Tag: chapter

I put the letter that was in my shoe locker into my bag and went home.

When I got home, Yuuka was in the living room drinking warm cocoa.

As soon as Yuuka saw me, she rushed over and jumped into my arms.

“Yuuto, welcome back. I missed you.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka buried her face in my uniform.

Then she took a deep breath, enjoying my scent.

“I’m home. Today was really tough, you know.” (Yuuto)

I told her about everything that happened at school.

“Everyone in class was worried about you. I’ve got snacks from them, so let’s share them together.” (Yuuto)

I had received chocolates and cookies from the rest of the class.

Apparently, they were all eager to spoil her.

“We have to thank everyone in class, don’t we?” (Yuuka)

Yuuka looked really happy.

I started digging through my bag to give her the handouts from today’s lessons.

“Here, these are the materials we used in class. I’ll give you the ones I wrote on later, so make a copy of them, alright?” (Yuuto)

Saying that, I handed the handouts to Yuuka.

She flipped through them briefly.

“I’ll do it now, so let me see your notes, Yuuto.” (Yuuka)

Since Yuuka was the type who liked to get troublesome things over with, it seemed like she was going to start right away.

“Alright, just give me a sec.” (Yuuto)

I rummaged through my bag.

After finding the papers, I handed them to Yuuka.

“Thanks, I’ll finish it as fast as I can.” (Yuuka)

With that, Yuuka started working on the handouts.

I emptied my bag to prepare for tomorrow.

I started to panic when I realized the letter I had received after school had gone missing.

I was sure I had put it in my bag—it was definitely there when I handed the handouts to Yuuka.

If Yuuka found it, I had no idea what she would do, so I had to search without letting her find out.

Up until now, she had said all sorts of things to me, but this was the first time I’d received a letter, so I was a bit scared of how she’d react.

I prayed it wasn’t stuck between the handouts…

But reality was cruel. The letter came out of my handouts.

Yuuka saw the letter and tilted her head, looking curious.

And since it had come from my handouts, Yuuka turned to me with a smile.

“Neee~ what’s this letter all about?” (Yuuka)

Her eyes weren’t smiling at all, and I felt a deep sense of fear.

“I wonder what it could be?” (Yuuto)

I feigned ignorance.

“But this letter smells like a girl’s perfume, you know?” (Yuuka)

Yuuka was sniffing the letter.

Huh? Really? I had thought it was just some prank by a guy, but apparently it was a love letter.

The light had vanished from Yuuka’s eyes.

“Maybe someone thought it was their chance because I was absent? In that case, I’ll have to mark Yuuto even more… I need to make sure they know who he belongs to… so no one can take him…” (Yuuka)

Yuuka mumbled something under her breath, but it was too quiet for me to make out.

“Yuuka, can I have that letter back?” (Yuuto)

When I asked that, Yuuka leaned in close.

“Why? Do you need to reply? Yuuto has me, doesn’t he? So, why would you need to?” (Yuuka)

I felt an intense pressure from her.

“Well, since I received it, I should at least respond, right? I don’t know what she’ll say, but…” (Yuuto)

In response to my words, Yuuka said,

“Then I’m going with you tomorrow.” (Yuuka)

“Eh? But your mom said you should rest for three days…” (Yuuto)

“I’m going. And I’m coming with you to the scene, too.” (Yuuka)

She cut me off with her intensity, and all I could do was nod.

Then, the next day after school, I went to the promised meeting spot.

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Thanks for reading!

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We were reminiscing happily about old memories at the park, but the next day, we had to go to school, and Yuuka had caught a cold.

“Oh dear, 38 degrees. Maybe it’s from exhaustion.” (Mom)

Mom looked at the thermometer and gave her judgment.

“She might need to rest for three days. Let’s go to the hospital first thing in the morning.” (Mom)

She began nursing Yuuka.

