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Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 12, Chapter 2: Evening in Room 106
Volume 12, Chapter 2: Evening in Room 106
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 1
Friday, April 23
Ruth and Koutarou were walking arm in arm. As they did, the space between them disappeared. Brushing up close together, they walked down the residential area wrapped in twilight. They were on their way back from Clan's spaceship to Corona House.
“Master, it has gotten warmer, hasn't it?”
Ruth smiled with her cheek resting on Koutarou's shoulder. She was looking at the night sky of the early summer and the first star of the evening. The calendar has passed spring was brighter nights were upon them.
“If it's warm then why not let go?”
“Geez... you always try to separate like that Master...”
“...Sorry. I'm not used to it...”
When the two were alone, Ruth would call Koutarou 'Master'. As of late, she would also start to link her arm with his. These were all Ruth's desires.
“I think I have the right to stick to you from time to time as well.”
“Ruth-san, you're always so diligent and serious, so... it's a bit embarrassing...”
“Fufufu, please get used to it. Normally, Master has the right to freely make use of my mind and body...”
Ruth had been feeling that she was the only one missing out on physical contact with Koutarou.
Sanae had been hanging on Koutarou since she was a ghost, and she continued doing so after regaining her body. Theia's relation with Koutarou was fierce, both in the past and present. Since Yurika lived her life so sloppily, Koutarou constantly had to follow up on her. And Kiriha lived to play pranks on Koutarou.
Looking at it like that, because of Ruth’s serious personality, she had been missing out on contact with Koutarou. Bothered by that, she wanted to at least stick to him while it was just the two of them. If Koutarou were to refuse her, he would feel like he was only rejecting her, so he had no choice but to accept her desires.
“But... if you really don't like it... please say so... that is not my intention...”
Just saying those words was enough for the smile to disappear from Ruth. She didn't want to trouble Koutarou for real.
“If I really didn't like it, it wouldn't bother me.”
Koutarou on the other, started smiling as he spoke.
A normal person can probably do this without any resistance...
Thanks to the girls around him, Koutarou had realized the psychological fault he carried.
Koutarou didn't expect much from others; that's why he unconsciously tried to get away from linking his arm with Ruth. In other words, he didn't expect to form a deep bond with someone.
But Koutarou felt that wouldn't do. And while it might be hard to change his personality right away, he felt like he should change it little by little.
“Then... I will wait.”
“Eh?”
“I and her highness will always wait for you. Until the day when master can accept us...”
As Ruth said that while still leaning on Koutarou, she put more force into the arm linked with Koutarou's. While he couldn't see her expression, the warmth coming through Ruth's arms conveyed the depth of her feelings.
“Why would you go so far...”
“That's because... we want to save you and become happy.”
If Koutarou had just been the Blue Knight of legend, Ruth probably wouldn't have loved him this much.
She loved Koutarou because he was imperfect. It was because she wasn't just being protected, but she could protect him as well.
“...That is what I think love is.”
Ruth looked up at Koutarou and narrowed her eyes. As she did, the gentle light in her eyes shot straight into Koutarou's heart. That light then broke down another piece of something hard within his heart.
“...Ruth-san.”
With his heart a little lighter, Koutarou spoke to Ruth.
“I don't want you to tell this to anyone else, but...”
“Yes, Master.”
Ruth quietly nodded without changing her expression.
“There are times when... I think of Ruth-san and everyone else as angels or something similar.”
That was Koutarou's true feelings. The most gratitude he could ever show to the girls that treated him so well despite his many flaws.
“You are wrong, Master.”
However, Ruth shook her head at these words. But her eyes remained as gentle as before.
“We are just human. Because... if we really were angels, we wouldn't think to fall in love with anyone, would we?”
“Ru...”
Hearing that, Koutarou was at a loss for words.
“...We are just normal humans that love you and want to be loved.”
“...”
In the end, Koutarou wasn't able to say a word.
It's things like those that make you look like angels...
As he was being stared at by Ruth's gentle eyes, the best he could do was mumble inside of his mind.
Part 2
As Koutarou and Ruth returned to Corona House, they were greeted by a bizarre sight. Seeing that, the two opened their eyes wide in surprise.
“Kyaaa!?”
“Sanae!?”
It was the sight of Sanae collapsed in front of room 106. She was lying down on the ground with her face pressed up against the door, as if she had tried to break through the door with her face.
“It's okay, Ruth-san. It's the usual thing.”
Koutarou lightly touched Ruth's head as she screamed and held onto his arm. Ruth then timidly looked up. There were tears forming in her eyes.
“...I-I can't get used to this no matter how many times I see it...”
“Really now, that Sanae... I keep telling her...”
Having realized the situation, Ruth felt relieved and let go of Koutarou's arm. And as Koutarou complained, he approached the collapsed Sanae.
“Eyup.”
She was unconscious, and her body was completely limp. As a result, Koutarou had a hard time lifting Sanae up.
“Master.”
Ruth opened the door for Koutarou.
“Thank you.”
Koutarou entered room 106 carrying Sanae. As he did, he could hear the sound of the TV. A person that had come home before him was watching TV.
“She really is...”
Feeling a bit of strength leave his body, Koutarou headed towards the inner room. When he entered the room, he was welcomed with a magnificent transformation scene of a magical girl on the TV, and the back of a ghost.
“The magical girl of love and courage! Love Love Heart!”
“It's finally here!”
“Don't give me that!”
Koutarou struck the back of the head of the ghost, Sanae.
“Auu... Ah, welcome home, Koutarou.”
The ghost Sanae pressed the power switch on the remote and turned to Koutarou. The magical girl on the TV disappeared. Sanae had been watching the episodes of the magical girl show that she had missed while she had lost her memories that Yurika had recorded for her.
“Sanae, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't leave your body lying around.”
“Ah, you're right.”
That was when Sanae realized that she had escaped her own body, she slightly blushed as she apologized to Koutarou.
“I'm sorry, Koutarou. My old habit just got the better of me...”
Sanae had recovered her body, but when she tried to pass through the door like she had as a ghost, her body was left on the outside.
“If the neighbors see your body like that, there’ll be an uproar.”
“I understand, I'll be careful.”
Sanae hadn't done it on purpose, but she obediently reflected on her actions. Sanae was the one who would be troubled if nobody could stay in the room because an incident occurred.
“Then that's good... Here, your body.”
Koutarou presented Sanae's body that he had been carrying to her ghost form. However, she shook her head and pointed towards the wall with the window.
“I don't need it. Leave it over there. I'll put it on later.”
“Wear it properly. You're taking up space for two and getting in the way.”
“Geez, how could you say that this bundle of adorable, Sanae-chan is in the way!? Isn't it just more of a profit having two of me!?”
“One is fine. The room is already small.”
“But, if I wear it now, my forehead will definitely hurt.”
Sanae pointed to her body's forehead. It was swollen and red, and looked quite painful.
“...Ah geez.”
It looked painful to Koutarou as well, so he carried Sanae's body to the wall while complaining.
“That's right!”
Sanae came up with a good idea and clapped her hands together.
“As a thanks, you can touch my boobs! I'll forgive you.”
“As if I would!”
Sanae thought it was a brilliant idea, but Koutarou instantly rejected her.
“You joker. You know you want to touch them ~ Koutarou-chan~, you don't have to hold back~”
“What's the fun of touching someone without anything inside.”
“...Is that how it is?”
“I don't know about others, but at least I'm that way. If you don't wear Sanae-san, it's not much different from touching a doll.”
Sanae's personality was still not fully merged. The ghost Sanae's personality appears when she is with Koutarou and the others, and when she's not, the personality of Sanae-san that had been in the hospital is on the surface. And when neither of them are inside her body, it's not much different from a doll.
“Hmm... I feel like I've learned something new.”
