Yuusha-kei ni Shosu: Choubatsu Yuusha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku [LN] Bahasa Indonesia

 

Chapter 5

"Senpai! Congratulations on the full recovery of your arm!"

After school, I returned home from a hospital visit to find Shirasu, dressed in loungewear, greeting me with the PA-POW! of a party popper.

"...Thanks, Shirasu."

Getting a face full of confetti was more irritating than joyful. And since she'd been lying in wait for me at the entrance, the ambush made me scowl instinctively.

"Ahahaha... Sorry, Senpai. Was that a little too much?"

"Don't ask it like a question. It was way, way too much."

Brushing the colorful paper out of my hair, I took off my shoes and stepped inside. The old me would have been at least a little angry or exasperated, but not today. In fact, I could even express my gratitude for the celebration.

That's because my right arm, which had been wrapped in bandages, was finally free. Well, the pain had been gone for a while, so this was long overdue.

"But still! At any rate, both your hands are finally free! Senpai, please tell us how you're feeling right now!"

Shirasu thrust her right hand toward me like a microphone, her demeanor that of an announcer. That would make me the celebrity being hounded about a scandal.

"I guess you could say I'm filled with deep emotion. I never realized how inconvenient it was not to be able to use both hands."

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I played along and answered her interview, which made Shirasu's eyes widen in surprise for a moment before she started giggling.

"What's so funny? I don't think I said anything weird."

"Kufufu. Well, I just didn't expect you to play along so enthusiastically, Senpai. Could it be that you're actually a bit of a goofball?"

"Hahaha! Of course not. I was just matching your energy. Besides, I told you, didn't I? I'm in a good mood today. My arm's all healed, after all!"

"I seeee. So you're in a good mood, Senpai."

Shirasu grinned mischievously while murmuring, "I see." It was obvious she was plotting something, but asking would be stirring up a hornet's nest. I decided to go with the see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil approach.

"Well then! To celebrate the complete healing of your injury, let's have a huge party tonight! Everything's already prepared!"

"So it's already decided... Well, I guess that's fine."

As usual, she'd acted on her own without consulting me, and I thought it was a bit over-the-top for a minor injury healing, but if everything was already set up, there was no point in complaining.

"Huh? I was sure you'd be angry or annoyed... It's almost scarier when you're in too good a mood."

"...What do you think I am?"

I couldn't help but sigh at her comment. I'm not so heartless as to reject a kind gesture.

"Let's see. If I had to put it simply, I'd say you're a tsundere?"

"I'd love for you to explain when I've ever been 'dere' toward you, but before that, can you wait a bit while I go change?"

"That's exactly what I mean, Senpai. Ah... I'm sorry. I was so focused on the party preparations that I forgot something important."

Shirasu clapped her hands together. Pan! For a few seconds, I debated whether or not to ask what she'd remembered. I decided to ignore it and head for the stairs, but she wasn't having it, rushing over to grab my sleeve.

"Where are you going, Senpai? Aren't you curious about what I forgot?"

Shirasu asked with a smile. Her expression was lovely, but her eyes weren't smiling at all, which gave her a strange, eerie creepiness.

"...Could you tell me what you forgot?"

Resisting Shirasu when she gets like this is futile. In fact, if I keep ignoring her, she's liable to start sulking about why I won't ask. You learn these things, whether you like it or not, when you have a commuting wife showing up every day.

"To welcome my master home after preparing a celebration, this outfit is simply not appropriate! When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I should have worn my maid uniform!"

"You're definitely using that saying wrong. And it's a good thing you didn't change into the maid outfit."

"Ehhh? Why not? You were super excited when I wore it last time!"

"Don't make things up. My spirits were lifted, but I wasn't 'excited.'"

Shirasu's maid outfit was certainly cute. If you asked me whether I wanted to see it again or not, the answer would obviously be the former. The reason I'm refusing, however, is simply—

"You're not my maid, Shirasu, you're my commuting wife, right? In that case, I like your current clothes better than a maid outfit."

"You-You big idiot, Senpai! You natural-born charmer! You don't just casually say things like that to other girls besides me, do you!?"

For some reason, Shirasu's face turned bright red as she closed the distance between us.

"Well, do you, Senpai!? Don't tell me you say things like that to that Mimasaka-san!?"

Shirasu pressed, looking like she was about to grab me by the collar. Why was Mimasaka's name coming up now?

"To Mimasaka? Hahaha! I wouldn't say something like this to her even as a joke."

"Really? Can you swear you won't say it in the past, present, or future—in any timeline!? Can you look me in the eye and swear it!?"

She was shaking me so violently that I couldn't even see her face properly, let alone her eyes.

"Calm down, Shirasu. I'm telling you, I haven't said it to anyone but you in the past or present!"

"The future! What about the future!? The future is the most important part!"

