[A-Note: Advanced Chapters.]
——
"Grandpa is so meddlesome!" Erina exclaimed, throwing her phone to the ground in frustration.
"Perhaps the elderly don't always understand how young people think in these situations," Hisako replied with a reluctant smile.
In truth, Hisako could understand the commander-in-chief's intentions. Erina had grown up in a small, isolated circle with few friends her own age, which had led her grandfather to worry about her emotional development. Upon discovering that Erina had a boyfriend, he had tried to help, though his actions ended up being more of a hindrance than anything else.
"I never thought we'd be living together again, Erina," Sui remarked.
"I don't care! I refuse to sleep in the same room as you!" Erina shouted.
Although they had previously shared a bathroom, now they were expected to live in the same room. Erina was determined to resist this arrangement.
Five minutes later...
"I'm sorry, Erina-sama," Hisako said apologetically after hanging up the phone. "The front desk says there aren't enough rooms. With nearly a thousand students moving in today, plus the guest lecturers, space is tight."
Erina's frustration only deepened. "Q…Q" She was on the verge of tears—how could she have forgotten about that?
Ten minutes later...
"Listen," Erina said sternly, drawing a clear line between their beds, "you are not allowed to come near my bed in the middle of the night! You must stay at least three meters away from me! And just because I've agreed to be your girlfriend doesn't mean that 'anything' like that is allowed!"
"Erina, you're so conservative," Sui replied, shaking his head.
"Of course!" Erina's cheeks flushed. "Even in a relationship, things should move step by step, right?"
"So... have we reached that stage?" Sui asked with a teasing smile.
"Wh-what stage are you talking about?" Erina stammered, her face reddening even more. "In any case, we're definitely not sleeping together!"
Sui shrugged.
During the Rapport Training Camp, students were required to prepare their own breakfast and dinner. Luckily, Sui had stocked up on milk and jelly eggs beforehand. Realizing he hadn't eaten dinner yet, he borrowed the kitchen and made two servings of omelette rice, which he and Erina ate together along with milk.
Afterward, Sui casually asked, "By the way, the folks from Polaris Dormitory invited me to hang out. Do you want to come? It's usually pretty lively over there."
"Hmph! I have no interest in going!" Erina responded, setting her plate down on the coffee table, her haughty demeanor returning.
"Well, they're planning to play poker, but if you don't want to come, that's fine," Sui said as he started heading out.
"Wait," Erina suddenly called out, her gaze shifting awkwardly as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. "Since you're inviting me, I guess I'll come... reluctantly."
Sui glanced back at her. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, the tsundere girl clearly wanted to play poker.
Ten minutes later, in Marui Zenji's room...
Sui knocked on the door, and after a short pause, Megumi answered.
"Oh, Sui, you're here!" Megumi said, surprised.
"Haha, Sui, let's have a great time tonight!" Sōma laughed as he welcomed him in.
As Sui stepped inside, he noticed Erina standing five meters away, looking hesitant.
"Come on in," Sui said, exasperated.
"Eh? Someone else is here?" Megumi asked curiously.
Blushing, Erina walked in reluctantly, her voice barely above a murmur. "Excuse me."
"Ah, did you bring your girlfriend along, Sui?" Ryoko teased with a grin.
"Wh-who's his girlfriend?!" Erina immediately jumped like a startled cat.
"But Yoshino said you two were a couple," Daigo Aoki chimed in with a laugh.
Yoshino, looking innocent, glanced at the ceiling as if to say, 'I didn't say a word.'
"Haha, come on, Sui. You two actually make a great pair," Sōma laughed.
"I think so too," Marui Zenji agreed.
"Who said I'm a good match for him?!" Erina protested, clearly flustered.
"Everyone, stop teasing Erina-san," Megumi said, smiling awkwardly. It was clear the jokes were making her uncomfortable.
"Alright, alright, let's get to the poker!" Yoshino said, producing a deck of cards.
"Erina, are you going to join us? Weren't you here just to play poker?" Sui asked with a smirk.
"Ha! As if! I would never waste my time on something so trivial!" Erina shot back, denying it immediately.
Ignoring her protests, everyone started playing poker.
Sui was teamed up with Yoshino, Soma, and Megumi. Erina sat behind him, watching intently, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Sui, isn't one versus ten more exciting?" Erina suddenly blurted out.
Sui glanced at her sideways. Despite her arrogant attitude, it was clear she was eager to participate, even if she refused to admit it. 'Such a stubborn tsundere,' he thought.
"You two really act like a married couple," Yoshino quipped.
"Who's married to him?!" Erina snapped, her face turning red once more.
"Erina, if you want to play, just join in. There's no need to be embarrassed," Sui said, growing a bit annoyed by her constant criticism from the sidelines.
"Who would want to play such a pointless game that only ruins your ambition? I definitely won't!" Erina firmly denied again.
Half an hour later...
"Erina-chi, be careful not to draw the joker," Yoshino teased, deliberately drawing out her words.
Erina, now fully engrossed in the game, sat there nervously, hesitating as she hovered between the cards in front of Yoshino, unsure which one to pick.
Standing behind Yoshino, Sui mischievously winked at Erina, signaling which card was the joker.