Chapter 01: The Day of Our Reunion
It was after school on a particular day in July, right as summer vacation was about to begin.
I, Miyata Shintarou, had been tasked with a rather bothersome errand that brought me all the way to an apartment building near the school’s closest station.
As for the person I was meeting... that would be my classmate and childhood friend, Shibano Miu. We’d been together since we were kids—through elementary and middle school—and now we attended the same high school.
"Seriously... how does someone forget the printouts they need for today’s assignment? Talk about typical..."
Muttering complaints under my breath, I stepped into the elevator, a file of printouts gripped in my hand. Even as I grumbled, I couldn't help but feel a little exasperated with myself for actually following through and delivering the stuff she’d asked for.
I’ve always had this nagging feeling that she’s been using me to her own advantage since we were toddlers.
Miu’s family lived on the top floor of a pretty high-end apartment complex. Our mothers had been best friends since forever, and even now, our families were incredibly close. Because of that... this place felt like a second home to me.
The elevator hummed as it made its slow ascent before coming to a stop on the seventh floor. With a modest chime, the doors slid open.
I walked the short distance to her unit. I reached out to press the intercom like I always did, but then—
"Huh... it’s open...?"
I noticed the door was slightly ajar.
"Oh, come on... leaving the door unlocked is just asking for trouble..."
Still whispering to myself, I reached out and gently took hold of the doorknob.
Click.
The door swung open with a soft creak, and my movements froze.
"Oh...? You’re... if I remember correctly..."
The voice was mature, yet retained a hint of sweetness. The way she spoke felt strangely familiar. Those large eyes, that gentle expression, that aura...
No way... is this person—?
"Um... by any chance, are you... Momo-nee?"
Actually, there was no "by any chance" about it. I was certain.
Standing before me was Miu’s older sister, whom I hadn't seen in years. My older childhood friend...
Shibano Momo.
"Wait! It has been a while...! You’re Shin-chan... right?"
...Whoa. She’s gotten so beautiful...
For a moment, my brain completely stalled.
"I knew it! It’s Shin-chan~♡! I’m so happy♡♡!"
Exclaiming with the same high energy she had years ago, she lunged forward and pulled me into a tight hug.
If I remembered correctly, this woman had always been big on physical affection. She’d never cared if I was embarrassed; she’d just pet my head or pull me into a hug... though my last real interaction with Momo-nee had been back when I was in the fourth grade.
Back then, I was still just a brat—shorter than her, even—so she’d treated me like a total kid.
She was incredibly caring; whenever Miu and I would fight, she’d step in to mediate, and if I was stuck on a homework problem, she’d kindly walk me through it. Being the eldest, she’d really leaned into that reliable "big sister" role whenever I was around.
As for why it had been so long since we’d seen each other—
Years ago, Momo-nee had enrolled in an all-girls school that covered both middle and high school. When she started middle school, she moved in with her grandparents to be closer to the campus. I figured she’d just been swamped with studies and club activities every day.
Even Miu barely saw her anymore, so it was only natural that I—someone who wasn't even family—would lose touch. Before I knew it, we’d simply drifted apart.
Anyway, back to the present.
Right this very second, something large and soft was being pressed firmly against my right arm.
I felt terrible thinking this during a reunion, but I was a teenage guy now...
I didn't even have to look to know that the sensation on my arm belonged to Momo-nee’s...
"Ah, um... th-this..."
I gestured toward the chest pressed against my arm, trying to gauge her reaction.
"Oh! Sorry! I just didn't think you’d remember me... I got so excited I just hugged you without thinking... I’m sorry, okay? I must have startled you. My bad!"
Startled was an understatement.
Because of the suddenness of it all, my heart was hammering so hard I thought it might actually leap out of my throat. This was the biggest shock I’d had all year.
And for good reason... The person standing in front of me now couldn't be described by a simple phrase like "older neighborhood sister" anymore.
She had translucent, porcelain skin and long, slender fingers tipped with short, pink-beige nails. Her glossy black bob was perfectly maintained, just like it used to be, and her lips were a plump, glossy pale pink.
She wore a white sleeveless knit top that highlighted the curves of her body and a tight, sky-blue skirt...
And then there was the faint, sweet scent of perfume.
Every bit of her was so much more beautiful—and so much more attractive—than the "Momo-nee" I remembered.
Careful. I was staring.
"............Staaaaare."
I suddenly felt a chilly gaze and looked past the entryway toward the hallway.
