A Case in Which My House Is a Gathering Place for Girls - Chapter 30: Sleepover: Destruction ~Asakura's Turn~

I can’t help but mutter, knowing that if I say that I’ve had a hard time, all the boys, including Wada, could attack me. After taking a bath far from relaxing, I sat on the bed and turned on the TV with a heavy sigh.

“There aren’t really any interesting shows on at this hour.”

Asakura, who got out of the bath first, approached me while changing the channel. By the way, Kanna is taking a bath with Sasazuki.

“I suppose so. Not that I care much anyway.”

“Then why did you turn on the TV?”

Asakura sat next to me and laughed at me. A pleasant post-bath scent drifted into my nose. Even the casual act of drying her hair with a bath towel seemed graceful, and I almost let out a sigh of admiration.

On the other hand, the dressing gown is such a cute thing, and it comes with a hood that mimics a deformed bear, but because it is a short pants type, it freely exposes her beautiful legs trained in the track and field club. The contrast was almost too much to process.

“I can’t believe she’s barged in wearing a swimsuit, yet she’s not really a fan of baths.”

“She’s like a cat, Sasazuki.”

“And Kanna too. I can’t believe she’s going to take a bath with Mika while doing that to Itsuki. She’s way too caring.”

“That’s probably not it. It’s because of her sister’s energy or something from Sasazuki.”

That was a joke. Sasazuki had always spent a lot of time alone due to her unique nature. She probably didn’t even realize it herself, but every now and then, a hint of loneliness flickered in her eyes. And Kanna couldn’t just ignore that.

“Kanna has always been smart. That’s why people thought she was weird. I think she understands Sasazuki’s feelings all too well.”

“…I see. Does Kanna understand the pain of Mika’s loneliness?”

“Exactly,” I said and I changed the TV to a game screen. I could hear a lot of noise from the bathroom along with the shower, so it seemed like they wouldn’t be coming out anytime soon. A perfect opportunity to kill time while waiting.

“Then I suppose I’ll have Itsuki fill my loneliness.”

“…Huh?”

Before I asked her what she meant, Asakura suddenly dived at me and I was pushed down.

I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. The only things I knew for sure were the sweet scent that wasn’t from my usual shampoo and the lingering warmth of her bath-fresh skin, sending my brain into panic mode.

“A-Asakura? What are you doing all of a sudden?”

“Shh, be quiet. If you shout too loudly, they’ll hear us.”

Asakura smiles bewitchingly while putting her index finger on her nose. My heart pounded violently in response to her expression.

“T-This situation is seriously bad!? Get off me already!”

“That depends on Itsuki’s answer. Or… would you rather be the one on top?”

Asakura whispered as if to tease me. She completely ignored my flustered state as she continued speaking.

“Kanna and Mika share a similar past, so I can’t really fit in between them. But I may look like this but I’m lonely, too.”

She changed from a glamorous look to a new one. Asakura talks with a sultry expression softened into a pout.

“People call me a genius sprinter or say I’m a once-in-a-generation talent who will change Japanese women’s track and field… They say whatever they want, but in reality, no one actually gets close to me and as if I’m something fragile.”

“That’s…”

I couldn’t bring myself to say, “That’s just the fate of a genius.” If this was a team event, it might have been different, but she was always alone on the field.

Even if the whole world had its eyes on her, Asakura was still just a teenage girl like any other. For someone still growing, the weight of all those expectations was far too heavy.

“But, Itsuki. You’re the only one who looked after me. Not as some genius sprinter, but as Asakura Nao. I was so happy about that.”

“…That’s a matter of course.”

“Itsuki is special because everyone can’t do that obvious thing. That’s why I think Kanna and Mika are here too.”

Asakura  was laughing and said, “It frustrates me that I can’t have you all to myself.” Her smile in that moment was that of an ordinary girl her age. The most natural and captivating one she had ever shown.

“That’s why. Will Itsuki let me return the favor as a token of my daily gratitude?”

“…How did you even come to that conclusion? There’s a limit to that randomness of context.”

“Right now, we are alone now. I figured I should make the most of this opportunity. I’m not going to let Kanna be the only one having fun.”

Inside my mind, an imaginary Wada was screaming, “The one having fun isn’t Hanazono—it’s you, Itsuki!” But there was no point in arguing with Asakura, who was practically radiating competitive spirit. If anything, this was the worst possible time for her to get fired up.

“Don’t worry. I don’t do anything improper like Kanna. I’m going to make Itsuki feel good in a perfectly wholesome way.”

“That remark instantly disappeared into the void!?”

“Well, if you like, we can steer in that direction!?”

Asakura licks her tongue while saying so. I couldn’t help but swallow hard.

The shock of Kanna barging in wrapped in just a bath towel had made me forget, but Asakura had also stormed into the bathroom wearing a school swimsuit.

“C-calm down, Asakura! Don’t get carried away by your emotions at the moment! There must be an order for these things!”

“I beg your pardon? I’m always calm. So, Itsuki can just lie face down without complaining?”

“What exactly are you planning!?”

“Nothing… This is just supposed to be a massage?”

A dumbfounded sound escaped my lips. I was probably making an equally dumb expression.

“You always help me with muscle care after practice. I’ll give Itsuki a massage in return for that.”

“I-I see. If that’s the case, I’d definitely appreciate it.”

“Or is that not what Itsuki was hoping for? If you’d rather—”

“No, that’s exactly what I want! The massage, please!”

I wished she would stop trying to steer the conversation in a dangerous direction every time I let my guard down.

I decided to turn around quietly and lie face down, as it seemed that no matter how many hearts I had if I had asked any further questions or answers, my heart wouldn’t be able to take it.