"Uha ha ha! So, so... Hey, hey? You're still listening, Kotaro?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm listening. About your exploits on the Crusade, right, Senior?"
"Haa~n~? You're just messing with me, aren't you?"
How cute.
As the drinking party wore on, Misaki grew increasingly drunk.
After the break, all the other freshmen had left, but Kotaro stayed behind. The seniors might have thought, "Poor Misaki's being pestered" or "He's taking care of her," but for Kotaro, being able to see Misaki's unguarded, adorable side was a blessing. Even if they told him to leave, he intended to stay.
"Kotaro, you always say the craziest things."
"...Right."
Even her earlier joke—Senior would usually give her a proper comeback, wouldn't she? I thought, but I couldn't help but find the tipsy hamster utterly adorable. Misaki was definitely drunk, but not so much that she was feeling sick. Her cheeks were flushed, her mood buoyant, and her words slurred. For a while now, Senior and the others had been watching Misaki, practically swooning over her endearing antics.
"Come on, Senior. Drink some water every once in a while."
"Ah~? A Chu-Hi is plenty hydrating, isn't it~?"
"Stop talking nonsense and drink this."
As I brought the cup of water close to her flushed face, Misaki opened her small mouth wide, looking utterly dazed.
"Huh?"
"Hayfu (Hurry)~!"
She wants me to... feed her?!
Is... is this okay...?! I glanced around and met Megumi's gaze. She smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. It seemed to be okay. Misaki, for some reason, had her eyes closed. Her eyelashes were so long. No, that's not it... I could see the cleavage. No, that's not it either. I was just confused. This was extremely bad.
"Um... well, here goes..."
"Cheers!"
Trembling, I carefully brought the cup to her thin lips and pressed it against them.
"Mmm..."
The cup must have been cold, because Misaki frowned slightly, her expression troubled. It was a shiver-inducing, sensual gesture. She made a small, barely audible sound in her throat, as if trying not to be heard.
With trembling fingers, I cautiously, cautiously tilted the cup.
"Mmm... mmm, mmmk, mmmfuuu...!"
Her troubled breathing made me feel dizzy. Okay, I'll put the cup down for a moment... But the instant I thought that, Misaki's eyes fluttered open, and our gazes met. My heart pounded, and the cup trembled in my hand.
"Ah!"
"Huh...?"
It wasn't enough to completely spill the drink, but a few drops fell inside her open-collared dress, disappearing into the deep cleavage.
"I'm so sorry!"
"Don't worry about it. I should be the one apologizing."
Misaki, seemingly unconcerned, flashed a lazy grin and wiped it away with a tissue. From where he sat, Kotaro had a clear view of her cleavage—though no one else could see it. He'd witnessed something utterly scandalous.
"N-no, it's my fault..."
His apology rang hollow, not because he didn't mean it, but because he was too flustered to muster any sincerity.
"Kotaro, Misaki's really taken a liking to you, hasn't she?"
As I watched Misaki sipping her chu-hai again with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, Megumi quietly approached.
"Huh? Oh, really...?"
"Absolutely. I've known Misaki since the first welcome party, and I've never seen her trust a man this much. So, what's your secret? How did you charm her?"
"What?! N-no, I didn't do anything like that!"
If I had to guess, it was probably because Misaki and I clicked so well, and I told her honestly how attractive I found her as a woman. Thinking about it now, that might have been quite the smooth move. My palms started sweating nervously.
"Heh, I wonder. Anyway, it's reassuring to know you can handle Misaki, Kotaro. I'm glad we can trust you with her. The drinking party should wrap up in about 30 minutes."
"O-okay, I understand."
Megumi left the group again. After a moment's pause, she felt a gaze on her right cheek. Glancing over, she saw Misaki sipping her chu-hai while staring intently at Kotaro.
"Kotaro, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Huh?!"
Her heart pounded violently, as if it had been punched, at being asked the very question she'd been contemplating. Misaki's eyes held a serious glint, and her slurred speech had mysteriously cleared.
"N-no, I don't. Actually, I've never even had one..."
"Hmm? Well, that makes sense, I suppose."
"Isn't that cruel?!"
Her indignant retort drew a burst of laughter from Misaki, who seemed genuinely delighted.
"U-um, Senior..."
"Hmm~?"
Misaki's question gave me the courage to ask something I'd been curious about. After confirming no one was watching us, I mustered up the nerve to speak.
