Vol. 2 Chapter 16 – First Night (1)

“Eh? Ah, yeah. That’s Kyo. From the same school in the same magazine… on the same page, even. What an amazing coincidence, right?” (Hikaru)
“Huh~…” (Reiya)

I gave a disinterested reply while looking at the photo again.

Three street snaps were arranged on the top and bottom halves of the page.

One of them was Sakuramiya-san’s photo.

She’s someone who usually modifies her uniform quite flashily, but her casual clothes are, how should I put it… impressive.

From top to bottom, everything she’s wearing looks like it costs more than a full-priced game.

I’m no expert, but her accessories and bag probably aren’t cheap either.

I’d heard her parents were doctors or something and that she was rich, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent…

Still, it doesn’t match my taste at all… As I was thinking this, Hikaru spoke again.

“She’s stylish, isn’t she~? She apparently does all these nails herself, isn’t that amazing? I can’t do nails, so I’m envious~…” (Hikaru)

Hearing those words of praise, completely devoid of sarcasm, reminded me again of what Ogata-san had said.

‘Even among the girls, quite a few feel nervous being around Hikaru, you know? They worry if others are comparing them, or they unconsciously compare themselves, which they hate but can’t help. Kyo, on the other hand, competes fiercely with her, though.’

With that premise in mind, I compared the pages featuring the two of them again.

Hikaru, whose full-body photos filled multiple pages, and Sakuramiya-san, featured in one-sixth of a page with a small comment.

It’s not like I’m friends with her, nor do I particularly like her.

If anything, she’s the type of person I find difficult to deal with.

She probably doesn’t give a damn about my existence either.

However, looking at these two pages side-by-side, I could imagine the feelings Sakuramiya-san must have had as if they were my own.

“…So, what about Kyo?” (Hikaru)

As I felt a slight sense of camaraderie with someone else attempting to challenge the same invincible protagonist, I realized the person in question was looking at me suspiciously.

“No, I just thought it was amazing that there are two people in the same class who can grace the pages of a fashion magazine.” (Reiya)
“Hmm~… If that’s all, then fine.” (Hikaru)

Perhaps because I cut the topic short so easily, Hikaru didn’t show much of a jealous reaction.

“Okay, I think I’ll play some games now!” (Hikaru)

Once we’d finished looking through the magazines, Hikaru declared this and picked up a controller.

After that, we spent the time having fun playing games together as usual.

However, today was different from the usual days where we’d part ways promising ‘see you later’.

“Yawn… I’m getting sleepy…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru let go of the controller with one hand and let out a small yawn.

The date had already changed, and it was normally time for bed.

“Can I borrow the shower before I sleep…?” (Hikaru)

She asked in a slightly sleepy tone.

“O-Of course… Just use it like you did last time…” (Reiya)
“Okay, I’m gonna go hop in! Keep playing, I’ll leave this here!” (Hikaru)
“Roger that. And, uh, take your time…” (Reiya)

Hikaru took various things out of the large bag she’d brought and headed towards the bathroom.

The sound of the door closing echoed with a bang, followed by the faint rustling of clothes.

It was just sound, but I decided against listening and put on my headphones.

I played a video on my computer and focused my attention on the screen.

Waiting with a Zen-like empty mind, Hikaru emerged after a while.

“Phew~… That felt refreshing… Thanks for letting me go first.” (Hikaru)
“No, that’s totally—” (Reiya)

The moment I spun my chair around and turned back, I felt as if my heart had been seized in a vise.

Hikaru was wearing pajamas.

Yes, pajamas.

“…What’s wrong?” (Hikaru)
“N-No… Nothing…” (Reiya)

It wasn’t like they were super fluffy ‘This is what girls wear!’ type pajamas.

They were a white, front-buttoning type, ordinary room wear that looked like it was made of comfortable fabric.

Even so, she looked just too cute…

I’d seen various new sides of her in the magazines today, but I can declare that this was, by far, number one in terms of stimulating a man’s heart.

The defenselessness of room wear added to her usual closeness, increasing her attack power not additively, but multiplicatively.

“Okay, let’s play just a little more before bed.” (Hikaru)

Picking up the controller again, Hikaru resumed the game.

When she sat down on the bed, her presence became even more vivid, adding another separate multiplicative bonus to her attack power.

I absolutely have to escape this place right now, or I’ll die.

“Well then… can I go take a shower too?” (Reiya)
“Of course… Wait, you’re the owner of the house, obviously. Why are you asking me?” (Hikaru)
“Th-That’s true…” (Reiya)

Being laughed at, I walked past her and somehow managed to escape into the changing area.

I quickly took off my clothes and was about to enter the bathroom, but—

“Ugh…!” (Reiya)

The moment I opened the door, a sweet scent I didn’t recognize drifted out, mixed with the humidity.

The unmistakable scent of a girl tickled my nostrils and worldly desires.

Last time, I hadn’t noticed because some time had passed before I used it, but this time was completely different.

It vividly drove home the fact that just moments ago, she had been showering naked right here.

What should have been the small bathroom of a studio apartment felt like a vast field covered entirely in damage floors.

But this is like, say, the ‘First King Godfrey (Boss Phantom)’ or something.

How can I lose heart before the main body I might have to fight eventually?

Steeling myself, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

Once sealed in, the scent transformed into something even more intense.

It clung to me from all directions, creating the illusion that Hikaru herself was right there.

I wanted to wash what needed washing and get out quickly, but I didn’t want her to get any strange ideas if I was too fast.

Fighting against these various dilemmas, I carefully washed my body, one part at a time.

Having somehow completed the mission, I was about to put the body sponge back on the shelf when I noticed something.

“…Hm? This isn’t mine, is it…?” (Reiya)

Unfamiliar types of shampoo and body soap were lined up.

They definitely weren’t things I had bought.

Even the containers were stylish; the kind that would melt a gloomy high school boy if he bathed in them.

“Are these Hikaru’s…?” (Reiya)

Since there was no way I bought them myself, there could only be one answer.

A girl’s hair and skin are probably more delicate than a boy’s, so it’s natural for her to use products that suit her.

I guessed she’d forgotten to retrieve the ones she brought from home for the sleepover.

I considered telling her she forgot them, but if she planned to stay another night, she’d probably use them tomorrow too.

Making that judgment, I returned the shower nozzle to its original position and left the bathroom.

…Alright, with this, the first hurdle is practically cleared.

All that’s left is to dry my body and hair, get changed, and return to the room.

Looking at the whole sleepover event, we’re still in the early stages, but maybe I’ve gained some confidence that I can conquer this at this rate.

Just as I thought that, I noticed another strange thing.

“…Hm?” (Reiya)

Next to the cup holding my toothbrush on the sink, there was another identical cup of a different color.

And inside it was even a toothbrush of a different color from mine.

Feeling something close to fear, I reached for the shelf where the towels were—

“…Hmm?” (Reiya)

I felt something strange yet again.

The shelf usually held a stack of bath towels placed horizontally.

For some reason, there were now two stacks of bath towels placed vertically, side-by-side.

…Am I being invaded?