Time really flies by like an arrow. Personally, I find one part of this idol business quite lovely: it helps lovers, who can’t spend time together due to distance, to connect.
Thinking back, Rion’s initial concern about personal relationships within the group—specifically, my romance with Hina—seems laughable now. I’m in a relationship with not just one, but three girls! Seriously, there’s nothing more to say.
At this point, anyone would assume I’ve formed an harem group to satisfy my personal desires.
Anyway, as time has passed, March 14th has arrived.
Since White Day originated in Japan, it exists in Kivotos as well. The customary gimmick is still there; guys give sweets to the girls they like. But among the female students, it feels more like a day to strengthen friendships.
Honestly, taking care of everyone until White Day felt a bit over the top, so I decided to give each of the girls I’m dating a set of macarons and call it a day.
However, regardless of my intentions, the pile of White Day gifts I received was literally a mountain, leading to a situation that felt eerily similar to Valentine’s Day.
I didn’t give gifts, but watching everyone desperately try to pamper me made my conscience ache like crazy.
Among the gifts, there was also one from the teacher. It was a simple cookie set, probably a thank you for the chocolate I gave her on Valentine’s Day.
In the past, I would have made a fuss about not giving up my love story, but after spending time in Abydos, I realized I didn’t need to be wary of this person.
Despite her insane logic and personality that could make anyone suspicious, I felt reassured by her commitment to the roles of educator and student.
So, I decided to quietly send my heartfelt sympathy to the unfortunate students who would inevitably fall in love with our teacher.
Among the sweets and candies I received, I picked out the ones that looked good for savoring at home. I happily brought this haul back home only to be met with…
“Hey, Kirihouji Nagisa? What’s that you’ve got in your hands?”
“Oh, welcome!”
“No, no, now’s not the time for a purely cheerful expression! What’s in your hand…”
“This? I chose something I thought Misono Mika would like. Do you think she’ll like it?”
“…”
A white collar… a choker…?
From the looks of it, it seemed more like a choker, but it was designed to attach a leash.
Right, a leash. There’s no way Nagisa would have ordered that to wear herself…
“Kirihouji, that seems a bit too extreme, don’t you think? Maybe we should stick to something more… um, love-love? You know what I mean? How about we try to practice a platonically affectionate relationship where we can exchange feelings?”
“Fufu, your tongue seems to have gotten longer all of a sudden…? How cute.”
Gone was the pure smile, replaced by a sultry grin as Nagisa looked down at me. She pointed to the floor right in front of her.
“Mika, you like this kind of stuff, right? The thrill of letting go of one’s pride and slipping away from the norm is something you would enjoy, wouldn’t it… My words aren’t wrong, are they?”
“Yup, completely wrong! Who enjoys that stuff? I’m not some hopeless pervert!”
“Are you going to come over, or should I go to you?”
“I’ll come… but can I at least drop this off first?”
“Nope! Just bring it over quickly and then tidy up later.”
“Huh… Nagisa, I feel like you’ve changed a bit too much lately.”
“Yes, I’m aware. It’s all thanks to someone somewhere.”
Ugh. It’s not like there’s nothing I could say about that…
Bang.
I set my collection down next to the hallway. Nagisa’s laughter grew strangely more intense when she heard the noise.
Slowly, I knelt down in front of Nagisa. And then I started my defense.
“Nagisa, honestly blaming everything on me feels a bit unfair… I mean, I was perfectly normal before. It’s your influence that led to this situation, so shouldn’t I be the one with something to say?”
“Fufu. And…?”
Nagisa’s attitude urged me to go on. I shivered at the involuntary response—was this the so-called conditioned fear?
Was Nagisa—?
Wait, is this even abuse? Even if it’s something consensual, it could totally be seen as abuse…
“…Back then, you were too harsh on me. When you called out my poor kissing skills, do you even know how much my fragile heart was hurt? You never considered how I felt being at your mercy.”
“Keep going.”
“…I’m sorry. Please forgive me just this once.”
“Fufu… Why are you switching gears and suddenly apologizing? Go on, don’t stop now.”
Ah. I should have just kept my mouth shut.
