NTR Eroge ni Tensei Shite Kon'yakusha o Netorareta Ore o Sukutta no wa, Chijou Saikyou no Torimaki Mobu Joshi A Deshita [LN] Bahasa Indonesia

 

Chapter 1

"---npai! Senpai, it's time to wake up!"

Someone was calling out to me while gently shaking my shoulder, slowly pulling my consciousness out of a deep slumber. Right by my pillow, my smartphone was faithfully blaring its melodious alarm to notify me of the ungodly hour. Feel free to take a day off tomorrow, buddy, I offered the phone a quiet word of appreciation in my heart before prying open my heavy eyelids. Standing right there, wearing an elegant smile far too refined for her age, was my high school underclassman and self-proclaimed fiancée.

"Good morning, Senpai," she chimed sweetly. "It's not like you to oversleep."

"Ah... Morning, Shirasu. Thanks for waking me up," I replied, rubbing my eyes. "By the way, mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure! What is it?" Shirasu asked, tilting her head to the side.

That casual little gesture was unfairly cute coming from an underclassman who looked like a finely crafted bisque doll. Letting out a soft sigh, I asked with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief.

"Why are you standing in my bedroom like it's the most natural thing in the world? You definitely went home yesterday, didn't you?"

"Huh? Isn't that obvious?" she replied with an innocent blink. "It's because I'm your fiancée and commuting wife!"

Her completely blank expression, as if stating the most obvious truth in the universe, made me dizzy. I wasn't about to deny her claims, but that didn't make breaking and entering okay.

"That's not what I'm asking," I clarified, massaging my temples. "How did you even get inside? The front door was locked, wasn't it?"

"Oh, absolutely! The front door was locked tight, and every single window was secured," she answered proudly. "You know, you could've left at least one unlocked for me!"

"Whoa, hold on a second! What are you saying so casually, Shirasu?!" I blurted out. "Don't tell me you broke a window to get in..."

"Tee-hee! Wow, you caught me! That's right—just kidding! I behaved like a good girl and came right in through the front door with a polite 'pardon the intrusion!'"

Shirasu puffed out her chest with a triumphant look, clearly expecting me to pat her on the head and praise her for being a good girl. Sadly for her, it wasn't going to happen. In fact, her answer only made the situation infinitely worse.

"Oh, I see! So if you came through the front door, everything's totally fine—as if!" I barked. "The door was locked from the inside! How on earth did you break through that?!"

"Hehe. Consider it a maiden's secret art, Senpai," Shirasu giggled, placing an index finger over her lips with a mischievous smirk.

Did she secretly pick up lockpicking skills or something? My head was starting to ache for real. Trying not to let on that her mix of cuteness and sudden allure had made my heart skip a beat, I took an exaggeratedly deep breath.

"Stop messing around and just answer me. How did you unlock the door?"

"You're no fun, Senpai," she pouted playfully. "The answer is simple: I unlocked it proudly with my spare key!"

"Ah..."

Right, I completely forgot. My useless dad had given her a spare key to my place. She had waltzed in so brazenly like a burglar that my half-asleep brain had completely slipped up on that detail.

"Even if you have a spare key, who just barges in unannounced and straddles someone while they're sleeping?!"

"Hey! Don't make it sound like a crime," she huffed, puffing her cheeks. "Your beloved fiancée and commuting wife using her key to drop in on you is just a completely natural expression of love!"

She beamed at me, but the gleam in her eyes was that of a predator cornering its prey. Of course, I got where she was coming from. Since she had the key, I probably should have braced myself for something like this.

"Sigh... Fine. We'll have to discuss the ground rules for using that key later," I grumbled. "More importantly, can you get off me now? I can't get out of bed with you straddling me."

Not that I hated having her on top of me—far from it, to be completely honest. The healthy weight, her warmth, her softness, and above all, the breathtaking view from below of two luscious fruits was beyond description. Not only was it violently waking up my groggy brain, but it was also causing blood to rush through my entire body, which was extremely dangerous, morning wood aside.

"So you're finally in the mood!" she cheered, opening her arms wide with a bright, sunflower-like smile. "Well then, Senpai, let me give you a good morning hug!"

Her affection was like a holy mother soothing a child, so filled with tender love that my pulse hammered against my ribs.

"...How on earth did you jump to that conclusion?" I managed to ask, sitting up slowly while trying to keep my composure.

If I could just surrender to instinct and pull her tight, life would be so much easier. I wished she wouldn't force my worldly desires and my remaining logic into a bloody sword fight first thing in the morning.

"What do you mean 'how'? Hugging each other right after waking up is the hallmark of a happily married couple!"

"Did Nanase-san tell you that one too?"

"Nope! I heard this one from Mom!" Shirasu beamed proudly. "Oh, by the way, my Mom and Dad have been married for almost twenty years now, and they're still head over heels for each other! It's honestly embarrassing just watching them sometimes!"

Whoa, now that was an unexpected curveball. I was positive that her maid Nanase-san was the culprit, snickering in the shadows after imparting another piece of skewed knowledge. Who knew it actually came from her mother?

Wait, "mother-in-law"? What am I even thinking? We're not married yet, so she's just her mom... While I was mentally reprimanding myself for such a foolish thought, Shirasu babbled on happily, oblivious to my inner turmoil.

"Good morning hugs and good night hugs are a daily routine! And of course, they kiss every single morning when leaving and every evening when coming home! Isn't that amazing?!"

"A-Ah, yeah... That really is impressive. Yup, amazing."

Kissing every single day on top of hugging was definitely mind-blowing. It was great that they were so in love, but I could totally see why their daughter would feel embarrassed. I wonder how my own parents were... I don't really remember anymore, but Dad definitely doted on Mom like crazy.

"So we should follow their example and hug every single day! Sounds good, right? Right?! And no, I'm not taking no for an answer!"

"W-Wait, Shirasu—?!"

Before I could object, Shirasu lunged forward and threw her body against mine. A squishy, intoxicating sensation pressed directly against my chest, and as a bonus, she even began nuzzling her cheek against mine. Hold the line, self-control! Suppress those urges! If I gave in and hugged her back right now, we'd be heading straight for round two of sleep. It would be bad enough if I was late on my own, but I couldn't drag her down with me.

"Haaah... You smell so soothing, Senpai. Can I keep squeezing you like this? I can, right?"

"...So now you're asking for my permission?" I rasped, struggling to stay upright.

"Hehe. I could force it, but I'd really love it if you reached out for me on your own, Senpai. So... you know what to do, right?"

Hesitantly, I wrapped my hovering arms around her back and pulled her into a soft embrace. Putting it into words was simple enough, but executing it felt impossibly difficult.

"See, see? What's the matter, Senpai? You can just hug me as lovingly, selfishly, and lustfully as your heart desires, you know?"

"If I hug you as lustfully as my heart desires... I might end up hurting you, Shirasu."

"...Huh?"

Shirasu, who had been playfully poking my cheek a moment ago, let out a confused squeak. Honestly, this rich young lady didn't understand a single thing about men. I was a completely healthy, normal high school boy. What did she think would happen when a stunning beauty like her clung to me like this?

"U-Um, Senpai...? W-W-What's wrong? Your voice sounds scary..."

"Tell me, Shirasu... have you ever heard the saying that all men are wolves?"

"Does that mean you're a wolf too, Senpai? Ah, I get it! That makes me Little Red Riding Hood right now, right?!"

"Hahaha! Look at you, sharp as a tack today! That's right. Which means—"

Grabbing her by the shoulders, I pulled myself upright. We ended up sitting face-to-face in a straddling position, and as certain parts touched where they definitely shouldn't have been touching, I fought with every fiber of my being to keep my brain from melting down.

"—I'm about to gobble you up."

I deliberately lowered my voice into a menacing growl. Not that she even understands what that means, I added in my head. After all, this girl was so pure and innocent it bordered on concerning—she genuinely believed that sleeping in the same bed would cause a stork to deliver a baby.

"U-Um... S-Senpai..."

"Hmm? What's up?"

"Y-Your face... it's too close..." she squeaked out, her voice barely a whisper as she stumbled over her words.

Shirasu's face was flushed bright red all the way to the tips of her ears, looking like a boiled octopus as if steam were about to puff out of her head.

From playful teasing to confusion, and then to blushing embarrassment—her expressions shifted faster than an autumn sky. That volatile charm was one of Yuika Shirasu's greatest weapons, making it impossible for me to be harsh with her and tempting me to pamper her instead. Now I felt like a villain for teasing her.

"Let that be a lesson to you. Don't go throwing yourself at me so casually, got it?"

"Yes... I understand," she nodded softly.

Giving my obedient underclassman a gentle pat on the head, I helped her delicate frame off me and climbed out of bed. Checking my phone, it was just past seven—right on the borderline of whether I'd have time for breakfast. I needed to get dressed fast.

"Sorry, Shirasu. I need to change, so could you wait in the living room?"

"Ah! In that case, let me help! I'll go fetch your uniform!"

Shirasu bounced right back, hopping to her feet. She had tried to do the same thing back when my arm was injured, but for some reason, she was always eager to help me change. Does she think I'm some helpless child or something?

"You don't need to fetch anything, it's right inside the closet. I've got it covered."

"Oh, come on! What kind of sleepy nonsense are you talking about, Senpai? The uniform in the closet won't do at all!"

