[ENG] A childhood friend who has already won but mistakenly believes herself to be the losing heroine Volume 1 Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Double Flirtatious Birthday - Sleepover Edition

"No, it's not like I'm scared or anything, okay? It's just, since it's a special birthday. I thought maybe we could spend the whole day together... Is that no good?"

I asked Kanata-kun this while looking up at him with upturned eyes.

Then, scratching his cheek, he nodded.

"Staying over, huh. W-Well... Mom isn't home today. You could say the timing is just right."

"Yes!"

Fufu, you fool.

You fell for it!!

While clapping my hands, I gloated inwardly.

Surely Kanata-kun thinks that because I'm scared of ghosts, I want to spend the night together.

That's not it at all.

I'm already a second-year high school student. I'm not scared of ghosts at all, not even a tiny bit.

But I can pretend to be scared.

And then, night after night, I'll slip into Kanata-kun's bed, pretend to tremble as I cling to him, and seduce Kanata-kun!

—Kanata-kun, I'm scared.

—It's okay. I'm with you.

A man and a woman embracing in bed in the middle of the night.

There's no way nothing will happen!

From there, it's a Goal In!! Let's Go to a hopeful future!!

The established fact is confirmed!!

Ending with my Grand Victory!!

Ten years later, me holding a healthy baby!!

I saw it.

The future.

Fufu...

That is the vibe of my high-level strategy; it is definitely not because I am scared of ghosts or anything like that.

It's not because I'm anxious about going to the toilet alone at night.

Not at all, it's nothing like that.

Ghosts don't even exist in the first place, right?

They aren't scary or anything.

Don't get the wrong idea.

◆

By the time we returned home, it was around four o'clock.

If we start preparing dinner now, it will be just the right time.

"Okay, I'll go get my sleepover set."

"Ah, sure."

Sleepover.

At that word, I felt my chest tighten with excitement.

We might be able to close the distance all at once.

Maybe this or that might happen...

"I have to be really careful, though."

Be that as it may, we are not lovers.

I must avoid crossing the line at all costs.

As I was making that resolve, Manaka returned.

She was holding a backpack in her hand.

And her outfit had changed a little too.

"Those pants..."

"Ah, my loungewear. I can't relax in jeans."

Manaka pinched the short shorts she was wearing.

They were what's called "dolphin pants."

They were shorter than the pants she was wearing earlier, and there were slits on the outer thigh parts.

Cute, but a little erotic.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, no... let's make food."

Manaka didn't seem to have any particular intention behind it.

I tried as hard as I could not to be conscious of it.

Let's look at her upper body, not her lower body.

I thought that, but...

"H-Hey...!"

"What is it this time?"

Manaka suddenly started taking off her clothes.

She took off the see-through shirt she was wearing earlier, leaving only the camisole.

"N-No, why are you undressing..."

"Because we're cooking. You'd hate it if they got dirty, right?"

"T-That's true, but..."

Manaka is right, but I'm having trouble finding a place to look.

I can see her cleavage and stuff.

"Ara? Could it be, Kanata-kun. You're conscious of me?"

"T-There's no way that's true. H-Hey... don't come closer!"

As expected, Manaka, getting carried away, closed the distance between us.

I held her back with both hands.

Manaka laughed kerakera, looking like she was having fun.

"It's fine. I'll wear an apron while cooking."

Saying that, Manaka took an apron out of her backpack and put it on.

The apron was on the larger side and completely covered Manaka's camisole.

But, this is, in its own way...

"This is fine, right?"

"Ah, yeah..."

From the front, it looks like a naked apron.

The sexiness level just skyrocketed.

Will I really be able to greet the morning safely?

I became a little worried.

For dinner, the two of us made curry.

Though, the recipe was Manaka's, and since I only cut vegetables and watched the fire temporarily, it could effectively be called Manaka's home cooking.

"How is it? Delicious?"

"Yeah, it's delicious. As expected of you."

"Ehehe."

Manaka seemed very happy to have her cooking praised.

Seeing Manaka's smile, I felt a little happy too.

Next year, five years from now, ten years from now, and forever after that, I thought I wanted to be with her.

Having finished dinner, we sat on the sofa in front of the living room.

"What should we watch first? A famous one is best, right?"

Manaka operated the TV with the remote control.

If it's a famous work, we can watch it on streaming sites without going out of our way to rent the physical copy.

"Ah, yeah... um, Manaka."

"What's wrong?"

"Aren't you a little close?"

I could feel Manaka's soft bulge against my upper arm.

Since the current Manaka is lightly dressed in just a camisole, the stimulation is transmitted directly.

Honestly, I want her to move away a little.

"Ehh—, really? This much is nothing, isn't it?"

"I-I'd like you to move away a little..."

"Is there a reason I can't?"

"N-No, but... there's no reason we have to stick together either, right?"

Knowing Manaka, anyway.

She's probably just seducing me and enjoying seeing my reaction.

Without knowing how I feel.

How much easier would it be if I could just follow my desires and attack Manaka...

No, I wouldn't do it, but still.

"That, well... that's true, but."

"Then, wouldn't it be better if we moved apart..."

"I-I'm scared..."

"Eh?"

"Um, can't I... rely on you?"

Manaka hugged my arm, leaned her weight on me, and said that while looking up at me.

At that expression tickling my desire to protect, the scales tipped instantly toward desire.

"W-Well... if you go that far, I guess it's okay."

"Fufu... Yay!"

Manaka let out a voice of delight and hugged my arm tight.

Y-Yeah... what is this.

I feel like I'm being played with however she pleases.

Could it be, she's doing it on purpose...?

And then, about two hours passed, and we finished watching one movie.

