“Hey, hey, hey. Akito, you’re definitely in the wrong there.”
“As I thought?”
Two days had passed since Riran got into a huff.
Since it was too painful to worry about it all by myself, I had come to Ryūya’s house like this.
“Of course you are. Kuonji mustered up her courage, didn’t she? And you turned her down. That’s a total blow to a woman’s pride.”
“Urgh…”
I-Indeed. I’ve heard that it’s harder for a woman to make a move than it is for a man.
But Riran gathered her courage for me.
And yet, I…
“Alright, alright, Ryū-ya. Don’t bully Akki any more than that.”
“I’m not bullying him. I’m just stating facts.”
“Good grief… Here, Akki, I made some tea.”
“Ah. Thanks, Neika.”
I receive the teacup from Neika, who is wearing an apron, and take a sip.
*Slurp…* Haa, I’m calming down.
“…Hey, by the way, can I ask something?”
“Oh, what is it?”
“It’s not much, but… why is Neika here?”
I came here today to consult with Ryūya. I don’t remember calling Neika over.
Could it be that Ryūya called her? No, but I said it was a boys-only talk.
As I tilted my head, Neika gave a bitter smile with an “Ah~.”
“Didn’t I mention it? We decided to live together during long holidays.”
“Yessir!”
………….
…………………….
……………………………………Huh?
“Cohabitation… cohabitation………………………… COHABITATION!?”
“Akki, you took a long time to process that.”
“Well, I guess anyone would be stunned being told that out of the blue.”
It’s beyond being stunned! This is a shocking revelation!?
“Y-You… cohabitation, are you serious!?”
“Yeah. By the way, Nei’s parents and my parents gave us their permission, so don't worry.”
“V-V!”
“Don’t both of you do double peace signs!”
E-Eeh… wait. I’m getting all confused here…
“Um… I have a mountain of things I want to ask. First… that… do you two live together and have to hold back on various things?”
“You mean sex? Akki, what kind of special fetish is it to want to know about your best friend’s love life?”
“It’s not like that!”
Also, don’t just say ‘sex’ so casually!
“Nei, you’re a girl, so have a little modesty.”
“Sowwy.”
Neika sips her tea with an innocent look.
This girl really hasn’t changed…
“Well, Nei and I are fine. The thing connecting us is just a normal Red Thread, and we’re not in heat all year round like you and Kuonji.”
“That’s a terrible way to put it.”
“It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Gunu…”
I can’t argue back.
True, if you put it that way, Riran and I are always conscious of each other—it’s like we’re constantly in mating season.
But even if it's my best friend, having someone else say it feels kind of unpleasant.
However, Neika let out an exasperated sigh.
“I don’t know what this guy is talking about. Even yesterday, he was seeking me out so much—mgh mgh!”
“Hey, Neika-san, can we please be quiet!?”
“Hey, Ryūya, you’re doing it too, aren’t you!?”
“Shut up, shut up, shut up! I’m with the woman I love more than anyone in the world 24 hours a day! It would be weirder *not* to lay a hand on her!”
Ah… true. That would actually be more unhealthy.
Still, this guy just casually bragged about his love life. Should I brag too? Huh?
“Good grief. …And it’s not every day.”
“Eh? I’ve been here for nearly a week, and every—”
“Ahahaha! I’m going to go take a crap for a bit!!”
You’re so easy to read, Ryūya.
Still, to think these guys are cohabitating.
“From now on, it’ll be harder for us to play together and act like idiots, huh.”
“What are you saying? We won’t change. Let’s keep doing stupid things together forever.”
“…Yeah.”
I want to keep hanging out with these two as well.
Hearing them say that makes me happy.
“Neika, if Ryūya ever bullies you, tell me. I’ll punch him for you.”
“Ahaha. Akki, you’re kind to girls other than Rila too, so you get involved in all sorts of trouble, don’t you? ☆”
“It’s normal to help someone in trouble.”
“…If the world was full of good kids like Akki, wars would probably vanish.”
I feel like I’m being treated like a child by someone my own age (who looks like an elementary schooler). Eh, is it just my imagination?
“Well, anyway, it’s fine for now. …I’m very happy right now.”
“…I see.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Neika smiled shyly with a “nihi.”
It feels weird to say this, but… I unintentionally found myself staring at that smile.
I’ll never tell them that, though.