[Good thing I set my phone to silent beforehand.]

Kotomi sent a message that seemed like a reply but wasn’t quite one.

[?]

Iroha clearly didn’t understand the meaning of that message right away and sent back a question mark.

[If I hadn’t put my phone on silent, the notification sounds from your multiple messages would have likely gotten my new phone confiscated by the teacher.]

[Senpai, aren’t you Tokyo’s number one? With such good grades, you shouldn’t have to worry about teachers confiscating your stuff.]

[I wouldn’t bet on it. Speaking of which, I saw the picture you sent me~]

Even though Kotomi had saved the picture without hesitation, she deliberately left Iroha hanging, curious to see her impatient reaction.

[Really, really?! Senpai, do you think my selfie looks good? Do you like it?]

Seeing Iroha’s immediate response, Kotomi couldn’t help but smirk and let out a satisfied hum. She had always dreamed of turning the little devil into putty in her hands, of seeing her flustered or obedient for once!

The first step to achieving this was taking control of their conversations.

Looking back on her past “failures,” Kotomi realized that the reason she often fell into Iroha’s traps was because she never took the initiative. A slight misstep, and she would find herself being led around by the nose straight into whatever scheme Iroha had prepared.

“Past failures don’t matter. What’s important is the present and future success. Once I take control, won’t Iroha have no choice but to obey me? Listen to my commands!”

Kotomi thought smugly, her bright smile catching the attention of not just Megumi, who had been sneakily observing her, but even Yukino and Yui sitting in front of her. If she had a tail, it would definitely be wagging proudly right now.

Or perhaps, with Megumi’s gentle but firm nature, that tail might have been swiftly grabbed and yanked off…

But Kotomi was oblivious to all of this.

Back to the messages—just as Kotomi was about to type a reply to maintain her upper hand, another message from Iroha popped up:

[Senpai~ Did you really think I’d say that? You’re overthinking things~ Hehe, I sent my messages separately on purpose, just to let you feel smug for a moment.]

With just one message, Iroha had seemingly read Kotomi’s entire thought process. Kotomi even glanced around, half-expecting to find a hidden camera.

If there really was one, Kotomi’s first instinctive thought would probably be: “Make sure to use the highest resolution camera to capture my beauty perfectly.”

[What makes you so sure? What if that’s not what I was thinking?]

[Senpai, if you didn’t like my selfie, you wouldn’t have saved it to your album.]

Ugh… How did she even know I saved it?! Kotomi grumbled internally.

If the little devil were in front of her right now, Kotomi would definitely ask: “Are you a mind reader?”

Even though Iroha had hit the mark, Kotomi stubbornly replied:

[Yeah, I saved your picture. But wasn’t this photo taken by Aimi? That doesn’t really count as a selfie, does it?]

[Fine, let’s not talk about that. Since I saved your photo, guess what I’m going to do with it?]

After sending the message, Kotomi waited about two to three minutes before Iroha finally replied.

[Senpai saved my picture, hmm~ You’re probably planning to use it for ‘that’ kind of thing late at night, right?]

‘That’ kind of thing?

Kotomi stared at the words, confused at first. What did she mean by that?

As if anticipating Kotomi’s confusion, Iroha sent a video. When Kotomi tapped to play it, she saw Iroha’s small hand tucked inside her desk pocket, with the camera pointed inside. First, Iroha wiggled her fingers as if testing if the recording had started—or perhaps just to get Kotomi’s attention.

Whatever her intention was, it worked—Kotomi was fixated on the screen.

Then, Iroha’s hand made a particular gesture…

The moment Kotomi saw it, a deep blush instantly spread across her face. She got it.

Oh, she meant that kind of thing?!

As much as Kotomi wanted to deny it, she immediately recalled something she did almost every night before going to sleep. The realization hit her like a truck, and she understood in an instant.

[I swear, I want to teleport to your side right now and smack you over my lap!]

Kotomi furiously tapped on the screen, her intensity making it seem like she might shatter her phone. She had just resolved to take control of the conversation, to stop letting Iroha mess with her. Yet, in the blink of an eye, she had walked right into Iroha’s trap again.

