Ishigami watched as Iino hesitantly took a bite out of the first one before some sort of combination between pleasure and surprise appeared on her face as she took another one. Then another one. And another.
How hungry is this girl?!
Iino put the can back in the middle of the table with the 2 of them snagging sardines and putting the remains on a tissue that Ishigami had set out while they studied.
"Say, Iino?"
Iino looked up from her work.
"Yes?"
"You've gotten first in our year for every single exam since middle school, right?"
Iino gave Ishigami a nod.
"In that case, then, uh…"
Ishigami debated whether he should open his mouth again before speaking in an offhand voice.
"Why don't we have a little competition?"
Iino raised an eyebrow.
"What are you suggesting?"
"I was just thinking that we could turn the tests into a bit of a game?"
Iino leaned forward, her expression showing interest.
"Go on."
Ishigami took another sardine, eating it before he continued.
"Whoever gets the higher score gets to tell the other person to do anything they want."
Iino seemed to consider the idea, looking at the ceiling for a few moments before giving a confident nod.
"That sounds like a great idea! Though I am having trouble deciding what I should tell you to do!"
Ishigami narrowed his eyebrows as a grin of his own appeared on his face.
"Aren't you getting a little too confident?"
"I've been first every time since middle school! You have no chance of surpassing me!"
"There's a first time for everything."
"Still though, why suggest that? It's not like the odds are in your favour."
Ishigami leaned back staring off into space before getting out:
"Dunno. Thought it would motivate the 2 of us to do our best or something."
"Fufufu…"
"What are you laughing for?"
Ishigami seemed slightly irritated at Iino's giggling, but his expression softened after a moment. When Iino stopped laughing, she simply smiled, saying:
"I just think it's nice that you're looking out for the 2 of us."
Ishigami's heart swelled as she said this before he went back to his work.
"Oh, it's nothing, really, fufufu…"
"Hey, don't get cocky after one compliment."
After Iino reached for another sardine, the 2 of them got to work.
…
Is that seriously all that happened? x2
Romantic stalemate! Both Ishigami and Iino had formed the assumption that the other was planning on making a move, but they'd both had their expectations dashed when nothing ended up happening! Indeed, Ishigami had had his hopes dashed before even setting foot in this room, but after Ishigami didn't show any outward signs of nervousness, even she would begin to doubt herself.
So, even though these two are horny as fu- I mean slightly distracted from their studies, for the next 40 minutes, nothing happens!
"What are you doing, Iino?"
Or at least, nothing happens until Iino puts away her studying materials to… check her phone?
"Taking a break. You can study more efficiently if you take a 10 minute break every 40 minutes."
Ishigami gave a sigh.
"Lucky you. Too bad I can't, though. It's way too hard for me to refocus."
…
Why hasn't anything happened yet?! Did she seriously only invite herself over with only studies in mind?
Why hasn't he done anything yet?! Do I need to start dropping hints or something?
After several tension-fueled minutes, Iino's the first to initiate by moving over next to Ishigami. He flinched when she sat next to him, but didn't acknowledge her otherwise. She peeked over his shoulder, examining all of his questions, ready to point out any mistakes, only to find that he was completely correct on every single one.
"You really worked hard for Tsubame-senpai, huh?"
Ishigami's body tensed up, his voice taking on a shaky register.
"Why are you mentioning her?"
"I was just wondering what's keeping you going now."
Ishigami looked at the ceiling and put his fingers to his chin.
"Hm… I guess that I just find this kind of self-improvement fulfilling?"
"So, you're not doing it for me?"
Again, Ishigami tensed up.
"I-isn't your dad a judge? I feel like this is a bit of a leading question."
Iino gave a giggle before placing her hand on Ishigami's thigh, sending sparks flying through his body and sending blood rushing to his face.
"What the- what are you doing, Iino?"
Iino's eyes opened in surprise before she realized where she was touching, immediately removing her hand, placing both of hers in her own lap. Her face went red and she mumbled out an apology.
"Sorry about that…"
"I-it's fine."
There were a few moments where they didn't speak before Ishigami broke the silence.
"Well to answer your question, I guess the answer would be a 'no'? But I'd still like to… I don't know, have my efforts been acknowledged? Or something?"
Iino looked up at Ishigami's sheepish expression before shuffling behind him.
