Chapter 1: A New Nordic Beauty Appears

She was just a classmate at first.

Now, she was his fiancée.

Even as nearly a month had passed, Toru couldn’t quite wrap his head around that fact.

Yet, alongside that disbelief, a quiet joy had been growing stronger with each passing day.

Aino Lyuti. A Nordic beauty with golden hair and emerald eyes, she was both Toru’s classmate and his fiancée. And now, his girlfriend, too.

At this moment, Toru and Aino were alone in the high school’s student council room. Their childhood friend, Chika, had called them here for some reason, though Toru couldn’t shake the feeling that it could’ve been discussed at home, considering they all lived together.

Toru gazed absently at Aino, seated across from him.

A breathtaking blonde with striking blue-green eyes, she was said to be the prettiest girl in school. More than that, she understood him, needed him. The thought that such a girl was his lover—and living with him—felt like a dream.

Aino tilted her head cutely, a curious glint in her eyes.

“Toru-kun, what’s with that goofy grin?”

“Huh? Was I making a creepy face?”

Aino giggled softly.

“Nah, it was a cute one.”

“Maybe it’s just ‘cause you’re so cute, my cheeks couldn’t help themselves.”

At his words, Aino’s gaze dropped, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“C’mon, Toru-kun. Don’t say stuff like that—it’s embarrassing. But… I’m kinda happy, too.”

She stood and stepped closer, stopping right in front of where Toru sat. He found himself looking up at her, his heart skipping a beat as his eyes caught the curve of her chest, accentuated even through her uniform blouse. Her figure was impossible to ignore.

It wasn’t just her face that stood out—Aino’s proportions were stunning, almost unreal for a high school girl. She could’ve graced the pages of a magazine as a gravure idol. Probably the only one at school who could rival her was Chika.

Aino’s cheeks flushed as she let out a playful laugh.

“Toru-kun, you were totally checking me out with naughty eyes just now, weren’t you?”

“N-No way, I wasn’t—”

“No need to play innocent,” she teased, her voice soft. “I don’t mind if you look at me like that. I mean, I’m your fiancée… and your girlfriend, right?”

Her bluntness made Toru’s face heat up. Sure, he’d been the one to confess, and now she was not only his fiancée but his girlfriend, too. Still, their relationship hadn’t changed that much. Aino was bold, no question, but with Chika living with them, they had to keep things tame.

They still shared a bed sometimes, but Chika was always there, too. Bathing together had stopped recently as well.

Toru wanted to do more couple-like things with Aino.

Like… kissing. Despite her forwardness, they hadn’t kissed even once.

Aino might even be the type to casually suggest making a baby, but that was way too soon.

Chika would put a stop to it, anyway.

For now, Toru’s goal was simple: steal a kiss from Aino.

Since Aino and Chika were getting along so well, he felt a slight pang of urgency. Chika’s own engagement issues had been resolved for the moment, and it was great that she could keep living with them. But Chika was scheming something else entirely—a polyamorous setup where she and Aino would both be Toru’s wives, a full-on harem plan.

Aino, though, seemed to see Chika as a dear friend but had no intention of sharing Toru.

Nothing was resolved.

Aino flashed a sultry smile.

“We’ve got some time before Chika-chan shows up… wanna do something naughty?”

“W-Wait, we’re at school! That’s a bad idea.”

“Chika-chan, the student council president, tried to seduce you here, didn’t she? So it’s only fair if I do, too.”

Aino slipped off her blazer, leaving just her blouse. She leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Her chest swayed, drawing Toru’s eyes like a magnet.

“Hehe, see? You’re staring at my boobs! It’s okay, you know. You can touch them.”

“N-No, we can’t!”

“But I want you to.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, and Toru’s hand twitched, almost reaching out.

(No one’s around… and Aino’s saying it’s okay…)

But before he could act, Aino, apparently dissatisfied with his hesitation, puffed out her cheeks.

“You’re not being honest, Toru-kun. Guess I’ll have to punish you.”

“Huh? Wait—”

Without warning, Aino climbed onto his lap, straddling him face-to-face. Her arms wrapped around his back.

(Oh, crap… this is bad…!)

Their lower bodies pressed together, and the softness of her chest was impossible to ignore. Even Aino seemed to realize the intensity, murmuring, “This… is kinda embarrassing, huh?”

A sweet sigh brushed against Toru’s ear, sending his heart into overdrive.

His body reacted instinctively, and Aino noticed. Her face flushed crimson.

“T-Toru-kun, I can feel… it.”

“It’s just a physical reaction, okay? And it’s your fault, Aino!”

“I’m kinda happy it’s my fault,” she said, her voice teasing. “Oh… it’s getting bigger.”

Sure enough, Toru’s arousal was pressing against her lower abdomen.

“It’s… it’s touching my embarrassing spot, Toru-kun’s… thing.”

“Your wording! You’re kinda a perv, Aino.”

“It’s your fault I’m turning into one,” she shot back. “I only do this ‘cause I love you.”

With that, she shifted her hips, deliberately teasing him. Her chest rubbed against his, and she let out a sultry, “Ahh♡ Nn♡,” her voice dripping with allure.

Toru fought the urge to claim her right then and there. With Chika’s watchful eyes keeping Aino in check lately, this was the most forward she’d been in a while, and his restraint was crumbling.

The student council room, an unusual setting, might’ve sparked something in Aino.

If things continued, they might’ve crossed a line.

But then…

“Caught a naughty schoolgirl disrupting public morals. Being a beauty’s a sin, huh?”

Toru and Aino froze, spinning toward the entrance.

Chika wasn’t supposed to show up yet, and no other student council members were expected either.

Standing there was a girl in a blue blazer, slightly different in design from theirs—a middle schooler.

