POV: Torikachi

Today is our final day of the summer, and it's hotter than I expected it to be.

But... I don't really think it matters because Matsushita and Satou invited me to the pool party.

Such a frightening coincidence, because Kiyotaka's group with be there:

Sudou, Ike, Yamauchi, Horikita, Kushida, Sakura, and Kiyotaka.

Well, there's also the Class B students group:

Ichinose, Amikura, Shiranami, and Kanzaki.

Anyway, our class with being in class B next semester, so we are still in class D at the moment. At least I don't mind about the rankings.

It is currently 9: 00 AM, and I am currently standing in the lobby, waiting for Matsushita and Satou.

10 minutes later, both of them meet me at the same time.

"You know... we are supposed to be here at 9:00 AM, and you girls are 10 minutes late." I said.

"Hey! Don't be that strict to ladies who gone late you know?" Said Satou. "I guess someone is getting prioritized over than us, am I right, Matsushita-san?"

"Well, yeah..." answered Matsushita. "It's quite unexpected for you to gain an intense amount of popularity from one event. I heard that it reaches all years of our school at the moment."

"It's nothing much," I answered. They would assume that I'm just being modest. "I just happened to have a mood to play for once in a while."

"You are just being modest, aren't you, Torikachi?" Satou asked. "You just hopped from 4th to 2nd on our Ike-men list just from one event. Even senpais wanted to join in for the votes."

"I'm happy that you girls think of me highly." I answered. "Shall we go to the pool then? The locker room will be crowded the later we head out."

"Okay." Both of them answered in sync, and it's unexpectedly synced.

I heard that Kiyotaka's group will be there at 10:00 AM, so I need to head out early because it will be awkward if 3 of us meet with his group.

Not to mention Karuizawa... I don't want to see her affiliated with Kiyotaka in public, especially these girls. It will hinder her social standing.

Speaking of affiliations, I hope that I won't meet Ryuko in this situation. I heard from Arisu that Ryuko joined her faction, and the faction will also come to the pool later today.

As I remember what I've done, regretting my current popularity, Matsushita shook me off.

"Hey... are you there? We need to go now." She said.

"Okay. Coming." I replied.

*time skip to the pool, 10:15 AM

POV: Kiyotaka

"What a frightening coincidence." I said to the person who is currently next to me.

"The girls invited me, I couldn't refuse because I rejected their offer twice in a row, so I 'have' to accept their offer." He replied.

"The girls, you meaning Satou and Matsushita?" I asked.

"I guess you noticed it." He answered.

"I just hope that I won't see Ryuko later today, it will be troublesome." He murmured.

"How come?" I asked.

"Well, several romantic moments happened, I noticed her feelings for me, so my current situation will be troublesome." He replied. "Ryuko told me that she will be at the pool in a few minutes, so I need to dive in now, I don't want her to notice me at the moment. Later!"

He said as he rushed into the pool, joining Satou and Matsushita.

"He looks relaxed, I could compliment him that." Said from a person who always wanted to reach class A for some reason.

"Are you envy that he always looked relaxed while you don't?" I asked.

"No such things. I won't allow myself to relax at all." She said.

"That's why you always look cocky, Horikita." Torikachi shouted as he laughed at our conversation.

"Sigh... at least tell your friend knows his place, Ayanokouji-kun." She demanded me.

"Denied. I won't risk myself doing such things. It will get me a bad reputation if I did." I said. I don't think Horikita is aware of Torikachi's current social standing.

"You know, Horikita," I said. "His popularity at the moment is no joke. He got labeled himself as a prodigy, plus has a place in the student council, I don't think doing that is a good idea."

"A prodigy?" Asked Horikita. I'm surprised that she didn't even come that day.

"I guess you were still in recovery mode at that time, but I'm sure you heard the piano on the ship after our island exam? I asked.

"Yes, I'm aware of it." Said Horikita. "Even though I know a lot of classical music, I never heard those plays before, so I think it's from an Anonymus prodigy."

