It was the first time in a while that Iino and Ishigami had found an empty student council room in front of them.

"Isn't it way too close to the culture festival? Was there a meeting I didn't know about?"

Ishigami began to panic before Iino put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to stop.

"They're probably just studying for the finals."

"Oh, that explains it-"

Ishigami's calm expression was immediately dashed as fear immediately appeared on his face.

"Wait, finals?"

Iino gave a nod.

"Yeah. For some reason, the school decided to have them right before the culture festival this year."

"What kind of evil move is that? It's almost like the author forgot to put it in earlier or something!"

Hey man, I'm just a guy in his basement trying to write characters I like getting together, ok?

"In any case, we should probably get studying."

Ishigami gave a nod and began to exit the student council room, eliciting a confused expression from Iino.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. When I'm here, I get distracted easily, so I made an environment that removes distractions and helps me dedicate myself to studying."

Iino gave a look of interest before packing up her things and walking up behind Ishigami.

"And where are you going?"

Iino gave him a smile.

"Well, I am a little interested in seeing your study methods in action, so why don't we head over to your place?"

"Yeah, sure-"

Ishigami's mind was immediately put on high alert as the weight of the situation hit hiim all at once!

Hang on, isn't this the first time she's coming over to my house?!

At-home study sessions! A staple of all romcoms, the at-home 'study' session is a surefire way to force 2 romantic leads into a myriad of different positions! Whether it's marvelling at the thought of one another wearing glasses, or getting nice and close when helping with a problem, the 'study' session is a scenario with infinite possibilities!

In Ishigami's case, the anticipation is more than doubled because of what happened the previous time he and Iino were alone in her home!

If I'm going off of what happened last time, is Iino trying to…

Ishigami shook the thought out of his mind before putting on an overly disinterested look.

In any case, I can worry about it when it comes up! Yeah, if she wants to do stuff like that, she'll probably let me know somehow!

Meanwhile, one thought permeated through Iino's mind, taking up all of her mental space!

I've always wondered how Ishigami managed to get his grades up!

Yep! That bubbly smile she's wearing while walking next to Ishigami tells you all you need to know: she's completely oblivious to the innuendo she just planted in his brain!

By this point, the 2 of them had reached Ishigami's house. It looked like an expensive place, it's grand front yard and sleek construction standing in stark contrast to Iino's unassuming place.

I guess he really is the son of a CEO, huh?

"Hello? You with me, Iino?"

Iino snapped back to attention, giving Ishigami a nod.

"Yep! Never better!"

Ishigami's eyes narrowed as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Why'd she space out a second when we got here? It couldn't be that…

A look of realization hit Ishigami's face as he came to the conclusion that…

She thinks I'm going to attack her?!

Meanwhile, Iino was looking at the door to the house, observing the intricate, symmetrical design on it.

I wonder how much this costs?

She was completely oblivious!

"So, should we head in now?"

Ishigami came back to earth before digging around in his bag for the keys.

"Yeah, just give me a sec."

Iino stared as Ishigami shifted his belongings around in search for his keys.

He searched,

And searched,

And searched.

*ring*

"Couldn't find them?"

"Shut up."

Iino chuckled at Ishigami's red face as he rang the doorbell before giving him a few pats on the head.

"There, there, we all make mistakes 3"

"Shut up already…"

Iino giggled as Ishigami went even redder, prompting her to stop.

"So, do you have anyone home?"

"Huh? Yeah, my brother. He'll take a while to get here, though. He's pretty busy."

"Well, it's good that there are people home."

Ishigami raised an eyebrow.

Huh? But if she's happy that there're people home, then doesn't that mean that she just here to study?

Ishigami gave a sigh, causing Iino to give Ishigami a look of concern.

"Something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing."

Well in that case, I suppose I should focus on studying too.

After Ishigami made that pledge, the 2 of them stood there for a bit before the door swung open revealing a tall, thin man with dark hair, glasses, and a sweater. He looked a little older than ishigami but far too young to be his dad and his pale skin suggested that he hadn't left the house in several months

"Yo, Ishigami-"

The man's smile turned to slight confusion as Iino and Ishigami froze and he looked between them for a few moments.

"Who's this?"

Ishigami put on a natural smile as he took Iino's hand off of his head.

"Oh, you can probably guess, can't you?"

Iino went bright red as she looked at Ishigami as if he were insane while then man examined the 2 of them before a look of realization appeared on his face.

"Oh, I get it! You guys must be really good friends!"

Iino shot Ishigami a quizzical look which was completely ignored as he entered and gestured for her to do the same. After that, the man sprinted back up the stairs before the sound of a door slamming could be heard shortly after.

"What was that?"

Ishigami gave a shrug.

"He's my brother. I'm not sure if it's because of his Aspergers or because he's just that dense, but he never knows anything about romance unless I tell him directly. At least, if he knows, he doesn't show it."

"I see…"

"So anyways, my room's up the stairs and to the left and there's a bathroom in it."

The 2 of them headed in where Iino looked around the coldly lit room. There was a couch across from a TV which had a console hooked up to it along with a double sized bed in the corner. The floor was carpeted and devoid of any random items that may clutter it.

"I hate to say this, but your room's almost as clean as mine is."

Ishigami gave a smile as he opened a door in the side of the room.

"Well, I try."

They stepped through to see another door on the side and a table set up with textbooks, tatami mats, and a small stack of rectangular cans off to the side.

"Let's get started."

"Alright then."

Iino sat on one of the mats before shooting Ishigami a confused look as he kneeled in front of the door, hanging something on the knob.

"What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

As Ishigami moved over to the table, Iino looked at the door in horror, exclaiming:

"Is… that a lock?!"

The accidental lock-up-hook-up! A situation where two potential love interests are locked in a room together can lead to any number of possibilities! This prospect was not unnoticed by Iino, sending her mind into a flurry of possibilities, each one more suggestive than the last!

Why would he lock us in here? Is that a study tactic, or maybe… he wants to attack me?! And on top of that, there's no way we'll be interrupted by anyone because of the lock…

Meanwhile, on Ishigami's end:

Alright, time to start with vectors!

He's completely oblivious!

"U-uh, Ishigami?"

Ishigami looked up across the table from his textbook, slightly confused.

"Yeah? What's up?"

Ishigami raised an eyebrow at Iino's face as it turned red before he traced her gaze to the lock and a look of horror came across his face.

"Ah, that's just a thing I use to help me study! It's hard for me to focus normally since I get distracted by games and stuff, so I just lock myself in a room with nothing but my textbooks."

"Oh… I see."

Why does she look disappointed?

At that moment, Ishigami's mind had entered 'study mode' and nothing short of a miracle would break his concentration.

*rumble*

Well, that or his stomach.

Iino watched as Ishigami reached for the can behind him and began to open it.

"What's that?"

Knowing Ishigami, it's probably some weird chips or something.

Ishigami didn't even look up from his textbook, merely setting the can between them as he replied:

"Dried sardines."

Iino looked at Ishigami in horror as he went to grab another sardine.

"Who are you and what have you done with Ishigami?"

Ishigami merely raised an eyebrow.

"Well, sardines have a lot of protein and they're chalk-full of omega-3 fatty acids. They're really good for you, you should try some."

"W-well, thanks, but I'll pass-"

*GROWL*

Iino's face went bright red as Ishigami held the can out at her with an amused grin. She snatched it away with an indignant look, munching on a sardine.

"So you were hungry-"

"Shut up."

Result of this battle: Iino loses.