🌸Cherry Blossom Palette🎨
🌸Chapter 21: Business and Pleasure🎨
Written by EmtenDew
Edited by P. serrulata
Author's note:
ED: I relied on the advice of my editor pretty heavily for some of the "male perspective oriented" portions of this chapter. I hope it's not too weird. Since the story is mostly from Senpai's point of view, I'm afraid I have to do that a lot. I told him to advise as he saw fit, and I approved, with several reservations and revisions. LOL
Ask us anything, and we'll add a Q&A section in the next chapter. I would be happy if you ask questions.
Please enjoy what I wrote.
Saturday, July 6, 2018
A mere 15 minutes after they'd met near the ice cream shop, Naoto Hachioji and Sakura Inori were walking through the front doors of the school.
"Nice~!" Sakura drew out the word in a funny little hiss. "And you thought it would still be locked."
"It's not quite 7:30," he defended. "I've been skunked plenty of times over the last couple years. I learned the hard way to not show up before 8:00 a.m. in the middle of winter…"
The two of them changed into their school shoes and made their way to the art room.
"Wanna know what kind of muffins I brought~?" Sakura purred.
Whoot!
Naoto reached for his glasses but stopped himself, remembering they weren't there; he was getting better about his nervous habit. "…I guess."
She giggled at this struggle for aloofness. "Cranberry-orange and blueberry, three of each!"
That sounded good!
"I made sure to bring your cranberry juice," he let her know. "Then there's orange and apple."
"Looks like we're set!" Sakura chirped.
"I've been thinking about using the club's funds to buy a little fridge…" he disclosed. "I made sure to chill the juice overnight, but it's not gonna be all that cold by the time we eat."
"What's stopping you from getting one?" she asked.
He had an answer. "The school has a problem with a club buying something like that when they only have two members."
"Even though it's your club's money?"
"Even though," he said indifferently. "In the end, it still comes from them."
"Wouldn't hurt you to get a microwave either~," she suggested, knowingly egging him on.
Naoto exhaled, "If only…"
"It's only ¥20,000, and you could get both," she mused. "You ever try getting a donation?"
"That's a lot of hassle." He didn't mean to cast aside he thinking, but he pondered something. "Why worry about the Art Club? Aren't you still a member of the Videogame Club?"
And he did wonder about this…
Sakura hadn't been visiting her club since before her final date with Takata!
To his dismay, Sakura shrank at his words.
And she stopped moving.
Oh, boy… Naoto stopped moving and turned around.
Sakura stared at the floor, wringing her hands.
Now you've done it! Naoto lambasted himself.
"I'm being 'Asshole-kun', aren't I…?" He already knew the answer.
"In all his bright and shining glory." Sakura drooped, eyes on the tile.
Naoto took his bag and the juice in one hand.
Steeling himself, he stepped to the gal, and he gingerly put his free hand on her shoulder. "Hey…"
Looking up at him, Naoto saw she wasn't close to tears or anything, but she looked a little worn out, and she didn't look overly pleased with herself or him, for that matter.
The boy sighed, "I'm sorry, Sakura-san… I wasn't thinking."
She shook her head. "Hey, you're not the one that jerked all of them around… It's not your fault."
Deciding standing there wasn't doing them any good, he gently propelled her into moving again, removing his hand. "Really, I'm sorry. I guess that's not what you wanna think about right now."
Sakura at least stood up straight again, walking along. "You got that right."
Naoto felt like a real dope, and he again contended conjectured that he needed a swift kick between the legs, as he had the other day.
Unexpectedly, Sakura didn't leave the subject. "They're worried about me, Senpai-kun."
Oof! Naoto wasn't ready for that.
"They keep messaging me, asking if I'm okay," she bemoaned. "I told them I am, but I feel so guilty…"
Having kept the stool from falling out from underneath him, leaving him to hang there and choke, Naoto realized it was best to keep quiet.
