Dating Story Volume 4 Chapter 1

Chapter 1

 

On a Sunday in late November, when the weather was getting colder, I went to a family restaurant in Shinagawa.

I was sitting at a four-seater table, and next to me was Luna. Then Yamana-san and Sekiya-san were sitting across from me.

Yes, in other words, we were on a double date.

“Ahh~, I'm really looking forward to the dolphin show~!”

Luna eagerly ate the chocolate sundae for dessert. She was wearing a long-sleeved knit dress model with the usual fall or winter specifications that showed off her shoulders, with cute moe sleeves.

The four of us were planning to visit the nearby aquarium. We ate lunch to adjust our schedule so that we could enter the aquarium in time for the afternoon dolphin show.

“Dolphins can jump high even though they're fish, right? Isn't that great?”

“Huh? N-No, dolphins aren't fish, they're mammals, you know.”

I gently corrected Luna, who was too excited.

“Really? Well, are there any sea animals that aren't fish?”

“Yes... for example, there are crabs and starfish, right?”

“I already knew that~! But you know, dolphins look a lot like fish, right? Aren't they a group of fish? Why aren't they fish?”

I kind of understood what Luna was talking about, but since I wasn't a deep biologist, I couldn't talk about it technically and could only laugh ironically.

“So what are mammals called? I think I learned it in biology class, but I forgot.”

“Um, basically, a mammal is a creature that is born directly from its mother's womb, not hatched from an egg...”

“So?”

“Um, the rest... well, um...”

“Creatures that breathe through the lungs.”

Then Sekiya-san suddenly answered in from the other side of the seat.

“That's why they swim near the surface of the water to breathe, so they don't drown.”

“So that's why they jump?”

“No, it's too inefficient if they have to jump every time they want to breathe. Dolphins jump for other reasons, like to attract females, or to throw feces, and all sorts of other reasons.”

““Hee~””

Luna and I were impressed by this explanation.

“Do you like dolphins, Sekiya-san?”

“Instead of saying whether I like them or not, to be more precise, I chose the biology department in the university entrance exam."

So that's how it was. People who take the college entrance exam are different from others.

Then there was a person who really respected and admired such a Sekiya-san.

“Senpai, you're so amazing...!”

That person was none other than Yamana-san. From the other side of Luna, she had been giving Sekiya-san a melting look for a moment.

“...Lu-Luna. Are we really not bothering them?”

Yamana-san had just been staring at Sekiya-san. Her cheeks looked flushed and her eyes looked wet.

“Don't worry, really. After all, the person who asked me to go on a double date was Nikoru herself, you know?”

I asked in a whisper and Luna answered in a hushed tone as well.

“Bu-But, isn't this the first time they met since then?”

It had been almost two weeks since the school festival day, but Sekiya-san was busy with his tutoring, and Yamana-san was busy with her part-time job, so this was their first real date. As a beginner to double dating. I was a little nervous about having a stranger on such an important date.

“You don't have to worry about anything. Nikoru and I have always talked about double dating when we both have boyfriends. Especially if Sekiya-san is Ryuuto's friend, it would definitely be a lot more fun, we talked about it happily on the phone yesterday.”

“I-I see...”

However, wouldn't it be better to do it later... but I don't think I need to say that. Because it seemed like Yamana-san didn't have time to notice our existence right now.

“Aahh~!”

At that moment, Yamana-san raised her voice. Her voice sounded flirtatious, which was very different from her voice.

“What's wrong?”

Sekiya-san asked as Yamana-san pointed to the area around her knee.

“I dropped my ice cream...”

Yamana-san was eating the same chocolate sundae as Luna. It seemed that the melted ice cream slipped off the spoon as it was brought to her mouth.

“Uwahhh, hurry up and clean it up. It'll get on your shirt.”

“But my hands are all sticky, if Senpai willing to wipe them for me~”

“No, what are you talking about...”

Then Sekiya-san looked at me and our eyes almost met, but I quickly looked away while pretending not to see him.

“Really...”

Sekiya-san then took a used towel from the table and wiped the area around Yamana-san's knees.

Although it was hard to see from where she was sitting, Yamana-san was wearing long boots and a miniskirt today. I think the ice that fell earlier stuck to the sensitive area... In other words, the thigh area of the smooth bare legs, a very stimulating zone for any man.

If Luna had asked me to do the same thing, I don't think I would have been able to keep my composure. Sekiya-san is really amazing.

“Hyan!”

Yamana-san let out another cute cry. Yamana-san looked up at Sekiya-san with a pitiful expression and very red cheeks.

“Wh-What? What's wrong with you?”

“Senpai, it’s ticklish...”

“You asked me to wipe it, so I really did! Don't make any weird noises!”

Even Sekiya-san couldn't hide his nervousness when the situation was at this level. His voice sounded hoarse and his face looked flushed as well.

“Fufufu.”

Seeing the behavior of the two of them, Luna, who was standing next to me, smiled happily.

“It's like they're too wrapped up in their own world, right?”

Luna, who was whispering to me as she leaned back, looked at me with the eyes of a naughty child.

“How about we act lovey-dovey too without all the embarrassment?”

After saying that, she placed her own hand on top of mine on the sofa.

“Ehh......!?”

I felt uncomfortable doing this in front of Sekiya-san and Yamana-san... but the two people across from me seemed to be busy with their own world, so I looked at Luna with my heart pounding.

“...Yo-You're right.”

I nodded awkwardly, and Luna responded with a happy smile.

“Hooray~! I love you so much, Ryuuto!”

My heart raced erratically for a while, accompanied by Luna's wide smile that resembled an out-of-season sunflower.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

After leaving the family restaurant, the four of us went straight to the aquarium.

The Jellyfish Floor, which appears immediately upon entering the building, is a romantic space where an illuminated aquarium glows fantastically in the dark room. When I saw the blue and purple glowing jellyfish holding hands with Luna, I felt like I was actually on a date, and I was both excited and nervous.

“Woahhhh, it’s so beautiful~! They're floating!”

Luna's cute look fixated on the jellyfish made my heart skip a beat as she was mesmerized by it.

I looked to the side and saw Sekiya-san with Yamana-san in front of another aquarium tank. Yamana-san wrapped her arm around Sekiya-san's arm... and made close contact with him as if she was trying to press her chest against Sekiya-san's arm.

“Mouu, Senpai sheeesh~”

Even though Sekiya-san's voice could not be heard by us, Yamana-san's voice was full of excitement. Yamana-san's chest was pressed against Sekiya-san's arm.

“...Oh...”

If Luna did something like that to me, I wouldn't be able to stay sane. I really respect Sekiya-san, who is looking at the aquarium with a calm face.

“...Somehow, I never get tired of looking at it~”

I was surprised by Luna's words.

“T-That's right.”

