Chisato's intentions remained subtle, and Iroha played along obediently, taking the bait.
"If even someone like you, Senpai, is worried about your grades, then shouldn't someone at my level be losing sleep every night?"
Iroha sighed softly, lightly placing her hand on her chest while leaning slightly toward Chisato.
They were just a breath away from their shoulders touching.
Chisato placed his hand on her head. It appeared as a gentle pat, but in reality, he discreetly applied force to straighten her posture.
"Who do you think is the one giving me all this pressure?"
"Huh? Are you saying I'm the one stressing you out, Senpai?"
Iroha was well aware of her academic standing. While she wasn't terrible, compared to Chisato, she was undoubtedly at the bottom of the class.
"It's your senpai, the one who also happens to be my neighbor."
With an unchanged expression, Chisato formally steered the conversation to the real topic at hand.
His practiced acting, honed through countless simulated interactions, played its role perfectly—his facial expressions and subtle body language all appeared perfectly natural.
Realizing whom he was referring to, Iroha was momentarily taken aback. However, she quickly composed herself, covering her reaction with a smile.
"Oh, you mean Yukinoshita-senpai? What about her and you, Senpai?"
Chisato leaned back slightly, putting some distance between himself and the faint floral scent of body wash lingering from Iroha, then casually answered her question.
"When someone stays in a particular environment for too long, their thoughts and perceptions become dulled, shaped by habit.
Once they achieve some level of success and find no one around to challenge them, they start to develop the illusion that they're truly exceptional."
Iroha looked at Chisato's slightly serious expression and shook her head.
"Senpai, what are you even talking about? That's so vague…"
Chisato chuckled.
"I was talking about myself just now."
Iroha seemed to catch on.
"Could it be that the reason you suddenly started feeling this way is because of Yukinoshita-senpai?"
Chisato clicked his tongue.
"'Anxious' isn't quite the right word, but she definitely makes me feel on edge."
That was as good as admitting it.
But rather than dwelling on that, Iroha had something more pressing she wanted to know.
"You've been neighbors with Yukinoshita-senpai for over a month now, right? What made you suddenly start thinking this way?"
"It's not exactly sudden. I only recently learned more about her situation."
"Hmm~"
Iroha blinked with great interest, quickly finishing the last few bites of her porridge before turning her body completely to face Chisato, looking like she was all ears.
But Chisato took his time, deliberately keeping her in suspense.
"Iroha, once you're done eating, you should go rest."
"That doesn't matter! Just tell me, Senpai. What happened between you and Yukinoshita-senpai lately?"
"You seem awfully interested in your senpai's affairs."
"Wrong. Yukinoshita-senpai herself doesn't matter. I just don't want to miss out on anything related to you, Senpai~"
Even though there were only the two of them in the room, Iroha still whispered as if sharing a secret.
She leaned in close to Chisato's ear and softly bit down with an adorably gentle nibble.
Chisato drew a shallow breath.
He had just realized that sweetness wasn't something that could only be tasted with the mouth—ears could perceive it too.
Iroha pulled away with a mischievous smile, acting as if nothing had happened.
Resting her hands on Chisato's thighs, she once again closed the distance between them.
"Come on, Senpai, just tell me already. I've been cooped up at home lately, and I'm bored to death."
Chisato shrugged slightly, looking like he had no choice but to give in.
"There's not much to tell, really. When I first moved into this apartment, I was busy settling in, so I forgot to introduce myself to the neighbors.
When I finally remembered, I decided to make up for it. That's how we got to know each other."
Iroha had been listening intently. It was only after a brief silence that she realized Chisato had stopped talking.
She initially thought he was just pausing, but then she understood—he was done explaining.
That was it?
That was way too vague!
Iroha found it both unacceptable and unbelievable.
"Just a belated housewarming gift, and you and Yukinoshita-senpai got close?"
Chisato propped his chin up with his hand, looking upward with a contemplative expression.
"How should I put it? If we're talking about familiarity, I might actually be closer to her older sister than to her."
"Yukinoshita-senpai's sister? What do you mean?"
"When I delivered the gift, it was her sister who warmly invited me inside for tea. Oh, right—do you know her sister? Her name is Haruno."
"I think I've heard Yukinoshita-senpai mention her once before, but I don't really remember much."
That's good. If they weren't close, he didn't have to worry.
Now that Chisato had an idea of where things stood, he continued.
"Anyway, it was through her sister that I got to know Yukinoshita-senpai better and learned more about her situation. And that's thanks to you, Iroha."
"Me?"
Iroha pointed to herself in confusion.
"Yeah. After all, the only connection I initially had with Yukinoshita-senpai—aside from being neighbors—was that we both knew you.
In fact, when we first started talking, she mostly just talked about you."
"What… What did she say about me?"
Iroha suddenly looked a little nervous.
Chisato smiled.
"She was very polite with her words, but almost everything she said about you was positive.
I had no idea you could make more than just cookies—you can bake cakes and other desserts too?"
"Oh… is that so…"
Iroha lowered her head slightly, adjusting her bangs with her fingers.
"Then, once you get to know each other, what do you talk about?"
Chisato looked up at the ceiling.
"Not much, really. Mostly studying. Do you really want to hear about world history, advanced algebra, and function and analytic geometry?"
"Please, no. Just thinking about that makes me want to sleep…"
Iroha let out a silent breath as she watched Chisato.
"Actually… I saw you and Yukinoshita-senpai together in Shimokitazawa before."
"Oh?"
Chisato was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Iroha to bring this up herself.