She made a good assumption, but she hasn't noticed the rumors that occurred during our zodiac exam.

"To be blunt, that's from Torikachi. He just mindlessly played the piano that day, in the lobby, in front of the students and the teachers on the cruise." I stated. "You haven't heard of the rumors?"

"Yes, and I assume the target of the rumors is him?" She asked.

I replied with a nod. I'm sure she could assume for the rest of what happened.

With that aside, I guess I should do what I needed to do now.

And I still couldn't believe they forced me into this.

POV: Torikachi

I'm letting Kiyotaka "off the hook" since I already know what is he going to do today, so I just let it slide my head.

It feels good to have a few moments like this in life...

Except for...

*splash*

Ayo what the...

Someone decided to splash the water directly to my face. There's no need who to tell, it has to be Satou.

As I couldn't see anything from the splash, I washed my face a few more times to gain my vision.

*splash*

Honestly another one?

I thought as I tried to cover my eyes to prevent loss of vision when the water hit my eyes. I analyze the direction of the person who did it to me.

I proceed to create a splash to Satou as an act of revenge.

Or at least that's what I think...

*flashback 15 minutes ago, near the entrance of the pool

POV: Ryuko

Sakayanagi-san told us that we are going to the pool today. It's a shame that Tori couldn't come with me because he's busy.

Sakayanagi-san told me that it's okay for us to have friendly relationships, and she once pursued me to date, someone.

I told her that I didn't want to date anyone at that moment...

But...

Now I don't know why I missed Tori already...

"Fufufu... missed 'him' already, Nishikawa-san?" Asked Sakayanagi-san, or should I say... Hime?

Hashimoto kept calling her that name since the start of the year. I guess it's just for formality.

"N-no..." I nervously replied. Even though I missed him, but I couldn't show it to anyone...

"My, my, there is no need for you to hide there, young maiden." She said. "I tend to care about all of my subordinates."

That is true. Sakayanagi-san is a sharp, aggressive leader in our class. She is a person that you can call a true genius. She can read through you like book.

And someone named Yahiko in our class decided not to follow her and even betrayed Katsuragi's order back in our zodiac exam.

"Sigh... there's nothing I can hide from you, Sakayanagi-san..." I said.

"Fufufu... You know me too well, Nishikawa-san." She replied.

"Oh my, Nishikawa." A whistle from a snake blew. "I didn't know that two of you reach 'that' kind of relationship within 2 months of knowing each other."

"Shut the hell up, Hashimoto-kun." I scared away the snake with a death glare.

"Now, now, there's no need to be hostile, Nishikawa-san." Said Yamamura-san with a grin. "Everyone of us knows your feelings for him after your practice for this October's contest. I'm looking forward to it."

"Maybe, you could confess to him after that contest??" Asked Sakayanagi-san. I'm surprised that she is interested in romance or some sort.

"I-I don't know..." I replied with a weak voice.

"You should do it as soon as possible, Nishikawa." Said the snake. "You are not the only one who's aiming for him you know?"

"Sigh... why is love so complicated...?" I murmured.

"Wait... isn't that Mister?" Asked Hashimoto while pointing his finger in a certain direction.

As we follow his direction, we saw a familiar figure with a familiar voice.

"Now, now, don't rush on me please..." said the male while getting dragged by two girls at the pool.

"Nope. You already rejected us twice, so at least this is payback, you know?" Said one of the girls. I see, he rejected them. I'm not sure why, but I felt happy just from that sentence.

"To be honest, I'm THAT terrible in Karaoke, so please don't let me do it again... that's why I reject your offer." Said the boy.

I then heard a whistle from a snake.

"Now look at that, Nishikawa. This is what I meant. The pray is not ready for only you. It could go into someone else's hands if you are not fast enough." He said.

"S-shut up..." I said.

'So this is why Tori said he's busy today...' I thought.

"Fufufu... to think that hanging out with other girls is called being busy... what will you do now, Nishikawa-san??" Asked Sakayanagi-san.

