Chapter 23

After receiving some solid “adult reward” from Reika, the two of them lazily drifted back into sleep together until around noon.

Afterward, they went out to eat and for a casual date, heading to a commercial complex that wasn’t too crowded on a weekday.

“Come to think of it, we don’t really do the kinds of things that ‘normal couples’ would do, do we?”

“Yeah. I can’t even remember the last time we went on a date like this.”

“Well, we always end up doing the same kind of thing anyway.”

“…When you think about it that way, maybe ‘normal couples’ are more wholesome and ideal after all.”

“Alright, alright, don’t give me that goody-two-shoes reasoning. That stuff means nothing.”

“What the hell is ‘goody-two-shoes reasoning’…? I mean, we’re already out and about during school hours on a weekday. That’s bad behavior no matter how you look at it. Not that I mind—it’s kinda fun.”

“Is it? For me, anything’s fine as long as I’m with you.”

The two continued with their usual back-and-forth as they walked around.

“Looking around like this, it really makes me realize—there’s nothing I want right now.”

“Yeah, come to think of it, I’ve never seen you act like you really want something. Most high school girls would be after accessories or whatever.”

“It’s not like I’m not interested. But the school rules are so annoying, I can’t even wear them properly.”

“Yeah, if you wear something flashy and get caught, it’ll get confiscated.”

“The only thing you can get away with is a beaded bracelet. Maybe a necklace that stays hidden under your clothes.”

“Bracelets, yeah, I get that. But necklaces are usually pricey. Not exactly practical.”

In the end, they didn’t buy anything, and their shopping date ended with just browsing.

Even when they went out, they often ended up doing nothing in particular—which might be exactly why they rarely went on shopping dates to begin with.

By the time they got back, it was already past 3 p.m.

“Man, I wish days like this could last a little longer.”

Sitting side by side on Reika’s bed, Satoru let out a carefree remark.

“I feel the same, but things probably won’t be that simple. Even if I skip school, it doesn’t matter much. But you don’t have that luxury. You’d feel bad toward auntie, right?”

“Yeah, I guess I’ve gotta face the harsh reality again tomorrow… Just thinking about it wears me out.”

“Wears you out? All you do is sit through classes. You never have any real trouble with it.”

“I can’t nap in class, and that’s the real problem.”

“You know, watching you this morning… Why are you always so sleep-deprived? You didn’t even notice when I played a prank on you.”

“Wait, what did you do?”

“Who knows? I’ve already forgotten.”

“…scary. Seriously though, how are people so energetic all the time? I can barely survive on six hours of sleep.”

Satoru genuinely wondered: how do people who stay up late for club activities and still manage to study properly live their lives?

Sometimes, he feared they might only be sleeping three or four hours a night.

“Well, at least you caught up on sleep today. That should keep you going for a while, right?”

“Yeah, I think I’ll manage for a bit.”

“Then do your best, okay?”

“Aye aye.”

As they talked, the reality that their time together was ending began to settle in.

Satoru would head home in the evening, get ready for the next day, and return to his usual nightly routine.

“Setting me aside… Are you doing okay now?”

“Yeah. You gave me so much happiness—I can get through tomorrow just fine.”

“That’s good.”

Even though he was the one asking if she was okay, Satoru suddenly felt a wave of loneliness as he looked at Reika’s face.

From yesterday evening until now, they hadn’t spent a single moment apart.

Now, just the idea of not being by her side left his heart lagging behind.

“Hehe. why don’t you take a look at your face in the mirror?”

“…I don’t need to. I know. Yeah, I really am spoiled.”

“That’s part of it. But it also means this time together really let you absorb more of me.”

“…It’s not fair. Being next to you when you’re vulnerable is like standing next to a bucket of black dye.”

“It’s not that I’m black—it’s just that you’re too pure white. White gets dyed by any color, doesn’t it?”

“So you’re calling me pure now…”

He kept getting teased for being “pure,” though Satoru didn’t really think of himself that way.

He was slowly accepting the fact that he was a bit of a spoiled child, though.

“Is it really that sad to be apart from me?”

“Of course it is.”

“Then when I come snuggle up to you once things have calmed down, stop acting like you hate it, okay?”

“I-I mean, it’s embarrassing. If you want that, then at least choose the right place, will you? If you do that, I won’t complain.”

“So you’re saying… depending on the conditions, you’ll accept it right away because you’ve grown addicted to me and can’t help but want more?”

“…Yeah.”

“When I think about it that way, I guess that nightmare wasn’t all bad. Not that I ever want to go through it again.”

And so, the secret day off just for Satoru and Reika came to an end.

When Satoru got home, he was greeted by his little sister, furious at being left on read, and his oddly cheerful parents.

From tomorrow, their normal high school life will resume once more.