“Yuuto, I feel awful… Hug me.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka looked miserable. She must’ve been feeling even weaker than usual and wanted someone to dote on her.

As I held Yuuka in my arms…

“You’ll catch it too, so stop that. Come on, get ready for school.” (Mom)

Mom scolded me. I had no choice but to pull away from Yuuka.

“Yuutooo, don’t gooo—!” (Yuuka)

Yuuka burst into tears.

“Mom, can I stay home today and help take care of her—” (Yuuto)

Just as I was about to tell her I wanted to skip school because I was worried about Yuuka…

“You’re going to school. I’ll take care of Yuuka-chan. Come on, you’ll catch it too if you stay. Go already.” (Mom)

And with that, I got kicked out of the house.

Even as I walked away, I could hear Yuuka’s wailing through the door, but I hardened my heart and made my way to school.

Going to school alone for the first time in a while, I couldn’t shake a sense of emptiness.

I kept remembering how she always buzzed around me, rode on my back, asked for piggyback rides, or had me carry her on my shoulders.

Well, it’s just three days… I wonder if I can endure it.

This was the first time I’d ever felt so lonely without Yuuka. Maybe I’d taken for granted how she was always by my side.

When I got to school, Kaori-chan and Kouhei looked at me—

“Huh? What happened to Yuuka-chan today?” (Kaori)

“Yeah, really—she’s always with you. It’s rare to see you alone.” (Kouhei)

The two looked slightly surprised.

“Yuuka caught a cold. She’s supposed to rest for three days. Honestly, I wanted to stay home and take care of her too.” (Yuuto)

When I said that, both of them started grinning.

“It’s a boyfriend’s duty to take care of his girlfriend, after all.” (Kouhei)

“I bet Yuuka-chan really wanted Yuuto to be the one nursing her.” (Kaori)

Their comments made my face turn a little red, but I quickly shifted the mood.

“Well, mom kicked me out and told me to go to school, so here I am.” (Yuuto)

I let out a slightly disappointed tone.

“Well, yeah, parents always tell you to go to school.” (Kaori)

“If I were the parent, I’d say the same.” (Kouhei)

The two nodded in agreement.

For the rest of the day, I spent my time with a bit of a lonely feeling.

Before I realized it, school was over, and I hurried to the shoe lockers so I could rush home.

When I opened the locker door to change shoes, I found a letter placed on top of mine.

When I checked the contents, I was shocked.

It said, “Please come behind the school building after class tomorrow.”

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Thanks for reading!

Yes… The synopsis is finally happening…

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After finishing my conversation with Kouhei, I decided to head home. Just as I stepped out of his house, Yuuka came out of Kaori-chan’s place.

Yuuka ran toward me with sparkling eyes, like a puppy that had just found its owner.

“Ah, that’s right. You said you were going to hang out at Kaori-chan’s house today. Did you have fun?” (Yuuto)

“Yeah, it was a lot of fun. We talked about all kinds of things, and I was able to get some things off my chest too.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka said that as she walked beside me.

As we chatted about random things for a while, our eyes landed on a park we used to play in a lot back in the day.

It seemed Yuuka had noticed it too.

“Hey, since we passed by the park, why don’t we stop by before going home?” (Yuuka)

I agreed with Yuuka’s suggestion, and we headed toward the park.

“This brings back memories. It used to feel so much bigger, but now it feels kind of small.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka looked a little lonely.

“Yeah, it does feel a bit smaller now. But I think that’s just because we’ve grown up.” (Yuuto)

“You’re right. We have gotten bigger, after all. Look at the playground equipment, too.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka said that as she stood in front of the horizontal bar.

Back then, the bar used to feel tall, but now it was about chest-high on Yuuka.

“This is nostalgic. You cried back then because you couldn’t do a back hip circle.” (Yuuto)

A faint memory came back to me.

“I don’t remember such an embarrassing thing! And besides, I can do a back hip circle now!” (Yuuka)

Yuuka looked flustered and a bit pouty.