"D-do you... have a boyfriend?"
My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it clearly. In stark contrast to my own nervousness, Misaki blinked innocently, then flashed a mischievous grin.
"Hmm~? He~?"
"W-what's that supposed to mean...?"
Misaki looked utterly delighted. She took a sip of her chu-hai, grinned smugly, and took another sip.
"What do you think?"
She leaned closer, her smile devilish. It was just a hint irritating, but overwhelmingly captivating—so much so that I felt I might faint.
"U-um... Whoa!"
Misaki's hand gently brushed my forearm. The gesture was so seductive, so unlike her usually cute demeanor. By the time the seniors around us glanced over, wondering what was happening, her hand had already withdrawn. She's toying with me! I thought, yet I couldn't help but find the whole exchange utterly hilarious.
"...He's not here. He's never even existed."
"Huh...?"
Misaki muttered quietly, tilting her can of chu-hai sulkily.
"R-really?"
"My chu-hai's gone."
"Here you go. So, is it really true?"
"...Yeah, really, you idiot."
Kotaro's question made Misaki's already flushed face from the alcohol turn even redder. She playfully scolded him, then playfully punched him in the side. It stung a little, but her bashful antics were just too cute. What kind of adorable creature is this?
"Hey, Kotaro! I should show you my family's cat collection!"
Misaki grinned mischievously, then before he could respond, muttered, "Let's see, my phone's in my bag..." and started rummaging through it.
"Oh, there it is!" She reached into her bag, turning her back to Kotaro as she got down on all fours.
Ugh...!
I nearly spat out my Oolong tea. Misaki had gotten down on all fours, and her white dress accentuated her rear.
Oh... that's massive...!
Her hips were unexpectedly wide for someone so petite. To make matters worse, the thin fabric of her dress faintly revealed the outline of her underwear. I quickly averted my gaze. I'd only been looking for a fraction of a second, but the image of her cleavage and those ample hips kept swirling in my mind, refusing to fade.
"Okay, I'm ready. Now, Kotaro... wait, what's wrong?"
"...No, nothing's wrong."
"If you were thinking something perverted, I'll give you a smack!"
"Ugh?! N-no, of course not! I wasn't thinking anything like that!"
Without warning, she pinched my thigh. Since I was actually guilty, I couldn't argue.
"Good. Now, take a good look at my cat collection, you pervert!"
"Please, stop calling me that nickname..."
Smiling sheepishly, Misaki leaned closer to show him her phone screen. Despite teasing him about being a pervert, her relaxed demeanor put him at ease. Her nape, chest, and hips... there are just too many tempting spots to watch out for, he sighed inwardly.
*****
Once Misaki had regained her composure, she perked up when Kotaro praised her family cat, and she started gulping down her highball again.
"Senior, you really shouldn't drink any more...!"
As her speech slurred further and the other seniors began to worry, he steeled himself to take away her drink. But when he reached for the glass, Misaki's slender arm smoothly wrapped around his.
Uwaaaaah?!
The impossibly soft sensation against his arm sent a jolt of electricity through his entire body. The other seniors erupted in startled cries of "Uwaaaaah?!"
"Huff! Kotaro, your face is beet red!"
"Hey, Senior?! What... wha..."
After chuckling at Kotaro's flustered state, Megumi snuggled against his arm and began snoring softly. Fukushima sighed at the sight.
"Should we wrap things up soon? We need someone to look after Hibiya... Megumi, could you help?"
"Uh, sorry. I have work from morning tomorrow..."
"Right. Then someone else..."
As Fukushima asked the other seniors, each one had plans and couldn't stay.
Hmm?
Is everything okay with Senior? Kotaro wondered, suddenly realizing Fukushima was staring intently at him. Megumi was also staring. He glanced around and realized all the seniors were watching him.
"Huh?"
Despite the foolish sound of my voice, I quickly understood what the seniors wanted from me.
I understood, but that was really...
"Kotaro, you're planning to join the Social Welfare Research Society, right?" Fukushima asked with a solemn expression.
"Huh? Oh... Yes. That's my intention."
Hearing Kotaro's response, Fukushima crossed his arms and nodded knowingly.
"In that case, you can swear to not give in to our unreasonable demands or cause any problems that might disrupt our future group activities, right?"
"That's an incredibly unreasonable oath!"