“Then wear it.”
“No way. The forehead will hurt.”
“Okay, okay.”
Koutarou put down Sanae's body by the wall while smiling wryly. At the same time, he fixed her clothes that had gotten disheveled.
“Thanks, Koutarou.”
“You better put it on after a little while.”
“Okay.”
Sanae energetically nodded and looked back towards the TV to continue watching her anime.
“Geez...”
Koutarou looked at Sanae's body by the wall and the Sanae sitting in front of the TV before dropping his shoulders and heading towards the tea table in the middle of the room. That was when his eyes met with a girl sitting there.
“What's wrong Theia? You're making a strange face.”
“Ah, no, it's...”
Theia had both her hands pushed against her cheeks and was staring at Koutarou. But when her eyes met with Koutarou's, her face was dyed red and she averted her eyes. Theia kept her mouth shut and didn't say anything. Koutarou wondered what she was doing and sat down next to her.
“Your highness, it won't be conveyed if it's only in your mind.”
“Y-Yes...”
However, after being told by Ruth who was with her, Theia glanced at Koutarou. She then looked down at her chest before opening her mouth.
“...Pleb.”
“What?”
“Uhm, I recalled something when I overheard you and Sanae speaking.”
Theia then stopped speaking for a moment and looked at Koutarou's face. And after confirming that he wasn't laughing, she continued.
“When we first met, you said something, remember? You said 'Even I have the right to choose which breasts I fondle'...”
“Yeah...”
Hearing Theia's words, Koutarou thought back to that time. Back then, Koutarou and unexpectedly touched Theia's breasts. And as Theia criticized him, he responded with those words.
“...Something like that happened.”
Koutarou started feeling nostalgic and looked towards the wall the furthest into the room what lead to the Blue Knight. On that day, Theia had appeared from the wall.
Back then, Koutarou couldn't imagine that the day would come when he and Theia could speak calmly like this to one another. They were quite immature back then; that was how Koutarou felt as he smiled and thought back to their past selves.
“So... I want you listen without laughing, but...”
Hearing those words, Koutarou turned back to look in the direction of the voice. There, he saw a Theia who had grown a little bigger compared to last year. And with her eyes still turned away, she continued squeezing out words.
“I-I was wondering... if you still think the... same way...”
What does Koutarou think of her breasts? After listening to Koutarou and Sanae, that's what Theia had started thinking about.
“Yes, my breast have barely grown in this year! But, even then, t-they have gotten a little bigger!”
A flat chest. In the past, that was what Koutarou had called Theia's breasts, and Theia was aware of her size as well. But as time passed and Theia fell in love with Koutarou, she began worrying what he felt about her breasts. Does he still not want to touch them? Or has he changed his evaluation of them? To others it might sound stupid, but this was important to Theia.
“They shouldn't be as shapeless as you think! Surely!”
Theia was desperate. Theia had her belief that Koutarou would stay by her side as long as she stayed true to her fate. But she also wanted Koutarou to love her as a woman. If Koutarou didn't want to touch her breasts, it would mean that those weren't loved. And that was a serious problem that could shake her position as a woman.
“...Theia...”
Theia's series of words showed Koutarou how she felt for him. As a result, Koutarou could feel himself compelled by something inside of him. If he let down his guard, he felt that he might embrace the Theia in front of him.
Wait, calm down! That would be bad!
However, as Koutarou's arm started to move slightly, he managed to stop himself. This was because he recalled the problems regarding this room. After taking several deep breaths, he smiled at Theia.
“Actually... the breasts’ size are unrelated to whether or not I want to touch them.”
Though he had calmed down, talking about girls’ breasts was uncomfortable for Koutarou. As a result, he couldn't keep himself from blushing.
“But... that's not what you said back then...”
Koutarou spoke out his intentions, but Theia couldn't accept that right away since he was saying the opposite of what he had before. So Theia looked up at Koutarou with an inquisitive look. That was when Koutarou decided to expand on his explanation.
“Back then, I didn't like you, so I brought the size of your breasts into the argument, even though I didn't really care.”
Back then, Koutarou wanted to prove his innocence, so he pointed out that small breasts weren't worth touching.
“Then, you don't care if my breasts are small?”
Theia slightly leaned forward and her expression got a little brighter.
“The problem is what is inside, not the size of your breasts, right?”
As Koutarou said that, he turned to look towards the TV. In front of the TV was Sanae who was swinging from joy to sorrow.
“...I see. I understand.”
Theia looked at Sanae and nodded.
He would touch because he wants to. Touching someone's breasts just because they're large certainly is sad...
If the body was all that was important, Sanae probably wouldn't have made it back. But that wasn't the case. Then the same would hold true for the figure, the face, the breasts and height. If any of those were the only important things, they couldn't have a proper relationship. The only time the appearance was a problem was when their relationship was unstable.
And what's important isn't if the sword is broken or not, but if the oath in it is not. How immature of me to be so concerned of the size of my breasts...
In fact, if appearance or position was important, Theia would not have chosen Koutarou. The same was true for Koutarou. She had fallen in love with him because that was the kind of man he was. Theia had been so concerned about her breasts that she had overlooked that. Having realized that, Theia called out to Koutarou with the smile she always wore.
“Then... the problem is if you love me or not, yes?”
Theia knew that Koutarou loved everyone, but she wasn't asking about that; she was asking if he loved her as a woman. If he didn't just want to talk and laugh together, but also to embrace her and feel her warmth. That should be the deciding factor if Koutarou wanted to touch her breasts or not.
“What do you think?”
“I don't know. But I do know that you won't run away if I touch you like this.”
“Oh?”
Theia had put her hand on top of Koutarou's without him noticing. And once he noticed, he didn't try to shake her off, nor did he feel that it was unpleasant.
“You love me enough to allow this. Then it's only a matter of time before you'll want to touch my breasts...”
Theia narrowed her eyes and held onto Koutarou's hand.
“Fufufu, such futile resistance, Satomi Koutarou.”
“How selfish...”
Koutarou criticized what Theia was saying, but on the inside he was thinking the opposite.
Futile resistance, huh... that might really be the case...
Just a moment ago, Koutarou was about to embrace Theia. He had barely managed to hold himself back, but that was exactly what Theia was pointing out. He was aware of that, and rejecting that more than needed would be odd. That's why, despite what he was saying, Koutarou lightly held Theia's hand as well. As if responding to that, Theia entwined her fingers with Koutarou's.
“Yes. I am selfish. I'm an invader after all.”
Theia's invasion was progressing smoothly.
That's why her smile at this time was overflowing with confidence.
Part 3
While waiting for Ruth to finish making the tea, the bored Koutarou was looking at what Theia was doing. She had intently been drawing something on a large piece of paper for a while now.
“By the way, what are you doing?”
“I thought of a way to power-up your armor.”
Theia showed a big smile and presented the paper to Koutarou.
“Let's see... 'The Super Koutarou I've Thought Up'?”
That was what was written at the very top of the paper. On the paper were a large amount of ideas to strengthen Koutarou's armor. Koutarou couldn't help but lower his eyebrows when he read the title.
“Hey, don't use me for your games, Theia.”
“How rude, I am fully serious... There have been a lot of troublesome incidents lately, right? So I figured there would be no harm in preparing for any future trouble.”
“That's true...”
The title aside, Koutarou could agree with Theia's idea. The peace of room 106 was something all the residents wished for.
“Then Theia, what's the meaning of this drawing? It's a big mess and I can't understand it.”
Below the title, many lines formed a complex figure, and it was impossible to understand what Theia meant by power up from just a single look at it. That's why Koutarou needed an explanation.
“I came up with additional equipment. But, if they got in the way of your movement, there wouldn't be any point, so I was thinking of positioning small unmanned fighters of various types around you. And that formation would support you in your battles.”