As an honest impression, it was far beyond just "scary."

"Ugh... S-Scary..."

"Manaka... are you okay?"

I asked gently while stroking Manaka's head.

From around the middle of the movie, Manaka seemed unable to even watch anymore and had been clinging to my body the whole time.

And occasionally, she would glance at the TV, then scream or cling to me while trembling violently.

And being hugged by the childhood friend I have a crush on, my reason was about to fly away.

It wasn't a situation where I could focus on the movie.

"Is it... is it over?"

"Ah, yeah. It's over."

I answered Manaka, who asked with teary eyes while covering her ears.

She turned her gaze toward the TV.

And then, she sighed, looking relieved.

"W-Well... it wasn't that big a deal, was it?"

"I-Is that so..."

Where does that confidence come from?

I involuntarily tilted my head.

"Then, shall we watch the sequel..."

"W-Wait a minute!"

Manaka stopped me just as I tried to operate the remote.

"I-I'd prefer... something else."

"...Well, that's fine."

She was scared after all.

It's meaningless if Manaka can't enjoy it, so let's pick a different movie.

"Then, how about this one where a ghost shark attacks?"

I said this while holding the DVD I had rented.

It's more of a panic movie than horror.

You could also call it a gag.

"That sounds good! Let's go with that!!"

Immediately, we played the movie.

I operated the remote, then turned back to Manaka.

"By the way, Manaka."

"What is it?"

"This movie isn't scary, so isn't it okay to move apart now?"

"Muu..."

Manaka pursed her lips into a pout, but she took some distance from me.

Then she crossed her arms and began to think about something.

"Manaka?"

"...Since we're here, wanna practice?"

"Practice?"

"Lewd practice."

I wondered what she was going to say, and it's "Practice" again?

You're just planning to tease me anyway, right?

Just because you can't use the pretext that horror is scary anymore, did you think I'd fall for such a simple seduction?

"Depends on the content. ...What are we doing this time?"

But, I'll at least listen to what she has to say.

When I lent her an ear, Manaka grinned.

"How about a lap pillow?"

Saying that, she lightly tapped her white thighs.

Guh...

Y-You coward…

◇　　　◇　　　◇

"I-I see. A lap pillow while watching a movie, huh..."

"It seems couple-like, right?"

"It's the royal road of romance tropes."

I turned my gaze to Manaka's legs.

Her fleshy thighs extending from the short dolphin pants.

I’m going to rest my head there?

They are definitely soft, sure, but to add to it, they smell good, too.

"You're staring pretty hard. What's the matter?"

"N-No, nothing really?"

"Come on, you can rest your head, you know?"

"I'm not particularly interested..."

"Ah, could it be you're shy? Scared to touch a girl's skin? It's just a lap pillow, you know?"

Hah? Did she think I would fall for such a cheap provocation?

Good grief…

"Fufu... how is it? Kanata-kun. The lap pillow."

"Not bad."

Before I knew it, I was resting my head on Manaka's thighs.

Her thighs were soft, yet I could also feel the elasticity of toned muscle.

Above all, they were faintly warm.

And they smelled nice.

"Hey, don't pet me."

"It's fine, isn't it?"

I watched the movie while Manaka stroked my head.

The content of the movie, just as the advance information suggested, was full of tsukkomi-worthy moments where a ghost shark devoured humans.

However, there was one unexpected element.

"......"
"......"

There were a few too many sexy scenes.

Usually, I wouldn't mind, but watching these kinds of scenes while lying on Manaka's thighs...

It's tough.

I feel like my rationality is being whittled away piece by piece.

And so, about an hour and a half passed, and the movie finally ended.

It felt very long.

"That was pretty interesting! Which one shall we watch next?"

"Let's see..."

I sat up and selected a movie.

Then, I sat back down on the sofa.

"Ara? Kanata-kun. You're done with the lap pillow?"

"Ah, yeah... that's enough. Besides, isn't it Manaka's turn next?"

If I continued with the lap pillow any longer, my reason wouldn't hold.

Judging so, I lightly tapped my own lap.

This time, I'll lend my lap to Manaka.

She wouldn't be able to play pranks on me while she's the one getting a lap pillow.

"Hmm... let's see."

Manaka put her hand to her chin and began to think.

No, this isn't really something to think about...

"Fufu."

Then, Manaka floated a cheeky grin and stood up.

I had a bad feeling.

But it was too late.

"Ei!"

"H-Hey! Wait..."

Of all things, Manaka sat on my lap.

When I tried to resist, Manaka leaned her body back against me, pushing back with her back.

"M-Move it!"

"You're the one who said it was my turn, right, Kanata-kun?"

"I meant for a lap pillow..."

"It's fine, isn't it? Even like this, it's not that different, right?"

It's not different? There's no way that's true.

I can directly feel the sensation of Manaka's soft butt...And since our bodies are pressed together, I can feel her body heat and smell her scent.

More than anything, my heart is pounding harder than before...

"Or could it be, Kanata-kun, your heart is pounding from just this much? Just from being sat on? By your childhood friend, no less?"

"H-Hah? No way. I was just a little surprised..."

"Ehh—, really?"

Uri uri uri!

While making those sounds with her mouth, Manaka swayed her body and moved her legs on my lap.

The sensation of her muni muni soft thighs and buttocks transmitted through my knees.

T-This...!

"Stop moving. It's unstable."

"Then, does that mean I can stay seated if I stay still?"

"...Do as you like."

In the end, I had to watch the movie with Manaka still sitting on my lap.

Fortunately, Manaka's attention turned toward the movie, and she didn't pull any excessive pranks on me.

However, even so, this posture was torture.

Manaka's skin caught my eye before the movie did.

