Seeing the test paper full of red marks on the table, and her lover's name written on it, Serizawa's heart ached.
Having never seen such grades and never comforted a poor student, she opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
For someone like her, at the top of the academic performance, it was hard to empathize with poor students, and naturally, she couldn't offer useful comfort.
But as a girl, diverting her 'lover's' attention was too easy.
Especially since Serizawa Yukiha had a figure that even some adults envied.
So, after seeing Sasaki's grades, she gently bit her lip and lightly shook his leg.
When Sasaki shifted his gaze to her, not knowing what to say or what to do, Serizawa Yukiha froze on his lap.
Although the thought of swallowing another jelly had crossed her mind, she knew that kind of thing could easily make boys addicted and harm their bodies.
So, after moving her lips a few times, she ultimately didn't say it.
And the boy, not wanting to waste time, didn't trouble her further.
His intention was to have a reason for them to study together, but he didn't expect this silly girl to comfort him this way.
This kind of comfort was fine, but she only moved a bit so her behavior was as uncomfortable as someone speaking only halfway.
You see, Sasaki hated two kinds of people.
One is those who speak halfway, the other is...
Reaching out to touch her cheek, his fingers gradually exerted pressure, turning into a gentle pinch:
"I just want you to tutor me, what are you trying to do? Hmm, little greedy cat?"
Misunderstanding the boy's intention, Serizawa's eyes widened as she blushed, and lowered her head, seemingly wanting to find a hole to hide in.
However, Sasaki didn't let her feel embarrassed for too long and moved her forward in his embrace.
"You still haven't answered me, are you willing to tutor me? If it's inconvenient, I can find another girl."
"Huh? No, don't find anyone else, I'm very available."
Suddenly snapping out of her shame, Serizawa Yukiha, leaning lazily against Sasaki's chest, straightened up and responded urgently.
Clearly, for a girl who hadn't heard a confession or inquiry yet, their intimate interaction still couldn't reassure her.
And tutoring was a great way to nurture feelings, something she absolutely couldn't let other girls do.
Hearing Yukiha's anxious voice, Sasaki buried his head in her chest, shaking his head with a muffled laugh:
"Then the tutoring task is entrusted to Teacher Yukiha, you have to take responsibility."
"Yes~"
While they were snuggled up together.
.
.
.
In the club building not far from this one, in a spacious activity room.
Several dozen girls with beautiful faces and slender figures, wearing tight yoga outfits, were sitting in various spots in the clubroom, chatting and laughing with their club friends.
During this practice break, Tsukimi Chifuyu, who had promised Sasaki to get along well with the club president yesterday, took hesitant small steps to the corner where the president was, seemingly hiding and alone.
The club president, Sakuragi Otome, was dressed similarly to how she had seen her dressed a few days ago.
The light pink sports vest had been replaced with a fuchsia one, the same style, with the hem reaching just above her navel.
The light blue tight yoga pants covered her navel.
The unconnected area revealed a dazzling, milky white strip of skin.
As Tsukimi Chifuyu approached, Sakuraha Otome, who had been waiting for her, slowly retracted her leg raised above her head and her moist, bright lake-blue eyes looked softly at the approaching girl.
Tsukimi Chifuyu's outfit today was the same as the day before.
Still the loose yoga outfit that couldn't hide her impressive figure, and the twin tails tied at the back of her head.
Her shy, animal-like brown eyes were the same as before.
Normally, girls of the same age would most dislike this shy, demure type that attracts boys' affection, seeming like little animals.
Because to them, this kind of girl automatically adds a layer of pretense, fakeness, and allure to boys—a 'white lotus' filter.
This filter might have nothing to do with the person's character or studies.
It might simply be because they don't fit in, are disliked, and have a face boys like.
But to someone like Sakuragi Otome, the yoga club president who often interacts with various girls, this filter should be magnified infinitely.
After all, Tsukimi Chifuyu indeed had a 'white lotus' face and had interacted with her lover.
If it were an ordinary girl, she would have secretly united the club members to ostracize this girl.
In severe cases, outright bullying wasn't impossible.
After all, girls can be very petty, and their fights can be ruthless.
But unlike other girls, Otome was the type to prioritize her lover's feelings over anything else.
Any jealousy, anger, or hatred must take a backseat to 'her lover's feelings.'
Caring too much about her lover's feelings means fearing rejection and aversion from them.
Under this condition, even if she were truly a jealous woman, she wouldn't show any dislike towards Tsukimi Chifuyu.
As for ostracizing or bullying, she wouldn't dare.
There's no such thing as a wall without cracks.
Once Sasaki found out about her actions, the consequences she would face were unimaginable.
So, even if her whole being were filled with malice, Sakuragi Otome wouldn't ostracize Chifuyu.
Let alone the inherently kind Otome who had nothing to do with a jealous woman.
Although she didn't know Tsukimi Chifuyu very well yet, she could feel that this girl was as pure and harmless as her appearance suggested.
So, in Otome's heart, she didn't reject interacting with her.
"Tsukimi-san, do you need something?"
Since she was alone in the corner, when Tsukimi Chifuyu approached, Sakuragi Otome, knowing her shy nature and hesitation about how to start the conversation, smiled and asked first.
Knowing that the president was gentle and kind, and since the hardest part of starting the conversation had already been taken care of, Tsukimi Chifuyu's anxiety and hesitation dissipated significantly as responded softly and then asked gently:
"Um, President, can you come over for a moment?"
Knowing why she was being called, the latter nodded decisively:
"Sure."
Following Tsukimi Chifuyu, Sakuragi Otome walked with her to the changing room.
Then she watched as Chifuyu took out snacks from the locker, nervously biting her lips, and said to her:
"Um, thank you for your help yesterday. Although it was normal for you, I still want to thank you, so please accept this."
Seeing the snacks handed over to her, knowing that politely refusing would make the girl feel awkward and embarrassed, Otome smiled and accepted them:
"These are all my favorites~ Thank you, Tsukimi."
"Actually, you didn't need to go out of your way to thank me for such a small matter... How about this, after the club activities, I'll treat you to some cake from that shop around the corner of the school. Their pancakes are delicious."
Having not received an invitation for a long time, Tsukimi Chifuyu instinctively wanted to refuse, but she realized that doing so might disappoint the president.
Moreover, the pancakes were indeed delicious, and she remembered Fuyumi's earlier concerns.
So, after a moment of thought, the grl smiled and nodded:
"Then, I'll trouble you, President."
Reaching out to hold Tsukimi Chifuyu's delicate hand, Sakuragi Otome, with her single ponytail making her look particularly fresh and neat, pulled her to a nearby chair like a big sister:
"Don't call me President anymore. Although we haven't talked much, we've known each other for a year now. Just call me Otome~"
"Is, is that okay?"
Tsukimi Chifuyu, feeling a bit uneasy, widened her clear amber eyes and asked softly.
"Of course, it's okay." The pink haired girl opened a pack of Pocky from the snack bag, took out a chocolate stick, and handed the box to her: "Then can I call you Chifuyu from now on?"
"Yes, yes~"
Taking a chocolate stick from the box, Tsukimi Chifuyu took a small bite and nodded with a smile.
---.....