Tōjō Ayaka Without touching the apple pie on the table, I stared intently at the courtyard. I wonder what Dad and Kiyoko-san are talking about… The discussion about Haruto-kun’s grandmother, Kiyoko-san, working for us went smoothly. But when the topic turned to Haruto-kun staying over at our house, Kiyoko-san seemed reluctant. I wonder if it’s too difficult for him to live with us after all… Feeling anxious, I glanced over at Haruto-kun. He seemed to be worried about Dad and Kiyoko-san too, as he kept looking towards the courtyard. Amidst all this, only Ryōta was cheerfully stuffing his face with apple pie, looking like he was really enjoying it. “This apple pie is delicious!” “It is. The crust is so flaky and tasty.” “Yeah! So flaky!” Ryōta took another big bite of the apple pie, then looked at us with a slightly puzzled expression. “Aren’t Onee-chan and Onii-chan going to eat?” “Huh? Oh, I’ll eat.” Ryōta’s words brought me back to my senses, and I took a small bite from the edge of the apple pie. The crust was certainly flaky, but I was too preoccupied to really taste how delicious it was. Haruto-kun’s housekeeping work for us is over now, so I get to spend less time with him than I did during summer break. We’re in the same class at school, so I can see his face every day, but… On the day of the opening ceremony, I blurted out that there’s someone I like, which caused a huge commotion, and now I can’t even get close to Haruto-kun… I discreetly glanced at Haruto-kun.
He took a small bite of his apple pie and smiled gently at Ryōta, saying, “It’s delicious, isn’t it?” Being in the same classroom at school, having Haruto-kun right in front of me and not even being able to talk to him, is honestly pretty painful. Well, I know it’s my fault, though… I do regret it, but there are times when I just can’t hold back my feelings for Haruto-kun anymore, and I can’t seem to control myself… Especially after he threw that home festival for me, it’s like there’s another version of me inside my heart, and that me inside my heart goes wild, desperate for Haruto-kun… If I can’t get close to Haruto-kun at school like this, I might get sick from ‘Haruto-kun deficiency syndrome’. To prevent that, I really want Haruto-kun to come and live here. As I was earnestly wishing for that, Dad and Kiyoko-san, who had been talking in the courtyard, came back. Mom offered some apple pie to Kiyoko-san as well. “Oh, thank you very much.” “Not at all. How did you like the courtyard?” “Yes, it was absolutely wonderful.” Hearing Kiyoko-san’s words and seeing her gentle smile, Mom smiled back and looked at Dad. “Isn’t that great, dear?” “Mhm. I’m glad Kiyoko-san likes it. It was worth being particular about.” Dad said with a satisfied look, and as he took his seat, he looked at Haruto-kun. “Alright then, shall we discuss how often Haruto-kun will be staying at our home?” Huh? Straight to that topic?! What about Kiyoko-san? Wasn’t she against it? Surprised by Dad suddenly bringing that up, I glanced at Kiyoko-san’s expression. Haruto-kun seemed to feel the same; his eyes were a little wide as he looked at Kiyoko-san beside him. As for Kiyoko-san, she slowly bowed her head, her expression serene. “Thank you so much for taking care of Haruto as well.” W-Wait? A moment ago, it seemed like she was against Haruto-kun staying over, didn’t it? Does this mean… he has permission to stay over? “G-Grandma? Are you sure?”
Even Haruto-kun seemed bewildered as he asked Kiyoko-san for confirmation. “Well, both you, Haruto, and Ayaka-san are not little children anymore.” After saying that, Kiyoko-san turned to face me. “Ayaka-san. I will have a firm talk with Haruto, but if he does anything you don’t like, please tell me immediately, alright?” “Y-Yes. But Haruto-kun always treats me with great care, so I’m sure it will be fine.” Ever since we became a real couple… no. Haruto-kun has been kind to me ever since we met during summer break. And now I can be together with him, the boyfriend I love so much, at home too! Imagining our life from now on, my heart pounded so hard it felt like it could soar up to the heavens. While I was in such high spirits, Dad resumed the discussion with a satisfied look on his face. “Hmm. Alright then, let’s hammer out the details of Haruto-kun’s living arrangements.” From there, a discussion began about how often Haruto-kun would go back and forth between the Ōtsuki and Tōjō households. If Haruto-kun were to return to the Ōtsuki residence only on Sundays and Mondays like Kiyoko-san, the house would be empty for five days. If that happened, the house cleaning and the care for the family altar would be neglected. The altar is for his precious parents and grandfather. So it has to be properly taken care of. As a result of discussing things with that in mind. When he has nothing else planned, he will spend the weekend, Friday and Saturday, at the Tōjō house. Conversely, he will basically spend Sundays at the Ōtsuki house. From Monday to Thursday, Haruto-kun himself will decide whether to stay at the Ōtsuki or Tōjō house based on the situation. That’s the arrangement they settled on. On Fridays and Saturdays, everyone from the Ōtsuki and Tōjō families will get together and enjoy each other’s company. Then on Sundays, each family will cherish their own time together. It looks like that’s how our lives will be from now on. With Kiyoko-san’s working arrangement as a housekeeper and Harutokun’s lifestyle decided, Dad smiled and extended his hand to Kiyoko-san and Haruto-kun. “Well then, we look forward to having you from now on.”
“Likewise. We look forward to it as well.” “You too, Haruto-kun. When you’re here, please make yourself at home.” “Yes, Shūichi-san. Thank you so much.” Kiyoko-san and Haruto-kun gave a deep bow, and we all bowed in return, bringing the discussion to a close. Then, as if he’d been waiting for that exact moment, Ryōta excitedly jumped down from his chair and happily ran over to Haruto-kun. “Onii-chan! Are you staying over at my house tonight?” Hearing the hope in Ryōta’s voice, Haruto-kun was at a loss for a reply. “Ah, um…” Haruto-kun looked a little troubled, faced with Ryōta whose expression was shining as brightly as it possibly could. It’s true that we decided he’d spend Saturdays here during our talk just now, but I think it’s a bit much to ask him to start today, so suddenly. “Ryōta, Haruto-kun can’t stay over tonight.” “Why not?” “Because he hasn’t prepared anything for a sleepover. Understand?” I crouched down to meet Ryōta’s eyes, trying to make him understand. In response, Ryōta puffed out his cheeks in dissatisfaction. “Making that face won’t change anything.” To be honest, I want Haruto-kun to stay over starting tonight too, but that would be way too selfish. I’m going to be able to be with him so much from now on, so I have to be patient just for today. I held back my own desires while admonishing my little brother. But then, Dad said something to Haruto-kun that made my heart leap. “How about it, Haruto-kun? Wouldn’t you like to stay over tonight?” “No, it’s not that I don’t want to stay, but I don’t have a change of clothes or anything…” “Mhm. Kiyoko-san, what are your plans for today?” “I’m terribly sorry, but I will be taking my leave for today. I’d like to go home and prepare for what’s to come.” Dad nodded once at Kiyoko-san’s polite words, then spoke. “I see. In that case, I’ll drive you home.” “Are you sure?” “Yes. I’d like to get my bearings on where the Ōtsuki residence is, anyway.” After saying that, Dad looked at Haruto-kun and said.
