Incidentally, that Saturday may have been Yuzuru’s birthday—
But it was also just four days before the next nationwide mock exam.
So the birthday mood was kept relatively modest.
Yuzuru and Arisa spread out their study materials and began reviewing.
There was little point in cramming modern Japanese at this stage, so they focused on classical Japanese, Chinese classics, English grammar and vocabulary, and maths exercises.
“Yuzuru-san, you seem especially motivated this time.”
“I’m seriously thinking of aiming to beat Ayaka-chan this time. As a ‘Takasegawa’, I don’t like losing to ‘Tachibana’ forever.”
Of course, part of his motivation also came from being influenced by Arisa’s attitude towards studying.
“If you’re aiming to beat Ayaka-san… then I’ll aim to beat you, Yuzuru-san.”
“Then you’ll be first and I’ll be second. Let’s both do our best.”
Just as the two of them were getting fired up—
As if to interrupt, Yuzuru’s phone rang.
“Speak of the devil—it’s Ayaka-chan.”
The message read—
Let’s go on a date tomorrow.
“A date…? What does she mean—another study session?”
Thinking that, Yuzuru replied—
Study session?
Ayaka immediately sent back a stamp that essentially confirmed it.
Me, Soichiro-kun, and Chiharu-chan are already in.
Soichiro-kun invited Ryouzenji-san, and Chiharu-chan invited Nagiri-san.
Yuzurun, come with Arisa-chan ♥
Yuzuru showed the screen to Arisa.
“What do you think? Though I should warn you… we probably won’t get much actual studying done. It’ll be more like an excuse to hang out.”
Of course, they would study a bit.
Ayaka could manage with minimal effort, and Soichiro, despite appearances, was efficient enough to handle the basics.
…Chiharu, on the other hand, would likely just have fun.
Still, it would probably be less focused than studying alone.
“A study session… I’d like to go.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. …Besides, I don’t think studying a little three days beforehand will drastically change the results.”
“That’s true.”
They were only first-year high school students.
There was no need to obsess over mock exam results just yet.
Compared to “paper,” relationships mattered more.
“Alright, I’ll tell her we’re coming.”
“Thank you.”
Yuzuru replied that he’d come with Arisa.
Almost immediately, a message came back—
That was quick. Is Arisa-chan with you right now?
Yuzuru couldn’t help but admire how sharp Ayaka’s instincts were.
Sunday morning.
Yuzuru and Arisa met at the station nearest Ayaka’s house—the meeting point for the study session.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, I just got here too. Let’s go.”
Arisa didn’t know where Ayaka lived, so Yuzuru would guide her.
“You’ll recognise it right away—it stands out.”
“…Is Ayaka-san’s house big as well?”
“Fairly.”
Before long, they arrived at Ayaka’s home—the Tachibana residence.
Arisa’s eyes widened in surprise.
“This is… very stylish.”
“It’s a pseudo-Western building from the Meiji era. Basically a small cultural heritage site.”
Ayaka’s house was completely different from Yuzuru’s.
A beautiful Western-style structure made of red brick.
Though technically, it was what’s called giyoufuu kenchiku—a pseudo-Western style. Giyoufuu kenchiku refers to early Japanese buildings that imitate Western architecture while incorporating Japanese or Chinese design elements—essentially a hybrid “Western-style” aesthetic.
“So your house is old as well, right, Yuzuru-san?”
“Well… it’s been rebuilt and renovated many times, but the foundation dates back to around the same period as this place.”
After a bit more small talk, Yuzuru rang the intercom.
“Hello, this is Takasegawa Yuzuru. We’ve been invited.”
“Password?”
“There isn’t one.”
“Correct.”
A moment later, the gate opened.
Ayaka stood there, smiling brightly.
“Welcome. Come on in.”
They passed through the gate and entered the estate.
Walking along the stone path, they approached the entrance.
“Excuse us.”
“Thank you for having us.”
As they stepped inside, a middle-aged man greeted them.
Yuzuru gave a small bow, and Arisa followed.
“Thank you for having us today, Tachibana-san.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I’m Yukishiro Arisa.”
The man responded in a calm, somewhat distant tone.
“My niece is always in your care… Yuzuru-kun. And a pleasure to meet you, Yukishiro-san. I’ve heard much about your father… Amagi-san.”
Then the man—Ayaka’s uncle—briefly added, “Make yourselves at home,” before disappearing deeper into the house.
Arisa looked slightly uneasy.
“…Did I do something wrong?”
To reassure her, Yuzuru replied,
“He’s always like that.”
Ayaka’s uncle—
The current head of the Tachibana family (self-proclaimed “acting head”), Tachibana Toranosuke—
Was extremely quiet, reserved, and always seemed in a bad mood.
But in reality, he was simply bad with people.
“He’s actually in a good mood today. My uncle’s what you’d call kuudere.” Kuudere refers to a character who appears cold or emotionless but is kind underneath.
Ayaka laughed cheerfully.
Despite being uncle and niece, their personalities couldn’t be more different.
“I see… Ah! Um, I forgot to give this—this is a small gift…”
Arisa handed Ayaka a paper bag.
It contained sweets she’d brought as a courtesy gift from her adoptive father.
“Oh, thank you. You didn’t have to, though. I’ll open it later.”
Taking the bag, Ayaka gestured for them to follow.
“Come on in.”
“Alright.”
“Excuse us again.”
They removed their shoes, changed into slippers, and walked down a long hallway.
The exterior had been red—and inside was just as striking, with a deep red carpet lining the corridor.
“As always, this place feels like a vampire could live here.”
“It looks cool, doesn’t it?”
Yuzuru had been here many times, so it didn’t faze him.
But Arisa seemed fascinated, glancing around curiously as she walked.
“Yuzurun and Arisa-san have arrived!”
Ayaka opened the door to the room.
Inside was a beautiful marble table, surrounded by leather sofas.
Seated there were four people—
Satake Soichiro, Uenishi Chiharu, Ryouzenji Hijiri, and Nagiri Tenka.
It seemed Yuzuru and Arisa were the last to arrive.
“You’re late.”
“Shouldn’t there be a penalty?”
“We’ve been waiting, Yuzuru, Yukishiro-san.”
“Long time no see, Takasegawa-kun, Yukishiro-san.”
(…This is a bit overwhelming.)
Yuzuru thought to himself.