“Hmm... so where am I in this drawing? There are too many lines for me to tell.”
“Uhm, around here.”
Theia used the pen in her hand to draw a circle around the center of the drawing.
“...You're an idiot, aren't you?”
As she did, Koutarou was fully amazed.
“What do you mean with idiot?!”
Disliking Koutarou's reaction, Theia puffed up her cheeks and frowned.
“I'm completely buried in your additional equipment! This is far beyond that level!”
The circle marker that Theia drew was very small. It was only obvious that Koutarou couldn't spot himself in that, as about 99% was taken up by the additional equipment.
“With this you will never lose! No matter what enemy you face, you will be okay!”
“What's the point of me being in the middle of all of this!?”
“You will be the victor!”
“Just use the Blue Knight from the start!”
A swarm of unmanned fighters surrounded Koutarou for several dozen meters. With this, there was absolutely no point of Koutarou fighting, and it would be more efficient to just use the spaceship, the Blue Knight, to attack. This idea for a power-up was straight up useless.
“I don't want that! I want you to be strong! I want Super Koutarou!”
“...Satomi-sama, you don't understand anything. These plans are filled with my own and her highness's dreams and romance.”
Theia was throwing a fuss, while Ruth, who was pouring up tea, began talking about romance.
The two of them had absolute confidence in this power-up idea.
“With this you can save me and Ruth from any danger, and you'll stand in the spotlight and defeat the enemy!”
“With this, the unmanned fighters will be the ones in the spotlight!”
“No, it will be Satomi-sama.”
“Give me a break!”
Koutarou wanted to defend the peace of room 106 as efficiently as possible, while Ruth and Theia wanted Koutarou to shine. Their discussion had reached a deadlock.
“...What are you clamoring about?”
That was when Kiriha appeared in the room. Kiriha had gone out with Shizuka to buy groceries for tonight's supper and she had just gotten back.
“I was thinking how much of an idiot Theia is.”
“What do you mean with idiot?! Is that a word you'd use on your master whom you love?!”
“Master or not, you are an idiot!”
“Your highness, maybe we should hear Kiriha-sama's opinion.”
“Yes! Take a look at this Kiriha! Koutarou saw this and called us idiots!”
Theia took the drawing from Koutarou's hand and pushed it towards Kiriha. Having received the drawing, Kiriha carefully looked it through.
“...Hmm, 'The Super Koutarou I've Thought Up', huh...”
Having deciphered the complex drawing, Kiriha lowered her eyebrows slightly.
“Tell her, Kiriha-san! Teach this idiot about reality!”
Koutarou had high hopes that the normally calm Kiriha would be able to convince Theia.
“Theia-dono, this plan has several large holes in it.”
“Yeah, like that!”
Hearing just the words he wanted to hear from Kiriha, Koutarou had a satisfied smile on his face as he nodded.
“What!?”
Theia on the other hand got excited and pressed Kiriha.
“To fill those holes, I see a need to add in mass produced haniwas.”
“I thought so! As expected from Kiriha! You do get it!”
However, things didn't develop the way Koutarou wanted. Having received Kiriha's backup, Theia gained even more momentum.
“So you're the same as them, Kiriha-san!?”
Having had his hopes betrayed, Koutarou could feel his strength leave his body.
“Absolute safety, complete victory! That is the way to go!”
“What a splendid plan, your highness.”
While looking at Theia whose eyes were sparkling from excitement, and Ruth who was giving her an applause, in the corner of his eye, Koutarou complained to Kiriha.
“...Why are you joining in too?”
“Yes. It might be useless from a strategic point of view.”
“Then―”
“But, with that, you won't have to fight.”
“Eh?”
“You are strong, but... we don't want you to dirty your hands for our sake. But in that sense, it's a very useful plan.”
Kiriha had a different point of view from Theia. She would prefer it if Koutarou didn't have to fight. Rather than Koutarou holding a sword, she prefered Koutarou holding a kitchen knife and cooking.
“I understand that too... but, isn't there a better way?”
Koutarou didn't want to see Kiriha and the others fight either.
In order for the girls to solve their individual problems they had to fight. But Koutarou preferred the girls when they were normal. That's why he understood what Kiriha felt, but he didn't understand what the point in only powering him up was.
“Fufu... don't worry, that plan won't be realized.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Even though Theia-dono has highly advanced technology, there's a limit. It will naturally turn into something more realistic.”
Kiriha was sensitive to the feelings of others, so she understood Koutarou's confusion. The girls wanting to make Koutarou stronger probably has part of their desires as maidens mixed into it.
The girls weren't thinking of protecting everyone efficiently, but would rather have Koutarou eliminate all enemies without taking so much as a step, while at the same time protecting everyone. In other words, they were trying to create an invincible prince on a white horse.
But even if they tried to convey that to Koutarou, he wouldn't understand. Since that was how Kiriha thought, she told him that it was unrealistic and tried to convince him instead.
“Then that's good.”
“Yes, you only need to smile.”
“What's good?”
“I'll explain so go put on your body.”
“Okay.”
“Realistically speaking, nothing is more effective than us teaming up.”
“That's not true. I will eventually make Koutarou in the strongest man in the universe.”
“...So some grand make-believe will start at some point, huh...”
“Satomi-sama, please call it production.”
“For me, a legendary princess, you are my knight. If you aren’t able to at least split a planet or two in half, you won't be much to talk about.”
“As if I would be able to do that!!”
Koutarou and the girls continued this discussion with no consideration whatsoever, although it could more accurately be described as playing. The discussion itself didn't hold that much of a meaning.
And outside the room was a single pair of eyes watching over Koutarou and the others. They belonged to Yurika, who had been unable to enter the room ever since she returned.
Satomi-san...
Yurika was pressed up against the wall and hiding by the hallway leading into the inner room and looking in. The room was overflowing with a harmonious atmosphere, but the same couldn't be said for Yurika's mind.
W-What should I do...
Yurika's heart started beating faster and she was feeling dizzy from the blood rising to her head. Moreover, even though she wasn't moving, she was unable to settle down, but at the same time she didn't want to go away either. Her mouth was drying up and her breathing was strangely fast.
As of late, Yurika was unable to settle down when she was next to Koutarou. When he enters her view, she would get worked up and be unable to think of anything. But she didn't want to leave his side or take her eyes off him. She wanted to feel his presence nearby and look at him. But when she was next to him, she didn't know what to do. This was the first time in Yurika's life that she experienced this kind of feeling.
“W-Why am I....”
“Can you see something? Yurika-chan?”
“Kyaaa!?”
That was when Shizuka who had been putting away groceries in the fridge came over to Yurika. Shizuka joined Yurika and pressed up against the wall and peered into the inner room. Since Yurika had been focused on what was going on inside the room, she felt as if her heart had stopped when Shizuka appeared.
“S-Shizuka-san!?”
“Hmm, it looks the same to me...”
Shizuka left the surprised Yurika be and watched over the room. However, she couldn't spot anything out of the ordinary. That was when she realized that Yurika was the odd one.
Now that I think about it, Yurika has been acting strange lately...
Having gotten used to living in room 106, Yurika had gotten bolder, for better or worse. But after the incident with Sanae, she had started behaving suspiciously. The Yurika from just a while ago would have entered the room like it was her right to do so. But now, she was acting as timidly as she had when she first came to room 106.
“Could it be that you got into a fight with someone?”
That was the only reason Shizuka could think of. Yurika replied by quickly shaking her head.
“It's not like we fought or anything.”
As she did, her twin tails swung to the sides. Seeing that, Shizuka noticed that the ribbons at the root of her twin tails were a little off balance.
“Did something happen between you and Satomi-kun?”
