Chapter 4 | The Gaming Addict’s Sleepover at His Girlfriend’s House

 

Past noon, Kasumi-san’s car hummed along, carrying me to Rinka’s house for a sleepover. She gripped the wheel confidently in the driver’s seat, while I sat in the back, Rinka’s presence warm beside me. Summer vacation had begun, and as planned, I’d be spending it at her place. Rinka had a way of deciding and acting swiftly, a trait that left me marveling. They say successful people move faster than most—maybe that’s her secret? Before I knew it, I was swept up in her momentum, staying over at her house. At this rate, I half-joked to myself, I might end up married before I realize it.

I pulled out my phone and glanced at the chat with my dad. I’d told him I’d be staying at my girlfriend’s place starting today, but, unsurprisingly, the message sat unread. Was he ignoring me specifically, or was he just like this with everyone? I sighed, my thoughts interrupted as Rinka’s fingers gently intertwined with mine in a lovers’ hold, her touch soft and unmistakably girlish. My heart skipped a beat. So bold of her. Even on our first date, we’d only held hands the usual way.

Stealing a glance at her, I noticed a faint flush on her cheeks, that shy side of her still evident despite her boldness. Surprise kisses and sharing a bed in the dark hadn’t dulled her bashfulness for moments like this. Her reaction sparked heat in my own cheeks, and to mask the embarrassment, I turned to gaze at the scenery flashing by outside.

“Man, I never would’ve thought Kazuto-kun would be staying over, huh?” Kasumi-san’s voice broke the quiet, light and teasing.

“Thanks for having me,” I replied, keeping my tone polite.

“No need to be so stiff,” she said with a laugh, her eyes fixed on the road, oblivious to the subtle hand-holding in the back.

“So, the other day when Rinka stayed at your place, Kazuto-kun, did anything… happen?”

“Not really,” I said. “We just chatted casually. It was a school day the next morning, after all.”

“Hmm. You two give off this super reserved couple vibe, don’t you? Rinka’s got that whole ‘hates guys’ thing going on, so she probably has no immunity to men. Guess a kiss is still a long way off, huh?”

Her lighthearted jab struck a nerve. I glanced at Rinka, and at that exact moment, her eyes met mine. Our gazes lingered, drifting briefly to each other’s lips before we both turned away in unison, our grips tightening. Was she thinking about that kiss too? Her cool exterior gave nothing away, but it had to be on her mind. That spur-of-the-moment kiss—my first, and likely hers too.

Kasumi-san, stopped at a red light, spun around and caught us. “Wait, you’ve already kissed!? Seriously, you did!?”

“Quiet down, Onee-chan…” Rinka muttered, flustered, releasing my hand.

“No way! You’re both beet red! And you were holding hands! What’s with all this lovey-dovey stuff in my car!? Should I honk the horn or what!? Beep beep!”

Kasumi-san’s teasing didn’t let up, but she sighed dramatically. “Ugh, what a shock. My little sister keeps getting ahead of me…”

“You’re plenty popular, Onee-chan,” Rinka said.

“Well, sure. But I haven’t found a guy who really sparks something in me~”

“If meeting someone amazing was that easy, no one would struggle,” Rinka countered.

“But you met someone, Rinka. And in an online game, no less.”

“I was really lucky,” Rinka said softly. “Meeting Kazuto-kun in the game and then in real life… I think about how grateful I am every day.”

“And now you’re bragging. I’m so jealous~”

The conversation shifted to Kasumi-san’s love life, and the Mizuki sisters dove into their discussion. I stayed out of it—joining in would’ve been awkward—and let my gaze wander to the passing town scenery.

“Oh, right, Kazuto-kun,” Kasumi-san said suddenly. “I should warn you about something.”

“Warn me?”

“Our mom is super serious… so, good luck.”

“Super serious…? Didn’t she get crazy drunk last time?”

“Oh, that? That’s a totally different person. Honestly, she’s the scariest in the Mizuki family… well, maybe tied with Rinka.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rinka protested. “I’m perfectly normal. I just live true to my beliefs and principles.”

“That sounds admirable, but your direction is a bit off,” Kasumi-san muttered, adding under her breath, “Is that what makes a genius?”

“I get what Onee-chan’s trying to say,” Rinka continued. “Our mom has a dual nature, you could say. Her personality changes drastically depending on the time and situation.”

“Got it,” I said, glancing at Rinka. “So, like you, then.”

“What are you talking about? I’m always the same.”

“…Completely different,” Kasumi-san and I said in unison, sharing a knowing look. Rin and Rinka were like night and day.

☆

We arrived at the Mizuki household. Kasumi-san and Rinka stepped inside, and as I entered the entranceway, the sound of small feet pattered down the hallway. Nonoa-chan came barreling toward me.

“Yay! It’s Kazuto Onii-chan!”

“Hey, Nonoa-chan, long time no—oof!”

