"President, today is the day Rinji returns."

"Seems about right."

Since Rinji had gone back home for the New Year, the student council had experienced various events, and everyone had gotten used to his absence.

Now, it was the beginning of March.

"By the way, Ishigami, how did you know Rinji would come back today?"

"I was originally going to send him my birthday info, though I didn't expect a reply from that offline place," Ishigami said. "But around noon he suddenly replied, saying he would arrive at school before the end of classes today."

"Coming back from so far away, shouldn't he rest at home for a few days first? Why come to school?"

"President, have you already assumed Rinji doesn't need to follow the school's vacation rules?"

Shirogane was used to Rinji's free-spirited ways. In his eyes, Rinji acting according to his own habits was normal; school rules weren't necessary.

Vrr~

"Hmm?"

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, Ishigami took it out.

"Oh, Rinji seems to have arrived."

Click.

The student council doors opened, and Rinji walked in wearing his uniform, carrying a basket.

"Everyone, I'm back."

"Welcome back," Shirogane said with a smile. "It's been a month, hasn't it?"

"Yeah. Oh, right, I brought some fruit from home this time."

Rinji placed the basket on the coffee table.

Inside were various translucent fruits—strawberries, pineapples, cherries, and more.

"Eh… not surprising, coming from a farm family."

Ishigami picked up a strawberry; it looked extremely appetizing.

"Wait." Shirogane suddenly realized something. "Rinji… your family's farm is overseas, right?"

"Yes."

"Now foreign fruit can be brought in?"

Normally, live animals, dairy, meat, and fruit cannot be imported. Last semester, Rinji somehow brought in a watermelon, and today he brought a whole basket of fruits. By rights, these shouldn't be allowed into Japan.

"Oh, I have my own channels; everything complies with regulations."

"Ah, then I can relax."

Not realizing that "complies with regulations" meant nobody dared to challenge him, Shirogane naturally popped a cherry into his mouth.

"Wow, really sweet."

"Of course. Our farm is different from those industrial farms—quality over quantity."

"By the way, Rinji…"

Ishigami stared at him for a while.

"Did you grow taller after going home?"

"Huh?"

"Seems like it."

Shirogane also noticed a slight change from a month ago.

Rinji was a bit taller, though not dramatically, and his arm muscles were slightly more defined than before.

"Did you train while at home?"

"Not really," Rinji replied, looking aside. "Just did more farm work than usual—you know, farm work is the best kind of training."

"I see, that makes sense."

Shirogane had no doubt about Rinji's explanation.

Rinji hesitated for a moment, then said to the two of them, "Actually, this trip home… I met…"

"Oh, Rinji, I have something to tell you."

After eating two strawberries, Ishigami suddenly said,

"Ah? What is it?"

"I'm dating Tsubame-senpai."

"…"

Rinji froze.

"…Since when?"

"A week ago, during that date. I asked her to date me—not a grand confession, just a vague request. She agreed."

"…"

"Since you're already dating, then Rinji…"

"I came back too early."

"When will you come back next?"

"Never," Rinji said with a dark expression.

He wanted to smack his younger self for making that foolish bet.

"If you really don't want to cross-dress, just skip it," Ishigami laughed. "You've helped me a lot with Senpai already; no need to embarrass yourself."

"…"

Ishigami truly didn't mind if Rinji didn't fulfill the bet, but for Rinji, this was humiliation.

Even if Ishigami let it slide, this was his bet with Kaguya—she would never just let it go.

Rinji knew if he refused to follow through, Kaguya would likely mention it later for fun.

But… perhaps there was a way out.

"By the way, Rinji, what were you going to say?" Shirogane asked. "You mentioned seeing something at home…"

"Nothing. Just my ever-beautiful mother and my annoying father—nothing important."

"Just cross-dressing, anyway. One week—start tomorrow."

"Eh?"

"Are you serious?"

---

"You're finally back."

"Yeah."

"Though it's a bit late, but…"

Hayasaka took a small gift box from her bag and handed it to Rinji.

"This is Valentine's chocolate."

"Thank you."

Receiving chocolate from Hayasaka instantly cleared Rinji's previous gloomy mood.

He put it away and said to her, "By the way, besides us at home, someone else will be staying for a while."

"Who?"

"My sister."

"Huh?"

Hayasaka was slightly stunned.

"You have a sister?"

"I only found out this trip… she wants to visit Japan with me for a while and will stay at our house during this period."

"I see." Hayasaka didn't say much. "What kind of person is your sister?"

"She's… kind of strange."

"How so?"

"You'll see when you meet her." Rinji glanced aside. "I took her to the house before coming to school."