The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 38: Overtime.

Overtime.

It was a Friday after school, with the sunset already gone—an hour that marked the doorstep of night.

At the now-quiet entrance of the Amemoto residence, where most people had already gone home, I called out to a girl sluggishly putting on her shoes.

“Shion-san, are you okay? It’s getting dark out—maybe I should walk you home?”

“Our houses are practically next door. It’s safe enough for me to go alone… you don’t have to worry.”

Having laced up her high-cut sneakers, Shion replied curtly. Hard to believe she was crying her eyes out in my arms just moments ago.

While we waited for Shion to calm down, Mei had left for a cosplay party. Sounds like it’ll be an all-night affair.

The senpai-kouhai couple had gone off on a night date too (according to them, “We just had to after seeing all that.” Though I’m not sure what they saw).

And now, it was Shion-san’s turn to leave. There’s always a certain loneliness when a guest departs.

“…I was planning to destroy you in the quiz right away, but I ended up staying way longer than expected. Sorry.”

“Nah, don’t apologize for something like that.”

“Exactly. Amemoto-kun’s room is just too cozy—it can’t be helped. Take care getting home, okay?”

“Why is senpai the one doing the seeing-off, anyway?”

Their sibling relationship had just improved—they could go home together now. But Watanuki-senpai just waved beside me with a flutter of her hand.

Even when our eyes met, she only gave a gentle smile and didn’t move. Well, I don’t mind if she stays. I’m used to it by now.

“…Amemoto Touya. I still can’t trust a liar like you the same way I trust my sister.”

“Huh? Oh, well, yeah. I suppose you have every right to feel that way.”

“But… the passion you showed in that quiz—bringing it to a tie with my sister—that deserves recognition.”

With a lingering glare, she reluctantly held out her hand.

A post-match handshake, I suppose. Honoring her effort, I took her hand with sincerity.

*“…From now on, I acknowledge you as Vice-Captain of the ‘Spoil-My-Sister-Rotten Squad’.”

…Wait. That handshake was just to appoint me to that ridiculous position? No thanks. Where do I file for a resignation?

“When I’m not around, I’m counting on you to take care of my sister. That much, I’ll trust you with—as a rival who fought me to a draw. See you at school, Mr. Middle Management.”

With a cool tone, Shion turned on her heel. Hand on the door, she was ready to make a graceful exit—but there was one thing I couldn’t let slide.

“Hold on. It wasn’t a draw. I won by judges’ decision. The vote was unanimous.”

“…Tch.”

She almost pulled off a clean getaway. I nearly let it go too, but there was no way I’d concede that victory—especially when Urushibara literally said, “I didn’t even need to see the final score, it was clearly Amemoto’s win!”

“Remember our deal? If you lost, you’d make some friends in class.”

“…Vaguely.”

“C’mon, it was two days ago—you definitely remember. I’d really appreciate it if you kept that promise. I staked our ‘pretend relationship’ on that match, you know.”

Shion mumbled like a kid caught red-handed.

“…That bet wasn’t fair. I mean, look at me. I’m cute—obviously, lots of guys would be happy to date me. So losing a fake boyfriend? That’s not a punishment at all. Logically speaking, the wager was invalid!”

“Haha. Shion, focus.”

“…I’ll try to make some friends. Eii eii oh…”

Urged by her sister, she gave a limp pump of her right fist. Her will to resist was so weak. Honestly, if our classmates saw these two being like this, they’d become popular in no time.

“Well, don’t worry, sis. Making two friends is a piece of cake.”

“Oh? I thought Amemoto-kun said three was the goal?”

“I mean, there’s already one right in front of you.”

She pointed sharply at my face. Like a catchphrase, it was her way of officially declaring me a friend. I have to admit, having Shion say that on her own felt… kind of nice.

Maybe she noticed my reaction. With a cool smile on her face again, she turned to leave through the front door.

“But technically, that still leaves 29 classmates to go, doesn’t it? If I recall, Shion-san promised to befriend the entire class, right?”

“…”

She didn’t say a word. Just threw the door open and bolted off at full speed.

“Haha, you’re merciless,” said Watanuki-senpai, gently poking my cheek, amused.

Since I teased her a bit, I should probably help her slowly get used to the class from now on.

***

The residual heat of the quiz battle had finally faded, and my room fell into a calm stillness. Even though it was just the two of us, not a word was spoken.

“Mmm…”

Watanuki-senpai wasn’t on her phone or studying. She was simply hugging a cushion and staring at my face.

She had been like that ever since we got back from seeing Shion off. Because of her, I hadn’t even checked my socials once in the past few minutes.

“Something wrong, Senpai? Hungry? I was about to go to the convenience store. I can get you something.”

“Mmm-mmm…”

“Wait… have you relaxed so much that you’ve stopped speaking Japanese altogether? At least try to communicate, please.”

“Gonna make an effort…”

“Please do make an effort.”

She was unbelievably relaxed. Maybe settling things with her sister lifted a long-standing weight off her shoulders. This might be her new personal record in relaxation.