"They want to see me, but I'm not sure how to face them," Sakura confessed. "Even though I treated them all like crap last year… they forgave me… and they invited me to join them. I had a lot of fun with them, really, but after all this, I think I was just using them again. I hate myself for doing that to them!"
Naoto, never enjoying her saying she hated herself, had one or two things to say, but he doubted she wanted him to say that the Videogame Club members might love it if she were to "be herself".
No, that's something she absolutely didn't need to hear at the moment!
There was something else, but he waited.
Sakura sagged again, focusing on the floor. "I won't do that to them anymore."
"…" Naoto walked alongside her.
"…" Sakura walked alongside him.
Naoto tested the waters. "But Sakura-san, you had fun with them."
Sakura didn't respond, eyes downcast.
He kept at it. "They seemed to have fun with you."
She gave a little scoff, turning away further.
Naoto paid it no mind. "You're being too hard on yourself, Sakura-san. I don't think you were using them. And they really like you. They care about you—a lot! I hope you can see that."
His statement was greeted a few seconds later by a little sniffle.
If he had a free hand he might've given her a pat on the back, but he'd possibly seem like a creep, doing it too often. "Please, Sakura-san… try to give yourself a chance."
You need to forgive yourself…
But Naoto decided that was enough.
As they entered the part of the building housing the Art Club, Sakura straightened herself, looking better.
Naoto was glad to see her smile a little.
"…Senpai-kun?"
"Yes, Sakura-san?"
She said, mustering herself, "I really would like to go back there."
"Yeah?"
"I'm just not sure what to tell them." She suppressed a dreary laugh, thoroughly "un-mustered", viewing herself as some invertebrate slime.
Naoto thought.
And he had an answer. "Just tell them the truth… Tell them you're alright, but… you just need a little time to figure things out… to think. I mean, you've had a rough couple of weeks. You have exams right around the corner. You want to hang around and play games and have fun with them again, but you just need a little time to yourself."
Sakura stared at him in wonder.
He asked, fully aware he was correct, "Isn't that the truth?"
Still walking side-by-side, she lay her head on Naoto's shoulder, nearly causing him to soil himself.
"Maybe you aren't in all your glory, Asshole-kun~…" she murmured.
Whoo-hoo!
Feeling chills run up and down his spine, Naoto pushed the sensation away.
He was having trouble with this?!
They'd been close like this before, though not all of it was agreeable… He'd even hugged her in the heat of the moment, when he'd forgotten himself and the fact that she was supposed to be one of the scarier girls he'd ever known!
Nonetheless, it wasn't much of a stretch for him to lay his own head upon hers with a light bonk. "I try."
With that, both leveled out, nearly to the clubroom.
Having reached it, Naoto put out his hand to grab the door handle.
"Senpai-kun?" Sakura murmured.
He halted. "Yes?"
She took a breath, at ease. "Thank you."
He could only smile at her, and he made to unlock the door.
But it was already unlocked.
He jarred, turning to Sakura. "I didn't forget…"
"No, we watched you lock it," she remembered.
Naoto opened the door, hoping to not find the place ransacked or anything.
"Hachioji-senpai, Sakura-senpai, good morning." Hana Sunomiya looked up from one of her workbooks.
She had beaten them there!
"Hana-chan~!" Sakura oozed, trotting into the room. "Good morning~! We brought snacks!"
Naoto followed the bearer of muffins, shutting the door behind himself; he said to Hana cheerfully, "Good morning, Sunomiya."
He hoped she hadn't been waiting outside for the lazy weekend custodian to open the building!
That wasn't the only thing on his mind. "Sunomiya, I didn't leave the door unlocked, did I?"
She indirectly answered his meditation, "I got here at 7:10. The custodian on duty walked up the same time I did. He was kind enough to let me into the clubroom, so I didn't have to wait for you."
Doh!
He recovered. "I'm glad he was able to let you in."
Sorry, not-so-lazy janitor…! He did feel better, knowing the place had been secured.
