Chapter 62 – Dangerous Invitation

“Are you ready, Onee-chan?”

“Almost.”

As noon rolled around, Yumika and Kana seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Apparently, the two of them were going out together today.

Since this was the first time the sisters were doing something like this, I felt genuinely happy.

Yumika had asked me to come along a while ago, but I declined.

I wanted them to bond more deeply by spending some time alone, just the two of them.

“Are you staying home today, Sakiya?”

Yumika, now dressed and ready, spoke to me as I sat in the living room.

“I’m going out for a bit.”

“With who?”

“Alone.”

I told a quick lie, not wanting to make Yumika unnecessarily anxious—but her gaze was clearly skeptical.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything that would hurt you.”

I was just meeting up to talk with a girl. There was no ulterior motive whatsoever.

Besides, I couldn’t bring myself to like anyone other than Yumika.

“I see. Then I’ll trust you. Not that it would change my feelings no matter what you do.”

Yumika always kept that stance—she didn’t try to restrict me.

But I knew that if I ever cheated, even just once, she’d be hurt.

She wouldn’t get angry at me, though. She’d take it out on the other girl.

“Well, I’m off then.”

Yumika walked away and headed for the entrance where Kana was waiting.

I, too, began to get ready to meet a certain girl.

▲

I got on a train by myself and rode three stations before getting off.

I arrived at Urawa Station, a place I wasn’t too familiar with.

As I exited the gate, a cute girl waiting nearby spotted me and came over.

“Mornin’, Sakiya-kun~”

Koharu wore a light hoodie over a shirt and a short skirt—a casual outfit.

Judging by her clothes, she wasn’t treating this like a date, just a casual meetup.

That gave me some relief.

“Did I keep you waiting?”

“Not at all. We’re ten minutes early. I figured you’d show up early, so I came ten minutes ahead too.”

Koharu spoke casually and without a hint of nervousness.

I used to get nervous just meeting female friends, but thanks to Yumika, I’d grown used to it and felt more composed.

Today was the day I finally fulfilled a promise to Koharu. She’d been asking for a while to hang out on one of my days off.

We both had things we wanted to talk about.

After kissing Yumika, I’d found myself in a situation where crossing the line at any time wouldn’t have been strange.

Meeting someone other than her might give me a chance to take a step back and reevaluate myself.

“Shall we go?”

“To where? A café?”

“My house.”

“…What?”

Koharu’s response left me speechless.

It was completely unexpected.

“Even though this station’s a bit out of the way, it’s not like there aren’t any students from our school around. If someone saw us at a café, that’d be the end of you, Sakiya-kun.”

Since Yumika and I had gone public with our relationship, getting spotted by a classmate would be a disaster.

“I get that, but your house…?”

“It’s fine. We’re just chatting, right?”

Honestly, being alone in a girl’s house—even as just friends—seemed like a recipe for trouble.

Koharu might just be a friend, but she was still a girl.

“You sure it’s okay to bring someone like me over?”

“I trust you, Sakiya-kun. And my dad won’t be back until tonight anyway.”

Koharu didn’t seem to have any concerns at all.

Being trusted made me feel good, and as long as I didn’t do anything, there shouldn’t be a problem.

“Besides, if you were the kind of playboy who’d make a move on me at home,

you’d have already crossed the line with Nagasawa-san, right?”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“That’s why I’m not worried in the slightest.”

Right—I’m the guy who withstands Yumika’s relentless temptations every single day. Apparently, that effort has paid off and earned me trust with others too.

“Just now, I saw Suzuki from Class 4 nearby. Really, my house is the only safe option.”

“A-Alright then, let’s go.”

Koharu’s house was just a few minutes from the station. We started walking, keeping an eye on our surroundings.

As we walked side by side, Koharu suddenly stopped.

“Sorry, I haven’t eaten lunch yet. Mind if I grab something real quick?”

She stopped in front of a kebab stand.

I was surprised by her choice.

If it were me or Yumika—clean freaks to the core—we’d never go near a street vendor like that.

“Sure. I’ve already eaten, so I’ll wait.”

“Thanks! Just a sec.”

She walked up to the kebab stand and was greeted cheerfully by the vendor with a “Yo, Koharu~!” Seems like she was a regular.

Koharu bought her kebab and started eating in the side area next to the stall.

She opened her mouth wide and took a huge bite of the kebab—something about it opened a door….

With sauce on her upper lip and her mouth full of meat, she looked like a total carnivore.

…Was I just imagining it, or was there something strangely erotic about it?

Maybe I’m just a perv.

“Didn’t you say you were dieting before? Gave up?”

“My dad said I was getting too skinny. I didn’t want to worry him.”

So it was her dad’s comment that changed her mind.

Not wanting to make her father worry showed Koharu’s kindness.

After finishing, she pulled a wet wipe from her bag and cleaned her mouth.

The act had a sense of cleanliness and gave a good impression.

“Thanks for waiting. Okay, let’s go.”

We resumed walking to her house.

For some reason, though, I was bothered by the small distance between us.

I’d gotten so used to Yumika clinging to me that I started feeling a bit lonely.

But Koharu was a different person—I had to adjust my mindset.

“Watch out!”

A bicycle came speeding down the sidewalk toward us.

Koharu wasn’t paying attention, so I instinctively reached out and pulled her out of the way.

My body reacted before my brain could even process.

“S-Sorry.”

I apologized, having pulled her close so suddenly.

She might’ve thought it was creepy to be touched like that by a guy who wasn’t her boyfriend.

“No, thank you.”

But Koharu didn’t look bothered at all. Instead, she thanked me with a smile, and I let out a sigh of relief.

“You reacted so quickly—are you used to handling girls or something?”

“I’ve got the most ridiculously cute Yumika to deal with every day.”

“Wow, that was pretty flirty.”

“Yeah, I probably sound like a jerk. Wouldn’t blame you if you hated me.”

Living with a beautiful girl had definitely improved my ability to interact with women.

If this were the old me, I probably would’ve panicked and done nothing.

“I actually feel safer with someone experienced. Since meeting Nagasawa-san, you’ve really matured. You’ve become… kind of irresistible.”

Her compliment made me turn away, embarrassed.

Maybe I’ve grown a little, but this so-called adult composure still feels far off.

We were getting close to Koharu’s house now… and I was starting to get nervous.

Even if I had no intentions, there was a tiny chance she might try something. But if I could survive Yumika’s daily temptation, I could handle this.

“…Finally. I can do it.”

Koharu muttered to herself with a small smile.

“Huh? Do what?”

“We’re here~”

She didn’t answer, simply letting me know we’d arrived at her house.

Something about it gave me a bad feeling—but there was no turning back now.

Entering Koharu’s place was the only choice left.