I couldn't help but look at him intentively, totally not jealous of the girls who are holding his arms...

Wait, what??

I haven't even touched him once... what are you doing, Tori?? Why don't you fight back...?

Wait... no... why am I thinking like this all of a sudden??

"Are you perhaps thinking something inappropriate, Nishikawa-san?" Asked Sakayanagi-san.

"N-no..." I replied.

I don't know what it feels like to touch Tori's bare body...

I couldn't help myself but have my face redden up because of what I just thought...

'I guess I will need to punish him, RIGHT NOW!!' I thought as I went to his location in the pool.

"Good luck, Nishikawa, I hope you will succeed in your journey." Said the snake.

Now, what should I do with you, Tori...?

*flashback ends

POV: Torikachi

"Ryuko?", I called out her name since she's looking at my eyes with an angry expression.

"Is this what you call 'busy', Tori?" She said with a voice that does not feel like a threat at all. "By hanging out with other girls??"

'This is troublesome... I should've to dive myself earlier.' I thought.

"So? Does it really that matter to you, Ryuko?" I asked a dumb question. "I thought you heard our conversation already? I got forced to join them."

"Dense idiot..." she murmured while she didn't realize that I could hear her words.

"What did you say to me, Ryuko?" I asked a question that I already know the answer.

"N-Nothing for you to note about..." she answered.

"Wanna hang out with my other classmates later on? A few members of class B are also there." I asked as I glance at Arisu, perhaps I'm asking for her approval? I'm sure Arisu overheard our conversation.

POV: Arisu

Torikachi-kun asked Nishikawa-san to hang out with his classmates while glancing at me waiting for my approval.

I happened to overhear their conversation through the snake's hand sign.

I replied with a nod and a smile, and Torikachi grated me back with a nod.

Torikachi-kun once told me that he noticed Nishikawa-san's feelings for him, but Torikachi-kun was not ready to engage in a dating relationship.

"I'm not ready for any dating relationship, not with my defect lingering in my heart." That is what he said.

Perhaps, Torikachi's also allotted in class D for a reason. Father told me that not having previous education does not mean the student is allotted to class D, nor class A.

Maybe, just maybe, his defect is quite the same as Ayanokouji-kun, unable to share the emotions with people,

or he could be from that place...

I honestly do not know what are his motives. If he knew that place while so young,

Then why did he escape? If not, how exactly did he know?

Anyway, I think I should go now. I signaled Hashimoto-kun to tell Nishikawa-san about my approval.

POV: Torikachi

"Hime approved your date with Mister, Nishikawa." Said the snake. "Have fun with your boyfriend, Nishikawa."

"Wait, really??" Ryuko was shocked by his words. "Sakayanagi-san allowed us too?"

I guess my silent conversation with Arisu was worth it.

"Hoh...? So you admit that you are dating??" Hashimoto asked a sly question, Ryuko did not realize that he said I'm her boyfriend.

"W-wait... NO!!" Ryuko shouted. "We are not dating...

yet..."

Why must you leave such a bomb like that, Ryuko... if my friends from my past world are here, they are going to kill me...

Not literally...

"I see, I see..." Hashimoto said with his chin on his fingers. "Have fun you two, and don't forget our deal, Mister."

"I know I know, the best seat is for you, snake," I replied. My previous deal with Hashimoto was getting Yahiko to betray Katsuragi's orders, in exchange for the best seat in October's contest. "I will get your seat as soon as the booking opens."

Honestly, the best seats are quite affordable. It cost 25.000 private points per person. Hashimoto gave me 50.000, so I think he will pay for Arisu too.

"Alright, Mister. It is time for me to go, Hime is waiting." Said, Hashimoto.

As Hashimoto's figure fades away from our vision, I noticed Ryuko look at Arisu quite intensively.

"Ryuko," I calmly asked her. "Shall we go? My classmates are waiting."

"Oh... ahh..." Took a few seconds for her to gain back herself. "Okay sure. Lead the way, Tori."