"You're really hung up on this, huh!? I'm not planning on saying it in the future either! First of all, Mimasaka and I don't have that kind of relationship, and we have no plans to!"

"So you're saying it's only for me!? If you're lying, I'll make you swallow a thousand needles and then perform a searing-hot dogeza, you hear me!"

"That's a bit extreme, don't you think!?"

No one knows what the future holds; that's an awfully unreasonable demand. Even if I don't say it to Mimasaka, there could be all sorts of new people I'll meet after high school. This promise was just too unfair. But there was one thing I knew for sure.

"I won't say it to anyone but you, and I have no intention of doing so. I'm sure I'll meet a lot of different people from now on, but I don't think I'll ever find anyone better than you, Shirasu."

"What... do you mean by that?"

She stopped shaking me, her expression turning to one of pure confusion. She calls me dense, but she's the one who's truly clueless and thick-headed.

"I'm saying there's no girl cuter or more beautiful than you. Don't make me say such embarrassing things."

"Y-Yes... I'm sorry."

Her face flushed a fiery red, and Shirasu looked down. Her blush was contagious, and I felt my own cheeks grow hot.

"R-Right! That's the end of this conversation! Got it!?"

"G-Got it! I'll be waiting in the living room, so please hurry and get changed!"

With a quick "see you later," Shirasu zipped away like a gust of wind. After confirming the door had slammed shut with a BANG!, I crumpled to the floor. I wish a hole would open up and swallow me. If not, I'd dig one myself.

"...I'm going to die of embarrassment."

I regretted the words that had just tumbled out of my mouth, but it's hard to take back something once it's been said.

And judging by Shirasu's reaction, a simple "Just kidding, tee-hee" would absolutely not fly. If I tried that, she would undoubtedly fly into a rage.

"Being in too good a mood can be a problem."

I'll be more careful from now on. Vowing this to myself, I climbed the stairs to my room. But the heat in my cheeks refused to fade, and though I waited until an impatient Shirasu came storming up to get me, it never cooled down.

＊＊＊＊＊

"Hey, Senpai. Will you go on a date with me this weekend?"

As I was savoring the roast beef Shirasu had made, she suddenly dropped a topic laced with a word more dangerous than usual.

"I see. You want to go out somewhere."

"That's not it! It's not just an outing, it's a date, okay? You're not allowed to rephrase it!"

Shirasu corrected me as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but does she really understand that an "outing" and a "date" are two different things? Even if it's just for shopping, calling it a date changes your whole mindset. To be specific, it makes me nervous.

"Well, setting aside whether it's an outing or a date, is there something you want to do?"

"That's an important point, so please don't ignore it... but I'll move the conversation forward. To put it bluntly, there's something I want to buy!"

BAM! The young Shirasu-san slammed her hand on the table and leaned forward. For the record, her clothes were the same as when she'd greeted me. I had fully expected her to change into her maid outfit, and apparently, that had been her original plan, but...

"My lady, timing is everything. Even the most delicious food becomes tiresome if you eat it too often, does it not? It is precisely the same principle."

...is what her maid, Nanase-san, had apparently advised her, so she decided against it. In short, Nanase-san was likely trying to say that the uniform has its maximum effect precisely because it's worn only at crucial moments, but I wonder if that message got through to Shirasu herself.

"After we shop, let's see a movie! The new installment of an animated film I watch every year just came out! By the time the movie's over, it'll be dinnertime, so let's eat out. I'll reserve a table at a delicious restaurant!"

"You've thought of everything, haven't you? And it seems like the plan was already set before I even gave my permission."

"Of course! I'm your commuting wife, am I not? I came up with it while making dinner when you were at the hospital!"

Shirasu puffed out her chest with a proud, smug look on her face. For a plan conceived while cooking, it was surprisingly detailed, and the timetable was solid. It was hard to believe she thought of it on the side. And above all, this was—

"...completely a date."

"That's what I've been saying all along! So, it's okay, right? You'll go on a date with me, right?"

Her eyes welled up as she stared at me with a serious expression, and I was at a loss for an answer. My reason was screaming that refusing was the safe bet, but then she said:

"Will you grant me my first and last selfish request?"

"...Huh? First and last?"

She's already made plenty of selfish requests, and I'm confident I've granted most of them. If anything, just allowing her to be my "commuting wife" is the prime example.

"Please don't interrupt! What I'm trying to say is that I want to make an unforgettable memory!"

BAM! Shirasu slammed the table again, her voice rising. As far as I was concerned, we'd already made more than enough memories. In fact, I felt like asking for more would bring some kind of punishment down on me.

"Because... because... now that your injury is healed, my duties are over, aren't they? So is it wrong for me to want to have one last big blast with you!?"

"...I see."

I feel like she's forgetting something important, but I decided to keep quiet for now, as it might throw a wrench into her earnest, almost tragic plea.

