"By the way, are you guys actually doing your homework?"
Akasaka threw the question out while kicking a ball back from the goalpost, causing Hashimoto and Hamasaki to freeze instantly.
By the time the ball—which no one had bothered to catch—had come to a complete stop, the two finally snapped back to reality and turned on Akasaka.
"Hey, hey, Akasaka! Don't go throwing cold water on us when we’re finally having a good time!"
"That’s right! I'd appreciate it if you refrained from such insensitive remarks!"
"So, in other words, you haven't touched it."
"There are only about ten days of summer break left. Do you even have a plan for finishing?"
"Guh..."
Moriyama and Oka added their own biting criticisms, leaving the other two at a total loss for words. Watching their exchange, I let out a small, wry smile.
It had been a few days since I returned from my Obon trip, and as Oka had pointed out, summer vacation was reaching its final stretch.
The six of us—a group of guys who hung out regularly—had gathered at the Comprehensive Sports Park near the station to play soccer.
We had been summoned by Hashimoto’s sudden thought—"It's summer vacation, but we haven't hung out at all, have we?"—and then dragged to the park on another of his whims—"Let's just play some soccer for now."
Incidentally, the ball didn't even belong to Hashimoto; it was Moriyama’s. I couldn't forget the look of silent resentment on Moriyama's face when he was sent back to fetch it because he lived nearby.
Hashimoto, facing the judgmental glares of Akasaka and the others, crossed his arms with exaggerated gravity.
"But I guess you're right, summer vacation is almost over... It feels like it went by in a flash..."
"Don't try to wrap this up like it’s some heartwarming coming-of-age story. You know you can't participate in club practice after the break if you don't turn in your assignments, right?"
"I know that! But the strange thing is, the moment I sit down at my desk, I have absolutely zero motivation. It's a mystery!"
"I feel you!"
Hamasaki nodded in fervent agreement with Hashimoto’s grumbling. I understood the sentiment, but "I didn't feel like it" wasn't exactly a valid excuse.
"Where did the guy who worked so hard during finals go? If you had that kind of motivation, your homework would be done in no time."
"I only worked hard then because I had the reward of a pool date! That was my fuel!"
"So because you don't have a prize this time, it's impossible?"
"Exactly!"
"It shouldn't be 'exactly'..."
"You lucky bastard...! Is this just a targeted insult toward those of us without girlfriends!?"
Hamasaki bared his teeth at Hashimoto, who was puffing out his chest with unearned pride. They had been buddy-buddy just a moment ago, but Hamasaki's emotional state was a roller coaster.
While Akasaka calmed down Hamasaki—who was growling like Oka used to do—he turned his attention to the rest of us.
"So, what about the rest of you? Are Moriyama and Yanagida done? I'm almost finished myself."
"I finished mine back in July. I didn't want my precious break to be plagued by homework."
"As expected of Moriyama. I have a few of my weaker subjects left, but I think I'll be done by the end of the week. How about you, Yanagida?"
"I've finished all my assignments. Right now, I'm just steadily studying for the proficiency tests we have after the break."
"Ooh... how diligent. Is that Akise-san's influence?"
I met Moriyama’s teasing remark with a self-deprecating smile.
"Well, I won't deny it. As Haruka's boyfriend, I don't want to post pathetic grades."
"That's cool. Maybe Hashimoto should learn a thing or two from you?"
"Ah, shut up, shut up! Every couple has their own dynamic!"
Hashimoto, wincing at Moriyama’s jab, turned his gaze toward Hamasaki to shift the focus.
"Speaking of couples, Hamasaki, did you make any progress with Mukai-san over the break? Did you ask her out on a date even once?"
"Wha—!? Ah, no, well, you see—"
"Hey, hey, didn't I give you all that advice? You haven't done your homework and your love life is stagnant. What have you been doing for the last month?"
"T-That’s... well, club activities, and games... I appreciate the advice, but even I need to worry about things like preparation and timing!"
"...At this rate, the day he actually makes a move feels light-years away."
"Coming from the guy who fell in love at first sight at the entrance ceremony, only to have her snatched away before he could even say hello, those words carry some real weight... Wait, sorry Oka! I was joking!"
Akasaka apologized profusely to Oka, whose face had turned into a cold, expressionless mask.
As the person who had done the "snatching," I felt a bit awkward myself, so I really wished they'd drop it... though I had zero intention of apologizing for winning her heart.
"...Oh, I've got it!"
Hashimoto, who had been juggling the ball while listening, suddenly shouted as if he’d had a stroke of genius.
Trapping the ball perfectly, he pointed a finger sharply at us.
"Let's have a study group! Not just us, but we'll invite Akise-san, Mukai-san, and the others—and I'll call Shio too!"
"And what’s the logic there?"
"We get our homework done and stay happy, and as a bonus, Hamasaki gets a chance to talk to Mukai-san and stays happy. It's the perfect plan, right?"
"Isn't there a distinct lack of benefit for the girls?"
"I'm just guessing, but since Mukai-san is always crying to Akise-san for help, she probably isn't finished yet either. Look, it’s just an idea. Basically, let's all get together as friends and have fun while we work."
"Hashimoto... no, Lord Hashimoto...!"
"Hehe, stop it, you're embarrassing me."
Hashimoto, grinning bashfully at Hamasaki who had actually started bowing down to worship him, suddenly looked my way.
"So, I'm leaving it to Yanagida to handle the girls!"
