Part 16— The Meeting in the Club Room and the Forced Date
(Point of view: Himeno)
The atmosphere in the Literary Club room this afternoon is colder than the North Pole.
I sat on the teacher's desk with my legs crossed, staring straight ahead with a blank expression on my face. But inside my head, a storm was raging.
In front of me, Renji was sitting kneeling (seiza) on the floor like a defendant. To his left, Serina stood with her arms crossed, smoke of anger seemingly coming out of her ears. To his right, Aina sat with her head bowed, her face bright red, playing with the hem of her skirt.
"That's not fair," I thought to myself.
My eyes glanced at Aina's chest. C-cup. Not bad. But mine are more perfectly shaped.
Why Aina? Why did that careless childhood friend have to get the "Accident in the Warehouse" event?
My mind began to wander. Imagining if it were me in that warehouse with Renji.
Himeno's Shadow:A dark warehouse. Renji fell on top of me. His rough but warm hands gripped my chest. I would look at him with a contemptuous yet passionate gaze. "Hoo? How dare you touch me here, Dog-kun," I whispered. Renji won't apologize. Instead, he'll smile wildly, bringing his face closer. "You provoked me, Himeno." Then he'll squeeze it harder—
Wedding!
Serina's voice broke my erotic reverie.
"Huh?" I was startled, and a little saliva almost dripped out. I quickly wiped it away elegantly. "What is it, Rina-san? I'm meditating on a strategy for world domination."
"Dominance, my foot! Look at the behavior of your club members!" Serina pointed at Renji with a trembling finger.
I snorted softly. "Yeah, yeah. He really is a pervert."
But inside, I was screaming: Damn you, Renji! Why didn't you do that to me?! I'm your girlfriend (pretend)! I should be your top priority for abuse!
---
(POV: Serina)
I couldn't hold back my anger. Every time I saw Renji's face, the image of his hand squeezing Aina's chest reappeared in my head.
Disgusting! Immoral! Animal!
But... why does my chest feel tight? Why is there a small part of my heart whispering: "If only I had fallen and been caught by Renji..."
NO! Serina, wake up! You are the student council president! You are the guardian of the school's morals!
"Explain, Itsuki!" I snapped. "Why didn't you use your genius brain to avoid falling on your private parts?!"
"It was a gravity accident, Serina! I slipped!" Renji defended himself. "Besides, I tried—"
"Shut up!" I cut him off quickly. I didn't want to hear any logical excuses. "Apologize! Apologize to Aina right now! You have defiled a girl's purity!"
Renji sighed in resignation. He turned to face Aina, then bowed deeply until his forehead touched the floor. Dogeza.
Aina, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to. I didn't mean to offend you. Please forgive me.
Renji's voice was sincere. So sincere that it made my anger subside a little.
Aina beside me gasped. She lifted her still red face.
"R-Renji..." Aina whispered softly. "I-I... I'm not angry. I mean... I was surprised, but... it feels... warm? NO! I mean, I forgive you! Because we're friends!"
Aina waved her hands frantically, imaginary steam coming out of her head.
I snorted in annoyance. "Why are you forgiving him so easily?!"
---
(POV: Renji)
Finally, Aina forgave me. My back ached from seiza for too long. I raised my head, hoping this judgment session was over.
"Good. The melodrama is over," Himeno's voice cut through the emotional moment.
She jumped down from the table gracefully, walked to the center of the room while shaking her black hair.
"Now, let's get back to the main goal of the Literature Club: TAKE OVER THE SCHOOL!" he exclaimed, pointing to the school's organizational chart on the blackboard. "We have to sneak into the teachers' lounge and change the cafeteria menu to a five-star menu!"
I stared at her blankly. "Get serious, Himeno. We were just discussing morality, and you're talking about the cafeteria menu?"
Himeno looked at me with a scornful gaze.
"Huh? You're telling me to be serious? You?" Himeno laughed cynically. "You have no right to talk, you Perverted King. Or should I call you the Legendary Boob Touch?"
"Don't make up weird nicknames!" I protested.
Himeno walked toward me. Her steps were slow, but intimidating. She stopped right in front of me, bending down slightly so that our faces were level. Her blue eyes stared at me sharply, full of meaning.
