Nishikata: "Huh?!"
Takagi: "It's not like it's the first time you're staying over."
Nishikata: "That's fair… Hang on, do you have anything for me to wear and wash up with?"
Takagi: "Actually, I do. I went out and got an extra toothbrush and change of clothes for you. Y'know, after last time."
Nishikata went completely red.
Nishikata: "U-uh… Thanks."
Takagi: "Anyways, I'm going to go take a shower. See you in a bit. Also, no peeking!"
Nishikata: "Wha- of course I won't!"
After a while, both had finished with their nighttime routines and had entered Takagi's room.
Takagi: "You know, it's pretty cold outside."
Nishikata: Does she want to… No! It's wrong to assume that-
Takagi: "Why don't we sleep together? My bed's pretty warm, and it's not like this is the first time."
Meanwhile at the Nagatoro household, Senpai was out cold and Nagatoro didn't have the heart to wake him up.
Nagatoro: Hm… I'm not that tired and I don't want to wake Senpai… I know! I'll call Rie-chan!
A few rings went by before Nagatoro spoke.
Nagatoro: "Hey Rie-chan!"
Nishikata: "Hayase?"
Nagatoro: "Nishikata? Can you hand the phone to Rie-chan? Also, why are you whispering?"
Nishikata: "Uh… She's asleep. And I'm whispering because… It's kinda hard to get Takagi to let go of me so I just stopped trying."
Nagatoro: "Oh? Does that mean that you're sleeping with her?"
Nishikata: "...Don't phrase it like that."
Nagatoro: "Heh. You're just as easy to tease as Senpai."
Nishikata: "What are you doing anyways? And aren't you and Naoto doing the same thing?"
Nagatoro: "He fell asleep."
Nishikata: "So you called Takagi for advice on the ski trip?"
…
Nishikata: "I was right then."
Nagatoro: "Huh?! How…"
Nishikata: "I've helped Mano and Nakai a few times so I have some experience…"
Nagatoro: "Anyways, I guess I'll just… Hang on, do you have any ideas?"
Nishikata: "Huh? For what?"
Nagatoro: "The ski trip! What else?"
Nishikata: "I don't know, maybe try to help him out with skiing? Not throwing shade on Naoto, but skiing isn't really his strong suit. He'd probably love some pointers from you. Don't tease him too much, though. There's only so much he can take."
Nagatoro: "Heh. You don't know Senpai."
Nishikata: "What, does he never try to get back at you?"
Nagatoro: "There've been… a few times. But, he's Senpai! Those times are few and far between!"
Nishikata: "If you say so… Anyways, I'll get Takagi to help you guys stay together. Oh yeah, have you thought about the valentine's dance?"
Nagatoro: "...You won't judge, right?"
Nishikata: "Why would I judge?"
Nagatoro took a deep breath and began shuffling her feet.
Nagatoro: "I thought I would try to get Senpai to ask me to that on the ski trip."
Nishikata: "Huh? Why not just ask him yourself? You seem way more confident. Hayase? Hello, Hayase? Are you there?"
Nagatoro: "Uh, yeah! I am more confident than him! I just want him to show that he cares enough to ask me, that's all!"
Nishikata: "Uh huh… Listen, I've used excuses like that plenty. No way you're being honest here."
Nagatoro: "Fine, you caught me. I'm too chicken. You happy now?"
Nishikata: "Not really… You're just reminding me of what's happening to me now."
Nagatoro: "It's probably easier for you. Being a guy."
Nishikata: "Huh? How does that make it easier?"
Nagatoro: "Well… Aren't guys supposed to… Nevermind. You're right."
Nishikata: "Either way, why don't we make this a competition, then?"
Nagatoro: "What, who can ask their c-crush to the dance first?"
Nishikata: "I… kinda already did tha-mmph!"
Nagatoro: "What?! You did- hang on, are you ok?"
Nishikata: *cough cough* "Yeah, I'm fine. Takagi just pulled me into her hair…"
Nagatoro: "Must've been nice for you."
Nishikata: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Nagatoro: "I'd bet you liked how her hair smelled, didn't you?"