I hardly saw any jellyfish, so I hastily shifted my gaze to the aquarium in front of me.

“Hey, are jellyfish include the fish-type too?”

Luna asked me and I thought about it.

“Eh? I don't think so...”

“What then?”

“Eh? Um...”

I want to answer as coolly as Sekiya-san, but if I pretend to be a know-it-all and say nonsense, I will only look like a liar.

“...I wonder what ......”

I can only mumble so.

“Right~, what is it~?”

Luna didn't seem dissatisfied with my answer and tilted her head curiously.

I wanted to make up for it, so I turned around and tried to rack my brain for jellyfish trivia. This gave me the mysterious decision that if I searched for it on my smartphone, I would lose.

“Oh yeah, by the way, I saw it on a TV show...”

I finally managed to remember something and shyly showed Luna my search results.

“They say that jellyfish can't swim, you know.”

“Eh, really!?”

Luna shouted in disbelief and my shallow intelligence made me nervous.

“Eh wait, then what is this?”

Luna pointed at the jellyfish that seemed to be ‘swimming’ in the tank.

“They're just floating in the water.”

“Eh!?”

“So when the water flow stops completely, they all drown...”

“Is that so...”

Luna seemed really surprised.

“....I thought it was something completely different. I thought jellyfish were free to swim as they pleased.”

As she said this, she looked down at the tank.

“I thought it was different, but it turns out they live with the current, huh...”

“Disappointed?”

At the thought that I might have taught her something unnecessary, Luna shook her head slightly.

“No. ....it's just, I feel a little familiar”

“Familiar?”

Does that mean Luna herself is ‘going with the flow’ too?

By the way, I remember...

—— Akari is a very interesting person. She has her own way and keeps moving forward.

The day after playing Savage, Luna looked at the back of Tanikita's leaving figure with admiration.

Living freely without being influenced by others.

It seemed that Luna thought she couldn't live like that.

—— I always thought that I wanted to be free.

I don't really understand the meaning of that word. Only the lonely face she showed after that is still deeply engraved in my heart.

—— I always want to go home. With Dad, Mom, Onee-chan and... Maria, I always wanted to go back to the house where we lived together.

I don't know why she thought that, but it seems .... the reason she feels ‘not free’ is because of family problems.

I want to help her.

If I could set her free.

But I don't know what to do.

What a frustration... even though I'm her boyfriend.

“...Ryuuto?”

When Luna spoke to me, I jumped in shock.

“What's wrong with you? Your face looks so serious.”

“N-No, it's nothing... I'm still thinking that if jellyfish aren't fish, then what is this?”

“Ehh, you're still thinking about that? Thank you!”

Luna's face lit up when she heard my bitter attempt.

“Wait, I'll look for it now!... Ehh? What's that? Cnidaria phylum animals? That's what it says!”

Luna frowned as she looked at her smartphone.

“What is the animal phylum? Pokemon's friend? So ridiculous~"

Luna, laughing innocently, is a cheerful girlfriend as usual.

“It means 'animal kingdom'. It's a class of biological classification.”

At that time, Sekiya-san came up to us and said. Of course, Yamana-san was still holding his arm.

“How long are you going to waste time on jellyfish? Let's go, Baka couple!”

“Bakacouple...!?”

“Well, I don’t want to called that from you!”

Luna raised her voice in protest as she blushed at the two people who were walking close together.

Yamana-san, who was laughing at Luna, blushed just like the two of us and looked happy from the bottom of her heart.

“.... I still can't believe it. I didn't think the wild Yamana-san would become like this...”

I muttered to myself as I walked around the aquarium building.

“Nikoru, when it comes to Senpai, always turns into a maiden in love. It's always been like that.”

“I-I see...”

It was hard to believe that she was the same person as the girl who beat up twenty delinquents on the banks of the Arakawa River.

“...But still, didn't Yamana-san look amazing today?”

There happened to be a couple on the top step that Sekiya-san and Yamana-san climbed, so I was amazed at their appearance.

Long boots with sharp heels reminiscent of a queen. The denim miniskirt was severely damaged, as if it had been torn apart, revealing a glimpse of her bare thighs all the way to the top. The blouse is off the shoulder and wide open at the bust, exposing the black bra-like fabric, including the cleavage. When my girlfriend wears it, it's a fashion that makes it hard for me to look in the right direction.

I thought I'd gotten used to gal girl fashion thanks to Luna, but the level of enthusiasm made me look twice.

“Fufu, that's because Nikoru wants to do it tonight.”

Luna answered, laughing at my question.

“Eh? That means ‘to do’...”

"What else could it be if not that? That's why she took time off from her part-time job.”

“…………”

So that's what it looks like....... In other words, she wanted to spend the night with Sekiya-san and implied that she didn't mind, was that her intention?

“…Huh? But Sekiya-san, he said himself that he would go to the study room after the date, you know?”

“Eh, seriously? Is he still studying on a day like this?”

“Because he's a test taker. Unlike me, who still has more than a year to go, that person's entrance exam starts at the beginning of the year.”

"Is that so... what a pity, Nikoru.”

Luna sighed as if she was the one who felt responsible.

“Nikoru has been trying very hard to control herself for the last two weeks. She tries not to send him LINE messages so she doesn't interfere with Senpai's studies and she waits in front of the station after her part-time job so she can see Senpai as soon as he gets home from his cram school.”

“The timing of their courtship really wasn't right... because now is the most important time for the exams. Since Sekiya-san studies for about 13 hours a day, he doesn't have much time.”

“No way!? Wait a minute, there are 24 hours in a day... so he studies for more than half of it! Impossible! Impossible! If that were me, my head would be over!”

Luna's face immediately turned pale and she waved her hand in an ‘X’ shape as she shouted.

"That’s bad... It's better to rest once in a while, huh! So today is that day, huh!”

Apparently, Luna wants to support her best friend no matter what.

“Correct.”

I agreed with her as well, while thinking that she looks really cute and adorable.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

Dolphin shows are held several times a day in a large open area with stairs leading through the first and second floors. Even though there was still more than twenty minutes before the start of the next performance, the stands were already filled with several people.

“Uwaahh, looks like we're late! I didn’t expect this show is so popular!?”

“Ah, but it looks like the seat in front is still empty~!”

“That's right~!”

“Huh, hasn't there been a scent similar to caramel popcorn?”

“Oh, someone is eating it though~ Look’s that! Its so yummy~”

“It looks delicious!”

Luna and Yamana-san walked towards the front seats while chatting about whatever they wanted. As I followed them, I started to notice something.

“...Could it be that the front seats will get really wet?”

If you look closely, the seats up to the fourth row up front are soaked to the floor, perhaps traces from the previous show. The other customers seemed to have noticed this, and those seated at the front were already wearing what looked like transparent raincoats.