“If you are staying tonight, Haruto-kun, would you like to take the car back to your place, pack a change of clothes, and then return?” Haruto-kun looked a bit hesitant at the suggestion. “Huh? Is that really okay? But, wouldn’t it be a bother for me to stay over so suddenly…?” In response to Dad’s suggestion, Haruto-kun glanced at Mom. Mom just beamed at him. “It’s you, Ōtsuki-kun, so it’s not a bother in the slightest. In fact, you’re more than welcome.” “Is… that so… Um, well then… if it’s really not a bother, may I take you up on your offer?” “Of course!” Next to Dad as he said that, Mom also nodded with a smile. Haruto-kun then turned to Kiyoko-san, asking her with his eyes. “Just make sure you don’t cause any trouble for the Tōjō family.” “Yeah, I understand. In that case, I will, um, be staying over tonight.” “Yessss!! Onii-chan’s having a sleepover!!” “Looking forward to tonight, Ryōta-kun.” “Yeah!” Ryōta’s joy erupted at the news that Haruto-kun was staying over. And I have to admit, my heart was fluttering at the thought of him staying, too. I’m actually getting pretty nervous. I mean, Haruto-kun is my boyfriend, but having a male classmate stay over at my house is like an event straight out of a romance manga. Before summer break started, romance was just something I admired from afar; I never dreamed I’d actually get to experience it myself. After the discussion ended, Haruto-kun and Kiyoko-san left for the Ōtsuki residence in Dad’s car. “Onee-chan! I’m so excited Onii-chan’s staying over! We can play a lot!” “We can. But you can’t stay up too late, okay?” “Okay!” While we waited for Haruto-kun to come back with his overnight bag, Ryōta kept looking over at me, his face showing he could barely contain his excitement. The truth is, I was just as excited as Ryōta, if not more, but to maintain my dignity as the older sister, I deliberately put on a nonchalant expression and gave my little brother a firm talking-to. I waited for Dad and Haruto-kun to get back, keeping Ryōta entertained in the meantime. Mom started preparing dinner, saying, “Since Ōtsuki-kun
is here today, maybe I’ll make something special for dinner?” A little while later, Dad and Haruto-kun returned. The moment the sound of Dad’s car reached us from outside, Ryōta yelled, “They’re back!!” and dashed to the entryway. “Onii-chan!!” The instant Haruto-kun stepped into the entryway, Ryōta greeted him with a welcome so enthusiastic it was like he was about to tackle him. “Ahaha. You’re full of energy, Ryōta-kun.” “Yeah!! Welcome home, Onii-chan!!” “Ah, yeah. Um, I’m home.” The way Haruto-kun looked a little embarrassed when he replied “I’m home” to Ryōta’s “welcome home” was so cute! “Onii-chan, let’s play!!” “Ryōta, no. Haruto-kun needs to put his things away first. You can play after that.” I chided Ryōta, who had immediately grabbed Haruto-kun’s arm, trying to get him to play. Seeing Ryōta’s innocent antics, Dad smiled warmly and said to Haruto-kun. “Haruto-kun. You can put your bags in Ryōta’s room for now.” “Okay.” Haruto-kun nodded at Dad’s words and went upstairs to put his bags away. In the meantime, I brought Ryōta back to the living room and somehow managed to calm down my hyperactive little brother. Just then, Haruto-kun, having put his bags away, came into the living room, too. Figuring he could finally play, Ryōta made a full-speed dash for him. “Onii-chan, let’s plaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!” “Okay, Ryōta-kun. What do you want to play?” “Umm, let’s see, um…” Haruto-kun gave a wry smile at Ryōta, who was at peak excitement. Ryōta began to desperately think about what game to play with Harutokun. Apparently, his desire to play with Haruto-kun was so strong that he hadn’t actually thought about what they would do. As Ryōta was desperately trying to think of something to play, Mom called out from the kitchen. “Ryōta. Why don’t you take a bath with Ōtsuki-kun before dinner?” At Mom’s suggestion, Ryōta’s eyes lit up. “I’m gonna take a bath with Onii-chan!!” “Ōtsuki-kun, would you mind?”
“Yes, that’s fine. Alright Ryōta-kun, let’s go take a bath together.” When Haruto-kun said that, Ryōta nodded so hard and so many times that it looked like his head might fall off. Ugh, Ryōta has completely monopolized him ever since he got back… B-But, I have to be patient, as his older sister. It’s a good thing that my family likes Haruto-kun. Besides, if Ryōta keeps being this hyper, he’ll surely get tired out and fall asleep earlier than usual. Once Ryōta’s asleep, then I can get lots of attention from Haruto-kun… no, I mean, we can talk and stuff. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. I suppressed the frustration welling up inside me. But it seems I wasn’t able to hide it completely, because Ryōta, who had been cheerfully clinging to Haruto-kun, suddenly looked over at me. “…Onee-chan, are you angry?” “Huh? N-No, I’m not angry. Why?” “Because your cheeks were all puffed out.” “Th-That’s not true. I’m not angry at all.” “Hmmmm?” Ryōta gave me a suspicious look. I forced a bright smile, trying to hide my inner frustration from my little brother. “Come on, Ryōta. You’re going to take a bath with Haruto-kun, right? You need to get ready.” “Yeah… Ah! I get it!!” “Huh? Wh-What do you get?” “Onee-chan wants to take a bath with Onii-chan, too!” “There’s no way!?” I retorted reflexively in a harsh tone. There’s no way I could take a bath with Haruto-kun!? What is this kid saying!? Even if we’re a couple, taking a bath together, a bath, is… is just… I wonder if it’s okay if you’re a couple………… No no no! Absolutely not! Couples might take baths together, but that’s something high-level couples do. It’s way too soon for us, we’re still low-level! Besides, I’m not mentally prepared to take a bath with him, and I need to do my skincare, and lose some weight. Come to think of it, I haven’t been brave enough to step on a scale recently… But, eventually… someday, with Haruto-kun… But not now!! We’re still at a low couple level! …Wait, what even is a couple level!? How do you level up!?
Ryōta’s comment sent my thoughts into a full-blown panic. Ryōta looked at Haruto-kun with a puzzled expression. “What about Onii-chan? You want to take a bath with Onee-chan, right?” “Wha!? Ah, well, I want to, but… I can’t, or rather…” “See, Onee-chan!! Onii-chan said he wants to take a bath with you, too!” “No, that’s not—! Ayaka, I was just—!” “Ah! Y-Yeah. I know! Yeah, it’s okay. Yup, yup!” I nodded my head frantically over and over again at Haruto-kun, who was desperately trying to tell me something. Just then, Ryōta, with his face full of excitement, launched a merciless attack. “Onee-chan, you should take a bath with us, too! It’s more fun to take a bath with everyone!” “N-No way!! I can’t take a bath with Haruto-kun!!” “Why? Why not? You and Onii-chan are a couple, right? You love each other, right?” Precisely because of his pure innocence, Ryōta relentlessly showered me with questions. “Even if we love each other, we don’t take baths together!” “That’s not true! Because Mom and Dad sometimes take baths together! Mom and Dad take baths together because they love each other!!” “Th-That’s… um… d-different!” Oh, geez!! It’s great that Mom and Dad are so close! It really is!! Come on!! Dad, do something!! Stop looking so flustered and put a stop to Ryōta’s rampage!! Isn’t this the kind of situation where a father would absolutely step in to stop his daughter from taking a bath with her boyfriend!? Just how much do you like Haruto-kun!? But well… I am happy that my parents have accepted Haruto-kun so much… but, this is not the time to be happy about that, me!! “What’s different? I don’t get it! Onee-chan, do you not like Onii-chan anymore?” “Of course I don’t dislike him!” “Then, do you like him? Do you love him?” “I… Of course I love him!” Declaring my love for Haruto-kun in front of my family… is so embarrassing… “And Onii-chan loves Onee-chan, too, right?”
