My Little Sister Is the Best F*p Material - Volume 5 Chapter 7: The Off-Meeting Preludes

Volume 5 Chapter 7: The Off-Meeting Preludes

The day of the offline meetup had arrived. I met up with Suzuhara at a family restaurant. After placing our orders, I set down only the self-serve water on the table. Sitting across from me, as expected, was Suzuhara, sporting a healthy tan.

“You really make me go, ‘Who?’ every time we meet.”

“Have some sympathy for me, who gets forgotten by friends every time we meet.”

Suzuhara fiddled with the subtle trim he’d secretly added to his hair. Whether it was due to Miyu’s scolding or not, he seemed to have spent quite a bit on his clothes and hair.

“Never mind that, Sotomichi, you’re looking pretty good too, huh? Is this Miyu-san’s influence as well?!”

“Uh, yeah, probably.”

I wonder how long he’ll keep calling her “Miyu-san.” I can’t blame him for wanting to worship her, though.

“This is gonna be worth assisting…!”

Suzuhara clenched his fist with an overbearing enthusiasm.

The meetup plan was to gather at the location after eating lunch individually. It’s not uncommon for people to arrive one by one as they can, with only the meeting spot designated. Still, I met up with Suzuhara early at a nearby family restaurant to avoid letting others form cliques first. Other members might be doing something similar, so we had to be cautious with our conversation.

“Today’s the day I say goodbye to my virginity. You should start learning about women too, Sotomichi.”

That was the first thing he said after our food arrived. I needed to fill him in on part of the situation.

“Have you been hanging out with girls since summer started, Suzuhara?”

I took a sip of water, letting the ice clink against the glass.

“I’m already pretty far along.”

Suzuhara proudly showed me the names of the girls lined up in his messaging app. He’s been exchanging messages with five girls in such a short time? He’s really putting in the effort.

“Impressive progress. I really think you’ve changed a lot.”

I’m both surprised and convinced by how effective Miyu’s scolding has been. After all, she’s the one who turned me, a complete loser, into a decent person. Suzuhara is like a mirror image of me.

“Never mind that, Sotomichi. Today’s about getting you some experience with women, so step up your game.”

“I’m not planning to find a girlfriend at this meetup.”

“You’re still saying that? You’ve gotta actively try to get a girlfriend, or you’ll never have one in your life.”

“I know. But it’s not that. I already have someone I like. She’s my main focus.”

I can’t lie, so I told a partial truth. This way, there’s no guilt, and I can stay calm.

“Huh? Why didn’t you tell me something so important?”

“It’s harder to talk about this kind of stuff with a friend, you know.”

We’re not the type to usually talk about romance, and there’s never been a good time to bring it up. Even if my love interest wasn’t my sister, I wouldn’t have been able to confess it myself.

“Well, I can’t force you then.”

Suzuhara backed off gracefully. His biggest growth is that he’s learned to understand people’s feelings.

“If you’ve got someone you like, she can be your goal. But, Sotomichi, if you’re not dating her yet, playing around with other girls isn’t exactly dishonest, you know?”

Suzuhara leaned on the table with both elbows, clasped his hands once, and then turned his palms toward me.

“I get what you’re saying. I totally understand wanting to keep things pure for your first girlfriend. I felt the same way. But, dating isn’t the end goal of romance, right?”

Suzuhara’s expression was dead serious, and I couldn’t help but admire how much he’d changed. I wondered what kind of experiences had given him such a persuasive way of speaking.

“If you can date her while keeping your first love pure, that’s a hundred points. If you’ve played around with other girls, maybe it’s eighty points. But eighty points is fine. Romance is about the total experience until you break up or get married. You’ve gotta think on a scale of a thousand points.”

There was no real basis for it, but Suzuhara’s words were convincing. This feeling is the same as when I talk to Miyu. Confident talk draws people in. And eventually, it turns mere theory into fact.

“If she’s your main focus, I think you should gain experience with other girls to prepare for when you do date her. Of course, I’m not forcing this on you, and it’s up to you what you do. But just try to charm a girl, even a little. It’ll change your world.”

It seems like Suzuhara has changed through such experiences.

Try to charm a girl as a man, huh? Come to think of it, I’ve only ever dated girls through circumstances, and I’ve rarely had the chance to show off my manliness. I’m still lacking in that regard with Miyu too.

I don’t plan to flirt with the girls we’re meeting today, but maybe I should at least try to show myself as a reliable older brother figure.

