Since the new school year had placed them in different classes, Erika's opportunities to talk to Tatsuya had dwindled. This shift seemed to have manifested as a permanent, foul-tempered aura that clung to her like a shroud. Her classmates took one look at her sharp expression and decided, almost unanimously, that it was safer to keep their distance.
"Hey, you."
"What is it?" Erika snapped back.
"Why are you in such a lousy mood?"
Only Leo was brave—or perhaps thick-headed—enough to strike up a conversation when she was like this. It wasn't that he was incapable of reading the room; Leo was actually quite sensitive to the emotional atmosphere. His tragedy lay in his complete inability to comprehend the complexities of a "maiden's heart," leading him to stumble into social minefields with blunt curiosity.
"I'm not in a bad mood," Erika lied. "Anyway, what about you? Are you caught up on your assignments?"
"I'll just have Tatsuya help me if things get desperate, so it's fine."
Because they were close friends, Leo found it easy to rely on Tatsuya. Normally, Erika wouldn't have given it a second thought, but now that they were officially dating, she found herself hyper-aware of how the rest of the world viewed him.
(I've made it clear that we're together,) she thought, a knot tightening in her chest, (and yet the number of girls pining after him hasn't dropped at all. If anything, it feels like it's increasing...)
In the wake of the recent Stellar Furnace experiments, Erika felt the female gaze on Tatsuya intensifying. The proof was in the stinging looks of envy she received from other girls on a daily basis.
"You're heading over to Tatsuya's place too, right?" Leo asked.
"Huh?"
"Weren't you listening? Mizuki suggested it because we were all too busy to celebrate his birthday properly when it actually happened."
"Oh... right. That was today."
The group had planned to gather at their usual haunt, Eine Brise, for a belated birthday celebration. Erika had been so lost in her own thoughts that the date had slipped her mind—a lapse in focus that even Leo noticed.
Since a larger party was scheduled at Shizuku's estate the following day, neither Shizuku nor Honoka were present. Still, it was a sizeable group that filed into the café: Tatsuya led the way, followed by Miyuki, Erika, Mizuki, Minami, Amy, Chiaki, Leo, and Mikihiko.
"Welcome. Still as popular as ever, I see, Tatsuya-kun," the Master greeted them with a knowing smile.
"If you're just teasing, I'll pass," Tatsuya replied smoothly. "Besides, I'm not sure 'popular' is the right word for a man who already has a girlfriend."
"Having a girlfriend doesn't seem to have dampened your reputation in the slightest."
After brushing off the Master's banter, the group settled into their seats. As they did, Leo noticed something and leaned in.
"Tatsuya, what's with that mark on your face?"
"Hm? Oh, this. I was in the middle of a mock battle with Tomitsuka until just a moment ago. I must have taken a hit then."
"A mock battle with Tomitsuka-kun?" Erika cut in, leaning across the table, her eyes narrowing. "Why were you fighting him?"
"Apparently, it was to demonstrate my abilities to Shippou, though I still don't quite understand why that necessitated a duel."
"It was to help Shippou-kun understand his place," Miyuki added with a satisfied hum. "He was taking Brother far too lightly."
"I see," Erika muttered, her tension easing slightly into a smirk. "I've heard about that Shippou kid. He's got a death wish if he thinks he can look down on Tatsuya."
While Erika seemed satisfied with the explanation, Leo was busy glaring at Mikihiko.
"You could have told me! Why was Mikihiko the only one who got to watch?"
"I was only there in my capacity as a Discipline Committee member," Mikihiko defended himself. "Besides, I didn't know Tatsuya was going to end up fighting Tomitsuka-kun either."
Only the upperclassmen and Tomitsuka had been in on the plan; Mikihiko had been blindsided as well. There was no way he could have tipped Leo off.
"Whatever. So, who won?" Leo asked.
"Tatsuya, obviously," Mikihiko said. "Tomitsuka is strong, don't get me wrong, but Tatsuya is in a league of his own."
"I see. You really are incredible, Tatsuya-san," Mizuki said warmly.
"Shiba-kun might not get the credit he deserves in class," Chiaki added, "but when it comes to real combat—or even a simulation—he's the ultimate honor student."
Watching Mizuki and Chiaki praise her brother, Miyuki beamed with pride. Erika, however, felt a shadow cross her face. Sensing the shift in her mood, Tatsuya stood up and gestured toward the door.
"Miyuki, I'm going to step out for a moment. Don't worry about us."
"…Understood," Miyuki replied, her eyes tracking them. "But please, make sure you save some time for me later."
"I suppose I have no choice."
Tatsuya gave his sister a faint, indulgent smile—the kind of look that would normally seem inappropriate for siblings, but the group was so used to it by now that no one commented. He led Erika outside. Though she still looked disgruntled, the moment they were alone, the jagged edges of her aura softened.
"So? Why did you drag me out here? Are we going somewhere?"
"It would be poor form for the guest of honor to disappear entirely," Tatsuya said, "so I can't take you away just yet. But I can at least do this."
Without warning, Tatsuya pulled her into a gentle embrace, his hand reaching up to stroke the hair she kept tied back in her signature style.
"Tatsuya-kun... you noticed I was upset."
"Of course I did."
"Right... I guess you wouldn't be you if you hadn't."
"I might not always pick up on what others are feeling, but I know when you're unhappy, Erika. We're together, after all. I've learned to be sensitive to your heart."
"You mean... after Miyuki's, right? Since you know everything about her."
"I wouldn't say everything," Tatsuya corrected her quietly. "In fact, I think I might be starting to know you even better than her in certain ways."
Usually, a line like that would be delivered with a blush, but Tatsuya said it with such terrifyingly calm sincerity that it was Erika who turned bright red. She appreciated the sentiment, but the idea of him knowing her "better than Miyuki" implied a level of intimacy that left her completely exposed.
"Hey, Tatsuya-kun."
"Yes?"
"You heard about my family situation from Miki, didn't you?"
"I did. He mentioned that since you aren't the daughter of the primary wife, things can be... difficult for you at the Chiba estate."
"Yeah. So... I was wondering. Would it be okay if I moved in with you? I'll pay my share of the living expenses, of course."
"…You don't need to worry about the money," Tatsuya replied. A small, dark glint appeared in his eyes—a look Erika was too distracted to catch. "Besides, you'll be sharing my room anyway."
The idea of living in the same room as Tatsuya was so intoxicatingly attractive that it momentarily paralyzed Erika's ability to think rationally. She didn't realize she had just walked right into his trap.
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