Because Manaka was only wearing a camisole on top, her delicate shoulders were completely exposed, and I could even see her armpits.

Even when I tried to shift my gaze to the movie, Manaka's nape inevitably entered the edge of my vision.

When Manaka shifted occasionally, her butt would stimulate my lap.

Occasionally, a nice scent wafted up.

Above all, there is no way I can concentrate on a movie while in such close contact with the girl I like.

I was driven by the urge to attack her from behind right then and there.

I endured it silently...

No, is it enough to just endure?

At this rate, I'm just letting Manaka walk all over me.

I'm the only one conscious of Manaka.

Even though Manaka doesn't think anything of me.

She's just teasing me.

It's frustrating.

I can't forgive this.

I want to make her conscious of me.

I want to make Manaka look at me.

...Alright.

I'll teach her a lesson.

◆

I-I can feel Kanata-kun's gaze...

While pretending to focus on the movie, I was the only one with a pounding heart.

Getting a lap pillow from Kanata-kun.

That is an attractive proposal.

I want him to do it.

But that is something I would be happy about.

Kanata-kun wouldn't feel any charm in it.

I'm already killing my embarrassment to hang out in just a camisole.

I need a more aggressive strategy!

Thinking that, I decided to sit on Kanata-kun's lap.

At first, I thought it was a success.

Kanata-kun was blatantly flustered...

But, a problem arose.

The problem was that I became the one conscious of Kanata-kun.

Sitting on the lap of the boy I like.

Thinking about it calmly, this is... well, it feels like a pretty lewd situation.

If Kanata-kun were to hug me from behind, I wouldn't be able to escape.

He could play with my body however he liked from behind.

A-And right under my butt is Kanata-kun's...

Ah, no... if I think about it, I'll become too conscious of it!

N-No... it's not like I lack the courage to do that with Kanata-kun yet, okay?

Doing that with Kanata-kun is actually exactly what I want—or rather, establishing a fait accompli would confirm my victory, right?

That's why I'm seducing him, right?

B-But, look... we haven't taken a bath yet, right?

There are procedures to follow, aren't there?

Suddenly doing it from behind is...

W-Well, Kanata-kun doesn't have the guts for that anyway, so it's fine!

F-For now, I'll hold back on seducing Kanata-kun and focus on the movie…

"Hyau!"

It was sudden.

A hand reached from behind and pulled me.

"K-Kanata-kun...? W-What's wrong?"

"No, just hugging you."

"J-Just hugging me, you say..."

"We did it before, right?"

Kanata-kun said it as if it were nothing.

True, we did the hugging act... hugs, before.

We've done it a few times since then.

But this is the first time from behind.

Or rather, this is the Asunaro Daki...

"It's more stable this way, right? You can think of me as a sofa."

L-Like I can think of the boy I like hugging me from behind as a sofa!

Kanata-kun, you dense idiot!

Ugh...!

"I-I see... I was just a little startled. I don't really mind."

Calm down, me.

He just put his arms around me from behind.

He won't touch my chest or anything like that.

Kanata-kun doesn't have the guts for that...

"Nn... W-What?"

My head was patted.

Hugged with one hand, and patted yoshi-yoshi with the other.

It feels comfortable, but I'm a little confused.

"My hands just felt idle."

Kanata-kun declared it as if it were nothing.

I-Idle hands, he says...

T-Touching my... touching a girl's hair with such a light feeling!

"Ah, right. I don't really care. It's nothing. Do what you want."

I ended up answering stubbornly.

Of course, there was no way Kanata-kun would stop patting my head.

Using his fingers like a comb, he touches, plays with, and strokes my hair.

Every time he does, I get shivers.

My body is getting hot.

My voice is about to leak out.

I-I have to endure...

I don't want him to think I'm an easy woman who gets dizzy just from having her hair touched.

"That person is definitely cannon fodder, right? I think they'll get eaten by the zombie shark, what do you thi—Nn!"

"I guess."

When I tried to distract myself by talking, he poked my cheek with his finger.

Then he touched my earlobe, rolling my ear around with his fingers as if playing with it.

Blood rushed to my ear, and it gradually grew hot.

Every time Kanata-kun's finger moved, my lower abdomen tightened with a kyun.

"U-Um... Nn, hey, it's a bit annoying?"

"If it bothers you, you can move, you know?"

"Hah? Why should I...? Or rather, isn't the way you're touching a bit lewd? Ahn... S-Stop it."

"My hands are idle, so I'm just playing around... If you're getting self-conscious, why don't you move, Manaka?"

Kuh... T-This guy! Mocking me!!

B-But what do I do...

I don't want to be played with like this.

But getting off his lap is frustrating.

A-Alright…

"Manaka? ...Moving?"

"Nope, just changing position."

"Whoops..."

Saying that, I turned my body sideways.

I put one arm around Kanata-kun's shoulder and grabbed his clothes with the other.

Still on his lap, it was like being carried in a princess carry.

In this posture, it should be hard for Kanata-kun to pull any pranks on me.

More than anything, I can pull pranks on Kanata-kun!

"Fufun!"

"H-Hey!"

I lightly pressed my chest against Kanata-kun's body.

Then, I wiggled and rubbed my legs against him on his lap.

"Kanata-kun, your face is bright red. What's wrong?"

"No, nothing really? ...Watch the movie, not my face."

"Fufu, right."

It's working, it's working!

Having succeeded in my counterattack, I involuntarily smirked.

You're ten years too early to play pranks on me.

If you've learned your lesson, don't prank me; just quietly writhe in agony at my charm...

"Ahn..."

My chin was touched by one hand.

As if exploring the contours of my face, his finger traced a line.