What stood out even more was her semi-long, silvery-white hair. Her skin was porcelain-pale, her features sharp and stunning. Like Aino, she was likely mixed-race, with striking emerald eyes.

Just as cute as Aino or Chika.

She gave a sly chuckle.

“Name’s Mai Mizunase. Believe it or not, I’m the middle school student council president—an honor student, no less.”

Now that she mentioned it, Toru vaguely recalled Chika talking about her. A fellow middle school council member who was supposedly even more popular than Chika. So, this was her successor after Chika moved to high school.

Mai winked playfully, the gesture pure little-devil charm.

“Nice to meet ya, Renjō-senpai♪”

“How do you know my name…?”

“Well, you’re the guy Chika-senpai’s so smitten with. Kinda hard not to notice.”

“Oh, right… I’m just her childhood friend and cousin, that’s all.”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” Mai said, glancing at Aino. “You’re getting cozy with another beauty in the student council room, after all.”

Aino scrambled to her feet, flustered, and adjusted her disheveled uniform. The way she moved was unintentionally alluring, and Toru couldn’t help but stare.

But now wasn’t the time for that.

Aino eyed Mai warily.

“Mai-chan…”

Toru blinked in surprise. Aino had called her by her first name, not “Mizunase-san.” Did they know each other?

“Been a while, Lyuti-senpai,” Mai said, her tone icy compared to the flirtatious warmth she’d shown Toru.

It wasn’t just because Toru was a guy and Aino a girl—there was something more.

Mai turned to Toru, her smile blooming like a flower.

“Lyuti-senpai and I used to be friends. We went to the same elementary school.”

“I’m kinda jealous you knew Aino back then,” Toru muttered.

Aino had always seemed like an outsider in class, friendless, much like Toru himself. That shared isolation had drawn them together. To think she’d had friends back then—and that their relationship didn’t seem great now—reminded him of his own strained history with Chika.

Mai’s jade-green eyes sparkled.

“You really love Lyuti-senpai, huh? Not just some arranged marriage fiancée.”

“I don’t know how you know about that, Mizunase-san, but yeah. Aino and I are just a regular high school couple. Family ties or backgrounds don’t matter.”

Toru’s voice was steady. Their engagement had started as a political arrangement, and living together was at the Konoes’ orders, all to protect Aino. But things were different now.

He could say that with confidence. Aino’s soft “Toru-kun… so cool” was barely audible but warmed his heart.

Mai’s brows furrowed, her expression turning petulant but still cute. No wonder Chika had said everyone fawned over her.

Still, Toru’s heart belonged to Aino.

Mai’s lips twisted into a pout.

“Not a fan of that. I’m way better than her.”

“Aino’s more than I deserve as a fiancée. And this doesn’t concern you, Mizunase-san.”

“Oh, it does concern me,” Mai shot back. “I’m from the Mizunase branch of the Konoe family. I’ve got a claim to the Konoe succession, too.”

The conversation took a sharp turn.

The Konoes, Nagoya’s proud conglomerate dynasty. Chika, from the main line, was the top candidate to inherit. But Toru, her cousin and the current head’s nephew, also had a claim. That’s why Tokieda Toka, the Konoe family secretary, had pushed Toru toward a takeover plan.

But there were others with Konoe blood, like the Mizunases. Still, Toru couldn’t recall meeting someone like Mai at any family gatherings.

Chika had been groomed as the heir, trained in the ways of leadership, and Toru genuinely believed she was fit for it. Yet, if someone proved themselves more capable, the current head—pragmatic to a fault—might choose them instead.

“I don’t get what you’re driving at, Mizunase-san.”

“Let me spell it out.”

Mai stepped closer, grabbed Toru’s left hand, and pressed it against her chest. Both Toru and Aino gasped. Mai’s face flushed, and she stuck out her tongue playfully.

“Forget Lyuti-senpai. Go out with me instead. I can satisfy you in all sorts of ways, Senpai.”

Toru’s hand was practically groping her ample chest—impressive for a middle schooler.

“C’mon, Senpai. Mine’s bigger than Lyuti-senpai’s, right?”

“No, Aino’s are bigger.”

Toru regretted the words the moment they left his mouth.

Aino looked mortified, and Mai glared at him with half-lidded eyes.

“Oh? So you’ve touched Lyuti-senpai’s chest enough to compare, huh?”

More than a few times, but Toru wasn’t about to admit that.

He cleared his throat.

“Big or small, I’d choose Aino every time. Did you really think I’d fall for someone who calls my girlfriend ‘Lyuti-senpai something’?”

He wasn’t naive enough to fall for such blatant seduction.

Mai had an agenda. They’d had no connection before today.

She let out a thoughtful “Hmm.”

“You’re sharper than I expected. You might actually have what it takes to lead the Konoe family.”

“What?”

“Don’t get me wrong—my offer’s real. I’d be happy to date you, Senpai. You’re famous as the hot upperclassman, so we’d be a perfect match.”

“You’ve got a high opinion of yourself.”

“I just know my worth.”

Mai’s confidence was unshakable. Aino fidgeted, glancing between them, clearly unsure how to handle this.

Protecting her was Toru’s job.

But Mai wasn’t done.

“Let’s cut to the chase. Marry me, and we’ll make you the head of the Konoe family. I’ll be the lady of the house.”

“That’s a bold ambition. Chika’s the one set to inherit.”

“Is she? Weren’t you once her fiancé, destined to rule alongside her? You’ve got Konoe blood, too, and some powerful backing.”

Her “backing” likely meant Tokieda Toka. How much did Mai know?

She tossed her silver hair with a smirk.

“For now, let’s call this a hello. But, Renjō-senpai, Lyuti-senpai—no getting it on, okay?”

Aino yelped, her face scarlet. “W-What!? I’m not doing anything naughty…!”

“You were about to,” Mai said coldly.

“If you two start making babies, I’ll report it to the Konoe family council and make it a problem.”

