Chapter 3
“How’s it feel? Nice and comfy?”
“Oh… it feels really good.”
“No itchy spots? I’ll make sure to wash every inch!”
“Thanks…”
If you just heard the conversation and the situation, you’d swear this was some kind of naughty establishment…
But… even though it was unexpected, to think that my fleeting desire from earlier to take a bath together would come true in this way.
(Is this some kind of divine encouragement to give it my all as a second-year this year?)
If that’s the kind of encouragement we’re talking about, I’ll take as much as I can get! I’m dead serious when I say I want more of this.
“…Fufu, to think I’d be wearing a swimsuit outside of summer.”
“But isn’t it nice? Wearing it for an occasion like this makes this guy happy, doesn’t it?”
“…I’m pretty darn happy too, you know.”
When I mutter that under my breath, I can feel the two of them smiling happily in response.
Our bathroom has a single mirror fixed to the wall. It’s slightly fogged up from the steam, but it clearly reflects the three of us—me and the two of them.
Protecting their voluptuous figures are bikinis with very little fabric… Perfection.
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“By the way, I’m planning to buy a new one this year. When summer comes, I’d love for you to pick out a swimsuit for me, Hayato-kun.”
“M-Me…?”
“Yes.”
Arisa nods, and Aina chimes in right after.
“Pick something super cute, okay? But, like, if you want, I’m totally open to an even more daring swimsuit!”
“…An even more daring swimsuit?”
What would a swimsuit more daring than this even look like…?
My mind conjures up something that barely covers the tips of their chests… and down below, something that only just hides the most sensitive areas… No, no, stop it!
Imagining that in this situation is a recipe for disaster!!
(Clear your mind, Hayato! No more imagining, absolutely not!)
I grit my teeth, trying to keep myself in check.
My “little buddy” is starting to stir, asking if it’s time to wake up, but I ignore it… I have to ignore it!
As I’m desperately holding myself together, Arisa and Aina take things a step further.
“!?”
“Mm… fufu.”
“…Unsho… how’s this?”
My body trembles like it’s convulsing… and honestly, who could blame me?
The two of them have lathered their proud, ample chests with bubbles and are now pressing themselves against me from both sides, moving their bodies in sync.
“W-Wait, you two…!?”
Ignoring my panic, they rub against me with sultry voices.
The soft sensation, combined with the slick, slippery feel of the body soap, assaults me, accompanied by wet, provocative sounds.
(…This might be bad.)
What’s bad? Well… any guy would definitely react to this.
I’m fighting to keep things under control as a certain part of me threatens to spring to life, but then another fact hits me like a lightning bolt, frying my brain—they’ve taken off their swimsuits.
(What are you dooooooing!?!)
Even if it’s just the tops, without the swimsuits, the sensation of their bare skin is direct and overwhelming.
Aided by the slickness of the body soap, their large chests slide freely across my body, changing shape as they move.
“This… it’s kind of making me feel funny.”
“Yeah… but it feels really good.”
Please… I’m begging you, don’t whisper in my ear with those breathy voices!
The bathroom echoes with lascivious sounds… all kinds of sounds, but to me right now, they all converge into one thing: pure temptation.
This can’t go on… Not because I’m about to lose control or anything, but because I’m genuinely worried I might pass out from the intensity.
Desperate to escape these two succubi, I try to break free… but it doesn’t work.
“No way.”
“Nope!”
With a tight squeeze, they hug me, completely trapping me.
If… just if…
If my rationality had a hit point bar, it’d be getting shaved down rapidly right now. It’s tempting to just think, Why not? Let’s go all out.
But… if I did that, how far would it go? What if something unintended happened…?
No matter how much desire I feel for them, that worry holds me back.
“Alright! I’m breaking out—!”
Trying to forcibly escape from these two stunning beauties—who I’d believe were actual succubi if they told me so—was a mistake.
My foot slips on the bubbles, and I lose my balance with a slide.
“…!?”
“Ah…”
“Eh…”
My slip triggers a chain reaction, and all three of us lose our balance.
Instinctively, my body moves to protect them from getting hurt, and I end up sliding underneath them, becoming their cushion… which leads to an even worse situation.
“Mmph!?”
Their massive chests are now smothering my face.
At this point, I don’t care about the bubbles getting in my mouth or the slight pain in my back… Honestly, I could die like this and be fine with it.
“Fufu, maybe we should wash your whole body like this…? …!?”
