unholy hour."

That couldn't be true. The moment he knocked, she had opened the door, which meant she was already awake.

Amamiya's mind raced, and he quickly pieced together the situation.

There could only be one explanation: there's a traitor on his side.

"I confess," Amamiya said with mock surrender, raising his hands in defeat. "At 11 p.m. last night, Chika messaged me saying that if she didn't swim at the beach, she'd regret it for the rest of her life. She begged me to go with her this morning."

Kaguya's expression didn't shift in the slightest. She had clearly uncovered their secret beforehand. Crossing her arms, she tilted her head and said with exaggerated politeness, "My, my. Waking up before dawn to keep a promise…I didn't expect you to be so diligent."

Amamiya coughed lightly. "People should keep their word. Would you like to join us?"

Kaguya's gaze turned sharp. "Chika didn't invite me. I wouldn't want to impose."

Amamiya winced internally. Even her sarcasm had grown sharper.

"We must go together," he said with sudden determination. "If you don't come, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

"W-What are you saying!?" Kaguya stammered, her face flushing a deep red. She stepped back half a step, clearly flustered.

Amamiya glanced past her into the room, noticing the light in the bathroom was on—a clear sign that everyone inside was already awake. Turning back to Kaguya, he said, "Freshen up and get dressed. I'll go check on Sajuna and the others."

The rooms weren't far apart, so Amamiya arrived at Sajuna's door in just a few steps.

Glancing at his watch, he noted it was 5:15 a.m. It was still early, and he didn't want to rudely wake them, so he opted to send a message to Sajuna first.

Unfortunately, there was no response. It seemed the other girls hadn't woken up yet.

Amamiya waited a moment longer before sending another message to the quiet, long-haired girl.

"Komi-san, are you awake?"

There was no immediate response. Just as he was about to knock on the door, his phone buzzed with a new message.

Komi-san: "...I'm awake."

Amamiya: "Glad to hear it. Open the door; I'm outside."

Silence followed once again.

"Fell asleep again?" Amamiya muttered to himself.

He decided to try a different approach. "This is my one and only request. Please, open the door," he sent, adopting the persona of a mischievous big bad wolf.

The reply came promptly: "No, no. Everyone's still asleep. Boys aren't allowed in!"

Despite her trembling hands, Komi mustered her courage to type the response. Protecting her friends was her duty, even if it terrified her.

"Fine, I won't go in," Amamiya countered. "But you can come out."

Inside the room, Komi clutched her phone with both hands, her long black hair spilling across the blanket as she trembled beneath it.

"Girls must always protect themselves when they go out," Sajuna's words from the night before echoed in her mind.

"Especially you, Komi-san," Sajuna had said. "You can't just do whatever boys ask. Some of them look polite and serious, but deep down, they're wolves. If you're not careful, someone like Amamiya will trick you away and devour you!"

At the time, Komi had thought Sajuna was exaggerating, trying to scare her. But now, staring at her vibrating phone in the early morning quiet, she couldn't help but reconsider.

It was past 5 a.m. The others were still asleep. And now, a boy—that boy—wanted her to open the door.

What should I do?

If she opened the door, what if Amamiya really did barge in like the wolf Sajuna warned her about? It would be bad enough if he bullied her, but what if he disturbed Sajuna and the others? That would be unforgivable.

Komi trembled as indecision gnawed at her.

Finally, she made up her mind: refuse.

She couldn't agree to every request, not even this one.

Her phone vibrated again. Another message.

"Chika said she wants to go swimming at the beach. I was just coming to wake you up so we could all go together."

"Huh?" Komi-san blinked at the screen, startled. She quickly typed back, her fingers trembling. "Are you really going swimming?"

"If I wanted to bully you, I would've done it last night," came Amamiya's blunt reply.

Komi froze. Then, after a long pause, she finally relented. Mustering her courage, she woke Sajuna and Hayasaka.

Moments later, Sajuna emerged from the room, her sleepy eyes half-closed.

As Amamiya prepared to step inside, Sajuna raised a hand to block him. "This is a girl's room. Boys aren't allowed."

"That's not fair," Amamiya argued. "You come and go as you please in my room."

