[Study session]

After school that day, the top of the caste in Class 2A visit the share house that Nishino has moved into. With no club activities in preparation for the exams, no one was left out.

In addition to Nishino and Suzuki, there were seven other members: Rose, Gabriella, the chairwoman, Takeuchi and Risa. Risa-chan's participation was the result of an enthusiastic invitation from the committee chairwoman. Shimizu greeted after school with the feeling of a soldier going to "enemy territory" with few allies.

And so, after a friendly visit, the share house is just around the corner. A wooden house only a few years old. Compared to the other houses in the neighborhood, the house seemed newer and more stylish to everyone present. At least it was a far cry from his previous flat. 

"Oh, you're sure this is it? It's surprisingly clean!"

Risa said, looking at the building from the front.

122

Like Suzuki, they were expecting him to live in poor conditions. The gap between what they thought they would find and what they expected to find made their impressions more honest.

Suzuki was not amused by this. 

"So, Nishino, can I come up to your house?" 

"Yes, the living room it's on the second floor."

The girl's praise had put him in a good mood and he stepped out in high spirits. He pulls the key out of the pocket of his trousers and dashes to the front door. In the same time, at the entrance, there was Yukki sitting on the stile to put on his shoes, reaching for his shoelaces. It seems that he was leaving for work.

"Oh? Are those your friends from school, Nishino?"

"Yeah, We have mid-term exams coming up. I'd like to borrow the living room for a study session."

He is dressed roughly in jeans and a hoodie. I think he changes into his work clothes at work.

123

He looks unsuitable to be living under one roof with Nishino. 

"It's fine, Yamanobe said she had to work until nightfall, and I'm going to be out of the house, so no one will be bothered. Oh, but don't let your voice echo through the neighbourhood, okay? I don't know how it was in your last apartment, but wooden houses can be quite loud."

"I'm going to go to work."

"Bye."

He left the house as soon as he finished putting on his shoes without any discomfort.

"Is this handsome guy living here?" 

"Oh yeah, his name is Yukki."

In response to Risa's question, Nishino is proud of his roommate.

124

"How many other housemates do you have?" 

The blonde Lolita, who had caught a glimpse of Nishino's more amicable life in a share house than she had expected, felt Nishino's virginity in danger. At his side is Gabriella, who is looking at him with an equally serious expression

"Three people including myself."

"So, the other person is the woman with the perfume?" 

"Do you still smell it?"

125

For Rose and Gabriella, this is a serious matter. They felt threatened by the fact that Nishino would be living under the same roof with only one man and one woman.

◇ ◆ ◇  

As originally planned, the study session began at the share house where Nishino was moving to. 

Suzuki, who was expecting a poor environment, was planning to propose a change of location as soon as he saw the situation. However, the living space was cleaner and more hygienic than he had expected, and he was forced to open his textbooks in the same place.

On the table there are always snacks and juice. By using the dining table in addition to the sofa set, everyone is able to study for the exams without any inconvenience. 

Takeuchi is at the head of the former group, followed by the chairperson and Risa.

Suzuki-kun and the top caste group that Class 2A boasts. 

Next to Nishino is sitting is Gabriella, sitting there so Rose is face-to-face with the Futsumen. It's a perfect example of the current power relationship between the two Lolitas. In contrast, the vacant position next to Rose is occupied by Takeuchi, who is watching vigilantly.

126

On the other hand, Suzuki-kun, who was the initiator of the meeting, is feeling good about getting a place next to the committee chairwoman, despite his original plan to undermine Nishino's share house life. This was only possible thanks to the cooperation of the two hot guys. 

As soon as they visited the living room, the two boys sat down opposite each other, depriving Risa and the chairperson of their freedom of choice. Shimizu wanted to sit next to Takeuchi, but Risa, who can read the air, took the lead and got next to him..

As it turned out, the chairman of the committee was the biggest disappointment in the living room.

"Chairwoman, do you know the past participle form of this word?" 

"It's.....fallen, but..." 

"Oh, thank you! You are good at English, after all!"

127

However, Suzuki's mischievous sense of chastity was a hurdle for the virgin Shimizu. Compared to Takeuchi, who had a reputation for behaving like a big man, Suzuki was a carnivorous man. His passion made the chairwoman take a step back. 

"Risa, do you know the meaning of this word?"

"What? If Takeuchi doesn't know the word, how can I know it?"

"..."

"It's a simple word, but I can't find a translation for it in the dictionary."

"I'll go and ask Rose."

As Suzuki struggles to get hold of the chairwoman of the committee, the most handsome man in the class moves next to Rose. A dining set for four. He sat down at the last available seat and spoke enthusiastically to the person he wanted to be with. 

"Can I have a word with you, Rose?" 

"Sorry. I'm in the middle of solving a mathematical equation," 

Rose replied nonchalantly, her Japanese textbook at her side.

128

Her gaze is fixed on Nishino, who is sitting in front of her, and on Gabriella, who is sitting next to him. She does not even glance at the notebook spread out in her hand. The dining room table is a metre deep, and the distance between them is uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to call out to you so suddenly."

"...." 