“Y-Yeah. I love her.” “From the bottom of your heart?” “That’s right. I love her from the bottom of my heart.” St-Stop~! Ryōta, stop it already~! I can’t stop grinning, the corners of my mouth are turning up on their own and I can’t stop this stupid grin! “Then, let’s take a bath together!! Let’s all play together!!” “I told you! That’s… Mom! Please do something about Ryōta!” I finally gave up and pleaded with Mom for help. Dad’s been just standing by looking amused this whole time, so I can’t count on him. “Oh my, Ryōta, you want to take a bath with everyone that much?” Responding to my plea for help, Mom paused her dinner preparations and came into the living room with a bright smile. “Yeah! Because it’s more fun to play with everyone!” “That’s true, the more the merrier. But, you can’t.” “See! Mom said you can’t, too!” I immediately launched a supporting shot for Mom. Ryōta, looking disgruntled, pulled out his trump card, “Why?” “Why? Why can’t we?” “That’s because the bathroom isn’t really a place to play. But, if you wear your swimsuits today as a special exception, then you can all take a bath and play together, okay?” “That’s right. Just like Mom said, if you wear a swimsuit… wait, what!? Mom, what are you saying!?” I thought for sure Mom would put a stop to the “everyone taking a bath together” idea, but she actually gave permission, as long as we wore swimsuits… “Really!? I’m gonna wear my swimsuit and take a bath!!” Having gotten permission from Mom, Ryōta jumped up and down on the spot, declaring he would wear his swimsuit. “Mom! Get my swimsuit out for me!” “Alright, alright. I’ll get it out for you now, just wait a minute.” As Mom, all smiles, went to get Ryōta’s swimsuit, Haruto-kun spoke up with a troubled look on his face. “Ah, um… I only brought a change of clothes with me today, so I don’t have a swimsuit…” “Th-That’s right! Haruto-kun doesn’t have a swimsuit, so we can’t all take a bath together after all!!”
“Then I shall lend you one of mine.” Dad!! What are you saying!? “Huh!? A-Are you sure?” “Mhm, I’ll go get it now.” “Ah, thank you very much.” Haruto-kun bowed to Dad, looking a bit bewildered. Wh-wh-wh-what should I do! At this rate, I’m going to end up taking a bath with Haruto-kun!! As I was panicking, Haruto-kun quietly came up to me and spoke. “What do you want to do, Ayaka? If you really don’t want to, then, um, I’ll just go in the bath with Ryōta-kun.” “Ah, ugh… I… I don’t… mind.” He was being so considerate, speaking in a voice so quiet that Ryōta and my parents couldn’t hear. Blushing, I quietly told Haruto-kun my true feelings. “It’s a little… a lot… embarrassing, but… I want to take a bath with you too, Haruto-kun…” “I-I see… well then…” “Y-Yeah… I’m going to go get changed.” After our slightly awkward exchange, I dashed into my room, as if to escape my embarrassment. “Aah!! What should I do!! If I knew this was going to happen, I would have bought a new swimsuit this year!!” As soon as I entered my room, I lamented as I rummaged through my closet. I bought one last year to go to the beach with Saki and a few other friends, but I haven’t bought one yet this year. The year before that, when I went to the beach, I was hit on by so many guys that I couldn’t enjoy the ocean at all. Because of that bitter memory, I decided I’d had enough of the beach for a while and didn’t buy a swimsuit this year. But after I started dating Haruto-kun, I thought I might have an opportunity to wear a swimsuit eventually, but I never imagined it would be in my own bathroom!! I pulled out the swimsuit that had been sleeping in the depths of my closet. “Is this okay? Do you think Haruto-kun will like it?”
The swimsuit I was holding was a white bikini. It came with a one-piece type pareo as a set. I didn’t want to show too much skin where there were a lot of male gazes, so I wore this pareo the whole time at the beach last year, but… If I’m taking a bath, it would just get in the way… right? “And besides, Haruto-kun might be happier if I don’t wear this…” Haruto-kun is a boy, after all… W-Well, I should at least try it on. I gently put the pareo back in the closet, changed into the bikini, and stood in front of the full-length mirror. “Ugh… the size is a little… but, it doesn’t look weird, right? It’s not strange… is it?” The swimsuit I bought last year felt a little tighter than I remembered. The chest part might be a bit tight… Did I gain weight!? B-But, this is the only swimsuit I have right now, so I have to be brave!! I desperately tried to calm my heart, which was pounding like a drum, wrapped the bath towel I had in my room around my body, and headed for the bathroom, taking deep breaths over and over. ※※※ Ōtsuki Haruto Haruto had never expected that he’d be taking a bath not only with Ryōta, but with Ayaka as well. In the changing room, he and Ryōta changed into the swimsuits they had borrowed from Shūichi. “Onii-chan! Let’s play with these!” Ryōta, now in his swimsuit, cheered happily, holding a water gun in each hand. “Yeah, let’s.” Haruto replied with a smile, but his mind was slightly elsewhere. Swirling in his brain was the image of his girlfriend, Ayaka, in a swimsuit. Rumored to be the cutest girl in school and even called the “School Idol,” the reason for this was not only her perfectly sculpted beauty, but also Ayaka’s incredible figure. Her proportions were so outstanding that it wouldn’t be surprising to see her on the cover of a shonen manga magazine. And at the thought of her figure, Haruto’s mind, regardless of his own will, began to automatically
replay one after another the gravure photos he had seen in manga magazines. Haruto found himself in a mental state he couldn’t quite decipher, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Just then, there was a soft knock on the door that partitioned the changing room. “Can I… come in?” Ayaka’s voice came from the other side of the door. At that small, reserved voice, Haruto’s heart gave a jolt. “Ah, yeah. Ryōta-kun and I are already changed, so it’s fine.” “Hurry up, Onee-chan!!” “I-I know! …Well then, I’m coming in.” After that voice, the sliding door to the changing room slowly opened. And from behind it, Ayaka appeared. She had a bath towel wrapped around her from just above her chest, so he couldn’t see her in her swimsuit just yet. However, the sight of her with the bath towel wrapped around her, obscuring her swimsuit, made it seem to Haruto’s eyes as if she wasn’t wearing a swimsuit at all, and he couldn’t help but blush. Ayaka seemed to be quite embarrassed as well, her face was already as red as if she had just gotten out of the bath. As if to shatter the air between the two of them, thick with shyness, Ryōta’s bright, cheerful voice echoed through the changing room. “Onee-chan, why are you wearing a bath towel? You can’t go in the bath like that! Hurry up and take it off!” “I-I-I know! I’m about to take it off, so just calm down a little!” Ryōta, who wanted to get to the bathroom as soon as possible to play with water guns with Haruto and the others, was urging his fidgeting, shy sister on with all his might.