"It's alright, Hachioji-senpai," Hana stated plainly. "We agreed to meet at 8:00. I knew I might not see either of you until then or have to wait to get in."
Moving past that, Naoto felt ready. "Okay, since we're all here, we might as well get to it. The sooner, the better."
"Could we eat a little something first?" Sakura asked. "I didn't have breakfast, and neither did Hana-chan."
Naoto wasn't positive why the gal knew that Hana hadn't eaten, but he trusted her. She was the kind of person who wouldn't pull another person into an excuse because she herself was hungry.
Haha blinked. "How did you know I hadn't eaten yet, Sakura-senpai?"
Sakura giggled, "Your eyes have been glued to the bag of muffins since we walked in here, silly~!"
Their kohai fidgeted, ever so slightly embarrassed. "Yes…"
Props to Sakura! Naoto beamed internally.
The blonde could not be called unobservant!
Naoto had no reason to argue against it; it was still well before 8:00 a.m.
He didn't really consider a glass of water and a couple of granola bars breakfast anyway!
He set out the juice. "Sure, let's have a bite. Sunomiya, could you please find the cups?"
"Yes, Hachioji-senpai." Hana got up and pattered over to a corner of the room.
"I'll set out the muffins!" Sakura opened the bag. "They gave us plates and everything."
After a moment, they all sat down, the muffins on the table.
"Share and share alike the juice," Sakura gleamed. "And two muffins for each of us! There's butter too."
The muffins did look good… Naoto was glad Sakura had taken the treats upon herself.
"Hana-chan, what would you like?" Sakura asked. "I brought cran-orange and blueberry~!"
"Cran-orange?" Hana was perplexed.
"Cranberry and orange," the older girl made clear. "You've never tried one?"
Hana shook her head.
"Well, why don't you start with half of one?" Sakura halved one of the orangish muffins. "If you like it, take the other half."
The younger girl nodded. "Thank you, Sakura-senpai… and thanks for bringing something to eat."
"You're most welcome, Hana-chan~," she sparkled.
"And thank you for bringing juice, Hachioji-senpai." Hana turned to her longtime senpai. "Apple's always been my favorite."
He was happy she was happy. "I know. Now let's eat."
The three of them said as one, "Thanks for breakfast!"
Cracking their preferred juices, they each filled a cup.
Naoto grabbed a blueberry muffin and began to eat.
Oh, so good…
Hana buttered her portion of the cran-orange, and Sakura watched in anticipation.
Taking a dainty bite, Hana chewed slowly, getting a feel for the unfamiliar treat.
"Well~?" Sakura shook with excitement.
Instead of speaking, Hana wordlessly reached for the other half of the muffin and began to eat with a little more gusto.
The gal busted a gut, poking at Naoto. "Did you see that? She likes it, Senpai-kun~!"
He could tell.
As the girls got on with their little breakfast, Naoto was pretty satisfied with the world in general. Sure, it was too early on a Saturday for his liking, but he was together with his two friends, and they had something nice to munch on.
Hopefully the day would also be productive…
He didn't doubt it would be.
Mealtime conversation ebbed and flowed.
"I'm glad we're having the juice now," Hana observed. "It won't stay cold for long in here."
Sakura pointed out, "I was telling Senpai-kun you two should get a little fridge and a microwave in here."
"I asked him the same thing." Hana glanced towards Naoto. "He said the faculty and the student council were reluctant to 'shell out' the money for it."
Naoto raised his hands in his defense; he wasn't upset though. "Hey, I'd like for us to get a fridge—a lot—but they didn't want to budge…"
Sakura took a drink. "It's kinda ridiculous they won't let you use ¥20,000 to buy something that's pretty much necessary like that. It's not like you two spend much anyway, is it?"
"Our coffers are overflowing," Naoto declared. "And no, we don't spend much money. Art supplies can be expensive, but when you buy in bulk and know where to shop, it's dirt-cheap… Thankfully, they don't even bother me over that stuff. So as long as nothing weird shows up in the spending report, they leave me alone. I can get premium oil paints and good canvas past them, but appliances I just can't cover up."