“But well, there aren't any empty seats in the back... I'll buy as many people as I can use later.”

Sekiya-san said and went to the top stall alone. The three of us then chose a seat and tried to sit down.

“That’s right, while it's here, how about sitting in the front seat?”

“Huh, seriously!? It's scary you know!”

Luna raised her voice in joy when Yamana-san asked her.

“Maybe we get one chance to touch a dolphin, you know?”

“Eh, that must be impossible, right!?”

“Not really, it’s definitely possible.”

The girls looked overjoyed and took their seats in the first row, and I was drenched for sure.

“Uwahh, they seriously want to sit in the first row!?”

Then, Sekiya-san who came back after buying four raincoats for us, gave a surprised voice.

“Ah Senpai, is that popcorn!?”

Sekiya-san was carrying two popcorns in his hands in addition to a raincoat.

“Didn't you say you wanted too. Here.”

“Eh, did I get bought too?”

After receiving the popcorn with Yamana-san, Luna looked reluctant and confused.

“Ah, I already got the money from Ryuuto. So you can thank your boyfriend.”

“Huh?”

When I looked at Sekiya-san after being told something I couldn't remember, he blinked his eyes on me and I thought, “So that's what it means.”

I'll pay for the popcorn later so I don't forget.

“Is that so!? Thank you, Ryuuto! Let's eat together!”

Luna looked very happy and we then sat down again.

“Senpai, thank you~!”

Yamana-san also happily brought popcorn into her mouth.

“Thank God we have good boyfriends, right.”

“Ufufu, right~!”

Luna answered her while laughing shyly.

“…………”

Somehow, this kind of thing really feels like a double date.

It still doesn't feel real to someone like me, a shy guy who only enjoys watching live-streamed video games, being able to go on “double dates” with people as cool as them….. there's this strange sensation that tickles and warms my heart a bit.

The four of us sat side by side to watch the dolphin show.

The splashing water that I had anticipated to some extent, exceeded my expectations.

“Kyaaaaaa!”

“It's bad, it's bad, it's really bad!”

The girls screamed as the dolphins came in front of them and jumped high on their tail fins. I can't complain because I sat in the first row, but my face got really wet from the splash. If I had not worn a raincoat, my body would have been drenched.

As expected from a renowned aquarium, the show was packed with highlights, where the awe-inspiring dolphin jumps were combined with music and water effects, keeping the audience entertained until the very end.

“There's quite a bit of splash, huh. Are you alright?”

“Yes! I'm glad I finished the rest of the popcorn earlier.”

I was about to stand up from my seat while talking to Luna.

“Ahhh~ I'm getting drenched like this.”

Yamana-san who was sitting next to Luna, let out a coquettish voice while taking off her raincoat.

“Ehh, watch out, Nikoru!”

Luna looked at Yamana-san with a surprised face. I also couldn't believe the scene that was happening before my eyes.

Yamana-san was drenched on her upper body. Her wet blouse clung to her body, exposing her skin, and her curves were clearly visible. The wet clothes clinging to her looked even more er*tic than her swimsuit, even though she was wearing a s*xy outfit with fully exposed shoulders and cleavage.

“Wai—, why did you get drenched like that!? Even though you're already wearing a raincoat, right!?”

Sekiya-san also looked surprised.

“It was getting hot after all, so I opened up the front...”

Yamana stroked her wet blouse and shrugged with a cold shudder.

“Sheeshh, to get soaked like this~... I wonder if I can dry it somewhere...?”

Yamana-san who has rosy cheeks and looks up at Sekiya-san, looks very cute and s*xy from my point of view. If Luna told me something like this... If it was me, my lower half would stiffen up hard.

“Ahh, it's already this time! I think it's time to disperse!”

Luna then looked at her cellphone as if she just remembered something and made a suggestion. She probably thought she wanted to help her best friend.

The four of us left the aquarium and walked towards the station.

“Nee~ nee~ Ryuuto. What do you think Nikoru and the others will do after this?”

“Uh, hmmm...”

To be honest, if I were Sekiya-san, I'd go to a place where we can be alone. If she gave the code so blatantly like that, not even a boy would be able to refuse her.

But Sekiya-san is a ronin after all. Right now was the most important time for him, and he said that he would go to the self-study room after the date… at that thought, I actually reached the station.

“Ryuuto.”

Sekiya-san who had been walking behind me, suddenly called out to me and I turned to face him.

“Yes?”

Sekiya approached me a little and said to me when I stopped.

“We will split up here.”

“Eh? Ah...”

I can already guess.

From Sekiya-san's serious look that looked a little angry, showing that he couldn't hold it anymore.

Yamana-san who was next to him was wearing the jacket like blouse she was wearing just a moment ago, and lowered her head with a red face.

“...O-Okay, I understand...”

Her intentions were so obvious that they made me blush too.

So apparently. The two of them will do so from now on huh...

...... Ahh, I’m really envy.

“See you tomorrow, Nikoru.”

“Yes.”

Luna and Yamana-san said goodbye for a bit and we then parted ways with them.

“... She make it through huh, Nikoru.”

When the two of us started walking towards the station again, Luna grabbed my arm with both her hands and muttered happily.

“They want doing that, right?”

“Well, maybe...”

Even a virgin like myself could understand it. Judging from the atmosphere, maybe that's what it means.

“Where do you think they're going, huh? Nikoru's house... must be difficult because they have to take the train first with wet clothes, or maybe it's safer to go to Shibuya? Is there any near here, huh?”

What? Or so I thought, but I quickly realized Luna was referring to a love hotel.

“…………”

At times like these, I feel a little pressured when I remember that Luna is an ‘experienced’ girl.

It's safer to Shibuya ……. It's safer... In other words, Luna might have been to the hotel in Shibuya.

From then on, the words “Safer in Shibuya” kept spinning around in my head, and I tried my best not to think about anything else, crushing my wandering fantasies about her past one by one like beating up a mole.

It's been five months since I started dating Luna, and I continue to be the current record holder for the longest time among her ex-boyfriends. Along with that, I gained a lot of trust as Luna's boyfriend. I'm no longer stuck with feeling inferior like I used to be.

But if there's one thing that makes me feel bad about ex-boyfriends, it's that.... I “haven't done it” with Luna.

“Ryuuto~♡”

Luna rested her face on my shoulder as she walked. The warmth of her hand holding mine gives a pleasant sensation and calms the mind.

Luna often does skinship. Even so, I still sometimes feel uneasy because she still hasn't said ‘want’ to do that.

But maybe the time is not far off, right? It's just a month away from Christmas, and it's a great opportunity to experience firsts.

“...Nee, Ryuuto?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Luna spoke to me on the train and I turned to her.

Luna put on a slightly dissatisfied face.

“Ryuuto always thinks of something when he's with me, right?”

“Oh sorry...”

