FEELING SLEEPY, I CRAWLED into bed and put my phone close to my ear.
"Fufu..."
I couldn't help but smile even though the call hadn't started yet.
After all, I was about to spend time with Ayanokōji-kun.
I made the call, and soon, Ayanokōji-kun answered.
"I'm sorry for being late. Is it okay to talk now?"
'Yes, it's fine.'
It was Ayanokōji-kun's usual voice.
Why does his voice always calm my heart?
It was the perfect wavelength.
"Seems you wanted to speak with me…"
No matter how trivial the topic was, I was happy just to have the chance to talk to him.
'Simply put, I heard you've accepted a challenge from Ryūen, staking expulsion.'
"Was that it? I thought it would only be a matter of time before you heard about it, but who told you? No, perhaps it's rude to ask."
I wouldn't be surprised to know wherever he got his information.
If he set his mind to it, he could make anything happen.
'Given the position of Class A and the presence or absence of Protection Points, the terms are exceptional.'
"Looking at the terms alone, that might be the case. However, I will not lose to him, and Ryūen-kun is merely tightening the noose around his own neck."
No matter the special exam, my superiority is irrefutable.
That was why I could always keep my usual composure.
"You didn't call out of concern for me, did you?"
'Is concern necessary?'
"Not at all. Just witnessing the outcome of the battle will suffice."
Still, if Ayanokōji-kun was worried about me, I wouldn't mind.
I had always imagined it. Since the day I reunited with Ayanokōji-kun at this school, I knew there would come a day when we'd seriously compete against each other, each desiring the other to exert their full abilities to see who was superior.
That day was definitely getting closer.
But I won't mention it now. First, I must defeat Ryūen-kun and prepare for it.
But once that was over, I wanted to express all my feelings.
Feeling happy over the phone, I gradually succumbed to sleepiness.