Translator: RaidenTL
"Do you have your proof of parking certificate?"
"Yes, here it is."
I handed the documents to the dealer, who nodded after checking them thoroughly.
"Everything looks good. And you'll be paying in full, as we discussed?"
"Yes. If I order now, it'll be ready by the end of August, right?"
"That's correct. The color you ordered is very popular… I'll let you know if it comes in any sooner."
It didn't matter, as long as I got it before the new semester started.
The car I ordered was about 20% Miyuki's taste and 80% mine.
I'd wanted to get something that was a fifty-fifty split, but it was obvious Miyuki would feel burdened by that… so I had no choice.
If I get tired of it later, I can just trade it in after we become a couple.
Deciding to take it easy, I finished the payment and headed home.
It was the weekend, so I considered seeing Miyuki, but I decided to review what I'd learned during the week instead.
Miyuki would be happy if I kept showing her I was improving quickly.
I opened my math workbook, my most hated subject, and started solving problems.
I'm not sure how much time passed.
Just as the sweltering heat began to fade and the sky started to darken,
Bzzzzt-!
My phone vibrated.
I snatched it up, a wide grin spreading across my face.
A text from Miyuki first… I love it…
[Isn't the weather nice today?]
[It's still just as hot.]
[It's less hot than when we went for ice cream. You should go out and have some fun.]
[Then you should come out.]
[I'm already out.]
Out? Who is she with?
It better not be Tetsuya.
[What are you doing.]
[Do you know Haruka? Nanase Haruka.]
Nanase. That must be the female friend Tetsuya mentioned before.
What a relief. I almost had to add 10 paizuri sessions to my list.
[Is she pretty?]
[How did you know exactly what I was going to say? Looking at it this way, it's like you haven't changed at all...]
[No. Think of it as the answer I expected based on the new me. So, is she pretty?]
[Yeah. She is.]
They say when a girl calls another girl pretty, it usually means the opposite.
But coming from the honest Miyuki, she must be genuinely beautiful.
In that case, I'll have to invite her over for a threesome later.
[But Haruka isn't into guys like you, Matsuda-kun.]
A text followed immediately after.
It felt like a sentence that held some of Miyuki's hidden feelings, but she might have also meant it sincerely.
My public image is, well… pretty trashy.
[Who said anything? I just asked if she was pretty. What are you wearing today?]
[Similar to what I wore yesterday.]
[Send me a picture.]
[What are you talking about... No. Did you study today?]
I took a picture of the workbook I'd been diligently working on and sent it with a boastful message.
[This much?]
[You worked hard, didn't you? I'll give you praise.]
[Then send me a picture of your clothes.]
[Matsuda-kun, are you a pervert?]
[No, it's not like I asked for a picture of your underwear… I just want to see your outfit.]
[I said no. My coffee's here, so I'm gonna go. Study hard.]
I thought we were close enough for her to do that much for me. How mean.
Just you wait, next time I'll make sure I get a picture of your underwear.
As I thought that and turned my eyes back to my workbook, the corner of my mouth crept up when a photo arrived on my phone a moment later.
She always plays hard to get before sending it.
Anyway, so she's wearing a white blouse today.
The material isn't very see-through, but there's no hiding those massive milk jugs.
Seeing the picture of her smiling brightly with a coffee cup held to her cheek made me want to have her all to myself as soon as possible.
It's a shame I can't see her pants, but I should be grateful she sent a picture at all.
[You look pretty.]
After sending a concise reply, I was about to focus on my studies again when I thought of the event.
The final event of the summer vacation takes place in mid-August, during the long Japanese holiday known as Obon.
Until then, I'll keep developing our relationship through dates disguised as friendly hangouts.
"What are you doing for Obon, Matsuda-kun?"
Miyuki asked, fanning herself in the cool air-conditioned breeze.
I glanced at the calendar and answered.
"I'll be bored, so I was thinking of going to the beach."
"Oh, really? Which beach?"
Miyuki's eyes widened with interest.
That was because she, too, was going to the beach with her family starting tomorrow.
"Isshiki."
"Huh…? Me too…?"
"Is that so surprising? Isshiki is close and the water is clear, so people go there often on holidays. We'll probably run into a few students from the academy."
"W-well, that's true, but… are you going with Wataru Takashi?"
"No. I'm going alone."
"Ah… I see…?"
She seemed strangely relieved.
Only Miyuki would know if she was relieved because I wasn't going with Takashi, or because I wasn't going with a girl…
But I want to believe she was thinking the latter.
"Then how about going with Tetsuya-kun? He said he's going to Isshiki, too."
I appreciate her looking out for me since I'm alone, but I'd rather die than go with Tetsuya.
"Isn't Miura going with his family?"
"He is, but… hmm… it seems like it would be really boring to go alone… In that case, if you're okay with it, Matsuda-kun, why don't you stop by our house and go with my family?"
What was that?
Did I hear her correctly just now?
Miyuki is inviting me to join her family trip?
Of course, we'd only go to Isshiki together and then do our own things… but still, this is surprising.
Did a new event trigger because the new protagonist—me—has no family, and my relationship with Miyuki has developed quite a bit?
Whatever the reason, an opportunity I couldn't miss had just presented itself.
I'll take this chance to finally see the faces of my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, who only ever appeared as silhouettes when I played DokiAka.