Blushing, Ayaka retorted at her little brother, then glanced over at Haruto. His eyes met hers for a fleeting moment, and Haruto felt his heart give a strange leap. After a brief, silent pause, Ayaka seemed to steel herself and took off the bath towel she had wrapped around her body. The moment she reached for the top of her towel, Haruto felt for some reason that he shouldn’t be looking and quietly averted his gaze. He heard the soft sound of the towel falling to the floor. In the corner of his vision, he caught sight of the crumpled towel on the floor. “H-Haruto-kun… It’s not… weird, is it?” Ayaka’s faint, shy voice reached Haruto’s ears. Since she was asking for his opinion, he couldn’t very well not look. He slowly turned his averted gaze back to her. Instantly, Haruto’s vision was filled with a breathtaking sight. Her skin was as translucent as white porcelain. The matching white bikini-style swimsuit had large frills on the chest, further enhancing her cuteness. And, as expected, Ayaka’s outstanding proportions were displayed to their maximum appeal in her swimsuit. Slender, graceful arms and legs. A tightly cinched, narrow waist. And her chest, which drew Haruto’s gaze with tremendous force, like a black hole. She was so attractive that it made him think God himself must have sculpted the ideal human form. Haruto found himself staring at her intently, speechless for a moment. “H-Haruto-kun?” “Hah! Ah, s-sorry. You’re just so stunning, I was lost for words…” “…! I-Is that so?” “Yeah…” At Haruto’s words, Ayaka blushed with embarrassment, but also gave a happy, shy smile. Haruto found that sight so unfairly cute he couldn’t bear it and had to look away again. Just then, Ayaka complimented Haruto’s swimsuit. “You too, Haruto-kun… Dad’s swimsuit, it looks good on you.” “Ah, thanks.” Haruto thanked her a bit awkwardly and looked down at the swimsuit he was wearing.
The swimsuit Shūichi had lent him was a loose-fitting pair with a palm tree pattern. If he wore an aloha shirt and sunglasses with it, he’d look right at home walking on a Hawaiian beach. Blushing, Haruto and Ayaka exchanged compliments on each other’s swimsuits. As if he couldn’t wait any longer, Ryōta broke the frustratingly shy atmosphere between them by grabbing both their hands and giving a sharp pull. “Onii-chan! Onee-chan! Let’s get in the bath already!” Ryōta, who was dying to play, pulled forcefully on both their arms and headed for the bathroom. “Hey! Ryōta! Calm down!” While chiding her brother, Ayaka entered the bathroom along with Haruto, whose arm was also being pulled by Ryōta. The bathroom, which Ikue had apparently been very particular about when building the house, had a spacious washing area, a large mirror, and a comfortable-looking oval bathtub. A television was even installed on the wall so it could be watched while soaking in the tub. While not exactly vast, it was more than spacious enough for two high school students and a kindergartener to be in at the same time without feeling too cramped. As soon as he entered the bathroom, Ryōta started to hurriedly fill the water guns in his hands with hot water. Seeing him do this, Haruto said with a wry smile. “Ryōta-kun, how about we wash up first before playing with the water guns?” “Not yet with the water guns?” “Yeah, let’s play as much as we want after we get clean.” “Okay!” At Haruto’s words, Ryōta nodded enthusiastically, came over to him, and beamed. “Let’s wash each other’s backs!” “Huh? W-Wash each other?” “Yeah!! I’ll wash Onii-chan’s back, then Onii-chan will wash Onee-chan’s back, and Onee-chan will wash my back!” Ryōta cheerfully suggested they wash each other’s backs. Haruto looked at Ayaka with a flustered gaze. When her eyes met his, her face was also beet red.
“Ryōta, if we’re going to wash each other’s backs, put down the water guns and come over here.” Ayaka said to her brother, blushing. It seemed that Ryōta’s proposal had been accepted by her. Haruto hesitantly spoke to her as she beckoned her brother over. “Ayaka, are you sure?” “Y-Yeah…” Though she looked embarrassed, Ayaka gave a big nod. Once again, Haruto’s heart gave a strange leap, as if it were pounding against his ribs from the inside. For Haruto, a healthy high school boy, the sight of a girl in a swimsuit was an incredibly stunning sight. And even more so when it was a beautiful girl. However, in the past, when he went to the pool or the beach with Tomoya and the others and saw girls in swimsuits, his heart had never pounded this hard. But now, he could clearly feel his heart pounding fiercely, like after exercising with all his might. One reason for that might have been that the girl in the swimsuit was his own girlfriend. But there was an even bigger reason than that. It was the situation. Normally, you don’t wear a swimsuit in the bathroom. And for Haruto, who was already grown up, bathing with someone else was a distant memory. This departure from the norm was greatly stirring up his emotions. The bathroom, a place where you’d normally wear nothing. And in a place like that, his incredibly cute girlfriend was showing off her attractive figure in a swimsuit. This extraordinary situation of wearing a swimsuit in a bathroom made the sight of Ayaka in hers all the more captivating. Amidst all this, the reason Haruto was somehow able to remain calm was thanks to Ryōta being there. It was precisely because he was so innocently and purely enjoying taking a bath with everyone that Haruto was able to keep himself from having any strange, impure thoughts. “Onii-chan! Turn your back this way!” Ryōta said cheerfully, holding a sponge. “Okay. So, I… should wash Ayaka’s back, right?” “Yeah! And then Onee-chan washes my back!” “I know. Calm down a little, Ryōta. You’re going to fall.” While chiding her brother, Ayaka turned her back to Haruto, while she herself faced Ryōta’s back.
The three of them stood in a small circle. Haruto glanced at Ayaka’s back before asking her, “Is there only one sponge?” “Ah, yeah. Just the one Ryōta has.” “I-I see, so… what should we do?” “…I guess it’s fine if you just use your palms?” After a moment of hesitation, Ayaka said this shyly, then put some body soap on her own palms and started to wash Ryōta’s back. At the same time, Ryōta started washing Haruto’s back. Since the Tōjō siblings had started, Haruto made up his mind, put some body soap on his own palms, worked it into a lather with a little water, and then gently placed his palms on Ayaka’s back. The moment Haruto’s palms touched her, Ayaka’s back twitched. “…Does it tickle?” “Y-Yeah… I’m fine…” The two of them exchanged an awkward conversation, creating a tense atmosphere. On the other hand, Ryōta looked like he was having the time of his life, scrubbing Haruto’s back. “Does it feel good, Onii-chan?” “Yeah. You’re good at washing, Ryōta-kun.” “Ehehehe.” Ryōta laughed with a proud expression, and Haruto smiled along with him. Ayaka’s back, which he was touching for the first time. Even though she was wearing a swimsuit, her back was still overly attractive to Haruto. Smooth and pleasant to the touch, and so very soft. The act of washing it directly with his bare hands made Haruto’s inner self on the verge of going crazy with happiness, nervousness, and desire. He managed to maintain his reason by talking with Ryōta. As the three of them washed each other’s backs, Ayaka, who had been looking embarrassed the whole time, glanced at Haruto and spoke to him. “Your abs are defined, Haruto-kun.” “Ah, yeah. I’ve been doing karate since I was little.” “Huh, so doing karate gives you defined abs.” “Yeah, I guess so. We tense them quite a lot.” “I see.”
As Haruto and Ayaka were having that conversation, Ryōta looked back and forth between them with an amused expression. “Onii-chan’s tummy is bumpy. Onee-chan’s tummy is squishy.” The moment Ryōta said that in a singsong voice. Haruto had the illusion that the temperature in the supposedly warm bathroom had dropped several degrees in an instant. “Ryōta.” Ayaka’s voice echoed in the bathroom. Though her voice wasn’t loud, it was a voice that seemed to reach deep into one’s ears. “Onee-chan’s tummy isn’t squishy, okay?” “Huh? But compared to Onii-chan’s—” “Onee-chan’s tummy isn’t squishy, okay?” “But—” “Onee-chan’s tummy isn’t squishy, okay?” Ayaka cut off Ryōta’s words every time, repeating the same phrase. She was beaming, a full-faced, captivating smile. And yet, for some reason, Haruto felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn’t help but feel that a Hannya mask was floating behind Ayaka. TL/N: A “Hannya mask” is a traditional Japanese theater mask used in Noh performances to represent a woman consumed by jealousy and rage, transforming into a vengeful demon. As if to let sleeping dogs lie, Haruto tried to ignore the Tōjō siblings’ conversation. Just then, Ayaka turned that bright, full-faced smile toward Haruto. “Haruto-kun. My tummy isn’t squishy, is it?” “…” Haruto almost let out a small yelp, but he somehow managed to hold it in. However, he made the blunder of not answering her question immediately. His response was slightly delayed. That slight pause became a fatal one. Seeing his lack of an immediate reply, Ayaka’s bright smile grew even wider. And then, she declared to Haruto. “Touch it.” “Huh!?” “Touch it and see for yourself. My tummy isn’t squishy.” Her expression was a full-faced smile, but her eyes weren’t smiling at all; they were piercing straight through Haruto.