“Then show me a back hip circle right now. You said you could do it, right?” (Yuuto)

I teased Yuuka with a grin.

“I hate falling for such an easy provocation, but I guess I have no choice.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka said that and was about to show me her back hip circle—but the moment she lifted her legs, she suddenly remembered she was wearing a skirt. She quickly dropped her legs and held her skirt down.

“Y-Yuuto, you just saw my panties, didn’t you?” (Yuuka)

Yuuka asked, her face bright red and trembling slightly.

“Well… the sunset was too bright, so I couldn’t really see anything.” (Yuuto)

I answered, telling her I didn’t see anything. It’s not like I saw some black fabric from under her skirt or anything like that.

“I-I see… good. Today’s are kind of embarrassing, so I’m glad…” (Yuuka)

Yuuka murmured that softly, but I couldn’t quite make out the words.

Trying to cover up the awkward moment, Yuuka quickly changed the subject with a question.

“So, what were you and Kouhei-kun talking about?” (Yuuka)

Yuuka asked me.

“Just normal stuff. What about you?” (Yuuto)

When I turned the question back to Yuuka—

She walked a little ahead of me and said,

“That’s a secret.” (Yuuka)

Then she winked, her cheeks turning slightly red.

As I watched her like that, I found myself a little captivated.

The setting sun reflected beautifully off Yuuka’s silver hair, making it shimmer gorgeously.

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While Yuuka was hanging out at Kaori-chan’s house, I had gone over to Kouhei’s place.

“Alright then, let’s hear it — the story about your recent outing with Yuuka-chan.” (Kouhei)

Kouhei looked absolutely thrilled.

“It wasn’t anything special. We left the house, watched a movie, went to the arcade, and then came back. That’s it.” (Yuuto)

I answered while sipping my drink.

“Come on, give me more details. What else happened?” (Kouhei)

He bombarded me with questions, clearly not satisfied with my vague response.

“But you probably already heard a bunch from Kaori-chan, right?” (Yuuto)

I had firmly decided not to say anything.

Because it would only turn into a huge hassle. If he was that curious, I figured he could just get it out of his own girlfriend. So I kept my mouth shut.

“Oh? That’s how you’re gonna play it? Well then, I’ve got my own idea.” (Kouhei)

Saying that, Kouhei pulled out his phone and showed me something.

“Would it be okay if I sent this to the class group chat?” (Kouhei)

What he showed me was the purikura photo from that day.

“H-How do you even have that? W-Wait, don’t tell me… Kaori-chan got it from Yuuka?” (Yuuto)

Seeing my reaction, Kouhei grinned smugly.

“If you don’t want this going viral, then be a good boy and answer my questions.” (Kouhei)

I let out a sigh.

“I got it. But I’ll answer only once—this is my condition.” (Yuuto)

In response to my words, Kouhei nodded.

“Alright, here’s the question. How did you feel when you saw Yuuka-chan being talked to by another guy?” (Kouhei)

Kouhei was grinning.

“Well, let’s see… yeah… to be honest, my first instinct was that I had to go help her right away. But at the very start, the thought that ran through my head was, ‘What do you think you’re doing to my family?’ I guess… I felt really unsettled. Maybe it was something like possessiveness coming up.” (Yuuto)

I answered honestly, saying what I had truly felt in my heart.

“Then does that mean you see Yuuka-chan as someone of the opposite sex?” (Kouhei)

In response to Kouhei’s next question,

“I’m not sure… I don’t think I can say that for certain. But what I do know is that she’s definitely someone important to me.” (Yuuto)

After hearing my answer, Kouhei said,

“I see. Well, this kind of thing never used to happen before. Let’s take it one step at a time.” (Kouhei)

At those words, a natural smile came to my face.

“Thanks. I’ll be counting on you from now on too.” (Yuuto)

Feeling refreshed after talking with Kouhei, I headed home.