Like a spear, she launched herself into my stomach with surprising force. The Nonoa-chan Dive. I let out a pathetic yelp but managed to catch her. “Kazuto Onii-chan! You’re gonna stay at my house forever, right?”

“Just for the summer break, but yeah, nice to see you.”

“Yay!” Her beaming smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but pat her head gently. Her expression melted into an adorable “ehehe” grin, her eyes narrowing in bliss. Too cute—I might’ve fainted from the sheer adorableness.

A light tug on my sleeve pulled my attention. Rinka stood beside me, lips slightly pursed, her expression almost sulky. “You’re only paying attention to Nonoa… That’s not fair.”

“Nonoa-chan’s so cute, I couldn’t help it…”

“So you really are a lolicon, huh?”

“No way! Stop labeling me as a lolicon!” This felt familiar, like we’d been here before.

“Starting today, this is your home, Kazuto-kun,” Rinka said earnestly.

“It’s just a sleepover…”

“I want you to think of it as your own home. After all, you and I are husband and wife.”

Easier said than done. Rinka had explained to her family that I’d be staying over, but nerves still gnawed at me. As I slipped off my shoes and stepped inside, familiar faces appeared from the hallway—Mikio-papa and Rinka’s mom.

“Uh, thank you for having me,” I said, my voice tinged with awkwardness.

Mikio-papa nodded, unfazed. “Your room’s ready. Make yourself at home.”

“Th-thank you very much.”

“No need to worry. This is the least I can do for you.” His tone shifted, his expression unyielding. “Brace yourself.”

“Huh?”

“The real challenge starts now.”

What did that mean? The cryptic weight of his words left me uneasy. I turned to Rinka’s mom, hoping for clarity, but her gaze was piercing, her voice steady. “Kazuto-kun, correct? Being with Rinka means spending your life together. Your bond reaches the soul, and no matter what happens, you’ll never part… Please take care of Rinka for years to come.”

The intensity hit me like a freight train. Was this a contract with a demon? Her serious eyes left no room for doubt—if I tried to break up with Rinka now, I’d be staring down a kitchen knife. So this was the “super serious” Kasumi-san warned me about. Rinka’s mom, from her sharp gaze to her tone, mirrored Rinka strikingly, like a glimpse of Rinka as an adult. The resemblance in looks and mindset was uncanny, down to that intense duality.

“To be honest, I’ve always dreamed of having a son in our family life,” she added with a gentle smile, heading back to her room alongside Mikio-papa.

What was going on? Their warm welcome was almost too much, teetering on the edge of terrifying.

☆

The room assigned to me was a six-tatami-mat Japanese-style space, the faint scent of tatami distinct from a Western-style room. Rinka gave me a quick rundown, pointing out the futon in the closet. “This room is yours to use freely, Kazuto-kun. You’ll probably keep using it after summer break too.”

“Your parents have basically accepted me as family, huh? They welcomed me like it’s no big deal.”

“Of course. What parent would reject their daughter’s future husband?”

“Wait, hold on. Are you actually saying that? Like, you told them we’re husband and wife…?”

“I was going to, but Onee-chan stopped me. She begged me not to cause any more trouble.”

I could almost see Kasumi-san’s exasperated face. “Just to check… did you tell your family about my family situation?”

“I didn’t. I only said I wanted to have my boyfriend stay over.”

“Got it…” Was she being considerate? I wouldn’t have minded if she’d told them, but it didn’t matter now. Hearing “boyfriend” from Rinka felt oddly refreshing—she usually stuck to “husband and wife.”

“Kazuto-kun, can we talk for a moment?”

“Hm?”

“I want to decide how we’ll live as husband and wife going forward.”

“Husband and wife? You mean as a couple, right?”

“I’ve been busy with idol activities, so we haven’t done much as husband and wife, have we?”

“You’re ignoring my correction? Well, yeah… we haven’t done much couple-like stuff.” Rinka had only stayed over at my place once—our most notable moment as a couple.

“I can handle the loneliness,” I added, “but it seems tough on you.”

“With this summer break, I think we can take our relationship as husband and wife to the next level. We’re living under the same roof now, after all.”

“Next level…? Like, specifically, what?”

“Spoiling each other.”

“Spoiling?”

“Yes. You spoiling me.”

“…How does that make us more like husband and wife?”

“A husband and wife trust and support each other. But what about us right now? I’m the one being supported, and I’m the one spoiling you.”

“…That’s not true.”

“No, it is. Like I said before, you’ve never really let yourself be spoiled by me.” Her bluntness left me speechless. For me, just having Rinka by my side was enough. Asking for more felt almost… wrong.

“I want you to rely on me more, Kazuto-kun,” she continued. “I want to pamper you like you’re a lonely little kid, stroke your head all day, and then cuddle up in the same bed to sleep… Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

“Uh, well… wonderful, maybe?”

