After finishing lunch, I headed over to Professor Erina’s lab with Arisa and Iris.
"Hm? Oh, welcome, you three."
Dressed in her white lab coat, Erina welcomed us with a soft smile while reaching for some experimental equipment on the counter.
"...You’re making... honeycomb candy... again."
"Honeycomb candy holds infinite possibilities, you know?"
"I really don’t think it does... but you’re as consistent as ever, Professor Eri," Iris said with a wry smile as she and Arisa watched the process.
Seeing the familiar sight of Erina focused on her sweets, a question suddenly slipped from my lips. "...Wait, what about the Baby Castellas?"
"Hm? Baby Castellas? Oh, those little sponge cakes they sell at festivals? Those are delicious, too. I don't get many chances to eat them, though... Why bring them up now?"
"Eh? No... I wonder why?"
"Ahaha, you’re a weird one, Kaito," Arisa teased.
That was strange. Why did the words "Baby Castella" just pop out of nowhere? For a split second, I had a vivid image of Erina happily snacking on them, but I didn't have a single memory of that ever happening.
Still, it felt strangely right... What was that about?
"Are the others here? Like Riri-senpai or Lidi-senpai?" Arisa asked.
"Hmm, those two haven't come by yet. But Fey is here."
"Oh? So Fey actually made it to the building... Where is she?"
"She’s sleeping in my nap bed."
"...I see. I’ll go wake her up."
"Thanks!"
The "Riri-senpai" and "Lidi-senpai" Arisa mentioned were upperclassmen in the same lab. Ririka Saigyouji-senpai was a national kendo champion renowned for her brilliance, and Lidi Quannet-senpai was an international student and expert archer.
Both were incredibly kind and had helped me out many times. Our lab was small, with only six members in total, but we all got along famously.
"Now that I think about it, why is our lab so small anyway?" I asked.
"Hm? Oh, there are plenty of people who want to join, but since I’m the youngest professor on staff, things get complicated if my lab gets too crowded. It ruffles feathers with the senior faculty. So, I have most of them directed elsewhere."
"I see. So there really are those kinds of academic power struggles..."
"Ahaha, it’s a bit of a headache. Personally, I prefer a smaller group anyway. It lets me keep a closer eye on each of you."
To put it plainly, Erina was incredibly popular on campus. She was cute and kind, so that was only natural. However, being a young prodigy seemed to bring its own set of troubles. She often dropped by my house to vent about the politics of it all.
I suppose it’s the classic case of the nail that sticks out getting hammered down. Erina’s talent and age made her a target in more ways than one.
"Actually, this lab is famous across the entire university," Arisa said, returning while dragging another girl along. "Mainly because the 'Three Great Beauties' and the 'Three Great Beautiful Girls' of Yumegaoka are all gathered here. Anyway, come on, Fey. It’s time to join the living."
"Mmmgh... three more years..."
"That’s way too long!"
The girl Arisa was tugging on had light purple hair tied in twin-tails and was wearing an oversized hoodie, clutching a laptop to her chest like a shield.
"...Hello, Fey."
"Wah? Oh, it’s just Kai and Ai-tan. Hey there..."
After a lethargic greeting, Fey slumped into a chair—or rather, Arisa forced her into one.
Iris tilted her head, looking puzzled. "...Arisa... what was that 'Three Great' thing you mentioned?"
"Oh? You didn't know, Iris? Our school has these unofficial titles for the most attractive students. For the record, the Three Great Beauties are Riri-senpai, Lidi-senpai... and you, Iris."
"...Eh? ...Me?"
"Yes, you. And the Three Great Beautiful Girls are Fey, Professor Eri... and me!"
Arisa struck a triumphant pose with a smug grin, while Iris tilted her head in genuine confusion. Iris had a bit of a low self-evaluation, so she was likely wondering why she was even on the list. Looking at her objectively, though, it would have been weirder if she wasn't.