“Our living arrangement is at the head’s orders. You’d defy that?”

“Even the head can’t ignore the council. If you engage in ‘impure relations’ and lose your chastity before marriage, you won’t be accepted as part of a prestigious family.”

She meant to sabotage their engagement. Toru’s blood boiled, but he forced himself to think.

They just had to keep things as they were.

(Can I manage that…?)

Their relationship had been a tug-of-war lately, but moments like earlier, with Aino pushing his limits, made him wonder if he could hold back.

“It’d be a hassle for me if she got pregnant,” Mai added.

Aino muttered, “Saying ‘pregnant’ like that is kinda lewd…” glancing at Toru. The image of Aino pregnant sent a different kind of heat to his head.

Mai ignored her, chirping, “Make the smart choice♪” before vanishing from the room.

Aino let out an exaggerated “Phew!”

“I never thought Mai would talk to me.”

“You were friends in elementary school, right?”

“Yeah. But we had a falling out.”

Aino’s brows drooped. Toru hesitated but decided not to pry. The tension between them suggested no fond memories.

Mai’s true intentions were the real issue.

But Aino seemed more preoccupied.

She looked up at him, eyes soft.

“Toru-kun… can you hold back?”

“Huh?”

“From… doing naughty stuff with me.”

“I-I’m fine! We’re high schoolers, and besides, we don’t need Mizunase-san telling us that.”

Aino puffed out her cheeks.

“I wouldn’t mind if you did anything to me.”

That attitude was exactly what made it so hard for him. He might just lose control.

Just then, the door swung open.

“Toru, Aino-san, sorry to keep you waiting!”

Chika’s bright voice filled the room. Toru’s childhood friend carried a paper bag. She was a bit early.

Noticing Aino’s missing blazer, Chika shot Toru a glare.

“You didn’t do anything naughty to Aino-san, did you?”

“N-Nothing happened! Why do you always suspect me?”

“‘Cause guys are all perverts, aren’t they?”

Toru thought Aino was the bigger pervert here but kept that to himself to avoid trouble.

Chika set the bag on the table, pulling out some wagashi.

“Look, Aino-san’s favorite—uirou!”

Uirou, a Nagoya specialty from Aoyagi Sohonke, a steamed rice flour confection.

“Got it as a gift from a relative. Thought you’d love it, Aino-san.”

“Yay, I’m so happy! …Though, it kinda feels like you’re trying to tame me.”

“You do love sweets, don’t you?”

Watching Aino and Chika banter playfully, Toru couldn’t help but smile. Though, he was increasingly worried Chika might steal Aino’s affection.

Chika turned to him.

“You’re eating too, right, Toru?”

“Thanks. I’ll take the sakura uirou. So, why the student council room instead of home?”

“Good question! Wanna join the student council, you two?”

Toru blinked at the unexpected offer. Neither he nor Aino was the outgoing type, and student council didn’t suit them.

“I was gonna introduce you to our middle school president as a reference, but…”

“Let me guess—the uirou was from her?”

“Yup, Mai from the middle school.”

Chika said it casually.

☆

In the end, Toru told Chika everything about his encounter with Mai—her ambitions for the Konoe succession and her proposal to him.

Chika seemed a little surprised, but not as much as Toru expected. “That girl’s always had a chip on her shoulder when it comes to me,” she said.

Both Chika and Mai were exceptional in their own ways, but their personalities clashed—Chika, the perfect superhuman, versus Mai, the mischievous little devil. It seemed to fuel a strong rivalry. The main family versus a branch family dynamic didn’t help. Still, it felt less like deep-seated animosity and more like a playful competition between girls.

Chika didn’t seem to view Mai as a serious threat. To her, becoming the head of the Konoe family was a given, and her only real rival for Toru’s affection was Aino.

It was a holiday, and Toru was out with Aino and Chika. Their destination: an indoor pool at Ryusenji Temple. Despite it being late April, the days were already swelteringly unbearable, so a trip to the pool had come up naturally.

Tokieda Toka, the family secretary, had arranged a car and ensured tight security. Naturally, Toka was behind the wheel, with Toru in the passenger seat and Aino and Chika in the back, giggling over some silly conversation. The car—a sleek sports car—was a novelty for both Aino and Chika. Toru chose not to ask whether it was Toka’s personal ride or a Konoe family asset. Toka wielded considerable influence within the family, rumored even to be the current head’s mistress—though Toru doubted that was true. Still, her clout was such that owning a high-end sports car wouldn’t be surprising.

Today, Toka was dressed casually for the holiday, and somehow, that made her look even cooler. She wasn’t just brilliant; she was drop-dead gorgeous with a killer figure. The thin fabric of her top clung to her curves, and Toru caught himself staring at her chest before hastily looking away.

He was only allowed to stare at Aino’s chest, after all—she was his girlfriend.

Still, Aino and Chika seemed completely carefree, which only made Toru more uneasy. Could Mai pose a real threat to them moving forward?

He turned to Toka. “Do you know a girl named Mai from the Mizunase branch?”

“Oh, Mai-chan? What about her~?” Toka’s tone was teasing.

“Just… curious.”

“Mai Mizunase. She’s half-Estonian, you know.”

“Estonia… that’s the country south of Finland, right?”

Estonia, part of the Baltic states alongside Lithuania and Latvia, had a population smaller than Nagoya’s—about 1.37 million. Toru had heard it was linguistically and ethnically close to Finland, sometimes even considered part of the Nordic region.

“Nice one, Toru-kun! You know your stuff~!” Toka grinned.

“Well, I studied a bit…”

“Oh? Trying to learn more about Aino-san’s roots, huh?”

She’d hit the nail on the head, and Toru clammed up, embarrassed. He’d looked into Finland, Aino’s heritage, and had come across Estonia in passing.