"And if you think about it calmly, we've spent a lot of time together at home, but we haven't really gone anywhere, have we? We haven't had a proper outing, have we!?"

"Ah... now that you mention it, you're right."

Even without going out, we'd spent some intense and intimate time together that I'd never forget—the maid outfit reveal, bathing together, sleeping in the same bed—but was she saying that wasn't enough?

"Of course I love relaxing at home with you, Senpai! But I think it's nice to go out and have fun under the sun sometimes, too!"

"The real reason?"

"Please give me a reward for working so hard to take care of you!"

"Honesty is a virtue. You should have just said that from the start."

I thought as much. But it goes without saying that both her stated reason and this one were her true feelings.

"Alright. Let's go on a date this weekend, then."

"You know what they say, a little carrot and a little stick, right? So it's okay to give me a carrot every now and then—wait, Senpai. What did you just say?"

"You didn't hear me? I said let's go on a date. Or was this all a lie just to tease me?"

"I'll go! I'll go! I'll go on a date with you, Senpai! It's too late to say it was a lie or a prank now! No take-backs!"

"Yay!" Shirasu cheered, jumping up and down. She looked like an athlete who had just won their first gold medal. The bountiful fruits of her chest swayed and bounced, a sight I could watch forever.

"Senpai finally showed his 'dere' side! Aaaah... these past few weeks of being persistent have really paid off!"

"Maybe you should learn to pull back a little, too."

"Against a normal person, the logic of 'if pushing doesn't work, try pulling' might be effective. I'd do that, too. But with you, Senpai, that won't work! If pushing doesn't work, then I'll push you down! That is the secret to defeating Midou Tomoya!"

"...That's also something you got from your maid, Nanase-san, isn't it?"

When I asked with a deadpan look, Shirasu cheerfully replied, "Exactly!" Honestly, that maid fills her head with nothing but trouble. You'd think a maid serving the young lady of the Shirasu family would teach her something a bit more decent.

"Oh, don't worry about such minor details! More importantly, let's flesh out our date plan!"

"Alright, alright! I'll help you with the date plan or whatever, so just sit down for a second. We can talk after we eat."

"A date with Senpai♪ A date with Senpai♪ Ehehe... what should I wear? I have to ask Nanase-san for advice!"

Is that really a good idea? I couldn't help but shrug my shoulders. I hoped she wouldn't just give advice on clothes but also plant ideas about "battle underwear." No, she definitely would. There's no doubt about it. Not that a situation where she would unveil such a thing would ever happen, not in a million, not in a billion years.

"By the way, Shirasu. What is it that you want to buy? Summer clothes?"

"Summer clothes? No, I do want those, but what I want to buy this time is something else. To be blunt—"

"Bluntly?"

"—New underwear! Specifically, battle underwear for you, Senpai!"

It goes without saying that I was left speechless. Of all the things to invite me along to buy, it had to be that.

＊＊＊＊＊

"Aaaah—I'm so glad it's sunny, Senpai!"

"...Yeah."

Under a cloudless, clear sky, Shirasu stretched luxuriously, like a cat sunbathing.

Today, she was dressed in an outfit that perfectly matched the beautiful weather: a white blouse that daringly exposed her décolletage, a light cardigan, a miniskirt, and knee-high socks—a miraculous balance of innocence and allure.

"Huh? What's wrong, Senpai? You seem a little down."

In stark contrast to Shirasu, whose mood had been at its peak since morning, my own spirits were currently in a nosedive.

"Oh, I know! You were so excited about our date today that you couldn't sleep last night, right!? You're down because you're sleep-deprived!"

"Don't compare me to an elementary schooler before a field trip."

"For the record, I was so excited about today that I didn't sleep a wink!"

"That's not something to be proud of."

You're so cute, I thought, stopping the words just before they left my throat. I couldn't imagine what would happen if I provoked Shirasu today.

"Anyway, are you okay with no sleep? Don't you go passing out during the movie."

"I'll be fine! Before I left the house, Nanase-san gave me something called an energy drink, and I had some!"

"That's not what 'fine' means."

The flags have been raised. Pulling an all-nighter and then borrowing tomorrow's energy with a massive dose of caffeine is not good for you. She might not feel sleepy now because she's keyed up, but the moment she lets her guard down, fatigue will ambush her. It would be the worst if I ended up having to carry her home.

"Senpai, are you underestimating me? Do you really think I'd commit the blunder of falling asleep during our date?"

"...Yeah."

"Why are you looking away!? Even if I am a klutz, I would never commit the outrage of drifting off to dreamland in the middle of a date!"

"Trust me!" Shirasu insisted, grabbing my arm and pulling on it. I wanted to trust her, I really did, but I also wished she'd realize that acting up like this was just draining what little stamina she had left.

"You're right. Shirasu isn't a klutz, so you wouldn't fall asleep halfway through."

