Chapter 70: Afterstory & Prequel – 21: What…?

This is bad. Really bad.

After returning home from the training camp, I spent time catching up with Riko for the first time in three days, cuddling as much as I could. Once she’d fallen asleep, Maika came into my room. And then…

“You idiot, Kyugo. This whole mess is your fault for being so carelessly kind to other girls. Idiot. Idiot Kyugo.”

Maika was sitting next to me on my bed, leaning her head gently against my left shoulder. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her whole body radiating warmth. The floral scent she always carried seemed even stronger tonight, tinged with a nuance that made my brain feel like it was boiling. Her scent wasn’t the only thing different—her voice carried a sweetness that was almost overwhelming.

Despite her sharp words, her tone was sugar-sweet. Her expression too… soft, dreamy eyes and lips glistening more than usual. And above all, her thighs, visible beneath her short shorts, and the fullness of her H-cup chest stretching her T-shirt, were making their presence more known than ever. I didn’t even need to touch her to know just how soft and plush her figure was. But, thanks to how close she was leaning into me, I could feel it anyway—damn it, the plushness was impossible to ignore.

This is the golden age of peak sensuality! Or should I call it the golden age of ultimate temptation?!

Damn it, this is way too much. Why does she get like this about once a month? It seems to be something only I notice, but she smells way too good, she’s way too soft, and she’s way too cute. On top of that, she’s way too affectionate, and it’s way too suggestive.

Even better than the scent of a relaxation patch, but instead of calming me down, it’s making me all riled up. I’m buzzing.

Even after making up three days ago, sharing this bed with her, and spending the entire camp awkwardly glancing at each other after making up, I’ve held back.

No matter how much we rebuild trust between us, the fact remains—we’re siblings. And no matter what, there’s one emotion we can’t allow ourselves to confirm.

The feelings we can’t let anyone else notice have always been simmering inside. That’s why I’ll never cross the line. For us, that line is far stricter than what other couples might have. Even as high schoolers, no excuse would justify even something as small as our lips touching.

That’s why I’ve kept myself in check all this time. Enduring it, like bleeding tears. And yes, the tension has definitely leaked in more ways than one.

And yet… why now, of all times, does the golden age of peak sensuality have to hit?! What even is the golden age of peak sensuality?!

“You idiot, Kyugo. You perverted Kyugo. It’s your fault for tempting me with your gross manly, seductive scent. Cheater Kyugo. Pat my head already.”

Maika rubbed her nose against my shoulder, seeking attention. Her random request for head pats was so cute it was criminal. Her silky-smooth hair felt amazing to run my hand through.

Seriously… You’re always trying so hard to hide your true feelings, aren’t you? So why do you let it all spill out like this once a month? Your words might be sharp, but your body is all soft and inviting, and your expression is so full of affection.

Your eyes are those of a girl in love.

If you keep acting like this, it makes me want more too—your overwhelmingly cute, transparent mix of sensuality and tsundere vibes!

“I wasn’t tempting you or anything. I clearly told them no at the end. Are you… jealous, by any chance?”

There it is—this’ll get her face red and flustered in no time! She’ll totally freak out and deny it, right?

“H-Huh?! J-Jealous?! Me?! Why would I get all moody just because you’re getting hit on by some random girls?! That’s ridiculous! It’s not like I care about you or anything, idiot! D-don’t get the wrong idea, you perv!” Then she’ll start flailing her tiny fists at me, right?

Come on, show me your adorable blonde tsundere pout, already!

“…Huh? Jealous? No, I’m not.”

“…What?”

Maika’s tone was flat and calm, entirely different from what I’d expected. She wasn’t jealous at all. What the hell? This feels like one-sided love now. If it were me in her position, I’d be losing it with jealousy, sulking and brooding until I exploded in frustration. But her reaction? Ice cold.

“There’s no way I’d lose to someone like Nakano. My only rival is that girl.”

She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
That girl… she means her, doesn’t she?

Well, from my perspective, both of them are equally precious and important. Besides, the kind of affection I have for the two of them is completely different, so there’s no reason for them to compete in the first place.

Speaking of which, what did Nakano mean by “the lying sisters” before she left? I mean, sure, both of them have told their fair share of adorable little lies. Maybe Nakano got lied to back in middle school or something. Sorry about that, my cute little sisters can be a handful sometimes.

“But still, you were totally in a bad mood the whole time, weren’t you?”

Sure, the main reason was probably because I told her she couldn’t be a manager in such a petty way. But Nakano sticking so close to me? That definitely made her mad too. It had to be frustration over the thought of me being taken by another girl.

“Of course I was annoyed. Who wouldn’t be? Even if I know I’ll win in the end, I still don’t want anyone else getting close to you or touching you. Unlike her, I can’t just compartmentalize everything so cleanly.”

Oh, so she is pouting after all. While puffing her cheeks, she clings tightly to my left arm, pressing herself against me. Too cute. Too soft. And way too… close. Her scent is intoxicating.

But still… that girl again? What does she mean by being able to “compartmentalize everything cleanly”? I can’t really grasp what she’s getting at. If anything, I’d think someone like that girl wouldn’t be able to compartmentalize things at all.

“…Hey, Kyugo. So, what you’re saying is… you wanted me to get jealous, didn’t you?”

“…”

Bullseye. I decide not to answer. Honestly, her shy, upward glance is too cute, and I can’t find the words to respond.

“Or is it because you feel that way? If some other guy hit on me, would you get jealous and start pouting?”

“Don’t make me imagine that crap! Of course I’d lose it!”

Truth be told, I’m sure there have been countless guys who’ve fallen for Maika. I mean, look at her. She’s unbelievably cute, incredibly kind, hardworking, and selfless. At every stage—elementary school, middle school, and high school—she’s been leagues ahead of everyone else in charm. Objectively speaking, it’s undeniable. That’s why I’ve always acted intimidating toward anyone who looked like they were interested in her. No wonder everyone thinks I’m a blatant siscon.

Still, I’ve always made sure to hide the fact that my feelings for her are not the kind a brother should have for his sister. That’s something I’ll keep buried for the rest of my life. To do that, I’ve perfected my act as the overprotective, clownish, siscon brother. It’s the best path forward.

“Hmm… is that so? Hmm… so, you’d lose it, huh? Just because another guy gets close to me? Hmm… so that’s how it is… hmm…”

Maika grins slyly, letting out a teasing series of “hmms.”

Yeah, fine. You’re right. You’ve got it all figured out. Can we leave it at that? Don’t push me any further, okay? You know just as well as I do that I can’t say it out loud. Don’t get greedy, Maika. Normally, you’re the one who has more self-control between the two of us, right?

“Hmm, I see. Hmm… then, what if I started dating another guy?”

“What?! Don’t even joke about that! There’s no way you’d date anyone else.”

“…What if it’s not a joke? I’ve actually been confessed to.”

“…What?”