All the Heroines Who Showed Their Overwhelming Emotions on Me Have Mentally Broken Down and Gone Insane, so Now My Only Choice Is to Pamper Them Endlessly to Avoid Total Chaos — Sweets Work Best on Lovesick Heroines - Chapter 23: Tuesday, Iori Ototsuka Day

Chapter 23: Tuesday, Iori Ototsuka Day

Ever since we parted ways with those two, Tendo had been in a great mood the whole time.

After the movie ended, we grabbed dinner at a nearby family restaurant, and then we all split up in front of the station.

“See you later, Aotori!”

I waved goodbye to Tendo, who looked a bit reluctant to leave but had a satisfied smile on her face, and finally let out a sigh of relief.

I got back to my apartment a little after 8 p.m.

It had been just a week since I started living alone. I’d gotten used to daily life, but coming home to a place where no one was waiting still felt a little lonely.

I took a shower and got ready for bed, then lay down.

Today had been exhausting. Spending time with full-throttle Tendo took more energy than I’d expected.

But I couldn’t just give up. I’d said I’d stick with it until graduation, so I had to see it through responsibly.

As I lay on the bed scrolling through my phone, a notification sound went off.

“Big brother”

“I went to school today”

Oh. Kokoa, who hadn’t been going to school, had actually made it there.

It was the first time since I started living alone.

It was tough love, but with me gone, Kokoa was definitely heading in a better direction.

“Good job”

I replied, and it was read right away.

“I’m looking forward to Thursday”

I could picture Kokoa’s happy face.

If she kept this up, she’d surely change for the better. The menhera recovery program seemed to be working, little by little but steadily.

I set my phone down and closed my eyes.

Tomorrow was Iori’s turn. I should turn in early tonight.

My mind started to drift off as I lay there.

–Bzzz.

The phone’s vibration woke me up. I checked the clock—it was midnight, just after the date changed.

I looked at the notification.

It was a message from Iori.

“It’s Tuesday, Kaname”

“Today is my day”

“I’ve been waiting forever”

“I’m looking forward to it”

She sent it the second the date changed…

I marked it as read and set the phone aside.

No reply. We’d see each other in a few hours anyway.

I closed my eyes again and finally fell asleep.

*

The next morning. Like with Tendo, I’d figured Iori would show up bright and early, but that didn’t happen.

In fact, even after I got to school, and through lunch break, Iori didn’t appear.

On her assigned day, she wasn’t making contact—this was anticlimactic in its own way.

–And so, after school that day arrived.

I’d finished packing up and was about to leave the classroom when it happened.

“Kaname”

“Whoa!”

Right after I stepped out, Iori called to me from where she’d been waiting at the entrance.

I jumped.

That was the perfect spot to startle someone.

“Want to walk home together?”

But she seemed totally calm about it.

It was Iori’s day. Turning her down wasn’t an option.

“Sure…”

“Yay”

She murmured it with a faint smile.

…That quietness actually made her feel a little scary.

We passed through the shoe area and walked side by side from the school to the station.

We didn’t say a word the whole way.

She must have been looking for an opening, because Iori suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, Kaname”

“Yeah?”

“Can I come over to your place after this?”

“My place?”

“Yeah. I haven’t seen your new place yet”

Iori stopped walking.

“As your childhood friend, I’m worried. Are you eating properly? Is your room messy? Do you have laundry piling up?”

“Question barrage”

“Oh, sorry… Don’t hate me…”

When I cut in like I was scolding her, Iori shrank back and lowered her chin.

Just like the day-of-the-week rule, I’d set personal rules for each of the four.

And for Iori, those were no “question barrages” and no talk of suicide.

“I wouldn’t hate you, but you really should fix that habit. Even before anything about dating me, people around you will start drifting away”

“You’re worried about me?”

“Well, yeah…”

“That makes me happy”

Iori’s cheeks turned red.

I might have just given her another little treat.

To avoid things getting weird, I steered the conversation back.

“I’m managing fine so far. I eat out a lot, but I helped with chores at home anyway”

“Eating out all the time isn’t good for you. I’ll make dinner for you tonight”

“Huh?”

Her unexpected offer made me let out a dumb sound.

I shook my head and turned her down gently.

“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t want to impose that much”

“No way. It’s my day, right? This is something I want to do. I’m worried about your health”

She was insistent.

A place where we could be alone. A space no one else could interrupt.

That’s probably what she wanted—time like that.

In the end, I sighed and gave in.

“Alright. But what about ingredients? My fridge is seriously empty”

“Let’s stop by the supermarket. We can shop together. It’ll be fun, right?”

“Okay… But head home after we eat?”

“Yeah!”

For Iori, that was a rare, toothy, cheerful grin.

Still, today’s Iori felt a bit creepy.

*

On the way home from school, we stopped at the supermarket, where Iori tossed ingredients into the basket without hesitation.

Veggies, meat, seasonings. She looked just like a housewife.

When we got back to the apartment, Iori headed straight for the kitchen.

I couldn’t help staring at her tying an apron over her uniform.

That domestic look suited her soft vibe perfectly.

But she’d brought her own apron… So she was fully planning to cook from the start.

Before long, she’d made simple meat and potatoes, miso soup, boiled spinach, and a salad.

We set them out on the dining table and ate across from each other.

Iori’s cooking had a gentle flavor.

Afterward, I leaned back in my chair and let out a satisfied breath.

“Whew. Thanks for the meal”

“You’re welcome”

With that, Iori started clearing the plates from the table.

I stopped her.

“It’s okay. I’ll do it after you leave”

“But”

“Come on, at least let me handle that. Getting everything handed to me makes me feel bad”

“Got it”

Iori nodded obediently and set the plates down.

“Thanks for today. I’ll walk you to the station”

Night streets can be risky. I tried to wrap things up, but Iori’s gaze suddenly drifted toward the back of the living room—the bedroom door.

She stared at it intently, like something was bothering her.

“What’s up?”

“I haven’t seen your bedroom yet. It’s bugging me”

As she said it, she stood up and smoothly walked from the living room toward the bedroom.

She opened the closed door without asking and stepped inside.

“Hey…!”

It was embarrassing to have my private space seen, so I hurried after her.

Once inside the bedroom, Iori stood in the middle and spun around.

“Huh, it’s surprisingly tidy. You keep it clean. Good job, Kaname”

“Iori, it’s about time—”

My words cut off midway.

A sudden floating sensation hit my whole body.

Iori pulled my arm, and before I could resist, my balance gave out.

I toppled over, pulled by her grip, and ended up pushed down onto the bed.

“Hey! What are—”

My words cut off again.

This time, by Iori’s lips.

“Hey, Kaname…”

Up close, her face was bright red.

With a look like she was in heat, Iori whispered.

“Don’t you want to know what a girl’s body feels like…?”

―――――――――――――――――
[Raimu Tendo]
Dependency: ★★★★★
Danger Level: ★★☆☆☆
Menhera: ★★★☆☆

[Yami Ayakura]
Dependency: ★★★★☆
Danger Level: ★★★★☆
Menhera: ★★★★☆

[Iori Ototsuka] (Change Detected)
Dependency: ★★★★☆
Danger Level: ★★★★☆→★★★★★
Menhera: ★★★★☆→★★★★★

[Kokoa Aotori]
Dependency: ★★★★★
Danger Level: ★★★★☆
Menhera: ★★★★★