Chapter 23

“It’s been a long time, Kazuhiko-kun. So, you’re finally ready to marry our Reika, aren’t you?” 

“Yes, that’s right. And we’ll be able to show you a grandchild soon.” 

“That’s wonderful.”

“Wait!?”

When Kazuhiko arrived at Reika’s house, he was greeted by a familiar woman. 

It was, of course, Reika’s mother. 

But she looked so young she could pass as Reika’s older sister. And if she could pass as Reika’s sister, she was a beautiful, dignified woman of the same lineage.

Reika also possessed a seductive charm with a body that seemed too mature for her age, but seeing her mother, the original, made Kazuhiko realize Reika was still growing. Her mother possessed an even greater seductive allure than Reika.

She had short black hair and a body even more glamorous than Reika’s. 

This was what they called a “Bimajo” (beautiful sorceress).

As Kazuhiko gazed at her while Reika still had her arm linked through his—it goes without saying that Reika’s grip tightened at that moment—Reika’s mother threw out a comment that could be called a preemptive strike.

“Oh, Kazuhiko-kun, aren’t you going to marry our Reika? Are you dating her with such a lack of commitment?” 

“Ugh…”

Since he was still a student, he shouldn’t be expected to have that level of commitment in a relationship. However, he thought her way of saying it was unfair. 

Kazuhiko had no choice but to state his honest feelings.

“…Um, I would say I’m hoping things could turn out that way…” 

“…..He.”

Her way of speaking was very similar to her daughter’s.

“That’s good, Reika. It seems he’s actually thinking about it.” 

“Yes, that’s wonderful. Though I have no intention of letting him go.”

—Hiiiieee!

It felt like there are two Reikas here.

—Was Rei-chan’s mom always like this…?

Kazuhiko tried to remember, but he didn’t recall being subjected to this kind of treatment. 

That was understandable, because back then, Kazuhiko was still a child, and there was no need to corner him with such phrasing. 

It would be a lie to say it never happened, but the young Kazuhiko had not been able to notice it.

The same applied to Reika. Back then, she was content to be beside the comfortable Kazuhiko and saw no need to deliberately corner him as she did now.

It was only because they had grown up that this mother and daughter were now going to deliciously devour him.

“Come on in.” 

“Excuse my intrusion…”

Kazuhiko stepped into her house with the feeling of entering a demon’s lair. 

Reika’s house was also a single-family home. Walking down the hallway and entering the living room, Reika’s father was sitting in a chair. 

He looked at Kazuhiko, whose arm was linked with Reika’s, then looked at his wife, and said,

“Kazuhiko-kun, good luck.” 

“Wha—Dad?! That kind of comment makes me extremely uneasy!” 

“Oh, calling him ‘Father-in-law,’ I’m happy you’re so committed, Kazu-kun.” 

“Wait, Rei-chan, I feel like the nuance was different just now!” 

“Kazuhiko-kun as a son… hehe.” 

“Mom is laughing just like Rei-chan!”

Kazuhiko had been hit with a double-punch from Reika’s parents.

The two accepted Kazuhiko as if the last few years of distance hadn’t existed. That was a good thing, but—

“Kazuhiko-kun, you must do your best. You’re the only one I can entrust Reika to… Please, I beg you…” 

“W-wait, Dad!?” 

“Ah, call me Father-in-law.”

His appearance struck a chord in Kazuhiko’s heart, as if he were looking at his own future self.

“Hehe, I’m happy you’re so enthusiastic, dear.”

Beside him, his young and beautiful wife, who looked like Reika’s sister, snuggled close. Blessed with a beautiful daughter, and having built this house, he would clearly be considered a winner in the eyes of others. 

But to Kazuhiko, who knew the truth about the daughter, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of decadent daily life they lived within the family—no, even that would probably be envied by outsiders.

No matter how much he tried to explain the hardship, he’d probably just be met with, “Yes, yes, happiness, so much happiness.” 

Only those who had personally experienced Reika’s hardship could truly understand it.

A “heavenly hell” is the worst because from an outsider’s perspective, it’s just pure happiness.

Looking at his “Father-in-law,” Kazuhiko felt a chill down his spine, anticipating that he would become the same in the future. 

At the same time, he also felt a glimmer of hope for the future, knowing that there was a person who would be his biggest sympathizer.

—But, Reika. She’s clearly recognized by her family…

At school, she was only seen as the unobtainable flower. But at home, the true, unvarnished Reika seemed to be loved. 

That fact alone made Kazuhiko feel happy, as if he was already one of Reika’s family members. Kazuhiko had reached the point where he could feel happy about that.

The conversation continued, and Kazuhiko had one more of his “outer defenses” secured—no, since the outer defenses were already filled, it was probably more like the next structure being built. What was built? A rest stop? It cannot be helped.