"Renji," she called softly but emphatically.
"What?"
"Because you've been naughty today... you need punishment."
"Punishment?"
Himeno smiled sweetly. A smile that hid thousands of needles.
"After school, we'll go on a date."
Silence.
"WHAT?!" Aina and Serina shouted in unison.
"Wait, Himeno!" Aina stood up, her chair toppling over. "Why a date all of a sudden?! Renji just had an accident!"
"Exactly," Himeno replied casually without looking at Aina. "A good boyfriend should comfort his girlfriend when she's stressed, right? And also make sure she doesn't look at other girls anymore."
He looked at me again. "Well, Renji? You want to, right?"
I opened my mouth to refuse. "No, I'm tired. I want to go—"
Himeno's gaze turned cold in an instant. Her eyes narrowed, her lips moved silently, forming a word I knew all too well.
The - first - syllable.
That threat. The warehouse secret. "If you refuse, I'll scream right now about what happened between us in the warehouse."
My blood ran cold. He was literally holding my life hostage. In front of Aina and Serina, too. If I refused, it would be the end of me.
I swallowed hard, cold sweat running down my temples.
"O-okay..." I replied weakly. "Come on... let's go on a date."
"Great," Himeno smiled brightly again, hugging my arm tightly in front of Aina and Serina, who were staring in horror. "That's my obedient boyfriend."
Aina clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her face was a mixture of sadness and anger. Serina broke the pencil she was holding in two. Snap!
"Stupid Renji..." Serina muttered resentfully.
I can only resign myself to my fate. Caught between a manipulative Chuunibyou, a jealous childhood friend, and a tsundere student council president. God, please help me.
----
Part 17 — Mathematical Delusions, a Sensitive Vice Chair, and Bucket Punishment
(POV: Aina)
So, if X approaches infinity...
The voice of my math teacher sounded like a buzzing bee in my ears. It went in one ear and out the other. My eyes stared at the blackboard full of numbers, but my brain was showing a completely different movie.
The film is titled: "What Happens If Serina Doesn't Open the Door?"
In my mind, the warehouse scene continued.
Renji didn't get up. He was still on top of me. His masculine weight pinned me down. His face without glasses looked so handsome and... hungry.
"Renji..." I whispered in my imagination. "Your hands..."
"Why? Don't you like it?" Renji's voice was heavy and hoarse. His rough hands didn't stop. He squeezed even harder, feeling the texture beneath my sweat-soaked sports shirt. His thumb rubbed my sensitive spot.
"Well... it's not like that... but..."
"Be quiet, Aina. Your body is so honest," Renji grinned mischievously. He leaned down, his tongue licking the sweat on my neck, making me arch my back. "You're so wet... and not just from sweat, right?"
"KYAAAA! Renji, you're naughty! Keep going... keep going..."
My face felt incredibly hot. It felt like steam was coming out of my ears. My hands clenched the skirt under the table.
"Aina-san."
"Ah... Renji... over there..." I muttered softly without realizing it, my eyes closed as I enjoyed the delusion.
"AINA-SAN!"
The sound of a loud shout accompanied by the tapping of a ruler on the blackboard jolted me back to reality.
"Huh?! Y-yeah?!" I jumped to my feet, my chair squeaking loudly.
The whole class stared at me. The teacher looked at me with tired eyes and heavy bags under his eyes.
"What are you daydreaming about that makes you smile like that?" asked the teacher flatly. "Try to explain how to solve the partial integral in number 3."
I stared at the blackboard. The numbers danced mockingly at me. Integrals? Partials? All I could think about was integral body unification!
"Um... that..." I stammered, cold sweat pouring down my forehead. "The X... is inserted into... the hole... I mean the curve! And... rubbed... I mean slid!!"
The class fell silent. Then an explosion of laughter erupted.
The teacher massaged his temples and sighed deeply. "Sit down. And please, clear your mind of strange thoughts before you melt into your chair."
I sat down weakly, covering my face, which was as red as a boiled crab. I'm dead. Renji, this is all your fault!
(POV: Serina)
In class 3-C, I was staring out the window with my chin resting on my hand. World History class was in session, but my mind was wandering to the gym.
That sight... Renji's hand on Aina's chest.
