Ichika & Nanase SS: Nanase's Love Life

By the time their conversation had run its course, there were still about thirty minutes left before their private pool reservation ended.

Nanase, however, seemed ready to leave first.

Just as she began to excuse herself, Amasawa called out to her.

“We rarely get the chance to talk alone like this,” she said. “Mind if I ask you a little question?”

Nanase stopped.

“What is it?”

She did not believe for a moment that Amasawa would so easily become an ally. Her expression barely changed, but for the briefest instant, she braced herself.

“Nanase-chan, have you ever had a boy confess to you? Or dated anyone?”

A pair of wide eyes and a devilish smirk stared right back at Nanase.

“...Excuse me?”

There were any number of subjects Amasawa could have brought up.

Ayanokōji. Ishigami. The White Room.

Nanase had expected something along those lines. Instead, the question that came flying at her belonged to an entirely different world, so unexpected that she failed to respond at once.

“Well?” Amasawa asked, still smiling. “Have you?”

“I have never dated a man before,” Nanase answered stiffly.

“Wow. So you're a completely pure girl, then.”

“We are second-year high school students,” Nanase replied. “I would imagine those with romantic experience are in the minority.”

“Not at all. I'm no expert, but word is it's around fifty percent. That means one in two people have already experienced it. And if you're cute or pretty, wouldn't the odds be even higher?”

“Around fifty percent…?” Nanse repeated. “Is that true?”

It was not a subject she had ever seriously considered, and because of that, the number itself felt strangely unreal.

“I was in the White Room the whole time,” Amasawa said lightly. “And ever since coming to this school, I’ve only had eyes for Ayanokōji-senpai, so I don’t have any romance stories of my own. But you’re different, aren’t you, Nanase-chan?”

It was the exact sort of idle gossip normal high school girls would share. Yet, beneath the surface, Nanase sensed a faint, lingering incongruity.

“I see,” she said. “As a way of probing into my past, it is a rather good question.”

If Nanase hadn't grown up in a typical family environment, her lack of romantic experience wouldn't be strange at all.

“Ah, you're reading way too much into it,” Amasawa said. “It was just an innocent question, that's all.”

“Well... either way, my answer remains the same.”

“Then do you at least have a crush on anyone?” Amasawa asked. “Don't tell me it's Ayanokōji-senpai.”

A certain someone flashed across her mind for a fleeting moment. But right now, she couldn't even recall his smile.

“There is no one I like,” Nanase replied. “Now, if you'll excuse me.”

Almost as if she were fleeing, Nanase turned and hurried out of the private pool area.

“You've got a much cuter side to you than I thought.”

2

Nanase had shown only the slightest hint of agitation.

But for Amasawa, that was enough to feel a small flicker of joy.