“I see, I see! So it was British-style skinship!”
In the lounge near the store, the three of us—Taira-chan, Erina-san, and I—were sitting in a rare combination.
Only one other group was sitting at a distant table in the lounge. Perhaps most people were eating in their classrooms or the cafeteria.
“I’m glad I could learn more about another culture! Prejudice is dangerous. An organization that cannot respect diverse backgrounds will fall apart!”
Taira-chan held her can of Calpis with both hands like a teacup, nodding happily with a beaming face.
“That’s right~ it’s perfectly normal in England~”
Erina-san replied with a silly smile plastered on her face.
So that was it? All that little devil-like skinship until now was just because of her background...?
While I was secretly shocked, Erina-san brought her lips close to my ear.
“Well, I wouldn’t do it unless they were someone more special than usual, though?”
She whispered that and pulled away quickly, looking up at me with a smirk.
A sweet scent, perhaps a lingering fragrance, tickled my nose.
“...Ahem.”
However, at my level, I don’t get shaken by Erina-san’s teasing so easily. ...Hm?
Anyway, it seems the little devil trait is properly linked to Erina-san personally. That’s a relief. (Not really.)
While this exchange was happening, Taira-chan, who was drinking her Calpis with both hands, had no way of knowing my inner thoughts and continued happily.
“My goodness, I was quite flustered, thinking that the ‘Normies’ I had finally come to admire were actually just a group of hussies and lechers like they say on the internet!”
“Hussies...” “Lechers...?”
Erina-san and I repeated the words that were suddenly thrown at us from outside our usual vocabulary.
“But of course, Erina-senpai must have someone she’s already decided on in her heart!”
At Taira-chan’s bright smile, Erina-san looked down.
“Ah, yeah...”
Then, Yuri’s apprentice noticed Erina-san’s expression and tilted her head awkwardly.
“Oh...? Did I say something strange...?”
“Ah, no...”
Taira-chan was likely referring to the performance of ‘CHE.R.RY’ by the Cherry Boys at the school festival live.
It’s a delicate subject right now, but there is nothing Taira-chan can do about it since she doesn’t know the situation.
“Wow, that’s right... Everyone saw it...”
Rarely for Erina-san, her cheeks began to turn red.
“Erina is so embarrassed to have done something like that where everyone could see... I really want to act like it never happened...”
As she said that, Erina-san put her hand to her forehead as if she were about to collapse on the table.
“That’s absolutely not true!”
Taira-chan stood up, slamming her can onto the desk with a ‘Dan!’
“Wh-ew...?”
Erina-san looked up at Taira-chan, surprised by the sudden loud voice.
“Being embarrassed, or wanting to act like it didn’t happen! There’s no such thing!”
“Taira-chan?”
“Um, um! I saw Erina-senpai at that live and was very moved! I thought, ‘Love is so sparkly,’ and that I definitely want to try it once I become a Normie!”
Taira-chan continued talking to us while we were stunned.
“That’s...! I don’t know, of course... there might be times when it doesn’t come true. But, but...!”
“But...?”
Taira-chan didn’t lose her momentum and stated firmly to Erina-san, who was wide-eyed and tilting her head.
“At the very least, right here, there is a heart that was moved by Erina-senpai’s words! And surely...”
Taira-chan struck her chest with her fist.
“It must have moved Kenji-san’s heart too!”
“I see...”
“Yes, surely... no, absolutely! ...Wait?”
Having finished speaking, Taira-chan suddenly snapped back to her senses.
“Hah! S-Sorry, I’m so sorry!”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing, thinking that this was just like during the school festival live.
“You probably already know this without having to be told by a kouhai you’ve barely met...! I’ve overstepped my bounds...!”
“No, that’s not true at all~?”
Erina-san smiled happily.
“Thank you, Tsubame-tch.”
“Tsubame-tch...?”
Taira-chan tilted her head at the new nickname.
“Yes, Tsubame-tch! Why don’t you become Erina’s little sister~!”
Erina-san hugged Taira-chan and rubbed her cheek against hers.
“W-Waah! Is this the authentic style of skinship...? It smells so good... But my soul has been dedicated to my Master and Amane-sama...”
Taira-chan went limp even as she resisted.
“Hmm...? Master...?”
“A-Azuma-senpai...”
Strength continued to drain from Taira-chan’s body at Erina-san’s sweet voice.
As if delivering the finishing blow...
“Then Erina will make you forget everything~...”
Erina-san whispered so enchantingly that even I, just watching, felt a chill, while tracing Taira-chan’s neckline with her fingertip.
“Ha-hauu...”
No, what are you doing all of a sudden? And why are you being a devil to everyone...?
Thinking that, I gave a gentle smile, out of place for the situation, relieved that Erina-san’s mood had lightened.
“Wait... Konuma-senpai... don’t just smile with that lecherous face... help... please...!”
Huh? I thought it was a gentle smile?