Chapter 5: Koharu Exposes Her Indecency

A few days later, the three of them gathered at Hibiki’s house once again.

Koharu had steeled her resolve. Today was the day for the full-body treatment.

"Koharu, I’m telling you, it’s going to be embarrassing. I’ve said it a million times, but you're really going to be embarrassed, okay?"

"Honestly... stop trying to scare me. I know what I’m getting into... You’re Hibiki-chan’s friend, so you know I trust you, right?"

Koharu had never shown her bare skin to a boy before. She didn't even show it to other girls. It was only natural.

But she had come here prepared for that today. Koharu approached Hibiki’s bed and reached for her uniform.

"If possible, I’d like you to look away until I’ve changed..."

Koharu’s face flushed red with shame.

Her challenge to erase those bruises was about to begin.

"Hirose-kun. Okay, you can look now."

"Right..."

Hirose took a gulp of air and slowly turned around.

Standing in front of the bed, next to Hibiki who was still in her uniform, was Koharu—dressed only in her lingerie.

She was clutching her left arm with her right hand, fidgeting shyly. The pose pressed her breasts together, emphasizing them, but she was far too preoccupied to notice.

"————"

Her breasts, which looked ready to spill out of her matching blue bra, were possibly even larger than Hibiki’s. Hirose had touched them once through her uniform, but seeing them like this was far more impactful.

She had removed all her bandages, revealing multiple bruises across her body. Her shoulders, stomach, thighs... dark marks were visible everywhere.

It was a complicated mix of emotions. Her physique was captivating enough to entrance any man, yet the bruises made her look painfully fragile.

"Hirose... heal her."

"I will. ...Koharu, could you lie down for me?"

"Mm."

At his prompting, Koharu moved to Hibiki’s bed and lay on her back. As she did, her large breasts flattened slightly under the pull of gravity, making them stand out even more.

"I’ll ask just in case, but are there any spots that hurt when touched?"

"No. Most of them are old, so they don’t hurt that much."

"I see."

Hirose confirmed this with Koharu before starting. He sat by the bed, keeping his voice low to help put her at ease. Even if Koharu didn't have a phobia of men, he didn't want to trigger anything. He made a conscious effort to act as the exact opposite of the kind of man who would inflict such domestic violence.

"Also, I was going to tell Hibiki too, but I think the treatment time has shortened. I think I can do one area in eight minutes."

"Wait, really?!"

"Yeah. So the duration of the backlash should decrease, too."

"Is that... something to be happy about?"

"Probably...?"

"Pfft, what is that? Well, I’m counting on you."

An unexpected report on the evolution of Hirose’s Skill. If the backlash time decreased, that meant the time spent feeling flushed and sensitive would also be shorter. Hirose figured that would be a good thing, especially for a first-timer.

He climbed onto the bed and moved toward Koharu’s feet.

Koharu flinched for a split second, but after saying "I’m okay," she asked him to begin.

"Here I go—<Skin Refinement>."

As he spoke, light gathered in Hirose’s hands. He placed them on Koharu’s legs below the knee and began to stroke them gradually.

"Nn... It’s warm... This... I think I’ll be okay."

"I’ll keep going, then."

He rolled up his sleeves and continued the gentle stroking. Perhaps because he was used to treating Hibiki, his movements were smooth and fluid. He didn't actually know anything about professional massage, but the knowledge of how to use the Skill was being installed directly into his brain. He just had to let it take over.

Hibiki watched from the side. After a light sigh, she headed for the bedroom door.

"Looks like you’ve got this. I’ll come back in an hour to check on things. Hirose... I’m counting on you."

"Wait, you’re leaving?!"

"Even if she’s my best friend, it’s not exactly polite to just stand here and stare, is it?"

"...Fair point."

"Hibiki-chan, thank you."

"Also, if it gets to be too much... I don't think you need to hold back. You can trust Hirose."

"? ...Okay."

Hibiki gave her advice to Koharu, who hadn't quite felt the full force of the backlash yet. What awaited Koharu now was exactly what Hibiki had experienced herself—a state so intense it could easily be mistaken for something sexual.

Hibiki wondered if Koharu could endure it. She was worried, but she trusted Hirose. She left the room to kill time in the living room.

◇　

"Koharu... Sorry about your legs..."