"Why..." I muttered softly, my fingers unconsciously touching my own chest.
I looked down at my assets. They were average size. Not flat, but not as big as Aina's 'bapao'.
Jealous. I'm so jealous.
My imagination began to take over. Replacing Aina with myself.
Serina's Shadow:I was lying on the mat. Renji was on top of me. Glasses or not, his gaze pierced through my defenses. "Serina..." he whispered. "You're the fierce student council president, but your body trembles beneath me.""Shut up, idiot! Hurry up and do what you want!" I snapped tsundere, but my hand pulled at his collar. Renji smiled. "As you wish, Kaichou."His hand touched me. Not a rough squeeze, but a gentle, adoring touch. He kissed my forehead, then moved down to my lips...
Serina.
"DON'T STOP, RENJI!"
Serina?
I was startled. My head turned quickly to the side.
A girl with short bob hair and silver-rimmed glasses was staring at me. She was Saionji Maki, the vice president of the student council and my best friend. Her gaze was flat, analytical, and piercing.
"M-Maki?!" I panicked, hurriedly fixing my hair. "W-when did you get here? Is class over?"
"The teacher went to the bathroom five minutes ago. The class is free," Maki replied calmly. She adjusted her glasses. "But you... you just shouted 'Renji's' name. That's the name of the second-year student who just joined that weird club, right?"
My face flushed red. "N-no! Who yelled! You heard wrong! I said... Benji! Yes, Benji! My neighbor's dog's name!"
Maki smiled faintly. It was an annoying smile because she knew everything.
"A dog, huh..." Maki glanced at my chest, which I had been holding. "You were holding your chest while imagining that 'dog'? Your fantasies are wild too, Serina."
"MAKI!!" I covered her mouth with my hand. "Don't talk so loud!"
Maki slowly let go of my hand, then patted my shoulder.
"Relax. It's normal. Spring is mating season," he teased with a straight face. "But my advice is, if you want to fantasize, don't do it in class. Your drool is almost dripping."
I quickly wiped my mouth. Maki. Damn, you tricked me!
Damn you, Maki!
"Go for it, Kaichou. You've got some tough competition," Maki whispered before returning to her seat, leaving me fuming with embarrassment.
---
(POV: Renji)
Cruel. This world is cruel.
I stood upright in the hallway outside the classroom. My arms were stretched out straight to the sides, each holding a bucket filled with water. My legs began to tremble, and my shoulders felt like they were about to fall off.
The reason? I fell asleep during English class.
It's not my fault! After the incident in the warehouse, then being interrogated by Himeno, then forced into a date... my energy was completely drained. My brain automatically shutdown when I heard the teacher's monotonous voice.
Psst, Renji.
Yuuki, who was sitting near the corridor window, poked his head out and grinned.
"That's a harsh punishment. Want some candy?" Yuuki offered.
"I don't need it," I replied weakly. "I need a time machine. I want to go back to this morning and pretend to be sick so I don't have to go to school."
"Why? Because of that 'breast groping' incident?" Yuuki teased. News did spread quickly when it involved him.
"Don't mention it!" I hissed. The bucket in my right hand swayed, spilling a little water onto my pants. "Damn... wet again."
Yuuki chuckled softly. "Good luck. I heard you have a 'date' with Princess Himeno after school. Make sure you have enough stamina."
Hearing the word "date" makes my knees weaker.
A date with Himeno. It wasn't a romantic date. It was definitely a session of mental torture or forced labor disguised as sightseeing.
I gazed at the blue sky from the corridor window.
"Oh God..." I prayed silently. "Please... Please don't let tomorrow be Sunday. Please let tomorrow be Monday again. Or Tuesday. Anything but a holiday."
If tomorrow is Sunday, that means Himeno has a full 24 hours to terrorize my life. If it's a school day, at least I can hide behind excuses like "homework" or "club activities."
But I had a bad feeling. The calendar on the classroom wall showed tomorrow in red.
Today I was punished by having to hold a bucket. This afternoon I have to serve the Queen of Devils. Tomorrow? My life might be over.
"Renji, the bucket is tilted!" Yuuki scolded.
BYUR!
Too late. The bucket in my left hand spilled, soaking my shoes and socks.
