The first-year students were having their busiest days since entering Kizen. The "5th BMAT + 2nd Year Promotion Exam," rumored to be of unprecedented difficulty, was fast approaching. On top of that, the "Final Exam," the only written test of the integrated second semester, was just around the corner. While preparing for these two major events, they couldn’t neglect the performance evaluations that were breathing down their necks. The Kizen professors had begun to competitively factor homework and reports into those scores, leaving the students struggling to keep their heads above water.
This weekend was a truly crucial one for them. They had to make the most of this brief respite before the gauntlet of major deadlines. Simon and the members of Group 7 also decided to meet up to prepare for their evaluations and study for finals. As always, they rented an empty classroom.
"Hello, Simon."
"Hi, Kami."
The first two to arrive greeted each other warmly.
"You’re here early," Kamibarez said with a bashful smile as she set down her bag.
Simon was about to smile back, but she quickly turned her head and scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed.
"...Wh-Where’s Dick?"
"He went down to Rochestr for business, so he said he’ll be a little late. What about Meirin?"
"Oh! She was at the library. She said she’ll be here right away!"
The two of them pushed four desks together and took their seats. Simon laid out all the studying and homework he had to do and folded his arms for a moment to take it all in. A sigh escaped him.
"It’s... a lot."
"Haha! Let’s work hard!" Kamibarez chirped, cutely shaking the two dainty fists that peeked out from her cardigan sleeves. However, she was still avoiding his gaze.
’‘...I-I keep remembering Simon’s face from back then.’’
It had happened just yesterday. Kamibarez had gone to the Summoning building alone to cheer for Simon during his Life Vessel practical. After the session ended and Aaron had left, she had scurried into the practice room with a white towel and a water bottle.
And she had seen it.
’Ah.’
The sight of a single drop of blood on Simon’s face. He had slumped to the floor, exhausted, and was wiping away the bloodstain that had splattered on his philtrum. When he finally noticed her, he offered an embarrassed smile.
"Kami. How did you know I was here?"
As a half-Ursula, she was already sensitive to blood, but the smile he gave her with that blood-stained face was an overwhelming stimulus. She had almost pounced on him again. Although the blood was from a Heart that had splattered during the practical, it was mixed with his sweat and scent, making it irresistibly intoxicating.
"Thanks, I’ll drink it well."
And then there was the way he’d gulped down the water she brought him, his other hand loosening his tie and fanning his shirt to cool off, revealing the sharp line of his nape. She had truly been on the verge of losing her mind.
’‘Ah.’’
Remembering that scene again, Kamibarez’s face flushed a deep red.
"What’s wrong, Kami?"
"I-It’s nothing!" she replied in a flurry, forcing an awkward smile. The tips of her ears were tinged with pink.
Just as the two of them were opening their books, the classroom door slid open with a vigorous ’swoosh!’
"Hey!"
It was Meirin. She walked in with a cheerful gait, a long bag strap slung over her shoulder, her hair tied up tightly and finished with a ribbon.
"Welcome, Meirin."
Simon greeted her with a smile. But she, too, flinched, then whipped her head away and mumbled rather curtly, "Ah, yeah. Hey."
’‘...Why is everyone reacting like this?’’ Simon scratched the side of his head.
’‘...Phew.’’
Meirin pretended to open her bag and unpack her things while sneaking glances at Simon. ’‘He doesn’t look any different from usual, but...’’
Her sharp gaze swept over him.
’‘His voice is higher. His face is all lit up, too. He looks like he’s in a great mood.’’
Her hand tightened, and the paper she was holding crumpled with a ’crinkle!’
’‘Look at him, happy as a clam!!’’
It bothered her. At this critical time when she needed to be 100% focused on her studies, it bothered her like hell. The problem had started last night. It was after their afternoon Venomology class, right before the weekend, and she had been in high spirits.
"Where’s Simon?"
"I saw him grab a beautiful senior’s wrist and run off somewhere."
Just as Dick had said, Simon had indeed been running, pulling a second-year student, Benya, by the hand. The direction was, without a doubt, towards Rochestr. And most importantly...
’‘Simon didn’t come back to the dorms that night!’’
Meirin’s fists clenched tightly. Of course, she knew Simon wasn’t the type to be a player or chase after girls. But.
But!
’‘It’s driving me crazy!!’’
Right before the weekend. Alone with a female upperclassman. He went to Rochestr and didn’t come back all night. Wouldn’t it be strange ’not’ to be bothered by this? As a friend, of course. A friend she had been with throughout their entire first year.
’‘S-Such an act...! It’s also a serious violation of school rules.’’
Kizen allowed dating, but acts that crossed the line for minors were strictly forbidden. And what was most infuriating was that while she was agonizing over it, Simon was sitting there with a carefree smile, solving problems.
’‘How can you even focus on problems right now?!’’ Meirin’s hand, holding the quill, trembled with frustration. ’‘What should I do? Is there a way to ask without being obvious?’’
There was no way she could concentrate. As time passed, the doodles in her textbook only multiplied. She had hoped Kamibarez might ask first, but...
"Simon, I don’t really get this!"
"Which one?"
...It seemed she was just busy studying. Seeing Simon explaining the problem with such a nonchalant expression, a sudden surge of anger welled up inside her. Why should I be the only one stressing out over this? I’m devoted to Sir Pion anyway. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what happens to any other man. Right, I’ll just ask him straight up.
"Hey, Simon!" Meirin shouted, mustering every last bit of courage she had.
The two, who had been huddled together over a problem, looked up at the same time.