There stood Miu, still in her school uniform, watching me with an expression of pure exasperation.
"You know... you probably don't realize it, but you're totally leering. Like, really obviously."
"Wh—!? W-what are you talking about...!?"
I panicked and looked away—but it was too late. I’d been caught red-handed.
This was bad. If I kept getting distracted like this, Miu was going to look at me like I was some kind of creep.
But my instincts were winning. Without realizing it, my gaze drifted back for another peek. I couldn't help it. I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was like that feeling when you pass a beautiful woman on the street and your eyes just naturally follow her. It was exactly like that.
(...Seriously though, she's way too pretty. It’d be weirder NOT to look...)
"Fufu♡"
Momo-nee pressed a hand to her mouth and let out a little giggle.
Just as I thought she was simply smiling softly at me, she leaned in and whispered into my ear, her breath tickling my skin.
"Shin-chan... you really are as cute as ever♡♡♡"
Of all the things she could have said... that one made my heart skip a beat.
"C-c-c-cute!? I am not...!"
Miu, seeing my voice crack, let out another exasperated sigh.
"Hey... what are you two talking about! All that whispering... let me in on it!"
"I-it’s nothing, I swear...!"
"Oh please, you're totally rattled. You're such an idiot!"
"Sh-shut up..."
And once again, my brain stalled. I was doing everything in my power to suppress the urge to bolt out of there.
In front of me was "Momo-nee," who had jumped right back into teasing me despite the years apart.
And beside her was a sulking "Miu," annoyed at being left out of the loop.
(Man... what am I supposed to do in this situation!?)
"H-here, these are the printouts you asked for."
Desperate to change the subject, I held out the reason for my visit to Miu.
"Hm? Oh! Thanks~♪ You're a total lifesaver~♪"
Phew... looks like I managed to dodge that bullet...
"Oh, I know♪ Why don't you stay for dinner? If you don't mind my cooking, that is..."
Momo-nee suggested it casually.
(Wait... for real...? An opportunity to eat a home-cooked meal by a woman this gorgeous... I might never get another chance like this in my entire life!)
"N-no, I couldn't impose! But, uh... if you're sure it's okay..."
Naturally, I had an excuse ready to decline. Even I wasn't that shameless.
But... the reality was that I was a pushover, and the moment I saw Momo-nee’s smile, I found myself nodding.
I figured I should at least let my mom know...
I pulled out my phone and tapped out a quick message. It was marked "read" instantly, followed by a reply telling me not to be rude.
"Shintarou? Don't just stand there, come on in!"
Miu peeked into my face as she spoke.
"Oh, uh... right. Excuse me."
"Geez, you're being all formal. It's weird~"
Miu left me with that before heading to her room to change.
Normally, I wouldn't be nervous here at all, but the sheer reality of Momo-nee being right in front of me was so unfamiliar that I felt like a cat in a strange house.
I was led into the living room and made my way to the sofa for the time being.
"Okay♡! Well~♩ Since that's settled, time to prep~♪ I don't think there's much in the fridge, but... I'm pretty sure we have meat...?"
As she spoke, she stood up and headed for the kitchen, pulling a pink apron from a shelf. I watched her idly, and once again, my eyes were glued.
(...An a-apron!? Isn't that a bit of a foul play...!?)
Her "ambitious" curves were practically spilling out of the simple apron. The strings were cinched tight at her waist, emphasizing her figure so much that, honestly... I didn't know where to look.
And then—
"Ah~ the knot got all tangled..."
Momo-nee fumbled with the apron strings behind her back, sounding troubled.
"Hey... could you help me untie this...?"
"Wait, me?"
"Mhm♡ Of course♡"
Without even waiting for an answer, Momo-nee sat down right next to me.
(Wait!? No way...!? Sh-she’s so close!!)
I’d been sitting on the sofa alone until a second ago, and now Momo-nee was sitting right beside me without a hint of hesitation.
The sweet scent of her hair wafted over me, and the apron’s ribbon was right before my eyes.
"Come on, hurry up~. We’ll never get to the cooking at this rate~"
With her back to me, she glanced over her shoulder with a smile. She swayed her hips slightly from side to side, her voice taking on a teasing, honeyed tone.
(Wait, hold on... what is with this knit top...!? Her entire back is exposed—!!)
...Honestly, I thought my heart was going to explode. I could feel the tension in my trembling fingertips.
I hate to say it, but this was s-e-x-y. I was totally outmatched.
