Chapter 338: A Natural-Born Loser! / Sakayanagi Arisu is at it Again!
By the time lunch was over and Shimizu Akira came to his senses, his arms were piled high with chocolates, just like Hirata Yosuke.
These were gifts from girls in other classes. He recognized some names—Kobashi Yume, Amikura Mako, Shiranami Chihiro, and even Tachibana-senpai. There were other faces he couldn't quite place, remembering only their smiles as they handed him the chocolate. Fortunately, each gift had a name written on the packaging, so he wouldn't be lost when it came time to return the favor on March 14th.
"Shimizu-kouhai, you're here!"
As soon as he reached the door of Class 2-A, following a text message, Asahina Nazuna came out to meet him. Upon seeing the "Mountain of Chocolate" in his arms, the cute senpai's eyes widened.
"So many?!"
"Actually, there are plenty I didn't accept on the spot; I had some classmates leave them at my dorm door for now," Shimizu explained.
"You really are popular, kouhai!" Asahina took out her pink-and-white gift box. She looked for a gap in his crowded arms, found none, and her eyes lit up. "
Ah, there's one spot left!"
She stood on her tiptoes and steadily placed the box right on top of Shimizu's head. She stepped back, admiring her work.
"Looks like this was the only empty space."
"Senpai, don't mess around..." Shimizu froze his body, afraid that if he moved an inch, the tower of chocolate would come crashing down.
"Pfft... you really froze up!" Asahina laughed, whipped out her phone, and snapped a commemorative photo before turning back to the classroom.
"Wait here, I'll go find you a bag."
As Shimizu stood there like a statue, the classroom door swung open. Nagumo Miyabi walked out, looking deeply displeased.
"Shimizu-kouhai, you're quite capable, aren't you?" Nagumo shot him a cold glare and walked away.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Shimizu was baffled. Was he having another mental breakdown?
A few minutes later, Asahina returned with a large paper bag featuring a cat pattern. She took the chocolates one by one and packed them away, finally tucking her own box on top.
"There, you should be able to carry it now."
"Thanks, senpai. But... can you delete that photo?"
"No way." Asahina stepped back, hands behind her back.
"This 'Chocolate Tower' photo is a treasure; I'm keeping it."
Footsteps echoed from the other end of the hall. Several first-year girls were peeking around the corner, holding small boxes.
Asahina giggled and pushed his back.
"Run for it, popular boy. If you stay any longer, your 'Chocolate Mountain' is going to become a 'Chocolate Mountain Range.'"
"Good point." Shimizu grabbed the cat bag and made a break for the stairs.
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Back at the dorm, Shimizu organized the gifts. There were about forty.
'If I eat all of these, I'll have to exercise for an eternity to burn off the calories.'
A knock sounded at the door. It was Yamamura Miki and Kamuro Masumi. Both held exquisite boxes.
"Hmph, looks like you don't really need my chocolate," Kamuro said, squeezing past him and seeing the pile on the desk. She gave his shin a light kick.
"How could that be? Those are Giri chocolates. You're my girlfriend; yours is a Honmei chocolate. The meaning is completely different," Shimizu said, pulling her hand to soothe her.
Kamuro pouted but didn't pull away. Shimizu looked at Yamamura, who was standing at the door.
"Yamamura, why did you run away when you saw me the other day?"
"That..." Yamamura stammered, her eyes darting toward Kamuro.
"Don't blame her; I told her to follow you," Kamuro pinched Shimizu's cheek.
"Just as I thought, you haven't been behaving. You 'took down' two more girls in your class, didn't you? Both with great figures—you must be very proud of yourself."
Shimizu followed his principle: when you have no defense, stay silent. He let her pinch him without resisting.
"Here, take it." Kamuro handed him her chocolate.
"Th-this is mine..." Yamamura stepped in and shyly handed over her gift.
Shimizu placed both on the small table by his bed.
"I'm putting them here so I see them and eat them as soon as I get back from class," he explained. Kamuro nodded, satisfied. She then wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"I can't stay; class starts in ten minutes."