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Thanks for reading!

I swear, being a wingman is a full-time job.

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<Yuuka’s PoV>

“First, I had Yuuto get me a white cat plushie I had my eye on from the UFO catcher. You know, the one I sent you a picture of.” (Yuuka)

I said that while showing Kaori-chan the photo I had taken and sent beforehand, again.

“Yeah, I could tell how happy Yuuka-chan was to get that cat plushie from the photo you sent.” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan had a very happy expression on her face.

“After that, we played various games, like a car driving game and rhythm games. Then, since it was getting close to a good time, I brought him to go do that last thing—the one Kaori-chan mentioned.” (Yuuka)

At first, I wasn’t interested in purikura, but since Kaori-chan said you can flirt there, I decided to try it out for real.

“How was that then? Well, I can tell just by looking at your face.” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan grinned while looking at my face.

“Does it really show that much on my face?” (Yuuka)

I asked while touching my own face.

“Yeah, it’s super obvious! It says ‘I’m really happy and satisfied’ loud and clear.” (Kaori)

I touched my face again to confirm.

I noticed that the corners of my mouth were indeed slightly lifted.

After calming down a bit, I spoke to Kaori-chan.

“But lately, I’ve been wondering if Yuuto doesn’t see me as someone of the opposite sex.” (Yuuka)

I lightly patted the floor of the room.

“Well, from what I’ve seen, you two do give off the vibe of being close siblings. But I can definitely feel your affection loud and clear, Yuuka-chan.” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan’s words echoed what I had been thinking as well.

“I want Yuuto to see me as someone of the opposite sex. And for that, I think I’ll need your help, Kaori-chan. That’s why I want you to teach me all kinds of things, so I can use them with Yuuto and be seen that way.” (Yuuka)

I looked straight at Kaori with determined eyes.

“Got it. I’ll share all the knowledge I have with you, Yuuka-chan—so do your best.”  (Kaori)

And thus, a pact between the two girls was made.

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Thanks for reading!

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<Yuuka’s PoV>

Today was the day I was supposed to hang out with Kaori-chan, so we were chatting in her room.

“Come to think of it, Yuuka-chan, you went out with Yuuto yesterday, right? How was it?” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan asked with a look full of curiosity.

“We went to see the movie that Kaori-chan picked out, and we sat in the couple’s seats. It was so heart-pounding, I could barely take it.” (Yuuka)

I recalled what Yuuto was like while we were watching the movie.

“I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Kouhei and I do that often, but I think some people might not be comfortable with it.” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan looked satisfied.

“What else happened?” (Kaori)

“Well, a bunch of things happened… Like when Yuuto went to the bathroom, some guy I didn’t know tried to hit on me.” (Yuuka)

At my words, Kaori-chan made an “uh-oh” kind of face.

“Well yeah, Yuuka-chan, you’re way too cute, so there’s no way guys would just leave you alone. So then what happened?” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan seemed eager to hear the rest.

“I hid behind Yuuto when he came back, but even then, the guy wouldn’t give up. It was a real pain.” (Yuuka)

Kaori-chan listened intently to my story.

“And then, and then? What happened next?” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan, eyes sparkling, pressed me to continue.

“After that, a flashy-looking guy and a landmine-type girl helped us out. I tripped the guy who was trying to run away and made him fall.” (Yuuka)

I spoke proudly.

“It’s good that there were people who helped you. Were they people you knew?” (Kaori)

Kaori-chan seemed curious about the people who helped.

“We hadn’t talked to them before, but they knew about us. Apparently, they were connected to the shopping street we often go to.” (Yuuka)

At my explanation, Kaori-chan said,

“I see. Yeah, Yuuka-chan, you don’t really look like a typical Japanese girl, so anyone who sees you would recognize you.” (Kaori)

Satisfied, Kaori-chan brought up the next topic.