"...We’re all... in this lab..."
"Exactly. That’s why our lab is insanely popular. Applicants flood in every year, though Professor Eri turns away anyone who’s clearly just here to hit on us."
"Honestly, I don't care for those titles," Erina pouted. "I’m a grown adult, so why am I in the 'beautiful girl' category? Why couldn't I be one of the 'beauties' instead?"
"I mean, it’s probably because you’re so tiny, Erina..."
Erina went silent.
"Ah—no, I mean..."
The moment the words left my mouth, I felt a cold sweat break out. Erina was smiling at me—a very gentle, very soft smile. Having known her for years, I knew exactly what that smile meant. She was livid.
"...Kaito... Your next assignment load... will be... dou-ble."
"...I’m sorry! Please, have mercy! Professor Erina is a charming, sophisticated, adult woman!"
"I’m glad you understand. But I’m still increasing the workload."
"...What?"
The price of my slip-of-the-tongue was a mountain of extra homework. With winter break right around the corner, this was a devastating blow.
"Ahaha! Well, that just goes to show what a lucky man you are, Kaito," Arisa laughed. "Forget a flower in each hand—you’re basically standing in the middle of a flower garden."
"...I won't deny that."
It was true that I was the only guy in the lab, a position that made me the envy of half the campus. Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and roses, especially when I couldn't keep up with their more feminine conversations, but still...
"Oh, by the way, the guys on campus have a nickname for you, too."
"Wait, really? I always thought I was pretty average... I had no idea. What is it? Something cool?"
I felt a little flutter of excitement. I wasn't particularly handsome or athletic, and my grades were just slightly above average. I didn't think I stood out at all, but to have a nickname, or even a title... it was actually kind of flattering.
"...They call you 'Yumegaoka’s Target for a Planned Explosion'."
"That’s not a nickname, that’s a death threat!"
So I really was just hated by every other guy on campus.
"To give you an idea of your reputation among the male students," Arisa continued, "it’s roughly seventy percent 'Explode and Die,' twenty percent 'Well, he’s actually a decent guy so I guess we’ll spare him from a public execution,' and ten percent 'I want to date him'."
"Hold on! You said those were evaluations from the guys, right?! What is that last ten percent?! I just heard something absolutely terrifying!"
"Actually, that one friend you’re so close with... oh, never mind. It would be tactless to say more."
"Don’t stop there! That’s way more terrifying than if you just finished the sentence!"
It was a horrifying truth I never wanted to know. I had no idea how I was going to look my male friends in the eye tomorrow.
My future was looking increasingly bleak.
Lab Member Profiles:
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Fey Murakumo Appearance: Purple hair in twin-tails. Age: 21 Clothing: Frequently wears oversized casual hoodies. Always carries a laptop. Traits: Petite with a large bust, lazy, Arisa’s best friend. She supports Arisa’s romantic feelings for Kaito and likes Kaito because he pampers her.
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Ririka Saigyouji Appearance: Elegant and dignified. Age: 22 Clothing: Sophisticated flare skirts and duffle coats. Traits: Upperclassman, kendo practitioner, a bit clumsy despite her refined appearance, wealthy upbringing, kind. Views Kaito as a cute junior.
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Lidi Quannet Appearance: Slender and graceful. Age: 22 Clothing: Dark jeans, sleeveless shirts for ease of movement, and light coats. Traits: Upperclassman, quiet and domestic personality, master archer, international student, animal lover. Views Kaito as a cute junior.
???: It feels like the heroines are all finally on stage. I wonder which route he'll branch into... The transition out of these common events is going to be crucial.
Serious-senpai: Y-Yeah... wait, no! This is supposed to be a trial, right?! This isn't a heart-pounding dating sim!
???: Rumor has it that if you clear all six of them, the secret character, Board Chairman Shiro, becomes available for romance!
Serious-senpai: I said it’s a trial! Are you even listening?!