She answered my offer with a smile, a genuine one, the most comfortable for me to look at.

The more I look at her, the more I feel relaxed from my problems in life,

Especially from my previous world.

As I and Ryuko walk towards our classmates, or should I say, a large group of people I know, while both Satou and Matsushita already found their accompanies, noticed us and start to look at us in an intense way.

"Oh my... will you look at that, Matsushita-san?" Started Satou, engaging in a conversation. "Looks like someone already worth his time and effort instead of us."

"Eh... umm.... etou..." I could hear Ryuko being nervous about getting teased by our classmates. I guess I could stop them from teasing her, or else Ryuko will give me a long TALK after this.

"That's enough, Satou," I said. "Shall we go with our classmates over there?"

As I glance at Kushida, she signaled us to come there with a hand sign.

"What a party-pooper..." cried Satou. "Ne, Nishikawa-san, can we share him??"

"N-no...?" Ryuko meekly replied.

"Then you won't mind if we are dating, will you??" Asked Satou. Why must you ask that question, Satou? Now Ryuko will give me a sermon tonight.

"That's a no." Ryuko replied with no hesitation. She's really in love with me, huh...

I decided to calm her down with a headpat, while Satou and Matsushita glared at Ryuko.

"Everything is fine, Ryuko. Don't be that hostile." I said.

"F-Fine..." Ryuko replied nervously while enjoying my headpats.

"Purrrr..." did she just make a cat noise?

I couldn't help myself but get tempted by her 'moans'.

"We should go. Everyone is waiting for us right now." I told her.

"Okay."

*time skip to the ice-cream stand

And...

Look at Kiyotaka, surprised by an ice cream he ordered.

"Ayanokouji-kun looked like he's having ice cream for the first time in his life." Said Ichinose.

Well, you are somewhat right, if I didn't interfere...

"It's just the heat that made me enjoy ice cream like this." Said Kiyotaka. "I assume we are all feeling like this, Ichinose?"

"Ahahaa... I guess so..." replied the fan servic- I mean Ichinose.

Yes, Ichinose Honami, not fan service...

...

This monologue is very awkward for me to continue.

*time skip to the evening on the same day

POV: 3rd Person

Currently, the idiot trio gathered at Kiyotaka's dorm room for 'certain business'.

Ike: "Wait, why is it an empty folder?"

Yamauchi: "Could there be something wrong?"

What the perverted trio aimed for at the end of the day, got terminated, and they cried in desperation.

Ike: "NOOOOOOOO!!!!! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO US??

THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE NAKED GIRLS CHANGING THEIR CLOTHES, AND WHERE THE HECK ARE THEY??

WHERE ARE OUR SUMMER MEMORIES??"

Kiyotaka: 'I'm glad that I destroyed the chips beforehand, or else I will be done for.'

Ike: "Oi! Ayanokouji!! Do you know anything about this?"

Kiyotaka: "No idea."

Ike: "You better!"

*meanwhile in the next room (note: Tori's room is next to Kiyo's)

POV: Ryuko

I am currently in Tori's dorm room. His room is clean, tidy, and moreover...

*sniff sniff...*

The smelling is so good...

Tori told me that he is good at cooking, but just from the smell, I can tell it will be a tasty dish.

No, scratch that, every dish Tori make will be delicious...

Wait...

I haven't tasted his food yet and I keep making baseless assumptions.

I couldn't help myself but get redden of what I just thought.

"Enjoying the scent, Ryuko?" Tori asked while in the kitchen with a smile.

"Yes. Such a delightful scent that is covering my nose." I replied. "It spread to the main room already. Are you done yet?"

"Almost there." He replied.

"Can you help me set up the tables near the window please?" Tori politely asked. "And take a seat on the chair also. I will bring out the dishes once it's ready."

"Sure." I replied while standing up from his bed, totally not enjoying his bedsheet scent...

A few moments later, Tori appeared with a tray on one hand, while the other hand appears to cover in a small cloth sheet.