For someone like me, who hadn't seen her in years and was completely inexperienced with girls, this wasn't a reward—it was a heart attack waiting to happen.
...But I can't run away. Be a man, Shintarou...
"H-here I go..."
My fingers shook as I felt for the knot in the ribbon, my sweaty palms working slowly to loosen it. But the distance was just too small; I could feel her scent, her body heat—everything was hitting me full force.
While I was spiraling, the tangled string actually came undone quite easily.
Momo-nee turned to me with a satisfied "Thanks♪" and another smile that made my heart leap.
(Phew... thank god... I don't think she realized how nervous I was...)
"You're actually pretty good at this, Shin-chan~. You almost felt like a boyfriend♡"
...Excuse me? Like a boyfriend...? A boyfriend, huh...
—WAIT!
"M-ME, A BOYFRIEND!?"
I shouted reflexively, and Momo-nee let out a "fufu" laugh.
Then, for some reason, she leaned even closer to me—
"If... I were your girlfriend... would you be happy?"
"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!?"
What on earth was this woman saying!?
A boyfriend, all of a sudden... where did that even come from...
Wait, hold on. Maybe this was just her usual...
"Just kidding♡ Fufu♡ Sorry, sorry! I just got hit with a wave of nostalgia♡ It's probably not nice to tease you like I used to when we haven't seen each other in years... right?♡"
I KNEW IT!!
She hadn't changed at all!
She’d say something heart-pounding with a straight face just to enjoy the reaction!!
Damn it... she almost had me.
But I’d grown up too. I couldn't let her think I was the same kid I used to be. Now was the time to show her the composure of a (mature?) man—
"N-no, I mean, it’s fine...? But a boyfriend, that’s just so sudden... we still, uh, need to fill in the blanks of our time apart... and, uh..."
As I sat there muttering to myself, looking not-at-all-displeased, the air behind me suddenly turned icy.
...Staaaaare...
(Gulp... this presence...)
I timidly glanced to the side. There stood Miu, who definitely hadn't been there a moment ago.
And she was looking at us with the most suspicious eyes I’d ever seen.
"Whoa! When did you get here!"
"...Hey? What was that conversation just now? What kind of 'vibe' was that...?"
"N-n-n-nothing!? It was nothing at all!?"
I practically sprang off the sofa. But it was too late. Miu’s eyes were sharper than ever. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were definitely not.
"Oh really~? Apron knots? Like a boyfriend...? Hmmm..."
"N-no! It’s a misunderstanding! I mean, it’s not a misunderstanding, I was just untying it—!!"
"Hmm... I see, I see..."
Miu leaned her arms on the back of the sofa, staring me down. Like an interrogator, she didn't even blink.
Even with that sharp gaze on us, Momo-nee just giggled again.
"I guess... Shin-chan is quite the ladies' man~♡"
"L-ladies' man!? Please stop teasing me..."
As I looked down, face beet-red, the laughter of the two sisters overlapped.
...Why am I in the middle of what feels like a freaking drama scene right now...?
◆◇◆
After that bit of farce... Momo-nee set to work with impressive efficiency. I’d asked if there was anything I could do to help, but she told me to just sit and wait...
And so, while Miu and I behaved ourselves for a bit, it seemed the meal was finished in no time.
"Ta-da! All done~♡"
A beaming Momo-nee brought the food over from the kitchen.
A mountain of karaage, a colorful salad, and steaming miso soup packed with ingredients. The dining table was set with classic home-style dishes that were perfectly calculated to appeal to any guy.
The karaage, with its crispy coating and the promise of juicy meat inside... the visual alone was enough to satisfy me. My appetite was fully revved up.
"Whoaaaa! Fried chicken! This looks incredible!"
I almost stood up in excitement; the delicious aroma had filled the entire room.
"Yay! As expected of Onee-chan♡ I was totally in the mood for karaage today! I'm starving~"
Miu sat down, her mood clearly improved.
"Well then, shall we eat?♡"
""Itadakimasu!""
Our voices synced as the three of us pressed our hands together.
I took a bite of the fried chicken—
"SOOOO GOOD!!"
After the initial crunch, the savory juice of the meat flooded my mouth... the fragrant soy sauce and garlic marinade had soaked deep into the chicken, and the scent of the oil as it hit my nose was irresistible...
I couldn't help but cram a mouthful of freshly steamed rice in after it.
Hafu...
Damn, this is way too good...