"I'm sorry, Kotaro... But I believe you can handle it."
Megumi clasped her hands together, making an adorably pleading gesture.
Something tells me this is going to be really bad.
"W-wait, but isn't this really, really bad?!"
"Don't worry, you can just leave whenever you want. Do you know how to get home?"
"U-um, that's fine, but..."
Fukushima flashed him a smile that seemed to say, "I know you can do it!" and gave him a thumbs-up.
Huh? Why do they trust me so much?
When he glanced around, he saw not only Fukushima, but all the other seniors—men and women alike—nodding in agreement. Wait, maybe they just want to leave early...? he thought. Misaki's situation wasn't exactly critical, after all, and they might really be busy. He sighed in resignation.
"Umm... alright. If I keep an eye on you guys for about half an hour to an hour, that should be fine, right?"
"That sounds good. We should probably exchange contact info just in case something comes up."
As Fukushima opened his messaging app, Megumi and the other seniors all opened theirs at once. In the blink of an eye, Kotaro's app had been filled with the contact info of six people—everyone except Misaki.
After exchanging contact information, everyone quickly tidied up. Kotaro remained immobilized, still caught in Misaki's embrace.
The seniors filed out of the room, each offering a quick "Sorry for the trouble" or "Nice to meet you."
"Kotaro."
Megumi, who was the last to leave, stopped at the door and knelt down in front of him.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Kotaro, do you like Misaki?"
"Ugh?!"
The unexpected question made him yelp. Misaki flinched and furrowed her brow adorably, but mercifully, she didn't wake up.
"W-what's with that sudden question...?"
"Heh-heh, I can tell just by watching you," Megumi whispered, smiling brightly. Her smile, different from Misaki's, carried an adult maturity that made his heart skip a beat.
"Misaki seems to really like you, too. Ever since the entrance ceremony, whenever she sees me, she talks about nothing but you."
"Huh? Wh-what? Is that really true...?"
Asking her directly, with her right in front of me, makes my heart feel like it's about to explode for all sorts of reasons. Megumi chuckles gleefully, "Yes, yes, that's exactly it," and gazes at Misaki with soft eyes.
"Other people might think Kotaro wouldn't dare touch you, Misaki. But didn't the Representative say it himself? We should avoid any issues that could disrupt our group activities going forward. But if you both consent, I don't think there's any problem, right?"
"Wait, what are you even saying...?"
"So..."
Megumi steps closer, smiling as she strokes Misaki's hair.
"If this girl doesn't object, I think Kotaro should be allowed to do whatever he wants."
"...!"
My eyes widen at her blatant words.
"Oh, and one more thing..." Megumi holds up her index finger.
"Even if she said it herself, Misaki's never had a boyfriend before. And I don't want to recklessly drag my friends into anything dangerous, you know? I love Misaki too much. That's why I'm telling you this, because I trust you, Kotaro."
She pressed a hand to her chest with a wry smile. "I'm actually pretty nervous about this."
"Misaki's shy. If you don't make a move, nothing will happen. But if you feel the urge and you're sure she's not actually resisting..."
She trailed off, then added, "...in that case... I'll need a detailed report afterward."
"What was that last part?!"
Megumi waved her hands dismissively, laughing. "Just kidding! Just kidding!"
I couldn't tell how serious she was, and my heart had been racing nonstop for the past few minutes.
"If... if it goes well, I'd like a report. From Misaki or you, Kotaro, either is fine."
With that, she stood up, grabbed her bag, and strode away.
"Goodnight! Good luck!"
"Huh...? Oh, goodnight..."
Megumi left without waiting for a response.
The room, which had been so noisy earlier, now fell deathly silent. The only sound was Misaki's soft, contented snoring. How cute she looks when she's asleep... The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly shook his head, flustered.
"Wh-what am I...?"
He didn't finish the sentence. Megumi had broken the brake she should have been pressing, and now Kotaro really didn't know what to do.
He had no intention of doing anything to hurt Misaki. If their feelings could align, there were countless things he'd like to try. But that was only if he could properly understand how she felt.
"...First, I need to observe the situation..."
Misaki's face was still flushed. I need to take proper care of her... he thought, gently stroking her hair.
"Mmm..."
She let out a troubled sigh, her thin lips moving slightly in contentment.
This is hopeless. She's unbearably cute.
Could he really just tend to her and leave? The thought filled him with deep anxiety.