He decided to turn off the electric light and lit up 2 candles on the tray while heading to the table.

"Our dishes for tonight will be A5 Wagyu Steak as our main dish, covered with Thyme and Rosemary as an extra, Potato salad as our side dish, and homemade grape juice. Do you have any other requests?" Tori specified his dishes for tonight while asking me if I wanted anything else for our dinner.

I don't know why but he sounds romantic at the moment. With our current atmosphere, I could feel something in myself burning.

I shake my head as an answer.

"I think it's enough for the two of us," I said.

I don't know why, but he changed 180 degrees at the moment. This is not Tori I usually talk to...

Maybe this is just how he is when cooking...

How passionate he is...

He starts to bring the dishes from the tray to the table, with minimum noise.

The table currently has two main dishes, one potato salad in the middle and two glasses of grape juices on the side of our main dishes.

Are we eating in a fancy restaurant or something, Tori?

He headed back to the kitchen to put off the tray and headed back to the table.

He sits down without making too much noise while opening his arms.

"Then, shall we eat?" He asked.

"Okay." I replied.

"Itadakimasu." We both pray before we dive into our food.

From the dishes, I started to cut the steak with the knife and put it stationary using the fork. The meat is tender, easy to cut through without too much force.

I then use the fork to poke the slice I've made, slowly putting the meat in my mouth.

When I finally eat the piece of meat, the juice, the spices are flying through my tongue, creating an outburst of flavor.

"So, how do you think?" Tori asked me, wondering what will be my answer.

"This is really good." I answered. "This is way better than the school's cafeteria lunch. Even just this one dish could rival all of our school's restaurants. I never knew you are this good at cooking, Tori."

"I'm glad to hear that, Ryuko." He said. "You might not believe this, Ryuko, but this is my first time making this dish with Wagyu, instead of normal steak that you could find in the grocery stores."

Wait, I heard that Wagyu Steak is very expensive.

"H-How did you get your hands on this type of steak, Tori?" I asked.

"I have points." He answered. "There's no need for you to pay this tonight, Ryuko. This is my treat for you for your success in our practices."

It was true. We managed to play Archangel after 3-4 weeks of practice, around 10-15 hours in total practice time.

"Thank you, Tori." I said.

"Shall we continue with our dinner, Ryuko? The steaks will be cool if we couldn't finish it early." He asked. We talk a lot more than ever, especially during this time.

I replied with a nod while grabbing myself a small dish of potato salad.

When I put the food into my mouth, a scent of sweet and sour mixed together, but not overflowing with it. It mixed perfectly, to deliver a delightful taste.

"Just for you to know, Ryuko." Tori engaged in a conversation. "I'm quite confident with the salad. I've made it quite a lot in the past."

"I see. The salad tastes a lot more delicious than most salads I've ever eaten." I said. "I never get to taste potato salad for a while, so this is very delightful, Tori."

"I'm glad to hear it, Ryuko." Replied Tori.

As we continue with our food, we chatted a lot more, about how our classes are, what future events will we spend time together.

Moments later, we finished our food and drink.

"I will do the dishes, Ryuko." He said. "I will be back in a few moments."

"I will help you, Tori." I reject his words. "It will be rude for me not to do anything after all of this."

"No no... it will be rude for me IF I let you do the dishes." He refuted. "So sit here, Ryuko. You could think when to return the offer later on."

"For now, just relax." He continued. "We only have a few moments until the second semester starts. So it is important for us to release some stress after all of the things that happened to us from the start of school."

"I guess that's true," I said. "I will turn on the lights, then we will have some small chats."

"Yes, please." He replied as he went to the kitchen to clean the dishes. "For now, make yourself at home."

I start to turn on the lights while blowing off the candles.

I decided to sit on Tori's bed after cleaning up the tables.

Moments later, Tori went to sit next to me and we have made some small chats.

Suddenly, I heard screamings from the room next to us.

???: "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO US???"