Every time the meat juices mixed with the rice, the sweetness of the grain stood out even more. I couldn't stop eating...
"Momo-nee, this is seriously dangerous... this is the kind of flavor that could enslave every man on the planet!"
"Fufu♡ What's with that~♡ If it makes you that happy, it was worth making~♡ Boys really do love fried chicken, don't they?♡"
"Yes! I could eat infinite rice with this!"
Amidst the feast, a thought occurred to me, and I asked:
"By the way... where are your parents? Are they working late today...?"
I asked through a mouthful of chicken, and Momo-nee gave a little "Ah~..." pout.
"Right, right. Mom and Dad won't be coming home for a while~"
"Oh, really...?"
I was a bit taken aback by how casually she said it. But Miu stepped in with a laugh.
"No, no, it’s not some heavy story, okay?"
"Yeah, Dad has this long-term business trip for work. And Mom decided to go along with him."
"I see... that's actually pretty nice. They're clearly still close."
"Mhm♪ And since it would be weird for the house to be empty for so long, I—"
"Exactly! Instead, Onee-chan moved back in!"
Momo-nee took a sip of her steaming miso soup and smiled at me.
"It’s not that far from my university, so I figured moving back home for a bit wouldn't hurt~♩"
As I slowly processed the meaning of those words, I popped another piece of chicken into my mouth.
(Let's see... so that means Momo-nee is going to be in this house for a while...?)
Wait. Isn't that... kind of a big deal—!?
◆◇◆
“Thanks for the meal~!"
Once again, our three voices overlapped, bringing the dinner hour to a close. My stomach was stuffed with karaage. My heart was full, and I was completely satisfied.
"Phew... that was seriously delicious."
"I’m glad♡ You can come over and eat anytime, okay~♩"
(Seriously...? Does such a convenient, dream-like arrangement actually exist...?)
Momo-nee stood up and began gathering the dishes. Watching her move with such practiced ease in her apron, she was the absolute picture of the "ideal big sister."
(She’s so efficient. Those are the movements of someone who does housework regularly... she looks like she’s already prepared to be a bride at any moment...)
I figured I should at least help out, so I gathered a few empty bowls and plates and carried them to the kitchen.
"Thanks for the meal! Here are these...!"
"Aww, thanks! You're such a good boy, Shin-chan~♡"
"G-good boy!? A good boy, huh............ hehe."
I definitely felt like I was being treated like a child. But it felt nostalgic, and oddly comfortable...
Actually, my reaction was a bit gross. I know that. But really, is there a guy out there who wouldn't be happy to be called a "good boy♡" by a beautiful woman with a killer body? At the very least, it was super effective on me.
Embarrassed, I set the dishes down on the edge of the sink. Momo-nee immediately turned on the tap and started washing.
SHHHHHHHHH—!!
The water came out with a roar—maybe the pressure was too high—
SPLASH!!!
"Whoa!? Cold...!!"
Was this punishment for my internal perversion? Suddenly, water deflected off a plate and hit me right in the shirt.
"Waugh! Sorry!! Are you okay!?"
"I-I’m... fine!! It just got a bit wet! I’m totally okay!!"
I said that, but the water had soaked through from my stomach all the way to my collar. The wet fabric clinging to my skin felt incredibly unpleasant...
"I’m so sorry! I didn't think the pressure was that strong...!"
Momo-nee hurriedly turned off the faucet and approached me with a look of genuine guilt.
"Hold on! I’ll go get a towel right away!"
"N-no, really, it’s fine! You don't have to rush..."
"I can't just leave you like that~. Sorry, you might need to change your shirt too."
"Eh, no, but..."
"If you don't mind one of my T-shirts... I think I have some oversized ones...!"
As she spoke, Momo-nee stared intently at my wet shirt.
Our eyes met.
Momo-nee... she really was gorgeous. Her eyelashes were so long... and her skin was so smooth...
And then—
(Wh-what is this atmosphere...!?)
The back of my neck prickled, and I felt an ominous chill like I’d never experienced before.
"...Hey. What have you two... been doing for the last minute?"
It was Miu. Once again, she’d snuck up behind me.
This time she had her arms crossed, looking like she was about to breathe fire, and she was glaring specifically at me.
"W-well, nothing really..."
"Hmm. You looked pretty 'chummy' for people doing 'nothing,' though."
Momo-nee, watching our exchange, didn't seem the least bit apologetic as she beamed.
