The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 28: The Outcome of Procrastination and a Bold Proposal.

The Outcome of Procrastination and a Bold Proposal.

In class, conversations about costume choices and excitement for next month’s cultural festival had started to surface.

I couldn’t have cared less. There was something far more pressing on my mind—something that had me on edge.

“It’s already Friday, and I still haven’t brought up the contract…”

I muttered under my breath, despite still being in the classroom. It had already been two weeks since I first made up my mind.

Even though I had met with Watanuki-senpai without fail this week, I hadn’t managed to utter a single word about the contract.

Maybe I should have just said it last Saturday, even if it meant breaking the comfortable atmosphere. It felt like I had missed my chance.

When will I finally say it…?

No, I can’t keep thinking like this. I’ve made up my mind. I’ll do it today. The moment I see Senpai, I’ll bring it up.

Resolving myself once again, I left the lively classroom, just as after-school activities were beginning.

My mood had hit rock bottom. Every time I tried to bring up the contract, this always happened.

And after this, I had to provide a special relaxation service. I needed to shake this off and lift my spirits—

“Hey, looks like we’ve got one more spot. Amemoto, you up for it? Let’s squad up for ranked tonight!”

One of the guys who often invited me to play games noticed me and called me over. I appreciated the thought, but today was another no-go.

“Ah, sorry. There’s someone I really need to talk to today. My schedule’s full.”

“Man, again? Amemoto, you’ve been crazy busy lately.”

Back in the first semester, I was the guy who never turned down a gaming invite. Especially when it came to FPS, I was skilled enough to jump right in without hesitation.

Lately, though, I hadn’t even been making time for that. Watanuki-senpai had been my top priority.

But that ends today.

“Alright, I’ll hit you up next time.”

The gamer guys quickly dispersed, leaving me standing alone in the crowded hallway.

“……”

I should head home and wait for Watanuki-senpai. Just as I turned toward the entrance, I noticed Shion standing uncomfortably close, staring straight at me. Again?

“…Amemoto Touya, I heard you say, ‘I have something important to discuss later.’ Who’s it with?”

“Hmm? Just family, nothing special.”

This would be the last time I let Shion treat me like a suspect. I put on a composed face and threw out a casual lie.

“That was the most suspicious thing I’ve ever heard… But fine. I didn’t expect to get the truth out of you with something this small anyway. I was just here to keep you in check. That audacity of yours—it makes you a worthy rival.”

Rival in what, exactly? Well, I guess I get where she’s coming from.

The ever-gloomy yet strangely intense beauty, who had mentally cornered me on multiple occasions, seemed to recognize me as a formidable opponent.

“Sooner or later, even you won’t be able to keep up the deception. And when that dramatic moment arrives, I’ll be watching, waiting for it—”

“Hey, Amemoto-kun. It’s been a while since I came to pick you up.”

“Huh?”

Shion’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden arrival of an unfamiliar woman.

“……What?”

She blinked, processing the situation, then turned to me with a questioning look, as if demanding an explanation.

I didn’t plan this, I swear—this is as much a surprise to me as it is to you…

“W-Watanuki-senpai, what brings you here? I mean, there was no need to come all the way to the first-year classrooms, right?”

We were going to meet later anyway—so why today, of all days?

“Ever since I learned about your past the other day, my affection for my juniors has been overflowing. So, I couldn’t help myself. Let’s walk home together, at least on special days. …Shion, you could join us for part of the way too.”

“…Not a chance. I’d just be in your way. Don’t invite me again.”

A clear-cut rejection. Senpai, who had seemed so confident when surrounded by younger students, furrowed her brows slightly, looking a little disappointed.

Ignoring that shift in expression, Shion kept her sharp gaze fixed on me.

“This is disappointing, Amemoto Touya. I wasn’t expecting such an anticlimactic conclusion either.”

“Haha… Come on, hear me out. Watanuki-senpai and I just happen to be heading in the same direction—”

“Save it. A caught suspect’s words mean nothing. I win. I won’t let myself be fooled by your smooth talk.”

She held up a subtle peace sign, a triumphant ‘V’ for victory.

The slight flick of her tongue—was that a smug gesture? No… her lips were probably just dry.

“Starting next week, I’ll be coming at you seriously. I’ll make sure that iron will of yours melts away, little by little.”

“Uh… what exactly is going to happen to me on Monday?”

Without answering my question, Shion smirked mischievously and walked away.

The strikingly beautiful yet unsettling sisters.

The moment they stood together, whispers began spreading around us. And being caught in between them, I was suddenly the center of attention.

