Living in the Heart of Tokyo

"Ugh... yeah, maybe hypnosis is just a bit too much after all…"

A rare look of discomfort crossed Katou's usually calm face.

Even for someone as easygoing as her, hypnosis was clearly crossing a line.

Yet, she didn't seem to doubt for a second that Hojou could actually pull it off.

"I get it." Yukinoshita cut straight through the topic of hypnosis, as if it never existed, nodding as she spoke.

"If the goal is just to boost your presence, there's no need to shoot for the top of the class. Generally speaking, by the time students reach their second year, the academic rankings have more or less settled.

Those who plan to go to college are already working hard, while those intending to go straight into the workforce have basically given up on studying."

She turned her gaze to Hojou for confirmation.

He simply tilted his chin slightly, gesturing for her to continue.

"In that kind of environment, even if you're not number one, breaking into a higher rank than usual is enough to draw attention. People will notice—it's unavoidable.

Like... imagine a cat suddenly wandering into a pack of wolves. The cat might panic, but the wolves? They'll give it their full attention.

It's harmless, sure, but they'll be fixated on it. At least until the moment they decide to kill it and eat it, that cat has a very strong presence.

If we apply this to Katou-san, then as long as your grades jump to a level you've never reached before, the students in that tier will be forced to notice you—like a fishbone stuck in their teeth. It's small, but they can't ignore it. They'll think about you constantly.

The ones you surpass will obsess over your sudden appearance in their territory.

They won't be able to forget you—not until they reclaim their spot above you. Even those still above you will feel a creeping urgency.

...That is, if they're not strong-willed enough to ignore it."

Yukinoshita's voice was cool and crisp, every word precise—like a wave of cold air from an open fridge on a summer day, flowing down everyone's collar.

It kept them sharp, alert, and oddly refreshed.

Katou Megumi watched with quiet admiration.

That kind of composed and articulate explanation—she'd never done anything like that before.

Well, maybe only in this house.

At Ruyi Dorm, she didn't even need to speak; Hojou would always understand what she meant.

As Yukinoshita finished, the subtext was obvious to everyone.

If it were someone like her, with unwavering conviction, then other people's grades wouldn't even register as relevant.

Was that arrogance or confidence? Even Yukinoshita herself probably didn't know.

Her expression remained neutral—no sign of pride after delivering such a sharp and structured monologue.

Yet Kyousuke couldn't shake the feeling she was quietly waiting for applause.

Realizing this, he kept his hands tightly pressed to his thighs.

No clapping.

Not because she was wrong—actually, her thoughts perfectly matched his own.

Katou blinked, caught off guard.

She thought this was just about improving her grades to get noticed—but there was such a deeper strategy behind it. And also...

"Wow... Yukino-chan really likes cats, huh? She used them twice in that one explanation."

Sakura leaned forward, peering curiously at Yukinoshita.

It was almost excessive.

Even she, with how much she adored Kyousuke, didn't mention him in every sentence.

At most, once every three.

'Mmm, I noticed that too'

Katou Megumi gave a tiny nod, secretly pleased at discovering a new trait of her new friend.

As that thought settled in her heart, another followed:

Is this... what people mean by a "moe point"?

Like Eriri's obsession with cola, or Yukinoshita's love of cats—these little quirks became the defining images people associated with them.

But for herself... when people thought of Kato Megumi, what came to mind? Even she didn't know.

"This has nothing to do with me liking cats! It's just that they were the most suitable example, okay?"

Yukinoshita didn't even deny liking cats.

After all, aren't cats adorable little creatures that heal the soul? Isn't it natural to love them?

"Having a strong passion for something is actually a good thing. It makes a character more vivid and memorable. In fact, that's part of the second plan I've prepared for you, Katou-san. But we'll get to that later."

Hojou Kyousuke smiled, then glanced at Megumi.

Seeing something flicker in her expression, he added gently:

"Honestly, most people don't have any particularly impressive hobbies. Being 'normal' is the most common state of all."

And that was exactly it—Megumi's greatest charm was her normalcy.

She was just like the average girl you'd meet anywhere.

Nothing about her demanded attention at first glance.

But her appearance and demeanor were always pleasant.

Her personality was just right—friendly, but not to the point of being exhausting.

She had her own quiet opinions.

Kyousuke had always disliked the term "hidden gem," but even he had to admit—Megumi was like a deep and bountiful mine.

The more you dug, the more treasure you uncovered.

Which is why, when planning how to raise her presence, he was extra cautious not to alter her essence.

And when it came to students, the easiest, least invasive way to make waves... was through grades.

"You guys are having such an interesting conversation, huh?"