"Haaaaah..." I looked up at the ceiling of the corridor.
What did I do wrong in my past life that my high school reincarnation is this terrible?
---
Part 18 — The Early Morning Drama and the Amateur Detective Duo
(POV: Renji)
Sunday morning. The day when I should be curled up in bed until noon, but here I am, standing in front of the fence at 9 a.m., wearing a casual shirt and chino pants that Aunt Saeko ironed for me.
"He's definitely late," I muttered, kicking a pebble.
Usually the princess would arrive in her golden carriage—I mean her black limousine—right on time.
But the figure that appeared at the end of the road made my eyes widen.
Not a luxury car. Himeno Karen was walking.
She wore a knee-length white sundress with a wide straw hat. Her long black hair was loose, moving gently in the breeze. She looked... very normal. Very teenage girl. Far from the usual "School Queen" image.
He stopped in front of me, breathing a little heavily. There were small beads of sweat on his temples.
"You... walked?" I asked incredulously. "From the West district to here? That's a 30-minute walk, Himeno. Where's your driver?"
Himeno waved her hand in front of her face, trying to catch a breeze. "I gave him the day off. Every once in a while, commoners like you need to be accompanied in a down-to-earth way, right?"
"Are you... are you okay?" I looked at her feet in her wedges. "Are your feet sore? You're not used to walking long distances."
I reflexively crouched down a little to check his leg.
"Stop it!" Himeno took a step back, her face flushing red. She looked away. "Why are you so worried? Don't be so conceited, Anjing-kun. It's just a play. I just want to make sure you don't faint from nervousness walking with me."
"Yeah, yeah. You're so dishonest," I muttered as I stood up again.
Renji?!
A shrill voice interrupted our conversation. The door swung open. Aunt Saeko stood there in a leopard-print negligee, her hair still rolled up. She was carrying a trash bag, but it fell to the floor when she saw us.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Himeno.
"Who is this angel?! Don't tell me this is the girlfriend you told me about?!" Aunt Saeko immediately rushed over, ignoring her messy appearance.
I panicked. "Auntie! Come in! You haven't taken a shower yet!"
Himeno, with her terrifying speed of adaptation, immediately smiled sweetly. 'Perfect Princess' mode activated.
"Good morning, Auntie," Himeno greeted politely with an elegant bow. "I'm Himeno Karen. Renji's girlfriend."
"KYAAA! So beautiful! And polite too!" Aunt Saeko held her cheeks, hysterical. "Renji! What kind of charm did you use to get someone like this?! Auntie is proud of you!"
Himeno smiled shyly, then wrapped her arms around my arm.
"Renji is really great, Auntie. He's very... violent," Himeno said ambiguously. "We're very close, you know. We often sleep together, take baths together, Renji even likes to make me wear costumes—"
WAIT! CUT! STOP!
I immediately covered Himeno's mouth with my hand. My face turned bright red up to my ears. Aunt Saeko looked like she had just seen a revelation from heaven.
"LIE! THAT'S A LIE, AUNT!" I shouted in panic. "He's joking! He has a terrible sense of humor! We just want to go to the mall! DAAGHH!"
Without waiting for Aunt Saeko's response, who was ready to faint from excitement (or shock), I dragged Himeno away from the house as quickly as possible.
"Shower together?! Are you crazy?!" I whispered to Himeno when we were a little further away.
Himeno giggled behind my hand, which was still covering her mouth. "Your uncle's reaction was hilarious. I give this morning's entertainment a 10 out of 10."
This girl... is truly a devil.
---
(POV: Aina)
Behind the power pole, about 50 meters from Renji's house.
"Did you hear that, Serin-chan?!" I whispered hysterically. "Sleeping together?! Bathing together?! COSTUMES?!"
I squeezed the lamppost as if I wanted to crush it. Tears welled up behind the large sunglasses I was wearing.
"Renji... My Renji is no longer pure... Huaaa..."
"Be quiet, Aina!" hissed the girl next to me.
Kagurazaka Serina.
He wore a wide-brimmed fedora, a face mask, and round sunglasses. He looked more like a kidnapper than an ordinary person. He also wore a brown trench coat even though the weather was hot.