Kazuhiko’s future was already decided.

Chapter 24

“Well then, shall we go on a date, Kazu-kun?” 

“You’re still as abrupt as ever…”

After being entertained by Reika’s parents and chatting leisurely in her familiar room, she suddenly sprang on Kazuhiko. 

They had just finished lunch, and it was only early afternoon. It was certainly fine to go out, but where should they go?

“If it’s with you, Kazu-kun, I’ll go anywhere. No, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.”

Did that suddenly turn into a horror movie, or what?

—Wait, is she still reading my mind so naturally!?

“It’s a basic skill for a maiden in love.” 

“And you’re reading my mind again…”

If that were a basic skill, maidens would win every single love war.

“…Well, should we just take a walk somewhere? I’m sorry that’s all I can offer…” 

“That’s perfectly fine. We’re going to our park of memories, right?” 

“It’s just where we used to play together a lot, not exactly a big memory spot… but I guess it counts as a memory?”

Kazuhiko never imagined he would end up dating that childhood friend. 

After bidding farewell to his “in-laws”—greetings are important—the two set off together for the park of memories.

The spring-like sunlight was growing stronger by the day, seemingly rushing toward summer. 

Kazuhiko, now with a girlfriend, should be similarly burning with excitement—but he couldn’t possibly say that when the jet-black sun, disguised as an unobtainable flower, was already blazing fiercely. 

To burn brighter than her was completely unthinkable.

The jet-black sun, disguised as the unobtainable flower, looked somehow happy, all while retaining her cold, beautiful features.

—Is it because she’s walking with me?

Normally, he would have shaken his head, thinking he was deluding himself. 

But after all of her—intense, overwhelmingly intense—courtship, Kazuhiko had no choice but to believe it.

—I really have fallen for Rei-chan, haven’t I…

A bittersweet feeling welled up, and at the same time, he felt a crushing sense of defeat.

—Damn it, if she were normal, she’d be a perfect beautiful girl. If she were normal.

He said it twice because it was important. Just as Kazuhiko was enveloped in an overwhelming, crushing sense of defeat, they arrived at the park of memories.

It was an unremarkable park. No, some of the old play equipment had been removed, and it looked a little lonely. Nowadays, if there’s even the slightest hint of danger, it gets removed immediately.

—Well, the swings are still there.

The seesaw was also left. High school students, let alone riding a seesaw with their girlfriend, were the kind of hopelessly-in-love couple you’d read about in a textbook.

—Surely she wouldn’t suggest we actually ride it?

“I wouldn’t force you onto a seesaw while pressing you with hypnosis.” 

“Why can you read my mind? Also, I wasn’t even thinking that far.”

 “Oh.”

Reika was indifferent. But “forcing a seesaw” was quite a power-word. In terms of pure embarrassment, it would surely rank high among acts of harassment. See-saw harassment.

“There’s a bench. Kazu-kun, sit down.”

“I feel an obvious malicious intent…”

Even as he said it, Kazuhiko sat down as if by conditioned reflex. Even though he wasn’t pretending to be hypnotized.

“Hehe, such a good boy.”

Reika laughed happily and naturally lowered herself onto Kazuhiko’s lap.

“H-hey! Stop that in public! Hey, cut it out! Stop grinding your butt into me!” 

“Well then, would my breasts be acceptable?”

 “That’s not the point!” 

“Fufu.” 

“Don’t ‘fufu’ me…”

Kazuhiko, who said that but didn’t push her away, was now officially a textbook, hopelessly-in-love couple. 

Reika leaned her back against Kazuhiko with a satisfied look. Her lustrous black hair wafted a sweet scent, making Kazuhiko’s heart jump. 

Moreover, her weight was comfortable, and her softness was utterly addictive.

“We used to do this often when we were little.” 

“…That’s true, but we didn’t do this…” 

“I’ve grown, haven’t I?” 

“I-I get it, so stop grinding your butt… Don’t grow in that direction!” 

“…Hehe, Kazu-kun has gotten hard too, a fine display of growth…” 

“Stop it!”

Couldn’t she stop with the indecent behavior in a public place? The valley of Reika’s butt was perfectly embracing Kazuhiko’s hardened member, grinding it up and down.

“Ugh, kuuh…” 

“Fufu, Kazu-kun is so cute…” 

“S-stop, please… A-at least at home…” 

Understood. I have your verbal promise.” 

“…Huh?”

Reika stopped moving her large butt. Kazuhiko couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, but he was relieved that she had stopped for now. 

But had Kazuhiko just driven himself further into a Death-Ground? —Or rather than a Death-Ground, a Lewd-Ground? 

(Chichi the first “chi” comes from lewd woman”, pun on Shichi)