“Alright, it’s about time. Everyone’s messages are in. Looks like there are no latecomers this time, so all eight of us will enter together. This is gonna be tough for your first time, Sotomichi. Listen up.”

Before we left, Suzuhara gave me some pointers. First, make sure to use the bathroom beforehand. In the early stages, even a second away from the conversation makes it hard to rejoin. Establishing yourself as an approachable person from the start is key.

Next, avoid commenting on appearance. Both jokes and compliments are off-limits. Even if you’re experienced with women, complimenting a woman you’ve just met will mostly just creep her out. That’s the golden rule.

“In the beginning, it’ll definitely split into a girls’ group and a guys’ group. But there’s no need to force a mix. That’s the organizers’ job. That way, no one will feel bad.”

“Suzuhara and Senpai are organizers, right? Should I just talk to the other guy?”

“Yeah. Senpai and I will handle the girls’ group, so you can get friendly with Tanaka in the meantime.”

Today’s meetup is mainly organized by Kuroi Sakan (Black Rod), Suzuhara’s senior, with Suzuhara and Harumaki-san as sub-organizers. Tanakaクラウザー二世 (Tanaka Clawzer II), or Tanaka-san, is apparently a year older than us. I wonder if we’ll get along.

“Also, we haven’t made it public in the game yet, so we’ve only told this group that Senpai, me, and you have known each other since middle school. Got it?”

“If it’s too cliquey, it’ll make others uncomfortable. I’ll try to talk to people other than Suzuhara, so it should be fine.”

There’s no need to hide our relationship, but we should be considerate so the other participants don’t feel intimidated. With that advice in mind, Suzuhara and I headed to the karaoke venue.

There, we found a well-built man and a girl in cute clothes holding a parasol. They must be the organizers, Kuroi Sakan and Harumaki-san.

“Senpai, long time no see. And you must be Harumaki-san?”

Suzuhara took the lead in greeting them. Since Kuroi Sakan knows Suzuhara, and the three of them, including Harumaki-san, are the organizer group, it’s not my place to jump in. I’ll stay quiet until Suzuhara introduces me.

“Yeah, I’m Harumaki. Just call me Harumaki, since it’s my nickname in real life too.”

As Harumaki-san bowed, her braided pigtails slipped smoothly off her shoulders. Her outfit was like a more casual version of Miyu’s lolita fashion—in short, she was the “princess” of the otaku circle with a pretty face.

“Really! Then it’s the same as Sotomichi. His nickname is his handle too.”

Since Suzuhara introduced me, I nodded lightly and greeted her as well. Come to think of it, Harumaki-san is a college student. She looks younger, but I should show her proper respect.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sotomichi.”

“Nice to meet you too. You two can talk just like in the chat. It’s an offline meetup, so keep it casual.”

Maybe to ease the tension, Harumaki-san poked my arm playfully. If this had been me with no experience with women, I would’ve fallen for her right there.

“Suzuhara told me you’re a dull virgin, but you don’t look like one at all.”

Harumaki-san casually dropped a bold statement, tilting her head up to look at me with her bright, curious eyes. If I hadn’t gotten used to this angle with Miyu, I would’ve been flustered. She seems quiet, but she’s quite the charmer. Maybe she’s a real otaku circle crusher.

“He used to be pretty awkward until recently. I was surprised when I saw him today. But yeah, he’s still a virgin!”

Suzuhara tried to cover for me, but it only made things worse. I’ll just let the virgin thing slide—it’s too much trouble to deny it now.

“Well, it’s true I’m not exactly suave.”

I don’t want to put myself down too much—that wouldn’t be fair to Miyu. But it’s true I’m not much of a catch as a guy. I want to improve, but I still don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.

“And you must be Kuroi Sakan-san. Nice to meet you.”

I greeted the well-built man next to her. According to Suzuhara, he’s a former otaku, but he doesn’t give off that vibe at all. He looks like he could say he’s been doing judo his whole life, and I’d believe it.

“Just call me Kurosawa. You’ll find out my real name when we exchange contacts anyway. Call me by my first name.”

Kurosawa laughed with a face so mature and intense he didn’t look like he was in his twenties. He’s like the essence of a tough, yankee-type guy.

The remaining four arrived, and after brief introductions, we headed into the karaoke room. We rented a party room and naturally split into guys and girls. There were no specific instructions—it just ended up that way, like a typical group date.

The main organizer this time is Kurosawa, but Suzuhara is in charge of running things. After everyone put down their bags, Suzuhara stood up.