"Sheesh! You always do this, Senpai! You treat me like a child or a little sister!"

When I patted her on the head, Shirasu pouted like a sulking child, puffing out her cheeks and stomping her feet.

"Don't you think you could see me as a girl once in a while!? I mean, look at me!"

She calls me an idiot, but if you ask me, I'd like to retort with "what kind of joke is this?"

It's true that Shirasu is younger than me and a junior at school, and she often acts childishly, pulling "pay attention to me" moves like a toddler, but it's not like I don't see her as a girl. In fact, my feelings are the complete opposite.

"Yes, yes. Shirasu is the cutest girl I've ever met. I'm so happy to be on a date with you my heart is pounding."

"Ehehe... Really? I'm number one? Well, you should have just said so from the start!"

With a goofy, melted expression, Shirasu hugged me. My newly healed arm was squished between her breasts, and even through our clothes, I could clearly feel their size and warmth.

Still, isn't this young lady a little too easy? I'm worried about her future. If she gets this happy from a little praise, she'll be easily deceived by some weird guy.

"...You've been confessed to many times, right? Aren't you used to being called cute?"

"You just don't get it, Senpai. Being called 'cute' by one special person is hundreds of times more wonderful than being told that by a bunch of random people."

As she spoke, Shirasu squeezed me tighter, pressing our bodies closer. ...Mmmph... A sweet, fruity fragrance—a bewitching blend of raspberry and floral notes, different from her usual scent—wafted from her golden hair, and I felt like something important was about to be stolen from me.

"...I-Is that how it is?"

"That's how it is! And it's the same with confessions. It's not that I'm not happy, but I'd still rather hear 'I love you' from someone special."

With that, a smile played on her lips as she looked up at me. My heart hammered against my ribs at her bewitching expression. THUMP-THUMP! Thinking to myself that this side of her was just unfair, I gently brought a hand down on her head in a soft chop.

"Ow!? Hey, Senpai, what was that for!?"

"Because if we keep talking, we'll mess up our schedule!"

The movie time is set, so if we dawdle, we'll be late for the showing. If we weren't shopping it wouldn't matter, but today, that's arguably the main event. Though, as far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't mind if it were canceled.

"Now that you mention it, you're right! If we dilly-dally, we won't have time for you to pick out my underwear!"

"You're making me choose!? Aren't you supposed to pick it out yourself!?"

She said it was battle underwear, didn't she? I think it's a bit much to have a guy like me choose it for her.

"Wouldn't it be better to have the experienced Nanase-san pick it out?"

"I thought so too at first and asked her, but Nanase-san advised me, 'No, my lady, that is incorrect. You must have Senpai choose for you.'"

That maid really gives the worst advice. And Shirasu is just as bad for swallowing it whole. I just don't have the energy to argue anymore.

"It's battle underwear exclusively for you, Senpai. So please pick out the lingerie you want me to wear, okay?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Cute, sexy, or... even something... e-ecchi... is o-okay, you know?"

"I wish you'd said that without getting embarrassed!"

I couldn't help but retort as Shirasu spoke while looking down, her ears turning bright red.

"Well, I'll stop teasing you for now. To be serious, my chest has been feeling a little tight lately."

As she said this, she lifted her bountiful assets with both hands, making them jiggle and sway. ...bounce... My eyes widened.

"...What did you say?"

"So I thought I'd take this opportunity to get a whole new set. I'd like you to help me with that!"

I swallowed hard. Gulp... Was she saying that these already perfectly developed breasts were still growing? Unbelievable. Could such a thing even be possible?

"...Senpai. You're staring."

"!?!? S-Sorry! I didn't mean anything by it!"

Her deadpan stare made me quickly avert my gaze.

"You're such a closet pervert, Senpai. If you want to look that badly, I'll let you see plenty later. Inside the fitting room."

"...Hello, is this the police?"

"Wha—Senpai!? This is the part where you blush, not the part where you call the cops!"

Ignoring Shirasu, who had started making a fuss again, I began walking toward our destination, the shopping mall.

＊＊＊＊＊

It being a holiday, the shopping mall was bustling with people of all ages, from couples to families. With this many people, it wouldn't be surprising to run into an acquaintance or two.

"We've got the movie tickets, so now it's time for the main event."

We arrived in front of a lingerie specialty store, and Shirasu's face was filled with the determination of a warrior about to face a great battle. All the customers visible from the outside were women. On display were countless colorful and gorgeous sets of underwear. I felt out of place before even stepping inside. Just standing in front of the store was making me feel weird.

"Alright, I'll wait out here, so you go on in by yourself!"

"No way! You're coming with me! Or else I'll tell everyone at school that we're living together under one roof. Are you okay with that?"

My plan to flee was a non-starter. Instead, Shirasu presented me with an ultimate ultimatum, making me feel slightly dizzy.

"Steel yourself, Senpai. I'm not asking you to buy underwear. I'm just asking you to help me choose."