What do you mean "won't do"? Just as I was about to ask, I took a closer look at Shirasu. It had been nearly two months since we met in April. The seasons had turned, and our relationship had deepened, but it seemed her appearance had changed as well.

"Ah... right. We switch to summer uniforms starting today, don't we?"

I had completely forgotten. I wanted to punch my past self for thinking that changing from long sleeves to short sleeves wouldn't make a difference.

The sheer destructive power of legally showing more skin was staggering. On top of that, the thinner blouse material was entirely unfair. It was absolute poison to the eyes of a healthy high school boy. Her beauty needed to be protected as a national treasure.

"Exactly! I figured you'd forget, Senpai, so I secretly sent yours to the dry cleaners! I'll go get it right now, so sit tight and wait for me, okay?"

Leaving me behind while I pondered such silly thoughts, Shirasu bounced out of the bedroom like a cheerful little bunny. When on earth did you even take my uniform? I had a million questions, but I decided to just quietly appreciate my overly thoughtful underclassman and commuting wife.

"I'm exhausted... I just wanna skip school today," I groaned, flopping back onto the mattress as silence reclaimed the bedroom.

A long day hadn't even begun, and I was already battered and bruised. If I went to school looking like this, people would pester me with endless questions, creating a whole new headache.

"Sigh... Guess I'll go wash my face."

I slapped my slack cheeks twice to psych myself up. Having to steel my resolve just to head to school was annoying beyond belief, but I had no choice. That was just part of the deal when dealing with Yuika Shirasu.

＊＊＊＊＊

While the end of the muggy, unbearable rainy season was certainly cause for celebration, the sudden, scorching spike in temperature immediately after was another story entirely. Since when did this country drop its four distinct seasons in favor of an oven?

"You've got that scowl on your face again. Thinking about something dumb, aren't you, Tomoya?"

"That's pretty rude, Mimasaka," I grumbled. "What do you take me for?"

As I swapped my shoes at the lockers, I turned a deadpan glare toward my classmate, who hadn't even bothered to say good morning.

"Hmm, let me think... A blockhead? Or maybe an insensitive clod?" Mimasaka teased with an innocent smile. "Ah, good morning, Tomoya. Beautiful weather today, isn't it?"

"...Morning, Mimasaka. As gorgeous as ever, I see," I replied dryly.

Launching straight into insults first thing in the morning—she sure was in high spirits today. A stark contrast to me, who was already groggy from a high-stakes showdown with Shirasu.

"Speaking of which, you look completely exhausted, Tomoya," Mimasaka observed, nudging my side playfully with her elbow. "Did something good happen to you this morning?"

Who is this girl and what has she done with my friend? Nudging my side playfully with her elbow, Mimasaka teased me. The girl standing before me was Mimasaka Iori, one of my few actual friends, but she was definitely not the type to initiate physical contact so casually.

Unlike a certain rich young lady who threw herself at me at every turn, Mimasaka knew full well the danger of touching a guy in the middle of puberty. If it were anyone other than me, they would've definitely misconstrued her intentions.

"Heh-heh-heh... Oh, you bet something good happened!" a voice chimed in.

Out of nowhere, an arm threw itself heavy around my shoulders. Great, just what I needed—more chaotic cast members to complicate my morning.

"Let me state for the record right now: absolutely nothing good happened," I warned him promptly.

"Come on now, Tomoya-kun! Keep the sleep-talking for when you're in bed, will ya?" Koshiro dramatically declared. "There's something awesome happening in real time right now!"

The guy sighing right along with my exasperation was Tsumori Koshiro, my classmate and partner-in-crime. If he kept his mouth shut, he'd pass for a handsome guy, but his bizarre behavior and questionable remarks consigned him to the comic relief role—leaving him single for all sixteen years of his life. A total waste of potential.

"What about this situation is remotely 'awesome'?" I scoffed. "It's just the exact same boring morning commute as always."

"Hey, Tsumori..." Mimasaka cut in, eyeing him suspiciously. "Don't tell me you're getting all hyped up just because we switched to summer uniforms today?"

At her piercing gaze, Koshiro visibly flinched, letting out a pathetic squeak.

"Sigh... I can't believe it," Mimasaka muttered, shaking her head. "Getting your energy boosted by something like that... You're the absolute worst, Tomoya."

"Yeah, you're the worst, Tomoya," Koshiro chimed in.

"Hey! Mimasaka, why are you aiming your fire at me?!" I shouted. "I haven't said a single word!"

Even if I gave Mimasaka a pass, Koshiro had zero right to join in. And for the record, I was not getting worked up over a simple uniform change. Absolutely not.

"Now, now, Tomoya-kun, don't be unsightly," Koshiro said, throwing up a theatrical thumb-up with a sleek grin. "Come on, join me—no, join us in savoring high school summer life!"

By reflex, I smacked my bad influence of a friend upside the head. Around us, the other guys in the hallway also seemed to be grinning like creeps. The reason was simple: with the morning temperature already pushing thirty degrees Celsius, everyone was lightly sweating. And what happens when girls sweat in thin summer blouses? The fabric turns sheer, revealing hints of their underwear. That was the 'savoring' Koshiro was talking about. Truly deplorable.

"Shut up, you're loud and sweaty! Get off me!" I grunted, shoving him away. "And hearing that high school is your peak enjoyment in life is just depressing."

"Shut it!" Koshiro wailed. "If I had a choice, I'd wanna spend the ultimate summer with a super cute girlfriend too!! But that's not gonna happen... It's never gonna happen, Tomoya!"

Grabbing both my shoulders with a grip of iron, Koshiro shrieked in agony as if weeping tears of blood. His frantic outburst drew startled looks from surrounding students, who turned to see what on earth was going on.

"Don't give up yet, Koshiro," I tried to console him. "Summer's just getting started. If you find a girlfriend now, you'll still make it in time for summer break."

"I've been holding onto that hope for sixteen whole years, and it hasn't come true even once!" he cried out, shaking me back and forth. "And look at you...! Look at what you did! I thought we were best friends, but you betrayed me without a second thought!"

He shook my shoulders with the intensity of a magnitude six earthquake, rattling not just my vision but my brain cells as well.

"You're making things up, Koshiro! Why would I ever betray my best friend?"

"Zip it! That very statement is proof of your betrayal!" Koshiro barked, pointing an accusing finger at my face. "Are you really gonna play dumb after everything?!"

"W-What baseline are you even—"

"---Good morning, Senpai!"

A sweet, melodic voice practically dripping with heart symbols echoed from behind me. An entrance like this was a fresh surprise, but I really wished she had better timing. In short: Of all days, Shirasu, why couldn't you just go straight to your classroom today?!

"Y-Y-Yuika-hime?!" Koshiro shrieked, his jaw dropping in shock.

"...Morning, Shirasu," I greeted quietly.

"'Yuika-hime'?" Mimasaka echoed, her eyes narrowing as she picked up on the nickname.

Koshiro let out a ridiculous squeal at the arrival of our fourth player. Returning her greeting, I shooed her away with my hand, gesturing for her not to come over, while Mimasaka's expression instantly sharpened. Wait, that's actually kinda scary...

"You seem to be having a lot of fun this morning, Senpai," Shirasu chimed, approaching with a radiant, innocent smile. "But if you linger here much longer, the bell will ring and you'll be late, you know?"

She beamed brightly as she waltzed closer, but having spent the last two months closer to her than anyone else present, I could tell instantly. Shirasu is pouting.

"Fufu. What's the matter, Senpai? You're breaking out in a cold sweat," she teased softly, closing the distance between us.

"You're imagining things. I'm only sweating because it's scorching today," I retorted, wiping my forehead.

Reading my inner turmoil like an open book, she teased me while gliding closer, bringing an aura of pure demonic wrath behind her. Seriously, stop it, you're terrifying me!

"Well, setting that aside... Here you go, Senpai. You forgot this!"

With a cheerful pop, Shirasu pulled a bento box from her bag and pressed it firmly against my chest. In an instant, the temperature around us plummeted. From Mimasaka beside me radiated an absolute zero glare colder than the arctic, while my bad influence of a friend hit me with a wave of pure murderous intent.

"I made this specially for you and waited, but you went and forgot it! What a forgetful boy you are. Ah! Don't tell me... did you forget it on purpose just so I'd deliver it to you?!"

"I'm just a bit forgetful, that's all," I said, trying to make a swift exit. "Sorry to make you go out of your way. Thanks for bringing it, but I've gotta head to class, so I'll see you around."

"Wait a second, Senpai!" Shirasu called out hastily. "We still have plenty of time before first period! Can't we talk a little longer?"

I could feel Shirasu reaching out after me as she shouted, but I ignored her with every fiber of my being and bolted for our classroom like a frightened rabbit. If I stayed there any longer, there was no telling what she might pull next.

"Mwwuuh... Senpai, you meanie," she pouted behind me.

Pouting cutely isn't gonna work on me, I thought. I'm way too young to die. That said, even if I succeeded in taking refuge in my classroom, there was no escaping the two sets of heavy footsteps pursuing me right on my heels.

"Hey, Tomoya," Mimasaka said, her voice dripping with quiet interrogation. "Care to give us a proper explanation for what just happened out there?"