Koutarou had been tying Yurika's ribbons for a while now. Not only was Koutarou in the knitting society, but he was also serious about it so he took great care of her ribbons. That's why, if the balance was off, Yurika must have been the one to tie them and not Koutarou.
“N-Not at all! That kind of thing would never–!”
Having something close to the truth pointed out, Yurika panicked and shook her head as her face turned as red as an apple.
“Ah!”
Seeing Yurika's reaction, Shizuka guessed Yurika's circumstance and clapped her hands together.
“What, so that's it...”
Shizuka showed a mean smile.
“Ha!?”
And just as Yurika had a bad feeling about Shizuka's smile,
“Ei!”
“Kyaaaaaaa!?”
Shizuka swooped up one of Yurika's legs and lightly pushed her upper body. By doing that, Yurika lost her balance and entered the inner room. Because she disliked exercise, Yurika was unable to regain her balance and took a pratfall next to Koutarou.
“Ow ow ow...”
“Are you okay, Yurika?”
Having entered the room and fallen on her butt, Koutarou gave her a worried look.
“Auu, Ahh, Awaaa...”
Yurika fumbled around and trembled in shame. She had shown her normal ungraceful and sloppy appearance, but right now, Yurika was unbelievably embarrassed that Koutarou had seen it.
“I-I-I'm okay, I'm okay!”
Yurika crawled on the floor and escaped from Koutarou. But since the inner room was so small, she didn't get far. At most she could only get to the other side of the tea table.
“That was weird.”
Koutarou slightly tilted his head, but since this wasn't the first time he had seen Yurika's eccentric behavior, he didn't think much of it and continued his conversation with the girls.
“Haaa...”
Once Koutarou took his glance off of Yurika, she was finally able to take a deep breath. That was when Shizuka sat down next to her.
“That's no good Yurika-chan. You have to try harder.”
“Shizuka-san! T-There are better ways to do it!”
“Even if you say that, you have a habit of running away, so if I don't do something like that, you won't even try.”
“T-That's... true, but...”
“...You want to get along with Satomi-kun, right?”
Shizuka whispered into Yurika's ear.
“...”
As she did, Yurika's face turned red and she was at a loss for words. However, her silence eloquently conveyed how she felt.
“...If you at least don't behave like normal, Satomi-kun will get lonely you know?”
“...How do I behave like normal?”
“...Just do what you want to do.”
“...But, that's...”
Yurika's face was turning redder and redder and her voice became quieter. She was already whispering to begin with, and now even Shizuka had a hard time hearing Yurika.
“...Having Koutarou see my strange sleeping face, gently brushing my disordered hair and scolding me to go to bed earlier when it looks like I'll be late for school... I don't want that, I'd be so embarrassed I could die!”
Everything that had been natural before was now unbearably embarrassing. She didn't want to show her miserable appearance to the person she cared for. She wanted him to see her lovely and cute self. It wasn't until now that Yurika's feminine side had begun maturing.
“...Yurika-chan, could this be your... first love?”
“...”
Yurika remained silent and kept her face looking down.
“...I see... how great...”
Shizuka gently narrowed her eyes and smiled at Yurika.
“...My first love wasn't like a wonderful great love like Yurika-chan's... I wish it was...”
Shizuka's first love was a long time ago, while she was still a grade-schooler. It was just a normal first love for a child, and it ended without anything happening. When compared to that, Yurika's first love looked like it was shining brilliantly and beautifully.
“...I would prefer it your way...”
Yurika on the other hand had the opposite opinion.
During her year with Koutarou, she had shown her disgraceful appearance to him countless times. And now that she had developed romantic feelings for him, that was like a hopeless and unfavorable legacy. Having only shown that side to her, she worried that Koutarou wouldn't be able to see her as a woman even if she confessed to him. At best, she could only stay as a freeloader or become like a younger sister. That was what Yurika thought.
Part 4
After the dinner and games had ended, Koutarou and the others continued talking. There were the five invader girls, Koutarou and Shizuka, for a total of seven people. With seven people in the small room it was very stuffy, but nobody complained. Instead, they were simply chatting about nothing especially important. And the seven loved the calm atmosphere that was created.
“Koutarou, it's starting to get warmer now, isn't it.”
Though Sanae had recovered her body, she still liked to be by Koutarou's back, and she peacefully spent her time clinging onto him.
“Well it's almost summer, so you won't be able to cling onto my back for any longer.”
Sanae's body was light so the weight wasn't much of a problem. The actual problem was her body heat. Once summer came around, the heat that would build up between Koutarou and Sanae should become unbearable.
“If that happens I'll just strip out of my body.”
“Don't strip.”
To Sanae, doing astral projection was easy. She was now cheerfully spending her days while switching between her body and her ghost form.
“Koutarou, this rice cracker is quite delicious.”
Next to Koutarou and Sanae, Theia was eating a rice cracker. After finishing one, she picked up a new one and put it in her mouth.
“Give me one too.”
Koutarou couldn't move himself, so he asked Theia to get him one. Unlike before, it was harder to move with Sanae on his back.
“Okay.”
And instead of reaching for the bag, Theia turned towards Koutarou and presented him with the rice cracker that had been in her mouth.
“I don't want one you've already started on.”
However, Koutarou had no intentions of eating a rice cracker Theia had already bit into. When he did, Theia took the rice cracker and let out a small sigh.
“...You really are a wuss... Ruth.”
“Yes.”
Ruth who was sitting next to Theia, pulled out a rice cracker from the bag and presented it to Koutarou. Sanae took it and split it in half. She put one half in her mouth and pushed the other half into Koutarou's.
“Oh, it really is good.”
“You're right!...How does it taste for you, Koutarou?”
After tasting the rice cracker herself, Sanae used her spiritual powers to read Koutarou's sense of taste.
“...I think it'll be more delicious if Koutarou eats it.”
Sanae stopped eating herself, and focused on Koutarou's taste. Since there is a difference in how individuals feel taste there were cases when things tasted better for Koutarou than for Sanae. In those cases, Sanae would do as she did as a ghost and let Koutarou do the eating while she read his senses.
“I shall leave the rest to you, now make me proud.”
Sanae then lightly pulled the bag of rice crackers closer with her spiritual powers.
“That's a convenient power...”
Koutarou put his hand into the bag and pulled out a rice cracker while smiling wryly. That was when Kiriha who was folding laundry in front of the wardrobe called out to him.
“Koutarou, the bath should be ready by now. Why don't you go in?”
“Hm, yeah, thanks. I think I'll do just that.”
Koutarou pushed the new rice cracker into his mouth and removed Sanae's arms around his neck.
“You're already done?”
“Yeah. Sorry, but you'll have to eat them yourself.”
“Boo.”
Koutarou left the pouting Sanae where she was and approached Kiriha. As he did, she gave him a new set of clothes and a towel. They had just been washed and were neatly folded.
“You could just give me those unfolded ones.”
“No, that won't do.”
Kiriha smiled and picked up the next piece of laundry.
“But I'll wear them in a moment.”
“That's right. But take the already folded ones.”
Kiriha then carefully folded each piece of clothing. It was a casual act, but she did so with deep love and consideration. Facing her like left Koutarou a little embarrassed.
Would she be like this if we got married...
He began doing something he rarely ever did before, which was imagining a future together with someone. That was how Koutarou started feeling as he looked at Kiriha folding the laundry and felt both happy and embarrassed. This was the first time he had felt like this.
I wonder if the old man felt like this before he married mom...
Koutarou thought of his father who had transferred far away. He felt like he wanted to ask his father what caused him to marry his mother.
“Koutarou?”
Confused as to why Koutarou was just standing there, Kiriha stopped folding the laundry and looked up at him.
“Hm? Ah, sorry. I'll go take a bath.”
“You can take your time.”
“Yeah.”