“Alright! Let’s all open the app! We’ll just play the game until we burn through our stamina! Drinks are on me if you ask, so just chill and chat!”

Since the room’s big, you can even sleep if you want, Suzuhara added, and a few people laughed, easing the mood. He’s developed terrifying social skills. I can’t even imitate him, so I’ll just focus on getting along with Tanaka.

“Is it okay to call you Tanaka-san?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. It’s my real name.”

Him too, huh? I guess people don’t hide personal info these days. Not like I’d do anything with it anyway.

“And you can drop the polite speech. You’re probably planning to use it with those two younger guys too, right? You’ll get stuck in that habit, so stop. It’s all about getting used to it.”

“R-really…? Okay, then I will.”

I guess people who are used to offline meetups are all like this. Momo-chan was super casual from the start—not just using casual language, but acting like we’ve been friends forever. But with her, I didn’t feel annoyed because I already knew her personality from the chat. Building your character’s impression in real life is really important, huh.

“This is my first time at an offline meetup. How much is it okay to ask about personal stuff?”

“Probably a-okay to ask what school they go to, but only if it leads to a conversation. Usually, it’s more about talking about the game or other hobbies, right?”

Apparently, the topics that get the girls most engaged are love stories and talking about their ideal type. I always thought offline meetups were gatherings of the unattractive, but it seems that’s not the case anymore. Thanks to smartphone apps, they can now reach people beyond just otaku, and the level of attractiveness at the meetup depends on who the organizers invite.

In short, if the unattractive organize it, it’s a meetup for the unattractive; if popular people organize it, it’s a meetup for the cool kids. This time, Kurosawa-san and Harumaki-san’s influence is probably significant. Including Tanaka-san, everyone looks decent at first glance. Momo-chan has a boyfriend, Harumaki-san seems like the type who’d be popular, and Yozora-chan and Kanata-chan are the youngest, so they’re being modest, but they still have the lively vibe of female students.

If anything, I’d be the most uncomfortable if love talk started. I can’t openly discuss my quasi-friends-with-benefits relationship with a classmate or my relationship with my real sister.

Come to think of it, Tanaka-san also heard that vulgar conversation. Kurosawa-san said he’d take Harumaki-san to a love hotel, but I wonder what he plans to do.

“So, everyone’s into Harumaki-san, huh?”

Tanaka-san asked quietly, making sure the girls on the other side couldn’t hear.

True, in terms of looks, Harumaki-san is way ahead. She’s gentle yet cheerful, and both Kurosawa-san and Suzuhara are already sitting next to her, looking smitten. Momo-chan is teasing her from the side with high energy, but Kurosawa-san is completely focused on Harumaki-san, and Suzuhara is mediating to keep the atmosphere from getting awkward.

By the way, Kanata-chan and Yozora-chan are quietly playing games together.

“I’m not planning to date or take anyone to a hotel, so I’m just happy to talk to everyone a little. If we’re talking about looks, I’d say Harumaki-san is my type, though.”

She’s like a mix of Miyu and Yamamoto-san, divided by two. If Harumaki-san’s cuteness is a ten, those two are over a hundred.

“Is that so? Then I’d like to get to know Kanata-chan better. Can you help me out?”

“Help? Sure, why not.”

He has his own goal too, huh. It’s a rare chance to meet people, so of course, you’d want to make the most of it.

Acting so casually like this makes me feel like a jerk. I need to be more humble. Just because I have Miyu, an absolute angel, as my girlfriend, doesn’t mean I should get complacent.

As I was thinking this, Tanaka-san quickly sent a chat to Kanata-chan and Yozora-chan. It’s usually hard to interrupt two girls deep in conversation, but if you’re connected through a game, it’s a different story. That was a clever move.

“Hey, you two. They’re having fun over there, so let’s reintroduce ourselves here. We only said our names before we came in.”

We sat in an L-shape, two by two, showing each other our game screens while chatting. Yozora-chan mainly plays PC games, so her progress in the app is slow, but since it’s multiplayer, it’s not a problem. It’s nice to have something to do with our hands, so even if the conversation lulls, it’s not awkward.

I tried to talk more with Yozora-chan, subtly giving Tanaka-san priority in talking to Kanata-chan. Midway, we switched seats, and I casually sat next to Yozora-chan. That’s about all the assistance I could offer, but I felt a little more confident in myself for being able to talk to a girl I just met without getting nervous.

After chatting for a while, a lively intro started playing in the room.