"Stop complaining." Sajuna yawned, covering her mouth. "Why are you going swimming so early?"

"Chika said that coming to the beach and not swimming is like leaving a slice of cake uneaten—you'll regret it for the rest of your life," Amamiya explained. "So we're going swimming, no matter what."

Sajuna nodded sleepily. "I see. Then I suppose it's time to change clothes."

To be fair, Sajuna thought, it would be a shame to come all this way to the beach and not go swimming.

"Tsk."

Hayasaka, now fully awake, bit her thumb as she leaned against the doorframe. "Is Shinomiya-san going too?"

Amamiya nodded. "Of course. She's already getting ready."

Hearing this, Hayasaka made her decision without hesitation.

"I didn't get enough rest last night. My eyes are sore. I'll skip the swimming," she said, slinging her backpack over one shoulder and heading for the door.

"What are you going to do?" Amamiya asked suspiciously.

"Borrow your room for a while," Hayasaka replied smoothly.

"For what?"

"To sleep. It's quiet there."

Amamiya frowned but said nothing as Hayasaka walked off.

Of course, this was a lie. As a professional, Hayasaka knew she couldn't let her two identities—Hayasaka the spy/maid and Hanamori the lively student—overlap. Now that Kaguya had woken up, she needed to change into her maid uniform immediately and resume her duties.

She cursed Chika silently as she hurried away. That damned agent of chaos. Truly my lifelong enemy.

The spy maid couldn't help but stamp her feet in frustration. According to her original plan, she would have woken up at six, returned to the other room as Hayasaka, and seamlessly managed her dual identities. Everything was carefully calculated to conceal the truth.

But thanks to the chaos of being dragged out of bed at five, her well-laid plans were in shambles.

Going to the beach this early? The water's bound to be freezing. That idiot really is impossible.

"Senpai, give me the key," Hayasaka demanded, stretching out her hand.

Amamiya glanced toward the bathroom, where Sajuna and Komi were washing up. Lowering his voice, he replied, "Sure, you can have the key. But only if you agree to one condition."

"What do you want now, Senpai?" Hayasaka asked suspiciously, crossing her arms over her chest. Her sharp blue eyes narrowed in caution. "If it's anything indecent, I'll report you on the spot."

Amamiya sighed, exasperated. "Do I look like that kind of person to you?"

"An expert once said," Hayasaka replied coolly, "that as long as boys are still breathing, they'll never stop thinking about inappropriate things."

"Well said," Amamiya replied with a smirk. "Tell me where to find this 'expert,' and I'll send them a pack of razor blades as thanks."

Hayasaka's patience was wearing thin. She tapped her foot, glaring at him. "Senpai, enough with the jokes. Just tell me what you want—I'm too sleepy to deal with you right now."

"It's simple." Amamiya leaned in slightly, lowering his voice further. "You know that girl I told you about? The one I fell for at first sight? Something… unexpected things happened during our date, and now she won't even reply to my messages."

Hayasaka's lips twitched. An unexpected accident? That was a total disaster.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Amamiya continued, "You're great at talking to people, and your words are always so smooth. I'll give you my phone. Just help me text her and tell her to forgive me. I'll owe you one if she forgives me. Do that, and the key's yours."

Hayasaka froze, her expression blank. First, you just wanted advice. Now you want me to play the part for you? The nerve of this guy.

"Is it possible…" A sudden thought crossed her mind. Did he figure out my disguise? Is he teasing me on purpose?

She quickly dismissed the idea. Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Even the sharp-eyed Kaguya hadn't uncovered her secret identity. There was no way someone like Amamiya could figure it out.

"Senpai, you're the worst!" Hayasaka said with mock resentment, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You know Hanamori has feelings for you, and now you're asking her to help you win over another girl? You're shameless beyond human comprehension!"

"Thanks for the compliment." Amamiya's expression remained as nonchalant as ever. It's you anyway.

"Idiot! Big idiot! Huge idiot!" Hayasaka clenched her fists but finally relented with a long sigh. "Fine. I'll do it!"

I conquered myself. Nothing more to say.

"Great!" Amamiya handed over the key with a grin. "Go ahead and rest."

