After school the next day, since they hadn’t hung out in a while, Nogami sent a ssage in the “Princess Nogami’s Harem” group chat.
They’d grab drinks at Starbucks this evening, and tomorrow, since it was the weekend, they’d go shopping in Shibuya.
Out of the four of them, everyone except Harutaki happily agreed, chatting away about tomorrow’s plans.
This was bad.
Under normal circumstances, Harutaki would’ve been thrilled—looking forward to going out with four beautiful girls.
But now…
No email address. No phone number. Not even added on LINE.
How was he supposed to tell Miyabi-senpai that he might not be able to et her at the riverside today?
Or should he find an excuse to slip away from Nogami’s invitation and go accompany the lonely Miyabi-senpai instead?
What a headache.
Even after thinking it over for a long ti, until Nogami ca to drag him along after school, he still couldn’t co up with a solution.
“What’s wrong? Did you ss up your midterms?”
Nogami looked at the unusually quiet boy and felt sothing was off.
Normally, that dumb dog Hoshikawa would already be shalessly chatting her up, cracking jokes. But now he was silent—like the words “I’ve got sothing on my mind” were written all over his face.
Thinking it through, the only thing she could guess was the recently finished midterms.
“Hehe… I’m super confident this ti. Prepare to be crushed under my feet, dumb dog.”
She teased him as usual.
No response.
…Was he really worried about his grades?
Could it be because he spent so much ti tutoring her?
If—
If he didn’t do well…
…maybe giving him a little reward or comfort wouldn’t be out of the question.
The image of letting him rest on her lap flashed through her mind, and she subconsciously curled her toes.
Just a tiny reward, and he’d be grateful forever.
Hehe… easy to handle.
It felt like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey—
Except the “carrot” was herself.
“Then at least wear black stockings when you step on , okay?”
“Y-You pervert dog… I don’t even have those!”
“I recall soone sent a selfie before—”
Thump.
He got punched in the head.
“You don’t recall.”
“I re—”
Thump.
“Ow… what were we talking about again?”
“Midterms.”
Seeing him surrender, Nogami crossed her arms in satisfaction.
If he asked again… she might reluctantly wear stockings.
Though now that she thought about it—
His tastes were seriously weird.
Didn’t he once say he wanted to lick her feet?!
Disgusting. Perverted. Shaless!
“By the way, I tutored you for three days. Don’t I get a reward?”
Harutaki forced himself to act normal again, teasing her.
“L-licking feet is absolutely not happening!”
“…Huh?”
Did he say that?
Leaving aside whether Harutaki would ever do sothing as perverted as licking feet, just looking at Nogami’s current overexcited reaction, he couldn’t help but seriously doubt himself for a mont—had he actually said sothing about foot-licking as a reward just now?
“Licking feet? I thought you were just joking before, but you’re actually that much of a freak?”
Sae, who had co over to urge them to pack up and leave school, happened to overhear the exchange between her friend and Harutaki. Her eyes widened imdiately as she looked back and forth between the two.
“No, I didn’t, I’m not, don’t make stuff up.”
Being called a “scumbag” or a “dog” was whatever, but being labeled as soone who likes licking feet was a title Harutaki absolutely refused to accept.
That crown of perversion was far too heavy—he couldn’t bear it, nor did he want to wear it.
“Relax, relax, so what if you’re a little perverted? I wouldn’t dislike you over sothing like that, Harutaki~”
Sae patted his shoulder, completely unconcerned, her tone light and easy. It made his heart warm—
As expected of a true bro!
Even if he were a foot-licking pervert… no, even if there was a possibility that he might be one, his bro wouldn’t judge him at all!
“Speaking of which, I rember a lot of people actually like… um, stronger-slling feet? I didn’t get to use any freshener today—Harutaki, want to give them a lick?”
“Please don’t lump ‘a lot of people’ into that. I don’t have that kind of fetish.”