After Koutarou returned to his self, he entered the bathroom as Kiriha smiled and saw him off. In response to that, one person let out a large sigh of relief.
“Phew~~~....”
That person was Yurika. As Yurika exhaled, she fell onto the tea table. Having spent a long period of time under extreme tension, she completely relaxed her body.
“What's wrong Yurika, you're acting strange....Well, you were strange to begin with, but you're stranger than normal.”
Sanae, who was watching TV near Yurika, looked over with a confused expression. Since she could see auras, she knew that Yurika's emotions were disorderly. The disorder that had started a while back confused Sanae.
“Strange... it's everyone else who are strange. How can you all be fine in this kind of situation?”
Yurika replied while still leaning on the tea table. She was at a complete loss.
“What kind of situation?”
“Living together with Satomi-san!”
That was Yurika's problem. She just couldn't accept that.
“What? Yurika, did Koutarou do something to you?”
“Could it be the ointment for stiff shoulders that he put up your nose during our last penalty game?”
“Ah, that looked painful...”
“Well... at worst he might have tried out some more wrestling techniques on her.”
“Or could it be that he did something lewd to you?”
“That's not it, that's not it at all! That would have been a lot easier.”
To Yurika, penalty games or being the object of desire was far easier to deal with than her current predicament.
“Then what's the problem?”
The group mysteriously looked at Yurika. To them, her actions were what was strange.
“...T-The person that really treasures me and is always with me every day, and also needs me i-is not a girl!!”
Yurika had friends, there was obviously Koutarou, the invader girls and Harumi and her master Nana.
But this was the first time that Yurika was vaguely conscious of her own sloppiness and both she and the other party needed one another. The fact that the other party was a boy was a problem. Up until now, Yurika had never been close to anyone but girls.
This was the first time Yurika had noticed a boy that she felt more than just friendship towards, and she was puzzled because he was too close to her.
“Are you... an idiot?”
Theia retorted harshly.
“That's saying too much, your highness. There wasn't any groundwork in place like for me and you.”
“Even if you say that...”
Theia had been with Ruth, wherein the two had mutual trust for one another, for a long time, so she was used to dealing with people like that. That's why once she realized her feelings on Valentine's day, her feelings had not been as chaotic.
It's not like I don't know how she feels...
Theia thought that the confusion Yurika was feeling was similar to what she had felt when Koutarou had suddenly vanished and just as suddenly returned. That was when Theia first noticed her feelings and she had been greatly shaken up by that person disappearing and reappearing. That's why it wasn't like she didn't understand Yurika's feelings.
However, Yurika's current state looked similar to what she had felt after her confession, that's why she couldn't really sympathize with Yurika.
“If you don't like being with Koutarou, then you can just run away. That's what you're good at right?”
Sanae tilted her head.
Love is love and hate is hate. To Sanae who had a straight and honest personality, Yurika's situation was beyond her understanding.
“If I didn't like it I would have run away a long time ago!! I'm troubled because I do!!”
Yurika wanted to be with Koutarou.
Thinking back to all the days she had spent in this room, she realized that she had been happy for the entire year. The first few months had been chaotic, but the latest months had been like living in a calm and sunny place. There was no way that Yurika could hate Koutarou, who was the center of that sunlight. If anything, she was troubled because she couldn't hate him. She didn't want to disappoint Koutarou by showing him her ungraceful sides, but she didn't know what to do to show him a more proper and cuter version of herself. As a result, Yurika was in a torturous situation where she didn't want to run away, but wanted to escape at the same time.
“...Yurika-chan, your way of thinking is similar to Satomi-kun's. You're worried that there's no way that someone would love you. But that's not true at all.”
Shizuka who had learned of Yurika's circumstances a while ago was smiling. Shizuka loved this kind of positive gossip. She always wanted to listen to happy stories like this. It's possible that her parents’ absence was the reason for this.
“Satomi Koutarou needs the normal you. You don't have to do anything out of the ordinary, just be yourself.”
Yurika's appearance was adorable to Kiriha, who understood Koutarou's personality better than anyone else. Yurika was alternating between joy and sorrow while striving to create a better relationship through trial and error. Since Kiriha thought that their bond was wonderful, she simply watched over Yurika and avoided any actual intervention.
“Really!? Would that really be alright!? Won't he just think I'm some strange girl!?”
Yurika had no confidence.
She knew that Koutarou needed her normal self, but she was anxious that his opinion of her as a woman would just keep falling. She wanted the person she liked to think highly of her.
“Have some confidence Ho-! It's fun taking care of Yurika-chan Ho-!”
“You'll be alright Ho-, useless girls can be cute Ho-!”
“I don't want that~!! Aaaaaaa...”
Yurika slumped down over the tea table after hearing the haniwas’ follow-up. Her problems remained unsolved. At this rate, Koutarou would get out of the bath without her having a single countermeasure in place. And so, Yurika racked her brain once more.
“Well... you can do it... let's go Ruth.”
Theia threw a side glance at Yurika and stood up before heading towards the wall leading to the Blue Knight.
“Are you already done, your highness?”
Ruth quickly followed after Theia, but since it was a little too early to go to sleep, Ruth was interested in Theia's intentions. That was when Theia whispered back so only Ruth could hear.
“...It's would be best to give her some time. Especially in her case...”
Theia was planning on giving Yurika time; time to think on her own and time to spend together with just Koutarou.
“I see. What a wonderful idea.”
“Of course. I am not a dictator.”
“Yes. Well then everyone, good night.”
“Aa!? Wait, Theia-chan, Ruth-san!!”
The two left room 106, ignoring Yurika's pleas.
“Well then, maybe I should go for the day as well.”
“...Here I am hearing that there are problems, but that's all?...Geez, I have to carry this body all the way home...”
“Karama, Korama, you don't have to watch over this room for today. Leave the two alone. Instead keep watch outside.”
“Understood Ho-!”
“You're the best, Nee-san, Ho-!”
Realizing Theia's intentions, the other girls stood up one after another.
“Ah, don't go!!”
At this rate, Yurika would be alone with Koutarou. Yurika had nowhere to run. She thought of jumping into the wardrobe and hiding under her futon, but she thought that was ungraceful and was unable to do so. She could already see Koutarou opening the door to the wardrobe and telling her to get in the bath.
“Please, don't leave me alone!!”
Yurika clung onto Shizuka in an attempt to keep her here. Being alone with Koutarou was like torture to Yurika, so she was desperate.
“Yurika-chan, let me know what happened tomorrow.”
“Kyaaaaaaa!?”
However, Shizuka casually grabbed Yurika's wrist and gently threw her onto the floor before leaving like nothing had happened. By the time Yurika hurriedly got back up, there was no one else in room 106 but Yurika and Koutarou.
“Uaaa... ahhh... auuuu~~~”
Yurika was at a loss as she reached out towards the front door.
I-If it's going to be like this, then I should just work hard to become a girl that can keep it together!
Yurika had always been thinking that nobody would like her. She thought Harumi and Nana only got close to her because they were especially kind. But reality was different, the girls in room 106 liked Yurika, and Koutarou needed her.
Yurika didn't know how that had happened, but she began worrying that if she didn't do something special she would be hated. That's why Yurika had been repeating completely useless things without end. The other girls had hurried on home because they knew that no matter what happened, it couldn't make the situation worse.
I have to run! But where!? Even though this is the place where I can feel at ease the most!? T-Then I should at least make myself look a little better... but I can't use the bathroom because Satomi-san is on the other side of the glass!! T-T-Then l-l-let's put on some tea... but, how do you do that!? Teach me, Kiriha-saaa~n!! Then what about I pretend to be studying!? T-That won't work either, I can't show Satomi-san all the mistakes I would make!!
Yurika rolled around on the floor and time passed as she couldn't come up with anything.