“It's fine, really. I think that's the good side of you, Ryuuto. But if what you're thinking is about me, I want you to tell me at that very moment… that's what I'm thinking.”

Luna's face showed a lonely expression as she said that, which made my heart ache a little.

“We're both completely different, aren't we? That's why we sometimes misunderstand each other like the other day… I think it's better if we should tell each other what we think so that the same thing doesn't happen again.”

When Luna told me that, I was reminded about what happened during the recent culture festival.

“I guess that's true too……”

“Having a relationship that can be understood without saying anything is ideal, but I thought that kind of people weren't like that at first either. Because there is no such thing as two people who are exactly the same.”

Luna kept talking while looking down.

“After spending time together for a long time, both sides can gradually understand each other… apparently a relationship can develop like that huh, that's what I thought.”

“Yes…”

Then Luna raised her head.

“I want to become like that with Ryuuto as soon as possible. So... let's chat as much as possible, okay?”

She looked at me with those big sparkling eyes, and I nodded back.

“Okay, I understand.”

However, there's no way I can tell Luna that I want to sleep with her as soon as possible.

“... I was thinking... what to do for Christmas later...”

When I said it in such a long-winded manner, Luna looked taken aback.

“Ah, Christmas! That's right, it's already next month, huh~.”

And then she smiled shyly

“I thought about it too... Ryuuto, do you want to come over to my house?”

“Eh!?”

Because I was so surprised, I accidentally let out a loud scream that made the people near us turn around.

I haven't been to Luna's house since the day I confessed to her and started dating... that moment where she suddenly says “Would you like to take a shower first?”. As long as I can only wait for her to say she wants to do that, how can I tell her that I want to go to her room after all that happened, luckily Luna quite likes my family and my house (By the way, my mom also likes Luna), so she's used to coming to my house when we had a study session together.

“I-Is that okay?”

Luna smiled and nodded at me who asked timidly.

“Yes. I'll do my best to make Christmas treats, so let's eat them together! I think it's time to introduce Ryuuto to my father.”

“Ah… I-I see.”

My heart was pounding from assuming that her family wasn't home, but that's what she meant, huh. Even though I feel a bit disappointed, but if I go to visit her house, I might have a chance to be alone in Luna's room…. maybe not to the extent of having s*x anyway, but we might at least be able to make out if the atmosphere is favorable.

That kind of thought made me snort again.

While I was doing that, Luna looked off into the distance with a gentle smile on her face.

“... If I can spend time with Ryuuto, I might not feel lonely this Christmas.”

“Eh...?”

“Because I used to always spend Christmas with my family... so I can't help but remember it when this season comes.”

I felt confused, but Luna told me with a smile on her face.

“There was Santa-san who came to our house and gave us presents. I'm very happy about that.”

“He-Hehh, amazing...”

Did they ask for that kind of service? As I was impressed with the detailed Shirakawa family…. Luna suddenly chuckled.

“Even though it's Dad who becomes Santa-san. When I was a kid, I half believed it. My mom then said, 'Santa-san who came over looks exactly like daddy at home, you know.'”

“I see...”

“But one day I started to realize something. The pattern of the socks Santa is wearing is the same as the socks dad is wearing. When I went to the zoo with mom, I chose those panda print socks as a souvenir for myself and Maria. It even has the same fade spots where the color has faded from the wash.”

“That's it…. It's been obvious."

“Right~. But I was a little happy when I found out that it was dad who became Santa.”

Luna said with a laugh, then her gaze shifted to the distance again.

The Sunday afternoon train was quite bustling with people returning home from their holidays, and the cheerful atmosphere was a stark contrast to the always-dark outside.

“At that time, I still loved my dad... even now, I don't hate him, though."

The mixed emotions were predictable given the circumstances.

Her father, whom she loved so much, betrayed her mother and had an affair with another woman. That's what tore her family apart. How could she not harbor mixed feelings.

“I really want to make up with Maria before Christmas, but I think it will be difficult…. After all, the school festival is over.”

“You still want…. proceed with the friendship plan?”

When I hesitated to ask, Luna nodded deeply.

“Yes. I want my relationship with Maria to return to normal as soon as possible.”

“Oh, I see…”

Even though I have mixed feelings towards Kurose-san, I can only say that and look down.

Kurose-san... Luna's twin sister and the girl who became my first love. The girl who once rejected me, but now... she has feelings for me.

If Luna's “friendship plan” is going to go ahead… that means I have to help her, but if I do that, I'll have lots of opportunities to interact with Kurose-san in the future.

“But, fufufu...”

When I heard the sound of her laughter and saw Luna, she had a satisfied smile on her face.

“I feel very happy for Nikoru. I'm sure that right now she's just… like that, right!?”

“Ah… Ahh~, that's right.”

When imagining Yamana-san and Sekiya-san, my imagination ran wild and at the same time, I felt really jealous.

“…Oh, that’s right!”

I just remembered now.

“What's wrong, Ryuuto?”

“No, it's nothing.”

I forgot to give her Luna's share of popcorn money.

...... Well, maybe I can hand it over the next time we meet. Maybe I'll see him tomorrow.

Since he was at the peak of his happiness, Sekiya-san also probably forgot that I haven't reimbursed his popcorn money.

With that in mind, I didn't contact him at all.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

However.

The next day on Monday, Yamana-san arrived at school at the last minute before the bell rang. Her face was a mess and her eyes were swollen with tears so anyone who saw her could tell right away.

“What’s wrong, Nikoru!? You didn't read my LINE at all, so I was really worried you know!?”

During recess, Luna immediately rushed over to Yamana-san's seat.

Yamana-san who was lying listlessly on her desk with her arms drooping, started to glumly open her mouth.

“...I was rejected.”

“Eh!?”

I overheard because my seat was quite close, and when I heard about it, I involuntarily got up from my seat.

“There’s no way!? How come? Why!?”

Upon hearing the unexpected comment from her best friend, Luna looked angry and her tone grew louder.

“Does that mean he's only after Nikoru's body!? After he was done with you, he dumped you right away!?”

While the classmates around me also noticed “What? What's all the commotion?”, I stood near Luna while mingling with the others to hear what they were talking about.

“... No. I haven't done it yet.”

Yamana-san didn't seem to have the energy to get up and answered in the same manner.

“After that, he told me at the station, 'For the time being, let's keep our distance for a bit'...”

“Why!?”

“He said, 'I want to focus on my exams first' ...”

“What about your clothes!? You're pretty drenched aren't you!"

“Senpai bought me some clothes at the Uniqlo store near the station, I then changed and went home…”

“…………”

Luna was stunned for a moment as points of anger were broken one after another.

“...B-But, it’s doesn't mean you are ‘rejected’, right? You're just keeping your distance for a bit, right?”

