117 "Who Asked You?!"

As Natsukawa Kanade had expected, when he reassured Shiina Mahiru with words like "I'll never leave you," her mood visibly improved.

Though her tone remained sharp, with a hint of annoyance, the fact that she expressed her feelings so directly was a relief.

Words of rejection aren't the problem—indifference is the true cold blade.

"What are you still following me for? You're the student council president, aren't you? Go handle your own business!"

The surrounding classmates who had been watching the scene had mostly dispersed. With the crowd gone, Shiina regained her courage to vent her frustration.

She placed her hands on Kanade's back and tried to push him away. But her strength was so pitifully small that he didn't even budge.

"Ugh…"

Why is he so sturdy?! I can't move him at all! Idiot!

Realizing force wasn't an option, she switched to glaring at him. But instead of retreating, he leaned in closer, their faces nearly touching.

The warm breath from his nose tickled her skin, sending shivers through her and stirring a nervous flutter in her chest. His lashes flickered with every blink, and his lips—despite being a boy's—looked distractingly soft and well-defined.

"W-What are you doing?" Shiina pushed him away, her voice trembling.

Her heart raced wildly, and her mind spun with ridiculous scenarios.

He… he wouldn't actually try that, would he?

She knew her thoughts were silly, and the situation wasn't heading in that direction at all, but she couldn't stop herself from imagining it.

It's all his fault for looking so good! Why does he have to be this attractive?! He's probably charmed countless girls with that face of his!

Fueled by indignation, she found the strength to resist him.

"I didn't think you were such a frivolous person, Kanade. Was all that serious behavior just an act?" she said, trying to mask her inner turmoil with accusatory words.

"Uh, you've got it wrong," Kanade said, shaking his head. "There's something on your face… I think it might be dirt."

He paused. "Or maybe it's a bug. It keeps moving."

Given they were in a wooded area for their camp activities, it wasn't out of the question.

"!"

Shiina froze, her mind racing in panic. Just hearing the word "bug" made her face feel itchy, though she didn't dare touch it. Instead, she grabbed Kanade's sleeve and looked at him pleadingly.

"H-Help me…"

Her trembling voice carried a hint of a sob, tugging at Kanade's heartstrings and filling him with guilt.

"Right away! Hold still—I'll take care of it," he assured her, moving closer.

Carefully, he placed his hand on her cheek.

So soft.

That was his first thought. Her skin was smooth and supple, with a delightful elasticity that made it hard to pull his hand away.

"Kanade?"

"Ah! Y-Yeah! I think I've got it! Almost there!"

"…"

His fingertips brushed gently over her face, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. Her cheek grew hot, and time seemed to slow to a crawl.

Are there really that many bugs on my face? Shiina wondered, her thoughts spiraling.

She wasn't honey-coated—why would so many insects swarm her?!

"Is… is it done yet?"

"Almost… Just a little longer…"

"…"

With no choice but to trust him, Shiina resigned herself to the situation.

Finally, Kanade's hand left her face. To her surprise, she felt a pang of disappointment, as if she missed the warmth of his touch.

I'm losing it! How could I enjoy something like that?!

"T-Thank you…"

"No problem…"

"…"

"…"

"I-I'll be going now!" Shiina stammered, covering her flushed face with her arms as she hurried away.

Her emotions were too overwhelming to hide any longer. She was immensely grateful that it had just been the two of them, with no witnesses to their overly intimate interaction.

But even so, she couldn't handle another moment of such closeness. It was too much.

For the rest of the day, Kanade didn't see Shiina again. Whenever they crossed paths by chance, she would quickly flee, making conversation impossible. And so, the day passed uneventfully until evening study hours arrived.

When Kanade entered the dorm room assigned by the school, he raised a hand to greet his new roommates.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Kanade… Natsukawa," he began, only to stop mid-sentence when he saw who was inside.

Rather than meeting new people, he found himself surrounded by familiar faces.

"Oh, so you're in this room too, Kanade? What a coincidence," greeted Shirogane Miyuki, his fellow student council member.

"Good evening, President," said Tanuma Tsubasa, one of Kanade's classmates.

And finally, there was Hikigaya Hachiman, who muttered, "I want to die…" in his usual grim tone.

"Do you have to say that just because I showed up?" Kanade teased, smirking at Hachiman.

If the room had been full of strangers, Kanade might have felt the need to maintain his image as the student council president. But among friends, he could relax and be himself.

"You know that's not what I meant," Hachiman retorted, rolling his eyes as he set down the light novel he'd been reading.

With Kanade in the room, Hachiman knew his carefully constructed "aloof and unapproachable" persona wouldn't last. Kanade would inevitably barge in and destroy it with his relentless cheerfulness.

"Oh, you two know each other?" Shirogane asked, looking relieved. "I'll leave the introductions to you, then. That's more your area than mine."

"Yeah, we used to be in a club together," Kanade explained. "Hachiman's a great guy—I think you'll all get along with him."

"Hey! Don't make decisions about my life for me!" Hachiman grumbled.

Still, he found himself glancing at the other two boys.

They didn't look like jerks (or normies), so maybe they were tolerable. If Kanade vouched for them, they were probably fine.

Fine. Whatever happens, I'll just blame him for dragging me into this.

"…I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. Nice to meet you."

"Shirogane Miyuki. Likewise."

"Tanuma Tsubasa. Pleasure meeting you, Hikigaya-san."

"I'm Kanade Natsukawa. Happy to—"

"WHO ASKED YOU?!"

Kanade: ╮(╯▽╰)╭