Shivers ran down my spine.

"W-Wait..."

"Oh, just like Manaka said, they got eaten by the zombie shark."

Kanata-kun said this while pinching and pulling the flesh under my chin.

Then he gently stroked the nape of my neck, his finger tracing the skin right above the choker.

"I-It tickles?"

"If it bothers you, get off my lap."

"I-I don't really mind, though..."

Being touched under the chin isn't making me happy.

I'm not a dog or a cat...

...Ah, no.

If I think about it, I get a weird feeling.

At this rate, I'll lose.

"K-Kanata-kun..."

"W-What."

I brought my lips close to Kanata-kun's ear.

And then, I blew on it.

Kanata-kun's body jumped with a twitch.

"T-That's a foul..."

"Chu..."

Before Kanata-kun could complain, I pressed my lips against his cheek.

Kanata-kun's body froze.

"If you're frustrated, try fighting back."

Though, in this current posture—the princess carry state—he probably couldn't do it even if he wanted to.

On the other hand, I can attack Kanata-kun's cheeks as much as I want.

"Ah, but Kanata-kun doesn't have the guts—Kya!"

My shoulders were grabbed by Kanata-kun.

Before I knew it, I was pushed down onto the sofa.

Kanata-kun's face was right in front of me.

"Manaka."

"W-What..."

Eh? Could it be... am I getting kissed?

Are my lips being stolen?

Or rather, maybe even further…

"No... i-it's nothing. Sorry, my bad."

However, Kanata-kun jumped away from me in a panic.

Then, looking away awkwardly, he apologized to me.

"I-I don't really mind... It's okay."

This match is my win.

But why?

...I-I feel kind of unfulfilled.

D-Don't tease me!

◇　　　◇　　　◇

Before I knew it, the movie had ended.

Leaving words that I was going to take a shower, I walked briskly to the bathroom.

"...What am I doing?"

Pouring cold water over my head, I sighed.

No matter how much Manaka provoked me, pushing her down is out of line.

...Is Manaka angry?

She didn't show that kind of atmosphere, but I'm still worried she might hate me.

I have to get on her good side.

However, Manaka is Manaka.

Even if we are childhood friends, doing something like that...

It's a good thing I was the partner.

If she did that to another guy, it would turn into a huge disaster.

Or rather, I couldn't forgive it.

W-Well, for now, the one by Manaka's side is me.

Apparently, she likes someone else, but I've never seen a guy with that kind of vibe.

Surely, he's somewhere far away, and it's like Manaka's one-sided unrequited crush.

...Even though I'm closer, losing to a guy who's far away is quite humiliating, though.

"Manaka, I'm done. You can go in next."

"Yeah... wait, hey!"

Leaving the bathroom, I dressed and walked to the living room while drying my hair.

Manaka, who welcomed me, glared at me with a slightly reddened face.

W-What is it...

Is she still angry?

"D-Don't come out in such light clothing!"

"Ehh...?"

Light clothing... It's true I'm only wearing a thin black undershirt on top.

But it's not like it's see-through.

"If you say that, Manaka is the one who..."

"I'm wearing underwear under this."

No, but Manaka definitely has more skin exposed.

Besides, a woman's upper body and a man's upper body are different.

For a man, being topless isn't a problem, but for a woman, it's nothing but problems.

Thinking in that sense, Manaka is dressed far more dangerously, so she has no right to complain to me.

...She doesn't, but.

"While I take a shower, put something on!"

"Ah, yeah. ...Understood."

Because of the guilt from pushing Manaka down just moments ago, I couldn't take a strong stance.

Feeling stifled, I waited for Manaka in the living room.

About thirty minutes later, Manaka came out.

"...Sorry to keep you waiting."

Manaka came out of the dressing room, her white skin flushed.

A girl fresh out of the bath is something a little fresh.

I involuntarily find my heart pounding.

On the other hand, Manaka lowered her eyes with a slightly embarrassed expression, then looked up at me with an expression expecting something.

"Ah—, want some barley tea?"

"...I'll have some."

I poured barley tea into a glass with ice and handed it to Manaka.

Manaka gulped it down in one go.

Then she returned the glass to me.

"Thanks. ...And?"

"O-Oh."

"...Don't you have anything to say?"

Manaka stared at me with a sullen face.

She looked like she was one step away from being in a bad mood.

"Ah—, yeah, um... It suits you. It's cute. That nightwear."

What Manaka was wearing was a negligee decorated with white lace and frills.

It was a dress-like nightgown that looked like something a fantasy princess would wear.

It was fairytale-chic, and even from a guy's perspective, I could straightforwardly think "Cute," but on the other hand, it was a design that would wear the person if someone clumsy tried to put it on.

Needless to say, Manaka wore it perfectly.

Super cute.

"Fufun, right?"

When I praised her, Manaka immediately became in a good mood.

Is it Manaka's "going out" nightwear?

No, is "going out" weird for nightwear?

"Do you wear that normally?"

"Eh? Ah—, yeah..."

At my casual question, Manaka was vague with her words.

Did I ask something weird?

"I don't wear it every day."

"Ah, I see."

"W-Well, the price is high too. I don't have that many of them. ...Maybe for sleepovers?"

That makes sense too.

Washing it must be a hassle, so she probably wears it on days like this, for "sleepovers."

Wait? But I've never heard of Manaka inviting female friends to her house, or conversely, staying over at a female friend's house...

"I-I didn't buy it to show it to Kanata-kun or anything! D-Don't get the wrong idea!!"

"O-Of course!"

Y-You should do that for a lover or the person you like...

I understand I'm about the only person she can stay over with, though.

It makes me want to get the wrong idea!

