The Story of Making a Popular Girl Dependent on Me - Chapter 19

Today is Sunday. It’s the day I’m going to an all-you-can-eat sweets place with Riho and her little sister.

Honestly, going out every day is tiring, but I can’t say no to Riho, who always helps me out. Besides, if her little sister is looking forward to it, I can’t refuse.

We’re meeting in front of the store at 12 o’clock, so I get ready and leave the house.

When I arrive at the meeting place, Riho and her sister aren’t there yet, so I decide to wait near the store for a while.

“Sorry, I’m late. It took time to get my sister ready.”

“It’s okay. And this is your sister?”

“Nice to meet you! I’m Kurumi Katsushika, Riho’s little sister. Pleased to meet you!”

“Kurumi-chan, huh? You’re doing great, greeting properly like that.”

I say this as I gently pat Kurumi-chan’s head. Kurumi-chan is in fifth grade, a bit younger than Riho. Maybe because of that, Riho cherishes her a lot and often brags about her.

As I pat Kurumi-chan’s head, she squints her eyes pleasantly.

“Riho, Kurumi-chan is indeed cute. I understand why you’d want to brag about her.”

“Right? Kurumi is the cutest in the world.”

While we’re talking like that, Kurumi-chan seems to enjoy having her head patted and doesn’t seem to be listening to the conversation.

After doting on Kurumi-chan for a while, we decide to enter the store, which is today’s destination.

“Welcome.”

“I have a reservation under Yukimura.”

“Certainly. I’ll show you to your seat.”

After I inform the clerk about the reservation, they guide us to our seat. Once seated, Riho talks to me.

“Hey, when did you make the reservation?”

“The day we decided to come here. This place is quite popular, and it’s hard to get a seat on Sundays. I didn’t want Kurumi-chan to have to stand and wait.”

“I see. Thanks for thinking of Kurumi.”

“No problem.”

We then look at the menu on the tablet attached to the table and order what we want to eat. Kurumi-chan seems delighted with the variety of sweets and eats with sparkling eyes. Riho is the same, happily eating the sweets.

(They really are sisters, looking so alike in their love for sweets.)

Watching the two of them, I order a few things and eat a little. As the all-you-can-eat time is down to the last 30 minutes, Kurumi-chan looks a bit uncomfortable.

“Kurumi-chan, are you full?”

“…Yes. But there’s still food I ordered…”

She looks at the sweets in front of her. She doesn’t want to waste them, but she’s too full to eat more. Feeling sorry for her, I decided to help.

“Then I’ll help you eat them. I can still eat more.”

“Thank you very much!”

Kurumi-chan smiles happily at that. I help her eat what she ordered, and we manage to finish everything. Meanwhile, Riho is eating her own orders like crazy.

With the all-you-can-eat time over, we rest for a bit, pay, and leave the store. After walking for a while, Kurumi-chan seems tired, so Riho gives her a piggyback ride.

Soon, Kurumi-chan, sleepy from the fatigue and fullness, falls asleep.

“Thanks for today. It was really delicious.”

“It’s fine. It’s a thank you for always helping me and a promise, after all.”

“That’s true, but your consideration for Kurumi was also a big help. I should have taken better care of her, but I ended up getting your help with the eating too.”

“Well, today’s main focus was on you, Riho, so I wanted you to eat to your heart’s content. It’s okay to be absorbed in something you like sometimes.”

“You’re really… Hah, thanks.”

With those words, Riho stops talking. So I don’t say anything more either, and we walk in silence. When we reach the station, we part ways for the day.

It’s Monday.

Today, I arrived at school just before the bell rang. Last time, when I got here early, Setsune dragged me around, so this time I want to avoid that.

As soon as I enter the classroom, I feel Setsune’s gaze on me, but I ignore it and don’t look her way.

I sit down and prepare my textbooks and other materials, and the bell rings just as the teacher enters the classroom.

The morning passes without incident. When Setsune tries to talk to me, I get up and go to the restroom or chat with Riho to keep my distance.

At lunchtime, Riho and I head to the classroom door to buy food, but something unexpected happens.

Mio Hasegawa is there with a bento box, standing in front of our classroom just as we’re about to leave.

“Hasegawa-san, what are you doing here with a bento?”