“S-Save me, Satomi-san! Wait, Satomi-san was the problem! Noooooo, what should I do!?”
“...I'm what?”
That was when Koutarou stepped out of the bathroom while wiping his head with a towel. Yurika was still rolling around on the floor, but Koutarou didn't think too much of it. He then approached the fridge, pulled out a bottle of barley-tea and poured it into a cup.
“I-I-It's nothing, nothing at all.”
Yurika shook her head in a fluster as Koutarou entered the inner room with his cup in hand.
“Oh? Did everyone already go home?”
Koutarou had entered the room to confirm how many people in the room he should pour up barley tea for, but he only saw Yurika.
“Y-Yes, just a moment ago!”
“I see.”
If it was just Yurika, there was no need to confirm. Koutarou prepared a cup for Yurika and poured up some barley tea. Since Yurika was such a glutton, he couldn't imagine her saying no.
“Yurika, would you like it sweet or not?”
Next, Koutarou opened up a cupboard and began choosing a snack.
“Eh!? Sweet or not!?”
From Yurika's position, she couldn't see Koutarou. So she didn't interpret Koutarou's words as asking what kind of snack she would like.
Sweet or not, w-w-what does he mean!? Could he be talking about k-k-ki...
Koutarou's sudden appearance had confused Yurika even further. She completely misunderstood him, and so, she answered in the following fashion.
“...I-I would like a sweet one over an intense one... I-it's my first time...”
Yurika felt like steam was coming out of her head. Her heart was throbbing unbelievably fast. Her mind blanked out, and she could no longer understand anything. As a result, Yurika didn't notice her imagination was rapidly going out of control.
“Got it, a sweet one.”
“...”
Yurika didn't respond, and instead simulated what was going to happen next.
Simulations where Koutarou would forcibly push her down on the floor, or she would push him to the floor. Or closing her eyes and having him gently whisper in her ear.
Thanks to her shoujo mangas, Yurika's preparation was perfect, and by the time Koutarou entered the room she had run through more than 30 different simulations. As a result, a clear image had formed in Yurika's mind.
And that image was of her and Koutarou pressing their lips against one another.
I-I-I'm going to kiss with Satomi-san!! Uwaa, Uwaaaaaaa!!
Despite it being just a fantasy, it looked like the ever-approaching reality to Yurika. And if today was a kiss, what would tomorrow be? What about the day after that? Yurika's mind filled with the intense scenes she had read from her shoujo manga.
“What ahe yho dhoin?”
Unaware of Yurika's delusions, Koutarou approached her with a cup in each hand a bag of jam donuts in his mouth.
“Ah...”
Yurika naturally glanced towards Koutarou's move and spotted the bag of jam donuts. That was when she realized she had made an incredibly misunderstanding.
“T-That's right, that's only obvious! Snacks, sweet snacks! Of course that's what it would be!”
With Yurika's face still red, she began making excuses to no one in particular. She was unbearably embarrassed by her own misunderstanding, to the point where she wanted to jump into a hole and hide. Unfortunately there were no holes in this room.
“What are you talking about?”
Koutarou looked at Yurika after putting down the cups and bean donuts on the tea table.
“Aha, aha, ahahahahaha.”
Yurika's face was for some reason beet red and she was desperately continuing her fake laughter. Seeing that, Koutarou grew gradually worried.
“...Are you really okay?”
“Eh?”
With her red face and strange behavior, Koutarou began worrying if she had caught a cold or something. When he did, her strange behavior up until now began making sense.
“Yurika, bring your face a little closer.”
Koutarou had a serious expression as he approached Yurika.
Bring my face a little closer? Could he... really!?
Her delusion that had been shattered revived once more. Even though that couldn't be the case, Yurika couldn't think of any other reason.
“U-u-uhmm... please, be gentle...”
Yurika turned her face towards Koutarou and closed her eyes.
“Don't worry, it's not like I'm going to hit you.”
“Okay...”
Yurika had believed that her first kiss was still a long time away.
I really... will... kiss...
Yurika waited for that moment, full of expectations.
“Hmm, it doesn't look like you have a fever.”
“Fuaaa!?”
However, when Koutarou put his hand on her forehead she realized she had misunderstood once more.
“Nooooooo, I don't want this, I can't take this anymore!!”
Yurika probably wouldn't be as embarrassed walking to school naked as she was right now. Yurika couldn't stand this situation anymore, so she got up and dashed out of the inner room. Koutarou who was left behind simply stood there, confused by Yurika's actions.
“Yurika, really, what's wrong with you!?”
Yurika was so fast that all Koutarou could do was throw his question as Yurika's back.
“The bath, that's right, I'm getting into the bath before going to sleep!!”
Like that, Yurika ran into the bathroom, her only remaining sanctuary.
And that was when she finally noticed.
What do I do? What do I do!? I-I-I'm living in the same room as a boy!!
She realized a very obvious fact that had gone unnoticed for an entire year.
Part 5
When she came to, Yurika was looking up at the ceiling in room 106's inner room.
“Huh...?”
Trying to remember what had happened just before, Yurika blankly stared up at the ceiling. As time passed, she gradually began absorbing the situation around her.
“Next up is baseball. A fierce battle of skill between both teams...”
The first thing she heard was the news being broadcast on the TV. She heard the voice of a female announcer presenting the news. She realized that there was someone else in the room with her as she didn't watch the news.
The next thing she felt was a breeze. It was a gentle breeze that cooled her hot body. After being hit by the breeze for a while, Yurika looked in the direction it was coming from.
“...It'sh Shatomi-shan...”
In front of her, she could see a lone boy. The boy was holding a fan in his hand. He was the one responsible for the breezing Yurika was feeling.
“....Mmm, mfufu...”
Yurika loved that boy, so just seeing him made her happy. While still in a daze, she looked at the boy and smiled.
“Did you wake up, Yurika?”
Hearing Yurika's muffled laughter, the boy looked at her face.
“Are you okay?”
He had a worried but gentle look.
Satomi-san was worried for me...
Seeing that, Yurika felt a little guilty. But at the same time, she was happy that he was worrying for her. That's why Yurika wanted to put the boy at ease. She began thinking of what kind of situation she was in.
Uhm, did I fight with Maki-chan? Or someone else from Darkness Rainbow? Did one of Theia-chan's enemies show up? Or was it about Sanae-chan's body?
Most of the time the boy had worried for Yurika had been during such crises. And during such times, there were times she would be hurt, but fortunately, Yurika couldn't see anything strange on her body.
“I'm fine, I'm fine... there's nothing wrong...”
Confirming that she was alright, Yurika smiled at the boy.
I'm okay... so don't worry, I'll always be with you...
It seems Yurika's feelings reached the boy as his worried look disappeared, leaving behind his gentle expression. Satisfied by that, Yurika continued looking at the boy while wishing that she could always stay like this.
“I see... that's good. You really surprised me you know? While I was thinking that you were taking an unexpectedly long bath, I heard a sudden noise from the bathroom.”
“Bath? H-Huh...?”
Hearing that word, Yurika's brain began working rapidly. Her daze vanished and her mind cleared up.
“And when I came to see what was happening I found you collapsed in the bathroom...”
“Ah, n-now that I think about it...”
That was when Yurika remembered what had happened to her.
Yurika had run into the bathroom to escape from the boy, Koutarou, in front of her, but she had been too scared to leave so she stayed in the tub. When she began thinking that she couldn't stay in any longer, she suddenly stood up and she lost her balance.
That was as far as Yurika could remember. After she fell, she had lost consciousness.
“...Did you carry me out, Satomi-san?”
“Yeah. And now you finally woke up.”
“I see... I'm sorry for making you worry...”
“Just lie down for a while. You have a big bump on your forehead.”
“Okay...”
Yurika moved her hand and touched her forehead. As she did, she could feel a wet towel and some pain. It was a bump she had gotten by hitting something as she fell.
