"Haaah!"

Ten minutes before the exam ended, Nagisa finally finished filling in her answer sheet.

As for how many points she could score this time—she wasn't sure herself.

Normally, she ranked around 16th or 17th nationally.

But recently, due to everything going on with Takashi, she hadn't been able to focus on her studies. Her rank was probably going to drop.

Hmm… maybe this is the perfect chance to ask him to be my tutor?

The dynamic between teacher and student carried a natural sense of forbidden desire.

Nagisa imagined herself in her room, sitting on Takashi's lap, undoing the buttons on his white shirt one by one, planting kisses on his collarbone, and whispering, "Sensei, I don't understand. Teach me."

She instinctively squeezed her thighs together, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

No more thinking about it. If I do, I'll get wet.

As she turned her head to see what Takashi was doing, she was greeted with the sight of Maki resting her head on the desk, gazing softly at Takashi.

The scene gave Nagisa a sudden, inexplicable discomfort in her chest.

Didn't we agree last time?

I give you Tsubasa, you give me Takashi.

So now why are you giving my man that kind of look?

You're not seriously trying to have both, are you?

I need to keep a close eye on the two of them.

Nagisa silently grew alert.

The one involved is always blind, but the observer sees clearly.

Maki might not have realized Takashi's place in her heart yet—but Nagisa could see it clearly.

She could tell Maki's heart was gradually being drawn to Takashi.

The only reason she was still stuck on Tsubasa was because of an obsession with the unattainable.

It wasn't a strong kind of love—but it was irreplaceable.

It was that pure, impulsive, youthful affection—unexplained, fleeting, but unforgettable.

Years later, it lingers as regret. Not because the person was so amazing, but because the feelings were so genuine.

This kind of thing was just like Utaha and Tomoya. If you asked Utaha what she liked about him, or why she liked him—

She probably couldn't say.

Because love, by its nature, is irrational.

Even if the story went as originally intended—Aki Tomoya ending up with Kato Megumi—there would still be a place in Utaha's heart just for him.

Because she never had him, she would keep romanticizing him.

Maybe he wasn't even that great—but in Utaha's eyes, she'd only remember the best parts of him.

That's what obsession is.

And the easiest way to break that obsession?

Get together.

It's just like how turning a hobby into a job can kill the joy.

If Tomoya and Utaha actually got together—experienced the mundanities of life, cooking meals, managing household chores—they might realize they weren't that compatible.

So why didn't Tomoya choose either Utaha or Eriri—two talented, promising young ladies?

You think it's because he's stupid?

He's not. He's far more perceptive than the average person.

He knew what kind of girl was right for him—someone he could build a life with.

That's the real reason he didn't choose the other two.

Sure, life with either of them might've been great at first.

But as the initial passion faded, and routine set in, would things still feel the same?

It's like Titanic—if Jack hadn't died, would Rose really have loved him so deeply?

What you can't have always seems the best.

That's why Maki's heart is now leaning toward Takashi—but she still can't let go of Tsubasa.

Maybe one day she'll realize the truth, but Nagisa had no intention of giving her the chance.

Maki… don't blame me.

Nagisa knew she was being underhanded.

But she truly liked Takashi—and she didn't want to give him up to anyone.

…

When the exam bell rang, Mafuyu said coldly, "Begin collecting papers."

Amid groans of frustration, the papers were collected row by row.

"Haaah…"

After handing in his paper, Takashi stretched and got up to move around. Then he headed to the cafeteria.

The morning exams were done.

There were more in the afternoon, and Takashi planned to eat in the university cafeteria.

Since he had come alone from Aoba, and it wasn't really appropriate to go find Umaru, he went by himself.

After picking his food and carrying his tray, he walked over to get a drink—only to see Yukino studying the vending machine seriously.

She held a cup in her right hand, and, for some reason, a 500-yen coin in her left.

"What are you doing?" Takashi asked, puzzled.

Yukino frowned when she saw it was him, but then glanced at the line forming behind her, gave a light cough, and waved him over, gesturing for him to lower his head—she had something to say.

Still confused, Takashi leaned in.

"Well, um… Kitahara-kun," she murmured.

Kitahara-kun?

His expression twisted the moment he heard that.

Yukino saw the look on his face too, and barely resisted the urge to punch him. She awkwardly asked, "Where do you insert the coin?"

Takashi blinked. "Huh?"

Just what kind of upper-class household did this girl grow up in?

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Maybe she was embarrassed to ask Takashi for help, because Yukino turned away with a huff, giving him the back of her head.

"What are you drinking?"

Takashi grabbed her cup from her hand.

Yukino glared at him but still pointed at the milk tea.

He placed the cup into the machine, pressed a button, and filled it. Then he placed it on her tray.

"Huh?"

Yukino blinked.

She held up her coin and asked in confusion, "Don't I have to pay?"

"Thanks for your patronage."

Takashi smoothly took the coin and slipped it into his pocket.

"You!"

Yukino was furious. She pointed at him, clearly wanting to curse—but lacking any proper "toxic gamer vocabulary," she could only growl:

"Shameless!"

"Thanks for the compliment." Takashi grinned, flashing white teeth.

He was about to leave after getting his own drink when he felt his sleeve tugged.

Turning around, he saw Komi Shouko holding out an empty cup, pointing silently at the drink bar.

"You don't know how either?"

Takashi could hardly believe it.

Komi turned her eyes away, not daring to meet his gaze, but nodded vigorously.

"Look me in the eyes when you talk."

Silence.

"Fine, I owe you one. What do you want?"

She watched as Takashi reluctantly took her cup.

Her lips curled into a faint smile as she pointed at the same cappuccino he had gotten.

"Here."

Takashi shoved the drink into her hands without much grace—but as he turned again, someone tugged on his sleeve.

"What now—" Takashi assumed it was Komi again, but turning his head, he saw Umaru smiling radiantly at him.

"Kitahara-kun, you won't get me a drink too?"

She tilted her head innocently.

"Of course I will!"

Takashi took her cup and filled it with cola.

"I don't like cola. I want the cappuccino," Umaru protested.

At home, you call me 'Umaru-chan,' and I let it slide.

But in public, everyone calls me a goddess.

And how can a goddess drink cola?

Takashi didn't argue—he just placed the cola on her tray. "Next!"

No need to turn—he already saw the next person was Nagisa.

"You really are something else," Umaru muttered, pouting—but her heart was filled with sweetness.

He really understands me.

He knows what I like.

See? Love is obvious.

True understanding doesn't need words.

___

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