“Spoiling and being spoiled… That’s my ideal relationship as husband and wife. Because spoiling someone means you trust them completely…”

“I see…” Spoiling someone meant asking something of them, an act rooted in the certainty they wouldn’t reject you. It hit me then—since we started dating, Rinka had been shy but open about relying on me, especially when she stayed over. Before we dated, she’d seemed afraid of rejection, guilty about introducing me to Kasumi-san and the others too soon or confessing about her Kazuto-kun merchandise. But once I accepted her fully, her desires surfaced, her physical affection—like holding hands—growing bolder. We felt more like a couple than husband and wife, but that was fine. We were a couple.

“You can ask more of me, you know? If you want me to take a break from being an idol… I would.”

“No way! I want you to keep shining, Rinka!” She was a beacon of hope for so many, her idol presence bringing smiles to countless faces. If—hypothetically—she became an idol just for me…

“Kazuto-kun?”

“…It’s nothing. So, what does spoiling actually look like?”

“Well… relying on someone, asking for things… being honest about your desires.”

“I’m happy just having you by my side, Rinka.”

“That makes me really happy, but… it’s not quite the same.”

“Ugh, this is tough.” For an online gaming addict like me, “spoiling” felt like an impossible quest.

“What if you thought of me like your mom and tried relying on me?”

“That makes it even harder to understand.” Was she worried about my family situation? I kept that thought to myself.

“Then… how about imitating Nonoa?”

“Imitate Nonoa-chan, huh…” Clearing my throat, I raised my voice to a higher pitch. “Rinka, hug me!”

“Got it.”

“Seriously!?” I’d expected her to laugh it off, but she agreed instantly. Despite our size difference, Rinka, the top idol who never backed down, grabbed me tightly, letting out cute little grunts—“Ngh! Nn, ngh!”—as she tried to lift me. My feet stayed planted on the tatami.

“You’re heavy… Nothing like Nonoa…!”

“Well, yeah. Comparing me to a little girl is kind of unfair.”

Rinka’s effort pressed her soft, warm body against mine, my heart pounding wildly. That cushion-like feeling against my lower chest—I stopped myself from looking down, knowing it’d be trouble. “R-Rinka, that’s enough! It’s fine!”

“Ngh, ngh! Not… yet!”

“Please, stop! I’m at my limit!”

At my desperate plea, Rinka pulled back, stumbling and collapsing onto her knees, defeated. Her eyes glistened with fragile tears. “I’m sorry, Kazuto-kun… I couldn’t hug you.”

“It’s fine! Don’t worry about it!”

“What a useless wife I am… Unable to fulfill my husband’s wish…”

“It wasn’t my wish! You told me to imitate Nonoa-chan!”

“You finally relied on me, saying ‘hug me’…!”

“I was just copying Nonoa-chan—please listen to me!?” It was like I’d wanted the hug, which wasn’t entirely wrong, but it felt off.

“Is there… anything else you want?”

“Not really…”

“Really? You don’t have to be shy.”

“I’m not being shy.”

“…I wonder. You’re such a shy boy, Kazuto-kun. You get flustered just holding hands with me, and your face turns red when our eyes meet.”

“You’re the same way, Rinka.”

“I’m normal.”

“Normal, huh? You call us husband and wife all the time, but you freeze up when we hold hands, say it’s too early to show skin, and yet… you suddenly… k-kiss me…!”

“Th-that’s—!” Her face flushed bright red, steam practically rising from her head as her cool facade crumbled. “It… it was my first time, and you did it so suddenly…!”

“It was my first time too! I-I actually… imagined it so many times, in a more romantic setting, with you… taking the lead…!”

“Then why did you do it!?”

“I don’t know! I just… ugh, Kazu, you idiot!”

“How is this my fault!? And you’re using your Rin tone now!” Our voices rose, words tumbling out in a childish frenzy, our brains overheating. Kasumi-san slid open the door, peeking in with an exasperated look.

“What, already having a lovers’ quarrel?”

“It’s not a lovers’ quarrel. It’s a husband-and-wife fight,” Rinka corrected.

“Whatever, just finish unpacking already.” With a dismissive wave, Kasumi-san left, her intrusion cooling the heated air.

“…Our first husband-and-wife fight, huh?” Rinka murmured.

“I wouldn’t call it a fight, exactly.” But it was true—Rinka and I had never even had a light argument before. Was this what dating brought?

☆

After unpacking, I spent relaxed time with the Mizuki family in the living room. Rinka’s mom bombarded me with questions—favorite food, future plans, ideal number of kids—far too intense for this stage. I could only muster an awkward laugh. “Haha, well… I’m still thinking about all that.” She was too serious, practically a top-tier eccentric, her duality mirroring Rinka’s perfectly.

As evening approached, Rinka donned an apron with flair and stood in the kitchen. “Kazuto Onii-chan! It’s curry tonight!” Nonoa-chan announced.