[Senpai, are you flustered now because I hit the mark?]

[Flustered my foot! I’ll have you know that your homeroom teacher was also my middle school teacher. I still have her contact information. If you don’t behave, I’ll give her a call and tell her that you were playing with your phone in class and teasing your senior!]

[Oh, and if Hiragi-sensei asks who I was texting during class, should I just say it was you, Senpai? Right in front of Aimi? After all, I’m a very honest and well-behaved girl. You’re the only person in my life who ever brings out my mischievous side, Senpai, because—]

Kotomi froze as she read Iroha’s reply. If it had only been the first half, she wouldn’t have been too fazed. But the latter part of the message left her feeling completely unsteady.

She didn’t know whether to sit or stand. Since it was still class time, she couldn’t even leave to get some fresh air. As her face grew increasingly red and her heartbeat accelerated, her phone suddenly vibrated again. This time, Iroha had sent a voice message instead of a text.

The teacher at the podium had just finished explaining a key concept and allowed the students a few minutes for discussion. The classroom buzzed with conversation, giving Kotomi the perfect cover to discreetly listen to the voice message.

She lowered the volume, leaned in slightly, and listened as Iroha’s sweet, teasing voice played in her ear.

“Senpai, you feel like my fated person. Did you smile when you heard that~?”

[I did not! Focus on your class!]

[A tsundere Senpai is just the cutest!]

Kotomi’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as she hastily exited the messaging app.

A few minutes later…

Kotomi quietly opened her photo gallery and set Iroha’s picture as her phone wallpaper.

…

Chiba City Private Middle School

After finishing her chat with Kotomi, Iroha exited the messaging app. If Aimi were to glance in her direction at that moment, she might be surprised to see that Iroha’s lock screen wallpaper was a couple-like photo of her and Kotomi taken at the Tako-nee’s Sukiyaki restaurant. Meanwhile, her home screen wallpaper was a photo of the two of them at Enoshima.

Of course, even if Aimi wanted to see, Iroha wouldn’t necessarily show her. Ever since changing her wallpapers to photos with Kotomi, she had been reluctant to let others see them—not even Aimi.

After all, Aimi was Kotomi’s younger sister. If she found out that Iroha had taken so many pictures with her sister without her knowing, even the mischievous Iroha would feel a little guilty.

Aimi, I’m sorry… Iroha murmured in her heart, tucking away her phone and returning to the lesson, quickly scribbling down the notes she had missed.

“Iroha, what were you doing just now? Playing on your phone during class? That’s so unlike you. Not only that, but you kept grinning too. Aren’t you afraid of getting caught by the teacher?” Aimi, who was sitting next to her, whispered while jotting down notes.

“Did I?” Iroha asked in surprise. She hadn’t realized she had been reacting so obviously.

“Even if I exaggerated a bit, it was pretty close. Who were you texting that made you so happy…?” Aimi trailed off, as if suddenly realizing something. She leaned in closer to Iroha and whispered, “Don’t tell me… you have a boyfriend?”

Iroha shook her head firmly. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Never had one, and I don’t plan to.”

“Then were you…”

Aimi thought for a moment, and then a shocking possibility came to mind. Lowering her voice but unable to hide the slight tremor of nervous excitement, she asked, “Iroha, do you like girls? You don’t have to say it out loud—just nod or shake your head.”

I was just chatting with your sister… Iroha almost blurted out but stopped herself at the last second. Instead, when she heard Aimi’s question, she hesitated for only a moment before silently nodding.

Aimi wasn’t particularly shocked—after all, she liked girls too. She adored Kotomi! So upon learning that her best friend Iroha also liked girls, she wasn’t surprised; instead, she felt a strange sense of camaraderie.

“So you like girls… Have you told anyone else?”

Iroha shook her head.

“Phew… I’m the first to know, huh? Don’t worry, Iroha. I like girls too, so I’d never make fun of you.

It’s just… I didn’t expect us both to have the same preference. We really are best friends! So~ were you texting your girlfriend just now?!”

Aimi’s gossip-loving soul ignited in an instant.