“Alright, then let’s hear about the game center. I’ve been dying to hear that one! Even when I messaged you, you just said you’d tell me on the day.” (Kaori)

As Kaori-chan looked eager to hear the part she’d been wanting to know the most, I slowly started telling her the story.

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After being helped by Kengo-san and Asuka-san and chatting with them for a bit, they both had plans, so we exchanged contact info and they went off somewhere.

“Yuuka, does it hurt?” (Yuuto)

I looked at the arm Yuuka had been grabbed by.

“I’m okay… but it was scary.” (Yuuka)

Saying that, Yuuka buried her face in my chest.

I gently patted her head.

After a while, Yuuka calmed down.

“Shall we go get something to eat? You must be hungry, right?” (Yuuto)

When I suggested that to Yuuka,

“Yeah, I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.” (Yuuka)

She said that and took my hand, and the two of us happily went off to have a meal.

After eating, Yuuka no longer seemed bothered by what had happened earlier and was able to enjoy herself.

The next place we headed to was the game center.

Back in middle school, the four of us used to go to the game center often and enjoy all sorts of games.

As we were looking around, wondering which game to play, Yuuka stopped in front of one.

It was a UFO catcher, and inside was a white cat plushie.

“Do you want that cat plushie, Yuuka?” (Yuuto)

When I asked her, she nodded.

Seeing that, I immediately started trying to win the prize.

Yuuka watched me play with eyes full of hope.

On the tenth try, the plushie dropped.

“Here you go, the plushie you wanted.” (Yuuto)

When I handed it to Yuuka, she hugged the plushie tightly, looking truly delighted.

We spent a while enjoying ourselves at the game center, and before we knew it, it was past 6 p.m.—time to start heading home.

“Yuuka, it’s about time. Let’s go.” (Yuuto)

“I want to do that one last thing before we go.” (Yuuka)

She pointed toward the purikura (Japanese photo taking) booth.

“Alright, but this’ll be the last thing, okay?” (Yuuto)

When I asked her, Yuuka nodded in agreement.

We entered the purikura booth.

Since it was my first time, I left everything to Yuuka, and before I knew it, she had selected the “couple mode.” I was panicking a bit inside.

At first, the poses were simple, like forming a heart together with our fingers. But gradually, they became more intense.

In the final shot, we were told we could pose however we liked. While I was confused, Yuuka asked me to give her a princess carry—so I did.

Then, five seconds before the photo was taken, Yuuka said,

“Today was really fun. Thank you.” (Yuuka)

And in that moment, Yuuka pressed her lips against mine.

We kissed.

I couldn’t even process what was happening, and the photo was taken just like that.

When the shoot ended and Yuuka pulled away from my lips, I saw a bewitching smile spread across her face.

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She did the thing~ Didn’t expect her to be so bold.

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The moment the flashy guy appeared, the group of guys looked slightly shaken.

“What the hell are you doing here?” (Man)

One of them shouted at the flashy guy.

“What is it now? I heard some arguing and came to check it out, and of course, it’s you guys again. You never learn, do you?” (Flashy man)

The flashy guy sighed as he spoke.

“It doesn’t matter who we’re talking to. It’s none of your business.” (Man)

Another guy snapped back at him.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. These girls here? They’re very, very important customers of our shopping district.” (Flashy man)

Saying that, the flashy guy slowly began walking toward the group of men.

Just as a fight was about to break out—

“Security! Over here! There are people fighting!” (Woman)

A woman’s voice rang out.

The men panicked and tried to flee.

But just as one of them tried to run past, Yuuka stuck out her foot and tripped him, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Then the guy behind him tripped in the same way and fell as well.

Security arrived immediately, and once the situation was explained, the men were taken away by the guards.

“Man, that was close. You okay?” (Flashy man)

The flashy guy asked us.

“Yes, thanks to you. You really saved us. Thank you.” (Kento)

As I expressed my gratitude, Yuuka bowed her head as well.