"By the way, Kanata-kun. After this... what are we doing?"

"After this?"

Before I knew it, Manaka had approached right next to me.

The lace of her negligee swayed in the breeze from the air conditioner, tickling my upper arm.

"Watch a movie? Or play some games? Or, it's a little early but... sleep? O-Or maybe..."

"Ah, that's right. Want to eat cake?"

"M-Me... Eh? Cake? You have some?"

"Yeah."

I opened the refrigerator and took out a box of Western confectionery.

Inside were six types of cake.

My mother had bought them in advance.

Seemingly feeling sorry about working on my birthday, she went out of her way to buy them from an expensive shop.

She didn't have to be so considerate.

"Two of them are Manaka's. Choose whichever you like."

"Then... don't mind if I do."

We each chose two types of cakes and started eating.

As expected of the price, they were delicious.

"H-Hey... Kanata-kun?"

"Yeah?"

When we had each eaten about half of our cakes, Manaka sidled up to me while fidgeting.

This kind of behavior usually means she has a request.

And an embarrassing one at that.

"No, um... is that one delicious?"

"...Want a taste?"

"Yeah!"

I cut the cake with my fork.

Then I placed the cake onto the plate of Manaka, who was strangely restless.

Then Manaka pursed her lips into a pout.

"What's wrong?"

"...No, nothing really."

Seeming slightly in a worse mood, Manaka put the cake I had cut for her into her mouth.

Her lips relaxed a little.

"How is it?"

"...Delicious."

But her tone sounded dissatisfied.

What didn't she like?

Could it be she wanted me to say "Aaan"?

No, surely not?

After finishing the cake, we played games normally.

It was no longer a horror appreciation party or anything of the sort.

Well, it was fun, so it's fine.

And then came time to sleep...

"Fufu, sleeping together like this... isn't this the first time since we were kindergarteners?"

"I-Is that so?"

We were in the same bed.

Because Manaka said she wanted to sleep together.

Apparently, seeing the horror movie made her scared.

Just as we were about to sleep, she started making a fuss saying, "I'm scared, so let's sleep together."

Of course, I resisted, but she provoked me with things like, "Kanata-kun, are you conscious of just sleeping with your childhood friend?" and "Could it be I'm too attractive and you want to attack me?"

That's right.

Sleeping with the girl I like, of course I'd be conscious of it!

I wouldn't be able to sleep even if I wanted to!!

I couldn't say any of that, so here I am, ending up in the same bed as Manaka.

"But in elementary school, when you wet my b..."

"That doesn't count!"

She seems to want to pretend the bed-wetting incident in elementary school never happened.

But back then, Manaka just crawled into my bed on her own in the middle of the night.

Thinking about it that way, this might actually be the first time we've slept together since kindergarten.

"Ufufu..."

Manaka laughed happily.

In the glow of the nightlight, Manaka's figure looked more mature than usual for some reason.

Feeling embarrassed, I turned my back to Manaka.

"I'm going to sleep now."

"No."

"H-Hey..."

I was hugged from behind.

Manaka's body heat and the sensation of her soft curves were transmitted through my back.

"I don't want to sleep yet."

"N-No, but it's already late. We have school tomorrow."

"Staying up a little late is fine, isn't it?"

Sleeping with me.

She seems to be high on the excitement of such a non-routine act.

Is this the same tension as the night of a school trip?

At this rate, she won't go to sleep even if I turn off the nightlight.

"You look like you're having fun."

"Eh? W-Well... I'm a little wide awake, that's all. But, it's not particularly because I'm with Kanata-kun or anything..."

"I thought you were scared of ghosts?"

"...I-I am scared, you know?"

What was that pause just now?

See, the whole 'being scared' thing really was a lie.

"So scaaary, protect me."

Then, as if completely opening up about it, she said it in a monotone voice.

Then she entangled her legs with mine.

The sensation of soft lace and bare skin transmitted from my lower body.

"Hey, let's play a little more."

"Play... specifically? Are we going to play games again?"

"Hmm, let's see. Well, since it's a rare opportunity..."

Mozo mozo. Manaka moved inside the bed.

As I was on guard wondering what was happening, Manaka's breath tickled my ear.

"Like... lewd practice."

A chill ran down my spine.

◇　　　◇　　　◇

"N-No, what do you mean lewd practice...? On a bed like this..."

"That's exactly why, isn't it?"

Manaka's mischievous voice reached my ears.

Certainly, as Manaka says, if we seriously wanted to "practice lewd," doing it on a bed is appropriate.

That is, if we were doing it seriously.

In the first place, I have a question: what even is "lewd practice"?

That kind of act is something you do with a lover.

No, it's a bit late to say that, but...

But if we do that now, at a time like this, we really will cross the line.

Thinking I had to discuss this seriously, I turned over.

"Um, Manaka. Even if we are childhood friends... we're a man and a woman. It won't pass as just a little joke..."

"It's not a joke though?"

Manaka made a sullen face.

Then, she floated a bewitching smile.

"For example, Kanata-kun. If you ended up sleeping next to the girl you like like this, would you do nothing?"

"Eh, um..."

No, that's literally the situation right now.

There was no way I could say that.

"It would be trouble if you couldn't set the mood properly when it's the real thing, right?"

It's logic I've heard before.

That time, we ended up just hugging each other.

"Come on, think of me as the person you like... and try doing it?"

Think of her? The person I like is Manaka.

So I have no resistance to making love with Manaka. Rather, if I can, I want to do it.

This development is a very convenient situation for me.

That is exactly why...

"Are you okay with that, Manaka?"

"With what?"

"...Doing it not with the person you like."

That was the final confirmation.

Can I remove the shackles on my reason, or should I proceed with caution?