That saved him some trouble—it meant he could get straight to the point.
"You must have seen us at the library there."
Iroha nodded.
"Why didn't you come say hi?"
"Because I was with friends at the time, so it wasn't very convenient."
"I see."
"That was a bit unexpected."
"Unexpected?"
"That Yukinoshita-senpai would meet with you outside."
"We had made plans before."
"Plans for what?"
"Take a guess, Iroha."
Chisato did not answer this time but instead threw the question back at her.
Iroha pouted in dissatisfaction, but she obediently gave it some thought. After a moment, she answered,
"Studying together?"
"Correct. That was right before the final exams. Though I hate to admit it, Yukinoshita's English skills are truly impressive. I'm not as good as she is."
With this reminder from Chisato, Iroha recalled something she had heard from Yui—Yukino had spent her middle school years abroad.
Three years in a foreign country—no matter how dull a person might be, they'd inevitably pick up English in that kind of environment, let alone someone as outstanding as Yukino.
But even though that explanation made sense, there were still many unanswered questions.
Chisato waited for Iroha to continue asking.
Questions like "Why did Yukinoshita-senpai agree so easily to study with you?" or "Did you promise her something in return?"—he had already prepared answers in his mind.
After all, his goal was to clear up any misunderstandings between the two of them.
Since he had nothing to hide and his intentions were good, telling this kind of well-intentioned lie did not burden his conscience in the slightest.
However, to his surprise, Iroha did not continue pressing him as he had expected.
She pursed her lips slightly, nodded, and showed an expression of understanding.
From the beginning until now, she had carefully processed everything Chisato had said, and she more or less understood what had happened.
Once her doubts were resolved, she chose to believe his words rather than the assumptions she had formed in her mind.
But if she shifted her perspective, even if she somehow realized that Chisato had been lying to her, she probably wouldn't be angry—in fact, she might even be a little pleased.
Because she was just his junior and a friend, her status wasn't high enough to warrant such a detailed explanation.
Yet, since he had gone out of his way to explain, didn't that mean he cared? There could be no other reason.
Iroha accepted this "truth," not because Chisato's words were particularly convincing, but simply because she trusted him.
"Senpai... my head still feels a little dizzy. Feel it for me."
Iroha murmured softly and leaned her head toward him.
Was that topic already over?
Had Iroha accepted his explanation?
Chisato was slightly surprised, but since she had no intention of pressing further, there was no need for him to over-explain and make himself seem guilty.
Without saying anything more about Yukino, he placed his palm on Iroha's forehead, responding to her expectant gaze.
"Mmm..."
"Hey, don't make weird noises."
"Senpai's hand is cool and comfortable. I feel like my dizziness is getting better, so just leave it there."
"Go to your room and rest. A cooling gel pad works better than my hand."
"Actually... it's not just my head. After eating, my whole body feels hot, and I have no strength. My legs feel weak too. In this condition, I can't possibly go upstairs..."
As Iroha spoke weakly, she secretly observed Chisato's reaction.
Seeing him silently stare at her with an expression that was a mix of exasperation and resignation, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand and let out a few dramatic coughs.
"Never mind. I've already troubled you a lot today, Senpai.
I shouldn't waste any more of your time. I'll find a way to repay you later. If you have things to do, you should go ahead and leave. I'll head to my room by myself..."
Saying this, Iroha braced herself against the table and stood up.
Before she could take a step, she let out a few more exaggerated coughs, putting on an over-the-top performance.
"..."
Chisato twitched the corner of his mouth but maintained his composure.
Iroha shifted her hands from the table to the back of a chair, supporting herself as she staggered toward the wall.
With her back slightly hunched, she took painfully slow steps like an elderly lady.
Under Chisato's silent gaze, she barely managed to walk two steps before turning around to add,
"Oh, Senpai, when you leave, make sure to close the front door properly.
My parents might not be back for a while, and I'll probably sleep deeply. If a bad guy sneaks in, it would be dangerous..."
Chisato nodded silently.
Iroha puffed up her cheeks. She was genuinely upset.
What an oblivious and insensitive Senpai. Would it kill him to just help me upstairs?
But as she reached the stairs, she stopped again.
This time, it was different. She looked just like a truly sick person who had been ignored, unable to suppress her feelings of grievance any longer.
With her uniquely sweet and alluring voice, she called out,
"Senpai..."
It seemed she had become too immersed in her act, making her expression of sorrow even more moving.
"Sigh..."
Chisato finally stood up and walked over to the now visibly delighted Iroha. Ignoring the hand she had purposefully extended toward him, he instead bent down slightly.
The next moment, Iroha suddenly felt her body lighten. Before she knew it, she was lifted off the ground, cradled against Chisato's chest.
The unexpected surprise sent a rush of excitement through Iroha's mind, and she couldn't hide the bright smile on her face.
"You didn't seem this weak when you came downstairs. And now you can't even walk?"
Chisato carried her up the stairs, emphasizing the words "weakness" in a teasing tone.
"That... that must be because I caught a chill when I was bathing earlier."
Iroha hesitated for a beat before wrapping her arms around his neck, resting her head against his chest, and taking a deep breath as if savoring the moment.
Chisato saw through everything.
Iroha was still the same Iroha—he could more or less guess what was going through her mind.
But even so, with her excessive cuteness and playful scheming, every word she said and every action she took made it impossible for him to completely ignore her.
The more he interacted with her, the more he found himself unwittingly drawn to her, willingly letting her lead him by the nose.
That was her charm.
And also, her danger.
Indeed, Isshiki Iroha...
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What a brat.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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