“That’d make it like one of those places… ah!?”
When they suddenly freeze, startled by something, it snaps me back to reality.
Lying on my back, completely exposed with nothing to cover me… that means they’ve seen the change that’s happened to my body.
I act fast.
“Tch, thanks, you two!”
“Ah…”
“Wait, Hayato-kun—!”
After thanking them for washing me, I bolt out of the bathroom, dry off at lightning speed, throw on my pajamas, and escape the changing room.
“Haaaaaaaah!!”
A massive, drawn-out sigh escapes me.
Realizing it was a bit rude to just run out like that, I crack the door open to thank them properly and tell them to warm up nicely.
“…Man, I’m exhausted.”
Exhausted… utterly drained… but as a guy, it was pure bliss.
Still, it’s sinking in that I do want to do those kinds of things with them… My body’s reaction made that clear.
“…Guess I’ll grab some barley tea.”
To cool my overheated body, I head to the living room and chug a glass of barley tea.
A while later, Arisa and Aina return in their pajamas. Seeing them brings back memories of the bathroom, and my body heats up again… I focus on staying still to hide my excitement.
“Your face is red, you know?”
“Wonder why that is~?”
They totally know why, don’t they?
Well, I can’t deny I enjoyed it, and they don’t seem to be teasing me maliciously… Apparently, the bathroom ambush was an extension of some kind of “job well done” celebration.
“Feels a bit too intense for that, though…”
“It was Aina’s idea, you know? Though I was all in for it too.”
“We were both super into it, right~♪?”
Compared to their cheerful energy, I’m just blushing like crazy.
But seeing them smiling and laughing with me in the middle… this moment feels so happy that, at some point, I’m sure I was grinning ear to ear too.
All that’s left is to sleep… but then Aina drops a small bombshell.
“Remember what we were talking about at dinner? That thing I said I got?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“You gonna tell us?”
“Yup—it’s a love letter.”
Love letter… That word makes my heart skip a beat.
Arisa doesn’t seem as shocked as I am, but she’s staring at Aina with clear interest.
Noticing my reaction, Aina quickly reassures me.
“It’s from someone I’ve never even talked to. The letter said they’re a first-year… so a new student, I guess.”
“That’s bold of them.”
“I haven’t even interacted with them, you know? There was a bunch written in it, but once I realized it was a love letter, I kinda lost interest and didn’t read it.”
“I see…”
Even if I’m not worried, hearing that my girlfriend got a love letter still gives me a bit of a jolt.
Between confessions and people trying to call them out, they really are super popular.
“Feeling worried?”
“Well, it startled me a little… but I’m not really worried.”
I know they’re not going anywhere.
Of course, I can’t get complacent and neglect spending time with them or putting in effort, so I’ll always keep cherishing them.
“It’s not just that I trust you—I’m never letting you go.”
“…Ah.”
Aina wants strong words… so I said it.
She stares at me, nodding slowly, then lets out a soft sigh while rubbing her lower stomach, as if overwhelmed, before falling silent.
Arisa and I exchange wry smiles at Aina’s reaction, and we decide it’s time to turn off the lights and sleep.
“Hayato-kun.”
“Yeah?”
“Could you say something to me like you did for Aina?”
Fair point—leaving Arisa out wouldn’t be right. So I turn to her.
“Arisa, you’re mine alone—absolutely.”
“Ah… Y-Yes♪!”
Arisa’s face melts into a blissful expression, and I give a wry smile before lying down on the bed.
(…Damn, that was embarrassing.)
Noticing the rustling of their futons out of the corner of my eye, I quickly fall asleep.
▼▽
Even after moving up a grade and getting kouhai, it seems the excitement only lasts about the first week.
By the following Monday—today, that is—everyone’s back to their usual routines.
And yet… there’s a zombie staggering in front of me.
“Waaater… Gimme waaater…!”
Okay, sorry, calling him a zombie was a bit much.
The one stumbling around begging for water is Sota. We’re in P.E. right now, and he’s like this because we were running a marathon earlier.
“…Oh… Water! There’s water!!”
Finally reaching a faucet, Sota starts guzzling water.
“Don’t drink so much you mess up your stomach, alright?”
That said, I’m thirsty too, so I join him and chug some water.
We don’t care about the water splashing or spilling from our mouths—we just keep drinking to replenish what we lost, lingering by the faucet for a while.
“Phew.”
“Water’s so good, man.”
After that, we cool off in the shade.
