The Girl at the Door Wasn’t on the Guest List

Friday afternoon. The final class before school ended.

"Semester exams begin next week. I suggest you spend the weekend studying," Kirisu Mafuyu said, tapping the blackboard with stern authority. "Save the fun for summer vacation. If you don't meet the grade requirements, you'll be attending remedial classes until you pass the supplementary tests."

Groans rippled through Class 1-E.

Toyogasaki's semester exams were infamous for a reason. They weren't just in-house assessments—they were joint papers designed with top-tier private schools like Shuchiin and Hyakkaou.

The passing standard? Not sixty points. It was half a standard deviation above the average.

Fail, and you'd spend the summer in cram sessions. Fail again, and you'd repeat the year.

A prestigious school, after all, didn't earn its name handing out freebies.

Eriri's cherry lips parted in a silent scream. Even with her recent efforts, math and English were still nightmares. Her dream of a relaxing summer was crumbling.

Azuma chuckled softly at her slumped figure. He felt a little bad—but mostly amused.

Well, she'd be getting some tutoring this weekend whether she liked it or not.

He turned his gaze toward Alya—the Russian transfer student.

Kirisu had asked him to keep an eye on her. Honestly, she seemed fine—at least outwardly. But friendship? That was another story.

Alya kept her distance. She could chat when needed, but never got close to anyone. It wasn't inability—it was deliberate. And Azuma wasn't about to interfere.

Still, he made the effort.

"Kujou-san, you only recently transferred in. Are you managing the coursework? These exams aren't easy. If you need help, feel free to drop by this weekend. I'm running a group study session."

Alya's expression softened. His offer wasn't flattery—it was genuine. Strangely, he didn't seem particularly captivated by her looks either.

It was refreshing.

"I appreciate the offer, Yukima-san. But I'm fine, thank you."

Azuma nodded. "Alright, just say the word if that changes."

"So gentle," Alya murmured in Russian, just loud enough for him to hear.

Azuma raised an eyebrow. "What was that, Kujou-san?"

"I said you don't need to worry."

After class—

"Azuma! Save me!" Eriri whined, tugging at his sleeve.

Azuma reached out and pinched her cheeks. "Study properly this weekend and you'll be fine."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Really really?"

"Really really."

"Zun dudu zun dudu really?"

Her nonsense crescendoed as Azuma continued pulling at her cheeks.

"Azuma-san and Sawamura-san seem very close," a soft voice observed behind them.

Usually, he'd say, "We're childhood friends." But today?

Azuma reached out and pinched Kato Megumi's cheeks too.

"Megumi and I are close too. And you're studying tomorrow. No escape."

Megumi blinked slowly, her tuberose-like eyes giving her a blankly adorable expression.

Back home—

Azuma mentioned the study session to Kasumigaoka.

She snorted, unimpressed, but didn't object.

Since the book signing, their relationship had quietly warmed—now glowing with a sweet intimacy.

Just then, Kirisu returned from work.

"Sensei, we're hosting a group study session here tomorrow. Want to help?"

"Sorry, I'll be at Shuchiin preparing the exams. Can't make it." She shook her head and walked off.

Saturday morning—

Azuma returned from his jog to find Eriri squatting outside the apartment.

"Why are you out here?"

"I don't have a key!"

Ah. He'd forgotten to give her one.

Megumi had a key. Why hadn't he given one to Eriri?

He let her in. She collapsed inside, sighing dramatically at the rush of cool air.

"I almost melted out there," she groaned.

Azuma retrieved a folding fan from the wall—standard décor in a shogi player's home—and gently fanned her.

Eriri blushed slightly at the nostalgic gesture.

She remembered all the times Azuma had cared for her in the past.

I need to repay him. I'm not the same Eriri I used to be.

Without warning, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

It wasn't the first time—she'd kissed him at the cinema. Just a peck on the cheek. Nothing to panic over…

Her face turned red anyway.

Azuma blinked in surprise, fingers touching the spot she kissed.

She's changed, he thought.

Eriri quickly grabbed something to change the subject.

"Wow! You even have a shogi board!"

She started messing with the pieces.

Azuma sighed. "You're here to study, remember?"

"We have time! Kato-san's not even here yet!" she pouted. "Come on! Just one game! I'm a total shogi pro!"

Kasumigaoka emerged, woken by the noise.

"Of course you are," she said dryly.

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"I mean you're an idiot."

"You wanna go?!"

But Utaha didn't take the bait this time. Instead, she nudged Azuma to sit and play.

Azuma smirked. This might be fun.

He set up the board and handicapped himself—removing the Bishop, Rook, Left Lance, and Right Knight.

Eriri's jaw dropped. "You're handicapping yourself?!"

"Just trying to make it fair."

"Azuma! Don't you dare look down on me! I'll destroy you!"

Five minutes later, the board was a massacre.

Eriri was down to a few pieces, and only because she dragged her turns.

She stared blankly at the ceiling. "How could this happen…"

Kasumigaoka burst into laughter.

Azuma quietly cleaned up the board.

She asked for this… I was just fulfilling a request!

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Azuma got up and opened the door.

Standing there were two unexpected guests: a silver-haired girl and a petite, energetic younger girl.

"Ginko? Ai?"

Sora Ginko raised her fan, gesturing at the girl beside her. "This brat insisted on coming. She got the day off."

Right—elementary and middle schools started break earlier. That explained it.

"I'm not a brat! I'm Hinatsuru Ai! And you're an old woman!"

"Old—?! You little…!"

Their banter continued as Ai dashed inside and launched herself at Azuma.

"Shishou! I came to visit!"

Her ahoge wobbled wildly as she latched onto him.

Inside the apartment, Eriri and Kasumigaoka peeked out.

Eriri's brain short-circuited.

A girl?!

Who was this mysterious girl clinging to Azuma?

And the silver-haired one too!?

Could this be… a woman bringing their child to meet him?!

If Azuma had heard her thoughts, he'd have scolded her on the spot.

"What the hell do you mean 'a lover's child'?!"

First of all, Hinatsuru Ai looked nothing like him.

And second, Sora Ginko was in middle school—how would she be anyone's mom!?

Get your head out of the soap operas, Eriri!