The Story of a Man Who Vowed to Not Let Any Man Come Between Yuri, Only to Find Himself Caught in Between Them - Chapter 12: Isn't that a Guilty Plea?

Chapter 12: Isn’t that a Guilty Plea?

It was the next day, Sunday. 

Minase and Aizawa suggested that we go out together, and I found myself nodding along. It was just an excuse, but the way they both looked at me made it hard to refuse, you know?

Still, even though I was hesitant, the smiles on their faces when I nodded were so beautiful and adorable that they were burned into my mind.

“Well, I guess it’s better to feel like there’s absolutely nothing wrong between the three of us.”

It was a relief to know that, no matter what happened, I couldn’t get any closer to them or expect anything more. I wouldn’t want to come between two people in love, but in the corner of my heart, I couldn’t help but wish for a similar relationship with such beautiful girls like them.

But I also felt relieved knowing it was impossible.

“It’s not because I’m not good enough, it’s just that they’re in love!”

I was content just to watch their interactions in front of me, more than anything about myself.

Now it was time to meet up with the two of them. We exchanged contact information on the way home yesterday, which felt like a kind of miracle.

“Hehe, now we can contact each other anytime♪”

“Even though it’s sudden, I’ll send you a message with the meeting place♪”

My contact list wasn’t completely devoid of girls, but it certainly wasn’t extensive, so it was a strange feeling to have those two added to it.

As I walked, remembering yesterday’s exchange, I could see the two of them emitting a noticeable aura.

“…Am I really going there?”

Come to think of it, apart from my sister, the last time I went out with a girl was with Class Rep.

I’m dressed in plain clothes with no accessories or anything, and compared to them, their beauty is in such contrast.

“…”

Honestly, I’m quite hesitant. 

It’s almost summer, so they’re dressed casually. Minase is wearing a modest one-piece style, while Aizawa is rocking a more flashy appearance. But my lack of knowledge about women’s clothing is showing here.

(Is that different from off-shoulder? But… those clothes that show off their shoulders look really nice. And they have paisley patterns too!!)

Paisley, the supreme spectacle created by the bag strap passing through the chest… Let’s take a moment to appreciate it.

“What are you doing?”

“Ihomote-kun?”

“Hahii!?”

I clasped my hands and chanted “Namu Amida Butsu,” but that’s not it. Anyway, the two of them, who seemed to have noticed me, were already approaching.

I couldn’t say that I was admiring their splendid appearance, so I pretended to be normal, like it was nothing.

“Good morning, Ihomote-kun.”

“Good morning♪”

“Hey… Good morning to both of you.”

Even now, it feels like a dream. But… even if this isn’t the first time going out with women, it’s still a bit of a problem to figure out what to do with two beautiful girls.

As I was thinking about where to go, what to do, and what to suggest, Aizawa suddenly spoke up.

“Ihomote-kun. Isn’t it surprisingly hot today?”

“Huh? Oh, well, summer is coming. But it did get hot all of a sudden.”

It was indeed hot enough to sweat a little.

I wondered what she was getting at, but Aizawa smirked and continued, 

“That’s why I’ve been thinking about it. Would you come to my place today?”

“Huh? What?”

“Come to my place. Let’s take it easy and talk. I’ll make a simple lunch, so it’s okay!”

“Um… huh?”

Isn’t this too sudden?

She grabbed my hand and started walking without waiting for my response.

“Wait a minute!! That’s a bit… right? It’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Why are you being so polite?”

“Hahaha, we had this conversation before, didn’t we? Come on, let’s go♪”

“Ehh…!?”

These two are surprisingly strong…!!

After that, I was taken to what seemed like an expensive apartment building, feeling out of place, and led into a single room.

“Please, come in.”

“Ihomote-kun is the first male guest I’ve had. Please come in.”

“…”

Minase pulled my hand and Aizawa pushed my back as we entered the room. Although I couldn’t help but feel that there was a pleasant scent in the air, possibly due to the fact that two beautiful girls lived in this room, I restrained myself from being too much of a pervert.

“Are you that nervous?”

“Uh… yes.”

Of course, I would feel nervous! I never imagined we would suddenly barge into the love nest of these two girls while I thought we were just taking a stroll outside. Even now, sitting on the sofa, my heart is still pounding.