“Oh! Yukimura-san! I made this bento for you, as promised. Would you like to eat it?”

“That’s right, you did say you wanted me to try your cooking. Sure, I’ll gratefully accept it. I’ll wash the container and return it tomorrow.”

“No, I want to hear your thoughts on it, so I’ll come to get it!”

“Okay? In that case, I’ll be waiting.”

I say this as I take the bento from Mio. After handing it to me, she quickly returns to her classroom.

“Riho, I got something to eat. Should we still go buy lunch together?”

“No, I’ll go buy mine alone. I’ll be back soon, so wait for me.”

“Got it. No rush, buy what you like.”

After hearing my words, Riho leaves to buy her lunch. I sit at my desk to wait for her. Soon, Setsune approaches and speaks to me. She probably wants to ask about what just happened.

“Rokka, come with me now.”

“Huh? What’s up, Setsune? I need to wait for Riho.”

“Just come.”

Setsune grabs my wrist and forcibly pulls me away. As we walk, I take out my phone and message Riho.

“Setsune.”

Riho will probably understand the situation from just that. I put my phone away and follow Setsune silently. She takes me to an empty classroom and locks the door.

“Hey, Rokka. What was that about earlier?”

“That?”

“The bento! Why did you get a bento from that girl?”

It’s rare for Setsune to sound accusatory. I’m thrilled by her change and decide to talk about Saturday to unsettle her further.

“Why? Because I hung out with Mio on Saturday, and it was probably a thank you.”

“…What? You hung out with that girl? Just the two of you?”

“Yeah. She invited me when we walked home together before. We became friends, so I thought it was fine.”

“It’s not fine! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m your girlfriend! Why would you secretly meet another girl?”

“Another girl? She’s just a friend. You hang out with friends too, right? It’s the same.”

“But! You could have at least told me!”

“I’ve never heard you tell me such things either. Isn’t it a bit unfair to demand it from me?”

“That’s true… but… but…”

Setsune lowers her head, looking like she’s about to cry.

(Did I go too far?)

Feeling that way, I slowly approach Setsune and hug her. She keeps her head down, still upset.

“Setsune, I’m sorry. I went too far. From now on, I’ll tell you. Will you also tell me next time? That way, this won’t happen again, and we can feel secure.

So, don’t look so worried. It’s okay. You’re the only one I love, Setsune.”

When I say this, Setsune raises her head and looks at me.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then kiss me.”

“Okay.”

I lightly kiss her lips.

“Do you feel better now?”

“Not enough. Kiss me more.”

With Setsune’s request, I can’t refuse and kiss her again.

Then, she slipped her tongue into my mouth and intertwined it with mine. I was a bit surprised, but I accepted it and intertwined my tongue with hers.

For a while, the sound of our tongues mingling filled the empty classroom.

When we finally parted our lips, I looked at Setsune, whose face looked enraptured, and I felt an indescribable allure from her.

I found her so dear that I gently moved the collar of her uniform and kissed her collarbone.

“Ah. Rokka, that tickles.”

“Bear with it for a bit.”

After kissing her collarbone for a while, I pulled back to see a neat hickey had formed.

“What did you do?”

“Hmm. Well, check it later.”

“Okay.”

After hearing Setsune’s response, I kissed her one more time, and we decided to return to the classroom.

“Hey, are you going to eat that bento?”

“Yeah. She made it for me, so I should eat it.”

“I’ll let it go this time, but don’t do it again.”

“Got it. I’ll tell her myself.”

Hearing my words, Setsune seemed a little relieved and returned to her usual self. We headed back to the classroom and went to our seats.

“Hey, you’re late.”

“A lot happened.”

When I sat down, Riho was waiting for me without eating her food.

“You could’ve started eating without me.”

“Then what’s the point of eating together? There’s no rush, so I can wait.”

“Thanks.”

I thanked Riho, and we started eating our lunches. I tried the bento Mio Hasegawa had given me, and it was incredibly delicious, despite her just starting to learn.

While eating the bento, I glanced over at Setsune. She seemed to be talking with a red face, likely about the hickey on her collarbone.

As I watched Setsune, I remembered her jealous expression from earlier and reaffirmed that my plan was going smoothly.