"Mimasaka's right on the mark!" Koshiro bellowed, slamming a hand down. "What exactly is the nature of your relationship with Princess Yuika?! Depending on your answer, our friendship might just end right here and now!"

Just as I'd feared. The second I sank into my chair, Mimasaka and Koshiro both slammed their hands onto my desk simultaneously, barking at me in unison. Look at them, acting so completely in sync.

"Before I answer that, Koshiro, there's something I need to ask you first," I countered, leaning back.

"...Fine, spill it," Koshiro grunted, crossing his arms dramatically. "Consider it a gift to take with you to the afterlife. I'll answer whatever you want."

"What's with this 'Princess Yuika' business?" I asked. "Since when did Shirasu become a princess?"

If you considered the fact that she was the heiress to the ultra-wealthy Shirasu Conglomerate, calling her a princess wasn't entirely far from the truth. Still, calling her a princess felt like a massive exaggeration.

"Oh, is that all?" Koshiro scoffed. "Here, take a look at this."

With those words, Koshiro pulled a plastic card from his shirt pocket and tossed it onto my desk. I picked it up to examine it. Printed neatly across the front were the words: Shirasu Yuika Fan Club Member No. 0. I let out a heavy, weary sigh.

"So the 'Shirasu Yuika Fan Club' actually exists..." I muttered in disbelief.

Ever since Shirasu had enrolled at Yamatozaka High, the campus had been swept up in a frenzy rivaling that of a top-tier idol. I'd occasionally joked to myself that someone might form a fan club around her, but I hadn't had the slightest clue that an actual organization had been established.

"Wait, if it's Member No. 0, does that mean you're the founder, Koshiro?" I asked.

"Bingo!" Koshiro declared proudly, puffing out his chest. "I personally stepped up as the founder to protect an incomparably divine cutie like Princess Yuika!"

"Unbelievable..." Mimasaka and I muttered simultaneously, staring at him in utter disbelief.

Standing side by side, Mimasaka and I voiced our exact same exasperated thoughts at Koshiro, who was strutting with a triumphant smirk. Regrettably, no other words could properly describe my brain-dead best friend.

"Listen up, man. This fan club doubles as a non-aggression pact of sorts," Koshiro explained smugly. "It exists to strictly forbid anyone from approaching Princess Yuika, getting close to her, or confessing to her!"

"Talk about overprotective..." Mimasaka and I chimed in again.

"We operate strictly in the shadows," Koshiro declared with religious zeal. "We are a gathering of guardians who watch over Princess Yuika from afar, deriving our supreme joy solely from seeing her blessed smile!"

"What are you, ninjas? More like a group of creeps," Mimasaka and I deadpanned together.

"For the past few months, we've been patiently watching over her from the sidelines! And yet, you...! How could you, Tomoya?!"

Koshiro grabbed me by the shoulders, crying exaggerated tears of frustration. He was suffocatingly hot and thoroughly annoying. As if I gave a damn about some ridiculous pact forged behind my back.

"Setting the fan club aside," Mimasaka interrupted, shoving Koshiro out of the way to take over the interrogation. "What this means is that your connection with Shirasu is still ongoing, isn't it, Tomoya?"

Having pushed Koshiro aside, Mimasaka stepped up as the chief interrogator. Dealing with her was going to be infinitely more troublesome.

"You told us she was making lunches for you as a thank-you for saving her life," Mimasaka pressed on, narrowing her eyes. "I never imagined she'd keep doing it even after her injury completely healed."

"I've told her over and over that she doesn't need to," I muttered defenselessly, "but Shirasu just refuses to listen..."

"Tooomooo-yaaah! You bastard! Not only are you getting hand-made lunches from Princess Yuika, but you had the nerve to try and turn her down?! That crime is punishable by a thousand deaths!"

As Koshiro shrieked in outrage, Mimasaka gave a weary shrug, sighed, and delivered a swift karate chop to the back of his neck without a moment's hesitation.

"Tsumori, do me a favor and shut up," Mimasaka commanded coolly before turning back to me. "Now then, Tomoya. What is the actual relationship between you and Shirasu? There's no way you're just an upperclassman and underclassman bound by a single rescue incident, is there?"

Her sharp glare pinned me down like a viper targeting a helpless frog. Having been my classmate for a full year, Mimasaka knew me too well. Though phrased as a question, her voice carried absolute certainty. A woman's intuition was truly something to fear.

"W-Well..." I stammered, sweating bullets. "If I had to put it into words... more than friends, less than lovers?"

"That sounds suspiciously evasive," Mimasaka noted, raising an eyebrow. "Especially for two people who go out to watch movies together."

Mimasaka's relentless questioning showed no signs of stopping. What do I do now? If I confessed that she was practically acting as my commuting wife, Koshiro and his fan club mob would tear me limb from limb. On the flip side, if I told them our parents had arranged a fiancée match for us, they'd laugh it off as a ridiculous joke. How was I going to play this off?

"Ah, w-well..." I blurted out, concocting a cover story on the fly. "The truth is, Shirasu and I are old childhood acquaintances."

"Childhood acquaintances?!" Both of them chorused in deep suspicion.

Just as expected, Mimasaka and Koshiro leveled twin gazes of intense doubt at me. But it was fine—this reaction fell well within my calculations. Now I just needed to calmly hammer out the details.

"We used to play together back in elementary school," I explained carefully. "It seems Shirasu remembered that after her accident. That's the main reason we've gotten so close lately."

"You've known Princess Yuika since elementary school?!" Koshiro scoffed. "Come on, Tomoya-kun! A convenient, romantic comedy setup like that doesn't just happen in real life!"

"And you somehow completely forgot a girl like Shirasu?" Mimasaka chimed in thoughtfully. "A girl that cute isn't someone you'd ever forget after meeting her once."

Koshiro immediately voiced his enthusiastic agreement with Mimasaka's sharp counterpoint. They raised valid concerns, but I had already anticipated this argument as well. Stay calm, stay collected, and keep spinning the narrative.

"Well, you see... I actually lost a chunk of my childhood memories," I stated with a solemn expression. "Basically, a case of amnesia."

".........Say what now?"

Mimasaka and Koshiro tilted their heads in perfect unison. Their synchronization was so spot-on it was almost adorable. If they formed a comedy duo, they'd probably be a massive hit.

"Amnesia?" Koshiro gave me a squinting look. "Hey now, Tomoya-kun. This story of yours is getting fishier by the second. You doing okay in the head?"

"Unfortunately, it's the honest truth," I replied, softening my tone. "It was caused by the trauma of losing my mom. I moved away right around that time too, which is why I completely forgot about Shirasu. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you."

"I knew your mother passed away, Tomoya..." Mimasaka faltered, her sharp posture deflating. "I had no idea it led to something like that. But jeez, don't just drop heavy stuff like that so casually! It makes things super awkward!"

"Don't sweat it," I assured her with a wave of my hand. "It doesn't bother me anyway."

The shift in atmosphere was instant—Mimasaka slumped her shoulders guiltily, and Koshiro wore a thoroughly sheepish expression. The guilt trip had worked a little too well. This subdued reaction was completely outside my calculations.

"My move was sudden, and then there was her accident," I continued smoothly. "She grew surprisingly attached to me, and knowing I live by myself, she started worrying about my diet and bringing me lunches. That's all there is to it."

"Ah... so both your parting and reunion were completely sudden," Mimasaka sighed, nodding slowly. "When you put it that way, Shirasu's clinginess actually makes total sense. If she reunited with an old childhood friend who also happened to save her life after years apart, anyone would act like that."

"Exactly. It took a lot of effort to piece everything together," I agreed, letting out a subtle sigh. "In more ways than one."

"S-So what you're saying is... Tomoya was Princess Yuika's first love?!" Koshiro stammered, his eyes widening before breaking into a hysterical laugh. "Ha... Hahaha! As if a cliché rom-com plot like that could ever be real! There's no way in hell!"

"Damn it all!" Koshiro grumbled, repeatedly thumping me on the shoulder. It actually hurt, so I wished he'd cut it out. Besides, constantly comparing real life to manga wasn't a good habit. Truth is stranger than fiction, after all.

"Setting aside whether he was her first love," Mimasaka remarked, clapping her hands together, "the 'more than friends, less than lovers' label finally makes sense. In other words, Shirasu just views Tomoya as a big brother figure!"

"...Well, that might not be entirely off the mark," I admitted quietly.

"She couldn't stand seeing the older brother she admired living such a messy, unkempt life after reuniting, so she stepped in to take care of him!" Mimasaka declared, nodding vigorously to convince herself. "Yes, that has to be it!"

Mimasaka crossed her arms, nodding repeatedly as if solidifying her own theory. I felt a strong urge to retort against her calling my personal life "unkempt," but since the situation was finally settling down, I decided to swallow my pride and accept it. Annoying as it was.

"I'm glad we're on the same page," I said, putting an end to the interrogation. "So basically, Shirasu and I are like close siblings. Do you understand?"

Right as the two of them nodded in unison, the morning chime rang to signal the start of class. Phew. For a moment there, I wondered how things would turn out, but I somehow managed to squeak through. Still, I needed to give Shirasu a very firm, thorough, and stern warning never to approach me so recklessly at school again.

＊＊＊＊＊

"Haa... haa... haa... Dammit! Who can possibly endure this?!" Koshiro wheezed.