Mitsuha descended the stairs, her freshly washed hair gleaming, darker and glossier than ever.

She'd changed into a plain white loungewear set.

It wasn't as striking as the red-and-white shrine maiden outfit from earlier, but it did nothing to diminish her beauty.

Her tone was so relaxed—like she'd just finished dinner, taken a bath, and was now settling in beside her husband to watch some late-night TV.

Yukinoshita Yukino sensed something odd about the vibe, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

All she knew was that Mitsuha looked oddly natural sitting beside Hojou.

Kasumigaoka's eyes narrowed slightly, glinting with curiosity.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Sakura beat her to the punch, hurrying over.

"Hey, you need to dry your hair properly or you'll catch a cold."

She grabbed the towel from Mitsuha's hands and sat beside her, gently toweling her hair with practiced ease.

Mitsuha smiled without resistance, then casually dropped a bomb:

"I remember back in first year of middle school, Kyousuke dropped from first place to somewhere in the hundreds during midterms. The whole class was in shock. Maybe Katou-san could try that strategy too?"

As she said this, her deep brown eyes locked onto Kyousuke.

A memory only the two of them shared.

"WHAT?! Hojou-nii had grades that bad before?!"

Yotsuba came bounding over, leaning over the back of the couch in shock.

She wasn't the only one.

Katou, Yukinoshita, and Kasumigaoka all widened their eyes.

Apparently, no one had ever imagined Hojou Kyousuke being anything but top-tier.

"Yeah, the teachers even asked if I'd fallen asleep during the test and told me to get more rest."

Kyousuke chuckled, eyes locked with Mitsuha.

Back then, neither of them really knew what they were doing—and yet they'd completely messed up each other's lives.

But now? Those chaotic days had become nothing but fond memories.

So fond, in fact... he almost wished he could sip some more of that old-fashioned kuchikamizake and relive them all over again.

Watching the two lock eyes so sweetly, Yukinoshita felt nothing but confusion.

How could something like a drop in test scores bring two people so much joy? Love really did mess with people's brains in the strangest ways.

"Ehh, Personally, I think the only ones who'd be shocked if my grades dropped would be my parents"

Katou Megumi raised her hand, not to object, but to make her stance clear.

Purposely tanking her grades? Wasn't that basically turning into a delinquent girl?

Then she suddenly remembered Hojou talking about dyeing his hair earlier, and her mind exploded with all kinds of bizarre images.

She quickly shook her head to get rid of them.

"Nice, Megumi! That strong head shake of yours—that kind of reaction will make people notice you!" Sakura's eyes lit up with approval.

'You're the one constantly taking advantage of how agreeable Katou is, making all kinds of outrageous requests.' Yukinoshita thought silently, expression deadpan.

"So, wait... are we no longer teaching Kyousuke how to dance? Has this turned into a study group to help Katou improve her grades?" Mitsuha asked casually.

"Yup. Helping Katou-san raise her presence is way more important right now." Kyousuke nodded, dead serious.

"Absolutely not! Kyousuke, get up! Sakura-danchou is here to inspect your practice progress! Are you trying to drag down the entire Red Team?!"

Sakura had been waiting eagerly for the moment Kyousuke would finally dance at home.

The last time she saw him do anything close was ages ago, during a karaoke night when Aunt Mikiko dragged him up to do backup dancing.

He looked so miserable, it was hilarious.

She loved seeing Kyousuke shine—but she loved these more private, silly moments too.

Because that's what family was for, after all.

"Right. Since the plan is set, let's stick to the order."

Yukinoshita crossed her arms and nodded, face stern with determination.

Today, she would finally conquer the incurable problem known as Hojou.

Kyousuke shot a pleading look at Katou, but the bob-cut girl slowly turned her head away, averting her eyes.

"Ugh, I feel like studying isn't something you should rush."

'...You've changed, Katou-san….'

Kyousuke didn't bother turning to anyone else.

The moment they mentioned dancing, even Eriri came over dragging two other girls with her.

Yukari and Naoka too.

Now they were all staring at him—just like when Mitsuha danced earlier.

Honestly, dancing felt more painful than stripping down and demonstrating Hokushin Ittō-ryū sword forms.

At least with swordplay, he looked cool doing it.

"Hojou-nii can dance too?!" Yotsuba beamed from behind the sofa.

That meant her older sister could dance with him to boost popularity!

"Heh, I dabble."

Kyousuke chuckled awkwardly, but didn't shy away. He stood up right away.

Eriri was about to snatch the empty seat left behind, but glanced at Sachiko and Kayo beside her.