"You two wouldn't believe the kinda budget the Videogame Club has!" Sakura countered. "They wouldn't even tell me how much the VR system and all its headsets cost last year."
Naoto grumbled, "That's another thing… Since they are a technology club, that gets factored into how much of a budget they're granted, and they get a lot more freedom with how they spend their money."
"It really doesn't seem fair." Sakura nibbled on her muffin.
"It's just how it is," Naoto settled. "The Computer Club needs computers, the Cooking Club needs supplies, the Light Music Club needs stage and sound equipment, the Automotive Club builds a car, and so on. We sketch on paper and paint stuff. I thought it was lucky to get us that new adjustable easel back in May…"
Sakura elbowed Hana, winking roguishly. "Maybe the two of us should put our feminine charms to use… I don't think they could resist both of us~."
Oh, geez, Sakura! Naoto wished she wouldn't say things like that to Hana.
Well, here's what Hana had to say!
"Sana-neechan said she tried to charm the 'overlords', but I think she only frightened them. She never got anything she wanted, she claimed."
I don't even wanna know what the Prez asked for… Naoto hoped there wasn't more to the story.
Sakura cackled, "Oh, I'll bet they were shaking in their shoes!"
"She said they were greedy and unreasonable," Hana went on. "Maybe that's why Hachioji-senpai can't get us a fridge and a microwave."
They're probably not greedy and unreasonable; they just have to make choices based on clubs' needs… Naoto didn't blame the "overlords" for their decisions.
But maybe the Prez DID leave a bad taste in their mouths…
It wasn't at all a doubtful stance.
But Naoto directed his brainwaves to other affairs:
He'd still not applied to any colleges or universities!
It was good enough to wait until finals were over, but he hadn't even given it any fresh thought since the week before…
And he'd yet to build his portfolio as much as he would've liked! The four paintings he did of Nagatoro for the Culture fest were easily the best samples of his art that he had, and they would be the jewels in the figurative crown of his portfolio, but he needed more.
He had a lot of things to pad it with—not that any of his material he'd dare incorporate could be called mere "padding"—but he just needed more!
He reasoned he'd have time once school was out. He didn't plan on tanking any of his finals, so summer break would be the time to do it.
Once the break came nearer, as far as modeling went, there was something very specific he needed to ask of Nagatoro. She'd been his reliable model for a solid year, and there was no one else he really had any desire to work from.
He needed to find some more subjects—though people aren't literally subjects—because if he didn't, his portfolio would have no diversity, and it was necessary if he was to put together anything presentable.
The good thing was that what he particularly had in mind for the above focus, anyone would do, even another guy. But the thought of that—frankly, it disgusted him—was even worse than asking one of Nagatoro's friends or even some random girl. And that in and of itself was terrifying, stomach-turningly so! Hana would very likely be willing or even enthusiastic, but he doubted he'd have it in him to proposition her. He felt that would be taking advantage of her nature, asking.
Finally, if anyone he knew heard about his little "project", he'd never hear the end of it, not that he wouldn't anyway, considering Nagatoro!
Still, Nagatoro was the only viable option he had. This exercise was something he needed to practice, and his portfolio wouldn't be complete without it. Knowing her, she'd keep quiet about it (though she'd give him some difficulty initially), and he knew she'd be just as mortified as he would be if anyone learned what they were up to.
Yup, all I can do is ask Nagatoro… Naoto finalized.
Then, quite unrelated, he had to consider the idea of going to cram-school. He didn't want to, but it might help him along when it came to entrance exams. Many art schools could be rather competitive, but getting into some art school was feasible. But he didn't want to go to some art school; he wanted to go to one that he wanted to go to.
And the prospect of attending a cram school wasn't nearly as daunting as what he was going to ask of Nagatoro in the next week or so.
But he let it go for the time being. These worries were for another day.
