Prologue
—Divine favoritism.
If I had to sum up my thoughts on my childhood friend in a single phrase, that would be it.
Unearthly beauty. An aura that feels detached from the mundane world.
Countless scouts, endless confessions. Her charm—something that could almost be called demonic—had been clearly out of the ordinary since we were kids.
"She’ll be a top model someday," or "She’s destined to be a lead actress."
Everyone whispered it, and I, too, took it for granted that she would become someone like that.
Someday, she’ll go somewhere far out of my reach.
And yet.
"…Nnh…"
(…Why?)
Why is my naked childhood friend sleeping right next to me?
Pale skin peeking out from the sheets. A full chest rising and falling with every breath.
Limbs so beautiful they make my head spin. I can hardly believe we belong to the same species.
"…"
I try to process this with a brain that’s barely functioning.
The chain of events that led to this impossible situation.
I try to remember… but suddenly, the image of a different girl flashes through my mind.
『—I hope things work out for you. With her.』
A smile through suppressed tears.
The girl who was my friend, the one who told me she liked me.
The memory sends a sharp, stabbing pain through my chest.
"…Iori?"
"!"
Her sweet voice pulls my consciousness back to reality.
The celestial being is right there next to me, gazing my way with a smile.
Guilt, regret—they all melt away, dissolving into the heat of her charm.
"Good morning, Iori."
"…Morning, Mizuki."
—This is the story of that one month, leading up to the moment I was finally imprisoned by her love.
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