Sometimes, a friend’s love life is even more exciting than one’s own. They’ll offer advice, strategize, and lend a listening ear.

Aimi was no different. The moment she found out that her best friend Iroha liked girls—and might even have a girlfriend—she was beyond curious and eager to help push things along!

Hearing Aimi’s question, Iroha paused for a moment, then curled her lips into a playful smile, lowering her head as she chuckled softly. “She’s not my girlfriend… yet.”

That statement alone was enough to completely ignite Aimi’s curiosity. “Not yet?! So that means you like her?”

“Mhm, I like her a lot.” Iroha nodded, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Aimi was stunned. She had never seen Iroha act shy before. It made her even more curious about this mysterious girl who had managed to capture Iroha’s heart so completely.

If given the chance, she would love to meet her. Maybe even ask for tips on how to make Kotomi fall head over heels for her.

“Does she like you back?” Aimi asked cautiously.

Iroha shook her head. “She probably… doesn’t even realize how I feel about her yet. Sometimes, I think she’s just a clueless idiot.”

Seeing the wistful expression on Iroha’s face, Aimi couldn’t help but relate. She, too, spent every day thinking about Kotomi, waiting anxiously, unsure of how Kotomi truly felt about her. The uncertainty was both thrilling and agonizing.

Is this what it means to love someone? Aimi wondered, feeling a bittersweet ache in her heart, like a heroine in a romance drama.

She placed a firm, reassuring hand on Iroha’s shoulder and encouraged her with sincerity:

“Iroha, you have to be brave. If you really like her, you need to tell her. I know it’s scary—you don’t know if she’ll accept or reject you. It’s natural to hesitate, to be afraid of taking that first step.

But just because fear is normal doesn’t mean it’s right. My mom always told me and Kotomi that if you don’t express your feelings, then nothing will ever change!”

Iroha’s eyes softened as she listened, and after a brief pause, she hugged Aimi lightly. “Thanks, Aimi. I suddenly feel like I understand things a little better. Maybe soon, I’ll find the courage to confess, just like you said.”

Aimi beamed with happiness. The thought of Iroha getting a girlfriend soon filled her with excitement, but at the same time, she felt a deep sense of envy.

When will Kotomi finally become my girlfriend…? Aimi sighed internally.

…

Sobu High School

After class, Kotomi lay her head on the desk for a nap, but barely a moment later, she felt a gentle poke on her cheek from Megumi’s fingertip.

“Mmm… Megumi, what is it?” Kotomi rubbed her sleepy eyes, longing for a proper nap.

“I was just a little curious—what did Tendo-senpai talk to you about when she called you out earlier? Of course, if it’s something private, you don’t have to tell me.”

“Oh, it’s nothing secret.” Kotomi shrugged and told Megumi about becoming the honorary president of the Kendo Club.

“Wow! So from today onward, you officially have a title in school leadership!”

“Hehehe, it’s just an honorary title. I get a lot of perks, but I don’t actually have any real authority over club management. Which is fine, since I have no interest in that kind of responsibility—it’s way too much trouble.”

She had to admit, the honorary president position suited her perfectly. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that accepting Tendo-senpai’s invitation, joining the Kendo Club, and aiming for next year’s Six-School Tournament had been the right choice.

Besides, she was still leveling up her Kendo skills in the system—she had to put that training to use somehow.

Megumi glanced at Kotomi and suddenly brought up the art competition.

“Kotomi, have you finished your painting for the competition?”

“Yeah, it’s already packed in a wooden crate. It’ll probably be shipped out after school today. Ah—though I’m really confident in my work, the waiting period after the deadline, just to find out if I got selected, is still nerve-wracking.”

Kotomi rocked back and forth in her chair, looking completely carefree. But those who knew her well understood—whenever she was nervous, she couldn’t sit still.

Megumi chuckled and offered a suggestion.

“Don’t be so nervous. Believe in yourself! Oh, I have an idea—if your painting gets selected, I’ll give you a little present. How about that?”

After saying this, Megumi’s lips curled into a mysterious, unreadable smile.

————————————————————————————————————–

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep