Vol. 2 Chapter 61 – Fetish (2)

Collarbones—one of the bones constituting the shoulder girdle in quadrupedal animals, functioning as a foundation for the origin of various muscles.

They would appear, then hide, appear, then hide, repeating. Like a cat being played with by a cat teaser, Hikaru’s emotions were being gently tickled.

Meanwhile, Reiya had no idea that Hikaru was preoccupied with his collarbones. He once again, in accordance with his own desires, traced a finger up Hikaru’s abdomen.

“Hya…!” (Hikaru)

Caught by the unexpected touch, Hikaru couldn’t help but let out a coquettish cry.

“Did that tickle…?” (Reiya)

“N-No…! It just surprised me a little, it didn’t tickle at all…” (Hikaru)

Unable to admit she’d been captivated by his collarbones, Hikaru offered a deflection. However, all the while, his collarbones continued to peek out, tempting her. The two bones, clearly defined on his lean shoulders. Because Asahi Hikaru was a natural-born athlete, just by looking at them—the starting point for various movements—she could even imagine the overall physique hidden beneath his clothes.

Her desires began to stir and rear their head, but she found it difficult to say “I want to touch your collarbones” out loud. She didn’t want him to think she was a pervert and be disillusioned, and above all, today was a day for endurance. …But she still really wanted to touch them. The left collarbone seemed to whisper to her, This honey is sweet. No, no, the right collarbone whispered back, This honey is sweeter. Just imagining how much happiness she could obtain by enjoying both at once was enough to make her feel like she was losing it.

“Ah, Reiya-kun…!” (Hikaru)

Immediately after, a revelation descended upon the troubled girl.

“Hm?” (Reiya)

“That shirt, the collar’s gotten pretty loose, hasn’t it?” (Hikaru)

Reaching both hands towards his neck, she pinched the shirt with her fingertips, exposing his collarbones. Hikaru gasped at the sight of his well-defined collarbones, clearly visible without any excess flesh.

“Really? But I don’t think I bought it that long ago…” (Reiya)

“Yeah! It’s already super stretched out!” (Hikaru)

Saying that, while feigning to adjust his collar, she skillfully traced his collarbones with her fingertips, trembling in ecstasy. Incidentally, the claim that the shirt was stretched was a bald-faced lie.

Meanwhile, Reiya, though sensing something was off, continued to move his own hands without paying it much mind. To an onlooker, they were a peculiar couple, touching each other’s stomach and neck. However, for the two involved, it was a miraculous experience of mutually satisfying their respective fetishes.

And then, as was inevitable, it was Hikaru who reached the limit of her endurance first. Kicking away the ‘HIKARU IS STOP’ rule that had been fixed at the edge of the screen without a second thought, she leaned forward to savor his collarbones more deeply. A kiss on the collarbone doesn’t count as a real kiss. Establishing a new personal rule, she was about to sink her teeth into his neck when—

...And that was today's weather report!

The remote control happened to be right where she placed her hand, and the TV switched to a terrestrial broadcast. Just as their gazes turned to it, on the screen—

Smile? Is my smiling face the cutest?

—the video they had seen countless times over the past two days began to play.

Today, we've obtained special interview footage of the much-talked-about "Once-in-a-Millennium Beauty," Asahi Hikaru-chan!

Following that, a female announcer on the screen declared in a clear, crisp voice. Starting with its feature on yesterday’s “Good Morning,” the video in question—and by extension, Asahi Hikaru’s existence—had spread to an extent that could truly be called a social phenomenon.

“Th-They’re still using that video, even after two days…?” (Reiya)

“Y-Yeah… Mom was troubled because she’s getting so many requests for permission to use it…” (Hikaru)

In complete contrast to this heated viral buzz, the appearance of a third party—the television program—rapidly cooled their emotions. What on earth were we just doing…?

“So, your social media followers are probably still increasing then…?” (Reiya)

“Probably… I haven’t really checked myself, but… Mom was super happy about it, so…” (Hikaru)

Averting their gazes from each other out of embarrassment, they somehow managed to carry on a superficially calm conversation.

“That’s amazing… really…” (Reiya)

“But, personally, I’d rather they feature me more for my tennis, you know.” (Hikaru)

However, as the romantic tension between them subsided, naturally—

“That too… with you, Hikaru, I don’t think it’ll be long before that happens.” (Reiya)

—Reiya’s initial anxiety resurfaced in his heart.

“You think so? I hope so.” (Hikaru)

“It definitely will. Because you’re truly amazing, Hikaru.” (Reiya)

“Flattering me like that… does that mean you want to touch my stomach more?” (Hikaru)

“No, it’s not that, I genuinely… I truly think that from the bottom of my heart. You can do anything, Hikaru, everyone likes you… You’re an incredible person, leagues above someone like me.” (Reiya)

“Someone like you…? What’s wrong? Today, Reiya-kun… you’re really acting strange…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru turned her body to face Reiya directly.

“It’s nothing, I was just telling the truth, there’s no other meaning—” (Reiya)

Hikaru scowled, cutting off his makeshift excuse. Meanwhile, Reiya, having been cut off, fell silent for a few moments before opening his mouth again.

“Um… that video from earlier… Ever since it went viral, I’ve been feeling really anxious…” (Reiya)

And then, as if resigned, he began to pour out his heart.

“Anxious…?” (Hikaru)

“Every time it becomes news on TV or the internet, it feels like you’re becoming someone from a distant world… Of course, I’m genuinely happy that you’re becoming famous and building a successful career. I know I’m just a petty, pathetic guy for simply sulking, but…” (Reiya)

As he voiced his anxieties, his own pathetic nature became more apparent, and Reiya’s gaze gradually lowered. To such a him, Hikaru—

“Yeah, you are pathetic.” (Hikaru)

—cut him down with a short, sharp remark. Reiya, who hadn’t expected such harsh words from her, looked up in surprise—

“But, that’s the part of you I fell in love with, you know.” (Hikaru)

Hikaru said, looking straight at Reiya’s face with a beaming smile.

“I love that you can properly acknowledge and voice your weaknesses like that. I love that because you’re aware of your own weaknesses, you can treat others with consideration. And I love that when I was having a hard time, you were kinder and more supportive than anyone else.” (Hikaru)

Leaving the bewildered Reiya, she continued.

“I love that it’s fun being with you. I love the serious expression on your face when you’re gaming. I love the way you have a habit of scratching your cheek when you’re stuck on a difficult part. I love that you share my disappointment when I fail at a hard game, and I love that you share my joy when I clear it. I love that even when I’m being selfish, you always accept it with a troubled look. I love that your kissing has gotten really good lately. Also, I love your slightly unruly hair and your long, slender fingers, and besides that—” (Hikaru)

“Uh, um… H-Hikaru…?” (Reiya)

Reiya was overwhelmed by the torrent of “loves” showered upon him from close range.

“Basically, what I’m trying to say is… I want you to believe in my ‘love’ for you a little more.” (Hikaru)

Saying that at last, Hikaru gently cupped his cheeks with both hands.

“Believe…?” (Reiya)

“Yeah, it can’t be helped that you have your own worries, Reiya-kun. So even when you’re worried… at least, if you could just believe that I love you… okay?” (Hikaru)

“…Sorry. You’re right, I wasn’t thinking about how you felt about me… I was just letting my negative emotions swell up inside me and getting anxious all by myself…” (Reiya)

“Instead of ‘sorry,’ I was hoping you’d reply with your own kind of ‘love,’ Reiya-kun~…” (Hikaru)

“…I love how you shower me with affection like this, as if to say ‘is this enough?'” (Reiya)

Reiya replied, looking embarrassed, to Hikaru who was grinning teasingly.

“Besides… that’s a really luxurious worry, you know?” (Hikaru)

“Luxurious…?” (Reiya)

“Because, it means you won’t be satisfied unless you can monopolize every part of the ‘Once-in-a-Millennium Beauty,’ right, Reiya-kun? I wouldn’t mind, personally… but that’s so luxurious, everyone else would get angry, you know?” (Hikaru)

With a mischievous smile that held a hint of allure, Hikaru moved her body even closer to Reiya.

“…You’re saying that about yourself?” (Reiya)

“I started feeling really embarrassed after saying it, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t point that out.” (Hikaru)

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“By the way, now that I’ve aired out all my embarrassing thoughts, there’s just one more thing I want to ask…” (Reiya)

“What is it?” (Hikaru)

“When you were grabbing my shirt collar earlier, you were touching my collarbone an awful lot—” (Reiya)

“Ah! Reiya-kun, look! It’s a swimsuit feature! Wow! So cute!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru interrupted Reiya’s words with a loud voice, pointing at the TV. On the screen, her own feature had ended at some point, and a segment about this year’s swimsuit trends had begun.

“You’re right. Anyway, back to what I was saying, you were touching my collarbone a lot—” (Reiya)

“That’s right! Why don’t we go buy swimsuits right now!?” (Hikaru)

“Right now…? Fine by me, but your collarb—” (Reiya)

“Come on, if it’s decided, let’s go, let’s go! Hurry up and get ready!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru stood up from the bed and extended her hand to Reiya. While tilting his head slightly at her somehow strangely flustered demeanor, he took her hand and stood up. His anxiety hadn’t completely vanished, but at least it was certain that she, who said she loved him, was now within arm’s reach.