"I have nothing to say to you right now," Hayasaka muttered, turning on her heel.

Not long after, Hayasaka slipped back into the room, quickly changed into her maid uniform, and executed her plan flawlessly. By the time Sajuna and Komi finished washing up, she had already managed to cover her tracks.

The group reconvened in the corridor.

"Sajuna, Komi-san, good morning!" Chika greeted them cheerfully. Then, tilting her head, she asked curiously, "Didn't Hanamori-chan arrive last night? Why haven't I seen her come out yet?"

Amamiya, now standing beside Kaguya, gave a quick reply. "Hanamori said she has a stomachache. She's resting and won't join us at the beach."

"I see." Chika nodded thoughtfully. "Let's let her rest, then. We'll head to the beach without her!"

"...Oh."

Aside from Chika's boundless enthusiasm, the rest of the group didn't seem particularly eager.

"Let's go," Amamiya said, taking the lead.

By the time they left the hotel, it was half-past five. The sun hadn't yet risen, but the sky was already brightening with a pale morning glow.

The streets were quiet, almost deserted, with only a few scattered tourists about. The air was crisp, carrying the faint smell of the sea.

It felt serene—if not for the early hour and the lingering grumbles of the group.

"How about we stop by the convenience store first to buy swimsuits?"

Amamiya turned to the group, his question directed at the girls.

"I don't need one!" Chika announced confidently, placing her hands on her hips and raising her chin in a triumphant pose. "I came prepared! I brought a swimsuit specifically for swimming."

Amamiya shifted his gaze. "What about you, Sajuna?"

"I… I brought mine too."

Sajuna glanced away, her voice dropping to a soft murmur as she admitted the truth.

Amamiya raised an eyebrow. If you had it all along, then why did you turn down the idea of swimming yesterday afternoon?

Suppressing a sigh, he turned to Kaguya. "Kaguya, what about you? Do you need to buy a swimsuit?"

"…No, I don't."

After a brief pause, Kaguya decided to come clean. "I already brought one."

She internally justified her decision: The swimsuits sold at convenience stores are usually low-quality and likely haven't been properly cleaned. Wearing one straight out of the store would feel awful.

Her face remained calm, but inwardly she added, I brought a swimsuit as a precaution. It doesn't mean I want to swim!

"Since you all brought yours, then…"

Amamiya trailed off as his gaze shifted to the quiet girl with long black hair standing to the side. "Komi-san, what about your swimsuit?"

Komi shook her head.

"You didn't bring one?"

After a brief hesitation, Komi nodded slightly.

"Perfect timing. I didn't bring one either," Amamiya said decisively. "Let's head to the convenience store together to buy some." He turned back to the rest of the group. "You guys go on ahead to the beach. Komi-san and I will catch up after we're done."

Kaguya froze, her expression tightening for a moment. Wait… He's going to shop for swimsuits with her?

Regret bubbled up in her chest. If I'd known this would happen, I would've just said I forgot mine too!

With the group splitting into two, Chika and Kaguya headed toward the beach while Amamiya and Komi made their way to the convenience store.

The convenience store, open 24/7, was quiet in the early morning. When they stepped inside, a middle-aged man with a rugged face stood behind the cash register. His expression was stern, and his voice carried a gruff edge as he greeted them.

"Welcome. Good morning."

The deep, almost intimidating tone made Komi flinch. Startled, she instinctively reached out, her delicate fingers brushing against Amamiya's sleeve for reassurance.

However, before Amamiya could fully register what was happening, his arm swung back slightly as he turned—and his hand unintentionally caught hers.

Amamiya blinked, startled by the unexpected touch, and glanced at Komi.

The girl with long black hair had lowered her head, her face flushed a vivid crimson. She stared intently at her toes, her body stiff with embarrassment. Yet, despite the situation, she didn't pull her hand away.

Instead, she let herself be led, her soft fingers resting lightly in his grip, offering no resistance at all.

Amamiya's own thoughts stilled for a moment, but he quickly cleared his throat, focusing back on the task at hand.

"Let's go find those swimsuits," he said, his voice unusually gentle.

Komi gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, following quietly as he guided her deeper into the store.