"Hyan?! Ah... No... It's not 'no,' but... Agh?!"

Hirose had Koharu’s legs spread as he stroked the bruised areas from her inner thighs to the outer edges. It wasn't a position one would normally expect to be in with someone they’d only met twice, but it was necessary to cover the area thoroughly.

Being touched so close to her groin, Koharu couldn't help but react. She gripped the pillow with both hands, trying to endure it. Between the embarrassing position and the sensations flowing from Hirose’s hands, she couldn't keep her voice down.

"Koharu... hang in there... I’m definitely going to heal you!"

"Aahn?! Hirose-kun... It’s hot... It’s so hot...!"

Koharu was drenched in sweat. The perspiration made her skin glisten, giving her an incredibly erotic appearance. However, Hirose fought to suppress any impure thoughts.

Once her thighs were done, he moved to her stomach, where the bruises were particularly widespread. Seeing them up close made them look even more painful. With a single-minded desire to heal her, Hirose began stroking her abdomen.

"Nn... My stomach is warm, too... This feels like... like a dog... Like I’m being petted like a dog...!"

Hirose wondered: which would be more stimulating, kneading or stroking? He wanted to choose the method that caused the least arousal, but given the nature of the Skill, there was no avoiding it.

Koharu’s expression had turned quite sultry; she looked far more alluring now than when he’d first seen her. Her large breasts swayed right above him with every movement—it was a trial for his eyes. Even so, he did his best to cast aside his worldly desires for Hibiki’s sake.

After that, he managed to finish both shoulders and arms, taking a moment to catch his breath.

"Koharu, I’m done with the front. Do you have any bruises on your back?"

"Haa... haa... I do...♡"

Breathing heavily, Koharu rolled over on the bed.

Her sweat-slicked back came into view. She didn't have a sharp waistline like Hibiki, but she was slender overall. Yet, with breasts that large, her figure was truly something else...

Furthermore, Koharu had a petite bottom. It was tight and firm, without an ounce of excess fat. It was a matter of preference, but Hirose found that kind of tightness appealing, too.

(No, no, no! I shouldn't be thinking about her butt... Concentrate!)

He shook his head, clearing the impure thoughts.

However, upon closer inspection, he realized there was a bruise right on her buttock. It looked like she’d been kicked...

"Koharu, there’s a bruise on your... bottom. Are you... are you okay with this?"

"Do it... I can't stop halfway after coming this far. I'll endure it...!"

"Alright...!"

Accepting Koharu’s resolve, Hirose reached out.

Like her back, her bottom was slightly damp with sweat. Perhaps because she had less body fat than Hibiki, it sat quite high. But, as expected, it was incredibly soft—completely different from his own male body. This softness despite her slim frame was a new sensation for Hirose.

"Ngh! ...My butt... this is bad... Nnn?! ...Are you going to do this for... ten minutes? I’m going to go crazy...!"

"Koharu... stay strong...!"

Lying face down, Koharu buried her face in the pillow, her body twitching and reacting violently. It seemed to Hirose that Koharu was even more sensitive than Hibiki. Everyone’s sensitivity was different, but Koharu’s reactions were visibly more intense.

Koharu’s gasps echoed through the room—and they were audible even outside the door.

"Koharu... she's making so much noise... And Hirose... he's really getting in there..."

Hirose was too focused to notice, but Hibiki had cracked the door open and was watching the two of them through the gap.

Leaning her body against the wall, she had hiked up her skirt, her right hand tucked inside her panties. Watching her best friend being touched in such suggestive places by the person she loved, even if it was for treatment...

A whirlwind of emotions swirled inside Hibiki, and the result was intense arousal.

"Wait... no way... Koharu?"

Right then, something changed with Koharu.

"Hi-Hirose-kun... My butt... my buuuutt...♡"

"Koharu... hang in there... Just a little more...!"

"N-No... that’s not... I mean... this... it’s different... Ah... no... Ah... Nnnngh!♡"

It happened just as the Skill application to her buttocks finished.

Koharu’s body arched violently, and after a series of tremors, she went still, as if she’d lost consciousness.

Koharu had intended to ask him to stop for a moment, but Hirose hadn't noticed. Thus, she’d been unable to escape and had been forced to take it all.

"...Wait, Koharu? Are you okay?"