"That's what I'm saying is a huge hurdle!"

"No more complaining. Let's go. Or are you okay with your high school life being over?"

"...You coward!"

A tiger at the front gate, a wolf at the back. Sacrifice my future social life or endure a moment of shame. I let out a groan of frustration before reluctantly choosing the path of entering the store with Shirasu.

"Alright then, Senpai. Please pick out the underwear you want me to wear. I'll buy whatever you choose!"

"...Just to be sure, it's not just one set, right?"

"Could you pick two? One for daily wear and one for battle?"

"...Haaah. Very well, my lady."

As she casually raised the bar even higher, I let out a deep sigh and started looking around the store with her.

Red, blue, green, purple, black, white. No matter where I looked, my eyes were filled with underwear. Bras, panties, camisoles—at best, it was a paradise; at worst, a trial testing my self-control.

"So, Senpai, what kind of underwear do you want to see me in?"

I felt a slight irritation at Shirasu, who linked her arm with mine while flashing a mischievous, impish smile, but I exhaled it all with a deep breath. At this point, I might as well just go for it.

"Let me confirm one last time. You'll buy whatever I choose, right?"

"Yes. I'll be trying them on, so please pick the ones that make you feel, 'This is it!'"

"...Got it."

Don't think about the consequences. Even if Shirasu is completely put off by my choice, I'll pick with that level of resolve.

First, the color. I'll go with 'white' to match her innocent appearance and name, and 'pink' for its cuteness and vibrancy. When she flips her switch, she becomes incredibly passionate, so 'red' is also tempting, but that's probably better for when she's a little older.

As for the design, anything would look good on Shirasu, and honestly, I'm hesitant to look too closely and choose, especially with all the eyes around me. So, without much comparison, I grabbed the first things that caught my eye and handed them to her.

"I see... So this is what you like, Senpai! By the way, should I guess which one you chose as the battle underwear?"

"You should know without me having to say it. And just forget that and go try them on if you're going to. I'll be waiting outside the store."

"What nonsense are you talking about, Senpai? You're coming with me. You have to see if they look good on me when I try them on."

"Huh!? That's completely insane—!?"

Just as I was about to say, "That's completely insane," I saw a girl with a familiar face coming out of a store about three blocks away.

"? What's wrong, Senpai?"

"Shh, quiet. If you're loud, she'll notice."

I instinctively covered Shirasu's mouth with my hand. With the bustle of the crowd and the loud in-store BGM, it was unlikely she'd hear us, but there was a chance she'd see us. Especially Shirasu, who stands out for better or for worse, increasing that probability.

"Did you see someone you know?"

"Something like that."

"Is it someone who shouldn't see me with you?"

"...Something like that."

To be precise, the problem is being seen with Shirasu in a women's lingerie store. If she of all people—Mimasaka—saw me here, there's no telling what she'd say. That said, it was still far better than being seen by Koshiro or any of the other guys.

"Senpai, hurry, this way. We'll be safe inside the store."

"N-No... Mimasaka might come into this store..."

"Stop complaining and come on! It's more dangerous to just stand around here!"

She had a point. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to go back into the store with Shirasu. She pulled me by the hand, leading me for some reason toward the back of the store. And before I knew it, I was being escorted into a fitting room.

"?????"

I blinked, completely bewildered and confused by what had just happened. Shirasu, completely ignoring my state of mind, let out a breath, took off her cardigan, and hung it on a hook.

"U-Um... Why did you take your clothes off?"

"Is there any reason other than to try things on?"

As she spoke, Shirasu reached for her blouse and, without a moment's hesitation, pulled it off, revealing skin as pure and unblemished as fresh snow. I frantically turned my back to her and tried to escape the small room, but she grabbed my arm firmly. Grasp!

"No. If you go out now, you might run into Mimasaka! It's safer to stay here for a while!"

"N-No... but still..."

Being in this confined space alone with Shirasu was not good. I could concede to staying if nothing happened, but her undressing to try on lingerie here was bad. Bad in the sense that my self-control was about to crumble.

"It's okay. I have an idea."

With that, Shirasu let out a small, cute "oomph," followed by the rustle of fabric. Before I could ask what she was doing, my vision went black as a warm sensation covered my head.

"Sh-Shirasu?"

"Now you can't see anything, so it's okay for me to change, right?"

I wanted to say it was not okay, but the moment I realized the fabric covering me was the blouse Shirasu had been wearing just moments ago, my thoughts ground to a halt.

"Okay then, Senpai. Please just be patient for a little while."

"O-Okay..."

Her sweet, bewitching voice whispered in my ear, and I could do nothing but nod like a broken wind-up doll.

From there, a hellish passage of time began. The metallic click of something being unfastened and refastened. The shhhhk... of rustling clothes. The soft thump of fabric falling to the floor.

