"Knock, knock, knock—"
While Shichen was thinking about what to do next, there was a knock on the door.
It couldn't be Natsuki Minamiya knocking. Ever since he'd lived here, only one person had ever come by knocking.
Shichen glanced at himself and decided there was no need to change clothes. Then he got up to answer the door.
After all, people talk about how clothes can flatter a person, but that only applies to someone not good-looking enough on their own.
For a truly good-looking person, it's the clothes that get to bask in the spotlight.
Some might not understand this, but just imagine some big shot casually wearing a T-shirt, Bermuda shorts, and flip-flops.
Even if everyone else around him were in well-tailored suits, he still wouldn't pale in comparison.
One's own natural condition is what matters most.
At the door, he didn't even use the peephole—he opened it right away.
Sure enough, standing there was a dainty girl with black hair loose about her shoulders, no longer wearing those unflattering black-framed glasses, still dressed in the school uniform.
Saikai Academy's uniforms were, in fact, quite nice—not only stylish but also made of a smooth, cool fabric.
"Oh, so it's you, Asagi... plus Kojou and Motoki, and Nagisa-chan? What brings you all here?"
Sure enough, the visitor was Aiba Asagi while behind her stood the conspicuous, gray-haired Akatsuki Kojou, the spiky-haired Yaze Motoki, and Akatsuki Nagisa with her sweet smile.
"Sensei, we came to hang out with you," Motoki said, waving.
"To hang out with me?" Shichen eyed Asagi, puzzled.
"Uh..." Asagi seemed a bit embarrassed and stammered, "Motoki suggested coming to find you..."
"What does it matter?" Motoki said, smirking, apparently amused by something.
Asagi glared at him fiercely.
"Mhm! The more, the merrier." Nagisa nodded in agreement.
"Sensei... do you have time?" Kojou asked in a weary tone.
"Time is something I have plenty of, but aren't you all worried about the heat?"
"Sensei, we're used to it by now," Motoki replied.
"Kids really are lucky—not afraid of heat or cold," Shichen sighed in envy.
"Sensei, you're not that old anyway," said Kojou in a rather resigned manner.
"Yeah, Sensei's so young and handsome!" Nagisa chimed in.
At this, both Asagi and Kojou couldn't help turning to look at her.
"What? I'm just stating facts," Nagisa said innocently.
"...Sensei, in that case, if you're afraid of the heat, you don't need to come out with us. We'll go," Kojou hastily said, trying to steer Nagisa away.
"Wait—Kojou, what are you doing?"
"Nothing! I just don't want to bother Sensei."
"Ha ha ha, Kojou, and you say you're not a sis-con, but you're all jealous now," Motoki joked.
"I am not!" Kojou's face reddened, and he loudly denied it.
"Sensei... want to come with us?" Asagi softly raised her head to look at him, somewhat expectant.
"...Fine, I'll come." Shichen scratched his head and sighed, then agreed.
Asagi's expression noticeably brightened.
"Give me a moment, I'll change clothes."
"Sensei, why change clothes? We're not doing anything special; we're just going shopping," Motoki said, impatient.
"Shopping, and you decided to invite me... If I don't change, I'll be wearing house clothes."
"Doesn't matter, Sensei—whatever you wear will look good,"
"You're misunderstanding. I'm not dressing up; I just don't want to wear indoor clothes outside... You can come in first; no need to take off your shoes."
"We'd really rather not—"
"Kojou, you wait outside. We're going in," Motoki interrupted, stepping straight into the apartment.
Asagi and Nagisa followed him in.
Kojou stood there, biting his lip in frustration, but finally gave in and followed.
"Wow—Sensei's place is huge!" Nagisa exclaimed in amazement, scanning the living room.
"It's okay. You guys hang out while I go get changed," Shichen said, heading to his bedroom.
Asagi's eyes followed him as he went inside.
"So that's Sensei's room..." she murmured.
"!" Motoki's voice suddenly piped up from beside her, making Asagi flustered as she glared at him.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing, geez..." Motoki laughed slyly.
"Don't say another word, got it?"