Presently, Sakura and Hana were finishing their first couple cups of juice, and each had finished a muffin. They could take a break a little later and finish off the baked goods.
His own muffin gone, Naoto refilled his juice and addressed the room. "It's nearly 8:00 a.m. Would you two like to get started?"
The girls had really been enjoying their chat, but they were there to study.
Sakura nodded. "I'm about ready, Senpai-kun. Just let me hit the bathroom… wash my hands, and I'll pull out my stuff."
Hana concurred, "Me too."
Naoto figured he needed a visit himself, so he said, "Okay. Once we're back, we can get going. I think we can start with your questions, Sakura-san."
"That'd be good." She was thankful; she turned to Hana. "C'mon, Hana-chan, let's hurry up."
"Let's," their kohai agreed.
Naoto followed them out the door.
…
…
…
Sakura fanned her mouth, "This spicy Korean beef bowl's great, but it's a little much…"
"I do like it though." Hana was sweating slightly, steadily picking through her own meal, having followed Sakura's example upon ordering.
Naoto had gotten good ol' teriyaki chicken with fried rice, and he didn't envy the girls. At Sakura's insistence, he'd sampled a portion of her beef bowl. It was good, but eating a whole portion would likely make him sick. Too strong…
It was 12:30 p.m., and the trio was having lunch, as has likely been established.
Despite having agreed to just getting ice cream again the afternoon they'd chatted in the park, Naoto and Sakura had decided to visit the nearby Katsuya restaurant—not even one kilometer away—and they'd invited Hana.
Neither had planned for it, but it just seemed like a nice way to unwind after booking, and heck, a kid's gotta eat. It didn't take any of them too far off their own beaten paths, and Naoto wouldn't have to go far at all to meet Nagatoro, and that wasn't until 2:00 p.m.
This meant that Naoto had a little time to kill, and this was a splendid way to spend it!
Everything considered, their study session that morning had gone about as well as Naoto could've hoped.
In addition to having arrived early, Hana was nearly half-done with one of her workbooks and just less than in the other two. She hadn't had any trouble but still wanted to study with them.
It troubled Naoto to learn that Hana was worried that she wouldn't be welcome in their group if she didn't need help, and he and Sakura were quick to correct her gloomy thinking.
They were all there to learn and help each other. Naoto reminded her that she'd been better able to remember some English vocab because she'd worked with Sakura. On top of that, there was always room for more improvement, and besides just learning their subjects, they could learn from each other, all of them having different strengths.
It heartened Hana's two senpai when she became more at ease, saying that she'd absolutely ask questions if they came up.
And Hana had picked up a few things, a few "tricks of the trade" upperclassmen knew from experience.
Additionally, Hana was able to teach her senpai a few things she'd learned.
Naoto, though he'd never tried it before, heard that the best way to learn and reinforce anything was to teach it. He knew both girls' materials, so he had Sakura walk through math and science problems on the whiteboard similar to the ones she'd be seeing on the second-year exams. Emphasizing the initial portions of the problems, which Hana would be seeing in her own materials, Sakura was emphasizing her own basics, helping clarify the difficulties she herself was experiencing.
Naoto did the same, in showing Sakura what he'd be dealing with, while highlighting the middle portions of the questions, helping himself with setting up the latter portions and showing Sakura where her "problems" would end. Then he'd show her where his ended, getting him through the final steps.
Reviewing the fundamentals seemed to help all of them, and Hana—having studied under the new math teacher—showed her senpai several tips and techniques they'd never learned under the teacher they'd had.
Plus, Hana had proved instrumental in moving them along. Sometimes Naoto got stuck, unsure how to explain something, and Hana helped put it into words that stuck with both Sakura and Naoto.
All this got each of them a little further in their workbooks, and they spent a little time on Japanese and social studies too, quizzing one another in literature and history.
It had been a most productive morning! Naoto was on cloud nine, feeling they would all be able to go into final exams with confidence.
