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Three days had passed since we returned from the sea.
Today, as usual, I was supposed to be steadily finishing my summer homework based on the schedule Riran-san made for me—
“Gumumumumu...!”
“Muuu—...!”
—But I wasn't.
Behind the study desk in my room.
Crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes was Riran, my fated person and girlfriend connected to me by the 『Red Thread of Fate』.
Opposite her was my junior, Noa, who was clenching her fists and making a small fighting pose in front of her chest, even though she was clearly on the back foot.
For some reason, the two of them were having a heated argument in my room.
...Well, saying "for some reason" is a bit misleading. The reason is clear.
“Akito is going to the summer festival with me!”
“Senpai goes to the summer festival with me and Kotono every year! It’s a tradition!”
““Gununu...!””
Well, it was like this.
Tomorrow, a large fireworks display will be held at the park near the port. As Noa said, I usually go with her and Kotono while acting as their guardian... but things are different this year.
This year, I have a girlfriend. Moreover, she’s my beloved girlfriend, tied to me by the red thread.
So honestly, I wanted them to hold back this time, but...
“Akito! What do you think, Akito?!”
“You’re coming with me, right, Senpai?! You promised last year that you’d go with us! Senpai, you don’t tell lies, do you?!”
This. It was this.
When someone says "You don't tell lies, do you?" with such pure eyes, it’s hard to deny it. Besides, it’s Noa. She’s a precious junior. But as bad as I feel for Noa, Riran is even more precious...
Ugh, what should I do...
“Noa-chan! I think that’s a mean way of saying it! Akito won't be able to refuse if you say it like that!”
“That’s exactly why I said it! Because Akito-senpai is kind!”
“I’m well aware that Akito is kind! I know way, waaaaay more about that than Noa-chan does!”
“I know more than Riran-senpai does! Akito-senpai’s kindness is on the level of a Saint / Person of high virtue!”
““Nununununununu...!””
Stop, don't fight over me! ...I never thought the day would come when I'd say that for real.
Also, both of you, stop bragging about how much you know about my kindness. It’s embarrassing. Various parts of me are starting to itch from the shame.
Wah-wah, gya-gya. A bragging contest about how kind I am had finally begun. What is this living hell?
I was watching the two of them. And so was Kotono, who had come along as Noa’s companion.
“Wow, Oni-chan, you’re really loved. To be liked by such beautiful girls.”
“It doesn't feel bad, but I can't catch a break...”
“That’s a luxury problem.”
If you understand, then stop Noa. Kotono was watching the two of them argue with a grin on her face. To be honest, I need to do my summer homework, so I want them to leave soon...
“Oh, that's right. Noa and Kotono are both taking entrance exams this year, right? Is it okay for you to be going to the summer festival?”
“Th-That’s right! Exam students should behave like exam students and focus on their studies!”
Riran jumped on my words with a happy look. However, Noa’s mouth turned into a 'ω' shape.
“Nyufufu. I thought you might say that! Ta-da! These are the results of my mock exam for Gingko High School!”
Bam! She pulled out the results of her mock exam. Remarkably, she had a B-rank for Gingko High School. She was only 20 points away from an A-rank.
“That’s amazing! I can’t believe even Noa worked this hard.”
“I worked hard because I want to go to the same high school as Akito-senpai!”
“Whatever the reason, it’s impressive that you’ve worked so hard. Keep it up.”
“Yes!”
She smiled like a blooming flower, clearly happy to be praised.
Really, looking at her like this, she’s a super beautiful girl who holds her own against Riran, Rion, and Kotono. I’m happy that a girl like her still likes me, but... I feel a bit guilty.
“Therefore, as a reward, I want to go to the summer festival together!”
“You still haven't given up...?”
“Of course not! This is what I worked so hard for!”
I’ve heard that desire is the driving force of human beings, but this is the first time I’ve seen it so prominently. She looked up at me with sparkling, pleading, upturned eyes. Those small-animal eyes are just unfair.
“Gu... nuuu... T-Time out!”
I took Riran’s hand and led her from my room into the hallway.
“Riran, what should I do... If she looks at me with those sparkling eyes, I just can’t bring myself to refuse...!”
“Akito...”
Don't look at me with those eyes like you're looking at a pitiful creature...!
“Well, Akito really is kind. I understand how you feel like you can't ignore Noa-chan's request.”
“I'm shorry...”
“You don't have to apologize. That kind of Akito is the one I fell in love with.”
Riran is so kind... Riran is the true Saint / Person of high virtue. Because if I’m not careful, I’m just a indecisive scumbag being jerked around by my girlfriend and my junior. I love Riran for calling someone like me kind.
“...Sigh. Fine.”
“Eh?”
“You can take Kotono-chan and Noa-chan. It’ll be their last memory before the entrance exams.”
“I-Is it really okay...?”
“Yes. I’ll be with you for the rest of my life until I die... but for Kotono-chan and Noa-chan, their fated person will appear next year. So, I think it’s only natural for them to want to make memories with the person they like now.”
Correction. She’s not just a person of high virtue. This is a Goddess. A Goddess of mercy is standing before me.
“...I’m so happy to be tied to you by the red thread, Riran.”
“Wh-What? Flattery won't get you anything. But... yes. I might want a reward later.”
“A reward?”
“That's something to look forward to later.”
Riran gave me a light kiss on the cheek and went back into my room. What is she going to ask of me...?