The light turned green, and Toka hit the gas.

“Mai-chan’s been splitting her time between Estonia and Japan, and the Mizunases have kept their distance from the main family,” Toka explained. “No surprise you haven’t met her. She started showing up at Konoe gatherings around the time she entered middle school, though.”

That was right around when Toru had lost his standing in the Konoe family. No wonder they’d never crossed paths.

Toka smirked. “What’s this? Got a wandering eye, Toru-kun? She’s a cutie, isn’t she? A silver-haired Nordic beauty!”

“No way, it’s not like that…!”

Aino and Chika leaned forward from the back. Aino pouted, “Toru-kun, I’m the only Nordic beauty you need, right?” while Chika added, “I’m way better than Mai, aren’t I?”

Toru scrambled, explaining the whole encounter to Toka. She was the only adult he could rely on, his biggest ally in the Konoe family. Thanks to her, they’d been able to live peacefully.

He couldn’t keep her in the dark.

Toka chuckled. “So, Mai Mizunase wants to be head of the Konoe family? Interesting.”

“Do you think she’s got a shot?”

“Depends on the other candidates, doesn’t it?”

Meaning Chika—and Toru himself.

He’d promised Toka he’d aim for the headship, a condition for breaking Chika’s engagement. He hadn’t told Chika yet, but it was a necessary step to protect Aino from unfair treatment. If the Konoe family changed their mind, they could tear him and Aino apart.

Toka slapped his back enthusiastically. “Step it up, kid!”

“Hey, focus on driving!”

“I’ve got this~ Watch your big sis’s slick moves!”

She weaved through traffic with deft precision, overtaking cars effortlessly.

Toka-san’s good at everything, Toru thought, impressed. She’d be a nightmare as an enemy.

At a red light, she leaned close, her lips brushing near his ear. The scent of her mature perfume made his heart race.

“You’re gonna be the next head of the Konoe family, right? If you wanna protect Lyuti-san,” she whispered, low enough that Aino and Chika couldn’t hear.

It felt like both encouragement and a warning.

Toru owed her, though. He nodded.

“You’ve got my back, right?”

“Of course! Leave it to this Kyoto University grad, bar-exam-passing, genius beauty Tokieda Toka!”

“You’re really hyping yourself up.”

“But in the end, it’s on you to make it happen.”

She was right. Toru had to prove himself worthy of the Konoe headship. Chika, Mai, and countless other relatives—including the current head—would only acknowledge someone who earned it. Having been exiled from the family once, the bar was even higher for him.

But he had to do it.

If that was the way to protect Aino.

Toka smiled. “That’s a good look on you. You’ve got purpose now.”

“And what’s your purpose?”

“That’s a secret for now, big sis’s little mystery~”

Toka had said she wanted to change the Konoe family. Her joining the Konoe Group wasn’t just because it was local—there was a deeper reason.

They arrived at the Ryusenji pool. Toka waved them off. “Enough heavy talk. Go have fun like high schoolers should!”

Aino and Chika’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Aino was still basking in the newness of their relationship, and Chika had just escaped a forced engagement. Their enthusiasm was understandable.

“Hey, do you two have swimsuits?” Toru asked. He’d brought his own, but he wasn’t sure about them.

Aino looked up at him, shyly. “Um, I don’t have one.”

“Huh? But we’re going to a pool…”

He briefly imagined her swimming naked, then shook his head. No way.

Aino gave him a half-lidded stare. “You just thought something naughty, didn’t you?”

“I’m not a perv like you think! Anyway, there’s a mall right next door, right?”

The AEON Mall Nagoya Ryusenji was attached to the pool complex. They could buy swimsuits there.

Chika laughed. “We’re gonna have Toru pick out swimsuits for us!”

“Huh!?”

Aino nodded eagerly. “It’s a date with Toru-kun, after all. I wanna wear something he likes!”

“I-I don’t care about my tastes!”

Chika and Aino exchanged a look, then shook their heads in unison.

“We’re wearing swimsuits for you to see, aren’t we?” Chika said matter-of-factly.

“I want you to think I’m cute…” Aino added, blushing.

Toru was reminded, yet again, that both girls genuinely liked him.

Toka teased, “Quite the ladies’ man, huh, Toru-kun?”

“By the way, I’m kinda into you too~” she added.

“Stop joking around!”

“Maybe I’ll steal you and become your bride~”

It was obviously a joke, but Aino panicked. “N-No fair, an older woman’s too much competition!”

Chika, used to Toka’s teasing, just sighed. “Toka-san, that’s underage corruption.”

“Love conquers all, doesn’t it?”

While Chika and Toka bantered, Aino grabbed Toru’s arm, puffing out her cheeks.

“I’m not letting Chika-chan or Toka-san have you, Toru-kun!”

☆

Toru, Aino, and Chika headed to a clothing store in the mall selling swimsuits. Toka stayed back, watching from a distance with the security team. Apparently, there were plenty of Konoe-affiliated plainclothes guards around—a reasonable precaution after Chika’s near-kidnapping incident, though it was a bit intimidating.

Aino tilted her head and giggled. “If we get all lovey-dovey, the Konoe folks will see, huh?”

“Does that bother you?”

“Nope! I wanna show off that I’m your fiancée.”

Their engagement was the Konoe family’s decision, and their cohabitation was part of ensuring their relationship progressed smoothly. Toka might’ve brought them here partly to check on that.

Chika wandered off to browse swimsuits, leaving a small opening.

Aino didn’t miss it.

With a sly smile, she tugged Toru’s hand. “I wanna try some on.”

“Uh, you’re dragging me along?”

“Of course! It’s no fun unless you see.”

They headed to the fitting rooms, Aino clutching a few swimsuits—some daringly skimpy.

“You’re wearing those?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not exactly, and they’d look great on you, but…”

“Then it’s fine, right?”