Remembering their cute little "Big Sis!" voices, she played the responsible senior and seated the two girls next to Mitsuha.

Then she darted over to the most hated person in the room—Kasumigaoka Utaha—and shoved her legs off the sofa before flopping down herself.

Ahh... comfy.

Things snatched from a witch always feel better somehow~~

She leaned back, caught between two black-haired poison-spitting devils. And yet, the blonde ojou-sama felt oddly at peace.

Kasumigaoka just laughed softly, not minding in the slightest.

Honestly, if Eriri called her "Mom," she'd have no problem cuddling her and singing lullabies.

After all, you can't expect too much from a willful little girl.

That's something she'd learned from Sakura—a kind of affectionate indulgence.

Beside her, Yukinoshita didn't flinch at the added body next to her. Her attention was solely fixed forward.

This was the moment she would see the fruits of her labor—a training program she'd pulled an all-nighter to create.

One so meticulous, someone mistook it for a ritual from a secret cult.

Whether it actually worked... they were about to find out.

Her expression was so intense, even Eriri felt a chill crawl down her spine.

She instinctively edged closer to Kasumigaoka, but when her thigh brushed against the latter's soft, voluptuous rear, she panicked and shuffled back toward the more spacious Yukinoshita side.

Disgusting, oversized-butt woman!

Hmph!!

Kyousuke was also dressed in the same white loungewear as Mitsuha, Megumi, and Yukinoshita.

They'd all bought the matching outfits during a group shopping trip—a cozy backup set for home.

He lifted his eyes—and sure enough, Yukari and Naoka were standing behind the couch where Yukinoshita sat, grinning like they were front row for a comedy show.

Ah... there goes my reputation.

"Need music?" Yukinoshita asked coolly.

"Obviously."

Dancing without music was just flailing.

He wasn't like Mitsuha, who could move with rhythm and grace even in silence.

Before Yukinoshita could do anything, Sakura had already connected her phone to the speakers.

Music for the Yosakoi Dance started playing.

Every region in Japan had its own spin on Yosakoi.

With Yukinoshita's help, their team had chosen a version from Chiba Prefecture.

Supposedly because the moves were simpler, and the music more cheerful.

Of course, since this was a student-organized festival, they didn't just copy it outright.

Both the choreography and music had been partially modified. It wasn't flashier than the original, but at least it wasn't worse.

Right leg steps back.

Twist the waist.

Move the arms like a butterfly.

Let the sleeves spin like paper umbrellas.

Smile... like you're getting married.

Kyousuke mentally chanted the tips Shouko and Yui had taught him, replaying that afternoon in his mind.

It was during practice in the kendo club's large room—where every wall had breakdown diagrams taped up.

Even he had to respect Yukinoshita's dedication.

This girl... she was stubborn in the most endearing way.

The kind of person who made your heart ache.

There were a hundred things to admire about her—and not a single thing to hate.

If someone did hate her, it could only mean that her perfection made them feel inferior.

She embodied all the things people wished they could be—but couldn't.

But... I'm not half bad either!

Breaking down complex dances into individual moves? Kyousuke had done that before.

He glanced subtly at Mitsuha, his gaze odd enough to make her frown in confusion.

When Mitsuha had been in his body, she'd helped him bomb a test and rank in the hundreds. When he was in hers, he helped her barely pass a music exam.

That's right!

That time, he'd used Yukinoshita's method—breaking down every note and syllable.

If he could nail each one perfectly, there was no reason he shouldn't be able to sing, right?

This was the furious shout of a man who had nearly total control of his body—raging against destiny itself.

Sure, the music teacher didn't appreciate his "avant-garde" style and only gave him a passing grade. But this time, it would be different.

Watch me, Yukinoshita.

I've got just as much stubbornness as you.

He silently counted beats in his head.

Since he had zero musical talent and couldn't feel rhythm to save his life, he simply memorized the exact second each move was supposed to start.

He had planned to put on a perfect customer-service smile—but then he remembered what Shouko had said.

Even though she wasn't here right now, he decided he had to do better.

His mind multitasked, recalling the time they watched a wedding together at Meiji Shrine.

He thought about the look of admiration in Shouko's eyes, her adorable smile, and how she might look dressed in a traditional white kimono.

As those memories played in his mind, a blissful smile—like that of a groom on his wedding day—spread across Hojou Kyousuke's face.

This...

Yukinoshita froze slightly when she saw that smile.

During their practice sessions, Kyousuke had always looked like he was preparing for battle, all sharp intensity and no subtlety.

She had repeatedly told him that dance should reflect one's inner state, but no matter how she explained it, he just couldn't seem to grasp the essence.