With sweat pouring down his forehead like a waterfall, Koshiro scrambled into the shade as if fleeing for his life. I offered a dry chuckle and silently sat down beside him, lacking even the energy to speak.

"Outdoor PE in this scorching heat is downright inhumane!" Koshiro complained bitterly. "Don't you think so too, Tomoya?!"

"...You're tellin' me," I panted out.

I gave a weak nod, struggling for breath. Right at midday, when the sun was blazing at its absolute peak, we'd changed into our gym uniforms to chase soccer balls across the burning field. But with temperatures soaring into the upper thirties Celsius, just sprinting a short distance completely drained our stamina. Playing soccer was out of the question.

"Why do the guys have to play soccer anyway?" Koshiro whined. "I wanna play basketball in the air-conditioned gym too!"

"You forgot to add 'with the girls,'" I pointed out flatly.

"You naive fool, Tomoya!" Koshiro declared dramatically. "I'd be perfectly content just watching from the sidelines! Glistening beads of sweat, midriffs flashing during intense plays, luscious bare legs extending from gym shorts—a heavenly sight of alluring mermaids! Isn't that the absolute peak of paradise?!"

"I've suspected it for a while now," I sighed, staring at him with disdain, "but you really are an idiot, aren't you? At least try to hide your degenerate desires."

You'd probably actually be popular if you did, I added mentally. I didn't bother saying it out loud, knowing full well it'd be a complete waste of breath.

"Come on, be honest with yourself, Tomoya," Koshiro urged, slapping a hand on my shoulder. "If you're a real man, let me take you to witness our female classmates in action! Besides, Mimasaka is playing right now!"

Koshiro threw an arm tightly around my shoulder and forcibly dragged me toward the gymnasium. Inside, the girls were engaged in a basketball match. Right in the middle of the court, Mimasaka moved with relaxed grace, dribbling the ball down the center with a confident smirk on her face.

"Alright," Mimasaka called out playfully to her teammates. "Let's go score a point!"

With a rhythmic, composed dribble, Mimasaka advanced smoothly into enemy territory. Having played basketball up until middle school, her movements were remarkably refined even to an amateur's eye. Her opponent was likely an active member of the girl's basketball team, carefully gauging the distance and timing to hunt for a steal, yet she was already breathing heavily. The pressure Mimasaka exerted on the court was that intense.

Facing her wary opponent, Mimasaka handled the ball as seamlessly as an extension of her own limbs. She shifted her speed fluidly, executing precise crossover steps in every direction that danced around the defender and left her completely bewildered.

"—Here I go," Mimasaka murmured with a sly grin.

In a flash of acceleration followed by a sharp feint and high-speed spin, she blew past her defender with ease, driving straight toward the hoop. At that point, stopping her would be a tall order even for a varsity player—let alone in a casual PE class. The ball released from her graceful layup arced beautifully through the air before swishing silently through the net.

"Woah...! Mimasaka is seriously insane at this. It's such a damn waste that she retired from active play."

Koshiro let out an admiring breath at her lightning-fast solo display. It certainly wasn't the first time we'd watched Mimasaka play, but every single time, we ended up voicing the exact same sentiment.

"It can't be helped," I replied softly. "She had family circumstances. It's not something outsiders like us should butt into."

The reason Mimasaka hadn't joined the high school basketball team was to look after her elementary school brother while both of her parents worked. She'd apparently received scout offers and recommendations from powerhouse basketball schools, but turned them all down to make a clean break from the sport. It was truly admirable.

"I know that already," Koshiro muttered, before abruptly changing the topic. "By the way, Tomoya... cherry blossoms sure are pretty, aren't they?"

"...Did the sun fry your brain or something?" I asked, eyeing him weirdly.

"No, you dumbass!" Koshiro hissed back under his breath. "I'm telling you to look at Mimasaka's back!"

You're the last person I want to be called a dumbass by, I thought, but I shifted my eyes in the direction he indicated anyway—and instantly realized what my degenerate friend meant. Through her sweat-soaked white shirt, a soft cherry-blossom pink was faintly visible across her back. I let out a low sigh and quickly averted my gaze.

"A cool girl like Mimasaka actually loving cute colors... Now that is what I call gap moe, my friend," Koshiro purred with a slack-jawed, dopey grin.

He uttered those brainless words with a completely shameless look on his face. Behind us, several other guys who had gathered unnoticed were nodding solemnly in profound agreement. Give me a break...

"Do you have any idea how much of a creep you sound like right now?" I deadpanned. "I'm seriously considering terminating our friendship."

"Why would you say that?!" Koshiro yelled. "Are you really complaining about Mimasaka?! Then who would satisfy you?!"

"Ah... take my advice," Tomoya said. "You'd better shut your mouth right about now, Koshiro."

"Ha! You think you can fool me like that?!" Koshiro sneered. "I'm not falling for—it..."

The moment Koshiro turned around, his voice trailed off into a weak squeak, the color draining from his face in seconds. And for good reason—standing right behind him was a group of girls, led by Mimasaka herself. Their eyes were so frigid they could put absolute zero to shame, sending a cold sweat trickling down my spine.

"You sure seem to be having fun, Tsumori," Mimasaka said with a chilly smile. "Why don't you let me in on the conversation?"

"A-Ahahaha... N-No, we weren't talking about anything fun, okay?" my bad friend stammered out. "W-We were just discussing global warming with Tomoya. R-Right, Tomoya?!"

He stumbled over his words pathetically while the guys surrounding us broke into a greasy sweat. You worldly, desire-driven idiots. Don't try to drag an innocent, law-abiding citizen into your criminal schemes.

"Beats me," I replied casually. "Global warming aside, I'm pretty sure you were blabbering about how you could see through Mimasaka's underwear."

"Tomoya, you traitor?!" Koshiro shrieked.

Koshiro exploded in rage. The rest of the guys let out silent screams straight out of Munch's The Scream. Meanwhile, the girls glared at them with gazes as sharp and cold as legendary blades. A total guilty verdict was guaranteed; all that remained was sentencing, though unfortunately, there was zero room for extenuating circumstances.

"Have you boys forgotten that class is currently in session?" a voice boomed.

The one delivering the verdict was none other than the male PE teacher. He was the track-and-field advisor, usually easygoing but notorious for being terrifying when angry. Though a smile was plastered on his face, the veins bulging on his temple made it crystal clear that he was absolutely furious.

"Break time is over! All of you, get your asses out to the field right now!" he barked.

"Sir! Yes, sir!!" the boys chorused at once.

Koshiro and the others scrambled to their feet, snapping crisp salutes with straight backs, before scattering like baby spiders charging straight into the battlefield.

"Haa... give me a break," I muttered bitterly.

If they hadn't caused a scene peeking at the girls' class during gym, we could've rested a bit longer. Talk about caught in the crossfire.

"Hey, Tomoya... did you see it too?" Mimasaka asked softly.

As the other students dispersed, Mimasaka approached me, her cheeks flushed a light red as she murmured the question. At first, I didn't get what she meant, but seeing her coy embarrassment, it clicked immediately. What's the right answer here? Someone tell me, God please.

"Well? I won't get mad, so tell me the truth," Mimasaka pressed.

"Umm... well, only for a split second... but yeah, I saw it. I'm sorry!" I bowed my head deeply in apology.

Rather than being tortured by the guilt of having seen something I shouldn't have, owning up to it and apologizing sincerely was a hundred times better.

"I-I see... So you saw it. Ahaha... That's kind of embarrassing," Mimasaka murmured, chuckling awkwardly.

"Mimasaka-san?" I asked, puzzled.

"Just for reference... what did you think?" she asked.

"Huh?!" I squeaked out.

Fidgeting nervously, Mimasaka looked up at me through her lashes and asked the unthinkable. Totally forgetting we were still in class, an absurdly high-pitched voice escaped my throat. If "what did you think" had referred to her basketball plays, how wonderful that would have been. I pinned a sliver of hope on that possibility, only for it to be crushed instantly by her next words.

"Pink really doesn't suit me, does it...?" she mumbled, drooping her shoulders.

Drooping her shoulders like a puppy scolded by its owner, she looked honestly pretty cute. Wait, no! What is she bringing up in front of the gymnasium?! She's not Koshiro—did the heat fry her brain too?

"I don't think that's true at all," I assured her. "Pink looks great on you."

"Really? Then would you come with me to pick out some new underwear on our next day off?" Mimasaka asked brightly.

"How in the world did you jump to that?!" I yelled.

Just recently I was dragged along for a similar shopping trip with Shirasu, and I had sworn to myself never to do it again for the foreseeable future. Giving Shirasu a pass was one thing, but going underwear shopping with Mimasaka, a friend I'd known for nearly a year, made my brain feel like it was about to boil over just thinking about it.

"I just thought it'd be good to get a guy's perspective," Mimasaka teased with a smirk. "Or maybe... to get some leverage over you, Tomoya?"

"That wouldn't work as blackmail material at all," I retorted dryly.

If I were a total scum, I'd be the one threatening to take photos of her in her underwear and leak them. Well, not that I'd ever do something like that unless the world turned upside down.

"Fufu, I'm just kidding," Mimasaka giggled. "Unless we were dating, I wouldn't actually drag a guy along to pick out underwear."