“Alright! Since we’re at karaoke, let’s all sing!”

Harumaki-san, full of energy, stood up with a microphone. Once karaoke starts, we’d have to pause our conversation anyway, but it seemed like that was her intention.

We took turns singing a few songs, sharing our knowledge of anime and games, and switching seats while getting drinks. Kurosawa-san and the others seemed like they wanted to talk to Harumaki-san more, but as I sat sipping cola, Harumaki-san came and sat next to me.

“Sotomichi-kun, are you really a virgin?”

That was her opening line.

“Does it bother you that much?”

“Nah. It’s not uncommon for handsome guys to be virgins these days. Just making conversation.”

It’s rare to find someone who can talk so openly about such topics. As a guy, it’s easier to talk to her, though.

“Well, um, it’s hard to say…”

It’s not something I absolutely need to hide. If Suzuhara finds out, so be it.

“Just let’s keep it that way, okay?”

“Ah, I knew it. Something felt off… You’ve actually been with a few people, haven’t you?”

Harumaki-san rested her chin on her finger, narrowing her eyes at me suspiciously. There are too many sharp-witted girls around me.

“Just a few.”

“Well, well. What a guy. A real wolf in sheep’s clothing, huh?”

Harumaki-san feigned anger, changing her tone. I see, this is how she builds bonds. She’s just a genuinely nice person, I guess. It’s fun talking to her.

Her neatly braided hair, petite build, and cute clothes remind me of Miyu, while her mannerisms and speech are somewhat like Yamamoto-san. Since I’m used to these traits, it probably makes her easier to talk to.

“But this is a secret, right? Let’s just keep it between us.”

Harumaki-san crossed her fingers over her lips and winked at me secretly. Her skill in this is impressive, to say the least.

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Feeling a bit closer, I dropped the polite speech and continued chatting.

After that, we went back to karaoke, and Yozora-chan brought her laptop for a drawing session, deepening our bonds without any conflicts. At one point, a few people went outside and didn’t return for a while, but since there was only one single-occupancy restroom, I figured they were just taking their time due to bad timing.

The party room we’re using is one of several on each floor, and we’re on the third floor this time. The drink bar is on the first and third floors, so it doesn’t take long to get drinks. The men’s restroom is only on even-numbered floors, which is a bit inconvenient.

“Let’s work up an appetite before dinner, you guys!”

With Kurosawa-san’s call, another round of karaoke started, and it looked like it would go on for a while. I decided to step out to get a drink. The room is air-conditioned, but it’s set higher for the girls’ comfort, so it gets stuffy when everyone’s singing. Harumaki-san, sitting next to the muscular Kurosawa-san for a long time and wearing thicker clothes, must be especially uncomfortable.

I’ve been talking mostly with Tanaka-san, Kanata-chan, and Yozora-chan, so I don’t know how things are progressing on Kurosawa-san’s side. Momo-chan and Suzuhara seem unable to resist Kurosawa-san’s momentum, and they’re not handling him well. The groups are pretty much fixed between the organizers and the invitees.

“Phew… It’s hot…”

I stood at the drink bar, quenching my thirst. The hallway is less humid, so it’s more comfortable. I’ve even started sweating, and my waxed hair is losing its shape. Even though finding a girlfriend isn’t my goal, I still want to look presentable.

“Ah, there you are, Sotomichi-kun. I figured you’d be here.”

Harumaki-san approached me as I stood there blankly. Unlike me, her tightly styled hair and braids remained perfectly neat and shiny. Girls seem to barely sweat—how does that work? Can makeup control it?

“The room’s too hot.”

“Haha, me too.”

Harumaki-san refilled her cup, held it carefully with both hands, and sipped it like a small animal, tilting her head up. This deliberate cuteness is annoyingly charming. Must be the otaku in me.

“Kurosawa-kun’s not a bad person, but… I don’t like saying this, but I wish he’d give me a bit more space, you know?”

Harumaki-san stood next to me, looking troubled. We were close enough that our shoulders could touch if we moved slightly. She’s definitely the type to invade personal space. Maybe our compatibility is working against us.

“I’ve been trying to mix the groups subtly, but it’s not going well since I’m not used to it.”

“I know, right! I’m so grateful for how much you’re trying, Sotomichi-kun! This is your first offline meetup, right? Just seeing you take the initiative helps a lot.”

Harumaki-san pressed her arm against mine, showering me with praise. But her compliments are different from Yamamoto-san’s—they make me conscious of her as a woman, in a ticklish way.

