Seeing that I was unmoved after fully receiving her slap, Izumi-senpais whole body trembled as she began sobbing. The tears that shes holding back gushed out from her eyes. She then tightly grabbed my thick blazers collar and headbutted my chest.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

Of course, it didnt really hurt me. She lacked the necessary strength to do so but what she did was a clear sign of her frustration.

Her words couldnt get through to me. And even though she already kneeled and begged, I remained firm with my decision to make Arisa-senpai mine.

Why? Why can you be this cruel?

I know it will be hard for senpai to understand but I love Arisa-senpai. When I declare that, its always me 100% being serious. Im not like your indecisive crush nor Arisa-senpais ex Call me a playboy or anything but its all true. I could do nothing but shrug as I watched her get contented with venting out her frustrations.

At this point, shes no longer the delinquent Izumi-senpai who could easily call someone admiring her as her dog.

Shes no more than a concerned friend for Arisa-senpai. Its admirable, really. However, that wasnt enough to change my mind.

Apart from watching Izumi-senpai, I also keep an eye out on both doors. Yesterday, Arisa-senpai sneaked into the adjacent room. Theres a possibility that she would appear again.

If she saw this scene theres no doubt that she would take her best friends side. And that would spell doom to any bud thats growing for our relationship.

If that ever happened, I didnt have anyone to blame but myself for being this honest as well as refusing to take a step back.

For your peace of mind I have no idea what Arisa-senpai thinks of me beyond that attraction we naturally felt towards each other.

The fact that shes attracted to you is enough to guess whats going to happen if you two kept associating with each other. In between her sobs, Izumi-senpai responded.

She already stopped headbutting my chest. However, she kept it pressed on me as she almost slumped down the floor.

This time, my quick reflex betrayed me. My arms wrapped around her slender waist, preventing her from falling.

Surprised at the sudden turn of events, the weakened Izumi-senpai shot up her gaze, her eyes quickly returning into a slit, wordlessly and incredulously asking Really?.

Nonetheless, she already lost her balance. She had no choice but to grab onto me, putting us in a rather awkward position.

This should have been fine weeks ago when I was still trying to show her how different I was to Ogawa; I put her on my lap and held her close. This time, however, was a little inappropriate considering how heavy the atmosphere around us was. Shes venting the frustration with my refusal to agree to her request. Shes even pitifully crying.

For the situation to flip into this, I could deem it unexpected yet a welcome development.

I mean, the heavy air completely dispelled. Isnt that a good thing?

Have you calmed down, senpai?

Youre unbelievable To take advantage of this situation.

Dont be like that. We both know what happened. Its a series of accidents. I can release you now but can you even stand properly? I asked her while gradually loosening my arm to let her stand up and separate herself from me. You kneeled down and even squatted in front of me. No wonder your knees buckled up.

Well, she also hit her head multiple times on my chest. If she didnt get dizzy from doing that, Id cheerfully applaud her.

Shut up! I can sta Izumi-senpai tried to stand up, however, she couldnt even finish her words when she fell back down.

This time, without me supporting her, Izumi-senpai completely pressed her body on me as her arms involuntarily hooked around my neck.

Somehow, I felt like those anime characters with a lucky pervert attribute.

Still, I better not lose focus. The situation mightve been steered in this direction but theres no erasing the fact that this girl went here to beg me to stop chasing after Arisa-senpai instead of taking up her role as my Mentor.

If I were you, I would stay still and rest.

For what? So, you can take advantage of me?

At this point, her tears had already stopped. Moreover, she had wiped it in my uniform during the first instance that she fell.

Look, Im not even holding you, senpai. Youre the one clinging to me. Do you want me to carry you to that table?

I pointed to the table behind us. Thats where I made out with Arisa-senpai when this girl ran out of the room after that demonstration.

Well, I couldnt just let her hug me like this. Its quite nice, yes. But its not like this happened naturally.

Besides, I still have to convince her to stop begging me about Arisa-senpai.

After much deliberation which took almost two minutes, Izumi-senpai eventually answered in a soft enough voice, contrary to how loud it was when she was shouting at me earlier. Carry me.

Of course, shes embarrassed but she had no other choice at the moment. I could still feel the stinging pain from her slap but I guess, thats kinda irrelevant now. It would return to normal later anyway.

Then hold on tightly, senpai. Because of our current position, its impossible to carry her normally. No other choice but to wrap my arms around her back again as I stood up from my seat and lifted her up.

She didnt say anything and just followed my words, crossing her arms behind me while letting her chin anchor to my shoulder.

Soon enough, her legs also wrapped around me, making our situation even more daring than normal. It wouldnt be wrong to call this as Izumi-senpai surrendering herself to me.

Nonetheless, this girl was greatly shaking. Whether it was from her weakened state or because I was carrying her like this, I had no idea.

Either way, the table wasnt that far away so, in less than ten seconds, I dropped her down to it before taking a step back.

Izumi-senpai quickly covered her face but it was too late. I already saw how red it was Besides, her reddened ears peeking from her blue hair betrayed her attempt.

Luckily for her, the urge to tease wasnt being triggered. I ignored it and said my piece.

Im sorry, senpai. I cannot grant your request And as Ive said, the fate of our relationship actually rests on Arisa-senpais hand. I already confessed to her. You see. I wont tell her my secret or my past if Im not so sure of my feelings for her.

Izumi-senpai surprisingly listened attentively to me. The hand covering her face gradually slid down, revealing a melancholic expression.

After a while, I heard her silently mutter, I get it. I get that youre serious. But why is Kazuo

Oh, by any chance. Is he still giving you a hard time, senpai? I cut off her words.

This girl had just tried to compare us. Or rather, she couldnt help but grumble about that. Most likely, she picked up the sincerity about my feelings for Arisa-senpai.

N-no. Its of your business, is it?

Youre the one who brought it up Now that were here and I already said my piece Didnt I tell you that I will help you? Or if not that, the fact that I also like you Have you forgotten? Closing in our distance again, my hands pressed down on both sides of the table, partly restricting her movements without even touching her.