“Here’s your tea.”

“Oh, thank you.”

The tea was placed in front of me with a soft sound, and it looked and smelled delicious. I lifted the cup to my lips and said, “It’s delicious.” It was simple, but it was really delicious. Even though I don’t drink tea that often, the taste was so good that I would like to have it again if I had the chance.

“I’m glad♪” Aizawa smiled, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

“Yuka’s tea is really delicious. I’ve been drinking it for a while, but I’m not tired of it at all.”

“Isn’t it a crime to get tired of this? Wouldn’t it be the best thing to have it with afternoon sweets?”

“Mou, you must be joking.”

No, I wasn’t joking. It was just a genuine compliment.

“Well, to enjoy the afternoon sweets, you have to stay here, right?”

“Um…hey, are you guys really okay with this now?”

I asked hesitantly. 

I had heard about their situation before, that their families had not accepted their relationship and even belittled them, leading them to live apart. In other words, this place is meant to be a love nest for the two of them.

“Even though you guys let me into your room, I still feel like I’m just a trash who will mess up your space.”

“Ihomote-kun, why are you being so hard on yourself?”

“Yeah, if you think you’re trash, then what about other guys who try to come between us and our love?”

“Well, any guy who tries to interfere with or get close to these two girls is equally trash,” I told them. They both chuckled, and then Aizawa said something strange.

“There are many ways to look at it, you know, Ihomote-kun?”

“Yeah?”

“If it’s not acceptable for a man to come between two girls in love, then is a man trying to admire two girls in love up close also guilty?”

“Um…”

I hadn’t really thought about it before, but there are manga that touch on that subject matter too. However, it’s a problem that could be considered an eternal challenge, so to speak.

“If we were to do it the other way around, wouldn’t that be okay?”

“Exactly. Well, using ‘admiring’ as an example might be a bit extreme, but Mai and I certainly don’t mind. So, there’s no need to overthink it.”

“I see, then I guess it’s okay.”

The sudden question that had come to mind seemed to have been brushed aside…

“Hey, Ihomote-kun.”

“What?”

“Why do you like yuri?”

“Do you want me to answer again?”

“…Yeah?”

Why are you asking me and the others why I like yuri?

Well, it’s the way of the world to answer that kind of question… And so I talked about yuri for about an hour, until around 11 o’clock.

Honestly, I didn’t think it was the kind of content to talk about with girls, but I couldn’t stop… Otaku talking about their hobbies can talk quickly and endlessly.

“…Sorry for showing you my creepy side!”

So I immediately apologized to the two of them, feeling a bit embarrassed for rambling on about my interests for so long.

“Fufu, there’s no need to apologize.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Oh, so Ihomote-kun loves yuri that much, huh?”

This feeling is truly love.

Or rather, I was relieved that both of them didn’t seem to change their attitude towards me even though I was fully embracing my otaku side.

“Do you really not think it’s gross or anything that we’re dating?”

“…”

The serious tone hung in the air, with both Minase and Aizawa eagerly waiting for my response. Feeling their eyes on me, I nodded confidently and spoke,

“Of course. I… I think it’s perfectly fine, even if I enjoy yuri or have other otaku hobbies. I don’t find it creepy at all. Even as Tsukki, when I see you two now, I think… it’s beautiful. Seeing you two getting along so well really lifts my spirits. If anyone dares to say it’s creepy or impossible, let me know. I’ll take care of it somehow.”

As I conveyed my message, they both burst into laughter, brushing off the seriousness that had lingered just moments ago.

“It’s really the first time for me to have someone of the opposite sex who understands us.”

“Yeah. You’re really…a really kind person, Ihomote-kun.”

“I’m getting embarrassed. I just spoke my preferences out loud.”

I exhaled a sigh and drank the rest of my tea again. The unchanging deliciousness calmed me down, but I suddenly felt embarrassed about what I had said.

“Um, well…”

“Hmm?”

“What is it?”

I put the cup on the table and looked at the two of them, concluding, 

“Have confidence while you two are together. There’s no one who would dare to interfere in your world. Just like with Tsukki, and even now as you two cuddle up together, I really enjoy seeing you two getting along so well, truly.”

“!”

“…”

As someone who loves yuri, that was the truth.

I smiled, feeling like I had given them some support.