…This has to be the most noticeable I’ve ever been.

“Amemoto-kun, let’s change locations. There are too many prying eyes here.”

“Ah… yeah. Good idea.”

As I wavered under the weight of all the stares, Senpai remained unfazed and made a calm suggestion.

“And I’d also like to hear more about your relationship with Shion. As her older sister, it’s only natural to be curious about my cute junior’s connection to my sibling, don’t you think?”

Her soft smile and sidelong glance swept over the surrounding students.

The moment she did, the gossiping voices noticeably died down.

This was a different side of Watanuki-senpai—one that radiated confidence, completely unfazed by the situation.

She carried herself as if she couldn’t care less about my exchanges with Shion.

“Well then… shall we go, Amemoto-kun?”

And yet, for some reason, my instincts were telling me that behind that composed smile, Senpai was secretly pouting.

…That can’t be right, though.

***

Even though it’s Friday, my room is devoid of both aroma and music.

Once we finished sharing all the necessary information in the quiet space, my senior muttered with a solemn expression.

“I never imagined Shion was isolated in class… As her sister, I feel responsible for not realizing it sooner.”

“It’s not Watanuki-senpai’s fault, but… how can you still manage to look so composed while hugging that beanbag?”

Her voice was serious, but her posture was completely relaxed. I couldn’t help but divert the conversation. Where did the composed and dignified Watanuki-senpai from the hallway disappear to?

“Hugging this thing in your room has become my latest obsession. I’ve gotten used to it. At this point, it’s just part of my daily routine.”

“Please don’t make that your default position in my room…”

“But this cushion is amazing! I’d love to have one in my own room. Can I just knock you over and claim it as mine?”

“Please don’t let a cushion that ‘ruins people’ end up ruining you too. Come on, shift gears. Just clap your hands and snap out of it.”

“I’m too relaxed to do that… Amemoto-kun, can you do it for me instead?”

That was… definitely a first.

But I couldn’t refuse. Sitting down, I clapped my hands near her face.

She didn’t move.

Wait… did that accomplish anything?

“…Fufu.”

She seems more out of it than usual today. And yet, for some reason, she looks almost at peace…

Just as I was thinking that, she glanced at me drowsily and spoke.

“Amemoto-kun, your ‘reward’ for all this was just information to help my sister out of her isolation… You should be more greedy, you know?”

“Huh? Mmph—”

A long, slender hand reached out and pinched my cheek.

She started squishing it again. Is this… becoming a habit for her?

“Gathering information on my sister should’ve just been casual conversation. You’re way too earnest. Meanwhile, I was ready to offer you my very soul, you know? If you had asked, I would’ve given you all kinds of things…”

“Shoo—shorry, buh I already d-chided on thish…”

“Ugh… Give me back the thrill of a nighttime heart-to-heart… But I guess that’s just the kind of person you are, Amemoto-kun. It’s part of what I find charming about you.”

Releasing my face, she flopped back onto the cushion, flashing a relaxed, silly grin—one she only ever showed in my room.

“So, now that I’ve told you what I know about Shion, our contract is complete. That’s fine, if that’s what you want.”

“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”

And just like that, the end of our arrangement was accepted without fuss.

With this, Watanuki-senpai’s visits to my room would probably drop significantly—maybe even to zero.

That thought felt… lonely.

“…Then, please tell me about Shion-san.”

“Of course. Oh, but… not today.”

“…Huh?”

“I’d rather do it the day after tomorrow. On Sunday, if you’re free.”

Wait… was Watanuki-senpai always someone who procrastinates? I was caught off guard by the unexpected suggestion, but she explained it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Ending the contract just like this feels too abrupt. And besides, wouldn’t you feel uneasy, too? I want to show you the results of everything you helped me with.”

“Oh… So, it’s like a final test?”

“You catch on fast, Amemoto-kun. Exactly. I thought it’d be nice to talk about my sister after you’ve seen my progress for yourself.”

I see… So before ending things, she wants to show me how much she’s grown.

That could make for a nice memory.

“Understood. Then, the day after tomorrow, I’ll check how well you’re handling everything.”

“Yup. See you on Sunday, in town.”

…?

Not in my room?

I was about to ask, but she was already looking at her phone, casually browsing places to go.

So… it’s definitely an outing.

Wait a minute… isn’t this basically a date?

No, hold on, calm down. She called it a final test.

But… it’s still a date, right?

What do I even wear?!

I turned to my intuition for answers, but—

Silence.

Lately, my intuition has been utterly useless.