"T-That is..."

Manaka lowered her eyes sadly.

Then she looked up at me and smirked.

"I don't mind. Because if I lose interest, it ends right there."

"Hmm?"

"After all, there's no way Kanata-kun could do it well, right?"

Manaka provoked me while wearing a grinning, cheeky smile.

Ah, I see.

To Manaka, this is just the usual joke.

...I'm getting pissed off.

"Then, I'm going to do it seriously."

"E-Ehh... Bring it on."

When I glared at Manaka, Manaka glared back at me.

While staring each other down, I grasped Manaka's hand.

Then I touched her upper arm and embraced her.

The softness of Manaka's body and her body heat were gradually transmitted to me.

"N'a..."

Manaka let out a sweet cry right by my ear.

Suppressing the urge to forcefully attack her right then and there, I covered Manaka's body with mine.

"W-What...?"

"Stay still."

I brought my lips close to Manaka's ear.

Manaka squirmed, looking ticklish.

"Could it be, the usual blowing breath thing? One pattern. I-I won't get dizzy from just that level. Y-You should stop..."

Gyu. I hugged Manaka's body tightly.

I whispered into the ear of Manaka, who seemed to be nervous.

"I like you, Manaka."

Biku. Manaka's body jumped significantly.

While my heart pounded, I gauged Manaka's expression.

"Fuee...?"

Manaka was wearing a dumbfounded expression.

I stared straight into Manaka's eyes.

"I've liked you for a long, long time. Since forever."

Manaka opened her eyes wide, turning her face crimson red.

"Eh? W-Why all of a sudden..."

"I'm saying I like you."

"E-Even if you tell me that s-suddenly..."

"Think of you as the person I like. That's what you said, right, Manaka?"

"Wha..."

Manaka's expression froze.

Then she glared at me as if frustrated.

"T-That wasn't what I meant by..."

"When creating the mood, you say the words 'I like you', right? Normally."

"T-That's... true, maybe, but."

"Manaka, you can think of me as the person you like, too."

When I conveyed that, Manaka made a surprised face, and then floated her usual cheeky smile.

Then she wrapped both hands around my shoulders and pulled me closer.

Manaka's lips approached my ear.

"I like you, Kanata-kun. I love you."

A shiver ran down my spine.

Being told "I like you" and "I love you" by the person I like was an unspeakable pleasure.

Even if those words weren't directed at me.

No, that's wrong.

That is exactly why...

"I like you too, Manaka!!"

"Ah, wait... K-Kanata-kun?"

Carried by the momentum of the confession, I pressed my lips against Manaka's cheek.

I let my lips crawl down her white neck and sucked hard.

I carved proof that this girl belongs to me.

I don't know who Manaka likes, but the one making love to her right now is me.

"I love you. Stay with me forever like this."

"Y-You... even though it's not about me!"

"Ouch!"

Gabu. Manaka bit my neck.

Then, the sensation of being sucked hard.

A thrilling pleasure ran through my whole body.

"Fufu, that's payback. Ah, wait... ears are a foul!"

I blew into Manaka's ear and bit it gently.

And then, I whispered words of love.

"I like you. Marry me!"

"M-Me too... I like you! I love you!! Look only at me!!"

We stared at each other.

My face was reflected in Manaka's eyes.

When I brought my face closer, Manaka closed her eyes.

I dropped my lips onto her forehead.

"Kanata-kun... Nn!"

Our bodies entangled, swapping positions top and bottom, repeating kisses.

And then...

"Ma... Manaka..."

"K-Kanata-kun..."

Our lips overlapped.

After a time that felt like both an instant and eternity, our lips parted.

"Ehehe, we kissed."

Manaka smiled happily.

That expression was so cute, so precious, that I blocked Manaka's lips once again.

"W-Wait a sec..."

"If you hate it, say you hate it."

"I-I don't hate it but... break time... Mn!"

I blocked Manaka's lips again and again.

Then Manaka glared at me with a pouty face.

"Y-You...!"

As if to say "counterattack," Manaka kissed my lips.

As if confirming the shape of each other's lips, crawling over them, pecking at them, we exchanged kisses, exchanged feelings, exchanged thoughts, and then…

◆

When I realized it, it was morning.

"Haa, haa..."

"Zee, haa..."

With the morning sun shining through the window, we finally realized the passage of time.

Immediately, we were attacked by fatigue and drowsiness.

"...Let's sleep now."

"Yeah, let's..."

In the end, the whole night passed with just skinship.

While I had a feeling that it was a waste, there was also an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

"Before that... Can I ask just one thing?"

"Hm?"

"Goodnight greeting...?"

"Ah... Yeah. Okay."

While feeling embarrassed, I kissed Manaka's lips.

"Goodnight, Manaka."

"Goodnight, Kanata-kun."

For the time being, we fell asleep.

◇　　　◇　　　◇

It ended up only being a few hours of sleep.

Due to the lack of sleep, I waited for Manaka that morning with a sluggish feeling.

"Manaka, leaving a mark like that..."

I placed my hand on my neck, where a slight pain still lingered.

There was a large bandage there, and beneath it, the teeth marks Manaka had left.

They were the traces Manaka left on my body last night.

Before I knew it, my mother, who had come home, pointed it out to me.

She asked me with a straight face, "Just how wild of a night did you have?"

I couldn't exactly say we just kissed. Or rather, she wouldn't believe it.

I had no choice but to brush it off with a forced smile.

If my classmates ask about it at school, how should I answer?

Just as I was thinking that...

"Ah, good morning. Kanata-kun."

"Good morning, Manaka."

Manaka appeared.

She looked a little sleepy too.

I turned my gaze to Manaka's neck.