“No, no, I’m just glad you’re both safe.” (Flashy man)

While we were talking with the flashy guy—

“Kengo, how’d it go?” (Woman)

A woman called out to us from behind.

The woman who approached looked like the “landmine-type”—very flashy and eye-catching.

“We made it in time. Thanks, Asuka, it was a close one,” (Kengo)

“Um, thank you very much for helping us.” (Kento)

Just like I did with Kengo-san, I bowed my head and thanked Asuka-san.

“Don’t worry about it. Like Kengo said, you’re customers of our shopping district.” (Asuka)

“Um, what do you mean by customers of the shopping district?” (Kento)

I asked what had been on my mind.

“You two shop in the shopping district a lot, right? The greengrocer and the butcher. Kengo’s dad runs the greengrocer, and my mom runs the butcher shop. So we hear about you often—about the boy who always comes holding hands with a small, cute silver-haired girl.” (Asuka)

After hearing Asuka-san’s explanation—

“I-I see, so that’s how people talk about us… It’s a bit embarrassing.” (Kento)

Yuuka took my hand and placed it on her head.

I patted Yuuka’s head just like that.

“Now that you mention it, my dad did say his mouth felt overwhelmingly sweet after they came by.” (Kengo)

“My mom also said something like she felt like she was going to get diabetes.” (Asuka)

The two of them stared off into the distance as they looked at us.

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We arrived at the shopping mall.

“Alright, shall we head to the movie then?” (Yuuto)

When I suggested that to Yuuka, she nodded and followed me.

“I already reserved the tickets, so it’s fine. Kaori-chan told me how to do it.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka said that proudly as she showed me the reservation on her phone.

“I see, so that’s why you were rushing so much earlier.” (Yuuto)

“Exactly. That’s why I woke you up at that time and had you hurry to get ready.” (Yuuka)

There were still 20 minutes before the movie started, so we made our way to the theater at a relaxed pace.

After getting our tickets printed, we headed to our designated seats.

“I wasn’t really paying attention to the seats when we got here, but… why is it a couple seat?” (Yuuto)

I stared in shock at the assigned seats that had been reserved.

“That was Kaori-chan’s advice. She said it’s easier to cling to someone when it gets scary, and above all, it’s reassuring to be able to watch the movie close to you. So I picked it.” (Yuuka)

Apparently, this whole setup was Kaori-chan’s idea. I’d have to thank her physically next time we met.

Yuuka tugged on my sleeve with sad-looking eyes.

“Was it not okay? I thought you’d be happy, Yuuto.” (Yuuka)

She asked me.

The atmosphere around us felt a bit restless too.

It seemed people thought we were a couple having a fight.

“It’s not that I didn’t like it. I was just a little surprised, that’s all.” (Yuuto)

I gently patted Yuuka on the head to reassure her.

Yuuka looked genuinely happy when I did that.

Then, as the movie was about to start, we sat down and enjoyed it.

As horror movies go, this one was on the gentler side, but whenever there was a loud noise, Yuuka would flinch and her shoulders would tremble.

Each time, she’d bury her face in my chest.

When the movie ended and the end credits rolled, Yuuka kept hiding her face here and there, but she managed to watch until the very end.

This was one of the milder horror films I had seen so far, but for Yuuka, it was a big step forward.

“You did well not running away halfway and watching till the end. I’m proud of you.” (Yuuto)

As I praised her, Yuuka, with teary eyes, offered her head.

“I worked hard, so praise me more.” (Yuuka)

When I patted Yuuka’s head, she smiled happily.

After a while, we exited the movie theater.

“I’m going to the restroom for a bit, so wait here.” (Yuuto)

I told Yuuka and headed to the restroom. But when I came back, I saw Yuuka being approached by some unfamiliar men.