“Tanaka-san wants to talk to Kanata-chan, so maybe it’s better not to force it.”

“Those two are hitting it off. How about you, Sotomichi-kun? Think you’ll score?”

Her direct question almost made me laugh.

“You really don’t hold back, Harumaki-san.”

“I’ve been to a few meetups, so I know the reality. In mixed-gender meetups, the only people without ulterior motives are usually married.”

There are some who come for affairs, but she added this jokingly. I’m more on the married side in terms of motives, but I have no intention of cheating. I just enjoy observing other people’s relationships.

“I’m not planning to do anything.”

“Hmm, really?”

Harumaki-san froze, staring at me for a moment after hearing my response. Then, there was an odd silence.

“Harumaki-san’s character always has the best gear for every event, huh? Not just Majomaru. Do you have some high-paying part-time job?”

When I changed the subject, Harumaki-san suddenly widened her eyes, then quickly composed herself, hiding her surprise.

“I’ve been working part-time like crazy since high school. I’ve dedicated my entire youth to otaku activities and work.”

Despite showing this serious side, she added, “Though there are some things I haven’t dedicated,” hinting at something risqué again. Well, with the amount she spends, she probably can’t afford to waste time on guys. With her looks, she could easily find someone to dedicate herself to.

“The next event’s character design is great. The pre-release story got high praise too.”

“Right? It’s so perfect! I’m completely in love! Usually, he’s a lone wolf with a cool demeanor, but when it comes to a mom-type character, he’s completely helpless and submissive—that hidden moe point is just heart-melting! My heart’s about to melt down!”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“So I absolutely want to get him to perfect status! Stacking five copies is a given, but I also want to awaken his exclusive equipment. I’ve run out of items, so I need to farm more through material gacha and buy stamina recovery stones too!”

Her obsession is almost like an illness. It’s not uncommon in my circle, but it’s hard to keep up with the mindset of a hardcore player.

“But… I’m running out of money. I’m on a scholarship for university, and thinking about the future, I can’t spend a single yen of what I saved in high school…”

I resisted the urge to say, “Just stop spending,” and listened attentively. Taking away spending from a hardcore player is like forcing them to fast—it could kill them someday.

“So, I thought, maybe I should work in the adult industry or something.”

Her sudden confession caught me off guard. Using her body to earn money is her choice, but I can’t wholeheartedly support it. Miyu’s patron is just one classmate—which is still questionable—but at least the risk of illness or incidents is lower, so I could accept it. Plus, Miyu mainly does photo sessions in lolita fashion as Haruka, which she enjoys, so it’s a relatively healthy relationship on the surface. But earning money by being naked with strangers requires immense resolve and comes with many challenges.

“Is it really that lucrative?”

“I know someone who earns 400,000 yen a month. Hearing that, it feels ridiculous to work a physical job every day for just over 100,000 yen.”

Given what’s being offered, the pay is understandably high. I’m not sure if what the customer and the worker lose is equivalent, though.

“I haven’t known you long, so I can’t say much, but just don’t push yourself too hard.”

When I said this, Harumaki-san looked surprised, her voice catching for a moment.

“Y-You’re not stopping me?”

“Huh? Oh… sorry.”

Was that what she wanted? I still don’t understand a girl’s desire to be stopped. It’s her choice how she earns money, and it’s not my place to interfere, even if she’s close to me.

“Sorry, I’m clueless about these things. I said I’m not a virgin, but my experience with women is limited.”

I’ve been with several people, but I’ve only been properly involved with girls for about three months.

“You’re so kind, Sotomichi-kun.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Everyone else would just say, ‘That’s terrible! Don’t do it!’ But you actually thought about me and talked it through. You’re the first person to do that.”

Is that how it is? In my case, it was more indifference than kindness.

Maybe girls prefer guys who don’t cling too much. When I started talking to Yamamoto-san, I was so focused on Miyu that I didn’t judge Yamamoto-san based on my preferences. As a result, she started talking to me more.

“Oh, right. Let’s exchange contacts.”

“Contacts? It’s fine, but Suzuhara will have everyone exchange later, right?”

“Yeah, but if we do it all at once, it’s hard to keep track of who’s who. Plus, exchanging secretly like this feels more special, right?”

Just by sharing the secret about me not being a virgin, I felt closer to Harumaki-san. I didn’t do anything, but I wonder why girls keep getting drawn to me.

“Hehe, I got Sotomichi-kun’s contact!”

Harumaki-san registered my message ID while jumping for joy. If more people were like her, the world would be more peaceful.