“…Yeah… but that still looks like a rejection….Senpai said this ‘I won't contact you anymore, and even if you contact me, I won't reply, you can forget about me too’.”

“Wh-Why is he saying such selfish things!?”

Luna was trembling with anger, but Yamana-san, whose eyes were red, was in a daze.

“... Was it because I was too aggressive, so maybe he was mad at me? Maybe Senpai prefers the innocent and innocent type of girl, so he distanced himself...”

“How could it be ...!”

“I think he's just using ‘I want to focus on my exams first' as an excuse and just wants to get away from me...”

Perhaps that was the conclusion she had come to after asking herself dozens of times last night without being able to sleep.

“That's the only possibility I can think of...”

Yamana-san muttered weakly with a blank look.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

“I've heard about it you know, Sekiya-san. Why would you say such a thing to Yamana-san...”

After school that day, I immediately opened up a conversation with Sekiya-san, who met me in the waiting room of the cram school as usual.

At first glance, Sekiya-san's appearance looked the same as usual. However, upon taking a closer look, his face revealed the color of quite severe exhaustion.

Maybe Sekiya-san was also unable to sleep as well.

“You ask why... you can see for yourself, right? Her condition yesterday. All she could think about was trying to f*ck with me.”

 

You want to show off about that, huh!! Let's try it again~~~!!

 

I swallowed back the envious words and opened my mouth to give my opinion quietly.

“...Isn't that something you hoped for? After all, Yamana-san is Sekiya-san's girlfriend.”

“Under normal circumstances, that's how it is. But you know my situation now.”

“Well, yeah……”

Most likely he was talking about his life as a ronin and about to take the entrance exam.

“It's also easy to predict. Once we started having s*x, we would probably go to each other's houses or hotels whenever we had free time, and the mating monkey-like routine would continue for about three months. By the time I regained consciousness as a human being, I had already passed my test. In many ways.”

“Haa…”

For me who have never experienced it, this story is as unrealistic as the Dragon Palace in The Legend of Urashima Taro.

“You guys were like that in the beginning, right? Ah, you guys have been together for a long time, huh?”

“Eh? N-No, why...”

Because the subject of his conversation suddenly turned to me, and I panicked at my inexperience.

“It feels like your relationship is calmer. There's a cool, calm feeling to it.”

“No, um, that... we've been going out for about 5 months now.”

“Hmm. So that's why you seem calm already? Shirakawa-san was your first girlfriend, right? In the past, when I got my first girlfriend, I actually acted like a greedy monkey for about half a year.”

“That's... umm...”

No, this can't be covered...

When I think than.

“...Hmmm... I see?”

Sekiya-san grinned as if he understood something right away.

“Well, she is the first girlfriend, after all. Was it out of pure love?”

“N-No, that’s not ...”

Just because it turned out that way doesn't mean that a platonic relationship was my intention.

“...Forgive me who is still a virgin...”

Sekiya-san laughed at me as I lowered my head, not in a joking sense.

“Well, I guess it's okay anyway, sincere and pure love. Me and Yamana... at least until the end of the exam, I'd be happy if I could do that...”

I feel doubt towards Sekiya-san, who has a distant look on his face.

“Why don't you just tell Yamana-san about that?”

“How could I? Even in the past two weeks, we haven't seen much of each other, we don't call each other very often, and I've caused her a lot of trouble. As a result, she gets out of control when we go out on date, right? We met again dramatically at the festival and got carried away, we ended up dating, but that's impossible in my current situation anyway.”

“B-But, if the two of you talk about it properly, even Yamana-san can understand Sekiya-san's current situation and is willing to wait for you...”

“You mean let her wait until March when all the exams are over? Even though that's still four months away?”

“Couldn't she wait? For the past three years, she has been thinking about the reason why Sekiya-san breaking up with her...”

“That doesn't mean I asked her to 'wait' for me, does it? That is very different from being in a relationship and making her wait.”

Sekiya-san said in a curt tone while turning his head away.

“I only realized that after I graduated from high school. The time in high school is different from the years after. This time is really precious and special. If someone had four months, they could be a completely different person. Don't you agree?”

“Eh….?”

I remember myself when it was four months ago. Coincidentally, it was only about a month since I was dating Luna. It was a time I never for a moment imagined the turbulent summer events that would follow.

And if you add four more months, I'm just a member of KEN Kids and an introverted guy who can't even dream of going out with Shirakawa-san, a girl I admire.

In fact, four months is not a short time.

“I can't bear to waste those four months on me, who can't do anything. She's a very good girl and I don't want to take away her right to enjoy her youth freely with other people.”

Sekiya-san mumbled and sighed deeply. His expression looked irritated about something.

“I really don't have time to relax. I was too busy taking care of my own business, so it was so hard to realize that someone was waiting for me... and I thought I couldn't stand it. I just got the test results for the entrance exam back, and my first choice university got a D again this time. ...”

So that's the cause of your irritation, huh?

I wonder what kind of university Sekiya-san wants to get into, where even studying so hard is still out of reach.... When I thought of that, I became quite curious.

“By the way, which university are you going to, Sekiya-san?”

When I asked, Sekiya-san turned to the side with a reluctant expression.

“To be honest, anywhere is fine. As long as I can get into the medical department.”

 

Huh?

 

“Medical department!? You want to be a doctor!?”

Sekiya-san looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“You're really not interested in me, huh... Even though I'm always opening textbooks for medical courses, you know.”

“............”

Even though I said that, it never crossed my mind. I guess I didn't pay much attention to it.

“Medical department, huh...”

I have an idea that people with such aspirations go to special tutoring schools, but the K Cram School also has courses to enter the medical faculty, so it's not surprising that there are candidates listed.

“It's not a goal that someone who failed three years of high school can achieve with just one year of college. Nevertheless, I don't want to burden my parents any more... I really want to be accepted next year.”

“To achieve that... you have no choice but to keep your distance from Yamana-san?”

Sekiya-san gave me a small nod as I reluctantly said this.

“...with my relationship with her and my situation right now, I have no choice but to do so.”

After a few moments of silence, Sekiya-san scratched his head as if he felt hopeless.

“Sh*t, what the h*ll is she?! Why did she want to do it so badly? Even though she is a virgin herself. How many times did she make me bow yesterday?”

If it's impossible to be coded like this, I won't be able to bear it if I go out with her again... Sekiya-san mumbles like a whiner, and finally a feeling of sympathy begins to grow inside of me.

This was a completely different matter than mine, but it must have been a difficult and painful situation for him.

“Isn't that because she really loves you, Sekiya-san...?”

I replied in a comforting way, and for some reason, I was taken aback.

Luna's voice echoed in my head.

—— I love you, Ryuuto!

Luna used to say that to me a lot. I never doubted her words, and I was sure that those were her true intentions.

However.