"Fufu, how is it? Kanata-kun. I wore it right away."

"Ah... yeah, thanks. It suits you."

It really does look like a collar.

That was the impression I got from the choker on Manaka's neck.

It feels somewhat immoral, and it makes my heart pound.

"Kanata-kun is... Ah, great! You wore yours properly too."

"Of course."

I raised my right hand and showed the bracelet I received from Manaka.

The design isn't identical, but since they're similar, they look like a matching set.

It feels like a couple's look, which makes me a little happy.

...Though it's even more embarrassing.

"Well then, shall we go to school?"

"Wait a second."

"What is it?"

"We haven't done the usual, right?"

"...We did it just a while ago, didn't we?"

"That and this are different, right?"

Jiii— Manaka stared intently at my face.

It wasn't an atmosphere where I could refuse.

"Then, turn sideways."

"Not that way."

"Then what?"

"You won't understand unless I say it?"

"...No."

Even without words, I understood what Manaka was asking for.

Putting it into action is very embarrassing.

But if I don't do it, Manaka won't move from this spot.

We'll be late for school.

So, it can't be helped.

Making such excuses to myself, I faced Manaka again.

"Close your eyes."

"...Okay."

Manaka closed her eyes, stood on her tiptoes, and tilted her face upward.

I placed my hand on Manaka's chin and brought my face close to hers.

"Good morning, Manaka."

I pressed my lips against Manaka's lips.

A puni soft sensation was transmitted through our lips.

"Mm, good morning. ...Kanata-kun."

Manaka opened her eyes and said shyly.

◆

"Ah, good morning! You two."

I—Amasawa Sayuri—greeted the childhood friend couple who had arrived at school.

For some reason, the two of them look a little sleepy.

"Good morning..."

"Mm, good morning."

And for some reason, there was a large bandage on Takabane-kun's neck.

Don't tell me...

Thinking that, I checked Himemiya-san's neck.

There were no bandages or hickeys.

It seems their lack of sleep isn't because they spent a passionate night together.

However, I found something else.

"By the way, Himemiya-san, that choker on your neck... it's cute! Where did you get it?"

Though I have a hunch.

"Ah, this? ...Um, I got it as a birthday present. Ehehe."

Himemiya-san smiled happily, then sent a glance toward Takabane-kun.

Takabane-kun scratched his cheek bashfully.

You're kidding...

"Is that so? It's lovely!"

I complimented her out of social obligation.

However, giving a choker to a lover is too heavy.

And wearing it boldly to school is also heavy.

Even if you're giving a gift, surely there are safer designs.

Something like a dog collar... well, it is cute, though.

I've thought this for a while, but these two are heavy...

I can't understand why they aren't dating with things like this going on.

Soon after, the morning homeroom began.

Before classes started, I secretly sent a text to Takabane-kun.

『Why did you choose a choker? Did Himemiya-san want it?』

I was the one who advised them to choose presents together.

But at the same time, I should have also advised, "Rings and such are heavy, so bracelets or necklaces are better."

Did he totally ignore my advice?

Or is a choker not considered heavy in Takabane-kun's brain?

I was a little curious.

However, the reply I got was unexpected.

『I mistook it for a bracelet.』

Thank goodness, Takabane-kun was normal.

...No, normally you wouldn't mistake that.

I've thought this for a while, but Takabane-kun is definitely an airhead, isn't he?

He thinks the person Himemiya-san likes is someone other than himself, too...

"Amasawa-san."

"Eh? Ah, what?"

"Next is PE, you know? We have to move."

Addressed by Himemiya-san, I finally realized.

There were only the two of us, me and Himemiya-san, left in the classroom.

We walked briskly to the changing room.

Today is the first swimming class.

"I hate swimming class, you know."

"Why? It's cool and nice. Ah, can you not swim?"

"I can swim but... isn't it cold? Especially this time of year. Plus I'll get sunburned..."

"Ours is indoors, so it's not that cold."

"Ah, now that you mention it, that's right! That might actually be a little nice."

While talking about such things, we arrived at the changing room attached to the pool.

We hurriedly began changing into our swimsuits.

"B-By the way... um, Amasawa-san."

"Hm?"

"Um... the other day, you went out with Kanata-kun, just the two of you. Was that..."

Her tone was probing.

Well, naturally you'd be concerned if your boyfriend was secretly dating a girl other than yourself.

"Takabane-kun consulted me about a present for you, Himemiya-san. Though I wasn't much help."

"Ah, is that so! Thank goodness!!"

A smile returned to Himemiya-san's face.

It seems the suspicion has cleared.

"Ah, right! Yesterday was your birthday for both of you, right? Actually, I bought some baked sweets as a present. I'll give them to you later, Himemiya-san... eat them together!"

"Thanks! By the way, when is your birthday, Amasawa-san?"

We put on our swimsuits while hiding our bodies with wrap towels.

We finished changing at almost the same time.

"Wow..."

"What's wrong?"

"No, I just thought you have a great figure..."

Himemiya-san was wearing a high-cut competitive swimsuit.

Her legs, already long, looked even longer.

In addition, the curves of her body stood out clearly, emphasizing her good style.

Having a girlfriend with such a great figure, Takabane-kun must be the happiest boy in the world.

No, wait, they aren't dating yet, right?

"W-Wait... don't look. It's embarrassing."

"I'm envious of Takabane-kun. I want a girlfriend like Himemiya-san too!"

Of course, that's a joke. What I want isn't a girlfriend, but a boyfriend.

I don't want to spend summer vacation without a lover, so I want to get one soon.

"Ah... yeah. He's not my boyfriend yet, though..."

"Yet?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing. Yup!"