That said…
He had once, before washing up at night, tried slling his own socks and feet. The scent definitely wasn’t pleasant, but it was strangely… subtle. Even oddly addictive—
But even so, if he were going to sll anything, it should at least be his own, right?
…Though, thinking about it again, the scent of a beautiful girl didn’t seem entirely out of the question?
“Hehe, tempted?”
Sae poked his cheek with her finger.
“As if!”
He thought to himself just how terrifying lust could be. No matter how soone looked, everyone had a natural body odor—but under the “beautiful girl” filter, even sweat might start to sll like perfu.
Perhaps because Sae had lingered while calling them, Minako and Chouko, who had been waiting in the distance, simply ca over as well. What was supposed to be a eting point at the classroom door turned into all five of them gathering around Harutaki’s desk.
“What are you all talking about? You’re so into it you forgot the ti.”
Minako brushed her golden hair draped over her chest, her tone tinged with a faint sense of grievance, almost like a lover being ignored…
Huh?
Why “lover”?
She clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, thinking that ever since Hoshikawa-kun appeared, Izumi’s attention had been taken away—and now even Sae’s too…
“I was chatting with Izumi about Harutaki~”
Amid Minako’s complaint about the heat, Sae cheerfully hooked her arm around her friend’s and continued:
“Harutaki here says he wants to lick my feet—even though I haven’t used freshener or washed them.”
“That’s completely your own imagination!”
Harutaki imdiately protested.
“That’s disgusting…”
“Sanada-san, don’t just believe her so easily! I would never lick unwashed feet!”
Seeing the way Minako looked at him like he was trash, even with his usually thick skin, he felt himself starting to crack.
“Oho—so washed ones are fine, then?”
Chouko revealed a mischievous smile, covering her lips lightly as she chuckled.
“Then can I lick yours?”
Harutaki shot back at the Kyoto young lady, recalling how so cat had been owing on the rooftop just yesterday afternoon—seriously, healed already and forgetting the pain.
“You idiot dog, y-you’re not allowed to lick anyone else’s!”
“Why is the premise that I would lick them in the first place?!”
“B-but if you really want to, then I—”
“Spare …”
He smacked his forehead, cutting Nogami off. The sharp sound seed to signal the end of the topic, and everyone picked up their bags and headed out of Class 2-3.
On the way, Nogami was the first to shift the bla onto him.
“It’s all Hoshikawa’s fault for being so slow.”
“Yeah, yeah, my fault.”
But no matter how you look at it, you’re at least half responsible!
“Being too fast isn’t a good thing for guys either~”
“As expected of you.”
You really get it, Sae.
“Unfortunately, speed doesn’t matter anyway. I heard Hoshikawa-kun couldn’t even get it up with his ex-girlfriend~”
“Seriously… did I do sothing to offend you, Sanada-san?”
“That’s what you get for calling a blonde big-breasted girl before.”
Isn’t that just stating facts?! Damn blonde big boobs—I’ll make you regret it soday.
“Hoshikawa~”
Chouko slowed her steps while the others weren’t paying attention, quietly moving beside him and whispering into his ear:
“If you like, we can buy a pair of pantyhose to use next ti~”
…
By the ti they were nearing the school gates, Harutaki was already thinking of making an excuse to slip away.
Whether it was “my little sister needs ” or “I’m not feeling well,” Nogami and the others probably wouldn’t press him.
At the end of the day, compared to Nogami and Shihou, who could happily hang out as a group of four, Miyabi-senpai—who had no one—seed far too pitiful.
However—
“Hi.”
Seeing the figure who seed to have appeared out of nowhere beyond the school gates, Harutaki froze in disbelief.
He subconsciously waved back.
“Hi?”
The four girls all stopped in their tracks and turned around, their gazes filled with suspicion.
“…Dumb dog?”
Ugh! Nogami’s smile is terrifying!
“You’ve already got four beautiful girls around you, and you’re still like this? You’re the worst, Harutaki.”
Please stop making it worse!
He could tell Sae was joking, but this was absolutely not the ti for jokes!
“How interesting~”
Blonde big boobs blonde big boobs blonde big boobs!
Harutaki couldn’t help but feel pathetic, only able to console himself by chanting internally.
“Scumbag.”
I’m sorry!
He was about to explain, but suddenly realized—why was he even feeling guilty?
…Yeah. Why was he so nervous?
“Ahem, this is Shirasagi Miyabi-senpai, a third-year…”
He cleared his throat, first introducing her to the girls, then straightened up and defended himself.
“We’re just normal senior and junior. Nogami, Shihou, Sae, and Sanada-san—please don’t misunderstand.”
At that mont, Miyabi-senpai stepped forward with a cool, composed aura and greeted them.
“Good evening. Hoshikawa-kun has already introduced . I look forward to getting along with all of you.”
After speaking, she turned to Harutaki. Those deep violet eyes carried an indescribable glint, making him shiver.
“Hoshikawa-kun, as we agreed yesterday, let’s go on our date.”
No, no, no—
There was no such agreent, right?!
He wanted to shake his head desperately, but with everyone watching, it wouldn’t fix anything—and might even hurt Miyabi-senpai’s feelings.
Even so, he had to at least try.
“We just agreed to discuss sothing. Please be more precise, Miyabi-senpai.”
“That’s basically a date.”
Well… she wasn’t wrong, but still—read the room!
Or rather… a sudden thought made his heart race—
She ca here specifically to wait for him, and deliberately used the word “date”… could it be…?
Just as his imagination started running wild, Miyabi turned her gaze directly to Chouko at the far right.
To be honest, anyone unfamiliar with her would feel pressured under that gaze—and Chouko was no exception.
“S-Senpai… what is it?”
“I’m taking Hoshikawa-kun with now. You don’t mind, do you?”
“How could I possibly—”
“Yesterday at—”
“Of course I don’t mind. I’m not anything to Hoshikawa anyway.”
Chouko forced the words out through gritted teeth, her expression stiff. As she finished, she shot Harutaki a fierce glare.
Next, Miyabi turned her gaze toward Minako.
“Looks like Hoshikawa-kun is quite popular. I thought if we left him behind, no one would want him~”
The implication was clear—if the senpai managed to take him away, it would only be because the four of them didn’t want him.
“Excuse , and you are…? It seems Hoshikawa-kun has never ntioned you to .”
“For a nobody like to receive your concern, senpai, I’m truly honored…”
Minako took a deep breath, then cast Harutaki a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I don’t mind. Whatever he wants to do, wherever he wants to go—it’s his decision.”
“Just like everyone says, Hinata-kouhai is so cheerful and easygoing. As expected of the ace of both the swimming and track teams.”
“Hehe, senpai, you’re making blush~”
Lastly—
Perhaps one of the most important girls in Hoshikawa-kun’s heart.
Miyabi’s gaze settled on Nogami, taking in the girl’s domineering aura and those sharp, rose-colored eyes tilted slightly upward with defiance.
“Nogami-san?”
“Yeah, I’m Nogami Izumi. If you’ve got sothing to ask, can you hurry up?”
Nogami crossed her arms, eting Miyabi’s gaze head-on without yielding an inch.
“We’re about to go to Starbucks. A gathering between good friends.”
She deliberately emphasized the words “good friends.”
“Oh? So Nogami-san and Hoshikawa-kun are just good friends? From what he told , I thought you two were dating.”
“W-What do you an dating?! Hoshikawa, what nonsense have you been telling people?!”
Nogami stamred in denial, her face flushing red as she grabbed Harutaki by the shoulders and shook him hard.
“So you’re not dating?”
“Of course not! Why would I ever date this guy?!”
“…I see.”
Miyabi let out a quiet breath, thinking to herself that Nogami was a rather easy girl to read.
Even she felt that her thod was a bit underhanded, but…
She had already decided to actively pursue what she wanted.
A happy future, the hope of moving forward, and the junior she admired—
Standing still would never bring her any of it.