“Oh, cool. Last time I was here, we had curry too…” That time, it was mild to suit Rinka’s aversion to spice. As I recalled the taste, Mikio-papa, lounging on the sofa watching TV, spoke quietly. “Hmm… curry makes it easy to simmer that.”

“That? What’s that?”

“Curiosity killed the cat. You’re better off not knowing.”

“Don’t say something ominous and then clam up! You’re making me nervous.”

“Relax. It’s not harmful to your health.”

“Not harmful, but it has some kind of effect…?” He ignored me, focusing on the TV. What was that about? Just tell me if it’s an ingredient!

Dinner was ready, and we gathered around a six-person table, three on each side—me next to Rinka, Nonoa-chan beside her, and Kasumi-san with the Mizuki parents across from us. After a brief pre-meal greeting, we scooped up the curry. A slight spice tingled my tongue—mild-leaning medium. Rinka had handled mild curry before, so I assumed she’d be fine. But when I glanced at her, she was frozen, spoon in mouth, expressionless. Silent tears streamed from both eyes.

“R-Rinka!?”

“…Spicy…!” Her voice slurred, her spice tolerance clearly nonexistent.

Meanwhile, Nonoa-chan ate happily, chirping, “Yummy!” So cute. “Is my tongue okay? Can you check?”

Rinka stuck out her tongue cutely. It looked normal, but the sight made my heart skip. “Your tongue’s fine… You okay, Rinka?”

“I’m done for. In that one moment, my whole life flashed before my eyes.”

“That’s like a near-death experience…”

“Why does a wretched dish like curry even exist? It should just disappear.”

“You made it yourself!”

“I thought I could handle it. Today’s me is more grown than yesterday’s me… So it’s only natural to think I could eat spicy food now, right?”

“That’s not natural at all! What, are you suddenly turning into a klutz?” Her spice intolerance was worse than I’d thought. The Mizuki family ate unbothered, as if this was routine.

“Maybe if you put some love into it, I could eat it,” Rinka said.

“Put love into it…? Like, specifically, what?”

“I saw a maid café special on TV. They made a heart with their hands and chanted, ‘Moe moe kyun kyun, become delicious!’” Her deadpan delivery lacked any moe charm, but she was still adorable. A cool-type idol couldn’t pull off cutesy acts.

My mouth twitched with a bad premonition. “No way you’re telling me to do that, right?”

“Do it or don’t, it’s your choice. But if you did, I’d be really happy… No, I believe in you, Kazuto-kun. I believe you’ll do it with all your heart.”

“That’s uncalled-for faith! Are you trying to socially destroy me!?”

“It’s fine. Even if the world abandons you, I’ll always be by your side.”

“You’re the one causing this!” Kasumi-san, pausing her meal, smirked across the table. “Ooh, I wanna see Kazuto-boy’s moe moe kyun kyun~ (hehe).”

“Stop egging me on! I’m seriously embarrassed here.”

“Hey, Kazuto Onii-chan! Do moe moe kyun kyun for my curry too!” Nonoa-chan chimed in.

“No way! Not even for an angel’s request!”

“Moe moe kyun kyun is the first trial you and I must face,” Rinka said. “Kazuto-kun, overcome this challenge.”

“Your existence is the real challenge.”

“As a pioneer, let me offer some advice—”

“No thanks. It’ll only make me more anxious.”

“Kazuto-kun, you should be quiet during meals,” Rinka scolded.

“You’re the one who started this, Rinka! Don’t hit me with logic now!” The Mizuki family’s relentless demands left me no room to breathe. Kasumi-san looked impressed. “Wow, you’re something else. Like a must-have tsukkomi machine for every household.”

“Keep this up, and I’ll snap and go berserk.”

“Having a son makes dinnertime so lively,” Rinka’s mom said. “Thank you for coming to our home, Kazuto-kun.”

“Can you thank me in a less overwhelming way?” I was their plaything!

“So… are you going to do the moe moe kyun kyun, Kazuto-kun?”

“…Fine, I’ll do it! I’ll do it, okay!?” Desperate, I gave in, forming a heart with my hands and aiming at Rinka’s curry. “M-moe moe kyun kyun! Become delicious!”

I didn’t even know what I was doing anymore. The embarrassment was unbearable. “Thank you, Kazuto-kun,” Rinka said. “I think I can do it now.”

“Really!? I don’t think anything’s changed!”

“No, the moment your love was added, it transcended mere food into a higher existence. You should have confidence in your love.”

I had no clue what she meant, but if Rinka believed it, I’d trust her. She scooped up another bite of curry, only to freeze again, tears streaming silently. “S-spicy…!”

“Knew it!!”

☆

“I got way too carried away… That’s so not me,” I muttered in the shower, the shock of the moe moe kyun kyun still lingering. After dinner, it was bath time, and it was my turn. Sitting on the bath stool, I let the water pour over me like a waterfall meditation—not to clear my mind, but to wash away the shame.