"What? You’re the one who suggested it."
"You're the closest to that group out of everyone here. ...And frankly, if we can just get Akise-san to say yes, I'm sure the other two will follow her lead."
"I'm counting on you, Master...! Please, I beg of you...!"
"I'll at least talk to them, so for the love of God, stop prostrating yourself."
"Thank you so much...! I'll follow you for the rest of my life, Master!!"
I've told you, I'm not your master... and seriously, stop the dogeza in public.
I forced Hamasaki, who was still bowing his head while sobbing tears of gratitude, to stand up and let out a tired sigh.
I said I would only talk to her, but Haruka would almost certainly agree with a smile. And if Haruka went, Mukai-san and Takamiya-san would likely join.
Whether Hamasaki could actually do anything with the opportunity was entirely up to him.
"So, if we're doing this, where? Between Akise-san's group and Shinohara-san, that’s four girls. On our side, there's Yanagida, Hashimoto, and Hamasaki for sure... What about Oka and Moriyama?"
"I'll............ no... I'll have to... d-decline."
"O-Oh... you okay?"
"Sorry, I want to go, but... I don't think my heart can handle seeing the couples together yet."
"You're a tragic soul. ...Well, studying while watching two stupidly lovey-dovey couples flirt sounds like it would give me chronic heartburn, so maybe I'll pass too. Let's call Minami and the others and just have a boys-only session."
"Then I'll go with—"
"Moriyama, you're definitely coming with us."
Hashimoto grabbed Moriyama by the scruff of his neck just as he tried to slip over to Akasaka’s side.
Moriyama shot him a look of protest, but Hashimoto met it with a strangely intense glare.
"You idiot! The gender balance will be ruined without you, and if you aren't there, who's going to keep me and Hamasaki focused!"
"Then you could just call Minami-kun..."
"There's no way that guy is coming to a gathering where half the people are couples."
"...With Yanagida-kun and Akise-san there, and also Takamiya-san, that should be enough."
"Sorry, but don't expect me to be the tutor. I want to focus on my own studying for the next test."
"What, are you having another competition with Akise-san?"
"Something like that."
It wasn't that I was strictly hiding our "bet," but it wasn't something I wanted to broadcast, so I gave Hashimoto a vague answer.
Moriyama, who had been silent as if weighing his options, finally let out a shallow sigh of resignation.
"...Fine, I'll do it. But even so, where are we meeting? If the goal is to help each other, a library is too quiet."
"And having eight people camping out in a family restaurant or cafe for hours is bad manners. I guess it has to be someone's house."
"Just so you know, my house is a no-go. And we obviously can't suggest the girls' houses."
"Then my place... is what I'd like to say, but I don't have enough room for eight people to spread out textbooks. How about you, Hamasaki?"
"M-Me!? Eight people could technically fit, but... no, i-i-it's impossible!! Bringing Mukai-san into my own bedroom, that's just too much for my heart...!"
"Hamasaki-kun... I'm starting to wonder if I should even be supporting your romantic endeavors if you're this hopeless."
"Seriously, do something about that creepy side of yours. ...Wait, Yanagida, you live alone, right? How about your place?"
...Well, based on the flow of the conversation, I knew it would eventually come back to me.
It was true that at my apartment, we could have the girls use the dining table and the guys use the low table in the living room. It was doable.
I had some concerns about inviting four girls into a bachelor’s studio apartment, but it was better than four guys invading a girl's home, and with a group this size, it shouldn't be an issue.
...Or at least, it wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the fact that I wasn't technically "alone" right now.
"Sorry, right now... it might be a bit difficult."
"Hmm? You have guests coming over or something?"
"Something like that."
"It's probably just Akise-san, right? Then that's actually more convenient. Knowing you two, you've probably been flirting all summer break anyway, so just one day—"
"............"
"......Wait. Is she staying over?"
"............"
"You're really going at it, aren't you!"
"We aren't 'going at it' yet!"
I kicked back the ball that had been sent my way along with his accusation, but he caught it easily.
This guy... he had no idea how much self-control I was exerting. Though, I had to admit I’d become quite used to our domestic arrangement lately.
"Hahaha... true, it does feel a bit awkward to barge into your love nest."
"Don't call it a love nest. She's just staying over."
"By the way, can I ask exactly how long she's staying?"
"............"
"A few days? A week? A month? ...Don't tell me, she’s there for the whole summer?"
"...I'm exercising my right to remain silent."
"So it is a love nest! You guys are definitely doing the deed!"
"I told you, we aren't!"
We've only gone as far as A! I'm desperately holding back over here!
A few days after that conversation, shortly before noon. I was relaxing at home when the electronic chime of the doorbell echoed through the room.
Checking the intercom, I saw the familiar group standing there, their faces a mix of excitement and awkwardness.
After telling them "I'm coming," I headed to the front door with my temporary housemate and threw it wide open.
"Welcome, everyone! It's so hot outside, come on in!"
"Welcome to our home. Make yourselves comfortable."
...I don't think I'll ever forget the expressions on their faces at that moment.
The six of them stared at us, then at each other, with a complex blend of surprise, confusion, embarrassment, and pure exasperation.
In the midst of the heavy, awkward atmosphere, Hashimoto stepped forward as if he had finally braced himself, holding up a plastic bag.
"...It's just some snacks and juice, but I guess this can count as our housewarming gift?"
"Shut up and just get inside."