“Then what exactly is your relationship with Hoshikawa-kun?”
“What kind of relationship could I even have with this dumb dog…”
Nogami muttered, her voice growing softer and softer.
“In that case, lending the puppy for a bit shouldn’t be a problem, right? Thank you.”
The mont she finished speaking, Miyabi—just like yesterday evening—took Harutaki’s hand and pulled him straight toward the school gate.
The only difference was that this ti, she was the one taking the initiative.
“Hey! You—wait… wait a second!”
Only then did Nogami snap back to her senses and reach out to grab him, but she ca up empty.
“Even if he’s a dumb dog, he’s my dog! Wait right there!”
She was just about to chase after them, but noticing the gazes of the surrounding students, she swallowed her frustration.
That perverted dog… can’t even walk straight when he sees a pretty senpai. What a scumbag!
…
Walking along the after-school path toward the riverside cherry blossom road, Harutaki squeezed Miyabi-senpai’s soft, warm hand and cautiously probed her intentions.
“This kind of behavior… doesn’t really feel like sothing Miyabi-senpai would do.”
“Is that the Miyabi-senpai you admire?”
…Is it?
After thinking for a mont, he couldn’t co up with a clear answer.
“Uh… I’m not sure.”
“This is all your fault, Hoshikawa-kun.”
“Please follow tradition and bla the world instead.”
He couldn’t help but retort. Why was even Miyabi-senpai saying that?
“Happiness and opportunities have to be seized for yourself. Only by mustering the courage to take the first step can life move forward… That’s what you told . That’s what your story taught .”
Her tone remained flat, but the weight of her words carried emotion, allowing him to glimpse a bit of what she truly felt.
“I didn’t know I was that impressive~”
He joked lightly, then shifted the topic.
“At least for today, I don’t plan to just sit by the river again. So where are we going? How about finding a café and talking about the work you want to do?”
“I’m impressed you can say sothing that… innocent.”
“Hey, don’t discriminate against innocence. Staying pure is pretty cool…”
Even if he himself hadn’t managed to.
He paused, then added:
“Besides, this is a serious topic. What does that have to do with innocence?”
“If you’re with a senpai you admire, shouldn’t your first thought be going on a date together?”
For once, there was a faint trace of expectation in her voice.
But she didn’t wait for his answer and continued on her own.
“Even if one cannot have a perfect life, at least one has pursued a complete self.”
—That’s what you told , Shirasagi Miyabi.
If she couldn’t directly express her emotions, then she might never beco a “complete self.”
In that case… she would pursue a complete and happy life instead.
“After all, a high school girl who’s never gone on a date with a boy can hardly be called complete.”
“Well, if you put it that way… it gets tricky. If everyone has experience, does that an a girl who’s still a virgin isn’t complete? But if she does have experience, then she’s no longer—”
Thud.
“—Ow… that hurt…”
Harutaki clutched his head and looked over, only to see Miyabi-senpai calmly returning the paperback she had just used to hit him into her bag.
“Seems Nogami-san was right.”
She released his hand and placed both hands on her hips, her cold gaze piercing straight into him.
“You really are a perverted dog.”
That icy expression, that frosty tone, that proud and aloof posture—
This version of Miyabi-senpai was amazing too.
“Please, give more.”
Hearing that, she let out a helpless sigh.
“Before I throw you onto the street like trash, Hoshikawa-kun, you’d better quickly decide where we’re going for this ‘date.’”
“Littering will get you fined by the police, you know.”
He joked, then asked more seriously:
“So, when it cos to date spots, do you have any preferences?”
“We’ll do whatever ordinary high school girls do.”
Ordinary high school girls, huh…
“Why are you so fixated on that? Wouldn’t it be better to just follow your own interests?”
“If you want to sit in a library and read with …”
Being with Miyabi-senpai, even doing nothing wouldn’t feel boring.
But before he could respond, she brought up sothing unexpectedly bittersweet—
“…After all, this is my final year as a high school girl.”
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