It's the perfect opportunity to study for an exam in the same space as the person you love. But even so, the handsome boys of Class 2A are not able to get away with it. It was a very frustrating situation. 

Nishino, on the other hand, is very much in love with Gab. At least that's what it looked like from the outside.

She asks him a series of questions, to which he responds cynically and with few words. The man himself doesn't seem bothered by this. But Takeuchi, who shared the confession scene with her, could understand Gabriella's feelings. 

"I don't think I can go on like this." That's what Suzuki tought. If we can't communicate with each other individually, then we should prepare a topic that involves the whole group. 

129

He was a seasoned friend of the opposite sex, and in order to win Shimizu over, he immediately opened his mouth to set up a new conversation. As his voice echoed through the room, everyone's attention turned to Suzuki. The first to react was the young man. 

"What is it? Suzuki-kun."

He takes the initiative to establish a distance from Gabriella and Rose. 

For Nishino, Suzuki-kun is more important than the two Lolitas in front of him. He is a virgin with a thirst for learning, who believes that there is something to be learnt from even a casual remark in the presence of a handsome man who seems to be enjoying his own burst of youth. 

Rose and Gabriella's mindset follows suit, as if they have no choice. It's an annoying pattern for Suzuki. But he ignores this and continues to speak strongly. 

"It's boring just to study normally, what about a competition?" 

130

Takeuchi responded immediately to this. 

"What's the reward ? " 

"For example, the launch after the test..." 

In the end, Gabriella got the best part.

She looks at the man sitting next to her and says

"You have a point. I agree with you. It would be boring to compete with others on academic performance and end up with a hierarchy. I have a suggestion for you, Nishino, that the side which is inferior in the examination scores should be allowed to make one request of the side which wins."

It was an exciting proposition. In particular, for Nishino, Rose and Gabriella, it was the same as they had imagined for their classmates in Class 2A. 

The demands would be even more intense than before. Even if measured simply in monetary terms, the amount of money involved would be staggering.

"Well, that might be a motivating proposition."

"Oh, you're interested?" 

"Yes."

131 

A look is exchanged between Rose and Gabriella.

It was a unique opportunity for the former, who had been outnumbered by the latter due in part to his mysterious abilities. The attention of the other boys in the room also helped to put a smile on their faces. There was a change in the upper caste of Class 2A as well. 

It was Takeuchi who raised his voice first. 

"That sounds interesting. I'd like to participate." 

"Eh? Oh." 

Suzuki, on the other hand, he was the most handsome of the group, but he was worried about his academic abilities. After high school he has decided to enter university on a sports recommendation. He is already acquainted with the coach of the university to which he plans to enter, and studying for exams is a secondary concern.

"....." 

And the chairwoman, whose studies and report card scores are all that sustain her self-esteem but whose destination is in doubt, has given up. She is not aiming for Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Shee is at a loss for words and stares quietly at his vocabulary book. Risa, on the other hand, is enjoying herself from a third person's point of view.

132

"Oh, that sounds fun! I want to participate too." 

This was the reaction of each of them, taking into account their own academic ability, position and background. 

"If that's the case, shouldn't there be strict rules?"

After Gabriella's suggestion, Nishino responds in a curt and disinterested manner, but inwardly, he is full of enthusiasm. He and his classmates are happy and sad about the results of their exams, but it's the boys and girls who are at the top of the class caste. This is a unique opportunity for a virgin with a lack of youth. 

"Why do we need rules other than exam scores?"

"I don't mean to be rude, but there are too many different starting points. I would suggest that the game should be designed in such a way that everyone can enjoy it, taking into account their own efforts as well as the importance of the exam score."

Nishino responded, and Gabriella and Rose also said. 

It was Shimizu who naturally showed a backlash. 

"Even it if so, This kind of exam is a place to check the results of your regular study, not a place to compete with your overnight skills."

133

"Yes, the chairwoman is right..."

Suzuki was trying his best to withdraw Gabriella's idea, while praising Shimizu. His intention was to talk about the launch of the exams, so that he could get away from the present moment of studying.

Despite his intentions, a cheerful voice came from Eisa. 

"Oh, how about this?" 

"Is there any good idea?" 

Futsumen asks with a sharp face while putting his hand on his chin. Ignoring this, Risa continues to explain to everyone. 

"The first thing you need to do is get a piece of paper with your name on it, your weaknesses and your strengths, and put it in a locked box. The key will be kept out of reach of everyone and the box will be sealed until after the exam."

The only exceptions are Rose and Gabriella. 

"Then, when the exam results are posted, you will open the sealed box."

"If a person's score in a subject that he or she lists as his or her strongest subject is higher than the score of the person who lists the same subject as his or her strongest subject, he or she will do one thing for him or her. What do you think?"

134

"For example, let's say I have written English as my strong subject and Japanese as my weak subject, and Nishino-kun has written Japanese as his strong subject and English as his weak subject."

"In this case, if I exceed Nishino-kun's score in Japanese, does that mean Nishino-kun will listen to one thing I say?"

"Yes, that's right. On the other hand, if Nishino-kun's score in English is higher than Rose's, that means that Rose will listen to one thing Nishino-kun says."