And mixed in with all of it, Shirasu's raw, breathy gasps. My heart pounded faster, and my own breathing grew ragged. ...huff... pant...

"Nngh! Oh... this is quite...! Senpai, thank you for waiting."

With those words, Shirasu removed the blouse she'd draped over me. Freed from what felt like an eternity of darkness, I cautiously turned around. There stood Shirasu, wearing the lingerie I had chosen for her to wear on special occasions.

The unbalanced sight of her wearing only underwear on her upper half was so decadent it felt like a strange door in my mind was about to swing open.

"How is it, Senpai? Does it look go—"

"I think it looks amazing."

I blurted out my impression before she could even finish asking.

The battle underwear I had chosen for Shirasu was the pink set. It was a piece made of light pink fabric adorned with appliqués of fresh green leaves and pure white rose petals. It seemed to be woven with glittery thread, as it sparkled here and there.

"Eh, an instant answer? Are you sure? I still have the garter belt to put on, you know."

Even Shirasu was a little surprised, but I just nodded firmly.

Perhaps it was the effect of the lingerie, but it accentuated the beauty of Shirasu's full and shapely assets, creating an even more captivating cleavage. If she equipped a garter belt on top of that, I wasn't confident I could push her away like I had before.

"It looks really good with your beautiful skin, Shirasu. To be honest, I don't want anyone else to see you like this right now."

"Does that mean... you want to have me all to yourself?"

"...Yeah, something like that."

I can't believe I'm saying this, I thought, but it was my undeniable, true feeling. I'd love to meet the man who wouldn't want to keep such a cute princess all to himself.

"...You're really unfair, Senpai."

With a somewhat sulky tone, Shirasu wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tight. ...squeeze...

"You're a klutz who's forgotten so much... so why do you say things that make me so happy at the most crucial times? You're so, so unfair."

"...My bad. That was my fault. I'll apologize, so can you let go for a second?"

Her back would have been one thing, but from the front was dangerous. If I looked down, the soft, inviting valley of her twin hills was right there. The sensation of her body against my waist, combined with the cramped, enclosed space, was throwing my emotions into chaos.

"...No."

Her voice was faint as she tightened her embrace. I was about to tell her not to be so selfish when she continued speaking.

"If I let go... you'll just go off somewhere without me again, Senpai. You'll leave me all alone. So I'm not letting go."

Her voice sounded like it was about to break into tears, and I was at a loss. What should I do? My instincts were screaming in a chorus to hug her back, but I mobilized every last bit of my reason to resist.

"...If you really want me to let go, will you promise me one thing?"

Breaking the silence, Shirasu asked.

"Wh-What is it?"

"Promise me you won't leave my side. Promise me you won't go anywhere."

Her sudden, wet, and heavy voice made my heart jump. THUMP! I nearly let out a strange yelp but managed to hold it back at the last second.

The only reason I was able to maintain a single shred of sanity was because we were out, in a confined fitting room where someone could be just on the other side of a thin wall. If we were at home, though, I could have backed away, made some distance, and escaped.

"Don't just suddenly disappear on me again. If you promise, I might let you go."

I'm not so dense as to take Shirasu's words at face value, and I'd recently begun to understand why she would say such things.

"...I won't disappear. I promise. So will you let me go? It would also help if you put your clothes back on."

"Don't you forget those words, okay? If you're lying, I'll restrain your arms and legs and make you swallow a thousand needles."

"Please don't say such morbid things with such a cute face."

If Shirasu developed yandere traits on top of everything else, she'd become completely unmanageable. With that thought, I gently pushed her away and peeked through the curtain to see if anyone was outside. Good, no one, not even a store clerk. I could probably make a run for it.

"Since you're done trying things on, I'll wait outside the store. Just let me know when you're finished shopping."

"Okay. I still have one more set left, but I'll hear your thoughts on that one at home!"

"Please be gentle."

I already know it'll look good on you without even seeing it, I said in my head, then slipped out of the store with the utmost caution, making absolutely sure no one saw me.

＊＊＊＊＊

"Popcorn and coke are a must for the movies!"

We had successfully (?) finished our shopping and made it to the theater before the movie started, but the sheer number of people was enough to make my head spin. The concession stand, in particular, had a line as long as a feudal lord's procession, but Shirasu seemed determined to join it without a second thought.

"Make sure you get a size we can both finish, okay? Don't come back with two large ones."

"Ehh!? Isn't this where we're supposed to get different flavors and share!? I've always wanted to try that just once!"

"They have a half-and-half option, so just get that. That way, you can enjoy two flavors in one," I reasoned.

"You're right! This way, we can feed each other! Okay, let's get in line!"

She took my hand and pulled me toward the queue. Don't just casually try to start feeding each other, I thought, but the idea of sharing an "aahhn" moment with Shirasu wasn't entirely unappealing. Just as I was entertaining that thought, a problem arose.