"That's definitely a lie," Serina analyzed sharply, even though her hands were shaking as she held the pocket camera. "Himeno is a master manipulator. She deliberately provoked Renji's family so that Renji couldn't run away from her. What a snake woman!"
"But what if it's true?" I asked frantically. "What if Renji likes showering together? What should I do? Should I ask Renji to shower together too so it's fair?"
Slap!
Serina hit me on the head.
"Don't be stupid! Focus on the mission!" Serina adjusted her sunglasses. "Our mission today: Moral Integrity Surveillance Operation."
"We'll follow them. If Renji looks distressed, or if Himeno commits an indecent act in public..." Serina clenched her fists. "I, as the student council president, will raid them!"
"And I, as his childhood friend, will save Renji!" I added enthusiastically.
"Good. Let's go. They're heading to the station."
We both came out of hiding, walking stealthily in a very suspicious manner. People on the street stared at us strangely.
"Serin-chan," I whispered.
"What?"
"It's normal. People are watching us. You look like a thief."
"This is a high-level stealth technique, you know! Just be quiet and follow along!"
And so, Renji and Himeno's date began, with the two of us trailing behind like the world's most incompetent detectives.
Watch out, Himeno Karen. If you mess with Renji, I'll throw you with my signature Judo technique!
---
Part 19 — The Teddy Bear, the Love Hotel, and the Queen's Lies
(POV: Renji)
"Renji, look at this. It's funny, right?"
Inside the fancy toy store on the third floor of the mall, Himeno pointed to a giant light brown teddy bear wearing a red ribbon.
"Yeah, it's cute. But it's huge, Himeno. Do you want me to take it home on the train?" I protested.
"Of course. That's a girlfriend's job," she replied casually.
Himeno picked up the doll (which was half her size), then with a natural movement, she came back to me. Her left arm hugged the doll, her right arm wrapped tightly around my left arm.
And that's when disaster struck.
Since she was hugging the doll on the other side, her body pressed against mine. A soft and supple sensation pressed against my upper arm and shoulder.
That's... Himeno's chest.
Unlike the "fall" incident with Aina, which was a panic accident, this was a deadly silent attack. The texture was clearly felt beneath her thin sundress.
My face flushed instantly. I tried to pull my arm away, but Himeno held it tightly.
"Why are you blushing, honey?" he asked teasingly, looking up at me. His eyes blinked innocently, but I knew he was fully aware of what he was doing.
"N-no... Himeno, let go. People are watching," I whispered stiffly.
"Let them be jealous. Come on, pay for this," he dragged me to the cashier, the sensation in my arm tormenting me all the way.
----
(POV: Aina & Serina)
From behind the Gundam action figure shelf, two pairs of eyes behind dark glasses watched intently.
"Reporting," Serina whispered into her jacket collar (even though there was no microphone). "Target making level 3 physical contact. Arm touching. Chest... ahem, touching."
Aina bit her handkerchief angrily. "Cheater! Cheater! Himeno-san is cheating! She stuck it on purpose! Mine is a little bigger!"
"Calm down, Agent Aina," Serina held Aina's shoulder. "Technically, it's still within the limits of what people do when they're dating in public. No kissing, no touching. We don't have a strong enough reason to raid the place yet."
"But Renji's face is really red! He must be happy! Typical guy!" Aina pouted.
"Be patient... let's wait for them to make a fatal mistake. Once they violate the rules of decency, I will use the OSIS's rubber clause to separate them!"
(Point of view: Himeno)
"Finally out of that crowded mall."
We walked along the side road of the mall. It was late afternoon, and the sky was orange. Renji walked beside me, carrying the giant teddy bear with a tired look on his face.
I glanced at the shop window we passed.
In the reflection of the glass, I saw two suspicious figures—one wearing a strange fedora hat, the other wearing a yellow hoodie—hiding behind an electricity pole.
See you guys.
Actually, I only noticed them when we were at the toy store earlier. That clumsy Aina dropped a box of toys. But I couldn't let them know that I had just noticed them.
A Queen must always be one step ahead.
"Renji," I called out.
"What else? This is heavy," Renji complained.
I pulled his arm, steering us into a small alley that was fairly quiet but filled with pink and purple neon lights.