I see what Tori's meant when he told me that there will be noises next door soon, but I hate it when it's in the middle of our time together.

"That's quite rude for the next-door people, Tori." I said with an irritating expression. "It ruined the atmosphere already."

"I couldn't do anything about it, Ryuko," Tori said.

"You know, Ryuko..." Tori continued. "My main goal for our moment right now is not the atmosphere."

"Then what is it?" I asked.

"My main goal here is to get to know you better, Ryuko. The more time I spent with you, the more enjoyable the experience I gained from our time together." He answers with a small smile.

What is he saying??

No no no...

This is too much for my heart to handle...

"So, I just want to say... Thank you, Ryuko." He said.

W-what? I thought he's going to confess.

I couldn't help myself but be disappointed with his words.

But, I guess it is how it is...

"Thank you for being acquainted with me the whole time, despite I'm originally in class D at the start of the year." He continued. "I'm feeling enjoyable in our school life, and with you. I genuinely thank you, Ryuko."

"No biggies, Tori," I told him with a smile. "We are in a school, not like an intense training program that will make us always fighting to each other."

"I know, but the competitiveness of this school most of the time, couldn't let us be like we are at the moment, but I don't care such things." He said. "I'm looking forward to spending more time with you, Ryuko."

"Then I'm looking forward to it too, Tori," I replied.

"It's getting late now, I will escort you back to your room if you don't mind." He said.

"Sure. I don't mind being with you more." I replied with a smile.

We then headed to my room. We have some more talks during our trip to my room.

After reaching our destination, I waved him goodbye and close the door.

"Goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight." He replied.

As Tori walks away to the elevator, I finally close my door, get my shower, change to my pajamas, and hop onto my bed.

"Hehehe... I missed his smell already..." I consciously blurt out my thoughts with a smile, but no one can hear it.

I then sleep in order to get myself ready tomorrow.

POV: Torikachi

Yes!! The date was successful. I'm so got damn nervous when Ryuko ate the meat.

It was my first time making steak with Wagyu, but it did work out from my original yet simple method.

I told Ryuko my feelings that I genuinely enjoyed my time with her. I might consider myself to love her, but I'm not ready to date her yet.

Perhaps in the future...?

At the moment, I don't understand what is the meaning of love, or what is the meaning of human warmth.

I'm not a child living in a loveless environment like Kiyotaka, but those I trusted abandoned me...

I disposed of my own feelings... the inability of trusting people nowadays.

I'm not emotionless, but I don't know what expressions should I make.

I guess that's what created the "me" standing here, at the moment.

Perhaps I could share my feelings with who I am currently loving and will love.

In the future.

And maybe, until the day death separates us.

===========================================================================

That's IT!!!!

Volume 4.5 has come to an end. I know I know, a lot of OC in this chapter.

Most of the content is just Tori x Ryuko lovey-dovey.

I mean, the pool chapter of the canon plot still happens since Tori didn't do anything about it. (If you didn't know what happened,

R E A D T H E L I G H T N O V E L P L E A S E.)

So yeah, from my view, things looking great so far in this fanfic.

Idk about y'all but I'm enjoying every single bit of this.

Hell yeah, I could read my own fanfic and get hyped with it without realizing I'm the author XD.

So, next volume: Sports Festival. Tori won't interfere with the original plot, so I might at more OC scenes around the volume. Of course, the main contents will be in the chapters too, but I will mix contents together.

So yeah.

Anyway, I'm working on a bunch of drafts, while asking myself: what about my college?

I'm like: "Nah, just keep writing the fanfic. Passion is better."

Hell yeah, I abandon my college assignments to write fanfic.

I'm cool but not cool.

Merry L A T E Christmas everyone. I hope y'all have a wonderful 2022, and I know, 2021 was pretty shitty.

But, this is life, we can't do anything about it.

We all have a bad year, but we still hope for a better next year.

That's a lot of note for me to write, so I will see y'all in the next chapter.

PEACE!!