Gene donation was a monthly obligation imposed on males.

In an age where most people were born through artificial insemination, it had become an indispensable system for maintaining the population.

And assisting with it was, likewise, an obligation imposed on girls.

“Toudou-sama, this is your second time. I assume an explanation won’t be necessary? Once you’re finished, please press the call button.”

As always, there was no one else in the gene bank’s lobby.

It seemed the schedule was arranged to prevent donors from running into one another.

After checking in, they were promptly guided to a private room.

Just like last time, it looked like a business hotel room.

“…It’s surprisingly normal.”

As if trying to ease the tension of being alone together, Houjou Noa looked around the room.

When she noticed the various tools lined up on the table, she averted her gaze awkwardly.

“There’s a shower room too. What do you want to do?”

Mizuki sat down on the bed first and pointed toward the door further inside.

Fidgeting, Noa shook her head.

“I already showered back at the dorm, so I’m fine.”

“Really? Then I’ll go in first.”

“No… just stay like that.”

As if to stop Mizuki from standing up, Noa sat down beside him.

“Um… I want you to stay here next to me. Just like this.”

Seeing Noa lean closer, Mizuki smiled gently.

“I see. Then shall we talk about something?”

“Here… is there a time limit?”

“I don’t think so. There wasn’t an end time listed when I made the reservation.”

“I see… then we can take our time.”

Noa’s left hand rested atop Mizuki’s right hand on the bed.

A silent moment passed as both of them searched for words.

“…I want you to pat my head again. Like before.”

The one who broke the silence was Noa.

Mizuki caught her as she slowly leaned her weight against him, then ran his hand through her hair, gently stroking it.

“Like this?”

“Mm…”

Noa closed her eyes, letting all the strength drain from her body as she leaned against him even more.

“Shall we lie down like this?”

As Noa gradually slumped against him, Mizuki caught her, and before he realized it, they’d ended up in something like a lap pillow.

Just like that, he continued gently stroking her hair.

Noa, who was usually so composed, looked like a small child now.

“At first, I thought we were the same.”

Noa murmured the words quietly.

“As someone from Class A, I could have gone anywhere. But you were the only one who caught my attention.”

“……”

“When I asked Miya to scout out Class K, she tried to stop me. Yukari told me I was acting too hastily.”

At that, Noa nuzzled into Mizuki’s stomach, clinging to him as if seeking comfort.

“Now, I can honestly say I’m glad I trusted my instincts.”

“…What happened with Shinonome-san?”

“We talked briefly. But going back to how it was before is impossible. Her affection was more of an illusion, and this outcome was inevitable.” 

“…I see.”

The Noa who had been burying her face against his stomach rolled slightly, looking up at Mizuki.

“By the way, Mizuki-kun… are you pushing yourself too hard?”

“Too hard?”

“I’ve heard you weren’t good with women. To be honest, I’ve had trouble judging how far is alright.”

“Ah… yeah. I’m fine now. Really, there’s no need to worry.”

Noa’s eyes searched Mizuki’s face, as if trying to read him.

“…It doesn’t seem like a lie.”

“When I’d just started middle school, there was some really nasty bullying in my class. It was more or less because of me, and back then, I didn’t know what to do… after that, I just couldn’t bring myself to go anymore.”

“……”

“But I’m really fine now. Truly.”

“I see…”

Noa smiled in relief, then buried her face against his stomach again.

“…When Houjou-san transferred into the class, I was honestly relieved.”

“What… do you mean?”

“Back then, I barely had any social score. I kept thinking that once we became second-years, everyone would use their class selection rights and go somewhere else.”

“……”

“Isshiki-san was there too, but it always felt like she kept a bit of distance. So, to be honest, having Houjou-san show clear affection toward me made me happy.”

“…I see. So it isn’t only girls who feel anxious.”

Noa’s arms wrapped around his body.

“Is it alright if we stay like this a little longer?”

“Yeah.”

The only sound in the room was the hum of the air conditioning.

Cradling Noa on his lap as she clung to him like a child, Mizuki continued to stroke her gently in silence.

◇◆◇ 

When they stepped out of the gene bank, night had already fallen completely.

As soon as they got into the car, Mikado Rei confirmed their destination.

“Would you like to head straight home?”

Mizuki glanced toward Noa, who was sitting right beside him.

Clinging to him sweetly, Noa rubbed his arm as if seeking affection.

“Houjou-san… are you hungry?”

“…At this point, isn’t that a rather distant way of addressing me? I want you to call me Noa—just Noa.”

“Um… Noa… what would you like to do?”

“Of course, I want to stay together a little longer.”

When Mizuki turned back toward the driver’s seat, Rei began operating the navigation system before he could say anything.

“There is a restaurant nearby intended for second-class citizens. Would that be acceptable?”

For a brief moment, KaminarI Nene crossed his mind.

The restaurant they had stopped by on the day of his first gene donation.

Before he could respond, Noa muttered in dissatisfaction.

“…I want somewhere we can be alone.”

“There are private rooms available.”

Rei replied flatly.

Ignoring her, Noa leaned closer and whispered.

“Mizuki-kun… how about coming to my dorm room now? We could be alone together.”

“Mizuki-sama is extremely fatigued. Let’s leave it at that for today.”

“I don’t think that’s something an aide should be butting into.”

“Gene donation places a considerable mental and physical burden on men. More importantly, this is only his second time—he’s not yet accustomed to it. I ask for your understanding.”

“…Alright. Let’s call it off for today.”

Noa said it regretfully as she pulled away from Mizuki.

She gradually returned to facing forward once more. 

Still, she kept holding his hand tightly. 

“Um… you can show me your room another time, okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll make sure it’s ready.”

The car slowly began to move.

As if remembering something, Noa changed the subject.

“By the way, about the study session—it looks like everyone will be participating.”

“Do you think it’ll come together smoothly?”

“Even Amagi Kuon, the one I was most wary of, folded without much resistance. The rest should be fine.”

“You were wary of Amagi-san?”

When Mizuki asked in surprise, Noa gave a wry smile.

“If Isshiki Shizuku and I hadn’t stepped in, she likely would’ve taken control of Class K. She’s the daughter of a regional financial conglomerate—there was a real chance she might’ve pushed back.”

“I only spoke with her briefly, but she seemed friendly. I think it’ll be alright.”

“I agree. Shinomiya Seika might be troublesome as well, but… we’ll manage somehow.”

Then Noa continued: 

“The thing that requires the most caution is the Party’s special program, but… they shouldn’t be doing anything too serious in the first semester of our first year. Lately, I’ve heard they’ve been assigning a simulation of a British Empire amphibious landing.”

“What do you do in that?”

“It’s a tabletop simulation where you analyze where British Empire fleets resupply and where they land. In earlier iterations of the program, it was a simulation of the Soviet southward advance. Either way, there’s no need to prepare before the topic is announced.”

With that, Noa smiled confidently.

“Either way, it’s my area of expertise. Military affairs fall under the Houjou family’s jurisdiction.”

“I see… then I’ll leave it to you when the time comes.”

“Exactly. So there’s no need for you to worry about the special program, Mizuki-kun.”

A look of expectation surfaced in Noa’s eyes.

When he gently stroked her hair, Noa narrowed her eyes contentedly, clearly enjoying it.