Watching Komari curled up under the covers, I nodded and set the fruit I was holding on the desk.

What should I say in this situation? Well, a simple greeting would do for now.

"Um... Komari... I hope you're feeling better?"

At my words, the girl on the bed trembled slightly and turned over with difficulty.

Komari stared at the annoying guy before her, her expression freezing instantly.

The real reason there was no school today? She'd stayed up late gaming last night, making it impossible to get up this morning—the true culprit.

So that morning, after relentless pestering, she'd made her brother call the homeroom teacher to request leave...

But she never expected that while relaxing at home, her brother would bring this annoying guy over.

And judging by their familiarity, they seemed to know each other already. How did they even end up together?!

Was this annoying guy greeting her? Ugh, how should she respond? If he saw her true home self, it'd be disastrous!

"...Ahem... Yes... I'm much better now... Kamidou..."

Komari sat up slowly from bed. Seeing her, my heart skipped a beat.

This reaction was way too normal! With -100 affection, how could she act like this?!

And her expression was so fake! Who gets a fever and looks like that?!

She must be acting again—putting on a show just for me! What a scary woman!!

No, in this dangerous exchange, any slip-up would put me at a disadvantage!

"Komari, you still look unwell. Lie back down and rest more!"

I quickly gathered my thoughts, moved to her bedside, and spoke with concern.

Heh heh... such a simple trick won't fool me!

But this greeting felt too ordinary... I needed a surprising move...

Suddenly, I recalled that voice from the headphones the other day.

This perfectly composed girl before me couldn't be her true self!

Girls like her were hard to win over—they only showed their real selves to close ones.

But that made her even more worth pursuing!

"No, really, I'm fine..."

As she spoke, Komari slowly got out of bed and pulled the curtains aside.

Huh? Why were so many hamster-patterned robes hanging on the balcony outside the window? And they looked like capes too.

"......"

Silence filled the room. Truly, the woman I admired—she'd left me speechless so quickly.

But I wouldn't give up! From that shout and her brother's personality, I'd deduced her traits.

"Ahh~ I'm so thirsty!"

I pulled a cola bottle from the fruit bag as I spoke.

Pop—

I twisted the cap open. If I was right, all those colas and snacks she bought were for herself!

Even the manga magazines her brother bought were probably for her!

I slowly brought the open cola to my lips, watching her expression from the corner of my eye.

As I gulped it down, her eyes definitely showed that look.

No mistake! Though still annoyed, it was unmistakably a look of longing!!

And with it came audible swallowing.

My guess was spot-on! Her home and school selves were completely different!

"Oh dear, I'm starving too!"

I set down the cola, pulled a bag of chips from my backpack, and ripped it open.

"Huh? What's that dripping sound?" I looked up, then turned to the girl behind me.

"Komari, want some?" I held out the chips.

Her face lit up with joy, nodding eagerly—then she seemed to remember something and shook her head firmly.

"Sorry... Kamidou... I don't usually eat snacks..."

—Hey! That face screams you want them! Wipe the drool from your chin first!

My eye twitched as I pulled the chips back.

"Since Komari's still sick, snacks can wait."

I casually ate a few chips and tossed the bag on the desk.

"...Dinner's almost ready."

Tsuchiwa Taihei peeked out from the kitchen, glanced at us, froze when he saw Komari, then nodded thoughtfully after a long pause.

"Understood, senpai," I replied, turning to the girl.

"Komari, Ms. Yukimura asked me to go over today's lessons with you."

I sat cross-legged at the desk and pulled out textbooks from my bag.

"Huh? So that's why Kamidou came here?"

Seeing the books, Komari's expression twisted strangely, as if holding back something.

Ahhh! Her game!! Did she really have to study with him now?!

Damn... this annoying guy... how long would he stay?!

But she couldn't show impatience in front of him.

She was a flawless high school girl! If classmates found out about this, it'd be a disaster!!

Thinking this, Komari's face broke into a perfect smile, a soft glow radiating from her.

Seeing her like that, I froze.

—What's with this unscientific glow?!

How could a real human have such a weird effect?!

Stay calm! Stay calm, Kamidou Chiyo! It's just a glowing girl!

At this rate, someone with their own background music might show up next!

I steadied my nerves and launched my scholar attack. Conquering her with knowledge wouldn't be bad.

At that moment, faint phantom images appeared above our heads—mine smiling, hers glowing—clashing silently in the air.