Aino slipped into the fitting room. The rustle of fabric made Toru’s heart race. She’d have to undress to try on the swimsuits…

A moment later, she stepped out.

“What do you think?”

It was a modest one-piece, elegant and pure. Toru caught his breath. Aino was stunning. Petite but with a gravure idol’s curves, her slender legs and fair skin were breathtaking. The swimsuit didn’t reveal much, but that only enhanced its refined charm.

When Toru voiced as much, Aino’s face turned red.

“Toru-kun… you’re too sweet.”

“Am I? Anyone would have endless compliments for someone as cute as you.”

“You think so too, right?”

“Of course.”

As her fiancé and boyfriend, Toru felt he had to know Aino’s best qualities better than anyone.

Aino’s cheeks flushed, but she smiled happily. “Then I gotta pick the swimsuit you’ll love most.”

She ducked back into the fitting room.

This time, she emerged in the polar opposite—a micro bikini, scandalously provocative.

“A-Aino-san, that’s…”

“You like naughty stuff like this, don’t you, Toru-kun?”

Okay, yeah, I did, but…!

It was barely more than strings, just covering the essentials, leaving almost everything exposed. Aino’s cheeks reddened as she grew self-conscious.

“Th-This… my chest isn’t showing, right?”

“I-It’s just barely safe, I think.”

“What do you think?”

“Uh…”

“Be honest… please…”

Her voice trailed off, almost a whisper.

Toru steeled himself. “It’s insanely hot and amazing!”

“R-Really?”

“Honestly, it’s perfect…”

“Then maybe I’ll get this one…”

“Actually, could you not?”

“Why?”

“I wanna keep your sexy side all to myself.”

Chika was fine, but the idea of other guys ogling Aino in that at the pool was unbearable. He could already imagine the stares.

Aino giggled. “Then maybe I’ll buy it just for you.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll wear it when we’re alone at home.”

“Thanks, that’d be great, but… in that swimsuit, I might…”

“Pounce on me?” she teased.

Mai’s warning echoed in his mind—taking Aino’s virginity could jeopardize their engagement. Besides, they were still high schoolers; they probably shouldn’t go there.

Aino had even said she’d be fine having his kids, and they’d already done some naughty stuff, but still…

She leaned forward provocatively, emphasizing her chest. “Look, your eyes are glued to me… oh!”

Aino yelped. The fabric covering her right breast had slipped, flashing a glimpse of her nipple. Panicking, she tried to fix it, but the tie came loose, nearly exposing the other side too.

Toru instinctively reached out to hold the swimsuit in place, pushing her back into the fitting room to shield her from prying eyes.

But…

“T-Toru-kun… getting frisky in a place like this… I’m happy but so embarrassed,” Aino said, her eyes glistening as she gazed up at him, topless.

He’d meant to keep the swimsuit from falling, but he’d been too late, ending up just grabbing her chest.

From Aino’s perspective, he’d shoved her into a confined space and was groping her.

(If this wasn’t Aino, I’d look like a total creep…!)

But since it was Aino, she wasn’t upset—she looked thrilled. More than just being his fiancée or girlfriend, she adored him. Most people would be mad if their partner grabbed them like this, but Aino’s eyes sparkled with opportunity.

Which was its own kind of problem. Toru reluctantly let go, but that left her chest exposed. The sight of her pink nipples made him avert his gaze.

Aino dramatically covered herself with her hands. “So… what now?”

“What now?”

“You’re not gonna do anything? Naughty stuff in a fitting room is, like, straight out of a spicy manga, right?”

“No way, we’d get in trouble with the store… Wait, you read that stuff?”

“Don’t you, Toru-kun?”

Caught off guard, he nodded sheepishly. “Kinda.”

“Hmm, now I’m curious what kind of naughty books you read.”

“Please, spare me.”

“I wanna know everything about you. And… I’m okay with anything you do to me.”

She leaned into him, pressing her chest against his. The softness overwhelmed him, leaving him at a loss.

His body reacted despite himself, faced with a beautiful girl seducing him naked.

“Oh…” Aino let out a small gasp, feeling his arousal press against her.

She giggled. “Your body’s honest, huh?”

“Aino-san, that line…”

“Like a villain in a naughty manga?”

As she spoke, she teasingly touched him.

“S-Stop it, Aino-san!”

“Your voice is so cute…”

Aino’s sweet voice whispered in his ear, and Toru felt his restraint fraying at the edges.

But then, from outside the fitting room, Chika’s voice called out, “Toru? Aino-san? Where are you guys?”

Oh, right—they’d left Chika behind.

Toru started to respond, but Aino grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“No way.”

“Why not?”

“I wanna keep you all to myself.”

Her voice was soft, almost pleading. At home, maybe, but getting frisky in a fitting room was a step too far.

Not to mention Mai’s threat looming over them. They had to get out of here.

Toru tried to reason with her, but Aino tilted her head. “How’re we gonna explain this to Chika-chan?”

Fair point. Admitting he’d been pressed up against a topless Aino would probably send Chika into a rage.

With a sigh, Toru gave up and picked up the swimsuit. He tried to hand it to her, but Aino grinned mischievously. “I’ll put it on… if you help me, Toru-kun.” She turned around.

(I’ve gotta put this on her…?)

The bikini top was still warm from Aino’s body, enough to make his heart race. But he had no choice.

He held the fabric up to her chest, pressing it against her. Aino flinched.

“Ah! H-Hyah!”

“Don’t make weird noises!”

“B-But… ahh!”

He tried to cover her soft peaks with the micro bikini. This okay? he thought, but Aino whispered, “M-My nipples aren’t covered…”

“C-Could you lower it a bit?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Ahh, it’s rubbing my nipples… nn!”

Her breathy moans were driving him wild. He fumbled to tie the strings, but they wouldn’t cooperate.