"Iino? What are you-"
"Keep quiet, will you?"
Ishigami stayed silent before he felt Iino pressing herself against his back as her arms began to wrap around his stomach.
"I-I guess that giving hugs is just as good as getting them, heh…"
Both of their faces were well past just being red at this point, neither of them able to muster the courage to speak. They stayed in that position, neither one even daring to move a muscle until eventually, Iino released her grasp on Ishigami and took her place next to him again.
"W-would you look at that? 10 minutes already…"
Ishigami gave a quick nod.
"Yes, that was a refreshing break…"
They both studied at 10X efficiency after that.
###
"Jeez, I'm beat…"
Ishigami sprawled out on the floor, having lost most of his energy after studying his life out.
"I feel like I just crammed a whole textbook into my brain."
Iino gave a slight laugh.
"I guess you kinda did, in a way."
"I bet you're exhausted too?"
Iino leaned back, placing her hands down behind her before looking up at the ceiling.
"Yeah. A little."
That's when an idea popped into Iino's mind. Her eyes went wide for a moment before she mulled it over in her mind.
Allow me to explain! Miko Iino is a person who habitually seeks praise! Unfortunately, due to her morals, it is nearly impossible for her to receive praise with no strings attached (looking at you, Fujiwara). The best she can do even after going through a whole character arc is subtly hinting at her preferences.
"But you've been working really hard too, Ishigami?"
Ah, clever strategy by Iino. When receiving kindness, it is human nature to respond in kind and this rule holds especially true for Ishigami! As such, she is able to coax out praise by giving it to begin with. A flawless plan with virtually no cost to her!
"I guess I have, huh?"
Ishigami then sat up, looking at nothing in particular as he spoke next.
"Still, it's probably been even harder for you than me since you're on the disciplinary committee and preparing to take over as president."
"You think so?"
The plan is going absolutely swimmingly! Iino's heart was about to burst from anticipation at what was going to happen next.
"Yeah. I've said this before, but you really work yourself way too hard. You should… uh…"
Ishigami hesitated for a moment before reaching for her head and rhythmically stroking her head. They continued in silence for a few moments before Ishigami broke from the nerves.
"F-forget what I said, that was-"
"What if I don't want to?"
As Ishigami was about to remove his hand, Iino grabbed it in her own, firmly planting it back onto her head with a determined expression. That look quickly faded and was replaced with intense embarrassment.
"I-I didn't tell you to let go, did I?"
A chance has arisen! Ever since he was interrupted by Kaguya's phone call, Ishigami swore that he would never give up another potentially intimate moment again! Indeed, before even exiting the student council room, he had silenced all of his devices and gone onto do not disturb mode in every way he could. He had taken every step to ensure that their 'lockup-hookup' would be completely locked away from any outside interruptions. So when a chance like this presented itself…
"In that case, does this work?"
There's no way in hell he'd chicken out twice.
He wrapped his arms around Iino's back, pulling her so close that he could feel her breath on his face as they peered into each others' eyes.
"I-I love you, Iino."
"Likewise."
She gave a giggle before making her way into Ishigami's lap, lightly directing his arms to her front. These combined actions caused Ishigami's brain to completely shut off.
"Wha- huh?"
"Just… let me stay like this, ok?"
Ishigami couldn't see it, but the expression on Iino's face was one of pure bliss, her cheeks slightly tinged with colour and a smile that showed nothing but the feeling of utter tranquility.
"Ishigami?"
"Hm? Yeah?"
"Could you… squeeze a little harder?"
Ok, maybe a little more than just tranquility. Not that Ishigami noticed. Though his expression was shy, he gave a light nod before fully leaning down onto her back.
"Alright then."
Today's result: mutual victory.
A/N: It's been a ride, huh? With 21 chapters and counting, I've been writing this fic for almost half a year. I want to say that whenever I start a project, I always want to see it through to the end & I'm thankful to everyone who enjoys the things that I basically use as my vice in my free time.
That being said, I do have other ideas I want to try out (Ishigami-sama: Love is War is the main one, check it out in my account), and as such, I'm going to be going on a month-long hiatus from this fic.
But yeah. Check out my account for my other fics, stay tuned for the next war of love & brains coming from your's truly, and I'll see you all in a month or so!