“Kazuto-kun, I’m coming in.”

“Oh… Wait, what!?” Rinka’s casual call took a moment to register. I stopped the shower and turned around. The bathroom door was slowly opening. Was this a rom-com fanservice moment? I wasn’t exactly opposed, but—!

“Kazuto-kun, I’ll wash your back.”

Rinka appeared, dressed casually in a shirt and shorts. Of course—she’d said showing skin was too soon. But I was the one exposed here. “You look kind of disappointed,” she teased.

“Not really…”

“If you have something to say, don’t hold back… Oh, don’t look this way. I can see all sorts of things… I’m not ready for that.”

“You’re as innocent as ever in the weirdest ways… You don’t have to force yourself to wash my back, you know.”

“We’re a proper husband and wife, aren’t we? This much is normal.”

“If we’re husband and wife, then showing some skin—never mind, forget it…” I gave up, turning forward to offer my back. No matter what I said, she wouldn’t stop, and honestly, I was kind of happy—embarrassed, but happy. I covered my crotch with a body towel, just in case.

“Didn’t your family say anything about this?”

“They did. Mom said, ‘Get used to it to prepare for when you’re married.’ Funny, right? We’re already husband and wife.”

The whole family had some wild ideas. “You haven’t washed your hair yet, right?”

“Nope.”

“I’ll wash it.”

“Figured you’d say that.” I knew she would the moment she asked.

“Kazuto-kun, lower your head.”

I complied, feeling her presence beside me as she knelt. “Close your eyes, or shampoo will get in them.”

“Got it.”

“Lower your head a bit more. It’s a little high.”

She was demanding, but before I could dwell on it, Rinka’s practiced hands began washing my hair. The foam and her fingers massaging my scalp felt incredible, the situation—my girlfriend, a super popular idol, washing my hair—almost unreal with happiness. “How’s that? I’m pretty good, right? I sometimes wash Nonoa’s hair.”

That explained her skill. “Any itchy spots?”

“My head—pfft!” Shampoo got in my mouth, the intense scent spreading. “Hehe,” Rinka laughed playfully, her tone gentle and loving as she continued. Was I being treated like a kid? It frustrated me slightly.

After rinsing my hair carefully, I said, “I’ll do my back myself.”

“No way. Don’t take this joy away from me.”

“Ugh…” Joy, huh? That was new.

“Washing my husband’s body has been my dream since I was little. Right now… I’m so happy.”

“Th-that much…?”

“…Kazuto-kun, are you going to wash your back yourself?” Her voice trembled, fragile and tearful. No man could refuse her now.

“Okay, then… please,” I said hesitantly.

“W-well, fine,” she replied, her tone brighter. “My husband’s so hopeless without me.”

“Oh, never mind then. I’ll wash my own back—”

“I’ll cry! I’ll cry so loud the police will come!”

“A police incident over washing my back!? What do you want me to do!?”

“Let your wife take care of you.”

She doesn’t miss a beat. It’s almost refreshing.

I’m happy, but the embarrassment is still winning.

This feels less like being spoiled and more like being cared for like an invalid…

I handed her the soapy body towel without turning around. “Here we go…”

“Go ahead.”

The moment felt tense, though I couldn’t pinpoint why. Rinka’s touch was gentle as she scrubbed my back with the towel, her movements careful and light. I almost wished for more pressure, but it felt… nice. “Kazuto-kun.”

“Hm?”

“I love you.”

“—! Th-that came out of nowhere…” My heart raced, caught off guard by her sudden confession, the warmth of her words mingling with the steam of the shower.

 

 

 

“I just felt like saying it. Isn’t it strange… how doing this makes my love for you overflow?”

My heart pounds, threatening to burst. I might actually faint.

“Maybe next time I’ll have you wash my hair or back.”

“That’d mean seeing each other’s skin…?”

“No problem at all. We’ll just turn off the lights and make the bathroom pitch black.”

“Why turn off the lights? You can’t wash properly in the dark.”

“…D-do you want to see my body that badly? If you’re so insistent…!”

“Let’s just drop this topic.”

“W-why?”

I fall silent, staring at the bathroom wall.

Rinka seems puzzled behind me, but I don’t say a word.

…Why did I stop the conversation?

One phrase sums it up: male physiology.

☆

“Finally, I can sleep…”

What an exhausting day. I never imagined staying at the Mizuki house would be such a relentless ordeal. Even after the bath, Rinka’s mom and Kasumi-san kept grilling me about our daily interactions. And until just moments ago, Nonoa-chan was clinging to me, pleading, “Kazuto Onii-chan! Hug me! Play with me!” By 11 p.m., bedtime arrived, and Nonoa-chan collapsed like her battery had run dry.

Now, in the Japanese-style room assigned to me, I lie on the futon, utterly drained. It’s less relaxing and more total exhaustion. Sprawled out, I let every ounce of tension seep from my body.