“If you start to feel bad, don't just endure it, let me know instead okay?”
“Ahaha, I don't endure anything at all.”
“No, you're the type that only endures during the most important times.”
As Koutarou said that, he changed the towel on Yurika's head. The new towel felt cold. However, Koutarou's words were so impactful that Yurika forgot about that sensation. Eventually, that shock turned into joy.
...If I am with this person, if it's for this person... then I can probably do anything...
Koutarou said these things knowing Yurika's bad sides. Yurika hadn't met a person like this before. Or it might be that she had decided beforehand that this kind of person didn't exist. But now, here was someone that accepted her good and bad sides. That's why Yurika felt like crying, but she held it in and smiled at Koutarou.
“...Do I look that patient?”
“Less patient and more foolish, I guess.”
“Foolish...”
If Yurika had been the way she had been until now, she would have probably started complaining, unable to accept being called foolish. But now, she could for some reason accept that word. This confused Yurika, but she didn't find it strange.
“I think so. Fools have... confidence after all...”
“What's wrong? Does it hurt?”
Yurika could no longer hold back her feelings very well, and a portion of her emotions that broke free turned into tears and fell. Seeing that, Koutarou remembered that Yurika had hit her head and closed in a little.
“No...”
Yurika shook her head.
“It's just... that I was thinking about how you understand me... and that made me so happy...”
Yurika revealed her feelings in a natural fashion.
Before she had stormed into the bathroom, Yurika had been so embarrassed she couldn't even speak to Koutarou, let alone look at his face. But now was different. Something in Yurika's heart was changing. What exactly that was remained unclear, but her heart started to beat faster, in a different way than the out of control throbbing from before. Those beats spread Yurika and Koutarou's feelings throughout her body.
“I-I see...”
In fact, the one embarrassed at this time, was Koutarou.
What is this... For some reason... Yurika looks like a girl today, or rather, she looks... cute?
Seeing Yurika smile, Koutarou felt his heart starting to beat faster. It was a feeling he hadn't felt before. It was quite obviously different from the trust he showed towards her. It was the moment when something changed inside Koutarou's heart.
“...”
“...”
Both sides remained silent. But unlike before, neither of them felt troubled by this situation. They felt a little embarrassed, but they both felt at ease in this silence. And like that, time passed, and once the towel on Yurika's head was starting to become lukewarm, Yurika got up.
“Uhm... can I ask you something?”
As Yurika said that, she looked at her body. She was wearing the pajamas made from soft cloth she always wore to bed.
“Hm? Yeah sure.”
Koutarou took the towel from Yurika and wringed it out in a bowl of water.
“Then...”
Yurika started blushing a little. What she was about to say was something that she wanted to know, but took courage to ask. She felt like this moment was her only chance. That's why she mustered all the courage she could get and asked Koutarou her question.
“Satomi-san, you... carried me... from the bathroom to here, right?”
“That's right.”
Koutarou stopped moving his hands.
“And then... you put clothes on me... right?”
“...Yeah.”
Koutarou's answer was slightly delayed. He realized what Yurika wanted to ask. And then Yurika's face turned even redder.
“T-Then, you... saw it... right? My, uhm, naked... body...”
Yurika mustered all the courage she could, but even then her voice was very quiet by the end of her sentence. And while her face was turned down, she looked up with her eyes to watch how Koutarou reacted.
“I'm sorry. But I had to... I'll try to forget it as quickly as possible.”
Even Koutarou knew that a girl would be embarrassed about having her naked body seen by others. That's why he honestly apologized.
“No... that's not what I meant...”
Yurika lightly shook her head.
“Eh?”
Koutarou hadn't expected Yurika to react like this. Surprised, Koutarou's eyes opened wide.
“Don't you have any other impressions... other than being sorry? I mean...”
“T-That's...”
Yurika's next words surprised him even more. Koutarou was left at a complete loss for words.
Yurika was well aware that Koutarou had seen her body due to his good intentions. To the Yurika of the past, that might have been good enough, but now she wanted another feeling to be mixed in. She was obviously embarrassed and would hide in a hole if she could. But she wanted Koutarou to be interested in her as a girl.
“How... was it? Did... you feel anything?”
“I―”
Didn't feel anything.
Just before Koutarou was about that he shut his mouth.
Wait, is that answer actually true?
Not feeling anything after seeing a woman naked. In general that might be accurate, but was that really true for Koutarou and Yurika? That was what Koutarou was wondering.
The invader girls had pointed out Koutarou's flawed personality. That had been why he hurt Ruth during her arranged marriage and why he hadn't hoped for Sanae to recover. And like with them, wouldn't Yurika simply reject his answer? An answer too correct might sound cold to the people close to him.
Realizing that, Koutarou gave a different answer from what he normally would have.
“Well, uhm... I think you looked, beautiful...”
Thinking that delving into details would be going too far and that not seeing anything would be strange, this was the utmost impression Koutarou was able to express.
“I-I see...”
Yurika lifted her head and a bit of joy was mixed in with her embarrassed expression. Seeing that, Koutarou felt like his decision had been correct.
I can be a little open with Yurika and the others...
At this time, Koutarou was reminded of a very natural thing.
“No more comments...”
“I know I was the one who asked, but... I would prefer it that way too...”
The two fell silent once more. They were even more embarrassed than before, and their hearts were racing, but they didn't feel uncomfortable. That's why Koutarou and Yurika didn't go against their senses and simply let time pass.
“Kyaa!?”
“Uwah!?”
However, at some point they could hear a noise from Shizuka on the floor above them. It was just the sound of Shizuka knocking something down, but to Koutarou and Yurika, it felt like Shizuka had suddenly jumped in between the two.
“Ah, u-hm, so where were we?”
“T-That's right, I have something I wanted to talk to you about too.”
From the moment they heard that noise, the calm and gentle atmosphere between them changed back to their normal atmosphere. After noticing Shizuka's existence, they couldn't return to that special atmosphere.
“Yurika, could you look at this.”
“What is this...?”
Koutarou spoke at a rapid pace and put down several pamphlets in front of Yurika. The pamphlets them all used large, square buildings as their background.
“They're pamphlets of universities. I got them from the teacher today.”
“Universities?”
The pamphlets Koutarou had put down were all entrance guides to nearby universities. Koutarou wanted to show these to Yurika, so he had gone to the teacher in charge of guide to pick them up.
“Actually, recently in the knitting society, we got on to the topic of Sakuraba-senpai's graduation. You know she's already on her third year, right?”
“Oh yeah...”
Yurika and the others had become second years. That meant that Harumi had become a third year, and she would have university exams this year.
“While we were talking about schools, I started getting more and more worried about what you will do. That's why I brought these.”
“What I will do...”
Yurika touched the pamphlets with a look of blank surprise.
I had never even thought of that...
That wasn't because she hadn't planned for anything. But because since she was a magical girl, the concept of moving on to study in a university had never occurred to her. Once the problem with room 106 cleared up, the chances of her next being in this city weren't all that high.
“Yurika, according to the teacher, you should be able to get into the universities around here, even with your grades if you work hard these next two years. Where do you want to go?”
Yurika's grades were always balancing a thin line between passing and failing.
But the pamphlets Koutarou had brought with him were all universities she could get into if she studied for it. Of course, she would need to put in some serious efforts.
“E-Even if you suddenly bring that up, I...”
Yurika couldn't decide.
This was the first time she had even considered studying in a university. And in order to give Yurika a hint, Koutarou continued speaking.
“By the way, this is where Sakuraba-senpai will be going. Kitsushou University. With her grades, she would pass the exam with flying colors, but there's also the worries for her body, so that's why she picked this. It would be hard for you to get in though. That's why if you want to go to the same university as Sakuraba-senpai you would have to start studying now, or it will be too late.”
