<After School>

"Chihiro, you know... lately you've been kind of... sexy?"

"Eh, sexy?"

"Yeah, sexy. Well, I mean, you've become more alluring. As your childhood friend, I know what I'm talking about."

During cleaning time, Sakura-san suddenly started saying strange things.

"......That's sexual harassment, Sakura-san."

Sakura-san seemed to be trying to compliment me, but it didn't feel like a compliment.

"Sorry, sorry. But you really have changed, haven't you? What happened?"

"Umm... I haven't changed at all."

"No, you have! Before, you were more childish and cute, but now you're more mature for your age, and on top of that, there's something... adult about you!"

"Wh, what kind of strange assessment is that..."

I think it's all mixed up and doesn't make sense.

"Hmmm... Did you start doing something related to beauty? Like going to an esthetician?"

"I haven't. I don't have money."

"Right, right. So, maybe your older sister taught you something?"

"Yui-nee-san? She didn't teach me anything."

"That's not it either. Maybe... could it be... that you have a girlfriend?"

"Eh?"

"Just kidding! There's no way, right?"

"Well, um..."

"Eh... wait, wait, that reaction says it all! Confirmed! I was just joking... who is it?"

"I, well... um, cleaning is done, so I'm going home now."

"B, before you go, just tell me who it is! W, who are you dating?"

Sakura-san hurriedly stopped me as I tried to leave.

"I, well..."

"Someone in our class? A senior? A junior? Maybe someone from another school? Just give me a single character hint!"

"Th, that's... "

"Chihiro!"

Turning towards the voice, I saw Reina-senpai waving from outside the classroom.

We were supposed to meet in front of Reina-senpai's house... Did she come because she couldn't wait?

"S, sorry, Sakura-san. See you tomorrow."

"Eh, wait, I still haven't gotten the answer to my question!"

Ignoring Sakura-san's voice, I left the classroom.

"Could it be that Chihiro is dating..."

___________________________________

<Reina-senpai's Room>

Reina-senpai has been busy with entrance exam studies, so we haven't been able to meet very often. That's why we designate one day a week that we make time to get together. Today is that promised day.

"Ahh...it's been a whole week. I really want to act spoiled towards you much, much more Chihiro-kun."

"I know."

"I worked hard all week for this day."

Reina-senpai lies down, using my thighs as a pillow, rolling around.

"Since we're hiding that we're dating at school, I can hardly even talk to you."

"If it got out that you and I are dating Reina-senpai, it would cause huge problems at school."

"I don't really care about that...but if it inconveniences you Chihiro-kun, I'll endure it."

Reina-senpai puffs out her cheeks.

"Oh, it's getting so late already. There's so much I want to talk to you about...let's see, where should I start...? Oh, that's right, on the recent practice exam I got the highest 'A' rating for my choice university!"

"W-Wow! Congratulations. As expected of you, Reina-senpai."

"Praise me more. And also, I got a recommendation from a powerhouse university for kendo too. They said I'm number one in kendo at the high school level."

"That's right. I think you're number one too, Reina-senpai."

"Really!? Fufu, that makes me so happy. Ah, don't stop petting my head okay? Keep praising me while petting."

"I know."

As the delighted Reina-senpai talks, she seems like a small child and makes me feel an adoring tenderness.

While listening to Reina-senpai's stories, I pet her head and praise her.

"And also...ah......"

Reina-senpai's story trails off, as if she remembered something.

"What's wrong?"

"That girl...you were talking to when I came to your classroom today, who was that?"

Reina-senpai's expression changes from the cheerful one until now to a sad, gloomy look.

"Eh? Just a girl in my class."

"Really? When I came to the classroom, you two looked really close."

"Umm...I'm sorry. She's my childhood friend."

"...I see. A childhood friend, huh....a childhood friend."

Reina-senpai keeps muttering the words "childhood friend" over and over.

"I'm so envious. A childhood friend with you, Chihiro-kun..."

Reina-senpai then goes silent, biting hard on her lip.

".....................I hate this."

"Eh--?!"

Reina-senpai gets up and pushes me down onto the bed, straddling me. She grabs my wrists so I can't move.

"R-Reina-senpai?"

".....................Don't you actually prefer your childhood friend who's been with you since long ago over a pathetic, miserable weakling like me, Chihiro-kun?"

"...That's not true at all. I love you, Reina-senpai."

"R-Really?"

"Yes."

"Really, really? Not lying?"

"Yes, I'm not lying."

".....................No, I can't accept that. If you left me Chihiro-kun, I couldn't go on living."

Looking up at Reina-senpai, her face looked like she was about to cry any second. The force gripping my wrists became even tighter.

"Chihiro-kun, won't you live together with me?"

"...Eh?"

"I'm planning to start living alone once I go to university. I want to get out of this house right away. I already have a place in mind to live. Why don't you and I live together there, Chihiro-kun? That way I won't have to worry about you disappearing, and I can act spoiled towards you whenever I want."

"Y-You mean cohabitation?"

"That's right. Not just next year...I want you with me forever from now on."

"........"

It's an extremely tempting offer. I too would love to always be together with Reina-senpai if possible.

But would my mother allow it...? Cohabiting at this high school age would surely be rejected outright, and my sister Yui would vehemently oppose it too.

".........."

"Are you hesitating?"

"W-Well, it's a huge life decision..."

"...............For being such a bad boy, you need to be punished."

"Ah...R-Reina-senpai, that's unf-fair."

Reina-senpai repeatedly kisses my neck. Each kiss sends shivers down my spine.

After that, she continued kissing my neck, cheeks, lips.

"...R-Reina...senpai..."

"Fufufu...Feeling so good your face is melting, huh?"

"Haa...haa..."

"Then I'll ask one more time...you'll live together with me, right?"

"........Yes."

"Yay...It's absolutely decided. You can't take it back now, okay?"

It seems I've become unable to separate from Reina-senpai too...

"Good...let me indulge in being spoiled plenty more today."