"If it's a joke, don't say it in the first place," I grumbled. "It's bad for my heart."

She made me break into a weird sweat. Unlike Shirasu, it was hard to tell whether Mimasaka was being serious or joking, which made it all the more troubling.

"Sorry, sorry," Mimasaka giggled. "I just figured you wouldn't have any interest in my underwear anyway."

"You're still going?!" I snapped. "I'm heading back to the field now!"

"Don't pout," Mimasaka coaxed. "As an apology, I'll tell Tomoya something good—just for you."

Flashing a seductive smile that hardly belonged in the middle of gym class, she leaned close and whispered into my ear in a voice as sweet as poison.

"To tell you the truth... today's underwear is actually pretty flashy lace, you know?"

"Say what?!" I squawked.

"And by the way," she added, "the panties easily untie with a ribbon."

"I didn't ask for details?!" I sputtered. "I definitely didn't ask for that?!"

I was utterly baffled, having zero clue what was going through Mimasaka's head. Watching my bewildered reaction, she let out a soft chuckle, patted my shoulder briskly, and dashed off gracefully toward the court.

I took a deep breath to steady my racing heart. First Shirasu, now Mimasaka—what was so fun about teasing me? Fanning my hot cheeks with my hand, I made my way over to Koshiro and the guys, who were still frantically chasing after the ball.

＊＊＊＊＊

It was currently a little past six in the evening, and I was holding my head in my hands.

"No. I refuse," Shirasu said flatly.

Shirasu, who had returned home before me, was in the kitchen naturally preparing dinner as if it were the most normal thing in the world. But when I explained how exhausting the morning had been and suggested keeping a reasonable distance at school, she shot down the idea instantly—complete with pouting cheeks.

"In the first place, why do I have to keep my distance from you, Senpai?" she asked. "We're in a relationship with a promised future, aren't we?"

Tontonton went the satisfying rhythm of Shirasu's knife as she chopped green onions on the cutting board. Looks like green onion miso soup tonight. The subtle aroma of dashi drifted over, assuring me it would be delicious. Whatever man gets to take Shirasu as his wife will be a lucky guy.

"So why should I have to hold back?" Shirasu continued indignantly. "An in-school separation?! I hate that! We're newlyweds, so living apart at school is out of the question!"

With a sharp clack, the knife dug into the cutting board, and Shirasu glared at me fiercely. That was definitely not a look anyone should give while holding a deadly weapon. Besides, what on earth is an "in-school separation"? Considering we were in different grade levels, cohabiting at school was impossible to begin with.

"Besides, it's my choice who I talk to, isn't it?" she huffed. "You worry way too much about minor details, Senpai!"

"Well, yeah... that might be true, but..." I sighed. "Shirasu, you're way too oblivious to your own charm."

"Huh? Charm? What do you mean by that?" she asked, tilting her head adorably.

That exact attitude right there, I mentally retorted with a sigh, staring at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty stepping out of the kitchen still holding a kitchen knife.

Her loungewear long-sleeved T-shirt was made of thin fabric, emphasizing the undeniable presence of her voluptuous bust. The shorts she wore underneath left her plump, healthy thighs fully exposed—thighs so enticing you'd want to sink your teeth into them. If not for the deadly weapon in her hand, she'd be the ideal young wife.

"Haa... It means exactly what I said, dummy," I sighed. "You don't even realize you're called the school's princess behind your back, do you?"

"What are you talking about, Senpai?" Shirasu replied. "I'm not a princess. I don't live in a castle. At most, I'm just a rich young lady."

"I didn't mean it literally?!" I shouted. "It's a figure of speech! It means you're as cute as a Disn*y princess!"

"Geez... what are you blurting out all of a sudden, Senpai?!" Shirasu stammered, wriggling shyly with a blushing smile. "Calling me a princess... you're making me embarrasseeed!"

Shirasu twisted her body bashfully, letting out an embarrassed giggle. What is this insanely cute creature? Honestly, she wouldn't look out of place even if she joined the official lineup of Disney princesses. Wait, what am I thinking?! If that happened, she wouldn't just be the cutest high school girl in Japan—she'd be certified as the cutest in the world! That's no good.

"Point is, everyone thinks you're that cute," I explained. "So if some guy is suddenly acting super friendly with a girl like that, what do you think people will think?"

"Well... wouldn't they obviously think he's the prince?" she answered innocently.

"How on earth did you arrive at that conclusion?! I'm no prince—wait, that's not the point!" I yelled.

Shirasu tilted her head with a blank look. My head hurt. What terrified me was that this wasn't an act; it was just Shirasu Yuika being her genuine self—a sheltered girl whose airheaded ignorance possessed ICBM-level destructive power.

"When people see an insanely cute princess talking so intimately with a guy, normal people think, 'Who the heck is that guy?!'" I clarified.

"And what's wrong with that?" Shirasu asked nonchalantly. "All I have to do is say, 'He is my prince,' and that's the end of it."

She stated it as if it were self-evident, but if problems were solved that easily, we wouldn't need the police, and I wouldn't be suffering like this.

"Listen here, Shirasu," I reasoned carefully. "Just telling the truth doesn't solve everything, okay? There are plenty of things in this world that people won't just accept. And besides, I am not a prince."

"No, you are wrong," Shirasu declared firmly, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest. "Senpai, you are undoubtedly my prince. No matter who denies it—even if you deny it yourself—I will not back down on this!"

This stubborn girl standing tall with crossed arms... Once she got like this, nothing I said would get through to her.

"I'm really not prince material, though," I muttered.

"That's not true," Shirasu replied softly. "You are without a doubt my prince. The coolest in the whole world, mine and mine alone..."

Setting down the knife, Shirasu stepped close and gently rested her forehead against my chest. She wrapped both arms around my waist, pressing herself snugly against me. A soft, squishy sensation pressed against my chest. While my rationality screamed at me to look away, my eyes were drawn downward as if pulled by gravity. Through the loose collar of her T-shirt, I caught a glimpse of the luscious valley between her soft white breasts. The visual information pounded into my brain at point-blank range sent my rationality crashing down like a house of cards.

"Fufu. What's wrong, Tomoya-senpai?" she giggled softly. "Your heart is pounding so fast."

"Well, yeah, because I'm alive," I grunted.

Don't look, don't listen, don't say a word. Mind over matter! Clear your mind and even fire feels cool! Being flustered by something like this was pathetic—it was like I was some virgin. Well, I was still a virgin, but still.

"Ah, right! I have something I want to show you after dinner, Tomoya-senpai," Shirasu recalled. "Could you spare me a little bit of your time?"

"Sure. Just asking to be safe, but it's nothing weird, right?" I asked warily.

"Rest assured," Yuika smiled brightly. "Nanase-san told me, 'I'm sure Tomoya-kun will be delighted!'"

The instant I heard that name, a jolt of electricity shot through my body. At the same time, I instinctively knew that whatever she prepared was anything but reassuring. The fact that Shirasu was so innocent yet hopelessly ignorant about so many things was entirely the fault of her personal maid. Seriously, tricking her into believing with absolute conviction that "storks bring babies" was way out of line. Isn't that practically brainwashing?

"Umm... by the way, could you tell me what kind of item it is?" I asked timidly.

"Unfortunately, you'll have to wait and see! In other words, it's classified!" Shirasu replied playfully.

Delivering a cute line that sounded like it ended with a heart mark, Shirasu gently pulled away. Missing her warmth, I let out yet another sigh.

"Well then, Tomoya-senpai, why don't you go change? Dinner will be ready very soon."

"Got it. Thanks as always, Shirasu,"

"Not at all! I am your commuting wife and your fiancée, so this is only natural. Now, hurry along and change. Ah... do you perhaps need some help?" she offered slyly.

Shirasu poked me playfully with a mischievous smirk. She really never learned. If she wanted to help me change so badly, maybe I should just let her.

"...Alright then. I guess I'll take you up on that," I replied nonchalantly.

"Huh? Tomoya-senpai, what did you just say?" she blinked in surprise.

Catching her completely off guard, Shirasu opened her round, adorable eyes wide. I was getting used to this routine. You need some new tricks, Shirasu.

"U-Umm... well, if you insist, Tomoya-senpai, I'm certainly not opposed... but in that case, why don't we take a bath together instead?!" she suggested boldly.

"...Say what?!" I gasped.

Now it was my turn to widen my eyes. So helping me change was just a pretext, and her true goal was bathing together all along?! Case in point, Shirasu had a smug grin plastered across her face, looking as evil as someone declaring, "Just as planned." This junior of mine was secretly leveling up.

"Why don't we wash each other's backs like when we were kids?" she urged enthusiastically. "I prepared a different swimsuit from last time, so I want you to see it, Tomoya-senpai!"

"Hold on, hold on. Calm down a second," I interrupted. "Is that swimsuit the thing you wanted to show me?"

"No, it's not!" Shirasu giggled. "This is more of a bonus! If you insist, Tomoya-senpai, I suppose I could show you!"

Her expression wasn't that of her usual cute, angelic self, but rather a succubus luring a man into a swamp of pleasure. The contrast and her sheer sex appeal sent a shiver down my spine. Stay strong, don't get swept away by the atmosphere! But as if mocking my internal pep talk, Shirasu leaned in close to my ear and whispered.