I've never felt an erotic aura from Luna like I felt from Yamana-san yesterday.

With that in mind, I have to think that Luna's ‘love’ for me is still developing.

Of course, if she asked me to have s*x with her..

““Haa~~ ... ””

The sigh that came from the bottom of my heart happened to be in sync with Sekiya-san.

“... Why are you even joining in all the depression?”

When our eyes met, Sekiya-san gave a playful laugh.

“Then I want to go to the self-study room first. I have to get a B on the next exam so I can be on time.”

He said jokingly and got up from his seat. As soon as I saw him about to leave, I suddenly remembered.

“Oh right, Sekiya-san!”

When I was about to hand over the coin that was in my pocket, Sekiya-san looked at the top of my palm and frowned.

“... What's this? Do you mean to give me a good luck charm?”

“No, this is money to replace popcorn the other day.”

When I said this, Sekiya-san's expression loosened.

“Oh that one… you sure are a meticulous person, aren't you.”

Then he put his hand, which was holding the coin, into his outer pocket.

“Thanks. I'll probably buy some oden or something with this.”

His back figure as he left after saying that, looked smaller than usual.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

Two weeks have passed since then, and the calendar has entered December.

One day in class, the topic of homeroom talk was about ‘grouping for a school trip’ in a tense class because the end of term exam time was getting closer.

We second graders are scheduled to go on a school trip in March. Since the trip is called a “study tour”, each group will use their integrated study time to determine a schedule of free activities and research the history and culture of the places they will visit.

“The number of people in the group should consist of five to seven people, and make sure it has a mixture of men and women. Then, please specify your group members.”

Upon hearing the class leader's words, the other classmates got up from their seats and started to form their own groups.

“Ryuuto!”

Luna called me over. Yamana-san and Tanikita-san were already with her.

“Come with us in a group.”

“Yes, with pleasure.”

Luna and I have been talking about being in the same group for a while.

“What about Ijichi-kun? He still didn't show up at school today, did he?”

“Y-Yes...”

Luna asked me, and I just nodded my head while looking at Tanikita-san.

Since the incident at the school festival, Icchi's health has been deteriorating and he has been taking sick leave from school. He often looks absent-minded when he goes to school, and during lunch, he rarely moves his chopsticks without eating half of what he brought. It seems that Tanikita-san's rejection has caused him a lot of pain.

“Since Kashima-kun is here too, how about we put him in the group just in case?”

“That's right. If he wants to join another group, he can tell me later when he comes to school.”

When I saw Tanikita-san talking to Luna, she didn't seem too tormented by guilt. If it were me, I would feel unbearable, but as expected, she is certainly a lively girl.

“Maria!”

Luna raised her voice again and I steeled myself.

“Come join a group with us!”

When I turned around, I could see the confused Kurose-san being aggressively approached by Luna.

“Y... Yes...”

Kurose-san, who didn't seem to know which group to join and stayed alone, nodded with a stiff expression.

“Hooray~! Then, it's decided~!”

Luna grabbed Kurose-san's hand and approached us, shouting happily. I think the reason she looked so happy was because she wanted to hide her nervousness in her own way.

“This way, if we add Ijichi-kun, our group will be okay, right?”

We nodded in agreement with Luna's words.

“If only Nishina-kun was here, our Savage Squad would be complete.”

“It can't be helped, he's in a different class.”

When Tanikita-san answered like that, I suddenly thought of Nisshi.

Nisshi, he must have had a hard time splitting up the groups in his class... He didn't have any friends in the same class, so he always stopped by my class during recess.

But I don't have time to worry about other people either.

Kurose-san, whose eyes met mine, smiled at me.

“..........”

Unable to say anything, I just showed an ambiguous expression that couldn't be described as a wry or bitter smile.

“From now on, you must discuss with your respective groups and get to work.”

At the class representative's command, we sat close to each other in each group, with our desks close to each other.

“First of all, please decide on the leader and vice leader of each group.”

When the class president finished, Luna immediately raised her hand.

“Me! Me! I want to be the group leader!”

She then turned to Kurose-san who was sitting next to her.

“Then Maria is the vice president, it's okay, right?”

“Eh......!?”

Kurose-san looked stunned and speechless.

This must also be part of Luna's "Friendship Plan". By working with Kurose-san as a group leader and co-leader, she must be trying to shorten the distance between them.

In that case, I should also help Luna... After making up my mind, I looked at Kurose-san.

“Ku-Kurose-san is a conscientious and responsible person.... So I think she is suitable to be the deputy group leader. Even when I worked with her in the festival committee.... She is very capable and helpful.”

Upon hearing what I said, Kurose-san's cheeks turned slightly red.

“Then... well, I'll do it.”

When the group leader and vice leader were decided, our class representative started to speak again.

“To the people who are already group leaders and co-leaders, please gather up front~! From now on, I'm going to explain about the notebooks that we need to prepare before the school trip!”

“Ah, we should gather at the front! Maria, let's go!”

“Huh? Uh, yeah...”

Kurose-san, who looked confused from start to finish, was brought to the front of the class while following Luna's steps.

The only ones left on the table were me, Yamana-san, and Tanikita-san.

“Haaa~...school trip, huh?”

Yamana-san sighed heavily and Tanikita-san looked at her.

“Nikorun, how has your relationship with 'Senpai' been going since then?”

“Absolutely no progress. Where can there be progress? I don't want to be hated by 'Senpai' anymore.”

“Well~ It can't be helped, right? He is busy with his studies.”

“..........”

I met Sekiya-san almost every day at the cram school, and somehow I feel sorry for Yamana-san.

Unlike Icchi, who is still struggling with his broken heart, Yamana-san seems to have recovered a lot.

“Senpai might be unhappy with me... Somehow, Senpai seems to be very popular after entering high school. He must have dated a lot of beautiful people... ... What do you call it when you're dating, guiding? He do it naturally. I was really surprised when I went out with him because he's used to women like he used to be.”

Tanikita-san's face lit up when she heard Yamana-san's words.

“Ehh~ that's really good, you have a good and experienced boyfriend! If I want to date, I want a guy who is used to girls.”

“Uh, seriously?”

“Yes, isn't it later that I will have a fun date~! And I want my boyfriend to guide me in a lot of things.”

“Ehh, it feels like a playboy and makes me worry. Isn't it safer to be with guys who aren't used to girls?”

I was sitting at the table between the two of them and got caught up in the girls' talk, because it didn't seem natural for me to pretend that I wasn't listening, so I at least tried to look good and adopt an attitude of concern.

“... As far as I'm concerned, even a virgin doesn't matter as long as it's Senpai.”

“That's because Nikorun fell in love with 'Senpai' when he was in middle school!”

Tanikita-san quickly replied to Yamana-san who was muttering with a slightly sullen face.