Just then, I noticed someone approaching the drink bar. It was, surprisingly, the person I least wanted to see again—for what felt like the hundredth time.

“What are you doing?”

The lazy voice and the familiar twin tails.

“You… You’re everywhere…”

Yuka-sama had appeared. I’m starting to think she’s been eavesdropping on me all along.

“Don’t blame everything on me. Miyu’s the one who chose this place, so it’s not my fault.”

Her unexpected response left me wondering if it was intentional or coincidental. I’ll have to ask Miyu later.

“Um, is she a friend of yours, Sotomichi-kun?”

Harumaki-san, who had been holding back, looked between me and Yuka, asking cautiously.

“She’s my sister’s friend. She often comes over to our house.”

“Best friend! And who’s this woman? Is this the Yamamoto you mentioned?”

Yuka glared at Harumaki-san with an unnatural level of hostility. Since Yamamoto-san was someone I might have cheated with, Yuka probably sees her as a threat.

“Yamamoto-san is someone else… This is Harumaki-san. Not her real name, though. We’re at an offline meetup, and we just met today.”

After the introductions, neither of them seemed inclined to greet the other. Harumaki-san also didn’t seem to have a good impression of Yuka, which is understandable given Yuka’s attitude.

“Hmm. So you were flirting here, and you were all smiley. Still looking to add more side girls?”

“That’s not it. And please don’t talk about that kind of stuff here.”

Harumaki-san already suspects I’ve been with a lot of people, and this just complicates things further.

“Is her name Yuka-chan? If I said something wrong, I apologize. I just wanted to get along with Sotomichi-kun. I didn’t mean any harm.”

“Hmph. We’ll see. You’re probably trying to scam him with your charm since he’s so clueless.”

“Ugh… Seriously? Is it too much to ask for some respect from someone older than you on your first meeting?”

Even Harumaki-san was getting angry. She’s usually aggressive, but I didn’t think she’d be this rude.

“That’s going too far. If you have a problem with me talking to other girls, take it up with me. Harumaki-san was just consulting me.”

“Whatever. Just stay away from that woman, no matter what. Even if Miyu forgives you, I won’t.”

Yuka glared at Harumaki-san one last time before turning on her heel without even getting a drink.

“Hmph. Talking to her ruined my luck for the day.”

Yuka left with a cryptic parting shot, leaving Harumaki-san and me in an awkward silence.

“S-Sorry! She’s not usually like that. She must be in a bad mood today…”

“It’s okay. I get it. She likes you, doesn’t she, Sotomichi-kun?”

“Huh?”

“I understand her feelings, so I’m not mad. But…”

Harumaki-san checked to make sure no one from the meetup was around, then hugged my arm.

“I can’t help but feel something. If she’s jealous, it makes me want to get even closer to you, Sotomichi-kun.”

I’ve gotten myself into another complicated situation. Why are all the girls around me so competitive?

“I should head back before they suspect something.”

Harumaki-san skipped away from me, turning back with a smile.

“If you’re free tonight, I’d love to spend time with you.”

It was a straightforward invitation I couldn’t refuse.

After that, we went back to chatting and playing games in the room, but Harumaki-san kept glaring at me, making me uneasy.

I decided it was time to honestly tell her I have a girlfriend, so I headed to the bathroom to collect my thoughts.

“Oh, Sotomichi. How’s it going with Yozora-chan?”

In the bathroom, I ran into Suzuhara. He seemed unusually cheerful, probably because he was enjoying talking to Harumaki-san.

“Why me?”

“Well, Momo-chan has a boyfriend, and Kanata-chan is being pursued by Tanaka-san. You’ve been talking to Yozora-chan a lot, so I figured you’re making good progress.”

“We’re getting along, like I said at the restaurant. But that’s as far as it goes.”

“I see. You’re not ready to lose your virginity yet. Honestly, I’d love to push you into it, but I promised not to interfere.”

Suzuhara seemed more relaxed than ever. If I were seriously pursuing Yozora-chan, three of the girls here would already be marked.

“Are you going to make a move on Momo-chan?”

“Huh? No way. Even if she’s willing, I wouldn’t go for someone with a boyfriend.”

Though he denied it, the question seemed to stroke his ego.

“Just between us, Sotomichi… I’m actually hitting it off with Harumaki-chan.”

Suzuhara boasted, flaring his nostrils.

This doesn’t bode well.