“Uh, hold on…”

“Oh, it’s slipping again… ahh!”

To keep the bikini in place, he ended up pressing her chest from behind, her gasps punctuating each movement.

Finally, he managed to tie it.

That’s when the door swung open.

“T-Toru! What the heck are you doing?!”

Chika’s furious voice echoed. Toru and Aino turned to her like scolded kids.

“Uh, w-well…”

“You ditched me to get naughty with Aino-san? Seriously?!”

“It’s not like that, there’s a reason—”

“Then why are you two alone in a fitting room? A-And Aino-san, that swimsuit is cheating!”

Aino shrugged, then struck a pose to flaunt her chest. “What, is it bad?”

“It’s indecent and forbidden!”

“Why don’t you try one, Chika-chan? Toru-kun would love it.”

“R-Really…?” Chika hesitated.

Toru hurriedly intervened. Surprisingly, Chika—whom he’d expected to pick an elegant one-piece—chose a bold bikini, likely to compete with Aino and catch Toru’s eye.

“I’ve gotta make sure Toru sees me as a girl,” she whispered, clearly pleased when he complimented her. And honestly, Chika, the perfect beauty with a stunning figure, rocked the flashy bikini.

Aino, meanwhile, went with a one-piece, but its plunging neckline showed off plenty of cleavage. It was hardly less provocative than the micro bikini, and just as dangerous to Toru’s senses.

(She’s so cute…)

She looked like an idol or actress straight off the screen. Apparently, she’d picked it to suit his tastes.

Aino giggled. “I’ve gotta keep Toru-kun’s eyes glued to me so he doesn’t have time for Chika-chan.”

Their gazes locked, sparking a silent showdown.

☆

At the pool, Aino admitted sheepishly, “Um, I… can’t swim.”

“What?!” Toru blinked. “Then we could’ve gone somewhere else! Though, there’s a soda bath and hot springs here too…”

Chika gasped in surprise.

Aino clasped her hands apologetically. “I wanted to show Toru-kun my swimsuit. And you seemed so excited, Chika-chan.”

Chika softened, a smile breaking through. “Ugh, fine. I’ll teach you how to swim!”

“Really?!”

“You bet! Watch this—I’m faster than the swim team!”

Classic Chika, perfect at everything, Toru thought, impressed. But Aino’s unexpected weakness was kinda cute too.

She was his girlfriend, after all.

Still, if anyone should teach her, it ought to be him.

Chika chimed in, “Toru, you’re helping too.”

They started with floating. Aino managed to get her face in the water and float, doing better than expected.

“Nice!” “You’re killing it, Aino-san!” Toru and Chika cheered.

Aino pouted. “Feels like you’re treating me like a kid…” But she looked secretly pleased.

“Now, Toru, guide her by the hand,” Chika instructed.

Aino stayed floating while Toru took her small hand, pulling her along as he walked backward. She glided smoothly across the water.

(Going great…)

Until he bumped into someone behind him.

“Oh, sorry—”

At the same moment, Aino’s head bonked into his stomach. Flustered, she yelped, “W-Wah!”

Trying to help her stand, Toru grabbed her, accidentally brushing her butt.

“Hyah!”

Aino squeaked, then steadied herself, blushing as she glared at him. “Toru-kun, you perv.”

“You know that was an accident, right?!”

“But you liked it, didn’t you?”

He couldn’t help recalling the softness of her butt, his cheeks heating up.

(Chika’s gonna kill me…)

Lost in thought, he missed the new arrival.

“Renjō?!”

Turning, he saw his classmate, Asuka Sakurai, in a stylish swimsuit that suited her perfectly.

Chika, approaching, looked just as shocked. Behind Asuka was Kotoka Akihama, another classmate, in a flashy bikini.

Asuka’s eyes flicked between Toru, Aino, and Chika, her face falling. “Oh… you’re on a date with Lyuti-san… and Konoe Chika.”

Asuka saw herself as Chika’s rival and had feelings for Toru. This was bad.

The only one enjoying this was Kotoka. She was the daughter of the miso udon shop where Toru and Aino had eaten, making this their second chance encounter. A popular, outgoing girl, she wasn’t as assertive as Chika or Asuka, more the type to go with the flow.

“Oooh, a love triangle?” Kotoka teased.

It was a mess, no question.

Chika said awkwardly, “I didn’t mean to leave you out, Sakurai-san.”

“You said you weren’t joining the dating thing,” Aino added.

The “dating” was their agreement for Aino and Chika to fairly compete for Toru. Asuka had refused to join, and she wasn’t on board with Chika’s polyamory plan either. While Aino and Chika were close, Asuka kept her distance.

Asuka nodded. “I’m not here to play nice with you guys.”

Her voice lacked its usual fire, though, sounding almost defeated.

Aino glanced at Kotoka, then sidled up to whisper something. Kotoka grinned, and Chika nodded beside her.

(Hope they’re not planning anything weird…)

Aino clasped her hands. “I’m kinda tired, so we’re gonna grab parfaits over there.”

“Huh?”

Sure, the indoor pool had a resort vibe with parfait stands, but this was sudden.

Aino leaned close, whispering, “Make Sakurai-san happy. I trust you’ll only have eyes for me, Toru-kun.”

With that, she, Chika, and Kotoka headed off.

“Wait!” Asuka tried to call Kotoka back, but they were gone.

Not long ago, Asuka had been Toru’s closest companion. He hadn’t noticed her feelings then, but she’d always treated him as a dear friend.

Aino probably felt guilty for “stealing” him, so she was giving Asuka a chance to be alone with him, just like she’d done with Chika.

(But Aino knows, right?)

Toru would never betray her. He wouldn’t choose Asuka as his girlfriend.

Aino’s confidence in him let her pull this off, which warmed his heart.