“Having people around… it’s this hectic, huh?” I’m used to a quiet house, endlessly playing online games. For someone like me, a day at the Mizuki household is fulfilling but completely bewildering.

As I surrender to the sleepiness tugging at me, ready to drift off—my phone, resting near the pillow, buzzes with an incoming call.

…Who could it be? If it was Rinka, she’d just come to my room. Probably not Tachibana or Saito either. Maybe Kurumizaka-san? I glance at the screen and see “Kurumizaka Nana.” Nailed it. I tap the answer button.

“Hello? Kurumizaka-sa—”

“Nya! Nyanya, nyao!”

“…Huh?”

“Nnyaao! Nya. Nyanya!”

…

Oh no. Kurumizaka-san’s broken.

“Nyanya! Nya! Nya~n, nya!”

I stay quiet as the meowing continues. …No, it’s not Kurumizaka-san. It’s a cat. A real cat. Why? That meow sounds familiar—Sturmangriff. For some reason, Sturmangriff is desperately trying to tell me something. It’s that kind of meow. So… maybe I should respond in kind?

Alright, I’ll try cat language.

Influenced by the Mizuki family’s chaos, I meow back. “Nyanya? Nya~n. Nyaa!”

“…Kazu-kun? You okay?”

Oh, come on! She switches to Kurumizaka-san now?

“No, it’s not like that. The cat called me, so I was trying to communicate. I wasn’t doing anything weird.”

“That’s not much of an excuse, Kazu-kun! But it was super cute, so it’s okay!”

Her loud voice echoes in my ear. I lower the volume slightly. “Sorry, Kazu-kun. Sturmangriff got hold of my phone…”

“And somehow called me by accident, huh?”

“Yeah, looks like it. A miracle, right?”

She sounds oddly happy. I nod along casually, still hearing “Nyanya! Nya~n!” in the background. The cat’s relentless.

“Hmm, what’s up with Sturmangriff? He’s usually so calm…”

“It feels like he’s trying to tell me something with those meows.”

“Maybe he wants to chat with you, Kazu-kun?”

“Please, spare me…”

“Kotone-chan told me you and Sturmangriff got pretty close, right? So he probably does want to talk to you!”

“If that’s true, that cat’s got some insane intelligence.”

“You think? There are actually a lot of cats that can communicate with people if you look for them.”

“But none that can freely operate a smartphone, right?”

“Haha, true.”

Kurumizaka-san laughs brightly, then says, “I’m going to another room.” After a brief pause, she adds, “Sorry for the wait.” The cat’s meows are gone. Looks like we’re continuing the conversation.

“Summer break’s finally here, huh, Kazu-kun? Got any plans?”

“Not really… Oh, wait, I’m staying at Rinka’s place starting today.”

“What!? That’s huge! A total blockbuster event! Rinka didn’t tell me anything!”

She sounds genuinely shocked. Rinka must not have mentioned it—on purpose or just by chance?

“Ugh, I wanna hear all about it… But Operation Close Friends is over…”

“You don’t need to stick to that… Oh, actually, I have something to ask. Is that okay?”

“Sure! Ask me anything!”

I can picture Kurumizaka-san puffing out her chest confidently. Smiling faintly, I bring up a small worry about “spoiling.” I looked it up online but couldn’t quite grasp it. Since Rinka wants me to rely on her, I ask Kurumizaka-san what that might look like.

“Hmm… Just don’t overthink it and rely on her however you want to.”

“That’s the part I don’t get… I’m happy just having Rinka around.”

“That’s so pure and selfless… But I can’t really picture you relying on her. …Oh, but your cat imitation earlier was super cute!”

“Forget that already. I wasn’t myself.”

Probably some leftover recklessness from the moe moe kyun kyun fiasco. Rude as it sounds, staying in this house feels like it’s eroding something inside me.

“Hmm. I could give advice on date plans or setting a good mood, but…”

“You’re kind of a disaster at that stuff, Kurumizaka-san.”

“Ehehe, not that bad~”

“Sorry, how did you take ‘disaster’ positively? That’s actually impressive.”

I’m genuinely dumbfounded, but that’s Kurumizaka-san’s charm, I suppose.

“I don’t know if this helps, but have you ever thought, ‘I want Rinka to do this or that’?”

“…Oh.”

I pause to think. During our first date, I wanted to hold hands with Rinka. And I’ve had other thoughts, deeper than just wanting her by my side. Even today, I thought… if Rinka became an idol just for me…

“Thanks, Kurumizaka-san. I think I’m starting to get it.”

“Really? Keep asking me anything! Operation Close Friends may be over, but I’ll help as much as you need!”

Her bright, cheerful voice warms my heart. She’s such a kind girl. Soon after, we end the call, and I turn off the room’s lights to prepare for bed. In the pitch-black room, I close my eyes and drift into the world of dreams.