Nishikata: "H-huh? I wasn't thinking about that at all. Also, please don't make me raise my voice, I really don't want to wake up Takagi."
Nagatoro: "How about this? Whoever can… whoever can hold hands without any sort of contest with their crush wins!"
Nishikata: "Uh…"
Nagatoro: "Don't tell me…"
Nishikata: Right now, I'm prioritizing their relationship… "I know! Whoever confesses to their crush first wins."
Nagatoro: "Huh?!"
Nishikata: *quickly* "It'd probably be best to ask if Naoto's coming to the valentine's day dance so you can confess ok bye-"
Nagatoro: Hm… I can probably play it off as a tease if I ask him, but that would probably damage his self confidence a bit too much. I've done it before, so he's probably already set up expectations for it. Next time he asks me out, I won't tease him no matter how much I want to! Then again, I should be able to hint at him enough to get him to ask me.
Nishikata: Whoever confesses first… This should be a foolproof plan to get those 2 idiots together, although it would mean losing… If it means that they get together, I think it's worth it. Still, I should probably get on with that for Takagi. There's only so much love talk I can take for 1 day, though… I should sleep.
###
Senpai: Guh… I don't wanna wake up… I slept so we- "N-Nagatoro?!"
Nagatoro: "What?"
Nagatoro's eyes fluttered open and she proceeded to stretch before promptly latching back onto Senpai.
Senpai: "U-uh, Nagatoro? You're a little close…"
Nagatoro turned completely red after hearing this.
Nagatoro: "S-so virgin Senpai can't h-handle his cute kohai wrapped around him? You're such a virgin!"
Senpai: "Please, I c-can't breathe… Thank you. We should get up. The ski trip's today."
Nagatoro's eyes jolted open once again.
Nagatoro: "About that, since you were so terrible at skiing last time, I thought that I should teach you how!"
Senpai: "S-so you want to ski with me?"
The 2 of them stared at each other for a moment before quickly turning away.
Nagatoro: "What do you mean, Senpai?! I'm just extending a helping hand to clumsy-Senpai! So? What'll it be?"
Senpai: "Sure. I'll go."
Nagatoro smiled for a moment before jumping up and forcibly dragging Senpai out of bed.
Nagatoro: "Well come on, Senpai! We wouldn't want to be late for the trip!"
Takagi had just woken up. The sight of her and Nishikata hugging each other did make her blush a little, but she quickly regained her composure and got ready for the day ahead of her.
Takagi: *in his ear* "Get up, Ni-shi-ka-ta~"
Nishikata stirred and blushed, but didn't get up.
Takagi: "Nishikata! Get up, it's the ski trip today!"
Nishikata: "Huh? Yeah, su- HANG ON, WHY ARE WE HUGGING?!"
Takagi: "Well, I didn't mean to, but I guess we got cold when we fell asleep."
Nishikata: "Huh?"
Takagi: "Unless you were hugging me for a different-"
Nishikata: "No, not at all! Let's get up now!"
The 4 of them changed and met up at the crossroads. Nishikata was carrying 2 pairs of skis with an annoyed look on his face while Senpai was sweating and out of breath. Both Takagi and Nagatoro, however, looked completely content.
Nishikata: "Woah, what happened to you, Naoto?"
Nagatoro: "We-ll, I may have gone a little overboard with a tickle attack."
Takagi: "You know, I could help you out with those skis if they're getting too heavy."
Nishikata: *dejected and muted.* "Hey, I don't do that many push ups a day for nothing. I'll be fine."
Before long, they reached their buses.
Senpai: "Well, I'll see you guys later."
Nagatoro: "See you later, gloomy Senpai!"
With that, the 4 of them boarded their buses. Senpai went with the second years while classes 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C were all on 1 big bus. Nagatoro was sitting with Sanae making small talk while Nishikata and Takagi were sitting together.
Takagi: "Nishikata?"
Nishikata: "What is it, Takagi?"
Takagi: "We are skiing together, right?"
Nishikata: "Huh?! Well… I… Why don't we join up with some of the others?"
Takagi: "You mean like Hachioji and Hayase-chan?"
Nishikata: "No! Not those 2!"
