"Geh... Senpai, you’re looking extra gloomy today," a playful, melodic voice chimed.

Should we dive deeper into a from the festival, or

"I'm just... working on my technique, Nagatoro," Naoto stuttered, his pencil slipping and leaving a jagged mark across the paper.

"Keep dreaming, Senpai! But... I guess I could check my schedule. If you promise not to be too creepy."

Nagatoro stood up abruptly, spinning on her heel with a flourish of her skirt. She walked toward the door, then paused, looking back over her shoulder with a smirk that was softer than usual.