Haruto straightened his back under her gaze, but still showed hesitation. He had already struggled to maintain his composure just by touching her back; touching her stomach felt a bit dangerous. “W-Well, but, touching it directly is a bit…” “Haruto-kun.” “Yes!” “Touch it. Make sure you check properly, with both hands. Because it’s not squishy.” “B-Both hands?” “That’s right. Because my tummy isn’t squishy.” Ayaka kept relentlessly insisting that it “wasn’t squishy.” Overwhelmed by her pressure, Haruto nodded his head repeatedly in small, quick movements. “W-Well, then… excuse me.” “Go ahead.” As she replied, Ayaka arched her back slightly and puffed out her chest. Seeing her strike such a pose in a bikini was even more agonizing for Haruto, but the atmosphere wasn’t one where he could say so. Chanting, ‘Clear my mind, clear my mind, clear my mind…’ inside his head, Haruto gently extended both hands and touched her near her waist. “So, Haruto-kun, how is it?” “…It’s very slender.” Haruto didn’t have the slightest bit of leeway to actually check if Ayaka’s stomach was squishy or not. However, whether her stomach was squishy or not, the words he had to say were already decided. “I can declare with certainty that this stomach is far from squishy.” Ayaka heard Haruto’s words. She huffed, a triumphant look on her face. “See, Ryōta! Haruto-kun said so! Onee-chan’s tummy isn’t squishy!!” Ayaka’s loud declaration echoed through the Tōjō family bathroom. Afterward, Haruto, having avoided upsetting her, safely finished the back-washing session and soaked in the tub, though his reason had taken a massive blow. Ryōta immediately filled the two water guns he’d brought with hot water and handed one to Haruto. “Onii-chan! This one’s for you!” “Thanks, Ryōta-kun. Alright, with this—”
Before he could finish, three quick jets of water hit him in the face. “Hee hee hee! You let your guard down, Onii-chan!” “You got me, Ryōta-kun! Payback time!” “Wahahaha!!” Haruto fired back with rapid shots from his water gun. Ryōta let out a very happy, excited shout. The Tōjō family bathtub was larger than average. Even so, with three people in it at the same time, it wasn’t quite spacious enough to move around freely. Ryōta was unable to avoid Haruto’s rapid fire and was hit by the splashing water gun attack. So, to avoid the attack, he took refuge behind Ayaka’s back. “Onee-chan barrier!!” “Hey, Ryōta. Don’t use me as a shield! That’s not fair.” “It’s not unfair! You’re my hostage, Onee-chan.” Sometime during the chaos, Ayaka had become Ryōta’s prisoner. She let out a small laugh at her brother’s words and looked over at Haruto. “So he says. Haruto-kun, help me.” “I guess I have to rescue you, as your boyfriend.” “Onii-chan! If you want to save Onee-chan, drop your gun!!” Had he picked it up from some anime? Ryōta delivered a line like a barricaded criminal as he aimed his water gun at Haruto from behind Ayaka. “Alright, Ryōta-kun. I’ll surrender my gun.” Haruto raised his hands with a slightly exaggerated motion, then slowly lowered his water gun. And just as the lowered water gun was about to touch the water in the tub, he grinned. “Just kidding.” With that, Haruto spread his arms wide, scooped up a large amount of hot water, and splashed it over both Ryōta’s and Ayaka’s heads. “Kyaa!” “Waaaahahaha!” Ayaka let out a surprised yelp, while Ryōta’s shriek turned into a joyful laugh. “Hey! Now I’m a casualty too, because of you, Ryōta. Take this!” Ayaka deliberately puffed out her cheeks, turned around, and splashed her brother with her hands.
“Wahahaha! Onii-chan did it! Take that!” Ryōta thrashed his arms in retaliation, splashing water at Ayaka and Haruto. After that, the three of them began a water-splashing war, and for a while, cheerful laughter echoed from the Tōjō family bathtub. Drawn in by Ryōta’s innocent play, Haruto and Ayaka both forgot they were high school students and reveled in the fun. As they were enjoying their bath time together like that, Ryōta’s expression suddenly clouded over. His face, which had been all smiles until now, twisted as if he were holding something back. “Hm? What’s wrong, Ryōta-kun?” Haruto, who had put down his water gun and was now scooping up water with a bucket, stopped what he was doing and called out to Ryōta. Then, with a desperate look on his face, Ryōta said. “…I need to go to the bathroom.” “The bathroom?” “Yeah… Number two…” “That one!?” Haruto let out a panicked voice. Just then, Ayaka chided Ryōta. “Honestly, you should have gone to the bathroom before getting in the bath.” “Ugh…” Ryōta let out a small groan at his sister’s scolding and began to wriggle. “I’m about to have an accident…” “Whoa! Wait a second! Hold it in just a little longer!” Apparently, Ryōta had been so eager to play in the bathroom that he’d been holding it in. But now, it seemed his patience had finally reached its breaking point. Ayaka frantically reached for the intercom panel on the bathroom wall and pressed the call button. “’Hello? What’s wrong?’” The bathroom intercom was connected to the hot water monitor in the kitchen, and Ikue’s voice came through. “Ryōta needs to go to the bathroom!” “Mom, poop!” “’Oh dear. Alright, I’m on my way to the changing room, so get Ryōta out of the tub.’”
“Alright, Ryōta. Time to get out of the bath.” After ending the call with Ikue, Ayaka helped Ryōta out of the tub. Just then, Ikue, who had come to the changing room, called out from the other side of the bathroom door. “Is it okay if I open the door?” At her words, Ayaka glanced over at Haruto. Haruto met her gaze and nodded, guiding Ryōta to the door. “It’s fine.” When Haruto answered, the door opened and Ikue took Ryōta. “Mom, hurry~” “Alright, alright. Let’s dry you off quickly and get to the toilet.” Ikue quickly wrapped Ryōta in a bath towel and, while briskly drying him, smiled warmly at Haruto and Ayaka. “Well then, I’ll take Ryōta to the toilet. You two take your time and warm up.” With that, she left Haruto and Ayaka behind and closed the bathroom door. From the other side of the door, they could hear a conversation: “It’s gonna leak~” “You’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry off properly, you know?” Ayaka sank back into the tub with an exasperated look on her face. “Honestly, that Ryōta gets way too carried away.” “He was just having fun taking a bath with everyone.” Haruto also lowered himself into the tub, facing Ayaka, and gave a wry smile. With Ryōta gone, the bathroom, in stark contrast to the previous clamor, was now filled with a quiet stillness. “…” “…” Haruto and Ayaka sat in the tub facing each other, both of them silent. Up until a moment ago, they had been completely absorbed in playing, thanks to Ryōta being there. But the moment Ryōta was gone, a sudden wave of awkwardness washed over Haruto. Taking a bath with his girlfriend, both wearing swimsuits. The surreal situation, like something straight out of a manga or anime, made Haruto’s heart race against his will. It seemed to be the same for Ayaka, who was soaking in the tub across from him; her face was even redder than before, and she kept stealing glances at Haruto.