"I'm... not... okay...♡"

With an ecstatic expression, Koharu had reached her limit. Hirose slowly began to realize exactly what he’d done.

(Wait... no way... Koharu...)

The buttocks were the last spot. Hirose wiped the sweat from his forehead, stood up, and went to call Hibiki.

(Crap! He’s coming!)

Hibiki was still leaning against the wall, her hand busy. She tried to stand up immediately and get back to the living room, but there was no way she could make it in time.

Click.

The doorknob turned, and Hirose stepped out into the hallway.

"Hibi...ki?"

"Ah... ahahaha... I’m not doing anything, okay?"

Hibiki’s panties were down around her knees.

The moment he saw that, Hirose understood. Anyone would have understood.

"I... feel like I should apologize..."

"Don’t apologize for thiiiis!"

Even if they had already shared a bed, being caught in the act was mortifying.

◇

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

A short while later, the three of them were gathered around the table.

Koharu, who had been sent to the heavens by Hirose’s hands. Hibiki, who had been caught masturbating. And Hirose, who had no idea how to talk to either of them.

Shame kept them all looking down, wondering how to break the silence.

Ultimately, it was Hirose who broke it.

"Koharu... from now on, we’ll need to do this twice a week... for four weeks. Will you be okay?"

"Y-Yeah... I’ll... be..."

Koharu spoke with both hands covering her face. She was imagining having the same thing done to her again and was overcome with embarrassment. But if it meant making the bruises disappear, she had to do it. There was no other choice for her.

"T-Then, I’ll head home for today. Thank you so much. Hirose-kun, you and Hibiki-chan should... take it slow, okay?"

"Ah, yeah..."

"Koharu, I’ll walk you to the door."

Koharu stood up, and Hibiki followed her to the entrance. Hirose remained in the room, waiting for Hibiki to return.

"So... you understand what I meant now, right?"

"You mean about not holding back... Honestly, it’d be weirder if someone could endure that. Hibiki-chan, you did that for a whole month?"

"Well... yeah. That’s how I got so pretty... But I also ended up showing you some embarrassing things..."

And following that, she’d lost control and pounced on Hirose...

But for his part, Hirose had worked earnestly, even if he had impure thoughts. As a result, Hibiki had obtained the skin and body of her dreams.

"Hirose-kun, you really get the best deal, don't you? Getting to see girls in that state."

"Hey, come on... But he’s doing his best for us..."

"I know. That’s why you fell for him, right, Hibiki-chan?"

"Ngh... stop it..."

(I’m more worried about when Koharu might pounce on him...)

Honestly, Hibiki felt that it would only be natural if Koharu ended up attacking Hirose like that. She couldn't very well tell someone else to hold back when she hadn't been able to herself.

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"Nope! Get home safe!"

"Yeah, see ya."

After seeing Koharu off, Hibiki returned to the room. When she opened the door, Hirose was sitting at the table. He looked a bit drained, likely from using his Skill.

"Welcome back."

"—Hirose!"

"Whoa?!"

The moment she saw his face, Hibiki couldn't take it anymore and threw herself at him. She hugged him tight, then pulled him toward the bed, pinning him down.

"Wait, Hibiki?! I’m... I’m tired..."

"Sorry... I can't hold back... Not after seeing Koharu like that... So—"

"I mean... I get it, but I’m all sweaty right now, I probably smell—wait, nn?!"

She was no longer listening to anything he had to say. Hibiki forcibly stole Hirose’s lips, thrusting her hot tongue inside.

"Wait, Hibi... nn?! Hold on a sec... mm..."

"Hirose... Hirose... nn, mm... haa... Hirose...♡"

Hirose no longer had the strength to resist. Just like their first time, she was taking the lead. But Hirose didn't hate it. He was just tired and his thoughts couldn't keep up.

Hibiki began unbuttoning her own uniform shirt, then moved to his, pulling it off with enough force to send buttons flying—

Koharu was on her way home alone.

Her pace was slow and a bit unsteady. Her face was still flushed a faint red.

"My panties... they’re soaked..."

She’d noticed when she was putting her uniform back on. The inside of her underwear was a mess. Since she was coming from school, she didn't have a spare pair.

