Volume 2 Chapter 7 – Forbidden Love 4: The Declaration

| Mihane Todou

“Excuse me.”

“Excuse us!”

“Come in.”

After what happened, we went to Yuma’s house to calm down. Once I felt a bit better, I received a message from Kyouko that she was ready.

The three of us gathered, and while talking about various topics, headed back to my house.

Somehow, I began to regain my composure naturally. Perhaps it was thanks to their kindness, or maybe because after sharing my secret, I felt like we had reached a true understanding.

Now that I think about it, the only person I had shared my feelings with before was that Yandere Aika.

I always thought she was a strange girl, but perhaps we really did understand each other—it’s complicated.

When we arrived at my house, I asked the two of them to wait outside for a moment.

Kyosuke wasn’t home.

I checked the second floor, where Kyosuke’s room was, but there were no signs of anything being amiss. However—

“This is strange.”

Something was missing. To be precise, it was Kyosuke’s scent. Normally, just opening his door would envelop me in his scent, but now, there was nothing… nothing at all.

“What… is going on?”

I welcomed the two into the living room, and we sipped barley tea. Even after calming down and thinking it through, something still felt wrong. I gently placed my glass down, clasped my hands as if in prayer, and rested my forehead on them.

“…”

“Where could Kyosuke-san have gone?”

“Mihane, do you have any idea where Kyosuke-kun might be… what’s wrong?”

From the depths of my heart, I poured out my genuine worry to the two of them.

“I… don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?”

“Did something go missing?”

“Kyosuke’s scent is gone.”

“Scent? You mean… like his smell?”

“What? Are you a pervert?”

“This is strange. Even if someone cleaned, his scent shouldn’t disappear—there’s nothing left of it!”

“…”

“Yep, definitely a pervert.”

With gestures, I tried to convey the abnormality. The two exchanged looks with complicated expressions.

Huh? I feel a bit of a disconnect here.

Kyouko, who was clearly trying to be tactful, hesitantly asked while Yuma took off her glasses and massaged her temples.

“Is that really… that important?”

“Mihane, I don’t really get what you’re saying.”

“Sigh…”

“Stop sighing. You’re the one acting weird here, Mihane.”

“It seems this is something significant to Mihane-san.”

Fine. Seeing is believing—or in this case, smelling.

I led the two to Kyosuke’s room.

“This is Kyosuke-san’s room.”

“This is Kyosuke-kun’s room.”

The two looked around, observing everything in detail. Kyosuke’s room was neatly organized with cool-toned colors, giving off a refreshing vibe. In contrast, both of their faces were tinged with a faint blush.

“Right?”

“What?”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t it gone?”

“…We don’t even know Kyosuke-san’s scent to begin with. Or whether it even smells good.”

“Yeah, seriously. We’re not weirdos like you, Mihane.”

“Sigh…”

“Stop making that exasperated face.”

“Could you stop sighing, please?”

With no other choice, I went to my room and brought out all my prized trophies from before, including the special first-class one from yesterday.

“Here.”

“What is it?”

“What’s this?”

“Both of you, try smelling this.”

“What… is it… this?”

“What’s with this T-shirt? Did he change his fabric softener or something… this?!”

“This scent used to be in Kyosuke’s room.”

“Is this… Kyosuke-san’s…?”

“…”

“Yuma?”

“…”

“Did you understand?”

“I didn’t want to, but… yeah.”

“Yeah, I get it now.”

That scent has vanished from his room. Even in a brand-new house, there would be some lingering scent, but here, there’s none. It’s definitely strange. I decided to share this with the friends who could finally understand.

“And this. It’s special.”

“!!”

I handed them the forbidden item from yesterday. They silently began sniffing. I understood. I was worried it might just be me being weird, but thankfully, it wasn’t.

“Right?”

“The scent just… pierces through…”

“It’s… amazing.”

It was about time I got it back.

I didn’t want their scent getting on it.

It was a precious item.

“…Ah.”

“Oh…”

We returned to the living room and continued our discussion.

Suddenly, unease washed over me again… The abnormal lack of scent made it feel as if Kyosuke had gone somewhere far away, never to return…

“I agree with Mihane-san’s assessment that something unusual is happening.”

“It was intense.”

“For now, let’s get dinner ready.”

“Let’s make something amazing.”

“And if he still doesn’t come home, we should contact the police.”

“Yeah. It seemed like everything looked normal to Mihane, so if he gets hungry, he’ll probably come back. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Overwhelmed by unease, all I could do was nod.

With that said, Kyouko began speaking.

“Naruse-san is a formidable rival. Since Mihane-san is a stepsister, there’s a chance Kyosuke-san doesn’t see you as a woman at all, at least from my perspective. However, considering the assault from yesterday, there’s a high likelihood that Kyosuke-san has given up on her.”

“Mihane has been so prickly until now, too.”

“That’s why right now is the perfect opportunity. Let’s see… Yuma-san and I will entertain Kyosuke-san. During that time, Mihane-san should join in and interact with him honestly.”

“Oh, so if I and Kyouko cheer him up, Mihane can just follow our lead? That sounds easier than going solo.”

Kyouko laid out her plan rapidly. I pictured the scene in my head, and it filled me with a sense of hope.

“Mihane-san, you mentioned this was a forbidden love. Kyosuke-san might feel the same way. But to achieve that, we must first release the shackles.”

“Shackles?”

“Yes, the shackles of reason that hold back this forbidden love. Just to confirm, Mihane-san—you want to be with Kyosuke-san, correct?”

I nodded silently. I would do anything to make it happen.

“Would you go to any lengths to achieve your goal?”

I nodded again. I would do whatever it takes.

“In that case, would you entrust it to me, Sagawa Kyouko?”

I nodded firmly once more. If it’s Kyouko and Yuma, then I can trust them.

“Hehe, thank you.”

“What are you planning?”

In response to Yuma’s question, Kyouko, with an expression I’d never seen before, made her declaration.

“A threesome.”

Immediately, Yuma smacked her on the head, and Kyouko quickly corrected it to a foursome.