I Won't Be a Loser

Mai was lost in thought, considering how to help her daughter and Haruto enroll in the same cram school. Otherwise, with the intense schedule of such institutions—often extending far beyond regular school hours—Haruto and Setsuna would barely have any time together. Maintaining their relationship would be difficult.

"Without a cram school, getting into Waseda would be nearly impossible."

If he could, Haruto would have preferred to rely solely on reading to absorb all necessary knowledge. It would have been ideal if he were the kind of genius who could simply skim a book once and pass the University of Tokyo entrance exam.

But reality was cruel. In terms of academics, he was just an ordinary person, with no special talents to rely on. Hard work was his only option to bridge the gap between himself and others.

In this society, family background determined one's baseline, but education set the ceiling.

The conversation had taken on a heavy tone. Mai looked at the young man sitting across from her. It was admirable how maturely he approached his future, laying out clear goals for himself. It gave her a sense of reliability—security, even. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel that something was missing.

Shouldn't boys his age be more focused on things like romance, friendships, and enjoying life?

Haruto was undoubtedly dependable, but Mai worried that such seriousness might make life dull for her daughter. A relationship needed more than just stability—it needed excitement, too.

"Miyamizu-kun, I understand your goals, and it's wonderful to have a clear direction in life. But have you ever considered things like... love, personal interests, or hobbies?"

Her question made Haruto fall silent.

Technically speaking, he was just a sixteen-year-old boy. But with two lifetimes behind him, he was closer to fifty in terms of experience. It was an odd contradiction—both young and old at the same time.

The idea of falling in love again... after everything that had happened, after all the pain and loss—Haruto found it difficult to open his heart. His relationship with Setsuna had felt more like something that happened naturally rather than a conscious choice.

As for personal interests? Hobbies?

Mai watched as he grew pensive, wondering if she had touched on something she shouldn't have. But when Haruto finally lifted his gaze to meet hers, she felt a sudden shyness under his direct stare.

"Interests and hobbies, huh...?"

Meanwhile, Setsuna and Katsura Kotonoha stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in warm steam. Saionji Sekai remained inside, still toweling off.

Kotonoha's cheeks were flushed—whether from the heat of the bath or something else, she wasn't sure. She glanced at Setsuna, who seemed completely unfazed.

"Could it be that this is normal for girls?"

For someone like Kotonoha, who had never had many friends, the experience left her deeply unsettled. She hesitated before voicing her concern.

"This... isn't something that happens often, is it?"

Setsuna, noticing the glance Kotonoha cast her way, gave a small, amused shrug.

"Don't worry. It's not common among most girls. Sekai just has a weird sense of humor. You're too nice, Kotonoha—that's why she enjoys teasing you."

"I see..."

Kotonoha looked back toward the bathroom, where Sekai was finishing up. The girl caught her gaze and smirked.

As Sekai emerged, she ran a towel over her damp hair, eyeing the other two girls.

"You could at least cover yourself with a towel," Setsuna muttered.

Sekai raised an eyebrow. "Aww, is our little Setsuna embarrassed? It's just us girls. Don't tell me you're still this shy~?"

Setsuna sighed in exasperation. Meanwhile, Kotonoha glanced down at herself, then at the other two girls, her expression becoming somewhat conflicted.

Sekai noticed and grinned mischievously.

"Hey, Kotonoha, what are your measurements?"

"E-Eh?! M-My measurements? That's... a secret!"

Kotonoha stammered, face turning even redder.

Sekai's eyes narrowed in thought. She made a quick comparison between her own figure, Kotonoha's, and Setsuna's. Slowly, she started to frown.

"Mine isn't small either… so why doesn't he show any interest?"

After a brief moment of silence, she let out a deep sigh.

"What's wrong?" Setsuna asked.

Sekai covered her face dramatically with her hands before peeking through her fingers, a wicked smile spreading across her lips.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just about to teach our dear little Setsuna a lesson~"

With that, she lunged forward, pulling Setsuna into a tight hug and dragging her into the bedroom. Kotonoha, stunned, hesitated for a moment before picking up the towel Setsuna had dropped and following them inside.

After a round of playful scuffling, the three girls lay sprawled across the bed in their pajamas.

As she rested against the headboard, Setsuna's gaze wandered to the window. Something caught her attention.

"Wait... why does Sekai have a telescope in her room?"

Sekai, who had just been lazily teasing Setsuna, stiffened at the question. Her body tensed, eyes darting toward the telescope by the window.

For a brief second, panic flashed across her face.

Luckily, it was dark enough in the room that Setsuna didn't notice.

Sekai quickly scrambled for an excuse.

"That—that's for... for star gazing!" she blurted out.

"…Wouldn't you need an astronomical telescope for that?"

Setsuna picked up the device and peered through it.

Goosebumps rose on Sekai's skin as she watched in horror, her heart pounding.

She wanted to stop Setsuna, but before she could think of an excuse—

Setsuna adjusted the lens, scanning the night sky. Finding that it wasn't much clearer than her naked eye, she turned the telescope downward toward the city.

She traced the familiar streets, seeking out her apartment building.

There, she spotted her home—dark and unlit.

"Mom's already asleep?"

Her curiosity led her to the next logical place.

"Then... what about Haruto?"

She shifted the telescope toward Haruto's apartment, where the lights were still on.

Setsuna blinked.