“By the time I entered the 2nd grade of high school, most handsome or cool guys already had girlfriends or a lot of dating experience, right? If you're with an inexperienced guy, you're not interested at all~”

The word “inexperienced” stabbed me in the heart, but I pulled myself together and told myself that I had nothing to worry about, I already had a girlfriend.

“Because being a virgin is proof of being a 'man that no other woman has ever looked at', right? There is no reason for a man to voluntarily keep his virginity. That's why it's not really cool~”

I felt as if a huge spear had been thrust into my chest. The attack was too sudden to dodge.

“Ugh...”

Unconsciously, I let out a strange sound, but I'm fine, I’m fine....

I already have Luna. Luna said she liked me and would go out with me even though I was a virgin, and in time... I should be able to have a loving graduation in the not too distant future.

"”........”

I felt that Yamana-san, who should have heard the details of our relationship from Luna, looked at me with pity, perhaps because she sensed my silence.

“...Sure, a woman's will can be pretty strong, right? It feels like you want things that other people already have or want, you know~”

When Yamana-san said this, Tanikita-san responded by nodding vigorously.

“Really~. Anything someone admires looks good. That's how celebrity brand bags and accessories became popular.”

“Nails are the same way, you know~. There are a lot of girls who want to do it because they see their friends doing it.”

Yamana-san said while looking at her extravagantly decorated fingernails.

“Girls want to eat the same food as their friends, have the same things, and say to each other, 'That's good' or 'That's confusing'. It feels so good to be able to sympathize with other people.”

Then Yamana-san suddenly looked at me, who until then had turned into air.

“Meanwhile, guys are like lone wolves, right? Something called a frontier spirit? They travel in search of unexplored territory and have a strong desire to see what no one else has seen, right?”

“W-Well... I certainly admire it.”

“Special feelings like 'only for me' or 'only I know' make them special? Sense of superiority? Isn't that so important for guys?”

“W-Well, it usually is….”

I think it's a natural desire that everyone has, but maybe most girls think it's not important?

The new perspective is quite refreshing.

“I don't really like to equate ‘because they're boys’ with ‘because they're girls’, but the fact is that they're different, so it can't be helped. But of course there are exceptions.”

“Haa...”

I felt impressed as usual, suddenly feeling curious about something.

“...Ya-Yamana-san has never dated anyone other than Sekiya-san, right? How do you know so much about love matters?”

Yamana-san replied with “Hmmm~” while playing with her hair with her fingertips.

“Hmm, no matter how you look at it, I look more like Big Sister's character, don't I? Since middle school, my friends and junior have always asked me for advice on romance matters.”

Indeed, I also thought she was someone who had a lot of experience in love, until I got to know her personal situation.

“At first, I listened to their stories just for fun, but as I listened to various love stories, I began to understand the difference between love and desire between men and women.:

Since she knew very well how a man wants, so she tried to seduce Sekiya-san, but as a result she was shunned by him, that action was like boomerang for her.

“In that case, the only person who needs to be careful from now on is you, Kashima Ryuuto.”

“Eh!?”

Since my name was suddenly mentioned and reprimanded, I was a bit surprised that I was distracted for a while.

“Because there are a lot of girls who admire Luna. Even beautiful and famous actresses sometimes have scandals because their husbands have an affair, you know? In such cases, the partner who is having an affair usually just wants something like 'I want to have the same expensive bag as the artist I admire.’”

“Wh-What is that…”

“The psychology I just mentioned. That's why guys with charming girlfriends are becoming more popular than their original charms.”

Are guys equated with branded bags…? I think girls are really scary.

“But maybe what I'm saying isn't so wrong. Even if you don't like the guy, sometimes you think, 'If this is the guy she picked, he must be an amazing guy,' and the guy looks 50 percent better.”

“Well, that's it. This is the most dangerous.”

Yamana-san leaned forward in response to Tanikita-san's reply.

“You need to be even more careful, okay?”

She stared intently into my face, and I responded with a bit of panic.

“Eh? Y-Yes...”

“If a girl approaches you in the future, I will emphasize it again, the person she is attracted to is not you, but Luna."

“Ehh~ But there might be a girl who really likes Kashima-kun as her type, right?”

Yamana-san crossed her arms in response to Tanikita-san's words.

“If it was a girl who didn't know Luna at all, then maybe. Unless she's never seen a picture of him or doesn't even know that this guy has a girlfriend.”

“Hmmm~ Then I guess it's impossible for the girls from our school. When I see Kashima-kun, I definitely think of Lunacchi.”

“Shirakawa Luna's boyfriend, right?”

“.........”

After being told to go that far by the two of them, I immediately shut up.

Apparently, Luna had a more charismatic influence on the girls than I had imagined.

“What is it? Could it be that a girl has already tried to get close to you?”

Yamana-san looked at me slightly and I snapped out of my thoughts.

“N-No, nothing really.…”

It was then that Kurose-san approached our table again. She placed the many printed sheets she was carrying on her chest on the table with a thump.

One of the sheets fell to the floor, and when I reached out to pick it up, my hand actually touched the other hand that was picking up the print at almost the same time.

“Ahh, sorry.”

I quickly raised my face and saw Kurose-san's blushing face.

“It's okay, I'm sorry too, okay?”

While gently stroking the back of her hand that was touching mine, Kurose-san placed the printed back on the table.

“Has everyone seen the printout?”

Then Luna came back to our table.

“Not yet. It just arrived after Kurose-san brought it.”

Tanikita-san replied, taking her own share from the pile of prints that seemed to be enough for everyone.

“Uwahh really complicated! Should we do some research and fill in all the blanks~!”

“As long as you can have fun on your trip later, this kind of task won't be a problem, right~!”

Before Tanikita and Yamana could complain, Kurose-san nonchalantly tidied up the printed sheets and shared them with the others.

“Thank you, Maria!”

Luna, who was sitting on the chair, thanked her happily while receiving the printed sheet from her.

“...Ehh, since when did Lunacchi and Kurose-san get along?”

Tanikita-san asked with a puzzled face after seeing the interaction between the two of them.

“During the preparations for the school festival, when Takei-sensei came to help me with the decorations, he complained, 'The pamphlet committee kid is having a hard time~' and was worried if things didn't go well, you know~"

After hearing this, Luna and Kurose-san stopped moving for a moment. Even though they were aware of each other, they didn't look at each other and could only smile bitterly.

“Ehh~ there's no problem like that, really. Even the creation of the pamphlet went smoothly! Isn't that right, Ryuuto?”

“Y-Yes...”

I nodded immediately when Luna asked for my confirmation. Luna's honesty can be seen from her expression, “There's no problem like that, really.”

“Is that so...? In that case, that’s fine.”

However, it seems that Tanikita-san also noticed the awkward atmosphere between Luna and Kurose-san, so the topic ended up being a bit ambiguous.

