Kamuro wasn't looking forward to her birthday.
In some people's eyes, it might be an important day - surrounded by various people offering good wishes and gifts, even receiving more lenient treatment than usual.
Despite this, Kamuro wondered what any of this had to do with her?
What would happen if she received gifts and blessings? What would happen if she didn't?
Couldn't a person celebrate their birthday alone?
Kamuro had grown accustomed to her current life.
The fully enclosed management didn't really affect her, and whether the class atmosphere was good or bad similarly had no impact on her.
Although people had always suspected her relationship with Kaoru, which was somewhat irritating, for the most part, she had no interaction with her classmates.
Some say she speaks little, is usually too reclusive, behaves somewhat strangely, occasionally attacks people for no apparent reason, can't read the room, and needs to improve her teamwork skills.
Moreover, Kamuro is also a ghost club member in the art club.
Throughout the year, the number of times she has visited the art club can be counted on one hand.
Currently, there are only about three people who can hold a conversation with her.
Kaoru, Sakayanagi Arisu, and Yamamura Miki.
In other words, Kamuro essentially has no friends, and she is quite different from Morishita Ai.
Although the latter also behaves strangely, she inexplicably gives off an air of natural airheadedness.
Additionally, since she is responsible for managing the class points, she has somehow integrated into the class circle.
Kamuro, on the other hand, is purely friendless—even Yamamura Miki has made friends in Class D.
However, Kamuro doesn't care about any of this.
"Masumi, is there really nothing you want?"
Today, the person next to her was talking to her again, casually using her first name as if it were nothing.
"I want a lethal weapon that can punish womanizers."
"Does such a thing exist?"
"Since it doesn't, stop bothering me."
Kamuro turned her head away.
This guy had no idea what he was thinking, asking such questions every day as if he thought she were an idiot.
What's so great about birthdays?
Just thinking about having to blow out candles in front of him and pretending to make wishes that would never come true made Kamuro feel that such behavior was both hypocritical and childish.
"Let me think—if Masumi could order me to do one thing, what would it be?"
"Hah, the order would be to go to S…"
Just as she was about to continue attacking him, Kamuro suddenly froze.
"Any order at all?"
"Theoretically, yes. Does Masumi already have an idea?"
"None of your business."
Kamuro tried hard to suppress the slight upturn at the corner of her mouth.
Ordering him to do something didn't seem so bad—it actually sounded quite fun.
But what exactly should she make him do?
Make him run naked around the school?
That wouldn't work.
Never mind whether he would agree, she would likely end up suffering for it.
Make him do something embarrassing?
Come to think of it, he had always been the one bullying her. Shouldn't it be her turn now?
Make him kneel and call her "master"? No, no—that would be rewarding him.
Make him post his embarrassing past on the forum?
That was worth considering, but it felt too light—there was no satisfying sense of revenge.
Wait, since he's such a lecher, why not make him refrain from doing anything bad for a month—no, a whole semester? That idea seemed pretty good.
But what if he couldn't hold back and ended up taking it out on her instead?
Kamuro unconsciously twirled her pen, hesitating and unsure what to make him do.
"Masumi, you can decide by tomorrow."
A voice came from next to her.
Why was he smiling so creepily? Kamuro couldn't stand it and completely ignored him after that.
Today's lessons weren't too complicated. The teachers of each subject were covering review materials.
With the mock exams over, the real exams would arrive soon, and everyone was studying seriously.
Kamuro could keep up with the teachers' pace—after all, Kaoru had taught her that learning wasn't just about reciting textbooks; what mattered more was the way of thinking.
With Kaoru's help, she barely managed to form her own study approach, gradually understanding the textbook content through her own methods.
She was quite grateful to him for this.
As Kamuro took notes, her thoughts drifted back to the scene of his confession.
Gratitude aside, she was thankful she hadn't fallen under the Christmas magic.
If she had accepted him, what status would she maintain in front of them? What attitude should she adopt toward them?
Moreover, even that Sakayanagi guy maintained an ambiguous attitude, so there was no need for her to rush in.
Kamuro kept thinking—maybe she should just order him to speak his true feelings?
Unfortunately, with the school bell ringing, the guy next door quickly packed his things and immediately left the classroom under her gaze.
Soon after, Kamuro saw Yamamura Miki hurriedly follow after him, and she couldn't help but curl her lips—it was his Harem gathering time again.
It seemed tomorrow would be another ordinary day.
...
"Let's skip class, Masumi."
The next morning, hearing Kaoru say these words to her with a serious face, Kamuro wondered if this guy had lost his mind.
"Hah? What are you talking about?"
Then, right in front of students passing by downstairs at the dormitory, Kaoru grabbed her wrist.
"Let's do something bad for once. I'll take full responsibility for the consequences. Masumi just needs to enjoy the fun of being mischievous today."
"Wait just a—"
Before Kamuro could scold him, he suddenly pulled her along forcefully, making her follow behind him as they fled the dormitory under the surprised gazes of many students.
"Hey hey hey, Mitoma! You two aren't allowed to skip class! You'll make us lose points!"
Totsuka Yahiko's voice came from behind, filled with shock and anger.
Following his shouts, Kamuro noticed students on the road turning their attention toward them.
Some clearly didn't understand what was happening, only seeing a boy pulling a girl's hand and assuming they were a young couple, their eyes unfriendly.
"None of your business if I skip class!"
Totsuka Yahiko's face turned red then pale, nearly chasing after Kaoru to argue, but Katsuragi beside him stopped him in time.
At that moment, they finally realized Kaoru wasn't heading toward the school building but toward Keyaki Mall, causing immediate commotion among the crowd.
Simultaneously, Kamuro's heartbeat quickened.
Was she really skipping class like this today?
"How does it feel?" Kaoru shouted loudly, "Skipping class right in front of everyone feels great, doesn't it?"
Kamuro froze for a moment.
Skipping class could have been done secretly, but he was making it so public—apparently he deliberately wanted everyone to see.
"I've never skipped class before!"
"Then what's Masumi's review of her first time skipping class?"
"Absolutely ridiculous!"
"Someone who steals from convenience stores but has never skipped class is even more ridiculous!"
"I don't steal things often!"
"I know. Masumi only does outrageous things because she's too lonely!"
"I'm not lonely at all!"
"From the first time I saw you, I knew you were always craving something!"
"Explain yourself clearly!"
Before she even realized it, Kamuro found the corners of her lips lifting.
The wind rushing past felt so clear and cool, her entire bloodstream boiling with excitement as if every cell were cheering in delight—so this was what skipping class felt like.
Even if he were to claim he lacked friends or needed a thrill, Kamuro would have accepted those answers.
However, Kaoru suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Masumi, don't just believe everything people say!"
Kamuro flushed red with embarrassment—this guy was teasing her again!
"Just kidding! There's only one thing Masumi lacks the most right now!"
Kaoru shouted into the wind, "Cheer up a little—you're the least likely person in the whole class to smile!"
Kamuro froze.
Cheer up?
"Never mind Morishita or Miki—you're always stuck at your desk, completely expressionless. Even Miki secretly sends me emojis, but you're just like a dead fish."
At his words, Kamuro couldn't help but get angry.
What did he mean, "dead fish"?
"You're so nosy!"
"I don't care. Just let loose today. When you graduate and look back on your high school life, you'll regret having nothing to remember."
"Mind your own business! I'll live my high school life however I want!"
"Fine. I hope Arisu doesn't appear in those memories."
"Hey, she's the one relying on me!"
"So forget about all that today!"