The phrase main wife’s composure popped into his head, but he shook it off. He wasn’t married to Aino yet, and that made it sound like he had concubines. Chika might be plotting that, and Toka might joke, “A Konoe heir should handle a few girls,” but that wasn’t Toru’s style.

Asuka glanced at him. “Uh, Renjō?”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s have a contest.”

“You and me? Not Chika?”

“Yup. Winner gets to order the loser to do anything.”

“You’d probably win most contests.”

“Not true. You’re smart, athletic. Here’s the deal: first to swim 25 meters freestyle wins.”

“A race? I’m a guy, so I’ve got an advantage.”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’m good at swimming. You know that, right?”

Now that she mentioned it, he vaguely recalled her saying so in middle school. Swim classes were separate, so he hadn’t seen her in action.

Asuka was a tough opponent, even if she couldn’t beat Chika. He could lose, and who knew what she’d make him do?

“I don’t really have anything I’d order you to do…”

“I’ve got plenty,” she said, glaring.

Toru shrugged, and they agreed to the race.

“But we need a referee for close calls,” he pointed out.

“Oh…” Asuka hadn’t thought of that. Aino, Chika, and Kotoka were gone.

“Sounds like an interesting bet,” a voice said.

Turning, Toru saw a stunning woman, maybe college-aged, in a micro bikini that flaunted her curves. He stared for a moment, and Asuka yanked his arm.

“What’re you gawking at?”

“No, I feel like I’ve seen her before…”

“What, hitting on her? You’ve got Lyuti-san and Konoe Chika already!”

That wasn’t it. She reminded him of Toka. He’d seen a receptionist who looked like her when they went karaoke with Aino and Chika. Probably the same woman.

She grinned, unfazed. “You’re having a contest, right? Big sis’ll be your referee.”

“Really?” Asuka asked warily.

No reason for a stranger to get involved, but the woman seemed thrilled. “Yup! Watching young love is fun.”

She’s barely older than us, Toru thought but didn’t say. Asuka was already flustered.

“L-Love? It’s not like that!”

“The winner gets to order anything, right? You like this boy, don’t you?”

“I’m not using it for anything indecent!”

“But if you lose, he might make you do something naughty.”

Asuka blushed, whispering to Toru, “Would you?”

“Nah, I wouldn’t,” he said, and she muttered, “That’s kinda annoying too.”

(What am I supposed to do here?)

They moved to the pool’s edge. The woman raised her hand.

“Here we go!”

Toru felt self-conscious with eyes on them, though most were on the bikini-clad woman and Asuka.

“Ready, set, go!”

They dove in. Toru wasn’t bad at sports, and even if Asuka was skilled, he wasn’t going down easily. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking as she swam beside him.

No room for mistakes.

He powered to the other side, looking up to see Asuka already there. They turned to the referee.

She smiled. “Close, but the boy wins.”

Asuka’s face fell. “No way…”

Toru exhaled in relief. Losing meant risking unknown demands, though he trusted Asuka wouldn’t go too far.

The woman chuckled. “Guess you’ve gotta get a naughty order from him.”

Right, he could order Asuka to do anything. The woman mumbled, “That was fun. I’ll ask my sister how it ends,” and left before Toru could ask who her “sister” was.

Asuka, hair wet from the swim, tugged his arm. The water made her short hair look sultry.

“Stop staring at her. I don’t like it.”

He’d only been curious about her connection to Toka, but to Asuka, it probably looked like he was ogling.

Truthfully, he was caught up in Asuka’s swimsuit-clad figure. The wet fabric clung to her, making him see her as a girl.

She glanced at her chest, then covered it. “You like big-chested girls, right?”

“N-No, that’s not—”

“It’s not?”

Well, it wasn’t not true, but admitting it was tricky.

If he said he liked big chests, who knew what she’d say?

“I’m not stacked like Lyuti-san or Konoe Chika.”

“They’re just… unusually big.”

He regretted it instantly. Asuka gave him a deadpan look.

“So you are a boob guy.”

“No, no, no!”

“My small chest doesn’t interest you, right?”

She looked down, embarrassed. “Forget I said that. B-But if you, the boob guy, wanna touch mine, use your order.”

“Nah, I’m good. Maybe just buy me a juice.”

She lightly smacked his head. “No unsexy orders!”

“You want a sexy one?”

“You’re so mean… Just hold onto it. Until you’re ready to order something.”

He sighed. “I don’t wanna make you do anything.”

“So you’re not interested in me?”

He shook his head. “You’re an important friend. I’d never force you to do anything.”

Asuka blinked, then gave a shy smile. “Thanks. That’s why I like you.”

She looked up at him, eyes soft, and grabbed his arm, pressing her chest against it.

“Sakurai-san?!”

“I can’t give up. I was by your side first. I won’t lose to Lyuti-san or Konoe Chika…!”

“But I’m Aino’s fiancé.”

“I’ll steal you, whatever it takes. I hate losing.”

“I know. You’re competitive and hardworking.”

“You always saw me fighting Chika, didn’t you? But my real opponent now isn’t her.”

“Aino-san?”

“No. You.”

She pointed at him.

“Just you watch! I’m gonna make Renjō mine!”

At that moment, Aino and the others returned.

Kotoka suggested, “Wanna hang with us, Lyuti-san?” but Asuka shot her down. “Sorry, Kotoka, but I’m not here to play nice.”

Kotoka gave a wry smile. “Stubborn as ever.” She waved at Toru and the others. “Catch ya later!”

And with that, Asuka and Kotoka left.

Aino grinned. “Have fun?”

“...Being with you is the most fun, Aino-san.”

Toru thought for a moment before answering. Sure, hanging out with Asuka was nice—she was one of his few female friends. But with his fiancée right there, he couldn’t exactly say he enjoyed Asuka’s company.

