The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 34: Improvisation is an unavoidable part of planning

Improvisation is an unavoidable part of planning

The morning after Watanuki-senpai stayed over at my place.

To carry out our reconciliation plan, we’re currently waiting for Shion-san in the first-year classroom — but…

“I stayed up late for the first time in a while… I’m so sleepy… Amemoto-kun, we didn’t have to come this early, did we?”

“Actually, we did. Shion-san’s not good with surprises. We’ll catch her off guard when she walks in and sees her oddball sister slumped over in a first-year classroom. That moment of confusion is our opening — we push for reconciliation and seal the deal with momentum.”

“I don’t know much about story tropes, but… that definitely sounds like something a villain would come up with…”

Senpai looked ready to doze off again, her eyes glazed with drowsiness as she slumped into the seat assigned to me.

She stretched her arms across the desk and slowly let her upper body sink down like melted cheese — an utterly defenseless position.

“As per your instructions, I’m pretending I’m still in your room, but… are we really going with this approach?”

“Yes. Please relax enough that you might doze off again.”

“Mmm… I would, but… it’s hard to sleep in a classroom. It’s uncomfortable — my chest gets squished.”

“R-Right… I see…”

I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to a concern so specific to women. While I struggled for words, Senpai sat up from the desk.

Now, leaning back in the chair I usually used, she gave a long, satisfying stretch. (I made a conscious effort not to look at the part that had been “squished.”)

“If only we had one of your room’s cushions… I could just flop over anywhere at school… Want to go get one now?”

“If anyone saw the two of us hauling a cushion around together, reconciliation would be the least of our worries. We’d end up on the front page of the school paper.”

“Ahaha… I wouldn’t mind sharing the spotlight with you, but fine. I’ll let it go this time…”

Watanuki-senpai was effortlessly natural in her demeanor, reclining in her chair and staring up at the turned-off fluorescent lights as if they were stars.

But eventually, the wait wore on. Still gazing upward, she spoke with a hint of unease.

“…Do you really think Shion will show up? If the next student who walks in isn’t her, I’m going to look like a very strange upperclassman…”

“Don’t worry. She’ll definitely be the second person to arrive — if she’s really my rival.”

That much I could count on. Shion-san was my fiercest rival when it came to showing up early. I had to be at the gate the moment it opened just to be sure I’d beat her today.

Whenever she had business with me, she’d appear at school with freakish speed.

So, it only made sense that she’d be second today too —

“Good morning, Amemoto—wait, what!? Why is the club captain in the first-year classroom!?”

“Your formal speech is all over the place, Urushibara. Good morning. Glad to see you’re doing well.”

“…”

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Shion-san… lost!?

More importantly, this wasn’t part of the plan. We hadn’t accounted for an unexpected student showing up — this could be bad.

“S-So, Urushibara… What brings you here so early? Another consultation with me?”

“Nope! I just wanted to chat with you, Amemoto! No reason or anything, just happened to wake up early by chance!”

He could’ve easily chosen to sleep in again — but came here just to talk to me? That’s… kind of sweet.

…If only it had been any day other than today, I would’ve happily listened to him gush about his beloved Senpai for hours.

From an operational standpoint, though, Urushibara showing up was a problem.

He’s a archery club underclassman — someone Watanuki-senpai naturally feels the need to act as a role model for.

“M-More importantly, Captain, what are you doing in a first-year classroom?”

“I’m waiting for someone I need to talk to. With Amemoto-kun’s help.”

There it was — her “in-club” voice, back to her serious and composed self. She was clearly trying to mask her earlier dazed appearance.

Urushibara seemed to pick up on it too; his posture went ramrod straight, as if we were back in practice.

“The Captain’s in full-on club mode! Amemoto, if I’m in the way, should I leave!?”

“No need. It wouldn’t be right to monopolize the classroom. Stay as you are.”

At this point, we had no choice but to proceed with the plan while accounting for Urushibara’s presence.

I knew roughly when the next wave of students would arrive — we still had some time.

Let’s quickly bring Urushibara up to speed and get our footing back—

“Huh? Why is my sister here, Amemoto Touya?”

“Good morning…”

—Nope, no time for that. Of course she’d show up now. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be a worthy rival.

Tch… Even though our setup wasn’t perfect, we had to face her now. Just as I steeled myself to respond, Senpai quietly stepped forward.

“Good morning, Shion. I stayed at a friend’s place last night, so it’s been two days, hasn’t it? Did Mom say anything?”

“…Of course my kind sister would be in on Amemoto’s scheme. I don’t know what you two are planning, but I won’t fall for it. And I’m not here for some cheerful, heartwarming moment.”

She cut through the sentiment without hesitation.

After casting a cold glare at me, she muttered, “If it’s not just the two of us, it’s meaningless,” and turned to leave.

“Shion, I’m the one who asked you to come.”

That calm, clear voice made her stop in her tracks.

“Ever since that incident, we’ve barely spoken, haven’t we?”

“That’s because I chose to. So what?”

“Still, I believe we can go back to how things were. What do you say, Shion? Will you let me be your sister again?”

It was a beautiful smile.

…Which might have backfired. Shion knows her sister too well — she’d recognize it as a forced gesture.

“I don’t need that. You and I shouldn’t cross paths again. There’s no need to pretend we’re some ideal pair of sisters.”

That smile could easily be interpreted as “the perfect big sister making a dutiful effort.”

“Forget about me. Just follow your own ideal path, however you like.”

Her stance was clear — don’t get involved with her. There was no room for reconciliation in the atmosphere now.