"It’s my treatment, so it’s a bother to keep using Hibiki-chan’s house every time... I wonder if Hirose-kun’s house is an option... but I have a little brother at home..."

Naturally, Koharu was thinking about having the treatments with Hirose one-on-one. Hibiki wouldn't exactly be thrilled, but she’d probably give her permission if asked.

"And Hirose-kun’s hands... I really didn't hate them... Even though he touched me like that, why...? Is it the Skill’s influence? Or is it—"

He’d made her reach a climax at the end. Thinking back on it made her face heat up again. Even though no one was watching, she checked her surroundings and hurried toward the station.

◇　

"Are we really doing this...?"

"You've touched me so many times already... there’s no reason to hesitate now."

Right now, Hirose was in his room, facing a topless Hibiki on his bed, doing a final check before activating his Skill.

The Skill he would use was <Skin Refinement>. He had already used this on Hibiki, and her skin was already beautiful almost everywhere.

However, there were two spots he hadn't done yet. Honestly, they were already beautiful, but Hibiki had been insistent.

"—Make my breasts even prettier than they are now."

The remaining targets for <Skin Refinement> were Hibiki’s breasts. How had it come to this? The reason went back two days.

『—I feel bad about using your house every time, Hibiki-chan. Do you think it’d be okay if I asked to do it at Hirose-kun’s house?』

On the night the treatment for Koharu finished, Hibiki received that message. Hibiki, who had been lounging on her bed, froze and stared at the screen in a daze.

"Koharu... you aren't trying to steal Hirose, are you...?"

Koharu was Hibiki’s best friend. She wouldn't try to take the person Hibiki liked. Or so she thought, but after seeing that message, she wasn't so sure.

Of course, from Koharu’s perspective, she probably felt guilty about constantly using Hibiki’s house and having to coordinate their schedules. Given Koharu’s family situation, she couldn't exactly do those kinds of treatments at her own home. If that was the case, the only remaining option was Hirose’s house—

"Just the two of them, huh..."

Hibiki was worried. If they were alone, would Koharu end up attacking Hirose? Maybe Koharu had only held back today because Hibiki was there. If they were alone, the stage would be set.

"Aaaagh! I can't say no...!"

It was impossible to perfectly align everyone’s schedules every single time. They could manage it occasionally, but doing it every day would be difficult. Either way, the option of having some sessions at Hirose’s house was going to come up.

『That’s fine! I hope you get better soon!』

In the end, Hibiki sent her consent. She meant it. If she’d had those bruises herself, she wouldn't have been able to show herself in lingerie—much less a swimsuit—in front of a boy until they were gone. Thinking about it that way, she could understand Koharu’s pain.

"I haven't even been to Hirose’s house yet... Oh, wait, I can just go!"

And then, she had another idea. With Hirose’s current Skill level, there wasn't much left for him to do for her, but there were still parts he hadn't touched.

"If we’re doing it, we might as well do everything, right?"

Stroking her own breasts on her bed, Hibiki sent a message to Hirose.

"So you’re Hibiki-chan! Goodness... this boy, making such a cute friend when I wasn't looking."

"It's a pleasure to meet you...! I'm Rindou Hibiki!"

On the day she was to visit Hirose’s house, Hibiki met Hirose’s mother, Takanashi Honoka, for the first time at the front door. Hirose had never been involved with girls before, so this was the first time he’d brought one home. Honoka was delighted.

"Well, I’ll probably just be in the way, so I’ll head out to do some shopping for a while."

"Ah, yeah... thanks."

Perhaps sensing the mood, Honoka grabbed her reusable bag, winked at Hirose, and left the house.

"Hibiki, come on in."

"Excuse me...!"

Hirose invited Hibiki into his room. Upon entering the rather plain room, Hibiki’s face softened as she commented, "It smells like Hirose." Hirose countered with, "Your room always smells nice, too."

Hibiki, in high spirits from visiting Hirose’s house before Koharu, felt like poking around a bit, but decided to get straight to the treatment and started taking off her uniform.

And so, the conversation returned to the present.

"—Make my breasts even prettier than they are now."

In response to the hesitating Hirose, Hibiki took his hands and placed them on her chest.

"Nn...♡"

Feeling the sensation of Hirose’s hands, Hibiki let out a small voice. Her face was slightly red, but she waited for him to activate his Skill.