In front of us stood a building with tacky architecture and a sign that read: "REST & STAY: PARADISE LOVE." The hourly rates were clearly displayed in front of the entrance, which was covered with plastic curtains.
Love Hotel.
Renji's steps stopped abruptly. His eyes widened as he stared at the nameplate.
"H-Himeno? This... this is a dead end, right? Why did we come here?" he asked, his voice rising an octave.
I walked up to him, cornering him against the wall of the alley. I looked deep into his eyes, then lowered my gaze to his lips, then back to his eyes. I put on the most "mischievous" and seductive expression I had ever practiced in front of the mirror.
"Renji..." I whispered hoarsely. "I'm tired of walking. I want to... rest for a while. Somewhere with a bed."
I traced her chest with my index finger.
"You want to... accompany me to 'rest'?"
Renji's face turned pale, then red, then pale again. "H-H-HIMENO?! WE'RE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL! THAT... THAT'S ILLEGAL! AND... AND..."
His reaction was very funny. But deep down, I felt a little disappointed. If only those two troublemakers hadn't been there... maybe I would have really wanted to drag him inside. Just to see how far I could push him.
But now it's time to close the trap.
----
(POV: Aina & Serina)
"IT'S A LOVE HOTEL!!" Serina screamed, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. "HE'S TAKING RENJI TO A LOVE HOTEL?!"
NO! NO! RENJI IS STILL INNOCENT!
Aina could no longer hold back. Her patience and logic had run out.
"ATTACK!"
(Scene: In front of the Love Hotel)
"HIMENO, WAIT! I'M NOT READY TO BE A FATHER!" Renji shouted in panic, hugging the teddy bear as a shield.
RENJIIIIII!!
Suddenly, a yellow shadow rushed from the side.
BRUK!
Aina jumped and hugged Renji with all her strength, causing Renji to stagger backward away from Himeno. The teddy bear was caught between them.
"NO! DON'T GO IN THERE! DON'T GET RENJI DIRTY!" Aina screamed hysterically while crying like a crocodile.
Behind her, Serina appeared, panting, pointing at Himeno angrily.
"HIMENO KAREN!" Serina snapped. "What were you thinking?! Bringing a boy to a sleazy place like this in broad daylight?! Are you trying to ruin our school's reputation?! I'm going to report this to the Teachers' Council!"
Renji, still in shock, looked at Aina in his arms and Serina who was raging, completely confused.
"Aina? Serina? Why are you... wearing those strange clothes..."
A moment of silence.
Then, a small laugh was heard. A cold and dismissive laugh.
"I'm fine..."
Himeno covered her mouth with her hand and laughed gracefully. She wasn't surprised at all. She looked at Aina and Serina with a triumphant gaze.
"Finally, the little mice came out of their holes," Himeno said calmly.
"Wh-what?" Serina was stunned.
"You think I'm stupid?" Himeno tossed her hair. "I knew you were following us since I left Renji's house this morning."
Renji, Aina, and Serina stared blankly at the same time. "FROM THE MORNING?!"
"Of course," Himeno lied convincingly. Her face was full of confidence. "Bringing Renji here was just bait. I knew you guys wouldn't be able to resist seeing us enter this hotel. And sure enough, you showed up right away."
Himeno stepped forward, staring at Renji with feigned disgust.
"Besides, do you really think I would do 'that' with this Dog-kun? In a cheap hotel like this?" Himeno snorted. "I'm a classy girl. I don't want my body to be stained by a man's sweat before it's time. That's disgusting."
Renji looked relieved but also a little hurt by the insult. "Oh... thank goodness it was just a lie."
Serina lowered her hands, her face flushed red with embarrassment at being tricked. "S-so... you knew we were following you?"
"Obviously. Your camouflage technique is kindergarten level," Himeno teased.
Aina released her embrace on Renji, wiping her nose. "So... Renji is safe? He didn't get 'split open'?"
"It's safe, Aina. It's safe," Renji replied wearily.
Himeno turned away, hiding her slightly flushed face.
In Himeno's heart:"Damn... I lied about 'knowing since morning'. I only realized it at the mall earlier. And about 'not wanting to be defiled'? That's a big lie. If it weren't for you two, I might have dragged Renji in there and done things that would have made you faint. Ugh, troublemakers."