☆

My consciousness, lost in dreams, snaps back to reality. I open my eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling cloaked in darkness.

“…?”

What’s this? My body feels heavy. The futon’s bulging, like someone’s crawled inside and is lying on me… And there’s a familiar head on my chest. Could it be? I lift the futon.

“…Rinka-san?”

As expected, Rinka’s on top of me, hugging me tightly. Am I her body pillow? The closeness is overwhelming. Even through my shirt, I feel the warmth of her soft body.

W-whoa, seriously…?

I’m freaking out, barely holding back a shout. Rinka gets bold in pitch-black rooms where faces can’t be seen, but sneaking in without a word? I didn’t expect this. She insists we’re husband and wife but is shy in reality, only daring when it’s dark. My girlfriend’s extremes are something else…

“Uh, Rinka-san? It’s kind of hard to breathe. Could you move?”

“I’m asleep, so I can’t hear you.”

“You’re clearly awake. Wide awake.”

“It’s sleep-talking.”

“You’re answering me perfectly, though?”

“I have an early morning tomorrow… Let’s talk later.”

“Why does it sound like I’m the one being unreasonable…?”

This feels a bit unfair, doesn’t it? As I try to speak again, I sense Rinka lifting her face. It’s too dark to see her expression, but she’s probably wearing her usual calm look.

“Rinka, this is kind of… a lot of things not good!”

“Shh. Don’t make a fuss, or Mom and Dad will find out. I worked hard to sneak in here, you know.”

“…I feel like they’d just accept it.”

“What do you take my family for? They’d definitely tell us to keep our relationship wholesome.”

…What’s “wholesome” to your family?

“It’s so strange. We’re husband and wife, so sleeping together should be normal…”

“Right. So, could you—please get off…?”

I try shaking my body to dislodge her, but Rinka clings like a koala, grunting, “Nghghghgh!” with fierce determination. Why!?

“I’m not letting go… I’ll never let go…!”

“What tenacity…! My sleep time’s getting wasted…!”

“Do you know how much I’ve looked forward to this? I wouldn’t let go even if I died…!”

“Your passion’s aimed in the wrong direction…!”

“Nghghghgh!”

The more I struggle, the tighter Rinka holds on. Between this pointless battle and my rationality crumbling, I give up resisting.

“From now on, every night, you’ll be my body pillow, Kazuto-kun… hehe.”

“Hehe…? This is too close. Could you at least give me some space?”

“It’s normal for husband and wife to sleep together. I want to be so close our bodies melt into each other.”

“…Being this close, you don’t feel anything?”

“Your body’s so warm, Kazuto-kun.”

“You’re too innocent…!”

That’s not something a teenage girl in the prime of puberty would say.

“Sniff, sniff… sniff, sniff.”

“…?”

For some reason, Rinka’s pressing her face near my neck, sniffing intently. Embarrassment gives way to overwhelming confusion.

“…What? Why are you sniffing me like an animal…?”

“Your scent is addictive, Kazuto-kun. Once I smell it, I can’t get enough… sniff, sniff.”

“You make it sound like a drug. Stop sniffing, it’s embarrassing.”

“Sniff, sniff, sniff…”

“Rinka?”

“…Do you like animals, Kazuto-kun?”

“Nice subject change… I don’t dislike them. Depends on the type.”

“I see… My favorite is the tanuki.”

“Tanuki? Why?”

“They’re cute. Their round bodies and big, round eyes… Just looking at them is healing. And above all, their strong bond as a couple.”

I listen quietly as Rinka speaks enthusiastically, clearly in a good mood. “Tanuki stay with their partner for life. They’re always close, acting together.”

“That’s some serious couple loyalty…”

“Yes. If their partner dies first, they live alone until their own death. They never take another partner.”

That’s extreme devotion. My image of tanuki has completely changed. They seem almost too loyal now. I get why Rinka likes them.

“I can’t hold back anymore.”

“…You haven’t been holding back at all.”

“Usually, I sleep hugging my Kazuto-kun doll.”

“…And?”

“Right now, I’m hugging the real Kazuto-kun, but I want to hug you even harder.”

“H-huh…?”

What is Rinka after? As I wonder, she grabs my head and pulls it into her soft chest, hugging tightly. I’m suffocating, so I tap her arm lightly, and she loosens her grip just enough for me to breathe.

“…You’re doing whatever you want…!”

“Do you hate it? If you really hate it… I’ll stop.”

“It’s not… I don’t hate it.”

“Such a slow-to-be-honest husband. What am I going to do with you?”

I want to retort, but I hold back.

“You’re so cute, Kazuto-kun. The Kazuto-kun doll is cute, but the real you is the cutest.”

“Is that so…?”

If she said the doll was cuter, I’d be pretty shocked.

“Hey, Kazuto-kun, is there anything you want me to do? From head pats to lullabies, anything’s fine.”

