Hinata's smile froze on her face as the orange-haired girl clung to Ito's arm. A cold, sinking feeling dropped into her stomach, quickly replaced by a flash of hot, irrational anger. Who is this?
The chatter of her classmates faded into a buzzing white noise. All she could see was that intimate contact, the girl's triumphant smile, and Ito's utterly stunned—and guilty-looking—expression.
Before she could process it further, the atmosphere curdled. Kamino Megumi's friends, a group of first-years with fiercely protective glares, squared up. Hinata's own classmates, sensing drama and rallying to her defense, stepped forward in response.
"Megumi! That senpai over there said your boyfriend seems to be cheating! Megumi, don't be scared, we'll help you!" one of the first-years declared, voice sharp.
Not to be outdone, a girl from Hinata's circle fired back, "Hinata, what's going on? Is your boyfriend secretly dating another junior? Don't worry, we've got your back!"
The two small groups edged closer, a low current of hostile curiosity buzzing between them. Hinata and Kamino Megumi locked eyes across the divide. In that silent, frantic moment, a wordless understanding passed between them: This is a mess. We're both in trouble.
But retreat was impossible now. Their pride, and the audience of their peers, demanded a performance.
Kamino Megumi was the first to speak, her voice dripping with a saccharine, wounded tone as she looked up at Ito. "Big brother… who is that senpai?" She gave his arm a little squeeze.
Hinata's own response was sharper, laced with a venom she didn't know she could muster. She pointed a finger at Kamino Megumi. "Ito-senpai! Who is she?" Her gaze swept over the shorter girl's figure. "Do you… do you like this flat-chested shorty, Senpai?"
The insult hung in the air, inflaming the situation further. The respective friend groups murmured, eyes wide, awaiting the inevitable explosion.
Ito stood paralyzed in the center of the storm, his mind completely blank. Every possible escape route seemed to collapse the moment he tried to think of it. His gaze desperately swept the crowd, and for a split second, he caught sight of Aoi and Suzu partially hidden behind some other students. Aoi had her hand clamped over her mouth, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
She's enjoying this, he realized with a fresh wave of despair.
He was completely on his own.
At this moment, Aoi was incredibly grateful that she had never openly flaunted Ito in front of her classmates; otherwise, she would also be publicly executed today.
"Big brother, who between her and me is your girlfriend?"
"Ito-senpai, who between her and me is your girlfriend?"
Kamino Megumi and Hinata spoke in unison.
Looking at the two who were at daggers drawn—at least outwardly at daggers drawn—Ito hesitated... He had never seen a situation like this before! And no matter who he chose, it wouldn't be good. If he could, Ito really wanted to just choose Aoi.
But... Ito cautiously glanced at Aoi in the crowd. After receiving her threatening gaze, Ito took a deep breath.
"Don't argue anymore."
Both groups of people and the onlookers turned their gaze to Ito. In response, Ito's choice was:
"I love them both equally! I want them all!"
In this situation, no matter who he chose, the other side would inevitably be criticized. There was no other way, Ito could only maintain their image by making a scumbag declaration. Anyway, he had already graduated.
Hearing Ito say that, Hinata and Kamino Megumi both breathed a sigh of relief. Then, the two of them took the opportunity to back down gracefully.
"Big brother can't be a playboy! Hmph! I'll prove I'm stronger than that cow!" Kamino Megumi crossed her arms over her chest, lifted her chin, and challenged Hinata.
Meanwhile, Hinata straightened her waist, pointing her considerably larger breasts at Kamino Megumi. "A little girl with no chest and no butt... Heh, want to compete with me? Dream on!"
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
The two of them almost simultaneously snorted coldly and then turned to leave. Seeing this, Ito also quickly slipped away.
Ito, Kamino Megumi, and Hinata all wanted to calm things down, but some people just loved to watch the drama unfold.
At the Girls' Archery Club Dojo, Saya, who was instructing a junior on her shooting posture, heard a rapid series of footsteps. Turning her face, Saya saw that it was Aoi who had arrived.
"Aoi? What's wrong?"
"This is bad! Saya, listen to me..." Aoi took a few breaths, then, pretending to be in a frantic rush, she began, "Do you know? Hinata almost got into a fight with someone at the school gate over a man!"
Hinata almost got into a fight over a man, what the hell is that!? Did she take leave today just to snatch a man!?
????
When Saya put out question marks, it wasn't that she had a problem, but that she thought Hinata had a problem! And a very big one!
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