"Hey, is that you, Tomoya-niichan!?"

Hearing my name called unexpectedly, I turned around to see a boy of elementary school age. Standing next to him was Mimasaka, the very person I had just been hiding from. This boy was her younger brother; we'd played video games together a few times.

"...Gah."

The moment she saw them, Shirasu, who had been so energetic just a second ago, quickly ducked behind my back. Sssst... She looked just like a zebra hiding from a lion on the savanna.

Mimasaka was dressed casually in a shirt and shorts. But the top buttons of her shirt were undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the valley of her twin hills, which were in no way inferior to Shirasu's. In addition, her beautiful legs, toned by basketball, were still in top form years after her retirement, and she showed them off without reservation.

If Shirasu was an innocent young lady, Mimasaka was a cheerful gyaru. They were complete opposites.

"Fancy meeting you here, Tomoya. You here to see that movie that started yesterday?" Mimasaka asked, glancing briefly at Shirasu before addressing me as if no one else was there.

"Something like that. I see it every year, so it's become a tradition."

"Hahaha! Me too. I just can't resist watching the movies about the shrunken-down great detective. Is that the same for you, Shirasu-san?"

Mimasaka spoke gently to Shirasu, who was still hiding behind me, as if she were talking to a much younger niece.

"Y-Yes... I go to see it every year, too."

"Oh, really? So I guess you invited Tomoya, then? You two are really close, aren't you? Like a brother and sister."

"N-No, that's not it! Senpai and I are not like brother and sister!" Shirasu declared loudly, clinging tightly to my arm. The sudden contact made my heart leap in my chest, but with Shirasu right there, it also sent a chill down my spine.

"It's just a figure of speech. But it doesn't seem like you're just ordinary seniors and juniors, either..."

As I'd feared, Mimasaka's eyes narrowed as she watched Shirasu press against me. Having this dramatic exchange in full public view was doing terrible things for my mental well-being.

"Well, I won't ask about it here. The movie's about to start anyway. But... you'll have to explain your relationship with Shirasu-san properly sometime, okay?"

"Sometime, if I feel like it."

I replied while patting the head of Shirasu, who was letting out a low growl. Grrrrr... It's not like she was going to be eaten alive; she was being way too guarded.

"Nee-chan! It looks like they're starting to let people in, let's go! We don't want to bother Tomoya-niichan and his friend!"

"You're right. We shouldn't get in the way of such a close brother and sister. Well then, Tomoya, Shirasu-san. See you at school."

Waving goodbye, Mimasaka took her brother's hand and joined the flow of people heading toward the entrance.

"We should hurry up and get our stuff so we can go in... and could you let go of me now, Shirasu?"

"Senpai is my senpai. I won't let anyone have him!"

Shirasu declared war on Mimasaka's retreating back. Between her tone and her puffed-out cheeks, the "cuteness" was causing a traffic jam, but there was one thing I had to say.

"I'm not your property, you know."

"Don't worry about the details!"

"Alright, alright. Don't pout."

"I'm not pouting! And please stop treating me like a child!"

Shirasu stomped her foot as she spoke. It's things like that that are so childishly cute, I thought with a warm feeling, but saying it out loud would only make her sulk more, so I just gave a wry smile and patted her head again.

As a result, Shirasu's face turned red as she puffed out her cheeks even more, and to get her back in a good mood, I ended up having to buy the largest size of popcorn.

＊＊＊＊＊

"Mmmph... Senpai... I can't eat another bite."

Leaning against my shoulder, Shirasu mumbled sleepily, a blissful look on her face.

After the movie, everything was fine up until we had feasted on meat that melted in your mouth without even needing to be chewed at the high-end restaurant Shirasu had reserved—a place completely out of place for high school students. But once her stomach was full, her guard dropped, and the sleepiness she'd been fighting off all day came rushing in, rendering her completely immobile.

"No... I don't wanna go home yet... I wanna stay with Senpai..."

Even though going home was the only option, Shirasu resisted, her head bobbing. Now that my injury was healed, her commuting wife life was over. Chances to go on dates like this would probably disappear, too. That is, if what my old man said turned out to be "nonsense."

But that aside, I couldn't exactly carry Shirasu onto the train, and we were too far from home to take a taxi, not to mention I didn't have the cash.

I considered borrowing from Shirasu's wallet, but I felt bad about using it without permission. As I was struggling, a helping hand reached out—

"Thank you, Nanase-san. You're a lifesaver."

"Oh, don't you worry about it. This is all part of a maid's duty."

It was none other than the root of all evil, the mastermind who had been feeding Shirasu all sorts of advice—or rather, delusions—up to this point. The person who had been chipping away at my sanity from afar: Shirasu's personal maid, Nanase-san.

"Yuika-chan asked me ahead of time. She said if she got exhausted and fell asleep, I should come and pick her up."