Rose grinned in response. 

"I see, that sounds interesting." 

"But don't ask for anything that they don't want to do, okay?"

 

135 

"....." 

Takeuchi voiced his approval. 

With the exception of a few people, everyone in the room was positive about the idea, and the whole process was confirmed. Risa's proposal seems to have been accepted by everyone.

Each of them began to be conscious of the decision of two subjects according to their own desires.

136

"In that case, how much can I write as a subject?" 

The caring chairwoman runs a pen on her notebook. On the paper he presented, there was a list of subjects reflecting Takeuchi's advice. 

The list of subjects included Japanese (classics and current literature), mathematics (I and B), English (co-English and English tables), biology, information and so on. 

This is a summary of the subjects for the forthcoming examinations. 

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's very easy to understand," he said.

Shimizu was both delighted and annoyed to receive words of praise from Takeuchi-kun and Nishino, two contrasting people.

There was a lively discussion about the pieces of paper on which to write the subjects in which they were not good, and where to keep them. The event attracted everyone, not just the Futsumen, and preparations were made as quickly as possible. 

137

There was one exception, Suzuki. He looked at the crowd with an inexplicable expression on his face.

◇ ◆ ◇  

That evening, Rose and Gabriella headed to Roppongi. They had just finished a study session at the share house. 

"Yamanobe will be back in a little while, why don't we have dinner together?" 

They had to turn down the offer of a meal with Yamanobe, who had started to get carried away.

The girls now had a higher priority to check. This brought a sigh of relief to the top of the caste in Class 2A. With Rose and Gabriella shaking their heads, they were able to leave Nishino's house without a hitch.

They are the ones who have vowed not to talk about the share house at school. The two Lolitas went to a bar owned by Marquis.

There, at the same time as their visit, was Francisca. She is sitting at the counter in her usual suit, her firm thighs boldly crossed as she sips her drink. There are no other customers in the shop. For some reason, there is a sign hanging in front of the shop indicating that it is closed.

138

The restaurant had been reserved for the day, thanks to a prior call from Rose. 

"Rose, I'm not like you, I'm very busy, but how dare you call me out of the blue? Or have you been so poisoned by your schoolboy ways that you've lost sight of your place in the world?" 

As soon as they had arrived, Francisca shouted at them. Her face was also grim. In response, they walked over to her. 

"I've found out where he's moving to," she said, "and I've been informed by the surveillance we had last night. I think it's negligence." 

"I heard that the landlord of the flat took pity on him and offered him a place."

"I'm investigating," she said, nodding quietly in response to Francisca's words. 

"What are you going to do about it?"

"It depends on the results of the investigation. We can't say for sure at the moment."

139

"What's that? You're here because he's suspicious of us in some way, right?" 

"If we were to be too aggressive, it would be troublesome if we were to be distanced from [Normal]." 

"..."

"Or do you have a better idea, Rose?" 

"All right. We'll wait for your report, won't we?" 

Rose nodded reluctantly. At the same time, a plan for the future was rapidly forming in her mind. 

"And please refrain from doing anything you want until we give instructions." 

"Oh, what do you mean?" 

"Rose, if we leave you alone, you're going to sneak in on your own."

"..."

If this had not been pointed out to her, Rose would have been ready to sneak in tomorrow when Nishino was away. She has just finished living with him in his home. The surveillance camera that was used there is still in her possession. It's no problem for her to do it again. 

140

"I don't need to be told what to do," nodded Francisca and tipped her glass. 

There was a lull in the conversation between the girls. Then, just in time, the shop bell rang. The clang of the bell, signalling the arrival of a customer, echoed through the quiet restaurant. Marquis, the master of the shop, and everyone else who had checked the closing announcement on their way in and out of the shop, turned their attention to the doorway. 

"Yo, yo." It was Tarosuke who peeked out.  

As soon as he stepped into the store, he visibly strengthened himself. It was because of the stern look that was directed at all by the customers. 

"Didn't you see the sign on the door?" 

Marquis, who was polishing his glass at the counter, asked quietly, his gaze fixed on Tarosuke through his sunglasses.

"Is it reserved today?"

141

"That's right." 

"What do you want with this place?"

 "No, no, no, I was just wondering if you were opening."

If they are with him, there is a good chance that the person he wants will be there tonight. Tarosuke decides to stick with it. However, his thoughts are dissuaded by the continued glare of Rose. 

"So?" 

A cute face glares at the handsome guy without hesitation.

Rose has been in a bad mood recently, partly because the man of her dreams has left her. She has no business being concerned about anyone in this kind of place, let alone on campus. Her tone was more intimidating than usual. It sent a chill down Tarosuke's spine as it triggered a trauma from his past. He was reminded of the coldness of the blade of a knife against his neck. 

"O-Oh, that's right! I had to do something!"

He shakes his shoulders and turns in a hurry. Tarosuke leaves the bar.

The bell, which had rung only moments before, rang again with a dry clang.

142

As Francisca watches him go, she murmurs to herself.

"You see him often these days, right?"

"Hmm?" 

Marquis answers with an indescribable look. It was Tarosuke who visited the store quite often since he met Nishino.

143