Apparently, even in Himemiya-san's understanding, she isn't dating Takabane-kun.

Even though she's wearing a choker?

I don't get the meaning.

"Ah! Himemiya-san. You have to take off that choker."

"Eh? A-Ah!! That's right. I forgot."

Himemiya-san hurriedly took off the choker.

And I involuntarily opened my eyes wide.

"T-That mark..."

"Eh? Ah, this!? Last night, I got bitten by a huge insect!!"

Himemiya-san hid the insect bite mark embarrassedly, yet for some reason, as if boasting about it.

That's quite a huge insect there...

"I-Is that so."

Like hell it is!

That's a hickey!

See, you guys are mating after all!!

◆

Amasawa-san likes Kanata-kun.

That might have been my needless anxiety.

I—Himemiya Manaka—thought such things while swimming.

I tried probing, but it seems nothing happened with Kanata-kun.

I showed her the choker and the hickey, but she didn't seem jealous.

If I were in Amasawa-san's position and was shown "proof of their affair," I would be so shocked I'd be bedridden.

But Amasawa-san was just a little surprised.

In other words, Amasawa-san doesn't think anything of Kanata-kun.

Thank goodness...

W-Well, even if Amasawa-san liked Kanata-kun, I have no intention of losing, you know?

After all, we already kissed!!

Kanata-kun might like Amasawa-san, but he also feels attracted to me.

No matter how much he thinks of Amasawa-san, Kanata-kun can't kiss Amasawa-san.

But with me, he can kiss freely.

Heart aside, Kanata-kun's body has already fallen for me.

In other words, I've won halfway.

The only way for Amasawa-san to catch up from here is to have sex.

But at the very least, Amasawa-san doesn't seem to particularly like Kanata-kun.

In that case, there's no way she'd have sex, right?

No matter how much Kanata-kun wants to do it.

All that's left is to wait for Kanata-kun to confess.

"You swim fast, Himemiya-san."

"I guess so."

I was spoken to by Amasawa-san just as I got up from the pool side.

...Looking at her like this, she has a good figure.

She's taller than me, and overall slender.

Though my chest is bigger.

"What's up?"

"I just thought you have a good figure too, Amasawa-san."

"Not as good as you, Himemiya-san."

Amasawa-san said with a wry smile.

True, generally speaking, I think I'm closer to a "model figure."

But preferences for body types vary from person to person.

I wonder which one Kanata-kun prefers, me or Amasawa-san?

Probably Amasawa-san...

N-No, but maybe he prefers her face but prefers my body!

It's not certain that I've lost yet.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Did something happen with Takabane-kun last night?"

Doki!

My heart jumped.

Even though I hinted at it myself, having it pointed out is still a little embarrassing.

"Ah, yeah... a little."

"Did you guys have sex?"

She asked in a whisper.

I felt my face heat up instantly.

"N-No way we would! We're not even dating..."

N-No... we tried to do it, but just couldn't, that's all.

"Ahh—, so does that mean, Himemiya-san, you're... still inexperienced?"

"O-Obviously. Why do you ask such a thing?"

"You guys are so close, I thought maybe you'd done that much. I was just a little curious. ...That was insensitive of me. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine though..."

I was the one who hinted at it.

Rather, since I managed to appeal to the surroundings that Kanata-kun and I have such a deep relationship, it can be called a success.

"...By the way, what about you, Amasawa-san?"

She asked me, so it's okay if I ask back, right?

Well, we're still high school students. Surely Amasawa-san doesn't have experience either.

"I have."

"Ah, is that so. ...Eh?"

"Is it that surprising?"

Amasawa-san said with a wry smile.

It doesn't look like she's bluffing.

"Because, we're still high school students..."

"If we're high school students, aren't there a fair amount of people who have?"

I-Is that so...!?

B-But, isn't sex something you're really only supposed to do with the partner you'll marry in the future?

I don't intend to marry anyone other than Kanata-kun, so it's fine for me, but.

"Could it be... you have a boyfriend?"

There are guys who confess to Amasawa-san, but so far I haven't heard any talk of her getting a lover.

I thought it was "because she likes Kanata-kun."

Could it be she got a boyfriend at her previous school and is in a long-distance relationship?

Yup, that must be it!

In that case, it wouldn't be strange if she had sex before, and it would explain why she doesn't like Kanata-kun, right?

"Not right now, I guess."

"Right now!?"

Does that mean she did have one in the past!?

"Yeah."

"Is that okay?"

"What is?"

"No, because... you even did it, right?"

T-That's a pump and dump!

If it were me, if I had sex with Kanata-kun, I would definitely have him take responsibility.

"Eh? Well, we did... but our compatibility was bad. I'm glad we broke up."

I dumped him.

It was that kind of tone. She didn't seem to care at all.

"At the time, there was someone I was interested in. But that person had a lover. While I was wondering what to do, a different boy from the one I was interested in confessed to me."

Amasawa-san sighed softly.

"I was free at the time. And he was cool, so I decided to date him as a compromise, or rather, a trial. But our compatibility wasn't very good. ...And on top of that, he was two-timing with a girl other than me. That's just impossible, right? So I broke up with him."

Compromise!? Trial!?

Just because she was confessed to, she'd date for such a reason…

No, not all of humanity can date the person they like the most.

It's natural to compromise or give up somewhere, but...

"I envy you, Himemiya-san. having a wonderful childhood friend."

"Ah, yeah..."

"I want to date a sincere person next time, too."

"Eh?"

Does that mean she wants to date someone like Kanata-kun?

No, does it mean she wants to date Kanata-kun?

In other words…

Dusk, Kanata-kun and Amasawa-san alone in the classroom after school.