I was shocked when, while I was stranded, a beautiful woman in a maid uniform emerged from a black luxury car. In a way, it was as shocking as when my dad told me, "You have a fiancée."

"I see... so that's what was going on. Wait a minute. If she said 'if I get exhausted and fall asleep,' does that mean—?"

"Oh my. You're surprisingly quick on the uptake. As you've imagined, I was on standby near you two all day today. Thanks to that, I almost had to witness your sweet, youthful romance and was about to spit sugar from my mouth."

Nanase-san chuckled as she turned the steering wheel. In other words, she'd been watching us so she could be ready for anything. I can't believe I didn't notice a beautiful woman in such a classic maid uniform in the middle of the city.

"...Nanase-san, are you by any chance a ninja?"

"How did you arrive at that conclusion from this conversation? I'm just a simple maid. Suppressing my presence in a crowd is a piece of cake."

"No maid like that exists."

That kind of thing should be confined to manga and anime.

"Fufu. I'm just kidding. Even a maid changes her clothes when she goes out into the city. Especially on a date that Yuika-chan had been looking forward to for so long."

"I couldn't possibly get in the way," Nanase-san said, her tone serious and somehow sentimental.

"...Anyway, you call her 'Yuika-chan'?"

Not wanting the mood to get somber, I forced a change of topic.

"We've known each other since Yuika-chan was in kindergarten. To me, she's like a cute little sister before she is the master I serve. But rest assured, I know how to mind my TPOs."

"It's not that I'm worried... but I am surprised you and Shirasu have known each other for so long."

"Fufu. In that case, Midou-kun, I shall grant you the special privilege of calling me 'Onee-chan.' How about it? Aren't you happy?"

"I must respectfully decline."

Like sister, like sister. So Shirasu gets her teasing nature from this woman. That's another thing I've learned about her. And what's with this 'Onee-chan' thing? She's not going to say she's my sister-in-law or something, is she?

"Oh my. I've been rejected. How sad, pien, see you next week."

After muttering such a silly monologue, Nanase-san laughed. Her behavior made me suspect she might have been drinking.

"Jokes aside. Midou-kun, I'm entrusting Yuika-chan to you. I won't say things that would tie down your future, like 'you must make her happy,' but... I'd appreciate it if you didn't make her cry."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said. Well, you should probably hear the details from Yuika-chan herself. But in that case, you'll need to have some kind of answer ready... Are you okay with that?"

Our eyes met for a fleeting moment in the rearview mirror. Her gaze was as serious as if her joking from a moment ago had been a lie. I glanced at Shirasu, who was sleeping soundly with an expression of complete peace, letting out cute little breaths, and a wry smile escaped my lips.

"I'm okay. My answer is already... prepared."

"Well now. That's a response your big sis didn't quite expect. Watching you up until now, I was sure you'd be all flustered."

"I'm at least aware that things can't go on like this."

Having spent these past few weeks with Shirasu, I'm not so dense as to not have noticed her feelings. No, to be precise, I was pretending not to see them.

"I see! I see! Just hearing that is a relief for this big sis! I'm counting on you to take care of Yuika-chan."

"...Yes."

My reply and Nanase-san stepping on the brake to stop the car happened at almost the same time. The quiet, comfortable drive was over. Feeling a tiny pang of guilt, I gently tapped Shirasu's shoulder to awaken the sleeping princess from her dreams.

"Umyu... onii-chan?"

"Who are you calling 'onii-chan'? Wake up, Shirasu. We're home."

"Ngh... I can't walk. Onii-chan, give me a hug and a piggyback ride."

"...Haaaah. Just for today, this is a special exception."

Shirasu held out her hands appealingly. Good grief. Going full-throttle with the coddling at the very end. The fact that I find that unbearably endearing means I've already lost this battle.

"I'm so glad for you, my lady."

"Yes... Thank you, Nanase-san."

Shirasu clung to my back tightly, as if not to be separated. I couldn't see what kind of expression she was making.

"Fufu. Well then, Midou-kun. I'll leave that matter to you. Please contact me if anything comes up."

"Understood. Or I'd like to say that... but I don't have your contact information, Nanase-san."

"Ah... about that, well, you know. Just fiddle with Yuika-chan's phone and you can contact me in a jiffy."

"Isn't that a bit too lawless?"

And in the first place, her phone is probably locked, so if I can't unlock it, there's no way to contact her.

"It'll be fine. Midou-kun, you should be able to figure out Yuika-chan's passcode in no time. Though I doubt a situation where you'd unlock it to contact me will arise."

"..."

"Well then, I'll be off. Adios!"

With Shirasu on my back, I watched Nanase-san's car speed away gallantly. I have a feeling that woman sees right through me.

"Senpai... let's hurry up and go inside."

"...You're right."

The day wouldn't end just because we got home. In fact, the real event was just about to begin.

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