He smiled inwardly, eating his teriyaki, watching and listening to Sakura guffaw at something Hana had said.
His girls… His friends…
A bristly sensation rising through his entire being, Naoto was glad to be alive!
Maybe he was too young to already be thinking this way, but there it was!
…
…
…
Having finished up at the Katsuya, Sakura had led Naoto and Hana to the nearest 7-Eleven, craving a little bit of ice cream to sooth her poor tongue and lips after the spicy beef bowl.
To Sakura and Naoto's delight, Hana—just as eager to cleanse her palate of her own beef bowl—dropped the ¥700 for the three of them, thanking them again for the juice, muffins, and quality time.
Currently, the three of them sat on a bench in the shade, their schoolbags at their feet.
"Mmm~!" Sakura buried her face in her soft serve cone. "So good! See you in Hell, burning sensation~!"
Hana delicately nibbled on the orange creamsicle bar she'd selected, nodding. "Mm."
"Hana-chan, I touched up my roots the other day, and the weirdest thing happened." The gal's whole mouth and the tip of her nose were covered in chocolatey goodness.
Hana wasn't disinterested. "What happened, Sakura-senpai?"
"You gotta promise not to laugh," Sakura beseeched.
"No promises," Hana said flatly.
"Well, whatever," Sakura accepted. "Y'see, there I was…"
Naoto laughed a bit himself, just loving the curious dynamic the two girls shared, but he wouldn't learn what weirdness Sakura had encountered; his attention was turned elsewhere. He hadn't given much heed to their back-and-forth in the first place.
Already done with the cup of raspberry sherbet Hana had purchased for him, he had more than a few butterflies in his stomach, and he had pretty good reason.
It wouldn't be long until he met up with Nagatoro to go shopping!
It's almost here!
He'd managed to faithfully keep his concentration on their studies for all but the briefest of moments that morning. Really, he'd been able to keep up his defenses pretty well since the weekend he and Sakura had met in the rain.
But with business temporarily out of the way, pleasure was given its due.
His mind was filled with all things Nagatoro!
He could see her in his mind's eye!
Se-en-pa-i~!
Naoto shivered, the mere thought of her voice verbalizing her chosen name for him—one of the sweetest sounds in the world to him—sending a powerful current of tingling joy coursing through his entire being. It began in his chest, spreading out all the way to the crown of his head, his fingertips, and his toes.
He was getting worked up much more than usual.
Yes, soon to be leaving his stupid, awkward teenage hormones behind, his happiest dreams of late were still drier than wet, but occasionally, he'd still find himself in what could only be described as a very horny mood. Caught in something of an "amorous rut", he pretty much forgot where he was, and his fancy ran rampant.
Euphoria!
No other word described it.
And Naoto was overcome with it.
Hayase~!
That adorable face, those intense amber eyes, those stark canine teeth bared in the impressive smirk only she could ever pull off all had his grasp on reality going fuzzy!
He'd accidentally seen her nude once (it was her fault for calling/teasing him and accidentally flipping the call to video), and no, that was something he'd never forget! Alzheimer's, a thorough lobotomy, and death were the only forces capable of wresting that memory from his forebrain!
The mental image of her pert little body and the things he'd spent the last months dreaming of doing to her gave way to the sensation of ice-water going down his throat, traveling through his guts into his lower belly, and settling in his groin. It progressed in waves, and his hands shook so badly he had to place his sweating palms on his knees.
All this came and went several times over a few minutes, and neither of the girls, a tad distracted from their conversation, failed in seeing the dreamy expression, the creepy half-smile, the glazed-over eyes, or the unsteady appendages he displayed.
It was bizarre…
That said, mercifully and thankfully, neither noticed another appendage, the hard-on he was presently packing, the angle of the protruding member and the fact he was sitting reminiscent of The Thinker concealing the evidence.
