Chapter 5: Wha- how'd you know?

It was another regular morning for Nagatoro. After eating a hearty breakfast, she stepped outside of her house, noticing the sound of footsteps to her right.

Nagatoro: "Hey Takagi-chan. Su-p."

Takagi: "Sup, Nagatoro-chan."

As Nagatoro approached the intersection at the crossroads, she ducked back around the corner. As Takagi shot her a confused look.

Nagatoro: *blushing slightly* "I come here everyday to surprise Senpai. Don't want him to get too comfort-"

Takagi shot her a knowing look with a smirk as Nagatoro blushed slightly, remembering the details of their conversation the night before.

Nagatoro: "Fine. I want to make sure that I can walk with him."

Takagi: "I don't mind waiting. Nishikata normally gets up around this time so we'll be here a little."

Nagatoro and Takagi waited for a few moments before Nagatoro broke the silence.

Nagatoro: "So how's school going for you?"

Takagi: "I'm doing pretty well. Averaging 94 in my classes. I do spend a bit of my time studying, though."

Nagatoro: "I'm getting around an 80 although I could probably do better if I didn't leave everything to the last minute, though."

Takagi: "Hmmmm. You know, we could try studying together. We are in different classes, but we could still probably do it. We could even rope in Nishikata. He's always happy to spend time with me while getting his grades up. If you want, I could try to get Hachioji-san to join us."

Takagi said this last line with a slight smirk.

Nagatoro: "Shut up."

As they stopped talking, the silence was broken.

Nagatoro: "Sup, Senpai!"

Senpai: "S-sup Nagatoro."

Takagi: "We're all together again, huh. Why don't we walk to school together?"

Nishikata: "Sure."

Takagi: "Guys, after school, do you guys want to study in the club room? We could also use the time to get to know each other better."

Nishikata: "Actually, Hachioji-san helped me out with my homework last night so I managed to get it all finished. Thanks for that, by the way."

Senpai: "T-thanks, Nishikata-kun. I finished all my homework too. Maybe next time?"

Nagatoro looked utterly slightly disappointed. Takagi picked up on this immediately.

Takagi: "Yeah. If anyone needs help with anything, then speak up! Regardless, I think it's going to be fun mixing our friend groups."

Senpai: "Say, what class are you guys in? I'm in class 2-B and Nagatoro is in class 1-C"

Takagi: "Nishikata and I are both in class 1-B. We actually sit right next to each other."

Nishikata: *slightly blushing* "Y-yeah."

Nishikata wasn't paying too much attention to anything after studying was brought up as he was thinking of his next game.

Nishikata: I've got it! If Takagi-san still hasn't done her studying for the test then there's no way she knows more about it than me! All I have to do is challenge her to ask what I'm thinking of and think of something on the test!

Nishikata: "Hey! Takagi-san!"

Takagi: "I accept the challenge."

Nishikata: "Wha- how'd you know?"

Takagi: "You only space out like that when you're thinking of a challenge or…"

Nishikata: "Or what?"

Takagi: "That's a secret."

Senpai/Nagatoro: This girl really knows him well…

Nishikata: "Okay. So the rules are you have to guess what I'm thinking. Loser does whatever the winner wants."

Takagi: "Deal."

Nishikata: You fool! You didn't study! You'll never guess-

Takagi: "You're thinking about how I didn't study for the test tomorrow and how I'll never guess what you're thinking. The reason for not studying was because I wanted to spend some time with you, Nishikata."

Nishikata: "You knew?!"

Nishikata: And what does she mean by "I wanted to spend some time with you"? So she could tease me? Well, or she could spend more time with me. In any case, I should ask for my punishment.

Nishikata: "So what do I need to do?"

Takagi: "You'll see later."

Nishikata: "So I don't get a punishment?"

Takagi: "Not now."

Nishikata: What is she planning…

Senpai: "Alright everyone! See you at lunch!."

Nagatoro had been uncharacteristically silent throughout the walk to school. She normally would've spent at least half of the trip teasing her Senpai but she found herself intrigued by the exchange between Takagi and Nishikata.

Nagatoro: Those guys can just get each other to do whatever they want whenever? We only did it that one time with the do anything I say ticket. Come to think of it, I still don't know how to use it.

After they got to school, the 4 split up into their own separate classes.

Gamo: "Hey Hayacchi. Sup."

Yoshi: "Sup!"

Nagatoro: "Hi Gamo-chan."

Gamo took a look at Nagatoro who seemed to be slouching with a tired look on her face.

Gamo: "You seem down, Hayacchi. Did Paisen finally ask you to model nude?"

Yoshi: "Birthday suit?"

Nagatoro immediately went flush at this accusation.

Nagatoro: "Wha- no! We just have some new members in the art club and one of them got me really-"

Gamo: "Ah, someone trying to steal away Paisen? Don't worry about it, Hayacchi. He won't do anything like that."

Yoshi: "Virgin senpai!"

Nagatoro: "No, it's not like that. She actually likes someone else. Besides, are you guys free at lunch? We wanted to try mixing our friend groups and seeing how it goes."

Gamo: "I'm down for that. I'll go ask Sakura. Yoshi? You down?"

Yoshi gave a quick nod in agreement.

Nagatoro: "Sweet. We'll be meeting in the art room."

Yoshi: "Love nest?"

Nagatoro went even redder.

Nagatoro: "How many times do I have to say it's not like that?! It's just a club room!"

Gamo: "Sure, Hayacchi. Anyways, how are you doing in the homework department?"

Nagatoro: "I'll just do it after club. It shouldn't take that long."

After that, the conversation went back to mundane topics until class started. Meanwhile, in the class next door…

Nishikata: "Hey! Nakai! Hamaguchi! Kimura! Takao!

All 4 of them stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

Nakai: "Hey Nishikata! What's up?"

Nishikata: "Nothing much. Takagi-san and I joined the art club and we were thinking of doing a meet up with our friend group and the girls in our class in the art club room. We met some people and we're trying to mix our friend groups.

Kimura: "I'll pass for today. I've got some really good bento that I've been dying to try and I don't really want to take any risks with it."

Takao: "And I kinda just wanted to hang with Kimura."

Nishikata: "Alright. Nakai? Hamaguchi? How about you guys?"

Nakai: "I told Mano that I would spend lunch with her so if she's coming then I'm down for it."

Hamaguchi: "Yeah. I said that I would spend lunch with Houjou but if she's down then so am I."

Nishikata: "Great! I'll check with Takagi, then."

Takagi: "Someone mention me?"

Nishikata: *turning around* "TAKAGI?!"

Takagi: "Mano and Houjou said that they would as long as Nakai and Hamaguchi came too. Yukari also said that she's coming but Mina and Sanae said that they're busy."

Nishikata: "Perfect!"

The rest of the morning was relatively uneventful as everyone was anticipating the meet up at lunch.