“Are you alone? Come hang out with us.” (Man)

“You’re cute, and you’ve got a nice chest too. We hit the jackpot.” (Man)

The men said that as they moved closer to Yuuka.

I quickly walked up to them to protect Yuuka.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuuka. Who are these people?” (Yuuto)

As soon as Yuuka noticed me, she immediately hid behind my back.

“Who the hell are you? We’re trying to have some fun with the girl hiding behind you. Don’t get in our way.” (Man)

One of the two men glared at me threateningly.

“This girl came here with me. Could I ask you to back off?” (Yuuto)

I asked politely, trying not to provoke them.

“That’s not gonna happen. From now on, this girl’s coming with us.” (Man)

“Let’s just deal with this guy and take the girl.” (Man)

Saying that, the men started to approach us.

Just when things were heating up, someone called out to us.

“Huh? What’s going on here, you two?” (?)

When I looked toward the voice—

There stood the flashy guy who had given me a thumbs-up back when we were heading to the shopping district.

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Thanks for reading!

Wow, straight up attempted kidnapping in broad daylight.

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Yuuka and I left the house and were walking together.

“By the way, where are we headed?” (Yuuto)

I asked Yuuka about our destination.

“The shopping mall. Today we’re doing shopping, a movie, the arcade—everything.” (Yuuka)

She said that as she skipped around happily beside me.

To someone else, it probably looked like a pet dog circling its owner.

“By the way, what movie are we watching?” (Yuuto)

“A horror movie.” (Yuuka)

I was surprised when I heard that.

“Huh? A horror movie? But Yuuka, you’ve always been bad with horror stuff. Why would you choose something like that?” (Yuuto)

I wasn’t particularly bad or good with horror myself.

But Yuuka had always been absolutely terrible with it.

Back in elementary school, the first time she watched a horror movie, she cried so hard that she refused to go to the bathroom, take a bath, or even sleep unless someone was with her.

“That’s a secret. I figured I’d be fine now that I’m in high school.” (Yuuka)

She tried to dodge the question with that reply.

I had a feeling someone put her up to it.

“Did someone suggest this to you? Maybe Kaori-chan?” (Yuuto)

The moment I mentioned Kaori-chan’s name, Yuuka looked away.

“Well, whatever. So it’s a horror movie. Don’t come crying to me when you can’t sleep at night.” (Yuuto)

I said that to Yuuka.

“Don’t worry. I was already planning to sleep with you tonight anyway.” (Yuuka)

She said that with a smug look on her face.

“Well, I don’t mind sleeping together, but no going to the bathroom together or taking baths together, alright?” (Yuuto)

When I said that to Yuuka, her face visibly turned pale.

“Huh? We can’t take a bath together? Wait, why? How come?” (Yuuka)

Yuuka shook my shoulders in confusion.

“Normally, boys and girls don’t bathe together.” (Yuuto)

I explained as I tried to calm her down.

“Then why do your mom and dad still bathe together?” (Yuuka)

Yuuka shot back with a sharp question.

“They’re family, and they’re married. I don’t know about other families, but it’s fine for them.” (Yuuto)

My parents were still close enough that they bathed together even now.

“Then we should be allowed to as well. We’re family too.” (Yuuka)

Yuuka said that, her eyes starting to well up.

“Nope. Teen boys and girls bathing together isn’t socially acceptable. Do you think Kouhei and Kaori-chan, who are dating, take baths together?” (Yuuto)

“Huh? But Kaori-chan told me they do that pretty often.” (Yuuka)

That revelation hit me hard.

“Wait, those two actually bathe together? Seriously?” (Yuuto)

I asked Yuuka again to double-check, and she nodded.

“Well, that’s… they’re just an exception. Normally people don’t do that. If you want to bathe with someone, go ask mom.” (Yuuto)

I declared that and started walking again.

Yuuka, clearly dissatisfied, crossed her arms and followed with a sulky look on her face.

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Thanks for reading!

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