“Don’t tell Kurosawa-san! He’s seriously after her. But he’s too pushy, which seems to be working against him, so the opportunity fell to me. We’ve been talking outside the room, and I’ve noticed we get along really well.”

Apparently, Harumaki-san asked him for help because she wanted to avoid Kurosawa-san’s harassment. They’ve been talking privately, exchanged contacts, and even messaged secretly in the karaoke room.

“Harumaki-chan’s in a tough spot financially, and she mentioned working in the adult industry. I told her I’d help her out instead, and she was really grateful. We’ve been getting along great when we talk one-on-one!”

It’s almost the same story Harumaki-san told me, but with a different outcome. I stayed a consultant and earned her affection. Suzuhara offered financial help and gained a close relationship.

The common thread is that both of us exchanged contacts and were hinted at a night together. Is it about money? Or something else?

“Let me be blunt. She told me the same thing and asked for my contact. So don’t think you’re in a special position.”

“Huh!? Why you!? You said you wouldn’t pursue anyone!”

“That’s why she told me the same thing even though I wasn’t interested. Since we don’t know the timeline, we can’t definitively say she’s at fault. Just don’t fall for any strange invitations.”

“So… Harumaki-chan… Why would she do that…”

Suzuhara seemed to understand the situation. I feel bad for bad-mouthing her, but as a friend, I had to warn him.

“Oh, I see… That’s what’s going on… Got it, Sotomichi. Thanks for the advice.”

“No problem.”

Suzuhara seemed to have caught on to something. Unlike me, he has access to information shared only among the organizers. Either way, I have no intention of sleeping with Harumaki-san, so I’ll just keep a healthy distance while staying friendly.

“Oh… you’re here again, huh?”

Right after parting ways with Suzuhara, Yuka appeared. There’s no women’s restroom or drink bar on the fourth floor, so Miyu’s room must be here.

“What’s wrong? You’re holding your stomach. Are you in pain?”

Yuka was walking hunched over, holding two cups in her hands. As I moved closer to support her, I heard a faint motor sound. She’s got a vibrator in her again.

“You… really…”

“I had no choice…! I was so close to stripping Miyu, but at the last moment… If only I hadn’t messed up…”

Earlier, she mentioned something about luck, so she must be gambling. Given her state, it’s hardly a healthy game.

“M-More importantly, I’m glad I ran into you. Could you get me a cola and an iced tea? Don’t mix them up.”

“Is that how you ask someone for a favor?”

“B-Because! Just do it… I can’t enter the room until I bring the drinks…!”

“Sigh… Fine, fine. I’ll do it.”

I reluctantly took the cups from Yuka and headed down the stairs. Even a frat’s punishment game wouldn’t go this far. I wish female students would engage in more modest activities.

“Right, cola on the right and iced tea on the left.”

I pressed the buttons, filled the cups to about three-quarters full, and set them down.

“Sotomichi-kun, you’re still outside. Everyone was worried. Thought you might have an upset stomach.”

Harumaki-san appeared. She’s been away from the room longer than I have.

“I’m not good with crowds. Suzuhara dragged me here to help me overcome that.”

I’ve stopped being shy and can talk to girls now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get tired. Some people gain energy from socializing, while others need alone time to recharge. I’m definitely the latter.

“Hmm. Then we’re the same.”

Harumaki-san took slow, deliberate steps toward me, standing close enough for our skin to almost touch.

After hearing her story, she seems unusually seductive. It’s clearly intentional, but it’s no challenge for me after rejecting Yamamoto-san’s advances.

“I’m not good with crowds either. I prefer one-on-one spaces. When we talk like this, I open up more than when I’m with everyone else.”

Her tone is clearly inviting, but I don’t mind the compliment. She’s very skilled with men. She said she spent her youth on games and work, but she might be more experienced than anyone I’ve ever met.

“Thanks. Then I’ll open up a bit more too.”

“Yes! What would you like to talk about?”

Harumaki-san tilted her head like a princess, waiting expectantly. I feel guilty, but I need to be firm.

“I actually have a girlfriend. So, while I want to be friends, I can’t get physically close. She’s the only one for me, and I want to stay honest, even here.”

It’s fine if this information spreads to the meetup members. Suzuhara, in his current state, won’t gossip about it.

When I told her the truth, Harumaki-san feigned disappointment, then quickly returned to a serious expression.

“Is it Yuka-chan from earlier?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Oh… I see.”

Harumaki-san made a dissatisfied face, something she hadn’t shown today, and then hesitantly asked,

“So if I asked to have sex tonight, you’d say no?”