Yet now...

She had assumed that his previous reluctance to dance came from lack of practice, and had already braced herself for a disaster.

But in this moment, a spark of genuine hope began to rise in her heart.

It wasn't just Yukinoshita.

Miyamizu Mitsuha, the absolute authority on dance present in the room, felt a surge of anticipation as well when she saw the expression on Kyousuke's face.

A dance dedicated to the gods should be reverent.

A dance meant for celebration should overflow with joy.

That's what she had always believed.

Kyousuke... Let's see how far your body can take you.

No one knows your physical capabilities better than I do, and I won't allow anyone to belittle you!

Just like Yukinoshita had taught him, Kyousuke smiled warmly and made eye contact with everyone in the room.

Then, right as he mentally counted to one hundred, his right foot slammed backward.

Rip—!

The thick woolen carpet tore under the force of his step.

Yotsuba, who had been standing closest, stumbled back in shock.

Mitsuha's smile stiffened.

Yukinoshita—true to form—remained expressionless.

Kyousuke, however, still wore that blissful smile as he raised his right arm.

"Your arm movements should be light as a butterfly, and your sleeves should flow like a paper umbrella," he recited in his mind.

His arms swept through the air. His waist twisted with precision.

His loose sleeves flared and snapped like sails in the wind.

Cheerful music filled the room as Kyousuke executed each move with mechanical precision.

But the more he danced, the more the expressions on the watching girls' faces grew blank with disbelief.

Katou Megumi blinked in confusion.

She glanced at Kyousuke, then at Yukinoshita, whose face had turned so dark it looked like a storm cloud.

Then back to Kyousuke. Her expression turned pale.

Sachiko turned to Kayo with a subtle glance.

"Is BOSS trying to summon a UFO fleet or something?"

Kayo nodded back silently. Absolutely.

Seeing everyone gather in the living room, Momotarou the dog wasn't about to be left out.

After all, it had never seen aniki showcase his talents before. It had to watch closely and learn.

If it could master the dance and perform it back, Kisaki would never be able to take its place as the number-one little brother!

After all, who could resist a dancing dog?

Trotting over with excitement, it sat properly between Sakura's feet—until Kyousuke's foot tore the carpet.

The shockwave triggered the dog's instincts; it yelped, leapt up onto the couch, and huddled next to its big sis Sakura for protection.

Earth-shattering.

That was the only way to describe Kyousuke's dance.

Just judging by the stunned, open-mouthed faces of the audience said it all.

Finally, the music stopped.

Small beads of sweat formed on Kyousuke's forehead—despite the fact that he could normally swing a 10-kilogram practice sword for hours without breaking a sweat.

That alone said just how seriously he had danced.

"Well? What do you think?"

He smiled at Yukinoshita, though he already knew the answer. It had to be flawless. Perfect.

"…That's suprising," Yukinoshita replied, completely deadpan.

That comment only confused Katou Megumi even more.

The bob-haired girl tilted her head.

Kyousuke's moves were all powerful and technically perfect, sure—but something about it felt… off.

She couldn't put her finger on it.

Not knowing much about dance herself, she turned to the expert, Mitsuha, who was sitting on the other couch, silently hoping for a professional opinion.

Mitsuha raised an eyebrow, her mind filled with mixed emotions.

She had never seen a dance performed quite like this before.

"Kyousuke, you…"

"Pfft—HAHAHAHA! Kyousuke's like a bipedal humanoid robot!" Eriri's loud laughter broke the tension, echoing through the room.

Yamauchi Sakura joined in with her own raucous laugh, phone raised as she recorded the whole thing—no doubt planning to send it to Hojou Mikiko all the way in Hokkaido.

"Robot…?" Kyousuke blinked.

Was that supposed to mean his form was precise? But even an idiot could tell from the giddy laughter that it wasn't a compliment.

"Kyousuke, your movements… They're all technically correct, but between each motion…" Mitsuha frowned, struggling to find the right words.

'Yes, yes! That's it!' Katou Megumi nodded repeatedly in agreement.

It was hard to explain, but something definitely felt wrong.

"It's like… you dropped frames…" Yukinoshita said with sorrow in her voice—a term she'd learned while studying 3D animation, and never expected to use in this context.

Dropped… frames?

The unfamiliar term made Mitsuha look up at her, waiting for clarification.

"Oh, oh, oh! That's it!" Eriri chimed in. "Not a robot exactly—more like a low-budget, poorly animated mess! Like those scenes where they only animate the keyframes—the start and end—while skipping all the in-betweens!"

As expected, Eriri had plenty to say on this topic.

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