The affection in the girl’s eyes flowed straight into Alan’s senses, seeping into his sight and hearing alike, and he even felt a faint warmth spreading through his chest.

Without realizing it, he clenched his fist, bit down on his tongue, took a deep breath, and continued calmly,

"So... how did you find out I’m studying here, Nino?"

"Uh... well..."

A hesitant excuse slipped from her lips. Her dark, glossy eyes flickered restlessly, like the hands of a clock spinning out of sync.

After a moment, as if she had finally solved an impossible puzzle, she blurted out,

"Akari Hojo told me."

Akari Hojo?

Alan’s thoughts immediately jumped there.

She’s still in contact with Akari Hojo?

But he didn’t believe her answer at all.

He had applied to Tokyo more than half a year ago. If Hojo really knew he was studying here, she would have come to see him long ago. There would have been no need for his aunt to pass along the news.

Still, that detail wasn’t important.

What truly mattered was the fact that Nino still had contact with Hojo.

Without exposing her lie, Alan continued,

"So you came all the way to my school just to see me, right?"

Nino pressed her lips together and thought carefully. Feeling no hidden trap in his words, she nodded honestly.

Seeing that, Alan smiled faintly.

"Then why did you need to see me today? Was there some reason?"

"Huh?"

Nino froze, completely unprepared for the question. Her toes curled instinctively, her thighs pressed tightly together, and her breathing quickened.

Alan’s gaze casually swept over her feet.

This fool.

Whenever she got nervous, she always curled her toes like that.

Back when he first helped her relax her muscles, it was the same. Not only would her toes curl, her thighs would tense as well.

Especially when he massaged her calves—it was the worst. She had clamped down on him with her thighs more than once.

Later, once she got used to it, it improved somewhat. But whenever she felt anxious or cornered, those old habits always returned.

Certain he had hit the mark, Alan straightened his expression and spoke seriously.

"I want you to answer me honestly, Nino. I’ll be completely sincere with you too. In my memory, Nino never lies to me. So whatever you say, I’ll believe you."

Hearing that, Nino lowered her head, staring at the floor. Her legs pressed tightly together, her eyes flickering with tangled emotions.

"So... you’ve known all along that I was at this school, but you waited until now to come see me?"

As his words settled, silence fell heavily between them.

Alan watched her quietly, considering every possibility as he waited for her answer.

After a long moment, Nino Kitagawa finally raised her head, her voice trembling.

"I was afraid... that Alan wouldn’t remember Nino anymore..."

Alan froze.

It felt as if a burning cigarette had stabbed straight into his heart. He opened his mouth reflexively.

"How could that be..."

Drip. Drip.

Tears spilled from her reddened eyes and fell onto the floor. Pouting, Nino spoke with deep grievance.

"But Alan... don’t you have a girlfriend now?"

"I was scared... that you wouldn’t remember Nino anymore."

"Your heart is already filled with so many girls. Will there still be a place for Nino? Will you still think about Nino?"

As she spoke, Nino could no longer hold back her emotions. She suddenly straightened her waist and leaned forward, pressing herself toward him.

Instinctively, Alan leaned back, bracing himself with his hands on the floor, staring at her in shock.

"How did you know...?"

Understanding his confusion, Nino stopped hiding it and said directly,

"Akari Hojo told Nino."

Then, without giving him time to think, she slid her knees forward again.

"Alan... don’t you want Nino anymore?"

"Do you dislike Nino because she’s stupid?"

"Nino will try harder. Please... don’t leave Nino..."

Her voice echoed in his ears as her face drew closer and closer, as if she wanted to fill his entire heart with her presence.

The love that had burned silently through countless dark nights now flared brighter than fireworks.

The overwhelming affection in her tear-filled eyes flooded into his chest.

Alan felt his throat tighten, something he had always held onto beginning to waver. His voice came out hoarse.

"Nino..."

Bang!

Just as he called her name, the door slammed open loudly.

"Ah! The door wasn’t locked!"

A clear, cheerful voice burst in with the rush of air from outside, instantly shattering the suffocating atmosphere.

Alan’s gaze snapped toward the entrance. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Nozomi Sakura stood there, smiling brightly. Noticing his look, she shook the bottle of mineral water in her hand.

"You just finished competing, right? I was worried there wouldn’t be any water in the locker room, so I brought some."

"How is it? Thoughtful, aren’t I?"

She laughed lightly, seemingly unfazed by the intimate posture between the two.

Turning back, she closed the door, then dragged a nearby chair over to wedge it shut. After that, she walked toward Alan, bent down, and extended her hand.

"The floor is cold. Sitting too long will make you sick."

Hearing her cheerful tone, Alan steadied himself and took her hand, standing up.

"..."

Watching him rise, Nino clenched her hand against the floor, her eyes settling into a strange calm.

"Get up."

Alan reached out and pulled Nino by the arm. This time, she didn’t resist. Gripping her bamboo sword, she stood up.

Seeing this, Nozomi smiled even more brightly. Looking at the girl who stood half a head taller than herself, she said,

"You’re Alan’s friend, right?"

"Nozomi Sakura. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me."

Then she added cheerfully,

"I’m Alan’s girlfriend."

As she spoke, she hugged Alan’s arm, pressing half her body against him.

Alan frowned and was about to pull free—

But before he could move, Nino’s expression turned cold.

Her right arm shot up. The bamboo sword in her hand thrust forward like lightning.

Swish!