Hope's Peak Academy wasn't that different from any other building. It had many quirks of architecture, light switches that no one was sure what they were for, and there were certain unspoken rules about the 3rd floor plumbing.

As such, when the air conditioning went out on the hottest day of the year, it was hardly surprising.

Class 78 suffered through the grueling pain of their overheated school day before the last bell finally rang and they were able to seize control of the pool. The water's temperature control was separate from the main heating/cooling system of the school, thus allowing the water to reach a nice pleasing temperature and the full class was ready to take a dip.

However, there was one holdout.

"Aren't you going to come in, Kirigiri?"

Kirigiri seemed to have made a point of sitting by the pool rather than actually coming in, much to Naegi's confusion.

"I'm quite fine where I am, thank you."

"Are you sure? I mean, it's pretty hot today."

Kirigiri made a brief glance downward, as if in contemplation. "I suppose that a small swim couldn't hurt."

"That's the spirit!" Naegi replied.

The aquatic diversion was certainly what Class 78 needed to cool down, but eventually this came to a close, and the students returned to their dorms.

A short time later, Naegi was in his room, going over some notes for an upcoming quiz. However, his doorbell rang, prompting him to go speak to his visitor. Said visitor ended up being Kirigiri.

"I need your help with something."

"Sure. What is it?"

"Follow me."

Kirigiri led him back to her room, much to the brunette's embarassment.

"Is something the matter?" she asked.

"Well, it's just..." Naegi responded sheepishly, "no girl's ever invited me into their room before."

The smallest hint of a blush came to Kirigiri's face as she countered with, "That is not my intention."

"I didn't think it was... I was just..."

Naegi found himself interrupted as Kirigiri lifted her hands up to his face. Her gloves were soaking wet.

"Your gloves?"

"They're stuck," she explained. "The water mixed with the heat has caused them to cling to my skin."

"I'm sorry," Naegi replied, "I should've thought of that before..."

"It's fine," the detective reassured, "I just need help getting them off."

Naegi's eyes went wide. "Are you sure? I mean, your gloves are..."

"I'm willing to trust you."

Naegi nodded and gripped her right hand glove. With a bit of effort, Naegi was able to remove the dampened cloth, prompting a small grunt of pain from Kirigiri.

"Are you okay?" Naegi asked.

"It's nothing, I..." she stopped. Naegi had closed his eyes just before the gloves came off. "I thought I told you I was willing to trust you."

"I know," Naegi said, "but I don't want you to feel like you have no choice but to trust me."

Naegi heard what sounded like a "tsk" followed by footsteps. A few more steps and it was followed with, "Open your eyes."

Naegi did so, hesitantly, and found Kirigiri was wearing two gloves again, though they did not match. "I have more than one pair," she explained, holding up her still-wet left hand.

Naegi found his grip, closed his eyes again, and repeated the process. And once again, Kirigiri prompted him to open his eyes.

"Thank you for your cooperation," she said.

Naegi nodded. "No problem. And I'm sorry again about not thinking of your gloves. I mean, sometimes I forget you're wearing them."

"I wish I had that luxury," Kirigiri muttered.

Naegi was then struck by a flash of inspiration. "Wait right here!" he exclaimed, as he rushed out of the room.

Kirigiri was left befuddled, until Naegi came running back, now adorned with a new accessory.

"Are you wearing mittens?"

Naegi lifted his hands up. "They were the only gloves I had," he replied.

"It's 100 degrees in the shade."

"I know, but if you have to wear gloves all the time, then I don't want you to feel like you have to do it alone."

"I don't technically have to," Kirigiri reminded him.

"And neither do I," he countered, "but I'll wear these every day if it makes you feel less self-conscious."

Kirigiri smirked. She extended her hand outward. "Deal."

Naegi shook her hand. "Deal."

It was a good minute or two before either of them realized they had yet to let go.