"Hibiki... okay, here I go. Skill: <Skin Refinement>."

Hirose activated the Skill. A faint white light gathered in his hands. He began to stroke Hibiki’s large twin mounds.

"Even though this is a proper treatment... it feels strange... ngh."

Whether it was 'proper' was up for debate, but he wasn't trying to do anything lewd. However, there was no denying that to any observer, it looked exactly like something sexual.

"Um... touching them again... they're really soft."

"Right? Nn... it’s getting... hot...♡"

Hibiki smiled proudly at the praise. But gradually, the backlash began to manifest. The <Skin Refinement> Skill required stroking rather than kneading, so it provided only the minimum amount of stimulation. That would continue for about eight minutes.

"Nn, ngh... I have to keep this up, right...? This might be even crazier than the stomach... nn?!"

"Hibiki... lie down."

Hibiki was trembling, and it looked like sitting up was becoming difficult, so Hirose spoke up. Keeping his hands on her breasts, she leaned back and lay on her back on the bed.

Hibiki’s breathing became ragged. She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped the sheets. Having her breasts stroked so persistently was quite a trial. She felt a sensation welling up from deep within her. Perhaps because the stimulation to her chest was unlike anything she’d felt during previous treatments, her hand naturally reached down toward her lower body.

"Nn... ah! ...Ahn♡ Hirose... Hirose...♡"

"Wait, Hibiki?!"

With his hands occupied, Hirose was forced to continue the treatment while watching her actions. He could feel the texture of Hibiki’s hardened nipples against his palms. As he stroked the entirety of them, his fingers would catch on the protrusions, causing Hibiki to cry out even louder.

Moreover, Hibiki’s hand was busy down below. Naturally, Hirose was becoming quite frustrated himself; he felt like he was going to lose his mind.

"Hirose...♡ Hirose...♡ Hirose...♡"

To top it off, she was calling his name over and over. It would have been stranger if he hadn't reached his limit.

—Eight minutes later.

"Haa... haa... is it... over...?"

"It’s over... Good job."

Hibiki had reached her limit. Twice, during the Skill activation. He didn't need to explain the details for the message to get across. Hirose’s hands were thoroughly coated with the scent of Hibiki’s breasts.

He didn't go so far as to bring his hands to his nose, but he was also at his breaking point. He was about to take the initiative and pounce on Hibiki for the first time, but—

"Lastly... down there...♡"

"Huh?!"

"I want to be... pretty down there, too...♡"

"I-I mean... the backlash is going to be insane, you know?"

"It’s fine... please... I’ll do whatever you want later... I just want to be pretty... ngh."

Did she really understand what she was asking? Even if the effects appeared gradually, once they started, they’d have to do this twice a week for four weeks for the full effect.

He wanted to do it if it was for her sake, but he was honestly worried about whether her body could take it.

"Take off... my panties...?♡"

"Man... don’t blame me for whatever happens next, okay?"

Hirose sighed but accepted her request. Hibiki was quite selfish when it came to him, but since she wasn't asking for money, Hirose found her behavior endearing.

He slowly pulled down Hibiki’s panties. Catching a glimpse of the viscous, transparent threads, he activated the final Skill of the day.

"<Skin Refinement>."

"————Ahn?!♡"

Hibiki’s cries echoed through Hirose’s room, and for the next eight minutes, she screamed out again and again.

◇　

That day, Kushima Koharu was in the bath with her young brother.

"Hey, Big Sis. Your bruises are getting lighter, aren't they?"

"...Good catch. You’re such a good boy."

Koharu gently stroked her brother’s head.

"Are they going to keep getting lighter?"

"I hope so."

"They've already started to fade, so I bet they'll turn out beautiful."

"Fufu, I suppose so."

She hadn't told her family about Hirose’s Gift. That was because of a prior promise not to speak of it without permission.

Now that they were finally free from her father and living with just her mother and brother, the bruises were the only thing still holding Koharu’s life back. If the bruises really could be erased, she might finally be able to face her family in the truest sense.

"...I wonder if I’ll be able to laugh more."

"Did you say something?"

"No. It’s nothing."

A change in appearance can change one's personality. She believed that when she regained her beautiful skin, she’d be able to reveal her true self—and with that hope, Koharu looked forward to her next treatment.