482 4.2

After we finished bathing, Kiryūin's group, at Hashimoto's command, gathered all the remaining members, including the girls.

Then, during breakfast, we exchanged ideas about today's exchange meeting.

That being said, more than half of the conversation was from Hashimoto, and the rest were little bits from the other students.

"I don't really understand, but the boys' unusual excitement... it's creepy."

Morishita, who was whispering next to me, spewed venom.

"Really? I thought it was kind of cute."

Hiyori's remark seemed to neutralize it.

Having heard the conflicting comment of calling it cute, Morishita stared at the first-year boys again.

Regardless of whether they were cute or not, it was true that they were unusually excited. They were mostly shrinking in front of their senpais when they gathered as a group yesterday, but that had completely disappeared.

Rather, they were making incomprehensible gestures with their hands and even bursting into laughter.

"Is it cute?"

"I think it's cute."

"I'm sorry, but it's still creepy. Shiina Hiyori is strange."

"Is that so?"

Watching such an exchange nearby, I felt that Hiyori had changed a lot since we met.

She used to be a student who didn't show her heart and was less emotional.

No, rather than saying that her personality had changed from the bottom up, it might've been more accurate to say that she started to reveal her true self.

"Ayanokōji-kun, is something wrong?"

Because I was unreservedly observing her, Hiyori noticed my gaze.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Is that so?" She tilted her head slightly but showed a smile without suspecting anything.

"Ayanokōji-senpai! Can I join you in the bath again tonight!?"

"Huh? Oh, I don't mind at all."

While feeling a strange pressure, given that it wasn't a bother, I agreed.

Then, just with that, the first-year students bubbled up again.

"In less than a day, you've tamed the first-year students so well. What kind of magic did you use?"

Kiryūin, who had finished her meal early, leaned on the table and muttered with interest.

"Honestly, I'm also confused. I haven't done anything special."

"Do you intend to hide it from me too?"

It seemed that she thought I was keeping a secret, but in reality, I didn't understand.

"Do you not get why your kōhais respect you?"

Hashimoto, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, chimed in.

"I might not understand it myself, but there's a part of me that admires you—or rather, fears you."

"Fear?"

Fear was the feeling of terror towards someone with overwhelming power.

Though, I don't remember using any form of intimidation like Ryūen or Hōsen...

"I was surprised too. You're really a man among men... It's not surprising that the first-years would act this way once they found out about 'that.'"

"Huh? I don't quite understand, but it sounds very interesting. What is 'that'?"

"Sorry, but it's a secret between men. I can't tell you about it."

"Hmm, a secret between men. That's not so bad."

For some reason, Kiryūin seemed satisfied with that explanation and stood up from her chair.

As she was about to pick up her empty tray, Hashimoto stopped her.

"We'll clean up. You don't have to worry about it, Senpai."

"I appreciate the thought, but I can clean up after myself. Let's meet again at the next exchange meeting."

With that, she picked up her tray and walked towards the return counter.

"Whether it's easy or hard to deal with, she's a difficult senpai to understand."

Hashimoto voiced his thoughts on the departing Kiryūin.

In terms of choosing the right person to match his description, he was right.