"Never mind," Himeno said, turning back to face the three of them. "Since this date has been ruined, let's just go home. Renji, take my doll to my house. Aina, Serina, stop playing detective."
Himeno walked away with a haughty gait.
Renji stared at Himeno's back, then looked at Aina and Serina.
"Did you guys really follow me around all day?" Renji asked.
Aina and Serina looked at each other, then ran off in opposite directions.
"We just happened to be passing by! Bye, Renji!"
Renji stood alone in front of the Love Hotel while hugging a giant teddy bear.
"Why has my life turned out this way..."
----
Part 20 — The First Kiss, the New Junior, and the Promise from 9 Years Ago
(POV: Renji)
The sky had turned dark purple as we walked away from the hotel area.
"What a pity..." Himeno muttered softly, kicking a small pebble with her wedges.
"What's wrong?" I asked cautiously, still hugging the big teddy bear.
Himeno turned her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "If only those little mice hadn't come... I wonder what we'd be doing right now, Renji? In an air-conditioned room... on a soft bed..."
Deg.
My weak brain immediately visualized the scene. Himeno was on the bed. The straps of her dress had slipped down. Her face was flushed, her breathing rapid. "Renji..." she whispered.
"STOP!" I shouted spontaneously, my face flushing. "Don't tease my imagination! You're a devil!"
Himeno laughed heartily. "Ahahaha! Your face is so red. You really are a cute virgin, Renji."
We arrived at the gate of his mansion. The garden lights were already on.
"Well, that's it. You can go home now," said Himeno. She took the teddy bear from my arms.
"All right. I'm going home," I turned around, ready to run as fast as I could before my heart exploded.
"Wait."
Himeno's hand grabbed my sleeve. I turned my head. "What—"
Himeno dropped her teddy bear on the ground. She pulled my collar, forcing me to look down. Her face came closer quickly.
Chup.
The world stopped spinning.
Something soft, warm, and sweet-smelling stuck to my lips. Not on my cheeks. On my lips.
My eyes widened. My mind went blank.
Himeno broke the kiss after two seconds that felt like an eternity. She took a step back, her face slightly flushed, but her eyes locked onto mine.
"From now on," she whispered softly. "Call me Karen. Just like I call you Renji. Don't call me Himeno anymore when it's just the two of us."
I held my lips with trembling hands. "Th-that... that..."
"What?"
"That was my first kiss!" I exclaimed in shock.
Himeno looked shocked. Her eyes widened. "Eh? Seriously? I thought you and Aina had been doing it since you were little? You two are so close."
"Of course not! We just played cooking games and other games! Aina is innocent!"
Himeno was silent for a moment, then the corners of her lips lifted into a sincere, triumphant smile.
"Hee... I see. So I was the first to take it," she muttered contentedly. "Good. That makes me happy."
What the...!
I couldn't say anything else. I felt embarrassed, shocked, and confused all at once. Without saying goodbye, I immediately turned around and ran away.
"YOU'RE SO STUPID!"
----
(POV: Himeno/Karen)
I picked up my fallen teddy bear and stared at Renji's back as he disappeared around the corner. My finger touched my own lips.
"Sweet too..." I muttered.
The automatic gate opened. I stepped into my large house, which was usually quiet. But today, the living room lights were on.
"Welcome, Sister."
A girl stood in the foyer. She had long black hair like mine, but her eyes were rounder and her expression was gentler. She was wearing silk pajamas.
"Airi?" I was surprised. "When did you arrive?"
Himeno Airi. My younger sister, one year younger than me.
"This afternoon," replied Airi.
Suddenly, a beautiful woman in a business suit came out of the dining room carrying a glass of wine. My mother.
"Ah, Karen. You're home," Mom said flatly, as if she were seeing a business client. "I'm just stopping by for a moment. Tomorrow morning I have to fly to Paris."
"As usual," I replied coldly. "Then why is Airi here? Isn't she at the girls' junior high school dormitory in Kyoto?"
"She's already graduated from junior high school," Mom sipped her wine. "Starting tomorrow, Airi will be staying here. She will be attending the same high school as you as a first-year student. Please take care of your little sister."
I looked at Airi. She smiled sweetly, but her eyes were searching. She looked at the teddy bear in my hand, then looked at my face, which was probably still a little red.
