I hear whispers about me everywhere at school.

"Reina-senpai, hasn't she been looking more lively lately?"

"Yeah, actually. She's become more perfect than before, somehow."

"I know what you mean. ...Something must have happened, right?"

────

"Reina-senpai has been getting so much prettier lately, hasn't she?"

"No, she's always been pretty."

"Yeah, but... like, she's got this... 'maidenly' vibe, or maybe it's... 'sex appeal'?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what I mean! ...Speaking of which, do you know this?"

"No, I don't."

"There's a rumour that Miyacho-senpai is going to confess to Reina-senpai."

"Eh!? He hasn't confessed yet?"

"That's surprising! But if they did get together, it would be the birth of the most perfect couple!"

"Haah... I wish I had been born beautiful and handsome too."

They say that I've become prettier, more lively...

"Fufu..."

I think that's true.

There's a world of difference between the old me and the new me. The current me has someone who supports me, and thanks to him, I can play the role of Reina Mahima that everyone wants.

He said he loves both my perfect self and my true self. I can show my true self only to him.

__________________________

<Behind the School Building>

"Reina, I love you. Will you go out with me?"

After school, Jin called me out to the back of the school building, where few students passed by, and confessed his feelings.

I wasn't particularly surprised, as I had expected him to confess sooner or later, based on how he'd been acting.

"Um, it would help if I could get your answer..."

Jin's face was red. I've never seen him with such a look on his face, even after all this time.

"…………Can you stroke my hair, Jin?"

"W, what are you talking about all of a sudden?"

Jin was baffled by my sudden, nonsensical question. Well, it's a natural reaction.

"You can't, can you?"

"...N, no, if you say so, Reina."

Jin slowly approached me and awkwardly started stroking my hair.

"I, is this right?"

Jin stroked my hair gently, making sure he didn't mess it up. ...It's a big, rough man's hand.

"…………That's not it."

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"…………No. You can stop stroking it now, thank you."

"Eh, oh, okay."

Jin took his hand away from my head.

"I'm sorry. I can't date you, Jin."

"…………I see. Can I ask why?"

"...I can't see you like that."

"…………I understand."

"I want to maintain a good relationship with you, Jin, as someone who supports me and is a friend."

"...Right. Let's continue to get along well, okay?"

With that, Jin walked towards the school building.

"…………Haah..."

It's no good. I don't feel satisfied or good when Jin strokes my hair. I only feel disgust.

I said it myself, but when he stroked my hair, I almost swatted his hand away.

... I only have Chihiro-kun.

_______________

<Reina's Home>

"Living alone?"

"Yeah. I want to try it after I graduate from high school."

I told my parents that I wanted to live alone during dinner.

"I see... Well, as long as you don't neglect your studies, it's fine."

"Don't worry. I'll continue studying like I always have."

"Have you decided where you'll live?"

"I have a few places in mind."

"What do you think, Mom?"

"Well, I think it's fine as long as you can continue to balance your studies and club activities like you always have. Well, you'll be fine, right, Reina?"

"Yeah. Nothing will change even after I go to university."

"...Okay. Tell us when you've decided."

"Thanks."

Their reaction is as expected. For them, it's not very important that their daughter starts living alone and moves out. What's more important is that my value doesn't decrease.

Finally... Finally, I can leave this house. I can finally escape this house where I've always felt suffocated...

______________________

<Break Time>

"Excuse me Chihiro-kun. Can I have a little bit of your time?"

"Y-Yes, of course."

During break time, while I was fiddling with my smartphone in the classroom, I was called over by Reina-senpai. Following her, we arrived at a deserted hallway bridge.

"Um, was there something you needed, Reina-senp--"

Before I could finish asking, Reina-senpai hugged me tightly.

"...R-Reina-senpai, we can't do this at school."

"But I've been so busy lately that I couldn't act spoiled. And yesterday some other guy touched me."

"I see..."

"It felt really gross... I need you to touch me right away or I might go crazy."

She hugged me with almost painful tightness. Whatever happened yesterday must have really bothered her.

"But if we do it at school, there's a chance someone could see..."

"No one will come here at this time, so it's okay. ...So touch me more."

She grabbed my hand and guided it to her cheek. Reina-senpai always guides my hand to wherever she wants me to touch her like this. Looks like she wants her cheek touched today.

Once it gets to this point, I have no choice but to obey Reina-senpai.

I gently caressed the cheek she guided my hand to.

"Nn...Ah, having you touch me really satisfies my heart. ...Totally different."

While being caressed, Reina-senpai rubbed her cheek against my hand like a cat.

"Now lend me just your index finger."

"Eh?...L-Like this?"

I extended just the index finger of the hand I was using to caress her cheek. I wonder what she's going to do?

"Amuu..."

Reina-senpai started sucking on my extended index finger like a baby with a pacifier.

"S-Senpai, that's dirty..."

"Puhah...There's nothing dirty about Chihiro-kun. I just wanted to try it once. I wondered what your pretty finger that always makes me feel good tastes like."

W-What does it taste like...I don't think it would have any taste.

"Reina-senpai, my finger is going to get all wrinkled, so maybe we should stop soon..."

"Just a little more...Nnm."

Saying that, Reina-senpai continued sucking on my finger right until the end of break time.

Sh-She's really like a baby.

"R-Reina-senpai, break time is going to be over soon..."

"Nmm...No, more."

When she's being spoiled, Reina-senpai's words and actions become childish. I try to pull my hand away but she's holding it tight so I can't.

"T-Today is our promised day, you know? Let's continue doing lots more after school ends."

"B-But this isn't enough yet..."

"Ah, you can be as spoiled as you want later, so try to be patient for now?"

"..............................Okay."

She finally released my finger. My index finger is glistening with her saliva.

"Then come to my house after school today, okay? Definitely."

"Y-Yes."

"Don't break your promise, okay? As soon as school ends."

"I understand. I'll come right over."