Naoto had tried to catch himself each time he briefly exited this frame-of-mind, and he finally succeeded. Realizing Lil' Naoto was giving the darkness of his boxers a snappy salute, he pushed away all the "lewd and dirty" thoughts, and his little friend soon began to retreat back from whence it came.
Good… What a relief that was for him.
Sometimes his thoughts were heavily entrenched in the gutter, but not nearly as much as the accusations towards him would indicate. Nagatoro was only right about a quarter of the time, but she'd be as right as rain here.
Though Naoto had cleaned out most of the tom foolery that had briefly infested his entire, unabridged existence, his thoughts still dwelled with the girl he was crazy about. For the umpteenth time since they'd left the convenience store, he noted the time:
1:18 p.m.
Not long now!
It was a relief for both girls to see him finding his grounding again, and they paused their current talk.
Sakura might have said to him, "chill the eff out, Asshole-kun, you're being such a horndog," but she chose tact instead.
"You keep checking your watch, Senpai-kun~," she said sweetly, having long since finished the story she was telling Hana (whatever it might have been, the first-year girl hadn't laughed or even batted an eye).
Naoto, for a change, didn't flinch or otherwise recoil at such a statement, though it was difficult to discern these from his trembling. "I'm just excited."
Sakura turned to Hana, and the two girls seemed to understand one another; Sakura suggested to her senpai, "You don't have to hang around for our sake, Senpai-kun."
He hadn't planned on leaving them until 1:30 p.m.; he was having a great time with the two (and he hadn't quite finished coming down from his high). "No point in arriving too early."
Hana stood up. "Hachioji-senpai, you go out there, and you have fun with Nagatoro-senpai! What if she arrives early too?! You don't keep a lady like her waiting!"
Naoto jumped at her outburst, and Sakura laughed.
"Hana-chan's right, Senpai-kun~!" Sakura couldn't stop giggling. "We know our way home~."
In that case…
He felt another flood of gladness rush through him, and he got the message. "Thanks, girls."
Sakura gave him the V-sign, and Hana nodded.
Naoto, unable to hold still, faced them each in turn.
"Sunomiya, thanks for the ice cream, and thank you, Sakura-san, for the muffins." He'd certainly enjoyed both. "It was all delicious."
"Thank you for your hard work, Hachioji-senpai." Hana, still standing, bowed. "Today was a good day."
Sakura beamed, "Yes, thank you, Senpai-kun~!"
"Thank you both for your hard work!" Comfortable in knowing his boner was finally gone, he stood up, grabbing his bag and addressing the girls. "Do all you can in your workbooks, and look over your actual notes. Think of anything you might want to cover tomorrow. I think we're doing just fine, so let's work hard and end strong. I'll see you two in the morning."
"Have fun, Senpai-kun~," Sakura bid.
"Yes, do," Hana harmonized.
In lieu of responding verbally, he just grinned at his two kohai, nodded, and turned to walk away.
I'm going shopping with Nagatoro! This is like an actual date! Naoto felt as if he would burst.
He must've been the luckiest guy on Earth!
The day seemed a winner! He got to fruitfully study with his two kohai and have fun with them too.
Sakura was able to make sense of some necessary steps and had bridged a few gaps in solving the math problems she'd be encountering, Hana seemed to be doing just fine with her studies, and he just felt confident that as long as he kept up his own effort, he'd do as well as he hoped to do on his finals.
Then, with finals out of the way, he could spend the summer with his friends… and the girl he loved.
His last summer as a schoolkid…
Now that he was moving around again, all that pent-up male energy had an outlet, and the heebie-jeebies he'd been experiencing the preceding half-hour were at long last gone!
He took to the sidewalk with such a good feeling boiling up inside that he wanted to beat his chest like a drum and bellow like Joe Cocker did performing "With a Little Help from My Friends" at Woodstock in 1969. (Look it up! -PS)
Oh, what a day! Naoto pumped his fist, not even caring if someone saw how foolish he probably looked doing it.
He felt like he could do anything!
Please look forward to the next chapter! Thanks for reading!