Kitsushou University is a local university from before the merge of Kitsushou city and Harukaze city. When the difficulty of the entrance exam is compared to all other universities, it would end up on the upper half of the list. For an honors student like Harumi, it was easy to get in. But because of her weak constitution, she had picked this university because it was close to the hospital.
And since Harumi and Yurika were best friends, Koutarou figured that Yurika would want to enter the same university.
“Sakuraba-senpai will be going to Kitsushou University...”
Yurika mumbled to herself as she picked up their pamphlet.
Will I... study at a university...?
After becoming a magical girl instead of Nana, Yurika had figured that she wouldn't be able to live a normal life. She had only entered Harukaze High School because she wanted to harass Koutarou and make him leave room 106. And now, a chance to live a normal life had suddenly appeared in front of her. That's why this still didn't feel real to Yurika.
“What university will you go to, Satomi-san?”
Yurika who wanted a few more hints asked Koutarou what school he was interested in.
“I'll be going to one of the local universities, Kitsushou University or Harukaze University. But like you, I'm not sure if I'll get in.”
Koutarou was interested in either Kitsushou University or Harukaze University. But those are different from what he had originally been planning. In the past, he was planning to enter a university that he could get into with his grades, regardless of proximity to him.
But as of late, Koutarou felt like making an effort to stay in the same city his friends lived in. This was a feeling he had awoken to after the incident with Sanae.
“I'll try to get into Kitsushou University and if that doesn't work, I'll lower the bar a little and aim for Harukaze University, I guess. Haru U has a famous baseball club, so it's a win-win.”
Harukaze University is a technical university, and it was around the middle of the list in terms of difficulty to get in. Since it was a university with plenty of sports clubs, it was attractive to Koutarou, but it was a bit further away than Kitsushou University. As a result, both universities were about as attractive. And if Koutarou aimed to get into the more difficult Kitsushou University, he would have an easier time getting into Harukaze University if he failed. Because of that, his current choice was Kitsushou University.
“Satomi-san is going to Kitsushou U too...”
“What will you do?”
“...I, uhm... I never thought about it...”
Yurika honestly revealed her hesitation. She still wasn't sure how she felt.
“Then take some time to think about it.”
“Yes...”
Yurika looked at the pamphlet once more. She imagined herself heading towards the white building pictured on it. There, she saw herself, Koutarou and Harumi pass through the gates together. To her, that was like a dream come true.
After thinking for a while, she eventually turned towards Koutarou.
“Uhm, Satomi-san, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“What... do you think I should do? Not just what university, but if I should go study at a university or not to begin with...”
Yurika still couldn't make a decision. She was a coward, and it took courage to head towards a new future. What's more, it's a future she was supposed to have given up. She felt like she couldn't decide herself.
“I think that's something you decide for yourself.”
Koutarou's answer was the same he had given Ruth during her arranged marriage. In the end, this was something Yurika had to decide on. But he didn't stop there.
“But I think you would be better of studying at a university. And instead of going somewhere far away, I would like you to live somewhere close. That way would be more fun.”
Even if the commotion around room 106 were to end, Koutarou wanted these happy days to continue. He had never wished for that before, feeling that he shouldn't try hoping. But there are those who wish for it. Yurika might be one of those as well. In that case, should he wish for the same and show his intent? Koutarou held back his negative thoughts and held hopes for Yurika's future.
“...Satomi-san...”
Yurika knew about Koutarou's past. She had heard Kiriha's interpretation of what he felt. As a result, Yurika knew what was going on inside of Koutarou.
I have to protect him...
A poor soul that had given up on the future because he had lost his mother was now desperately reaching for a bright future. That's why Yurika wanted to protect this small injured soul herself.
And if Satomi-san protects me too...
Yurika could use magic, but she wasn't all-powerful. No matter how much power she might have, she was still a normal girl. Fighting alone was hard, and lonely. Yurika felt like she could continue trying if she had someone by her side.
Above all, she believed that two people supporting one another was a wonderful thing.
“I... want to go to Kitsushou University. Together with Satomi-san and Sakuraba-senpai...”
That's why Yurika wanted to go to a university. She wanted support and be supported by Koutarou and Harumi, laugh together and live together. And of course with the invader girls as well. Right now, she felt like that was a wonderful future.
“Because, I love Satomi-san, Sakuraba-senpai and everyone...”
This was a first for Yurika. She wanted to live happily. She loved not just Koutarou and everyone. That's why she wanted to be everyone.
It was a declaration of love towards everyone related to Yurika. This was something that she had been lacking a year ago. After one long year, she had finally obtained the nature necessary to be a magical girl.
“I see... that's good...”
Koutarou smiled and nodded at Yurika. He was happy for her choice, and felt relieved as well. Yurika wouldn't go away even after they graduate.
“Ehehe...”
Yurika's eyes moistened and she smiled embarrassingly.
The person she loved the most said that he wanted to be with her, and he had been happy when she said she wanted to be with him as well. There was nothing as happy as this. She felt happy that she had come here, from the bottom of her heart.
“Then come over here, Yurika.”
Koutarou put away the pamphlets and beckoned over Yurika.
“O-Okay...”
Yurika blushed, and with her eyes still moist she crawled over towards Koutarou.
I misunderstood before... but this time... there's no misunderstanding, right...?
Koutarou's eyes were gentle. They both knew they treasured each other. And the time to confirm that feeling directly had come. In other words, it was time to kiss.
If it Satomi-san... no, I want it to be with Satomi-san... I don't want it to be with anyone else... it would be alright to kiss here... right?
Yurika's mind was full of what would happen. But unlike before, she wasn't becoming confused. Since she knew her feelings had reached, she didn't try to run away...
I... love this person...
Yurika felt her heart being squeezed, she was sure of that feeling. Following her heart, she was now right in front of Koutarou. Now all she had to do was leave herself to that feeling.
“Alright, let's start right away.”
However,
“Huh?”
Koutarou put a pen in Yurika's hand and put down a book in front of her. With fire in his eyes, he loudly declared.
“You only faintly remember the multiplication table, right? We'll start from here!”
Koutarou tapped the cover of the book.
'Fun Mathematics for Second Grade of Elementary School'
The book in front of her was a collection of problems for grade schoolers. In contrast to Yurika's expressions, Koutarou was planning on having Yurika study right away now that she had decided to continue her studies in a university.
“S-Satomi-san, c-can't you treasure the moment a little more? Can't you follow your heart!?”
Yurika had been in cloud nine, but was thrown right back into reality.
And that all too intense change caused Yurika to cry as she complained.
“It's because you keep slacking like this that you're in such a pitiful condition.”
However, Koutarou shook his head with a stern expression.
I'll make her remember multiplication by today or tomorrow, and then during the rest of the week its division and fractions. But... it might still be too late. I have so much more I need to drive into her!
Koutarou burned with his athletic spirit. He was going to use any means possible to get Yurika into Kitsushou University.
“You're wrong! That might be true normally, but right now, I am definitely the one who's right!”
Yurika knew that she had to study, and that she had to begin as quickly as possible. But that wasn't right now, at this time. Even if she had asked 100 people, Yurika was convinced that they would all agree with her.
“Quit whining and get to work! I'll do them with you.”
But Koutarou refused to listen to her. He had already decided that he would get Yurika into Kitsushou University. That they would go together. And he was aiming for the shortest route there.
“This is wrong! There is definitely something wrong here!”
“It's good for you to notice your own mistakes. So get on with it!”
“Hiii~!”
Yurika finally started moving her pen after Koutarou scolded her.
I might have fallen in love with a useless person... Wait, aaaahhh!? He is useless on his own!!
As she did, Yurika noticed an important mistake she had made, but the damage was already done.
