Chapter 9 – As a Friend

The changing room, the open-air bath. Then the act on the bed—after all that, the sky was beginning to lighten.

Yukimori clung to me with a blissful smile on her face. She seemed thoroughly satisfied again today.

Since we were at a hotel instead of the mansion, there was no need to worry about Miyabe-san barging in.

It was already six in the morning, but Yukimori and I were still spending a leisurely moment together.

“Yukimori. We’re taking it easy, but are you sure about today’s schedule?”

“Yes. I don’t have anything planned today—it’s a rare day off until tomorrow morning.”

“Wait, really?”

That was rare. In the past six months, there’d only been one or two such days.

That’s how packed Yukimori’s schedule always was—she didn’t even have time to hang out with friends.

I see. That explains why she’s so relaxed right now.

“What about you, Hatase-kun? Any plans for today?”

“Nah. As usual, just go home and sleep.”

“Then please spend the entire day with me. I’ll pay you handsomely.”

“Not necessary.”

“I insist. After all, it’s me who’s taking up your time.”

She wasn’t going to back down. Stubborn as ever.

Also, she had it backwards. She seemed to think she was the one receiving something from me—but I was receiving something too.

The one who healed my loneliness… was Yukimori.

Compared to how I was before our relationship, I am in a much better state.

Sure, on paper, she might owe me extra pay for overtime. But this wasn’t about that.

“I want to be with you as a friend, Yukimori… Is that okay, just for today?”

“…Friend… as a friend, huh.”

…Yukimori?

Her expression clouded slightly at my words. What? Was that… bad?

I mean, I kinda thought we were friends. Even if our relationship is way too impure for that…

“…Alright. I’m okay with that for now.”

“O-Oh, really…?”

I had no idea what she meant by “okay,” but if she was satisfied, I’d take it.

“Then please stay with me the whole day—as a friend.”

“Sure, got it.”

“All day, okay? Through sickness and health, stay with me forever, alright?”

“That’s too too heavy for friends!”

That sounded way too much like a marriage vow. I wasn’t ready for that level of commitment.

Yukimori finally sat up, gave me a light kiss, and crawled out of bed. …Was that kiss necessary!?

“Let’s start with breakfast. A light meal is fine for the morning, right?”

“Yeah, please.”

While she called the front desk to order breakfast, I slipped on a bathrobe.

It was so fluffy and warm. I kinda wanted one of these at home.

“Hehe. Fluffy Hatase-kun is adorable. Mind if I take a picture?”

“Please go through my manager.”

“I own Hatsuse-kun though.”

“Damn. You got me.”

She had a point. A flawless counter. Damn, I lost.

Yukimori happily snapped photos of me. What was so fun about taking my pictures? Though I did enjoy taking hers—well, anything with a pretty girl is fun.

Alright then. Time to snap one of Yukimori too.

I raised my phone and took a picture of her in that fluffy robe—when suddenly…

“Here, a little service♡”

“Wha—!?”

Rustle, click.

That sneaky little—she opened her robe right as I pressed the shutter!

Sure enough, my phone gallery now had a naked Yukimori Shizuku in it. With a provocative smile, no less.

“You little…”

“Not happy?”

“Very happy. …Wait!”

I responded without thinking. Can’t help it—I’m a guy, after all.

“Still, you should stop doing stuff like this. Even that old selfie—you never know where it might leak from.”

“I trust you, Hatase-kun, so I’m not worried. But if it does leak, I’ll know for sure who did it, and you’ll face a fitting hell.”

Terrifying! There was no light in her eyes!

I nodded silently, at lightning speed, and she finally returned to her usual smile. Man, that scared me…

For now, I saved the photo and moved it to a locked folder. Sorry, but… I’m still a guy (second time).

Just then, breakfast was delivered.

It was a light Western-style meal—toast, scrambled eggs, and such. Everything looked simple but absolutely delicious. That’s the work of a top-tier chef for you.

“So, what do you want to do today? We can’t just stay holed up in the hotel forever, right?”

“Hmm. We’re checking out tomorrow morning… so I’m not sure.”

We decided on today’s plans while eating breakfast.

But honestly, we didn’t have much to do. We already went shopping yesterday.

“Should we just have sex all day? I’m totally fine with that.”

“No, no. We barely slept as it is. Any more and it’ll mess up my routine.”

I mean, didn’t she already blow off enough steam?

“Then, what do friends usually do for fun? I don’t really know—I’ve hardly ever played with friends.”

“Don’t just drop sad facts so casually…”

Well, considering her lifestyle schedule, it made sense.

Still, hanging out with friends, huh…

“When I hang out with Kazuki, we usually go eat ramen or barbecue. Mostly eating, really. Sometimes we go to the movies or amusement centers too.”

But Yukimori didn’t seem like the type to eat a lot, and I couldn’t imagine her at a sports amusement park. I remembered her mansion having a home theater that rivaled any cinema.

Hmm, what should we do…?

Huh?

“Yukimori? You’re spacing out. What’s up?”

“…Noodles…”

“Huh?”

“…Ramen…!”

…Wait, what?

“You want ramen?”

“Yes…!”

“But it’s just regular ramen. Haven’t you had way better ramen before?”

I mean, stuff like shark fin ramen or bird’s nest ramen. …Wait, is that even good? I wouldn’t know.

But Yukimori was clearly already in ramen mode. She suddenly stood up, slamming the table. Whoa, manners!

“I have had that stuff! But I’m super, super curious about the ramen everyone in class eats! Like, iekei or jiroukei—I want to try those really badly!”

Jumping straight to the hardcore stuff, huh. I thought she’d start with something simple, like shoyu or miso ramen.

Well, if she wants to try it, I’ll take her.

“Alright then, let’s do iekei ramen for lunch. I know a good place.”

“Yay!”

She was practically skipping with joy. She looked way too excited.

But watching her smile like that, so genuinely happy, made me feel kind of happy too.