“Hehe, you’re sneaky, Toru-kun,” Aino teased, linking arms with him and pressing her chest against him.

“But Sakurai-san wouldn’t let you touch her chest, right?”

“Uh—”

He recalled Asuka saying he could touch her chest. A brief pause gave him away, and Aino, sharp as ever, noticed.

“Hmm, did you touch her?”

“No way! She… offered, but I’m not some creep who goes around groping girls.”

Aino and Chika exchanged a look, then said in unison, “But you touched my chest, right?” “Mine too…”

It was true—Toru had touched both Aino’s and Chika’s chests. With Aino, it had happened multiple times in the bath or bedroom, no less.

His eyes flicked to their swimsuit-clad figures. Both had impressive chests, accentuated by their revealing swimsuits, the cleavage drawing his gaze.

Aino caught him staring. “You’re such a perv, Toru-kun…”

She giggled, pressing her chest closer. “But it’s kinda embarrassing with everyone watching. Later, at home, okay?”

“Not even then!” Chika interjected, all righteous indignation.

Aino eyed her playfully. “You’re just hoping for it too, Chika-chan.”

“I-I’m not that indecent!”

“Maybe I am. But only for Toru-kun.”

Aino reached for his lower half. Her chest had already gotten him worked up, and part of him secretly hoped she’d touch him—but Chika grabbed her hand, yanking her away.

“A-Aino-san! No shameless stuff!”

“You’re one to talk, Chika-chan. Didn’t you tempt Toru-kun at school, wanting him to pin you down and ravish you?”

“T-That’s different!”

Their clear voices carried, and Toru glanced around. Guys were glaring daggers at him, and young women looked horrified.

This is bad, he thought.

“Hey, Aino-san, Chika, we’re at a pool. Wanna do something pool-like?”

“I’m cool with naughty stuff! Kidding, kidding!” Aino laughed as Chika playfully ground her knuckles into her temple.

“But what’s ‘pool-like’?” Aino asked.

“Uh, maybe the waterslide?”

Aino’s face lit up. “Yes! Let’s do it!”

Her childlike excitement was adorable. Chika muttered, “Hard to believe she was just trying to grope you.”

“I wanna ride the waterslide with Toru-kun!” Aino chirped.

“Huh?”

“It’s normal for couples, right?”

“Now that you mention it, I see couples doing it all the time.”

“Settled, then!”

“W-Wait, I wanna ride with Toru too!” Chika said hesitantly, less bold than Aino.

Aino smirked. “Rock, paper, scissors it is… Go!”

“W-Wait, shoot!”

Aino threw paper, Chika rock. Aino won, and Chika’s face fell dramatically.

Toru felt bad. “Don’t look so down.”

“But I wanted to ride with you!”

Now Chika was the one acting like a kid.

Aino pumped her fist. “Knew it! Doing couple stuff with Toru-kun is my job as his girlfriend!”

“Don’t rub it in…” Toru sighed.

“Why don’t you ride with him later, Chika-chan?” Aino suggested.

Chika’s face brightened. “Really? Can I?”

“There’s plenty of time. Besides, I’m his girlfriend, so I’ve got the main wife’s composure.”

Aino puffed out her chest dramatically, and Chika glared. “Grr!”

“C’mon, Toru-kun, let’s go!”

“Wait up!” Chika called.

Laughing and bickering, Aino, Chika, and Toru headed to the waterslide.

Times like these were fun, but Toru couldn’t shake his thoughts. Toka, Mai, and the Konoe family—threats to their happy life loomed close.

(That’s why I’ve gotta enjoy the moment.)

He needed to make sure Chika had fun and Aino lived happily. Worrying wouldn’t help.

With two adorable girls who cared about him by his side, he’d go all out.

☆

At the waterslide, Toru found himself in a bit of a bind. It was a two-person tube ride, but…

Aino gave an embarrassed laugh. “This position’s kinda awkward…”

She sat in front, Toru behind, her body pressed against his lap. Their closeness was… stimulating, to say the least. Her swimsuit left little to the imagination, and he could see her chest from above.

To keep their balance, he had to hold her tightly.

No backing down now.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. Aino yelped.

“Toru-kun, so bold…”

“C’mon, really?”

“W-Well, yeah…”

She seemed shy about such couple-like gestures.

“And… I can feel you…”

“It’s just a physical reaction!”

“Y-Yeah. But don’t get like that with Chika-chan, okay?”

Easier said than done, he thought, keeping it to himself.

The attendant signaled, and they shot down the slide.

“Kyaaa!” Aino squealed, thrilled.

The twisting, high-speed course was a rush. Aino’s chest bounced in front of him, testing his focus.

Distracted, he lost his grip, fumbling to grab her again—only to accidentally seize her chest.

“W-What?! Toru-kun, not… ahn!”

“S-Sorry! It wasn’t on purpose—”

“Ahh! Ahn! Nn, d-don’t squeeze so hard!”

He couldn’t let go without risking a fall. Her bikini slipped, flashing a pink nipple.

Trying to cover it, he shifted his hand, and Aino moaned, “It’s rubbing my nipple… ahn!”

They reached the end, still tangled in tension, and splashed into the pool. Toru steadied himself and stood, looking for Aino. She was floating face-down, bubbling.

“Aino-san!” He rushed to help her up.

She stood, catching her breath, then giggled. “That was fun! You had fun too, right, Toru-kun?”

“Sorry for grabbing your chest.”

“It’s fine. Makes for a good memory. And you’re always welcome to, you know?”

She gave him a teasing look, and he froze, noticing her chest. “Aino-san, your bikini’s slipping!”

“Eek! Oh, you’re right!”

She hurriedly fixed it, then laughed. “I’m happy if you see it, Toru-kun.”

Predictably, his ride with Chika ended in a similar mishap—her chest got groped, her bikini came loose, and she moaned through the slide.