This marathon was the first P.E. class of the new term, a school tradition for building stamina, and we ran about five kilometers.
“While you and I are like this, Kaito’s out there playing soccer like he’s got infinite energy.”
Unlike us, who don’t exercise much, Kaito keeps himself in shape.
That’s why we’re collapsed here while he’s probably out on the field, playing soccer with the other energetic guys.
“But we’ve got, like, thirty minutes of free time left, so it’s pretty chill.”
“Totally.”
It’s been like this since last year, but getting a long chunk of free time after a marathon is super popular with us students.
Those who still want to move can do whatever, and if enough people are up for it, they can play soccer or something, like I mentioned.
“Wanna hit up the judo dojo? We can chill on the mats till class ends.”
“Sure thing.”
I agree to Sota’s suggestion, and we head to the judo dojo.
It’s called a judo dojo, but since the judo club doesn’t have many members, they share it with the kendo club.
Come to think of it, this is my first time actually going to the dojo.
“‘Scuse us… Oh, someone’s here?”
When we arrive, there’s already someone chilling inside—it’s Irie-kun, the guy who sits next to me.
“Domoto and Miyanaga? Didn’t expect to see you guys here.”
“Yo, Irie! Figured we’d spend the rest of the time here.”
“Makes sense. It’s nice and cool in here.”
“Cool, we’re crashing then.”
Sota and I kick off our shoes and step into the dojo… then flop down right next to Irie-kun.
“Ahh, so cool.”
“Kinda smells like tatami, though.”
Sure, the tatami scent is strong, but I don’t mind it.
It’s got that classic Japanese vibe, you know? Plus, my grandparents’ house is mostly tatami rooms, so I’m used to it.
(…Oh.)
I’m thinking about napping until class ends when something catches my eye in the corner of the dojo—kendo gear and shinai. I can’t look away, probably because it’s been so long since I’ve seen them.
“Irie-kun.”
“Yeah?”
“Mind if I touch them?”
“Oh, you’re getting curious!? Go for it!”
Curious… He’s not wrong, but I wish he wouldn’t look at me with such expectant eyes.
Irie-kun follows me as I walk over, but Sota’s already passed out, snoring lightly, making it clear he has zero interest in this.
“The gear and shinai… You can really feel the age on these.”
“They’ve been around forever. Even the cheap gear costs a ton, so getting new stuff is out of the question…”
“Yeah, makes sense.”
It’s true for any sport—gear is expensive.
But kendo equipment is especially pricey. I’ve heard even the cheaper sets can run you about 150,000 yen.
“Wanna try it on?”
“Really?”
“Yup!”
…To be honest, I was a little hesitant, even though I asked.
Kendo gear can get pretty smelly… I remember being shocked back in middle school at how bad it could get.
“Why don’t we have a quick spar?”
“We’re going that far?”
“Come on! It might spark your interest even more!”
Looks like Irie-kun’s got me firmly in his sights.
I don’t know how skilled he is, but spar or no spar, I’m starting to feel like putting on this familiar gear again.
“I kinda remember how to put it on, so I’m good.”
“For real? Alright then… I’m gearing up too!”
With some clatter, Irie-kun and I start putting on the gear.
Nostalgia washes over me as I equip the armor… and finally, I put on the men.
(…Haha, this feeling is so nostalgic.)
Nostalgic… The closest thing recently was when I wore that pumpkin mask.
I’ve always found that covering my face weirdly sharpens my focus, letting me move in ways even I can’t believe. It’s something I learned through kendo.
(My senses are probably heightened… Yeah, not a bad feeling.)
The view through the men isn’t exactly wide, but to me, it’s familiar.
That said, being able to tap into more strength when my face is hidden… makes me wonder if I’ve got a gloomy personality or something.
“Alright, I’m ready!”
“Same here.”
We’re both set.
The moment I face Irie-kun, shinai in hand, he flinches and takes a slow step back.
“What’s up?”
“…No, it’s just… huh? That’s really you, Domoto, right?”
Who else would it be? I give a wry smile and raise my shinai… and Irie-kun flinches again.
“…My spine’s tingling. What’s with you…?”
“I’m telling you, I’m normal.”
“Something’s definitely off!!”
Weren’t we supposed to spar?
Truth be told, my body’s itching to move, but since I’d heard about the kendo club from Irie-kun before, I ask how it’s going.
“By the way, you getting enough members for the club?”
“Glad you asked! We actually got five people! All beginners, but they’re pumped to try team matches!”