"I was just about to do the dishes, but the water splashed everywhere and soaked poor Shin-chan... Anyway, he’ll catch a cold if he doesn't change, so I'm going to go lend him some clothes~♩"
With that, Momo-nee grabbed my arm and tried to lead me away.
As for me... I was caught between Miu’s glaring eyes and the chill of my soaked shirt.
(U-um... someone, please, help me...)
◆◇◆
"Shin-chan, in here!"
With that, Momo-nee led me into her room. The interior was decorated in calm colors, and a faint, sweet scent lingered in the air—
The moment I stepped inside, my breathing hitched just a little.
"Take a seat~. Just wait a second, okay?"
Momo-nee crouched down in front of her closet and started rummaging through her clothes.
The curve of her back visible through her sweater, and her slender white neck peeking out from beneath her neatly trimmed hair, felt incredibly erotic.
(I feel like I'm in a place I really shouldn't be right now...)
I’d been invited in by the flow of the conversation... but was it really okay for me to just walk into a woman’s room like this? What if I saw something I wasn't supposed to see?
It was probably best not to think about it...
As I stood there, too intimidated to move, she pulled out a T-shirt and turned around.
"How about this one? It's pretty big, so it should fit...?"
She handed me a plain white, oversized T-shirt. The neckline was wide, and the fabric felt soft and light. Was this loungewear...? I felt like I was peeking into her private life.
"Th-thank you! This looks like it’ll fit!"
"There we go♡ Well, that's that settled... right? Oh, is it okay if I wash your wet shirt here...?"
She smiled gently as she picked up my wet shirt.
"I feel bad about what happened... let me make it up to you by treating you to dinner again sometime?"
"Eh? Oh... okay!"
(She doesn't have to worry about making it up to me... but I guess that confirms we’ll be seeing each other again soon...)
Feeling a bit flustered, I pulled on the borrowed T-shirt.
It was soft against my skin, and then—that scent... I could faintly smell Momo-nee’s fragrance on the T-shirt.
As I finished changing, Momo-nee, who had been watching me intently, suddenly spoke up—
"Shin-chan, you’ve really become an adult since I last saw you♡ Um, your... your build, I mean... You used to be about the same height as me, but you’ve gotten so much taller, and your voice is deeper... and your shoulders are so..."
Her tone was a complete departure from her earlier teasing; her cheeks and ears were flushed red as she spoke shyly.
(What is this vibe... now I'm getting embarrassed... this is bad...)
A brief silence followed, and I felt an awkwardness settle between us. Unable to bear the atmosphere, I finally spoke up.
"Ah! I-I should probably head home now! It's getting late..."
It was true; it had been sunset when I arrived, but before I knew it, night had fallen.
"Oh... is it? I guess so...! Thanks for today. I was really happy to see you again♡"
Momo-nee looked a little reluctant, but she gave me a gentle smile. Miu, who had come to the entryway to see me off, gave a light wave.
"See you tomorrow at the usual spot. Don't be late~"
"Y-yeah. ...See you tomorrow."
And so, after being seen off by the two of them, I left the apartment lobby.
◆◇◆
That night.
As soon as I got to my room, I tossed my bag aside and dove onto my bed.
"Man... today was intense."
The words escaped me in a mumble.
Reuniting with Momo-nee, the karaage for dinner, the soaking-wet accident...
And this—the white T-shirt I’d borrowed.
On a whim, I hunched my shoulders and buried my face in the collar.
(...Ah.)
There it was: a faint, gentle scent. Not too sweet, fresh, and somehow calming. I found myself wanting to take a deep breath of it...
(...Is this shampoo?)
That was my first thought. It was the same scent I’d smelled when she was sitting right next to me.
But... no, it was a little different... was it the smell of the fabric...? The scent of air freshener and fabric softener that had seeped into the clothes while they were in the closet. That gentle fragrance had permeated the entire T-shirt.
Which meant that right now, I was literally wrapped in the same air that Momo-nee lived in every day.
I didn't want anyone to think I was a creep, so I couldn't exactly say it out loud... but as someone with a bit of a "scent fetish," this was making my heart race like crazy.
They say scents trigger memories.
If I closed my eyes... I could almost feel Momo-nee’s presence right there beside me...
(...I'm starting to feel a little strange...)
Thinking that, I slowly closed my eyes.
My heartbeat settled, and wrapped in a comfortable fatigue and that sweet scent, I drifted off into a dream————
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