"Sure, sure."
After a short while, Shichen came out in simple clothing and left with Kojou's group.
They had no specific plan—just childish boredom, not wanting to stay home during the holiday.
Bringing Shichen along was Motoki's mischievous idea to tease Asagi, but Asagi and Nagisa didn't mind having Shichen come.
Without a plan, they'd just make one up while out, and since there were girls, they got excited about window shopping.
"Kojou, let's go buy swimsuits!" Nagisa took the initiative happily.
"What? Swimsuits?!" Kojou yelped in surprise.
"Why are you shouting so loud?"
"Um, Nagisa, why do you need a new swimsuit?" Kojou asked nervously.
"What else would I do with it? Summer's coming soon. Isn't it normal to buy swimsuits?"
"But you already have a swimsuit..."
"School swimsuits don't count as real swimwear!"
"Ugh... so what kind of swimsuit do you plan to buy?"
"Not sure yet. I'll figure it out when I see them. Asagi-neesan, why don't you get a swimsuit too?"
"S-swimsuit..." Asagi couldn't help sneaking a glance at Shichen.
"What are you looking at me for? I don't mind whatever you do. You all want to buy swimsuits, so go ahead. The mall has air conditioning, after all," Shichen remarked, noticing Asagi's glance.
"Ahhh~ Sensei, you're so clueless," Motoki said with feigned regret.
"Shut it!" Asagi barked at him.
"Yes, ma'am."
"All right, let's go!" Nagisa grabbed Kojou's arm and led the way to the mall.
Shichen and the others followed close behind.
They arrived at the mall in less than ten minutes, but everyone was sweaty by then.
Thankfully, the central A/C inside was quite strong; the moment they stepped inside, a wave of cool air greeted them. They instantly felt better.
Indeed, the air conditioner is one of mankind's greatest inventions.
Because it was Golden Week, the mall was somewhat crowded. Yet the moment Shichen's group entered, the place fell momentarily quiet as people turned to stare—no doubt because of how attention-grabbing Shichen was.
"My, Sensei sure has charm. Who knows how big the competition will be in the future," Motoki joked, obviously alluding to something.
Asagi ignored him, but internally she began to worry about that very issue.
And indeed, at her current age, she had no chance.
"All right, stop that nonsense," Shichen flicked Motoki on the head.
"Ugh, Sensei's bullying me!"
"You deserve it for spouting nonsense. Let's just head to the swimsuit shop, shall we, Nagisa-chan? You lead the way."
"Okaay!"
The swimsuit store was on the third floor and sold women's swimwear only, meaning the guys would have to wait outside.
So Nagisa and Asagi went in together to buy swimsuits.
Shichen, Kojou, and Motoki waited outside, but Kojou looked uneasy—there were too many lightly dressed women passing by, a lot of fair legs and deep cleavage. It overwhelmed a teenage boy.
Shichen remembered that Kojou was already carrying a part of the Fourth Primogenitor's essence—if he got too worked up, who knew if he'd get a nosebleed.
In any case, Motoki was teasing him constantly, giving him no time to focus on the beauties around.
Nagisa and Asagi didn't take long inside the shop. Soon enough, each came out holding a small bag.
"Nagisa, why so quick?" Kojou asked.
"Hee hee~ I didn't want to keep you waiting," Nagisa said, hands on her hips.
"Sensei, we've bought them," Asagi said softly, approaching Shichen.
"Right, then let's go," Shichen nodded with a smile.
"Mm..." Asagi looked like she wanted to say more but held back from showing him the swimsuit right then.
The group didn't leave immediately but continued wandering around the mall—it was large and had everything. After a bit, they wound up outside an ice cream shop. Shichen was eating some while gazing at a fashion salon across the way.
Asagi came out of the shop with her own ice cream and noticed him looking across.
"Sensei, what are you looking at?" she asked.
"Asagi, have you ever thought about dyeing your hair?"
"Dyeing...my hair?"
"Yeah, I think you'd be even cuter with blonde hair."
"E...even cuter?!" Asagi's voice caught in her throat, and her face flushed.
~~~
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