“Nice. That’s awesome.”
Sounds like they’ve got their members… Haha, that’s nostalgic too.
Kendo matches have moments where you shout, like when you land a technique, but overall, they’re quiet. With only yourself to rely on, you push harder than ever, and even in the silence, cheering for your teammates’ efforts makes your heart race.
“Good luck, Irie-kun.”
“You bet!”
“Honestly, I thought you guys were just messing around, but it sounds like you’ve got some serious people. That’s cool.”
“Hehe, right? I figured I’d get bored fast too! But it’s kinda badass, like being a samurai!”
“…Haha, yeah.”
Wanting to do it because it’s cool is a childish reason, but it’s totally fine.
We’re having a chill moment when Irie-kun remembers our goal and snaps his shinai into position.
“So, uh, let’s do a quick spar! Just say ‘start’ and go, alright?”
“Got it.”
We take our positions, facing each other at a distance.
Then, Irie-kun’s voice rings out as the signal.
“Start!”
The moment I hear it, I step forward.
It’s just a single motion, but it brings back middle school memories, a flood of nostalgic moments flashing through my mind.
“…Huh?”
That dazed voice belongs to Irie-kun.
I’ve already dashed past him, and a clean strike just landed on his men.
In kendo, a judge determines the winner, but Irie-kun knows a solid hit to the head means he’s lost.
“…No way.”
“Haha…”
With the match settled, I exhale and remove my men.
But at that moment, an unexpected voice echoes through the dojo.
“That was amazing! So cool!”
“!?”
“…What?”
Irie-kun’s just as shocked as I am, and I’m stunned. We both turn to the entrance—and, of course, they’re there.
“Shinjo-san and the others!?”
“W-What, an enemy attack!?”
Irie-kun’s loud outburst even wakes Sota, who’d been sleeping.
Arisa and Aina… especially Aina, who’s peering into the dojo with obvious curiosity, clearly wanting to come in.
“Hey, hey, can we come in for a bit?”
“Y-Y-Yes!!”
Irie-kun responds to Aina’s question with max-level nervousness.
Aina flashes a bright smile, while Arisa gives her a wry, exasperated look but can’t hide her own curiosity as she glances around.
“D-D-D-D… What do we do, Domoto!?”
“Calm down, Irie-kun!”
Irie-kun’s acting like a broken toy, freaking out.
I lightly slap his cheeks to snap him out of it, and he seems to regain a bit of composure.
(It’s not weird for them to be together since Aina’s class has joint P.E. with us today… but why are they here? And since when?)
They called out right after we finished… Were they here from the start?
“We saw you two facing off from the beginning! I blinked, and suddenly Domoto-kun was behind Irie-kun… It was just incredible! Hey, is that stuff light enough to move that fast?”
“Uh… wanna touch it?”
“Can I!?”
“It’s fine, right, Irie-kun?”
“O-Of course!!”
Haha… Well, they are the beautiful sisters, so Irie-kun’s panic is understandable, but it’s pretty funny to watch.
“…It’s kinda heavy.”
“Yeah, it is. I’m used to it from doing kendo, though.”
“Wow…”
“Impressive.”
This whole thing with them showing up was unexpected, but time’s running out.
As Irie-kun and I start taking off the gear, Aina stares at me… I’m wondering what’s up when she speaks.
“Hey, can I try putting that on?”
“…Huh?”
She’s pointing at the men.
Wear this…? It’s probably soaked with my sweat and smells, so I hesitate to just hand it over.
But then, perfect timing—the bell rings.
“Ah…”
I’m not sure whose voice that was… We all hurriedly clean up and leave the dojo.
After changing and heading back to the classroom, I get a chance to talk with Arisa briefly before the next class starts.
“Both Aina and I were wondering what to do with the rest of the time when we spotted your back, Hayato-kun. We got curious about what you were up to.”
“That’s how it happened, huh?”
“So we followed you… and we saw something wonderful. You standing there in your gear and men… It was just like the Pumpkin Knight♪!”
“Ugh… Being called the Pumpkin Knight doesn’t exactly thrill me.”
“Oh, really?”
So, it’s like the vibe I gave off when I wore that pumpkin mask to save them, right? Pumpkin Knight… It doesn’t sound that cool, even when said again.
“Domoto, Domoto.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I pause my conversation with Arisa and turn to Irie-kun.
He leans in close, looking excited, and starts talking.