Unsure of what expression to make, Haruto spoke up to break the awkwardness. “…W-Well… Taking a bath in swimsuits is still pretty embarrassing, isn’t it?” “Yeah…” Ryōta’s presence had been a distraction. But now that they were alone, they exchanged an awkward conversation, both of them unsure of where to look. “…This bathroom is really nice, isn’t it?” “Yeah… It’s Mom’s favorite, so…” “I see… And you can watch TV, too.” “…Yeah. Want to watch?” “Ah… No, I think I’ll pass.” “I guess only the news is on at this hour, anyway…” “Yeah…” They exchanged words sporadically, both of them averting their gaze slightly, but occasionally making eye contact and blushing. Haruto was reminded of the time he went to see a movie with Ayaka for the first time. He was feeling a similar sense of awkwardness to that time, waiting for the movie to start, holding her hand. Feeling a sense of nostalgia somewhere in his heart, he imagined something. If he could go back in time and tell the him who had just started the housekeeping service that in the near future, he would be taking a bath with Ayaka, what kind of expression would he make? Imagining that scene, Haruto couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “Haruto-kun? What’s wrong?” “No, it’s nothing. Speaking of which, I read this online or somewhere before.” Ayaka tilted her head cutely with a puzzled expression, and Haruto, suddenly remembering, started to talk. “Did you know that romantic feelings only last for three years?” “Huh? Is that true?” At Haruto’s words, Ayaka’s eyes widened in surprise. “Apparently? It seems there are individual differences, but the heartpounding feeling of being in love only lasts for three years.” “Is that really true?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really looked into it. But it seems that even from a neuroscience perspective, the substance called dopamine that’s released when you’re in love stops being secreted after about three years.” “Huh, I see.” Ayaka nodded at Haruto’s explanation, a slightly puzzled look on her face. “But, Mom and Dad have been married for more than three years, and they’re still very close.” “I think the explanation was that after three years, ‘like’ turns into ‘love’.” “Like turns into love?” “Yeah, the heart-pounding feeling you get when you’re with someone turns into a sense of peace and tranquility after three years, and you feel calm. I guess it’s like, being next to them feels natural?” “Ah, that… Mom might have said something like that before…” Hearing Haruto’s explanation, Ayaka muttered as she looked down. She continued to look down, as if deep in thought. Just then, Haruto’s toe gently touched Ayaka’s foot. “Ah, sorry.” Haruto quickly moved his foot away from hers. The Tōjō residence’s bathroom was certainly larger than average, but with two high school students sitting across from each other, it was practically impossible to stretch out their legs without touching at all. “No, it’s okay… You want to stretch your legs, right?” “Huh? Ah… No, I’m fine.” Haruto answered Ayaka’s words, his gaze shifting slightly. Ayaka stared at his reaction for a moment, then suddenly spoke. “Haruto-kun… can I come over there?” “Huh!? Ah, y-yeah… but, come where?” Startled by Ayaka’s sudden suggestion, Haruto nodded in confusion, tilting his head. Though she was blushing, Ayaka wordlessly and eagerly moved over. Then, turning her back to Haruto, she sat down neatly between his legs. “A-Ayaka…?” “…” Before, they had been facing each other, but now they were both facing the same direction, with Haruto holding Ayaka from behind as they soaked in the tub. “…Now we can stretch our legs, can’t we?” As she said that, Ayaka leaned her back against Haruto’s chest.
“W-Well, we can, but…” Haruto was so conscious of the feeling of her back against his chest that he was at a loss for words. He didn’t know what to say, and a short silence followed. Then, Ayaka slowly asked Haruto. “Are you feeling heart-pounding right now, Haruto-kun?” “…Well, yeah. It would be strange not to feel it in this situation.” Haruto honestly conveyed his inner feelings in response to Ayaka’s question. “Me too. I’m feeling it too.” She said bashfully, leaning a little more heavily against Haruto as she continued. “But, in three years, this feeling will be gone, right?” “Well… there are probably individual differences, and I don’t even know if that story is true in the first place.” It was just some information he had skimmed online a long time ago, so Haruto couldn’t say for sure. But Ayaka, though she looked down shyly, spoke in a serious tone. “But… I want to believe that story is true.” “Really?” “Yeah. Hey, Haruto-kun?” “Hm?” “Can you hold me tight?” “Huh? I-In this position?” Haruto let out a flustered voice at Ayaka’s request. She was currently in a swimsuit. And she was currently sitting between his legs, leaning her back against him. To hug her tightly in this situation meant, in other words, to hug her from behind. The thought of hugging her in a swimsuit from behind made Haruto hesitate. To him, Ayaka pleaded in a slightly sweet, coaxing voice. “No?” “Yes.” Haruto answered reflexively. There was probably no man on this earth who could refuse Ayaka when she said “No?” so cutely. Steeling himself, Haruto extended his arms, gently wrapped them around Ayaka’s navel, and then slowly applied some pressure.
The feeling of Ayaka’s stomach through his arms. His chest pressed even more tightly against her back from the embrace. Haruto, who was feeling the unique softness of a woman with almost his entire body, desperately tried to calm the various emotions welling up inside him and to quiet the pounding of his heart that was raging in the depths of his ears. Just then, Ayaka let out a small laugh and whispered. “I’m so nervous right now. But someday… when you hold me like this, I want to feel like this is where I belong.” “Ayaka…” To the girl who was saying such sweet, innocent things in his arms, Haruto tightened his grip slightly and said. “My side is already all your place to belong, Ayaka.” “Haruto-kun…” Ayaka let out a voice that sounded as if she were overwhelmed with emotion at Haruto’s words, and then tried to turn around in his arms to face him. “Hey!? Ayaka-san!?” Because Ayaka tried to turn around, Haruto couldn’t help but feel that something overwhelmingly softer than her back from before was being pressed against his chest. “Ayaka! You have to face forward! A lot of things, a lot of things are a lot of things!?” Haruto, whose reason was about to be burned away, frantically tried to stop Ayaka’s movements. However, she twisted her body halfway around to face him, then stretched out her neck and pressed her lips to Haruto’s cheek. “I love you, Haruto-kun.” As she said that, her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, but she also had a slightly mischievous look, and seeing Ayaka smile so captivatingly, Haruto thought. In three years, will I really not be able to feel this heart-pounding feeling anymore? Haruto began to have great doubts about the information he had read online a long time ago. ※※※ Having experienced the most heart-pounding moment of his life in the bath with Ayaka in her swimsuit, Haruto was still feeling the afterglow of
his racing heart as he and Ayaka got out of the bath and headed to the living room. As they did, Shūichi, who had gotten out of the bath a little earlier and was playing with Ryōta, called out to them. “Hey there, Haruto-kun. How was the bath?” “It was great, thank you.” “That’s good to hear. Our bathroom is a place Ikue was very particular about, so I’m glad you were satisfied.” Shūichi said with a smile, all while playing with Ryōta and his squadron hero toys. “Onii-chan! Let’s all take a bath together again!!” “Yeah, let’s. But next time, let’s make sure to go to the bathroom before we get in, Ryōta-kun.” “Okay!!” Ryōta nodded vigorously, holding a red squadron hero figure in his hand. Just then, Ikue began to set the dishes on the dining table. “Dinner’s almost ready. Everyone, take your seats.” “Thank you, Ikue-san. I’m looking forward to it.” “Ufufu. I made a lot for you, Ōtsuki-kun, so don’t be shy and eat a lot, okay?” “Yes, thank you very much.” Haruto gave a small bow along with his words of thanks. Ikue, still smiling brightly, turned her gaze to Ayaka, who was standing next to him. “Did you get properly warmed up?” “Yeah.” “I see.” The mother and daughter exchanged a short conversation. Perhaps because she had just gotten out of the bath, Ayaka’s cheeks were faintly flushed, and Ikue said to her with an amused tone. “Ufufu, it seems you’re all warmed up, body and soul.” “Uh! Y-Yeah…” At Ikue’s words, Ayaka fidgeted bashfully, her gaze darting around, but she didn’t particularly deny her mother’s words. Ikue’s lips curved into a happy smile, seeing the change in her daughter, who, until recently, would have overreacted when teased about Haruto. “That’s wonderful~. Maybe I should take a bath with Shūichi-san tonight, too.”