"Yeah?"
She was going to say it! But as soon as her eyes met Simon’s, her words got stuck in her throat as if by magic. The indecent question that had risen to the tip of her tongue went right back down, and her cheeks flushed fiery hot.
"That...!"
Meirin, her shoulders trembling, finally said in a dejected voice, "...I-I don’t get this one either."
Pointing to a random problem, she hung her head low, unable to overcome her embarrassment.
"I never thought the day would come when you’d ask me for help with a problem you don’t know," Simon grinned. "I’ll help Kami with hers first, then I’ll get to you."
"...Ah, okay."
Simon and Kamibarez turned their attention back to the textbook. Meirin covered her burning face with both hands to cool it down.
’‘You idiot! Moron!’’
The moment she met Simon’s eyes, Meirin realized she could never, ever ask him, ’‘What did you do with Benya in Rochestr last night?’’
But she couldn’t give up. She had to know what happened. For her own peace of mind, her mental stability, and her ability to study for the upcoming exams!
’‘Right, change of plans. Instead of me bringing up the indecent topic, I’ll lead Simon to answer naturally.’’
During a lull when all three were focused on their own problems, Meirin stretched her arms wide.
"Ugh, I’m so bored of being cooped up in the library studying all day."
"Me too," Kamibarez chimed in with a gentle smile. "But let’s hang in there just a little longer! We all have to get promoted to the second year, right?"
"Yeah, you’re right. But I feel like my efficiency is dropping because the study environment is always the same. Maybe that’s why camping studies are all the rage these days. Have you heard about them, Kami?"
"Camping studies?"
"Uh-huh! The class president and Claudia went camping over the weekend, but—" Meirin started a natural conversation with Kamibarez. Chatting with her in the women’s dormitory pantry was a daily routine, so it would seem perfectly normal to Simon. "—they ended up seeing a monster, got scared, and ran away crying. They just stayed overnight in Rochestr!"
"Haha! I don’t think I could ever stay out like that!"
"Oh, by the way." Meirin’s head turned towards Simon. "Simon, have you ever slept in Rochestr?"
It was perfect! A three-step combo leading from camping to staying overnight, to staying overnight in Rochestr! Now, what would he say...!
"I have."
’Thump!’ Meirin’s heart sank. ’He really slept there? With that senior?’ An indecent image of the two of them lying in one bed flashed unfiltered through her mind.
"We all slept together, didn’t we?"
The image in her head was suddenly joined by herself and the other group members. Meirin’s face flushed beet red.
"Y-Y-Y-Y-You psychooo!!" she shrieked, flailing her arms as her chair shot backward at an incredible speed.
A question mark appeared on Simon’s face.
"Don’t you remember the 3rd BMAT? The theme was the sea, so we all stayed at a place in Rochestr to have a strategy meeting. We even bought swimsuits the next day and went to the beach."
"Oh! I remember! That was really, really fun!"
’So that’s what he meant!’ Meirin, whose head was boiling, pouted and glared at Simon. Seeing him and Kamibarez naturally transitioning to the topic of the sea gave her a headache.
’‘This method won’t work!’’ She decided she had to mention Benya Vanilla directly.
The opportunity came quickly. After the sea talk ended and the two were concentrating on their studies again, Meirin said in a passing tone, "Ah, I’m craving something sweet. Vanilla! I want some ice cream!" She deliberately emphasized the word ‘vanilla’.
’Scrape.’
At that, Simon pushed his chair back and stood up.
"I’ll go to the store and get some. What flavor do you want, Kami?"
’‘That’s not what I meant!!!’’ Meirin felt like she was going to cough up blood.
"I’ll go with you!" Kamibarez also stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "Oh, but Simon," she began, smiling shyly as she gently touched her hair. "Speaking of vanilla ice cream..."
"Yeah?"
"I’m thinking of buying a Vanilla brand Skeleton Mage."
"Oh, are you preparing for the Summoning performance evaluation?"
"Yes! Do you happen to know anyone in the Vanilla family? It’s a bit expensive, so I was hoping to get it cheaper."
At those words, Meirin’s head shot up. ’Wait a minute. Don’t tell me you...’
"Should I introduce you to Benya Vanilla? She might give you a small discount."
’No way!’
"Yes! But..." Kamibarez’s face turned bright red. Then, in a trembling voice, she asked, "A-a-a-and, Benya... and you, Simon... w-what is your relationship?"
’‘Kamiiii!’’ Meirin screamed internally. ’As expected, she doesn’t disappoint! Kami must have been super curious too!’
"She’s the president of the club I joined. Didn’t I tell you?"
Meirin and Kamibarez simultaneously made sour faces.
’‘He’s so dense.’’
’‘He’s so dense.’’
That was practically a direct question, and he reacted like ’that’. While the two girls were biting their lips and chewing on their thumbs in frustration, Simon just blinked.
"S-Simon...!" Kamibarez spoke up again. This was the most nerve-wracking moment of her entire school life. Her shoulders trembled like a baby penguin’s. Her hands fidgeted, her face was as red as a tomato, and tears were even welling up in her big, round eyes. "B-Benya and you, Simon! Are you perhaps...!"
Meirin, moved by Kamibarez’s courage, swallowed hard. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she anxiously awaited the rest of the sentence. After a brief pause, Kamibarez squeezed her eyes shut and shouted in a hoarse voice.
"Perhaps...!!"
’Screeeech!’
Just then, the classroom door flew open and Dick burst out.
"Heeeeey Simon! Did you have some fun with Benya last night?!"

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