The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 25: I Recognize You as a Worthy Opponent.

I Recognize You as a Worthy Opponent.

Every morning on my way to school, I became increasingly vigilant.

After all, I had already been ambushed twice by Watanuki Shion.

I could no longer afford to relinquish the title of being the first one to arrive. I refused to keep losing. This time, I would be the one waiting for her.

Once again, my gamer instincts were kicking in. To avoid being caught off guard in this initial skirmish, I had started leaving home about twenty minutes earlier than usual. That’s how serious I was.

Today as well, the early morning victory would be mine… A mysterious battle of pride had developed between me and a lone wolf of the class—a beautiful but unapproachable girl who also happened to be my senior’s younger sister.

But a gamer cannot stand to lose.

Striking a self-important pose, I stepped into what should have been an empty classroom.

Shion was there.

I lost.

I had been ambushed again.

“Damn… You got here before me again…”

“!? …You entered without making a sound. In another era, that alone would have gotten you arrested.”

The victor, looking slightly surprised, closed her paperback book. The cover concealed the contents, but I thought I caught a glimpse of an illustration that looked like a medieval romance.

“Good morning, Shion. Reading so early in the morning—must be an interesting book, huh? If you don’t mind, why not recommend it to me?”

“…It’s just something to kill time. You don’t need to be interested. And just so we’re clear, I didn’t come here to chat.”

Of course. I knew that already.

She was probably here to give me another warning—something related to her sister, no doubt. Watanuki Shion was a bit of a hidden siscon, deeply devoted to her older sister.

It felt like this shared topic could either bring us closer or highlight our differences even more. Either way, if our relationship was ever exposed, I would be completely doomed, so I had no choice but to feign ignorance.

“Another investigation? I don’t own anything that matches Watanuki-senpai’s.”

At least, not at the moment. The yoga wear she gifted me was safely tucked away in my closet. And, for the record, I had happily tried it on again just yesterday.

“That doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve finally caught you, Amemoto Touya.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ve obtained decisive information. Are you prepared to be bitten?”

For the first time, Shion smiled at me. Her sharp canine teeth stood out in an oddly striking way.

Apparently, I was in a checkmate position without even realizing it.

Is this what a suspect feels like before the detective starts their deduction?

“Heh, you can’t talk your way out of this anymore.”

She was smirking, thoroughly enjoying herself. Once her cool exterior crumbled, she became surprisingly approachable—just like her older sister.

“Well, I have no idea what you’re talking about. But if you’re so confident, let’s hear it.”

There was no way she had actual proof.

I had been careful, and there was little chance Watanuki-senpai had let anything slip.

So why was Shion looking so self-assured?

Still grinning triumphantly, she raised a single finger.

“First piece of evidence: During P.E. class, I overheard the girls from the archery club talking. Apparently, a guy named Amemoto was trying to charm the club captain.”

“…Ah.”

Wait… doesn’t confessing reduce one’s sentence?

Maybe I should have asked Mei for a pair of handcuffs…

I hesitated. Shion, savoring her victory, raised another perfectly manicured finger.

“Second piece of evidence: In our class, Urushibara Kouta mentioned the same thing during lunch break. That confirms it—it’s no longer just a rumor.”

Well, that backfired.

Urushibara, you really didn’t need to do PR for me in the classroom.

“…And he didn’t just mention it—he praised you. Said something like, ‘Amemoto has what it takes to get close to the captain!’ See? You and my sister are totally close.”

“…!”

Correction: Nice save, Urushibara.

“You might as well admit it. You’re trying to lead my sister astray, aren’t you?”

“Hold on! That’s an unfair conclusion!”

I slammed my hands on the desk, seizing the chance to defend myself. Shion let out a small, startled sound.

If this was all she had, I could still find a way out.

“Urushibara said, ‘has what it takes to get close,’ right? That only suggests the possibility. It doesn’t mean we’re already close. If anything, it’s proof that I haven’t led Watanuki-senpai astray yet.”

“…!! T-That’s just wordplay! You should just admit it—no, you must admit it!”

My desperate resistance left Shion visibly flustered.

Come to think of it, she wasn’t as hard to talk to as her lone wolf reputation suggested.

“I can tell just by speaking with you. It’s you, Amemoto. You’re the one making my sister weaker.”

“Intuition can be misleading, you know. But I understand your concern. That said—I’m innocent. Maybe you should come back with stronger proof?”

“…For you to keep denying it at this point… That’s actually impressive in its own way… Now, I’m looking forward to finding a real reason to completely crush you, Amemoto Touya…”

This girl really has a way with words.

Honestly, that’s kind of terrifying.

Shion turned on her heel and started leaving the classroom. Her pace was unhurried—perhaps because no one else had interrupted us. It seemed like she was letting me off the hook.

As I watched her back, I silently apologized.

I’m sorry.

I’ll be done with this whole arrangement by the end of the week—so please, just let it go.

I won’t interfere anymore with Senpai’s determination to pursue her ideal.

Watanuki-senpai has regained enough strength to handle things on her own.

She doesn’t need my help anymore.