"By the way... the swimsuit is the one I used in middle school PE class."

"W-What... did you say?!" I gulped.

"I tried putting it on for the first time in a while, but it was a bit tight," she purred. "Ah, as for where it got tight, I'll leave that to your imagination, Tomoya-senpai."

"...Oh?" I gasped involuntarily.

Even though I knew I shouldn't, I couldn't help reacting. This devil! Toying with an innocent high school boy's pure heart like this is unbelievable!

"Did you picture it?" she giggled mischievously. "Me in an ill-fitting school swimsuit? By the way, here's some good news: no guy has ever seen me in my school swimsuit before."

"No way?!" I gasped.

"It's true!" Shirasu assured me. "The school I attended until middle school was an all-girls boarding school. Naturally, males were strictly forbidden, even down to hiring zero male teachers. So if you just nod and say 'yes,' Tomoya-senpai... I'll show it to you. My s-c-h-o-o-l s-w-i-m-s-u-i-t."

Struck speechless by such a ridiculously seductive temptation, my heart swayed. At the same time, I found it suspicious how unnaturally smooth Shirasu was being. It was as if she were reciting lines she had rehearsed in advance.

"...What did Nanase-san feed into your head this time?" I asked suspiciously.

"She told me that no guy dislikes school swimsuits," Shirasu explained innocently. "And that if it's tight and ill-fitting, the imbalance makes it even better!"

"I knew it..." I groaned.

That good-for-nothing personal maid... Instead of planting weird knowledge like this in her head, shouldn't she focus on educating this young lady proper ethics? "No guy dislikes school swimsuits"? There are exceptions in this world! Though the troubling part was that I wasn't one of those exceptions.

"Now, now! What's your answer?" Shirasu pressed eagerly. "Please answer with 'Okay' or 'Yes'!"

"Do I not even have the right to refuse?!" I yelled.

"Just so you know, the school swimsuit is only the appetizer!" she declared boldly. "The main event comes right after!"

"Something even beyond a school swimsuit... Are you trying to kill me, Shirasu?!" I gulped.

Her swimsuit from before was practically a micro-bikini. Even with more fabric involved this time, just imagining it made my brain sizzle. Being told there was something beyond that inevitably made my mouth water.

"I have no such intention!" Shirasu protested. "Me killing you, Tomoya-senpai?! That's impossible unless heaven and earth flip upside down!"

"I'd kind of like to see heaven and earth do a somersault," I muttered dryly.

"Nanase-san also said, 'Yuika-chan, you can totally slay Mido-kun with your charm!' but that's so weird, right?" she added, pouting slightly.

"As if I could ever slay Tomoya-senpai," she grumbled. For some reason, an image of Nanase-san grinning broadly with a thumbs-up flashed in my mind. I need to put a stop to this before my sanity goes extinct.

"Yeah, that really is weird," I agreed quickly. "Anyway, I'm going to change by myself. Shirasu, you finish up dinner."

"Understood—wait, huh?!" Shirasu gasped in shock. "Why did it turn out like this?! Isn't this the part where you're supposed to say, 'Well then, let's take a bath together, Shirasu'?!"

"...Is that the script Nanase-san wrote for you?" I asked deadpan.

"Yes!" Shirasu admitted readily. "She assured me you'd definitely say that, Tomoya-senpai! Why are you deviating from the standard playbook?! Are you just being stubborn?!"

"It's called not falling for your traps," I replied.

End of chatter. While I was immensely curious about Shirasu's middle school swimsuit, I had to harden my heart and endure it. If we kept talking, she might just charge into the bathroom anyway. That was just the kind of girl Yuika Shirasu was.

"Sorry, maybe next time," I said.

"Tomoya-senpai, you meanie!" Shirasu huffed, pouting furiously. "If you're going to be so mean, I won't let you sleep tonight! You better prepare yourself!"

Go ask someone other than Nanase-san—like your mother—what that line actually implies before saying it again. But even if I gave her that advice, it wouldn't reach the ears of this pouting young lady, so with a deep sigh, I fled to my room.

＊＊＊＊＊

It was currently a little past eight at night. Alone in my bedroom, I was lying on the bed awaiting the entrance of the star of the show, who was currently taking a bath and getting ready.

I lazily browsed videos on my smartphone, but not a single detail registered in my mind. If the night had simply ended after enjoying her delicious homemade mapo tofu, I would be spending a peaceful evening right now.

"Knowing it's Nanase-san's idea, there's no way it's anything ordinary..." I muttered aloud, tossing my phone aside as I sprawled out on the bed.

Judging from how she had hyped up the school swimsuit before dinner, she was undoubtedly planning some massive surprise.

My throat was parched with tension, and my heart beat at an impossible speed—a cocktail of expectation, excitement, and anxiety echoing loudly alongside my breathing in the quiet room.

As if mocking and manipulating the earthly desires of a healthy high school boy in the palm of her hand, pitter-patter light footsteps approached from the hallway, stopping right in front of my door. Then came two polite knocks.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Tomoya-senpai," Shirasu called out from behind the door. "I'm ready now. May I come in?"

"Y-Yeah! Come in whenever you're ready!" I called back, scrambling upright.

I responded while hurriedly sitting up, but my voice squeaked out awkwardly.

With a slow creak, the door swung open as if in slow motion. The figure of Shirasu stepping into the room completely shattered my expectations, hurtling past all imagination and blasting straight into the stratosphere.

"S-Shirasu?!" I shrieked, pointing at her in disbelief. "W-What on earth are you wearing?!"

I pointed at her involuntarily, letting out a screeching, squeaky yell.

On top of her head sat fluffy black cat ears. Around her neck was a ribbon choker adorned with a bell.

A top crafted from delicate lace accentuated her translucent white skin, aggressively showcasing her bursting, voluptuous chest.

From beneath a skirt trimmed with fluffy fur, her shapely, healthy thighs peeked out, and a long, prominent tail extended playfully from her curvy backside.

An outfit radiating a sweet poison so potent it felt almost sinister—its true name was a cat-ear lingerie set. Coordinated entirely in pitch black, it harmonized with her blonde hair and blue eyes, emitting an otherworldly charm.

"Fufu. What do you think, Tomoya-senpai?" Shirasu giggled. "Am I cute?"

Shirasu spun around gracefully like a ballerina. As she turned, her tail swayed, and the skirt flared out slightly, offering a peek at the plump outline of her bottom. She looked just like a gorgeous cat transformed into a human. Wait, where on earth is that tail attached?!

"Mumu? Why are you staring so blankly, Tomoya-senpai?" she pouted. "Say something! Do you dislike kitty cats?"

Pouting sulkily, Shirasu dropped onto all fours and crawled onto the bed, closing in on me. I backed away in panic, but my back immediately hit the wall, leaving me with nowhere to run.

"N-No... it's not that I dislike it..." I stammered.

Even though my rationality screamed at me not to look directly, her leaning posture pulled my eyes straight to the enchanting cleavage peeking through the gaps in the lace.

"More importantly, what on earth are you wearing?!" I shouted. "Didn't anyone teach you that a girl your age shouldn't expose her skin recklessly in front of a guy?!"

"Don't worry," Shirasu reassured me brightly. "I only wear things like this in front of you, Tomoya-senpai! More importantly, I want your t-h-o-u-g-h-t-s! Tell me what you think!"

She crawled a step closer as she spoke, her soft cleavage swaying right before my eyes. The sweet scent of bath soap blended with her natural pheromones in an intoxicating perfume that tickled my nose.

Over the past month, I had learned the hard way that she wouldn't stop until I gave her a response. Sinking back with a sigh, I turned my eyes toward Shirasu, whose cat ears twitched expectantly as she waited for my verdict.

"Ah... you're cute," I admitted defeatedly. "Super cute. It's unfairly cute."

"Really?!" Shirasu beamed, her face lighting up. "Ehehe... I'm so happy to hear that!"

"Honestly, I almost want to keep you as a pet in my house just like this," I grumbled.

Watching her hop with joy, I threw caution to the wind and blurted out a terrible comment brimming with possessiveness and worldly desires. Even to myself, it sounded shameless. But Shirasu's reaction completely shattered my expectations once again.

"What a wonderful idea!" she squealed. "Starting today, I'll be your beloved pet cat, Tomoya-senpai! Now, stroke my head to your heart's content until I'm fully satisfied!"

With a lovely smile like a blooming flower, she suddenly pounced into my lap. Looking up at me through moist, pleading eyes, her gaze silently demanded, Pat me already. Damn it all, what an ridiculously adorable creature.

"...Fine, fine," I submitted reluctantly. "Is a lap pillow okay?"

At my reluctant offer, Shirasu nodded rapidly like a woodpecker. Shrugging with a sigh, I shifted into a kneeling position, and before I could even pat my lap, she rested her head gently on my knees and lay down.

Feeling her soft warmth and gentle weight, I steeled my resolve and reached out my hand to stroke the head of my new pet cat—with the lingering shadow of her personal maid hovering in the back of my mind.

"Funyaa... Your hands are so big and warm, Tomoya-senpai... It feels so good... Please pet me more..."

Shirasu narrowed her eyes and purred contentedly in her throat. Completely relaxed and trusting, she looked genuinely like a cat. The more I stroked her, the more happily she surrendered herself to my touch, until I found myself getting absorbed in it. As I ran my fingers through her golden hair and gently kneaded her soft earlobes, Shirasu let out a sweet, breathless "Ahhn..."