“Mom, you take baths with Dad all the time.” “Taking a bath with the person you love warms your heart, too, you know?” “That… might be true, but…” Faced with her mother, who so casually declared her love for Shūichi without a hint of embarrassment, it was the daughter who faltered bashfully. “Thank you for taking a bath with Ryōta, too, Ōtsuki-kun.” “Not at all, I had fun with Ryōta-kun, too.” As Haruto replied, Ryōta ran up to the dining table and looked up at Haruto with a huge smile. “Onii-chan! Let’s play with water guns in the yard next time!” “Sure. Let’s play on a sunny day.” “Yay!!” Seeing Ryōta’s beaming smile, Haruto felt the pounding in his chest from the events in the bathroom begin to subside a little. After that, Haruto sat down at the dinner table with the Tōjō family. The dinner Ikue had made was doria. The seafood paella she had made when they went camping before was also exquisite, but tonight’s dinner was also very delicious. TL/N: “Doria” is a Japanese-Western (yōshoku) dish made with rice baked in a casserole, typically topped with creamy white sauce (like béchamel), cheese, and ingredients such as seafood or chicken. Ryōta saw the food on the table and cheered, “It’s rice gratin!”, only to be corrected by Ayaka with a “It’s doria.” Shūichi, his expression softening, said, “Ōtsuki-kun’s cooking is wonderful, but Ikue’s cooking looks as delicious as ever,” which made Ikue beam with happiness. Haruto enjoyed dinner and conversation with the warm and lively Tōjō family. After dinner, he played with Ryōta in the living room with the popular squadron hero toys. Before he knew it, it was completely dark outside, and it was time for bed. “Ōtsuki-kun, I said this before, but from now on, feel free to use Ryōta’s room. I’ll go get the futon now.” “Yes, thank you very much.” From now on, when Haruto stayed over, he would be using Ryōta’s room. Since Ryōta still slept with his parents, his room was currently as good as empty. Haruto laid out the futon Ikue brought him and got ready for bed.
Just then, Ryōta came in, dressed in his pajamas. Ikue, who had been helping Haruto in Ryōta’s room by getting out sheets and a towel blanket, saw Ryōta and tilted her head slightly. “Oh? What’s wrong, Ryōta?” “I’m sleeping with Onii-chan tonight.” Ryōta said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. “With Ōtsuki-kun?” “Is that… not okay?” “Hmm.” Ikue tilted her head, glancing at Haruto. In response, he nodded and then spoke to Ryōta. “It’s fine. Let’s sleep together.” “He says it’s fine. Aren’t you happy, Ryōta?” “Yay.” Ryōta let out a cheer, though it was somewhat lacking in energy compared to during the day due to his sleepiness. “Thank you, Ōtsuki-kun.” “Not at all. Come on, Ryōta-kun, let’s get into the futon.” “Okay.” Haruto called out to Ryōta. Ryōta then happily crawled into Haruto’s futon. “Ōtsuki-kun, if it gets hot, please don’t hesitate to use the air conditioner. I’ll leave the remote by your pillow.” “Yes, thank you.” “Well then, goodnight, Ōtsuki-kun, and Ryōta.” “Goodnight.” “G’night.” Ikue left the room, leaving Haruto and Ryōta alone. Though his eyelids looked heavy, Ryōta smiled and turned to face Haruto in the same futon. “Hey, Onii-chan?” “Hm? What is it?” “Onii-chan, what do you like about Onee-chan?” To Ryōta, who asked him so innocently despite being sleepy, Haruto replied with a smile. “I like everything about her.” “All of Onee-chan?”
“Yes, everything.” At Haruto’s unhesitating answer, Ryōta tilted his head slightly. “Onii-chan, liking everything is greedy.” “Ahahaha, you’re right, it is greedy. But that’s how much I like Ayaka, enough to become that greedy.” Haruto couldn’t help but laugh at Ryōta’s reaction as he spoke. “I wonder if Onee-chan likes everything about Onii-chan, too?” “I wonder? I hope so.” “I’ll ask Onee-chan for you next time!” Ryōta looked at him with determined eyes. Haruto gently patted his head. “Thanks, Ryōta-kun. Well then, tell me secretly what you find out, okay?” “Leave it to me, Onii-chan!” Ryōta showed his strong determination. Haruto let out a small laugh, imagining Ayaka getting flustered from being interrogated by her little brother. “Since you and Onee-chan are so in love, it’d be great if you got married soon and became a family!” “Yeah, it would.” Haruto replied gently, patting the excitedly chattering Ryōta on the head. After that, Haruto and Ryōta continued to talk about trivial things. Eventually, it seemed Ryōta could no longer fight off his sleepiness, and he began to breathe softly in his sleep. Haruto tucked the towel blanket around the peacefully sleeping Ryōta, then laid his own head on the pillow. “Marriage, huh… That’s probably still a long way off, but Shūichi-san and Ikue-san are nice people, and Ryōta-kun is cute. It would be amazing if I could become family with the Tōjō’s.” Imagining a life as part of Ayaka’s family, Haruto felt a sort of ticklishly embarrassing feeling, but at the same time, he also felt a warmth spreading in his heart. Ryōta’s words from earlier echoed in his mind. ──I wonder if Onee-chan likes everything about Onii-chan, too? He didn’t know exactly how much Ayaka felt for him. But Haruto believed that as they spent time together as a couple, if they could come to understand and share each other’s feelings, the future ahead of them would be bright. “Ayaka would probably be insanely cute in a wedding dress.”