Even her half-lidded eyes seemed to be saying something. A continuation of the “Senpai Quiz,” perhaps. But she wasn’t saying what she wanted outright.

“Uhh… Oh! Is it because it’s the weekly ‘Special Relaxation Course’ day? You’re waiting to be pampered?”

“Mmm-mm.”

The “wrong answer” buzzer. Even that listless sound seemed to have meaning.

“Just being in your room is soothing. I wasn’t waiting for anything. Not even anything special. Though… I do love that time, too.”

“The sudden shift to coherence is hard to keep up with, Senpai…”

Sometimes she says things that shake me up emotionally. What exactly does she want from me?

My mental energy had been drained by the quiz. While I was blanking out, she suddenly raised a finger and began to wave it.

“Tick-tock, tick-tock.”

“Wait—there’s a time limit now?!”

“Mmm! Time’s up.”

“This is the worst update ever. It’s been, like, ten seconds since it was implemented.”

“The correct answer was: ‘Aren’t you going to call me Rinonyan?’”

There was no way I could’ve guessed that. And what a brutal demand.

“Now that you’ve said it out loud, I understand what Mei and the others meant. Sorry, but calling you that regularly is just… too much.”

“Then, how about we make it a nickname that’s only used in this room? Just between us.”

“Hmm…”

Even then, embarrassment still won out. Especially because I came up with it myself.

Just as I hesitated, Watanuki-senpai playfully twirled her finger again—
“Amemoto-kun is gradually starting to feel like calling me by a nickname~”

“Hypnosis doesn’t work when you’re lying around like that. Besides, I didn’t grow up in an environment where people called each other by nicknames…”

“Really? In that case, I’ll come up with a special nickname for you—just for when we’re in your room.”

She kicked her legs playfully as she mused, “What should I go with, hmm?” Her cheerful humming echoed gently through the quiet autumn night. We weren’t doing anything particularly special, but for some reason, it felt like a luxury.

Eventually, Watanuki-senpai sat up from the cushion and declared, “I’ve thought of a few!”

“First candidate: Mumemoto-kun. How about that?”

“Please… it’s time we let go of the whole ‘mu’ thing. It sounds kind of slimy, and I’m not really a fan.”

“Alright then, second candidate: Ame-kun.”

“Hmm… not bad, but it doesn’t quite click with me.”

“No problem! I’ve got a third one. Candy-chan.”

“Ahh, now we’ve veered off in a weird direction. That’s like the kind of nickname someone from abroad might use for their girlfriend. Let’s pull back a little, please.”

“Fourth candidate: Cathy.”

“Now it’s just a woman’s name from the English-speaking world!”

“Ahahaha!”

Watanuki-senpai burst out laughing. It was a lighthearted back-and-forth, just teasing banter. I could feel myself letting my guard down.

As the laughter subsided, Senpai spoke again—this time quietly.

“Then… fifth candidate.”

“Touya-kun.”

***

“I like Touya-kun the most.”

“…Ah, um, right. I’m actually used to being called that, so… I guess that one’s fine.”

I barely managed to squeeze out a reply.

“Really? Then it’s settled—Touya-kun. You’ve been using your brain a lot today, so I bet you’re hungry, huh? Should I go to the convenience store and grab dinner for you, Touya-kun?”

“Y-you don’t have to say it that many times. And I’ll go with you.”

“Nope, we’re in the middle of the ‘Touya-kun Quiz’—where I guess your favorite dinner. The MVP gets to sit tight, alright?”

Just moments ago, she’d been lounging around, but now she was up on her feet in an instant.

She patted me on the shoulder as I was getting my wallet ready.
“Wait here, Touya-kun. I’ll dash out and be right back,” she said before leaving the room.

It took me a few minutes just to catch my breath.

When she called me by my first name, I forgot how to breathe.

Every time Watanuki-senpai said Touya-kun, it got a little harder to breathe.
I wanted to scold myself—Don’t get emotional over something like this.

But it was no use.
I couldn’t suppress it anymore. The feelings I’d locked away for Watanuki-senpai were spilling over.

I like her.

I don’t know if it’s romantic love. When it comes to romance, I’m not even a beginner—I’m below that. Maybe it’s something entirely different. And to define it so easily feels terrifying. Being swept away by my emotions scares me.

Still… If nothing else, I won’t deny that I like her.

I won’t suppress my feelings for Watanuki-senpai anymore.

The moment I made that decision, I felt like crying for no reason at all.

***

“Amemoto-kun, I’m back!”

“Ah… welcome back.”

“Look! I got this super spicy curry that’s only available for a limited time! And this new soda that’s extra sour! Hehehe, don’t boys like this kind of combo?”

“Are you… trying to push my tear ducts over the edge or something?”

“Huh? Over the edge?”

Watanuki-senpai tilted her head, looking adorably confused. The Touya-kun Quiz was a miss. I would’ve been just as happy with some sweet bread or something.

I chuckled and took the bag from her hands.

“Let’s eat together.”