"Tomoya-senpai... right there... feels amazing..." she murmured softly. "Please, do my back next..."

"As you wish, My Lady," I replied dryly.

Who's the master here anyway? I chuckled mentally, but obliged my feline mistress's demand, sliding my palm slowly from the nape of her neck down along her back.

Curled up on my lap, Shirasu began to stretch out, naturally moving into a position on all fours. And the result? Her plump, peach-like bottom, wrapped in a black frilled skirt, arched right up in front of my face.

"Umm... Shirasu? What are you doing?" I asked, taken aback.

"Nanase-san told me..." Yuika purred softly. "Cats stick their bottoms up in the air when they feel good from being petted. So I'm mimicking that."

"After all, right now I am your beloved cat, Tomoya-senpai," she added in a melty voice. She really didn't need to go that far in roleplaying a cat.

"More... please pet me more..." she meowed coaxingly, rubbing her head against me.

She literally let out a sweet, needy purr as she rubbed against me. Good grief, just because she's cute doesn't mean she gets away with everything! But fine. If she was going to commit this hard to playing a cat, I had an idea of my own.

"Alright, alright, I get it," I acquiesced. "Then how about this?"

After stroking her slender waist, I lightly patted the base of her arched tail with my palm, gently massaging the area with my fingertips.

"Fwah?! W-Wait, Tomoya-senpai?!" Yuika squeaked out in surprise. "What are you doing?!"

"Aren't you a cat, Shirasu?" I teased. "I recall hearing that cats love getting patted right there. Did you dislike it?"

"I-It's not that I dislike it... but, umm, touching my butt is a little..." she trailed off softly like a mosquito.

...embarrassing, she mumbled. Yet contrary to her words, her long tail stood straight up as her hips shivered voluptuously. The gesture went far beyond pretending to be a cat—it was downright provocative.

With every rhythmic pat and gentle caress, her soft, peach-like bottom quivered with elastic firmness. That voluptuous sway was no exaggeration to call a deadly weapon.

"Ah, nnn... Your hands feel so smooth and good, Tomoya-senpai... Somehow... ahn, I'm starting to feel strange..."

Her voice turned thick with sensual warmth, a rosy flush spreading across her pure, soft white skin. Looking back over her shoulder, her blue eyes smoldered with sweet heat. Shoot, I went too far. Taking a deep breath to cool my runaway brain, I pulled my hand away from her bottom.

"Ah... Are you stopping already?" Shirasu whimpered, sounding strangely reluctant.

I had no idea where her roleplay ended and her genuine innocence began. But one thing was certain: this junior of mine was a genius at obliterating my sanity.

"Spoiled kitty time is over," I announced sternly. "You've had your fill, right? Go change back already."

"Ehhhh?! It's over already?!" Shirasu whined, pouting. "I haven't had nearly enough cuddle time yet!"

Shirasu pouted furiously, voicing her dissatisfaction, but then let out a small gasp as if suddenly remembering something. Wait, there's more?!

"That's right! Nanase-san told me, 'I want to see Yuika-chan as a kitty cat, so take photos and send them to me!'"

With that, Shirasu rushed out of the bedroom in a flurry, returning a moment later holding a high-end camera—likely a single-lens reflex—that even a layman could tell was top-tier.

"What's with the hardcore camera?!" I asked. "Is a smartphone not good enough?"

"Nanase-san said, 'A smartphone camera can't capture the true texture of this outfit!'" Shirasu quoted proudly.

How serious is that maid getting?! If she wanted to see her mistress in a cat cosplay so badly, she should've had her change in front of her or come along! As I marveled inwardly, Shirasu handed me a folded slip of paper.

"...What's this?" I asked.

"It's the 'Photography Guidelines' Nanase-san entrusted to me!" she answered cheerfully.

"Guidelines?" I repeated warily.

I nervously opened the note. Written inside were instructions brimming with malicious glee:

1. The 'Calculatedly Cute Beckoning Cat Pose (Meow~)' to summon good fortune (and Senpai's love)

2. The 'Cat Stretch Pose (Wiggle tail & bottom)'

3. The 'Defenseless Purring Belly Pose (How about an M-leg split?)'

4. Go all out for Master et cetera (Do your best, Yuika-chan!)

The absurd content written in cute round handwriting gave me mild dizziness. Furthermore, it contained detailed specifications like aperture (F-number), shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and tips on recommended angles. Is that woman really just a maid?!

"Hey, Shirasu," I said slowly. "Setting the beckoning cat pose aside, is it just my imagination, or do numbers two through four get progressively more suspicious? Especially the fourth one! What on earth does 'et cetera' mean?! What are you planning to do?!"

"Ah, Nanase-san said, 'Once you clear number three, just go with the flow!' Let's do our best, Tomoya-senpai!"

Shirasu thrust the camera into my hands with cheerful enthusiasm. Feeling its heavy weight, I raised it into position, and Shirasu struck a casual pose in response.

Framing Shirasu through the lens, the mesh of the black lace, the folds of her skirt, and the fine texture of her skin beneath appeared even sharper than with the naked eye, taking my breath away. This was something that definitely needed to be preserved—both in memory and on record.

"...Alright," I sighed. "I'll play along with Nanase-san's game."

"Fufu. I knew you'd say that, Tomoya-senpai!" Shirasu giggled happily.

Swapping places with Shirasu, I stepped off the bed and adjusted the camera settings according to Nanase-san's memo before aiming the lens once again. Meanwhile, Shirasu happily rehearsed her poses.

"Alright, all set," I said. "First up is the beckoning cat, right? Ready?"

"Ready whenever you are! Take a super cute photo, Tomoya-senpai!"

With that, Shirasu sat neatly on the bed, curling her right hand beside her cheek in a beckoning cat pose. Tilting her head with a sweet smile, she looked so heart-stoppingly adorable that I almost passed out on the spot.

"Here goes. Three, two, one..."

Click, click—the crisp shutter sound echoed through the quiet bedroom. With every shot, Shirasu effortlessly switched up her poses and expressions, looking even more calculatedly charming and lovable. She's totally used to being photographed!

"L-Let's move on to the next one," I stammered, clearing my throat.

"Roger that! Number two is the cat stretch pose on all fours!" Shirasu declared eagerly. "Nanase-san taught me this as the 'Ultimate Move to Knock Out Tomoya-kun,' so I'll give it my all!"

Pumping her fist in determination, Shirasu dropped to her hands and knees on the bed, gracefully shifting into a crawling position. But what followed was completely different from any cat stretch I had ever known.

"Umm... is that really the pose Nanase-san taught you?" I asked nervously.

The memo had sounded suspicious enough, but this exceeded all expectations. Spreading her legs wide, she arched her waist and bottom high into the air while lowering her upper body flat against the bed. To top it off, she crossed her arms cutely in front of her and rested her chin right on them.

Stunned by her flexibility, my eyes were glued to her lace-clad chest, which looked ready to spill out at any moment. This wasn't a cat—she looked like a seductive panther.

"Come on, Tomoya-senpai! What are you doing?" she teased with a siren's smile. "Don't freeze up—take the photo!"

"Ah, right...! My bad!" I gasped, snapping back to my senses.

Shirasu looked up at me with a playful, devilish grin. Her tantalizing cleavage, her firm bottom arched high, and the beautiful S-curve of her body were overwhelming. Suppressing my heavy breathing, I raised the camera once more.

"Fufu. Your face is bright red, Tomoya-senpai! Did my killer pose totally slay you?"

"...Shut up," I grumbled.

Replying gruffly, I took a deep breath and placed my finger on the shutter. With my heart pounding ever faster, I resumed shooting. Through the viewfinder, Shirasu flashed a seductive smile, wiggling her peach-like bottom as a fatal blow, her tail swinging rhythmically in sync.

Seriously, how is that tail attached?! I felt like questioning it meant defeat, so I cleared my mind and kept taking photos.

"Tomoya-senpai, can we move on to the next one? I'm getting a little tired..." Shirasu sighed, collapsing onto the bed like melted ice cream.

It was no wonder she was tired given how demanding that pose was on her hips, back, and shoulders. I nodded silently and turned my eyes to the memo to check the third instruction.

"Umm, next is... the defenseless pose showing your belly, it says."

"Understood!" Shirasu perked up. "Nanase-san said this is 'the pose where a cat shows absolute trust and surrenders everything to its master!'"

"...I see," I murmured.

Shirasu moved to the center of the bed, took a breath, and flipped onto her back. Exposing her tummy defenselessly, she curled her arms in front of her chin, bending her long, shapely white legs into an M-shape...

"Hey, Tomoya-senpai... won't you pet me?" she whispered in a voice so soft it was meant for my ears alone.

Her sweet, coaxing tone felt like poison corrupting my brain. Summoning every ounce of self-control, I resisted the temptation and continued taking photos. As if mocking my flustered state, Shirasu beckoned me with her fingers in an adorable motion.

"Come on, stroke my tummy, Tomoya-senpai! Pet your beloved kitty!"

Striking a devastating pose with an innocent smile, Shirasu made her scandalous request completely defenseless. But through the high-definition camera lens, her seductive allure was amplified tenfold, threatening to make me pass out if I let my guard down for a single second.

