The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 12: Once You Get Used To It, You Can Defeat The Mid-Boss Without Taking Any Damage.

Once You Get Used To It, You Can Defeat The Mid-Boss Without Taking Any Damage.

After providing Watanuki-senpai with a relaxing experience, the weekend passed, and before I knew it, it was Tuesday.

Today was another day when the archery club had no practice—meaning it was the perfect opportunity to have a proper conversation with Senpai.

Over the past few days, I had been thinking about possible solutions based on the information I had gathered while staying close to her.

I had finally come up with a plan. Now, all that remained was to convey it.

As soon as the homeroom session ended, I packed up my belongings.

Watanuki-senpai was coming over to my place again today. I had sent her a message at noon, saying, “Let’s hold a strategy meeting in my room.” I needed to head home quickly.

“Hey, Amemoto! Wanna hang out for a change? We’re looking for more people!”

“We’re going to the batting center to see who can hit a home run first. The winner gets a steak from everyone else!”

But as soon as I stepped into the hallway, I was stopped by a group of guys—other club members who also had the day off.

Uh, that’s not really a competition, is it? If I join, I’ll just end up hitting grounders and losing money for steak.

“Ah, sorry, I already have plans. Maybe next time.”

“Again? Amemoto, you barely hang out unless it’s for gaming!”

FPS games, in particular, don’t require much conscious thought to play, so I can handle them even when I’m in ‘off mode.’ I prefer keeping a clear distinction between my on and off states. I’ll probably be the type to skip company drinking parties in the future.

“Who are you meeting up with? Tell them to come along, too!”

“Yeah, the more, the merrier!”

“Uh… Well…”

This was bad. I had turned down too many non-gaming invitations, and now the guys were determined to rope me in.

What was I supposed to do? Was I really going to stand next to them while they swung bats, discussing “the key issues in Watanuki-senpai’s lifestyle”? What kind of strategy meeting would that be?

“I’m not sure if that person would be okay with it… but actually, I feel like they might come…”

And if she did, she’d probably be the first to hit a home run and elegantly enjoy that steak. I wanted Watanuki-senpai to eat plenty, after all.

“Stop being so vague, Amemoto. Who are you meeting?”

“That would be—”

Just as I was about to answer, a hand gently rested on my shoulder.

“—I’ve come to pick you up, Amemoto-kun. Hello.”

There stood Watanuki-senpai.

Despite the fact that just last week she had let out those sounds during a massage, then teared up over cookies, and hastily left right after regaining her composure—now, she was standing there with a dazzling, confident smile.

“Uh… Senpai, this wasn’t our meeting spot.”

“A surprise. I thought this would be more fun. Sorry, but I have prior plans with him. I’m taking Amemoto-kun with me—is that alright?”

“A-ah, sure. If it’s Watanuki-san’s older sister, then yeah, of course…”

The classmate she had directed her gaze at stiffened up immediately.

Senpai hadn’t even introduced herself, yet people already knew her as Watanuki’s older sister. That’s how famous she was.

The mood had felt like they were about to force me to join, but now none of them were trying to stop me. Senpai had completely taken control of the situation.

“Shall we go, then?”

With an air of elegance, Watanuki-senpai started walking.

I waved the guys off with a quick “Maybe next time,” and followed after her.

“—Amemoto, you’re insane!”

A chorus of voices erupted behind me.

Hey, this isn’t like that, okay? It’s not what you think!

I had a feeling I’d have a lot of explaining to do later.

I wondered what Senpai thought about all this.

Curious about her expression, I picked up my pace just a little to catch up and walk beside her.

Her eyes, as always, were sharp and composed, but the corners of her mouth—how should I describe it? She wasn’t quite smiling, yet her lips were neither tight nor relaxed, sitting somewhere in between.

What kind of expression was that?

As I studied her, she seemed to take note of my presence beside her and spoke.

“Since we attend the same school, meeting up at the destination every time feels a little impersonal. So, I thought I’d come pick you up today. Was that a bad idea?”

“No, I wouldn’t say that…”

If rumors started spreading that I was romantically involved with Watanuki-senpai, I’d probably attract a lot of attention.

It wouldn’t exactly align with the stress-free high school life that I had dreamed of back in middle school, when I was mentally drained…

But a rumor was just a rumor. People would eventually figure out the truth.

We weren’t in a romantic relationship. There was no real issue.

In fact—

“I’m happy you came to pick me up. Thank you.”

“Fufu, I’m glad to hear that. I ran here as soon as classes ended. …It’ll be our little secret, alright?”

With a playful shh, she pressed her index finger to her lips.

Even at school, her refined aura remained intact. Maybe she unconsciously maintained this graceful persona.

“Understood. But if you were in such a rush, that must mean you’re really looking forward to hearing the solution I came up with over the weekend?”

“Mm, not quite.”

I wasn’t great at guessing games. Then why had she hurried over?

“Fufu, you can be surprisingly dense sometimes.”

With that effortless, teasing smile, she radiated the aura of a mature older sister.

In this school setting, her composed demeanor was unshakable.

And yet—something about it made me want to challenge her. Maybe it was just my gamer instincts kicking in.

As I pondered that thought, Senpai suddenly smirked.

“Well, I’m not worried about what solution you’ve come up with. I’m ready to wager anything on this. No matter what I lose, I’m prepared.”

With the poise of a runway model, she took a step ahead of me, then turned back.

Striking a pose with her hand on her hip, she looked straight at me and said,

“I’m placing my trust—and expectations—in you, errand-kun.”

Ah. Found a weak spot. I could break through this.

“Watanuki-senpai, calling me errand-kun in public is a bit… embarrassing.”

“……….”

Her confident stance remained unchanged, but her face rapidly turned red.

Yeah, that wasn’t from illness. That was pure embarrassment.

Victory achieved.

“…Ugh. That was on purpose, wasn’t it? You had such a smug look on your face. I don’t approve of you messing with my sense of style, you know. …Hey, cut that out…!”

“S-Sorry, my gamer instincts got the better of me—hah! Wait, that tickles!”

With narrowed eyes, she approached and started poking at my side.

The sense of accomplishment from getting one over on her was quickly overshadowed by guilt.

At the same time, I noticed people around us stirring.

Naturally, the sight of Watanuki-senpai—an unmistakably beautiful, well-known upperclassman—flushed red and interacting so casually with someone like me was bound to attract attention.

Senpai must have realized it too. Leaning in close to my ear, she whispered softly.

“Let’s get out of here. We’ll continue this at your place… I’ll head there first. See you soon.”

“Y-Yes.”

The sudden whisper sent a shiver down my spine, far more than her poking had.

Without another word, she turned and walked off at a brisk pace, too fast for me to catch up.

Left standing alone, I reflected.

Why had I teased her like that? Normally, I’d never say something like that out loud…

I needed to lock away that mischievous gamer side of me.

I was here to support Watanuki-senpai. Time to focus.

Slapping my cheeks lightly, I cleared my mind and prepared for the upcoming strategy meeting.