"Please help me, Karen," said Airi. "It seems like... you're having a good time, right? A doll from your boyfriend?"
I snorted, hugging the doll tightly. "None of your business. Your room is on the second floor, on the left."
I walked quickly up the stairs. Airi's presence could be a problem. She was a smart and sensitive girl. If she found out about my fake relationship with Renji... it would be troublesome.
---
(POV: Renji)
My heart was still beating like a drum when I arrived in front of the house. I kept rubbing my lips.
Karen... she kissed me. On the lips.
"RENJI!!"
My reverie was shattered. In front of my house fence, Aina was already standing there waiting. As soon as she saw me, she immediately jumped at me.
Greb!
"Renji, it's been so long! I missed you! I love you, Renji! I miss you, Renji!" Aina chirped as she rubbed her face against my chest.
Normally I would feel uncomfortable, but after what happened with Karen earlier... Aina's hug felt... soothing. Pure. Without intrigue.
"Yes, yes. I'm going home. It's heavy," I said, but my hand patted his back gently.
We entered the house.
"I'm going to take a shower first. After that, I'll cook the meat," I said.
"Yay! Meat!" Aina cheered, then sat down at the dining table, tapping her spoon and fork.
Aunt Saeko appeared from her room, her eyes sparkling. "Meat?! Renji-kun cooked meat?! Awesome! Auntie is so hungry, she's only been eating chips! Hurry up and cook! Auntie wants a jumbo portion!"
"Be patient, Auntie! You two are like starving kindergarteners," I complained as I went into the bathroom.
Under the shower, I closed my eyes. On one side, there was aggressive and unpredictable Karen. On the other side, there were warm Aina and Aunt Saeko who needed my presence.
My life has completely changed.
---
(POV: Aina's Mother — To Yumi)
I stood on my porch, looking at the window of the house next door. From there, I could hear Aina's laughter and Saeko-san's excited shouts.
"It's so crowded..." I muttered with a smile.
I went back into the quiet house. I walked toward the living room and stopped in front of a small altar. There was a photo frame with a picture of a man smiling warmly.
My husband, Kino Soichiro. He died 9 years ago in a work accident.
"Honey..." I whispered to the photo. "Look at our daughter. She's having dinner at the neighbor's house again. She looks so happy."
My thoughts drifted to the past. Nine years ago. The day of the funeral.
(Flashback - 9 Years Ago)
It was raining heavily. Our house was filled with people dressed in black. Little Aina, who was in second grade at the time, sat in the corner of the room. Her eyes were swollen, but she didn't say a word. She stared blankly at the floor.
I was devastated. I cried in my room, feeling unable to raise a child on my own.
Suddenly, my bedroom door opened.
A little boy with bandaged knees entered. Renji.
He held Aina's hand.
"Aunt Yumi..." little Renji called out in a forced, firm voice.
I lifted my face. "Renji-kun?"
Renji gently pushed Aina toward me, then stood upright in front of us both, stretching out her small hands as if they were a shield.
"Don't cry anymore, Auntie. Don't be sad, Aina," said Renji. His dark eyes looked straight at me. "From now on, I'll be the man here! I'll take care of Aina! I'll help you, Auntie!"
Little Aina looked at Renji, her tears starting to fall again. "Renji... sob..."
Renji turned around, wiping Aina's tears with his hands, which were dirty from playing in the dirt. "I promise, Aina. I won't leave you alone. I'll always be with you."
Aina immediately hugged Renji's neck tightly. "Renji... Huwaaa! I love Renji! I will always love Renji!"
(End of Flashback)
I wiped the corners of my eyes, which were wet.
Since that day, Renji has never broken a promise. He has always been there for Aina. He learned to cook so he could help us. He studied hard so he could become a successful person.
"You really are our little hero, Renji-kun," I whispered to the night wind.
Even though he's surrounded by girls now... my mother's instincts know. The bond between Aina and Renji isn't something that can be easily broken. It's a bond of life.
"Go for it, Aina. Win his heart. I'm rooting for you from here."
END OF CHAPTER [1]
[1] Please cooperate. If I make a typo, please write it down because I am human, not a robot.and English is not my primary language