“You’re totally treating me like a kid. Give me a break…”

“Don’t you know? When you’re asleep, you’re like a child. Your innocent sleeping face is so adorable.”

Rinka’s arms tighten around my head again. She probably doesn’t realize, but my face is pressed against her chest. She’s talking casually, but my heart’s about to explode.

“You’re just so… Kazuto-kun. Kazuto-kun…!”

Unable to contain herself, Rinka hugs my head tightly, repeating my name. I’m about to suffocate again, so I tap her arm to loosen her grip.

…Kazuto-kun, huh.

“Then, I have one request—”

“Leave it to me.”

“You’re agreeing too fast! I haven’t even said it yet.”

“It’s your request, Kazuto-kun. How could I refuse?”

“Right. Then let go of my head.”

“Suu, suu… Oh, sorry. I fell asleep for a second and didn’t hear you. Let’s talk later.”

“Hey.”

She’s not letting go, so I give up and make another request.

“Rinka, I have one more request.”

“Depends on what it is.”

“That’s different from what you just said!”

“People grow every day. It’s only natural my thinking changes.”

“That’s not growth, it’s just convenient picking and choosing!”

“Suu, suu… Huh, what?”

“…”

Damn, I’m a little annoyed, but she’s too cute to stay mad…!

I take a deep breath to calm down and make my request. “I want you to call me Kazuto.”

“…You don’t like the -kun?”

“Not that I dislike it… Just a whim, I guess. No deep meaning.”

“I see…”

Now that I think about it, no one calls me just Kazuto. Not that it matters much.

“Kazuto.”

“Yeah.”

Rinka murmurs my name calmly.

“Kazuto.”

“Yeah.”

“Kazuto, Kazuto… KazutoKazutoKazutoKazutoKazuto—”

“Stop, that’s creepy!”

Sneaking into my futon, murmuring my name with a straight face… It’s like a horror movie scene.

☆

I don’t know how much time has passed—maybe just a few dozen minutes. Being hugged by Rinka like this, there’s no way I can stay calm.

“Suu… suu… suu.” Her cute sleeping breaths signal my chance to push her off and crawl out from the futon. The stimulation was too much. This is way more intense than our previous sleepover. Rinka’s actions are escalating… though she’d probably be tame if the room was lit.

“2 a.m., huh.”

I check the time on my phone. What now? I’m not sleepy at all. Needing to cool off, I step out onto the balcony for some night air.

“…Oh, Kazuto-kun? What’re you doing up this late?”

Someone’s already there. Kasumi-san. She’s leaning against the balcony railing, sipping a lemon sour, staring at the cloudy night sky. Her cheeks are slightly flushed.

“Just wanted some fresh air…”

“Got it, got it. Did Rinka… go to your room?”

“Yeah, well, yes…”

“…Did you do it?”

“Do what—I’ll stop myself there. Nothing happened, I swear.”

My deadpan denial makes Kasumi-san chuckle softly.

“What about you, Kasumi-san? What’re you doing?”

“Me? Just… thinking to myself, I guess.”

“While drinking?”

“Yup. Want some, Kazuto-kun?”

“Thanks.”

I reach for the can, but she pulls it back. “No way, that’d be an indirect kiss.”

“That’s not the issue here… Are you drunk?”

“Yup. I’m a lightweight, so I can’t go to drinking parties with guys unless I’ve got trusted friends with me.”

Drinking parties… a world I can’t even imagine as a high schooler.

“You’re a lightweight but still drink, huh?”

“When I’ve got a lot on my mind…”

“Like what?”

It’s just casual conversation, but Kasumi-san hesitates before answering.

“Rinka.”

“Rinka?”

“I’m jealous.”

Kasumi-san stares into the distance at the night sky. This isn’t her usual lighthearted tone—it’s something deeper. She’s mentioned being jealous of Rinka before, but this feels different.

I stay silent, and she continues, gazing at the moon hidden by clouds. “She’s succeeding as an idol, has the boy she loves… She’s perfect, right? She even handles housework… No flaws, that’s what she is.”

“Kasumi-san…”

“I know she’s worked hard for it. I’ve seen it up close… As her sister, nothing makes me happier than seeing her succeed. I’m cheering for her from the bottom of my heart. But sometimes… I can’t help comparing myself.”

I don’t need to ask what she’s comparing. Her lonely, self-deprecating tone leaves me speechless. I always saw Kasumi-san as a playful but serious-at-heart older sister type. I never imagined she had this side to her…

But I get it. Having an overly perfect younger sister must stir something in her as an older sister. It’s a natural human emotion.

“Haha, maybe I’m too drunk… I’m heading back inside.”

I watch Kasumi-san leave the balcony, her back carrying a quiet loneliness.

I couldn’t say anything to the end. And I shouldn’t have. The only thing I can do for Kasumi-san is to forget this ever happened.