As they left, Shimizu rubbed his cheek, feeling the roles had been subtly reversed. Yamamura's eyes were wide, having witnessed the whole thing.
"By the way," Kamuro pulled out a third box.
"This one is from that woman."
"Sakayanagi Arisu?"
"Who else?" Kamuro's tone was sharp.
"Anyway, chocolates delivered. We're going before the bell."
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After school, Karuizawa Kei, Sato Maya, and Matsushita Chiaki approached him.
"This time all three of you together? Not acting alone?" Shimizu asked.
The three girls exchanged awkward glances, a result of the "harem confession" fiasco from a few days ago. Sato and Matsushita shot a resentful look at Kei—it was her fault for not being clear with the info.
Kei coughed and handed him a box.
"Akira-kun... this is for you."
"Me-me too!" Sato followed.
"Please accept mine as well," Matsushita added.
Shimizu accepted them all.
"Thank you. I'll prepare a return gift next month." As they were about to leave, he called out, "Kei, wait a second."
"How is your boxing practice going?"
"Uh... I practice for about an hour every day," she answered honestly.
"Then after the mock exam, I'll be your sparring partner. I'll go easy on you; I'll just be your trainer."
Kei stood there stunned. Sato and Matsushita began teasing her immediately.
"What are you looking at! Akira-kun invited me to box!" her cheeks flushed.
"We didn't say anything," Matsushita smirked. She then turned serious.
"So, you two... what's the plan? A few days ago, you were stressing about the 'harem' thing. Why are you both giving him chocolate today?"
"I don't know..." Sato shook her head.
"I haven't figured it out yet," Matsushita admitted.
"But looking around, Shimizu is the only one who seems mature. Other boys are mostly stupid. Ayanokouji is an option, but he feels emotionless... dating him seems like it would end badly."
Matsushita thought to herself while looking at Kei: 'Kei still doesn't believe he's dating others. She thinks she's just waiting for him to invite her to box. If this continues... isn't she just a natural-born loser? If it weren't for the harem plan, she wouldn't have a single chance!'
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In Class 1-D, Ryuen Kakeru was staring at the school forums.
Rumors were flying—first that he was a robber, now that he was a Yakuza member. It was illogical. Would the Yakuza recruit a high schooler?
Shiina Hiyori walked over.
"The rumors have been decreasing. From dozens a day to about a dozen now. It feels like they're letting them fade naturally."
Hiyori texted Shimizu: It's Valentine's Day. Ibuki and I have chocolate. If you're free, let's meet at the library to chat? Also, want to investigate the rumors together?
Shimizu replied: On my way.
In the library, the three of them sat together. Hiyori and Ibuki handed over their chocolates (Ibuki insisting hers was "strictly Giri").
Hiyori presented her findings. "The rumors cover all four classes, but Class D is targeted most heavily. Class A has the fewest—less than half of ours."
"That's inconsistent," Shimizu said.
"If the goal was to disrupt the whole grade, A-Class shouldn't be so clean. Unless the culprit is from A-Class, or is intentionally leaving them out to shift suspicion."
Hiyori nodded. "Also, the rumors about Ryuen and Ichinose are extremely specific—details about the deserted island and the VIP exam that only first-years would know. The culprit knows the Student Council admins, dislikes Class D, is a first-year, and hates Ryuen and Ichinose."
"Sakayanagi Arisu," they both said at once.
"But I still don't see the motive or the profit," Hiyori mused.
Suddenly, Shimizu's phone rang. It was Ike Kanji.
"Shimizu! Have you been back to the dorms? Someone stuffed the first-year mailboxes with anonymous letters! They're all about Ichinose Honami being a criminal... and they say, 'This is the truth, ask her yourself if you don't believe it'!"
Shimizu's face darkened. The motive was here. All the forum rumors were just the setup for today.
A trap specifically for Ichinose Honami—on Valentine's Day.
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