Dam! Dam! Dam! (1)

The dining halls were divided into several private single rooms, separated by shoji screens and walls. The room that Ayane had reserved was situated next to a large opening that overlooked the inner garden of the venue. It was a majestic sight to behold while enjoying the exquisite food and drinks.

"Lady Ayane, you really put some serious effort into researching this hotel. I'm impressed," Ito Toru praised her before taking a sip of his green tea.

"Thank you, Ito-senpai," She replied with a slight bow, gracefully accepting his compliment.

"Damn, Ayane can be so polite and well-mannered when she needs to be," Shouichi noted mentally.

"The food should be arriving soon. Hang in there, everyone," Ayane announced, placing a hand on her chest. She was seated elegantly on her calves, her back slightly arched, which unintentionally accentuated the perfect curves of her form. Shouichi couldn't help but notice the subtle grace in her posture.

"Huh?" Shouichi felt a warm touch on his thigh. His perverted friend had placed her hand there. He shot her a hard stare, but she feigned innocence and continued chatting with Emi across the table.

"Really? Senpai?"

"Yeah, I just started listening to those podcasts," Ayane responded.

"Wow! You're already studying hard for the second term. That's what it takes to be ranked first in Year Two," Emi praised her senior enthusiastically.

"Indeed, the Aphrodite Trio isn't just a group of pretty faces," Toru remarked.

"Well, actually, Shouichi beat me in the first mid-term. But that won't last long. I'll reclaim my rank soon," Ayane casually challenged Shouichi while discreetly massaging his thigh. Shouichi almost choked on his tea in response.

"Cough* Hahaha. It was just a fluke," He replied humbly. He wasn't interested in competing with others; his only competition was himself, striving to improve each day.

"Say... would you do whatever I ask if I win this time?" Ayane asked, her violet-purple eyes glistening with anticipation.

"No chance. I'm not competing with you," Shouichi responded, well aware of her mischievous games.

"Someone's chicken!" Hinoda teased, chuckling.

"That's understandable," Ayane added. "Shouichi-kun is the kind of man who would console his nemesis. Like last time, you were so worried about me after topping my score." She leaned in and tapped his shoulder playfully.

"Why would you broadcast that to everyone?!" Shouichi sat up straight, flustered.

"Hmm..." He pondered deeply, analyzing Ayane's calculated behaviour. Then, it hit him. "Oh! That was meant for Momo. Ayane wanted to assert dominance."

It became crystal clear to Shouichi that Momo seemed slightly uncomfortable whenever Ayane got too close to him, though the petite girl hid it well.

"Does Ayane think Momo secretly has a crush on me?" His mind wandered.

"Could Momo actually like me? We did have that moment of weakness... back at her place..." Shouichi shook his head. "What am I thinking?" Lost in thought, he didn't even realise the food had already been served.

"Thank you for the meal!" Everyone chanted in unison.

The multi-course meal featured several Japanese delicacies, each plated elegantly. Everyone quietly enjoyed their sashimi with delight.

"Would you like some tempura?" Ayane asked Shouichi, pointing at the dish with her hand rather than her finger — a gesture of refined manners.

"It's alright, thanks," Shouichi replied softly, not wanting to trouble her since the dish was beyond his reach.

Ignoring his response, Ayane picked up a piece with her chopsticks and held it near his mouth.

"Are you crazy!? Not in front of everyone!?" Shouichi internally screamed but complied, choosing not to make a scene.

"Mmm..." He chewed for a moment, savouring the flavour.

"How was it?" Ayane beamed at him.

"Good," He mumbled.

"Another?" She asked, gesturing again.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Ahhhhhhhh," She pressed anyway, stretched the word out teasingly. Shouichi turned bright red, unable to contain his embarrassment.

"Man, those two should just date already," Hinoda murmured.

"Ahhhh?" Naggi jokingly pretended to feed Hinoda with his chopsticks.

"Ah hell nah!" Hinoda recoiled immediately, causing the group to burst into laughter.

Shouichi wasn't sure if he had eaten too much or too little since Ayane had been distracting him the entire time. But he reflected optimistically; Morimura Ayane cared about his well-being more than her own... or so he thought.

The meal concluded with dessert. The choices were either yokan (sweetened jellies) or fresh fruit. Shouichi and Ayane were the only ones who opted for fruit, enjoying its refreshing taste.

After the meal, the team took an hour-long break to settle into their rooms and check on their belongings.

"Wow..." Shouichi entered his room for the first time, marvelling at the king-sized bed, the elegant decor, and the various electronic appliances. A 50-inch smart TV hung on the wall opposite the bed. To the right, a tall refrigerator and a spacious double-door wardrobe stood. At the far end, a large screen door led to a private onsen.

"Let's check it out." He slid the door open, revealing a luxurious bathroom with an overhead rainfall shower on the left and a generously sized onsen on the right, large enough to fit five people.

"Why did they give me this room?" He wondered but quickly shrugged it off, satisfied with his lavish accommodation.

Pulling out his phone, Shouichi opened a CCTV app and checked in on Yoko. He watched as his bewitching mother chatted with an elderly customer.

Satisfied, he made a call. "Hello, Shou-kun!" Yoko answered immediately.

"Hi, Yoko-san."

"How's the trip? Why are you calling? You just left a few hours ago," She asked, amused.

"Hehe, I'm just watching you work," He teased.

"Eh?" She glanced at the cameras, surprised.

"I got a free suite upgrade. It's amazing! I wish you were here with me."

"Fufufu, that's great! Maybe I'll close up shop and join you."

"Would you?"

"Just kidding! But we have a promise, right?"

"Yeah! Let's book this room again. It even has a private onsen!" Shouichi exclaimed.

"Fufufu. I'll give you a proper bath and back rub next time."

"Huh? I can wash myself!"

"Fufufu, someone's too shy to bathe with his parents."