After teaching Iori what a gentleman’s agreement is, I went to Yuika’s room.

“Now…”

Today was another day, I had to be vigilant here.
Regardless of the content of the letter, it was quite a feat for the reclusive Yuika to contact her brother.

I don’t know what kind of trouble will await me after I open this door.
I made up my mind and knocked.

“Yuika, I’m here.”
“Ah. Umm… please enter.”

The first thing to do when opening the door was to be wary of King Arthur. I enter the room, shifting my balance to the side so that I can avoid her at any time. But I successfully entered the room. Next, I have to watch out for the mysterious legendary assassin. I close the door while preparing to catch the flamethrower so that I can be attacked at any time.

But those precautions were not necessary.
Because Yuika was not in her pajamas.

“O-oh…”

I couldn’t help but let out a squeal of admiration.
It seemed that today was not a day for a troublesome Yuika, but a day for a hospitable Yuika.

Her black hair was braided.
On top of that, she was wearing a women’s white shirt with a cardigan over her shoulders. The skirt was long, reaching to her ankles.

At first glance, her outfit may look plain, but that’s the beautiful Kisaragi Yuika.
The restraint of her outfit makes her innate beauty stand out. In addition, her F-cup pushed up her shirt and cardigan, embodying the miraculous balance of eroticism that comes from being plain.

If I had to describe today’s Yuika in one word, it would be… Osanazuma.
It’s cute. It’s just pure cuteness. I want to take her home with me. But she’s a recluse, so I can’t.
Just as I was taking a break from my Yuika Sommelier mode, Yuika opened her mouth.
[TLN: Osanazuma = young wife. Osana for childhood, so could be childhood wife.]

“Well, are you done looking?”
“Yes, I enjoyed it.”
“I’m not going to ask you what you enjoyed, but… greetings.”

Greetings…? When I tilted my head to the side, Yuika said.

While she put her fingers together in front.
Tilted her head in a cute way.
And shaking the braid a little.

“I’m glad you’re here again today. Welcome, umm…… Souta-san.”
“San?”

My heart was shot out of my chest with a thud.
It’s a foul thing to be called “san” when she’s like an Osanazuma right now. It’s straight-up heartbreaking.

After all, it’s a thud, a thud. If I were Grandma Elena of the Joesters, I’d have to rinse my mouth out with muddy water. Yeah, I don’t even know what I’m saying!
[TLN: JOJO I believe.]

“Wha-what’s going, this is a little sudden… no, it’s just that Yuika is always so abrupt. You’re a little different from maid and miko-san, isn’t it?”

“Ah, umm. The thing is.”

Shyly squirming, she fiddled with the braid with her fingertips.
Oh, I loved the way she fiddles with her braid, dang it!
Yuika said, glancing over at me.

“After yesterday’s conversation with Souta, I also had some thoughts about it. …. I decided to treat you like this today.”
“I’m sorry. But yesterday’s conversation…?”
“Yeah…”
“So, Osanazuma?”
“Osana-zuma…”

As I looked at her, I could see that her cheeks were getting redder.
In fact, she held her own cheeks and sneezed.

“Don’t say it so clearly. Souta-san no baka.”
“Mu…”

I don’t know why I fall in love with her calling me ‘san’ even though it’s just an honorific!
No, wait. It’s not right for a person to be attracted to someone like this. I’m afraid I’ll develop a strange hobby!

… But did anything happen in yesterday’s conversation that would make Yuika dress up as a Osanazuma?
I don’t know. I feel like I’ve gone full circle and become the dense protagonist.

“You look confused…”

I-I’m sorry.
The squatting Yuika looked up at me with a frown.
I’ll get teased for my denseness. I have to fool her somehow.

“Umm, Yuika-san.”
“What is it, Souta-san?”
“… The mature tone of voice is so charming. I can’t get enough of ‘san.’ Anyway, can I make a request? Since you’re dressed like that.”
“Request? You’re welcome to, but what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to say that thing.”

Yuika moaned shyly and said, “…uhm”
It’s just a short statement but she instantly understand, as expected of a childhood friend.
And I love how she does it even though she’s embarrassed.

She stood up and stretched out the wrinkles in her skirt, and coughed.
She struck a pose again, fiddling with her braid, and glanced at me.
And then.

“Welcome back… Anata!”
[TLN: Anata = Dear, what a wife calls a husband.]

Squeak squeak!
I was shot through with a destructive force that far exceeded my expectations. There was one word that is even more dangerous than “san,” and that is “Anata.”

Yuika tilted her head to the left, shaking her braid.

“Do you want dinner?”

Then tilted to the right side.

“Want to take a bath?”

For a moment, she hesitated, embarrassed.

“Or…”

She put her fingers on her lips, her cheeks turning bright red.
She looked up at me, it was so sweet.

 

“… Me?”

 

She whispered.
I’m dead. My reason is dead.

“… Of course, you—!”
“Kyaa!”

Sorry, I found myself in a lupine dive of feelings.