The rest of the day zoomed by and before anyone knew it, it was time for art club. Nagatoro walked in half asleep, being helped along by Gamo and Yoshi.
Gamo: "Sup, Paisen!"
Senpai: "S-sup, Gamo."
Gamo: "So how's your time in the love nest been?"
Yoshi: "Love nest!"
Senpai: "Well-"
At that moment, Takagi and Nishikata walked in.
Takagi: "Oh! Sup Senpai, Gamo, Yoshi, Hayase-chan."
Senpai/Gamo/Yoshi: "Sup."
Gamo: "So what are you guys doing?"
Nishikata: "We were going to play truth or truth, but I think we might want to wait for tomorrow, given Hayase's… situation."
Gamo: "Well, looks like she's in good hands here. We'll leave her with you guys. See ya later, Paisen!"
Yoshi: "Later!"
The 2 of them set Nagatoro down on the sofa and left the room, leaving the 4 of them there.
Takagi: "Hey, Naoto."
Senpai: "Yeah?"
Takagi: "We might want someone to take Nagatoro to her room so that she doesn't collapse on the floor or something and Nagatoro seems to be comfortable with you in her room. Could you get her in bed safely?"
Senpai: "Uh, yeah. I can do that."
Senpai kept on working on his sketch of Nagatoro, fixing mistakes and adding detail while Nishikata and Takagi sketched each other. After a while, they finished and the club period ended.
Senpai: "Nagatoro? Club period's over. Let's get you home."
Nagatoro's eyes fluttered open as she blushed, having the first thing she saw when she woke up being Senpai.
Nagatoro: "Y-yeah."
As the 4 of them headed home, Senpai turned the same way as Nagatoro and Takagi.
Nagatoro: "Uh… Senpai?"
Senpai: "Oh, right. I didn't tell you. Takagi suggested I make sure you get in your room so you don't end up collapsed on the floor."
Nagatoro perked up slightly at seeing Senpai slightly flustered, blushing, and looking away.
Nagatoro: "Is creepy Senpai imagining what he's gonna do with me all alone in my room? You're so…"
Nagatoro's voice trailed off as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
Nagatoro: "Ugh… forget it. I'm too t-tired to even tease you." *yawn*
The 2 of them went into Nagatoro's room. Before going to bed, Nagatoro extended her arms to indicate a hug offer, which Senpai accepted."
Nagatoro: "Thank you for helping me out, Senpai."
Senpai: "N-no problem."
Nagatoro flopped down on her bed before shooting one last tired smirk at Senpai.
Nagatoro: "Get ready for tomorrow's daily dose of teasing, Senpai."
Senpai: *smiling to himself* "Yeah. Of course."
With that, Nagatoro flopped onto her bed and instantly fell asleep. Just as Senpai was about to leave, an unfamiliar face swung the door open.
Big sis Toro: "I'm home, Hayase-chan!"
This person shot Senpai a confused look as she whipped out her phone and took a picture of him.
Big sis Toro: "Well then. What's your name? I need to file a report…"
Senpai: "Wait! I-I was just helping her out! She was really tired so I got her to her room-"
Big sis Toro: "Let's hear what you have to say to the cops."
Senpai: "Hold on! I'm from her school! She… she goes to my art club room and we went to the zoo a few days ago!"
Big sis Toro shot Senpai a look of confusion before giving him a look of realization.
Big sis Toro: "Ah! You must be Senpai-kun!"
Senpai: "W-well, yeah. I am. My name's Naoto, though."
Big sis Toro: "Alright Naoto-kun. Why don't we sit and chat over a cup of tea?"
Senpai was about to refuse before he looked past Big sis Toro and spotted a picture of a young Nagatoro with some sort of medal around her neck.
Big sis Toro: "You interested?"
Senpai: "Wha-no! I mean… That's… her information to share, is it not?"
Big sis Toro shot him a confused look which turned into a look of approval.
Big sis Toro: "You know, for how much she calls you a gross creepy pervert, you seem like a good guy. I don't think any guy's passed up a chance to learn about me."
Senpai immediately started to wave his hand in front of his face.
Senpai: "I-it's not like I don't care or anything! I just think that she should be the one who tells me…"
Big sis toro: smiling "Well. I was wondering about whether Hayase-chan made the right choice when she chose you, but I think she was onto something."
Senpai: "Uh… Thanks, I guess."
Big sis Toro: "Well, I think I'll be seeing you more often. Until next time."
Senpai: What did she mean by that? "Y-yeah. Until next time."
Senpai left the house with an odd, happy feeling in his chest as he walked home. Meanwhile, Takagi was dragging Nishikata along with her to her house.
Nishikata: "T-Takagi? Are you s-sure about this?"
Takagi: *smirking* "Why not? It was fun last time! I bet you were hoping for us to do it again as soon as possible."
Nishikata went slightly red as she said this.
Nishikata: "I-I suppose so."
As he said this, Takagi stopped in her tracks, suppressing the urge to blush or cry.
Nishikata turned around and immediately went red again.
Nishikata: "Takagi? A-are you ok? You're a bit…"
Takagi: "Red? Yeah. I guess so. No hiding it this time, I suppose. What did you say again?"
Takagi said this last sentence in a teasing tone with a smirk, clearly intended to release some tension.
Nishikata: "I was… looking forward to coming over again."
This time, Takagi couldn't keep any of her composure, turning completely red and giving Nishikata a big hug. At that moment, Nishikata blushed and they heard a small *click* in a bush nearby.
Nishikata: *blushing* "W-wha…"
Takagi quickly released Nishikata as her blush subsided.
Takagi: "You guys can come out of that bush now."
Nishikata looked on in horror and shock as Yukari, Mina, and Sanae sheepishly walked out from behind the bush.
Takagi: "Have you guys been following us?"
Yukari: "I swear we haven't! We were up ahead and… I just saw you and Nishikata having a moment and I just needed to document it!"
Sanae: "Yukari started dragging us along when she saw you 2 alone again."
Yukari: "Sanae!"
Sanae: "What? I'm not gonna just lie to them."
Nishikata was already completely red and Takagi was smiling.
Yukari: "Well Nishikata, I think you'll like the photo I got."
Nishikata felt his phone vibrate as Yukari sent the photo. Takagi went slightly pink at these words but quickly recovered.
Takagi: "Guess you'll have another embarrassing photo of me, huh Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "I guess, although…"
Nishikata smiled when he saw the image of Takagi hugging him while completely red.
Nishikata: "I could live with more moments like these…"
Takagi went red for a second at these words and the 2 of them heard another snap coming from Yukari's direction. Everyone there stared at her for a good few seconds before she broke the silence.
Yukari: "I can't help it! It's so adorable seeing the 2 of you together and I almost never see her flustered!"
Takagi: "I'll see you later, Yukari, Mina, Sanae."
With that, Takagi and Nishikata walked back into her home.
