Mikado Rei woke up in her own room for the first time in a while.

As she headed for the sink, a lingering sense of loneliness crept in at the absence of the familiar warmth beside her.

“……” 

Rei’s reflection in the mirror showed a face worn out by lack of sleep. 

She then went to brush her teeth, only to realize her toothbrush was missing.

She’d been staying over in Mizuki’s room so often lately that she’d left it there.

Letting out a small sigh, she took a brand-new toothbrush from the shelf.

“……” 

The room felt strangely large with only herself in it.

Once she finished tidying herself up, Rei immediately headed next door to Mizuki’s room.

She slipped in the spare key and quietly stepped into the entryway.

Voices drifted from the living room.

Keeping her composure as best she could, Rei moved forward.

“…Good morning.”

On the living room sofa, she saw Kaminari Nene clinging affectionately to Mizuki. 

Mizuki turned around and gave his usual gentle smile.

“Shall I prepare something for breakfast?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” 

“Understood.”

She bowed her head and headed for Mizuki’s bedroom.

When she opened the door, a set of sheets, filthy and stained, came into view.

She opened the window to air the room out, then stripped off the sheets and tossed them onto the floor.

She’d need a trash bag. She turned toward the storage cabinet by the sink to get one.

That was when Rei stopped moving.

In the cup by the sink was a toothbrush she didn’t recognize.

“……” 

Staring at the three toothbrushes now sitting there, Rei remained frozen for a long moment.

Then, as if suddenly remembering what she’d come for, she pulled out a trash bag, shoved the new toothbrush into it roughly, and headed back to the bedroom.

◇◆◇ 

“Are you sure we really don’t need to do anything?”

“There’s no need to rush. Men, by their very nature, eventually grow tired of women.”

A corner of the cafeteria at Shirayuki Academy after school hours. 

In a corner of Shirayuki Academy’s cafeteria after school, Wakisaka Karen glared at Amagi Kuon with clear skepticism while Kuon spoke confidently.

“Are you really sure about that? This morning, Kaminari came to school together with Mizuki-sama, and everyone was talking about it. Won’t it be too late?”

“Aren’t you really just scared of Houjou?”

“…As if someone like me, Amagi, could be.”

The Amagi family was a regional conglomerate that ran a steelmaking business.

Among the students of Class K, excluding Isshiki Shizuku and Houjou Noa, the Amagi family held the highest standing.

A lineage far removed from mere wealth, a true noble house among noble houses, and because of that, one keenly aware of power disparities.

In Karen’s assessment, Amagi Kuon looked like nothing more than someone afraid of drawing the attention of the Houjou family.

“Cast aside such immediate desires. Entering the colony holds no meaning. In the end, the one still standing is the victor.”

A colony referred to the group formed around a single male and his pairings, a status others longed for.

That said, for Amagi Kuon, who came from a regional conglomerate, rushing to become part of a colony held little real value.

“But Mizuki-sama has never replaced his aide, and he clearly values her greatly.”

“……” 

“He seems like someone who gets emotionally attached. Are you really sure this is fine?”

Karen had known Amagi Kuon since middle school.

Despite all her grandiose talk, Karen knew all too well that Kuon was a coward at heart. 

“You’re just scared, aren’t you? I’ll be mad if it’s too late, you know?”

“……”

“And what if Houjou gets chosen for gene donation before us? Can you really make a move with Houjou breathing down your neck?”

“I-I’m merely following established strategy! There’s still no reliable information on boys from other classes either. Trying to secure a pairing in Class K during the first semester of the first year is, by any measure, far too hasty.”

“You know that’s not true! Mizuki-sama is obviously a jackpot! Make up your mind already!”

“Caution is only natural. A pairing is irreversible. And besides, it’s not us who are falling behind. The Shinomiya group and the Shimokawa group haven’t done anything either.”

Hearing that, Karen fell silent.

Kuon was right—aside from Isshiki Shizuku’s group and Houjou Noa’s group, the only ones in Class K who were actively making moves were Kurosaki Ren’s group and the Kaminari Nene group, who had been favored early on.

“Putting the Shimokawa group aside… I really don’t think the Shinomiya group is just sitting back and watching, though…”

Before Isshiki Shizuku and Houjou Noa moved into Class K, Karen and the others had expected that Shinomiya Seika’s group would be their biggest obstacle.

Yet contrary to those expectations, there had been no noticeable action from them.

“Listen carefully. I don’t imagine Isshiki—the self-proclaimed guardian of order—will make any move. But Houjou is different. That family is practically a walking military–industrial complex. Confronting them head-on would be madness. Yes, this is a strategy rooted in order and rationality.”

“So you are just scared after all.”

“Hmph. I’m saying there’s no point in charging in like a wild boar.”

“Ah, it’s Houjou!” 

“—!”

Kuon jerked around with an audible clatter.

Karen let out an exasperated sigh.

“I’m kidding.”

“……”

“Well, it’s fine. I do understand Kuon’s position, at least.”

“Of course you do. To survive in the economic world—raging like stormy seas—prudence is sometimes essential.”

“So, what about the exams? Want to hold a study session or something?”

“There should be a briefing from the district official soon. After that, I’ll summon capable tutors and have them take care of everything at once.”

“That would be a big help.”

Amagi Kuon was a coward, but she was also considerate.

That was precisely why Karen admired her.

“Ah, Mizuki-sama!” 

“…There’s no way I’d fall for the same trick so many times in such a short span. You shouldn’t underestimate this Amagi so—”

“Hello. What are you up to, Amagi-san? Killing time before the Seikadan?”

Mizuki suddenly peeked in from the side.

Kuon froze for a moment, then her well-groomed face twisted into a strange expression.

“Hyeh!?”

“Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Mizuki wore an apologetic smile. Behind him stood Houjou Noa, along with her entourage.

Kuon stood there with her mouth opening and closing, completely unable to move, so Karen spoke up in her place.

“We were discussing the exams.”

“I see. They’re coming up soon. Are you planning a study session or something?”

“Yes. Kuon… I mean, Amagi plans to invite some tutors.”

“Actually, I was just talking with Houjou-san and the others. We were thinking of holding a class-wide study session on days when the Seikadan and social service are off. If we do, would you and your group like to join, Amagi-san?”

“O-of course we would! This Amagi is prepared to spare no personal expense to contribute to Class K! If you require a venue or any other arrangements, please don’t hesitate to consult me!”

Taking Kuon’s overblown phrasing as a joke, Mizuki let out a small laugh.

“Thanks, that’s helpful. I’ll let you know once things are decided.”

“Yes! We’ll be waiting!”

Kuon waved energetically as Mizuki walked away.

Beside her, Karen thought to herself—

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the Houjou group completely took control of the class.