—But I wasn’t ready to give up yet. I leaned in and whispered to the poised Senpai.

“Watanuki-senpai, this is it — this is our critical moment. Show her the side of you she saw in my room.”

“Fufu… I’d love to, but… Amemoto-kun. How do I usually act around you?”

“Huh?”

“Sorry… I’m too tense, what with the lack of sleep… and Urushibara being here… I just can’t let my guard down.”

Watanuki-senpai’s refined smile had stiffened again. Yeah… fair enough. Dropping your act on command isn’t easy, especially when you’re not used to it.

In that case… maybe we should bring her back into a familiar setting?

“Why are you two whispering…? Whatever. Amemoto Touya, if you have something to say to me, do it when we’re alone.”

Shion-san’s mind was made up. She was walking away, determined to cut her sister out of her life for good.

It’s a shame… She still cares about her sister. But to cling to that prideful stance—

“That’s a shame.”

“…What is?”

She stopped. Hooked. Emotional, genuine statements always stir something in people.

“I just thought, you’re really never going to have a proper conversation with her again? That’s kind of sad. I might even know more about Watanuki-senpai than you by now.”

“Excuse me? There’s no way! You’ve only known her for what — a month? No way you know her better than me.”

And she’s right. Normally, I’d lose.

But depending on the questions, I might just have the edge. I’ve spent nearly every day of this past month with Senpai.

Compared to a sister who’s stopped talking to her, I’m confident I know the latest “Senpai facts” better.

“If you’re that confident, why not put it to the test? Want to do a ranking match?”

“Of course I do. You picked the wrong fight, and you’re going to regret it… We’re doing a Big Sister Quiz Battle!”

“…Did I just hear someone say they’re starting a quiz about me?”

Finally, Senpai’s stiff smile cracked into one of genuine confusion. Sorry, but yes — that’s what this has become.

And then I pointed to Urushibara, who still looked totally overwhelmed.

“Urushibara, I need you to be the quizmaster for the Watanuki Quiz. I know it’s sudden, but think you can handle it?”

“A quiz about the Captain… by me!? Hmm… That’s not something I can just come up with on the spot…”

Fair. The fact that he even tried to think of questions is impressive.

But really, the only person here who can serve as quizmaster is Urushibara.

“In that case, let’s push it to another day. Can you come up with questions by Friday — the archery club’s day off?”

“If—if that’s the condition… I do owe Amemoto a favor! I’ll team up with Ei-chan and come up with a proper quiz for the captain!”

“Ayamori too? Don’t tell me she’s been dragged into this as well? A-Amemoto-kun, I’m seriously dying of secondhand embarrassment here…”

Honestly, if something like a ‘Toya Quiz Battle’ were to start in earnest, I think I’d die of embarrassment too. I pressed my hands together in apology.

“Alright then, Friday it is. We’ll do it in my room. We can finalize the rules during lunch.”

“Got it. Phew… I’ve finally been given the chance to defeat you head-on.”

Shion whispered dreamily, utterly absorbed in the idea.

She’s probably too caught up in the excitement of flexing her knowledge about her sister to realize what’s actually happening—like being invited into a rival’s room. That part seems to have flown right over her head.

To be honest, who wins the quiz isn’t even the main goal. The real purpose is to help the sisters reconcile.

My priority is to let Shion see her sister—relaxed, vulnerable, just being herself—in my room. That’s the first step.

“…Also, if I win, we’ll try dating. Just as a trial.”

The whole conversation suddenly veered off course. Wait—did this just become a battle I can’t afford to lose?

Trying to keep my surprise in check, I responded with a teasing tone.

“Oh? So you’re putting something on the line? Are you sure you’re okay with it just being a trial?”

“I won’t lose. And honestly, making it official from the start wouldn’t be fair. You’d be too pitiful. So I’ll reel you in during the trial period.”

“Well, thanks for the pity, I guess. Still, I don’t plan on losing either… Alright, if I win, you have to make, say, three friends in class.”

“Three? How about I befriend all thirty of them instead… dear Middle Manager?”

With a grin, Shion declared her promise and walked off, her steps light with satisfaction.

…Phew. Somehow, we managed to pull everything together. Once again, we’ve created an opportunity for the sisters to make amends.

And as a bonus, if I win the quiz, Shion’s agreed to try integrating more with the class. That’s a huge win in itself.

Things are finally looking hopeful—at least, that’s what I thought.

But when I turned to my upperclassman, she was giving me a long, exasperated stare. Huh? She looks totally dissatisfied, even though those were great terms.

“Amemoto-kun… now that it’s come to this, we’ll have some serious training for the ‘Rino Quiz.’”

“Wait, isn’t that not really the main point for you? Wouldn’t it be better to focus on helping the sisters—”

“No! This quiz—this one—I absolutely have to win! No matter what. That whole dating wager is way too dangerous!”

With a surprisingly intense look, Watanuki-senpai grabbed my shoulders.

It feels like we’re gearing up for a life-or-death gamble here…

“I’ll drill every detail of my life into you. Once club activities are done, I’m stopping by your room.”

“Ah—yes, please do. I’d be grateful for your help.”

And so, for the first time in almost a week, our study session was back on. The subject? Watanuki-senpai herself. Will I be able to keep up…?

No, if I’m going to borrow her time, I need to take this seriously. I’ll approach this with the determination of becoming a Rino Quiz master.

My sights were already set on Friday after school.

“…How… how do you even make a quiz!?”

Meanwhile, Urushibara clutched his head in agony.

Sorry for dumping that on you out of nowhere.