“Come on…”

Why would she want to sleep with me? Yamamoto-san had a serious issue that just happened to match my condition, so our relationship was a coincidence. There’s no way someone I just met would sleep with me, especially not someone as cute as Harumaki-san. Cute girls should be more valuable than that.

I’m not rich, handsome, or exceptionally skilled in sports or studies. There’s no reason for her to sleep with me.

And most importantly, I haven’t even had sex with Miyu, the person I love most in the world. I’m not increasing my experience before that, and I won’t afterward either.

“Let me be clear. I won’t pay a penny for sex, and I won’t even cover the hotel cost.”

“I know.”

“Of course.”

Harumaki-san’s tone grew serious.

“What if I said it’s okay?”

“I’d ask why.”

“I’m just curious. Simple as that.”

“That makes even less sense…”

We’re both being completely honest, and I believe Harumaki-san is sincere, but if so, I genuinely don’t understand her reasoning. Is it my charm as a man, unrelated to money or ability? Despite growing and receiving compliments from Miyu and Yamamoto-san, I don’t think I’ve become that kind of man.

Has Miyu felt this way throughout her life, constantly being confessed to? It’s as if my existence is getting closer to hers. Lately, my mind has been sharper, and maybe our similar genes are the reason.

“Hey… Hey!! You!! What are you doing…?!!”

A loud voice echoed from the stairs toward me.

Damn, I completely forgot about Yuka.

“It’s that girl again.”

“Sorry, Harumaki-san! Go back inside first! I’ll be there as soon as I’m done!”

“Huh? S-Sotomichi… kun…?”

I interrupted my conversation with Harumaki-san and climbed the stairs. Yuka, who had descended to the landing, was barely standing, her legs trembling as she kept them close together.

“Ugh… Ah… You took so long… Ahh…! The vibration’s on max… Ugh…!”

“Sorry. I’ll walk you to the door, so just try to keep going.”

“Can’t… Can’t…! I can’t climb the stairs anymore… Ahh… Ugh… Haa… Haa…”

If she moans like this in public and someone sees us, my reputation will be ruined.

“Fine, I’ll take it out.”

“No! Absolutely not! If you do that… Ah… Ugh… I’ll be punished even worse…!”

Damn it. What kind of unhealthy girls are these? Even in eroge, you don’t see schools with such extreme punishment games.

“You can’t be serious. What if someone comes?”

“It’s your fault for chatting with girls for so long…!”

She’s right, and I can’t deny it. I do feel bad about it.

“Ugh… Fine… I’ll walk…! Haa… Ugh… I can’t lose to this…!”

This girl, whose focus seems entirely misplaced, clung to the handrail more desperately than a firefighter in training and somehow climbed the stairs. Yuka continued walking with sheer determination, but just before reaching the men’s restroom, she collapsed to her knees.

“Uuu… Ahh… This is bad… What should I do…”

“W-What’s wrong?”

“Ah… Ugh… H-Hyyyaa… I-It’s coming out!”

“It’s coming out!? What’s coming out?!”

Deciding I couldn’t watch anymore, I set the cups down and tried to remove the vibrator from Yuka’s vagina.

Her body was clearly convulsing from orgasm. And what was inside her skirt wasn’t a cute vibrator but a dual-stimulation electric dildo targeting both her clitoris and vagina.

“Ah… Stop… Please…”

The love juice trickling down Yuka’s knees intensified, as if she were urinating. So when she said “it’s coming out,” she meant she was about to squirt.

“Wait! Don’t do it here!”

“Mmm… Can’t… Ahh…”

If she squirts here, there’s no way to clean it up before someone comes. And from the looks of it, her vagina is already overflowing with love juice.

I looked around, hoping to see Miyu’s shadow, so I could drag Yuka into her room, but there was no time to hesitate.

I pulled Yuka into the nearby men’s restroom and made her straddle the toilet bowl, facing forward.

“Ah… Ahh…! Aan… Ahh…!!”

Yuka’s body jerked violently, and a gush of love juice spilled from her panties into the toilet bowl. The intensity was like urination, and it seemed like she’d keep orgasming endlessly, so I removed her panties and the dildo without permission.

Even without the vibrations, Yuka continued to orgasm and squirt for a while. Eventually, the stall fell silent, leaving just the two of us—a half-naked woman with rolled-back eyes and a man—in a dangerously compromising position.

“Haa…”

Resigned to yet another mess, I called Miyu, who should be nearby.