As I stroll along the beach, hand in hand with Nagisa, it’s inevitable that we attract a variety of glances.

Essentially, in my case, I’m a public figure with a recognizable face, and given our matching swimsuits, we clearly look like a couple, almost like we’re advertising it.

Back when we chose our swimsuits for each other, we weren’t in a romantic relationship, so I like to think it was just a coincidence. Yet, thinking back to the time I suggested we buy matching couple straw hats, I can’t help but wonder…

Maybe, deep down, I suspected that she might have liked me even back then. My intense guilt could have made me aware of it subconsciously while trying to ignore it.

Anyway, compared to before, has Nagisa become more accustomed to the attention of others? She doesn’t seem to care much about the onlookers around us. Perhaps it’s her blissfully joyful expression that makes my own mood brighten up.

However, near the peak of that warm spring, her cheerful mood abruptly turned into the harsh winter brought on by a single encounter with someone from Gehenna.

“Hello, Mika. And Kirihouji.”

“…Sorasaki.”

Hina, fully aware that Nagisa has never publicly acknowledged her status as president, addresses her with a notable distance in her tone. Plus, her usual cold expression only deepens the chill in the air.

The moment Nagisa saw Hina, her face shifted to that dark expression she occasionally shows. Watching her receive Hina’s greeting with such a composed face makes it feel uncomfortably stuffy for me.

If Hina feels this way, I can’t help but imagine what would happen if she ran into Haruna. The thought alone is terrifying, yet I know it’s bound to happen someday, which only increases my worry.

“Hahaha! Who do we have here? Isn’t this the Hina-chan who declared war on me? And…”

At least, it seems like there won’t be any issues between Nagisa and Hina right now. After all, the presence next to Hina effectively prevents such situations from developing.

“Nice to meet you, Student Council President-chan!”

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you too, T-party host. But I must ask—why is it every time we meet, your words seem to lose their weight?”

“Hahaha, well, it’s not like there’s a big gap between us, right? We’re not at the point where we have to speak formally!”

“Is that really just a simple persona? How can you determine what doesn’t suit you? As a person, it’s natural to have many faces—”

“Ah, stop! Um, President, this is just to check, but Hina-chan isn’t making you ask me to make convoluted statements, is she?”

“Excuse me?”

I have no idea why I’m hearing such familiar speech from an unfamiliar person, but on a nice day like today, I’d like to avoid hearing tiresome words like those. Seriously.

“Mika, I never thought you’d see me as someone who would make such petty tricks. Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed.”

“Hey! What are you talking about, Hina-chan? I was obviously joking!”

Calming Hina, who looked like she was pouting, I felt Nagisa tighten her grip on my hand. Honestly, it didn’t hurt so much as it left a pleasantly tingling feeling, so I decided to indulge a bit.

I can’t help but find it utterly adorable how jealous Nagisa gets whenever I show a bit of friendliness toward Hina. I never realized she had such a strong possessiveness.

But the Student Council President isn’t wearing a swimsuit today. No, at least, she could wear something a bit cooler.

Isn’t it hot to just sit here? Really ruthless, I tell you.

On the other hand, Hina is…

“By the way, Hina-chan, why are you hiding your pretty swimsuit? Ahaha, so cute!”

“…Eek?!”

She was wearing a two-piece swimsuit that resembled Hifumi’s from the game, complemented by a lace choker around her thigh.

While the front was obscured by a beach towel, the side view was enough for me to get a general idea of the design.

“Plus, I see you even styled your hair nicely today. Wow, it suits you so perfectly! If you did this regularly, I wonder if the troublemakers at school would even be able to focus with your beauty around.”

“…Stop teasing me, Mika.”

“Hahaha! I’m totally serious☆”

For some reason, she had a few braids in her hairstyle that were different from usual. Could this also be Aco’s handiwork? Even though she flushed at the compliment, Hina keeps her chin up.

Last time we watched a horror movie together, considering Hina might have had feelings for me, Aco seems to be playing the role of Cupid from the shadows. The image of Aco, Hina’s loyal dog, pitching in for her support just seems hard to picture.

With Aco’s personality, wouldn’t the expression be more along the lines of “Why is our president taking an interest in someone like you?!”

Well, truth be told, I don’t mind that much either.

“…Mika, praising others in front of your girlfriend, you know? I’m a little… upset?”

It seems I’ve overly praised Hina, causing Nagisa to get a bit riled up.

Since it’s the first time I heard her refer to herself as my girlfriend, I couldn’t guess how upset she was. But I certainly could tell her mood soured enough to disregard even the presence of the Student Council President.

Even though her eyes and mouth are smiling, her gaze and voice are icy enough to make me fear for my life; it’s like she might stuff a roll cake into my mouth at any moment.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

“Is it that you’re such an insecure person, even with all this luck? A chance of being with Mika?”

“What did you just say?”

“I don’t know why you look so surprised. Wasn’t all of this pretty much expected? Nanao and Kurodate wouldn’t easily give up on Mika.”

“…Is it just me or are all the shameless thieves surrounding Mika? How atrocious.”

Suddenly, the tension ignited. Hina sparked the fire, but it was Nagisa who started burning.

Given Nagisa’s unsuccessful attempt to calmly talk to Azusa and Mitsuki before, I realized I have to draw the line when it comes to Hina. I can’t trust Nagisa with this.

