We diligently focused on studying for our test.

As second-year high school students facing a test the next day, this felt right. But as a boyfriend invited to her room for the first time, it felt wrong. My instincts screamed, “This is wrong,” while my rational side insisted, “This is fine.” Lost in these thoughts, I couldn’t concentrate on my studies.

“Somehow, it’s hot today. Don’t you think so, Natsuki?”

Iori stood up from her fluffy cushion. Was she taking a break? I kept solving math problems while confirming her movements at the edge of my vision.

“Really? I’m fine, though.”

Let’s see… if I do this here, I can use that formula. Once it’s in this form, it’s easy. This method seems likely to appear on the test, so I should memorize it for sure.

“Ahh, it’s so hot. Feels like it’s getting steamy inside my yukata.”

I had the feeling Iori was fanning the chest of her yukata while sitting on her bed. My eyes instinctively tried to glance over, but I fought hard to resist. Now wasn’t the time — I had to stay focused on my studies.

“If you’re hot, I can turn down the air conditioning.”

“…Really? Then maybe I’ll do that.”

Iori’s voice had a slight pout to it. Shortly after, a freezing cold breeze blasted directly at my face — not just cool air, but a windstorm-like gust that felt like a typhoon. She was clearly trying to sabotage my studying.

“Hey, Iori—”

I looked up — and lost my words.

There stood Iori, her yukata’s neckline loosened significantly. The chest she usually kept tightly restrained now commanded undeniable presence, and no matter what I did, my eyes kept getting drawn back to it.

“What’s wrong, Natsuki? Shouldn’t you be focusing on your studies?”

“Iori… you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m just taking a break.”

Iori shot me a provocative look. Placing one foot up on the bed, her parted yukata revealed her alluring thigh. No boyfriend on Earth could resist such temptation — yet…

“…No, no. I have to get back to studying.”

I shook my head and returned my eyes to my textbook. If those who master summer control the exams, then those who master spring must also dominate them — and even more so, those who master their second-year autumn. Giving in to desire and stopping now would surely lead to a future without success.

“…Hmm. So you’re choosing studying over your girlfriend?”

“I want to be with you forever, Iori. That’s why I need to score well on this test, get into a good university, join a great company, and live a happy life with you. Honestly, I’d love to flirt with you too… but this comes first.”

When I said that, Iori returned to her cushion. Her yukata’s neckline was now properly adjusted.

“…If that’s how it is, then I’ll be patient too. Because I want to be with you forever.”

“Yeah. Let’s do our best today.”

After that, we returned to our silent studying. Somehow, thinking about how our efforts connected to our shared future made it strangely easy to concentrate.