Yamana-san, who already knew the real relationship between Luna and Kurose-san, was just quietly observing the situation, and I felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, maybe because of the topic we just discussed, and from then on I didn't dare to look at Kurose-san.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

“So, what happened today? For various reasons, I almost died. You already know that, right?”

At the cram school after school that day, after snacking in the lounge as usual, Sekiya-san looked at me with a suspicious look.

“Eh...?”

“There must be something you want to talk about, right? Since then, you have been looking absent-minded. You didn't even take out the garbage right after you ate, as if you wanted to buy time.”

“Ah...”

So Sekiya-san noticed it, huh.

I still can't figure it out myself, so I'm a little confused as to whether or not I can discuss it with him.

“...Um, actually, it's about Kurose-san.”

“Here we go, the 'Kurose-san' problem.”

Sekiya-san leaned against the back of the chair with a stunned expression.

“What's the problem with Kurose-san again?”

“We were in the same group on the school trip.”

“And then?”

“I'm confused, what should I do?”

“Huh?”

Sekiya-san furrowed his brow.

That is true. I know. Even I would react the same way if I heard someone ask me that.

“Is there a problem with that?”

“No... it's just a question of my feelings.”

“A feeling, huh~”

“Because Kurose-san is a kind-hearted girl, too.”

“So do you want to change your girlfriend?”

“No! I never thought about it at all.”

“Then do you want to lose your virginity to Kurose-san before you can sleep with your girlfriend?”

“I-I’m not thinking about that!”

After being told one extreme thing after another, I couldn't help but imagine it, and my face grew hot.

“...I'm starting to see Kurose-san as a woman...Just touching hands makes my heart race...I think that kind of thing is an act of disloyalty to Luna.”

Sekiya-san didn't even try to hide his disappointed face.

“You really are a... virgin, aren't you? Ah, forget it, you are still a virgin. Excuse me.”

I was left alone and thought “Damn it!”, I couldn't even refute it and could only hang my head down.

“If that's the case, there is can’t be helped, because you're a man. When your hands touch, just say you're lucky.”

“Even though I know the girl likes me?”

"No problem. Isn't that a solid experience? This means that you can enjoy the excitement of the early days of a relationship right away, without having to bother with dating, right? As a man, you must want to feel what it's like to be popular, right?”

“B-But I don't want to break up with Luna. I feel sorry for Kurose-san if our relationship gets closer and closer...”

“If that's the case, I don't really care.”

“But then...”

Kurose-san is Luna's younger sister... so I guess...

“Well, you are a serious guy...”

Sekiya-san crossed his arms. Then his expression suddenly changed, as if he was struck by emptiness.

“...And then, are you seriously want to consult with my current situation?”

“Eh?”

“Or maybe you're the kind of person who can casually ask an Indian, 'What do you think is better to eat, steak or sukiyaki?’ ”

“What do you mean...”

Indians... majority are Hindus... In other words, talking about beef to someone who can't eat beef is like asking Sekiya-san for advice when he's already distant from his girlfriend. It's a very long-winded analogy. But I feel like this is really Sekiya-san.

“Listen to this, okay? All friends of the opposite s*x are 'more than friends, but not lovers' as long as your s*xual orientation is normal.”

After being told so bluntly, I thought about it.

“...But there are some girls who can casually talk to the opposite s*x without getting too excited.”

I immediately thought of Yamana-san and Tanikita-san. Even though it's not exactly close, but usually... other people might look at me a little strangely, but I think I can talk to them pretty normally.

“That's because those girls show absolutely no romantic interest in you. I don't know. But just imagine, what if they treated you with great affection?”

“Eh...”

Even though I was a little confused, I tried to do as I was told. As an experiment, I imagined Yamana-san... Her loving expression while looking at Sekiya-san was extremely adorable, even from a casual observer's perspective. What if that expression was directed at me...?

“Not too bad, right?”

“...W-Well, yeah.”

I nodded my head in a low voice, feeling uncomfortable trying to imagine Yamana-san in front of Sekiya-san.

“So that's what it means. There isn't a single girl friend who doesn't make your heart skip a beat. Besides, it's not like you're actually cheating on her, so just talking to a girl who likes you shouldn't be a problem, right~? Enjoying the thrill of immorality by having an affair with your girlfriend's sister... Well, you might not be able to enjoy it, but you didn't do anything wrong, so you need to act like you normally do.”

Act as usual.......

Act normally, what does that mean?

“Bu-But I should at least tell Luna first, right?”

“What kind of idiot are you? What are you going to tell your girlfriend? ‘My heart beats fast when I talk to your sister,’ would you say that? Try to think of it from your girlfriend's point of view. Sometimes it's better if she doesn't know. Sharing everything with your girlfriend doesn't mean that it shows your sincerity.”

Sekiya-san's words sounded so true that I couldn't say a word.

“If you keep doing this, you won't be able to date any other girl besides your current girlfriend for the rest of your life. Even if you have a girlfriend, chatting with cute girls can't hurt, right? You just have to enjoy it or feel lucky. Take care of your own world. Enjoy your life to the fullest. Do you want to have no girl friends for the rest of your life?”

“That's...”

I thought that was not good.

But why??

“All right! It's over! Let's go to the study room. What the h*ll, are you just bragging about your popularity, you bastard?”

Sekiya-san got up from his seat in anger and started cleaning the table.

While I participate in imitating him, I still think about something that is still stuck in my heart.

“...Instead of dwelling on that, have you decided which university you want to go to?”

“Huh?”

I was confused to be asked such a question on the way to the study room.

“I'm still in the 2nd grade of high school, you know?”

“Even so, there are those who have already made up their minds, you know. Isn't it strange that even though you have started studying for the entrance exams, you still haven't decided which university you want to go to? It's not worth your effort.”

“.....”

It's true... I have tried my best, but it can't be helped that I still feel insecure because I haven't set a goal yet.

“Of course studying is important, but you should take the time to think about which university you want to go to. Otherwise, you will be trapped.”

“Haahh...”

The reason why I'm a little upset is because, as Sekiya-san said, I've reached a dead end in my studies.

Luna has more experience than me and is much more mature, even though we are the same age. I wanted to catch up with him as soon as possible, so I started studying for the entrance exams.

I felt like I couldn't catch up with her at all.

I really want to grow up as soon as possible.

I'm still a virgin, and I don't even know how close I am to my goal for the entrance exams. It's no wonder that I'm so nervous, since my own goal is still uncertain.

Maybe it's this kind of impatience that sometimes makes me feel weak, even though I'm in the study room every day with the illusion that only my mood is rising.

I'm embarrassed because I feel Sekiya-san can read my inner thoughts.

“I'll think about it carefully...”

For now, all I can do is reply and follow Sekiya-san out the door of the study room.

 

 

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