Imagining his girlfriend clad in pure white, and hoping that he would be the one standing beside her, Haruto slowly closed his eyelids and drifted off into a dream. ※※※ Tōjō Ayaka I left my room and stood in front of the door to Ryōta’s room next door. After dinner, Haruto-kun had been playing with Ryōta the whole time. Ryōta was really happy about it, so that was fine, but… From my position as his girlfriend, I was a little unhappy that my little brother had been monopolizing my boyfriend. That’s why I wanted to talk with Haruto-kun, even just for a little bit, and say ‘goodnight’ before bed. With that in mind, I was about to knock on the door to his room, but then I heard Ryōta’s voice coming from the other side. “Hey, Onii-chan?” “Hm? What is it?” Huh? I wonder if Ryōta decided to sleep with Haruto-kun tonight? I’m so jealous… I want to sleep with Haruto-kun, too! But… that’s a bit much. We even took a bath together today… Besides, if Haruto-kun were next to me, my heart would be pounding so hard I don’t think I could sleep… Then again, isn’t Ryōta monopolizing Haruto-kun too much!? Haruto-kun is my boyfriend!? As his girlfriend, it’s okay for me to be a little selfish, right? It’s okay for me to monopolize Haruto-kun for just a little while before bed, right? I told myself that and raised my right hand to knock. At that moment, I couldn’t help but overhear a very intriguing conversation coming from inside the room. “Onii-chan, what do you like about Onee-chan?” “I like everything about her.” “All of Onee-chan?” “Yes, everything.” Ryōta, what are you asking!? And Haruto-kun answered immediately, too!! He likes everything about me! He… he likes everything about me… everything, he likes… w-well, that’s right, Haruto-kun… when he confessed to me, he did say ‘I like everything about you,’ didn’t he…
Even now, I can clearly remember when Haruto-kun confessed to me. Him, staring at me with a serious, fiery gaze that was almost hot enough to burn. The words of confession that came from his lips… Ugh, just remembering that scene makes my chest feel like it’s going to burst with happiness… “Onii-chan, liking everything is greedy.” “Ahahaha, you’re right, it is greedy. But that’s how much I like Ayaka, enough to become that greedy.” Eh!? Th-This is bad! My-My heart is pounding!
I’m going to burst with squees! I’m gonna have an arrhythmia!! I lowered the hand I was about to use to knock and hastily retreated to my own room. I can’t take any more of this. If I faced Haruto-kun in this state, I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to control my emotions. I feel like my feelings of love for him would run wild… I returned to my room, dived onto the bed, and buried my face in the pillow. Since I started dating Haruto-kun, he’s told me “I love you” to my face a few times. When I hear those words, my heart feels light and I’m filled with a great sense of happiness. But when I hear those words unexpectedly like just now, my heart doesn’t just feel light. It’s more like, swoosh!! and then bam!! and then gyun!! My feelings for Haruto-kun overflow to the point where my emotions feel like they’re going to explode, and my heart becomes a chaotic mess. “Haa… It hurts how much I love him…” Isn’t my boyfriend just a little too wonderful? I always thought Haruto-kun was high-spec, but I never thought I’d be this captivated… “Haruto-kun likes everything about me… Nngh~~…” I repeated his words to myself and writhed in agony, pressing my face into the pillow. What should I do… My feelings for Haruto-kun are just overflowing from the bottom of my heart. If I don’t release this feeling somehow, I… I feel like I’m going to explode… Should I just bury my face in my pillow and scream ‘I love everything about Haruto-kun, too!!’ at the top of my lungs? B-But… if someone heard that, I’d die of embarrassment. Haruto-kun is right in the next room. …That’s right, Haruto-kun is just on the other side of this wall, isn’t he? I stared intently at the wall on the side where Ryōta’s room is. A ridiculous thought popped into the corner of my mind: I wonder if I could suddenly awaken a clairvoyant ability? “Haa… I wonder if Saki is still awake?” For now, I took out my phone and sent a message to my best friend. —You awake? —Sleeping I sent Saki a message and got a reply almost immediately.
Along with the message came a sticker of a rabbit sleeping soundly with its mouth wide open. At Saki’s typical reply, I chuckled and made a call. After just a few rings, Saki answered. —“What’s up?” “Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you to distract myself a bit.” —“Hm? Distract yourself from what?” To Saki’s question, I told her that Haruto-kun was staying over at my house right now and about what had just happened. —“Whoa, whoa, that’s some seriously sweet stuff. I just brushed my teeth before bed, and now I have to do it again.” “Sorry. But if I didn’t, I felt like I was going to explode.” —“Explode…” I could hear Saki’s exasperated voice from the other side of the phone. —“By the way, you had a meeting between the Ōtsuki and Tōjō families today, right? How did it go?” “Well, you see–” I explained to Saki what my life with Haruto-kun would be like from now on. —“Heeh~ So from now on, on Friday nights and stuff, you’ll be able to stay up late, being all lovey-dovey with Ōtsuki-kun, huh?” “W-Well, I don’t know about that yet… but, I think I’d like to sit next to him on the sofa and watch movies or dramas.” —“Nice~. And you’ll share snacks, right?” “I’ll get fat if I’m not careful. But that’s very tempting…” Watching a romance drama with Haruto-kun, maybe nibbling on some chocolate snacks. And then, when we reach for a snack, our hands might touch? Then we’d gaze into each other’s eyes? And maybe even kiss!? UUgh~~ That’s too happy… “Fufu, fufufu…” —“Hey~, Ayaka-san. I don’t know what kind of fantasy you’re having, but you’re letting out a creepy laugh that would probably make Ōtsuki-kun pull back if he heard it.” “Hau…” When I think about Haruto-kun, I can’t help but lose control of my facial expressions. But, from now on, Haruto-kun’s grandmother, Kiyoko-san, will be around too, so I have to keep a straight face.
I want Kiyoko-san to think of me as a good girlfriend. —“By the way, where are we meeting for the fireworks festival tomorrow?” “Oh, right. How about just in front of the station?” Tomorrow, I’m planning to go see the fireworks festival with Haruto-kun. But if people from school see us together, it’ll be a huge problem. So, as a camouflage, I’ll go to the festival venue with Saki, and Haruto-kun will go with Akagi-kun. Then, we’ll pretend to run into each other there by chance. —“Alright, so in the evening at the plaza in front of the station, sound good?” “Yeah, yeah. You’re wearing a yukata, right, Saki?” —“That’s the plan.” “I’m looking forward to seeing you in a yukata~” —“Oh? Flirting with me even though Ōtsuki-kun is here?” At my best friend’s teasing, I imagined what Haruto-kun would be wearing tomorrow. “I wonder if Haruto-kun will wear a jinbei tomorrow?” TL/N: A “jinbei” is a traditional Japanese summer outfit, typically worn by men and boys. It consists of a lightweight short-sleeved top and matching shorts. —“You want to see Ōtsuki-kun in a jinbei?” “I do want to see it. I think he’d look absolutely cool!” Haruto-kun is quite muscular, and even though he looks slim, he has a solid build, so a jinbei would suit him perfectly. I might get a glimpse of his forearms, or his neck, or, oh, and… his chest, too… —“Then why don’t you just ask him directly tomorrow morning, ‘Wear a jinbei, okay’?” “But, that feels like I’m forcing him, and it’s a bit…” There’s a chance Haruto-kun might not like jinbei. In that case, I’d be making him do something he doesn’t want to. —“You’re overthinking it. You’re his girlfriend, so you should just cutely say, ‘Let’s go around the food stalls together in yukata and jinbei!’” “You think so? Is it okay to say that?” —“It’s fine. Just say it.” At Saki’s words, I nodded my head over and over. “Then, I’ll ask Haruto-kun tomorrow morning.” —“Yeah, yeah. So, how’s it going? Did talking to me help distract you? Is the explosion likely to be averted?”
“Ah, yeah. Thanks, Saki.” Until a little while ago, my feelings for Haruto-kun were building up so much it was painful, but now, thanks to talking to Saki about tomorrow, my mind is focused on the fireworks festival. —“Well then, I’m going to sleep now, okay?” “Yeah, goodnight, Saki.” —“G’night~” I heard Saki’s yawn-filled voice over the phone before ending the call. I lay down on my bed and looked up at the ceiling. “Tomorrow is the fireworks festival with Haruto-kun. I’m so looking forward to it.” Watching the huge fireworks side by side with the boyfriend I’d always dreamed of. I’ll get to see them with the Haruto-kun that I love so much. Imagining that, I naturally smiled and closed my eyelids, enveloped in a feeling of happiness.