“I heard from Miyanaga, but you went to nationals for kendo in middle school, didn’t you!? That’s crazy awesome!”
“Oh, you heard?”
“Why didn’t you say anything, man!? But yeah, I couldn’t even tell what happened! No wonder you’re so strong!”
“Haha… I’m kinda surprised myself. Didn’t think I could still move like that.”
“It was insane, dude! Hey, could you teach us sometimes? Just now and then!”
“Hmm… Maybe if I feel like it?”
“Sweet! I’m pumped!”
He’s that excited, huh… But unless I get another chance like today, I probably won’t end up teaching.
(Still… kendo, huh?)
It’s been a while, but that feeling definitely brought back memories of when I saved Arisa, Aina, and Sakuna-san.
I can’t help but laugh at myself for getting stronger in moments like that, but it’s also part of what makes me, well, me. Yeah, not bad.
▼▽
After dinner at the Shinjo house, the conversation among the girls naturally shifts to today’s kendo incident.
Aina kicks things off with excitement, Arisa jumps in, and even Sakuna-san seems curious and joins the discussion.
“So that’s what happened… Fufu, I wish I could’ve seen Hayato-kun doing kendo too.”
“Uh… I didn’t expect it to become this big of a topic.”
I thought it was a one-off thing, but I hadn’t realized how much it had captured Arisa and Aina’s hearts.
I could tell Arisa was pretty into it back in the classroom, but I’m genuinely surprised it’s this big a deal.
“Like Nee-san said! You were totally the Pumpkin Knight!”
“Exactly! That sharp gaze peeking through the men’s slits! That imposing presence that kept everyone at bay! The overwhelming strength that decided the match in an instant… Ha♪! You were amazing, Hayato-kun!”
Uh… am I some kind of video game boss or something?
I can’t keep up with their excitement, or with Sakuna-san, who’s been swept up in it and says she wishes she’d seen it… Also, can we please do something about the Pumpkin Knight nickname…? Pretty please.
“Oh, Hayato-kun.”
“Yes?”
“I’m packing the leftover nikujaga into a container for you to take home. Warm it up and eat it tomorrow, okay?”
“Thank you so much!”
Hell yeah, getting to eat that delicious nikujaga again tomorrow makes me so happy!
My excitement must’ve shown on my face because Sakuna-san chuckles softly and, whether intentional or not, lightly pats my head.
“…Oh, right.”
While watching Sakuna-san prepare the nikujaga, I suddenly remember something Irie-kun mentioned at school—a local kendo tournament.
I’m not competing, but I’m thinking about checking it out.
That’s when I get the idea to invite Arisa and Aina along.
“Wanna come? I’d love to go!”
“I don’t usually watch stuff like that, so it sounds fun.”
I didn’t think they’d say no, but they’re surprisingly enthusiastic.
Like Arisa said, they don’t often get to see kendo matches, but I’m really looking forward to watching a sport I used to pour my heart into with them.
“Thanks, you two, for going along with my… hobby, I guess? Or whatever you’d call it.”
“It’s not like that. Watching a tournament for a sport my beloved boyfriend used to do isn’t exactly unusual, is it?”
“Yup! Sports events are kinda like dates, right? If you hadn’t done it, I probably wouldn’t care, but that’s why moments like this are special♪!”
True, if I hadn’t been involved, they probably wouldn’t have cared about kendo at all… But because I did it, they’re interested, and that feels like a little miracle born from our connection.
“…That’s kinda emotional.”
“Huh? What is?”
“Nah, nothing.”
By the way, they’re both planning to wear sunglasses that Sakuna-san’s preparing for them.
Even though it’s a weekend date, they’re being cautious… Whether sunglasses will actually help is another question, but seeing them in sunglasses will be a fresh look, so I’m kinda excited.
After that, it’s getting late, so I prepare to head home, and everyone comes to see me off.
“Here you go, Hayato-kun.”
“Thank you!”
I gratefully accept the nikujaga, which’ll be tomorrow’s feast, but for some reason, I find myself staring at Sakuna-san.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
I look away, since there’s no real reason for staring.
Why did I feel so fixated on her? I don’t want to think too much of it, but I felt a faint sense of unease.
(…Just my imagination, right?)
Still feeling a bit unsettled, I leave the Shinjo house.
“The weekend date—or tournament spectating, I guess… I’m really looking forward to it.”
Already excited for the weekend, I head home with a spring in my step, carefully holding the nikujaga filled with warmth and love.
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