That was the clever shout of my reason. But my body seemed to think otherwise.
Without being noticed by Nagisa, I rubbed my thighs gently and clenched the hem of my clothes. This should make it look like I’m just enduring my shame. Probably.
“Should I lick your toes…?”
“Mika, honestly, I’d rather not see that. It wouldn’t make me feel comfortable.”
“I see… More importantly, I’m just dying because everyone’s trying to pamper me because of you. It’s honestly torturous.”
“So it’s a delicious kind of torture, then? Got it.”
“No, that’s not what I meant! I’m being serious here!”
“I’m sure it’s not a joke. None of us can overpower you, Mika, so we have to find a way to gain an advantage, right? I’m glad your tastes lean that way.”
“Lean that way? That’s rude. It’s not like I’m completely like that.”
“Fine. I’ll say you’re half-leaning that way.”
“Ugh… I miss the old Nagisa.”
“What was I like back then?”
Nagisa, whose playful atmosphere vanished, leaned in with an intriguing expression.
“I miss how you blushed brightly with every compliment, how shy you got just holding hands, and that adorable awkwardness right after our first kiss when you couldn’t even look me in the eye…”
“…Why would you think I’m different now?”
“Huh?”
“Even now, when you compliment me by saying I’m pretty, my heart races inside. When you hold my hand, the warmth of your touch makes me so happy, and as for kissing…”
Nagisa paused for a moment, then broke into a shy smile. Carefully, she got down on her knees in front of me.
“Back then… both Mika and I were just starting out and everything felt new. Now, we’ve reached a stage where we can face our love boldly. It’s not that we’ve gotten bored or dull, but… We’ve learned to savor the emotions that come with those acts. That’s what I think.”
“Kirihouji…”
“Yes, Mika?”
“Honestly, I might be a bit reckless in my feelings.”
“A bit?”
“…More like quite reckless. But still, I love you the most, Nagisa. Deep down, I wish I could keep it a secret from the others. But it seems everyone already knows.”
“If those girls have any sense of shame, they shouldn’t complain about that. They should know how I feel allowing this to happen with them…”
“Haha…”
“Ugh. Enough of that. This is just going to be exhausting for me. I love you a lot too, Mika. Unlike you, I’m still in love with only you… and I’ll keep loving you from now on.”
“…It hurts, Nagisa.”
“Say that again? I want you to feel just a fraction of the pain I’ve had.”
With that, Nagisa embraced me, wrapping her wings around us.
It was a warmth that could only be experienced in Nagisa’s arms.
Seriously, how can Nagisa speak so beautifully? Sometimes, I genuinely believe she’s like a saint…
Although she tends to be sincere with everyone, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not enough with Nagisa. I always feel this mix of gratitude and guilt.
Maybe that’s why…
“Hey, Kirihouji. What are you doing?”
“…”
“Nagisa…?”
Without a word, Nagisa pulled away from me, lifting her hand to stroke my cheek. In her hand was the leash attached to the choker around my neck.
…The one connected to my collar.
“How are you feeling right now, Mika?”
“…Completely strange. Not great.”
“Honestly tell me… I don’t want to do something you genuinely hate. Really.”
But before I knew it, my mouth shut tightly, despite my urge to ask her to let me go. I felt a heat in my lower belly and crossed my legs slowly.
At this point, Nagisa must have sensed it too.
“Honestly, I don’t hate it… that much.”
“Glad to hear that. Then, this…?”
Nagisa pulled lightly on the leash. It felt like a signal pulling me toward her.
“Yeah… I guess it’s not too bad.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah… Ugh. Mmm.”
With a tug on the leash, Nagisa pressed her lips against mine. Perhaps it was the other way around.
My mind went blank. The smacking sounds of our lips tangled together drowned out all other thoughts.
When I regained my senses, I found Nagisa sprawled on the floor. For some reason, I, who was connected by the leash, was in a position where I towered over her.
Nagisa pulled the leash again, and her lips moved.
I found myself deep in pleasure without even having time to consider who was in the lead.
Come here.
That was what Nagisa’s lips seemed to say.