And I'll score some points with them, too.
"Uh… wouldn't your family feel uncomfortable?"
"Remember what happened at the shrine? When you did that good deed for the orphanage."
"That wasn't me, that was your father."
"You're so humble at times like this. If it weren't for you, Matsuda-kun, we would have just thought that little kid was a thief. So it's true that you did a good deed."
"Let's say that's true. What about it?"
"The other day, when I was having dinner with my family, my dad was talking about you. He said you're a very thoughtful person… and that it seems I've made a good new friend. When he mentioned how you used to be a delinquent but are gradually changing for the better, my mom and sister said they were curious about you."
Father-in-law, how can you help me out like this?
Loser masturbation… I'll put that away for now.
"So you're saying it'll be fine?"
"Yep."
"It's tempting, but… are you sure it's okay? For you, too?"
"I don't mind at all."
"Then I'll just take you up on the ride to Isshiki."
"Okay. You know where my house is, right? Be there by nine tomorrow morning. If you oversleep, we're leaving without you."
Miyuki stood up after giving me a playful warning.
At the same time, Tetsuya came out of the bathroom.
He's been using my bathroom a lot lately. Is the toilet at his place clogged or something?
So rude.
I arrived in front of Miyuki's house with my hands full of gifts and quickened my pace when I saw four people standing there together.
The heavy bags had left me breathless, and as soon as I set them down, I took a look at Miyuki's family.
I'd seen Wataru at the shrine, so I'll skip him…
Unlike Miyuki's gentle eyes, her older sister's eyes curved up slightly at the corners.
She still had the same soft look, but she exuded a certain mature charm.
Miyuki's mother looked remarkably like her youngest daughter.
She looked like she was in her late twenties. Is this family blessed by the gene pool or something?
It's to be expected since they're the heroine's family, but this is just unfair.
Especially that benevolent smile she's giving me… I think I'm falling for her.
What did Wataru do in a past life to have people like this by his side?
I'm getting jealous. Loser masturbation… should I bring it back out?
No, I need to stop thinking such trashy thoughts.
For today, I'm transforming into a good man worthy of Miyuki.
After a quick scan, I bowed my head sharply.
"Hello, I'm Matsuda Ken."
At my disciplined voice, Wataru took a step forward and lightly patted my shoulder.
"Welcome. You're here early."
I hadn't expected them to be out already, but I was glad I'd timed my arrival for about twenty minutes early.
After introducing myself to Miyuki's family, I picked up the bags I'd brought and approached Miyuki's mother, who had introduced herself as Midori.
"Ma'am, these are gifts… I hope you'll accept them. Since it's Obon… I bought them with the feeling of an Ochugen gift."
Midori and her first daughter, Kana, had their eyes wide open.
Miyuki, too.
Judging by their reactions, it seemed they thought the bags were full of my own things.
"Are these gifts for us?"
I scratched the back of my head, feigning embarrassment at Midori's words, and replied.
"Yes… I bought some beer, seasonal fruits, and a few other things. For you to enjoy at Isshiki…"
It might be a bit much, but it's from your future son-in-law thinking of his in-laws, so just take it.
Midori covered her mouth like a young girl and expressed her gratitude.
"You really didn't have to… Thank you so much. We'll enjoy them, Matsuda-kun."
"It's nothing."
"Are you planning on just staying at the beach, Matsuda-kun?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then let's eat together. We'd feel bad eating by ourselves."
I knew Miyuki's family would say something like that, which is why I only bought food and drinks.
I waved my hands in refusal and said.
"It's okay. I'm just grateful for the ride to Isshiki."
"Don't be like that, let's eat together. You said you were going alone, right? You're not going to be swimming the whole time."
"But it's a family trip…"
"Are we making you uncomfortable?"
"No… that's not it."
"Then it's settled, right?"
"Ah, well…"
I stood there, unable to answer, as if I didn't know what to do.
It was an act, of course. All to make Miyuki step in and suggest we eat together.
As expected, Miyuki, who had been talking with Kana, came over and gave me a bright smile as if to say it was okay.
"Let's do that, Matsuda-kun. My sister said it's fine, too. And my dad just said he'd like that."
I had no intention of refusing, so it was time to drop the pretense.
I looked at Midori and Wataru and bowed my head just as I had before.
"...Thank you for having me."
At my words, Wataru clapped his hands once as if to lighten the mood.
"It's decided, then. Shall we get going?"
"I'll help with the luggage."
"Would you?"
"Yes."
After helping Wataru load the luggage, I got into his sedan and we headed for Isshiki.
My seat was by the left window. Miyuki sat next to me.
Is Miyuki's shampoo cherry-scented today? It smells so good.
As I chatted with Miyuki and her family, I reviewed my plan of action for when the event occurred.
This event would take place at the beach, and it could be seen as a competition with Tetsuya.
The key was to make my move before that bastard had a chance to act up.
And I was ready for it.
This time, too, Tetsuya would be left high and dry, like a dog that had been chasing a chicken.
It was impossible for him to beat me to the punch when I knew the exact timing of the event's start.
If he did, I wouldn't be worthy of being the protagonist of DokiAka.
But seriously, what's up with my dick? Is it because my leg is touching Miyuki's?
Getting hard at the drop of a hat, what the hell.
This isn't the time for this. Calm the fuck down.