"N-No... we're in the middle of a photoshoot right now, and touching the model is strictly forbidden, right?" I squeaked out.

"Muu... You won't grant the model's wish?" Shirasu pouted. "Then how about this?"

Speaking in a sultry voice, Shirasu rotated her body ninety degrees while maintaining the M-leg posture, facing the camera head-on. As a result, her widely opened legs offered a peek at her inner thighs and the panties hidden beneath her skirt.

"Fufu. What's wrong, Tomoya-senpai?" she giggled. "You froze up again."

"T-There's no way I can snap a photo of this!" I sputtered.

"Don't say that—just take it already!" she coaxed teasingly. "Look, how about this?"

Grabbing the hem of her skirt, she slowly lifted it as if teasingly putting herself on display. In that instant, I reflexively averted my eyes while keeping the camera held up.

"Hey, Shirasu?!" I yelled. "What in the world do you think you're doing?!"

"It's the bad kitty pose that seduces master!" Shirasu beamed. "Nanase-san said you'd definitely get excited, Tomoya-senpai!"

"She explicitly said 'excited'?!" I roared. "Seriously, what is Nanase-san thinking?! And you too, Shirasu! Do you even realize what kind of outfit you're wearing?!"

"Of course I do!" she declared proudly. "It's my special move to totally slay you!"

Shirasu wore a smug expression, her smile tainted with a flushed heat. At the edge of my averted vision, her lifted skirt revealed tiny black panties tied at the sides by nothing more than thin ribbons.

"P-Put your skirt down first! We'll talk after that!" I ordered.

"No way, Tomoya-senpai! Didn't I tell you to take a proper photo?" she pouted.

Pouting sulkily, Shirasu sat up while keeping her legs in an M-shape, egging me on as I peeked out of the corner of my eye. Don't throw away the whole 'showing your belly kitty' setting! I yelled in my mind. Why I didn't say it out loud goes without saying.

"Come on, take the photo already! I have to send it to Nanase-san!"

"F-Fine! I just have to take it, right?!" I surrendered desperately.

Swearing to painstakingly teach this young lady the definition of embarrassment someday, I readjusted the camera in desperation. Shirasu holding up her skirt filled the viewfinder. A devil whispered in my head, and as I zoomed in, her trembling skirt, the lace mesh, and her goosebump-covered flushed skin came into sharp focus. My throat burned with thirst, my fingers trembling with tension and excitement.

"Alright... I-I'm taking it... Three, two, one—"

Fighting to control myself, I pressed the shutter button two, three times. The loud clicks barely registered in my ears anymore. Instead, all I could hear was the frantic pounding of my heart and heavy breathing.

"...Phew! A-Alright, got it! Moving on to the next!" I wheezed out.

I took several deep breaths to restore my oxygen levels and calm my thumping heart. I didn't even dare check what kind of photos I had just taken.

"It's finally the last one, Tomoya-senpai," Shirasu said.

Saying so, Shirasu hopped off the bed and stepped closer. As I braced myself, wondering what she was up to, she reached out and grabbed my elbow.

"...Tomoya-senpai, come over here," she murmured in a voice laced with sweet heat.

It was an invitation dipped in sweet passion, yet backed by an unyielding strength that permitted no refusal. Guided to the bed, she pushed my shoulders, knocking me flat onto my back. The bed creaked as my vision tilted.

"S-Shirasu...?" I gasped in panic.

Before I could even formulate a question, Shirasu placed her hands on my chest and straddled me without hesitation, just like she had that morning.

"This is my number four! A kitty cat cuddling her master with all her might!" she announced boldly.

Squeezing my sides with her supple thighs, she leaned her face close as if refusing to let me escape. Looking down at me from point-blank range, her sparkling eyes smoldered with a deep heat far more intense than any pose before.

"...Ngh! You're too close! Move back a little..." I gasped.

"No way! It's the grand finale!" Yuika purred. "Come on, hold up the camera. Look at me closer."

Before I could refuse, Shirasu tilted the camera lens toward herself. I didn't even have room to look through the viewfinder. Her luscious bust filled the entire LCD screen.

"W-What are you making me photograph...?" I whimpered.

"Fufu. The spot you've been sneaking peeks at all night, Tomoya-senpai," she whispered seductively.

With a siren's smile, she guided the camera downward. The screen shifted from her cleavage to her slender waist, then toward her skirt.

"Stop! Anything further is off-limits, Shirasu!" I yelled.

"It's okay. I want you to see it, Tomoya-senpai..." she murmured softly.

Releasing the lens, she grabbed her skirt with both hands and pulled it up once more. Her shapely, flawless thighs, her exquisite hip lines, and the tantalizing panties tied with delicate black ribbons dominated the camera display.

The blood throughout my entire body boiled. Setting the cat cosplay aside, these panties were way too scandalous for a high school heiress of the Shirasu Conglomerate to wear. Who the hell put her up to wearing such erotic underwear?!

"Do you even realize what you're doing, Shirasu?" I asked in a trembling voice, averting my eyes.

I covered the camera lens with my hand while asking.

"I'm playing a spoiled kitty cuddling with you, right?" Shirasu replied innocently. "Nanase-san gave these to me as a gift, saying, 'If you wear these, Tomoya-kun will definitely turn into a wolf!' But what does turning into a wolf mean?"

"...That damn maid," I growled under my breath.

She never ceased doing unnecessary things. What was so fun about taking advantage of her mistress's ignorance to play with a high school boy's pure heart? And Shirasu was just as much to blame! Have a little bit of hesitation about exposing your underwear in front of a guy! Even if that guy is me, her sense of danger was nonexistent.

"Well, worrying about details won't help! Please take the final shot, Tomoya-senpai!"

As she spoke, Shirasu bounced playfully on top of my hips. In sync with her movements, her heavy bust bounced up and down so intensely I could almost hear the sound, stimulating my mind and body.

"Stop moving! Put your skirt down! I'll take the photo if you behave, so stay still!" I ordered.

"Yes, sir! Understood!" Shirasu saluted crisply, releasing her skirt.

They say a real man shouldn't refuse a meal served to him, but staying hands-off here was true chivalry. Besides, having been manipulated by Shirasu and Nanase-san's scheme this far, I was going to resist at least at the end.

Clearing my mind of stray thoughts and worldly desires, I raised the camera. Looking up from below, Shirasu's smiling face wearing cat ears filled the screen even without zooming in.

The close proximity heightened the realism by leaps and bounds. It was shocking how much the angle changed everything. Before I knew it, I was pressing the shutter again and again.

If only I had stopped there. Unthinkingly lowering the camera slightly, her lace-wrapped bust suddenly appeared in extreme close-up.

Her flushed white skin and the vivid sensation of her body transmitted through the lens amplified her raw sensuality even more than seeing it directly, quickening my pulse and breathing.

"Fufu. You look like you're having fun, Tomoya-senpai. Then how about a little fan service like this?" she purred playfully.

Smiling like a succubus, she pulled up the right side of her skirt and placed her fingers on the ribbon of her panties as if to untie them in front of me.

"Wait, wait, wait! Stop, Shirasu! That's seriously bad news!" I panicked.

Realizing what she was about to do, I reflexively grabbed her slender waist with both hands to stop her, my fingers sinking deep into her soft flesh.

"Ah, ahn?!" Shirasu gasped sweetly as her body twitched from the unexpected touch.

A sultry moan unlike any I had ever heard before escaped her lips, making her body jump. In the process, her movement pressed against my lower belly, nearly lifting my hips off the bed.

"Nn? Something's poking me...?" she murmured innocently.

"S-Shirasu! Get off me right now!" I snapped, sitting up forcefully.

Gripping her slender waist even tighter, I pulled myself upright. In the quiet bedroom, atop the bed, we stared at each other from point-blank range.

"..."

"..."

The silence hung heavy between us. The lighthearted atmosphere of playing "kitty cat" dissipated in an instant, replaced by a sensual aura as if we were about to begin a night of passion between a man and a woman.

"...U-Umm... Tomoya-senpai..." she whimpered softly.

Shirasu blushed bright red from her cheeks to her ears, down to her neck and collarbones. Her delicate shoulders trembled slightly, her jewel-like blue eyes moist with heat as she gazed at me. The soft, smooth sensation of her skin and her comfortable warmth transmitted to my palms, numbing my brain and dulling my ability to think.

Thump, thump, thump. Was the deafening heartbeat echoing in the room mine, or was it Shirasu's?

"...T-Tomoya-san," she whispered.

"—Ngh?! I-I'm sorry!" I gasped, snapping back to reality as I released her body in panic.

Shirasu quickly hopped off me and hurried off the bed. Turning her back to me, she stammered out...

"I-I'm going to go change... Please send me the photos later," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

"Good night!" Leaving those words behind, Shirasu bolted out of the room like a startled rabbit. The last thing my eyes caught was her bright red nape and the untying black ribbons swaying unsteadily with every step. Left alone in the bedroom, I buried my face in my hands—which still retained her lingering warmth—and collapsed onto the bed.

"T-That was dangerous. I thought I was going to die..." I groaned to myself.

As my heart hammered harder than ever before, I lay there muttering to myself, feeling like I had just used up a lifetime of good luck while simultaneously blowing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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