“Um, Hina-chan. I appreciate your feelings, but I’m actually dating Nagisa-chan…”

“Mika… Do you think I’d give up just because you said that?”

No, wait? Isn’t the normal response to give up, Hina? That’s how the unwritten rules of the world work. Infidelity is a crime.

As I tried to express such thoughts, I was struck mute when I met Hina’s wavering gaze.

“First, you held my hand. Then you wrapped your arm around me. Then you hugged me. You understood my struggles. You taught me the little joys of everyday life…”

As she continued, I couldn’t help but sense that Nagisa’s glare was shifting from Hina to me. Was it just my imagination?

…I didn’t think so. Just hearing that makes it seem like I have given her every reason to believe there’s still room for her.

Holding hands—I thought it was a given among girls. Linking arms, I thought we were okay since we were getting a bit closer. The hug? I guess I fell for her cuteness more than expected.

Acknowledging her struggles was merely to comfort her when I knew she’d try to lean on the teacher. The moment I became the T-party host, I merely empathized—it was just a bonus.

As for teaching her the joyful moments of everyday life… that was an extension of the previous paragraph. I thought that if Hina could enjoy even a little bit of her school life a bit more while caught up in all her work, that’d be nice.

It wouldn’t be strange if all these actions felt a bit different to Hina. The outcome of these gestures is what’s happening right before my eyes now.

“It’s only natural that I would come to like someone as kind as you. However, as precious as you are to me… I’m not okay with being unimportant to you.”

Ah, this is bad.

I simply couldn’t muster the strength to reject Hina, who was pouring her heart out to me like this.

Suddenly, a thought washed over me. Isn’t there no one in the world more pathetic than me, who’s such a coward?

“I won’t complain about you having the nerve to say you confessed to my girlfriend first. I won’t pout over the fact that Mika chose you. If it weren’t for Kurodate, it’s clear none of us would have conveyed our feelings to Mika.”

“…While that’s a bit harsh to accept, I can’t deny it. That doesn’t mean I’m agreeing with what you’re saying, but there seems to be a troubling habit of this shameless woman with loyalty issues that we need to address.”

“Hmm. That’s an interesting point. That ‘bad habit’ is only apparent to people like us who have fallen for Mika. Her kindness is her greatest strength, and it’s why everyone gathers around her. It’s amusing to people like me who’ve benefited from that, but also somewhat absurd.”

“So are you saying I should just let someone like that, who just flirts here and there, to go on?”

“No, that’s not what I meant, Kirihouji. I’m just saying it’s ridiculous to want to change something that can’t be changed. If Mika had shown any special feelings towards me, I wouldn’t have fallen for her as I have now.”

As Hina’s gaze, which had been directed at Nagisa, returned to me once again.

“And I clearly am not so silly that I wouldn’t notice even such shallow intentions. Mika is the kind of person with a kind heart who can approach anyone, free from the bonds of the academy, Kirihouji. Do you really think you’re fit to call yourself her lover while talking about correction as if you have that right?”

“Haha… It sounds very eloquent, but in the end, that’s just rhetoric, Sorasaki. If our positions were reversed, would you repeat those exact words without missing a beat? Truly?”

“…”

“There we go. You’re no different from me. While praising Mika’s positive qualities, you’re also subtly trying to degrade me. That’s quite an impressive rhetoric for a student from Gehenna, wouldn’t you say?”

“Nagisa, stop. Don’t bring up our academies. You know full well how hard I’m trying in this matter… and Hina, let’s just ease up on blaming Nagisa for now. I’m the one to blame for these circumstances.”

How should I refuse Hina while ensuring she gets hurt as little as possible? This truly isn’t straightforward.

If Hina, who has finally opened up to me, ends up hurt and suffers because of this, then all I’ve done is lessen the burden of one girl while leaving a scar instead.

“At least you realize that now. I’m kind of relieved.”

“Glad to know someone understands who the real problem is.”

However, the moment I mentioned that, both of them opened their mouths simultaneously, as if they had been waiting for it.

In a bizarre alignment of sentiments, the two stared at each other, then turned their heads away in a comedic fashion. Yet, it’s sad that I couldn’t laugh at this comedy like everyone else.

“Um, as riveting as your love triangle is, we still have things we need to get done today, so please set those feelings aside for now. Kirihouji, please follow me… and you two, Gehenna’s student council president and T-party host, please prepare for the opening event.”

In the end, it was the Student Council President who intervened in the unexpected love drama.

When she cleared her throat, as if to signal that this wasn’t the end of our conversation, Nagisa gently kissed my cheek and drifted to the side of the Student Council President.

As she did, Hina naturally moved closer to me, filling the space where Nagisa’s hand had just been.

“…”

Seeing Nagisa biting her lip, I reflexively tried to pull my hand away, but the thought of Hina getting hurt stopped me, and I ended up letting her hold my hand.

Watching as the two of them seemed to interchange their happiness and sorrow, I began to wonder if I might just accidentally spark a fire in Kivotos.

Perhaps it would be best for me to prepare for a lifetime of being beaten up and ensure that both of these girls are cared for and happy, even if it’s a coward’s resolve. Such thoughts crossed my mind.

…Indeed, there’s no doubt—I truly am the worst coward.