The cozy atmosphere of the ongoing picnic felt a bit insufficient to simply describe it as enjoyable.
After talking directly with Nagisa and getting permission from Hina to date me, it turned out we didn’t have a particularly bad rapport. In fact, considering our subtle exchanges, it would be fair to say we were quite close friends.
If Haruna and Nagisa were in the same place, there would probably be an odd tension lingering in the air, even if they didn’t show their claws like before. So, it was kind of bittersweet that Haruna voluntarily declared she would skip out on the agenda.
Even if it’s awkward to keep them apart, it’s not feasible to do that forever. As long as I’m determined to maintain the current relationship for a long time, improving the dynamic between the two is certainly necessary.
In that sense, they definitely have to spend time together.
If both sides firmly want to remain distant, I’ll respect that decision… but if not, I hope my lovers can at least develop a friendship strong enough to call each other friends.
“So, there was this moment when Aris-chan went ‘kyaaah!’ and…”
“She’s cute.”
“Right? When you see Aris-chan in person, she’s super cute. I bet Nagisa-chan would fall for her at first sight.”
“No, I mean you, Mika-san.”
“…”
While we were chatting away, I suddenly ran into a wall while sharing a not-so-important story from the day I met Rion and Aris.
I usually say cute a lot, but it felt like I hadn’t actually heard it that often.
Maybe that’s why my brain momentarily short-circuited. Uh, um.
So, is this how it feels to hear someone say you’re cute after always telling others they are?
And the one who kept saying it the most was right here—Hina!
“Definitely… I also agree that Mika was cute when she got all excited and started talking by herself.”
But Hina is looking at me and calling me cute too?
“Actually, that’s not the only time.”
“…I’ll say I agree with that too.”
“Um… I have no idea what you two are agreeing on.”
“It’s obvious, Mika-san. Do I really have to spell it out for you?”
“Uh, I don’t get it…?”
What the heck is this! Why are you two forming a connection and leaving me out of it?
“When we have sex.”
“…Huh?”
“Ugh…!”
“Please don’t make me say it twice in embarrassment.”
“…”
Nagi, come on. You can’t say that, especially not you—an image of a heavenly lady. Hanako wouldn’t directly mention something like that either…!
And Hina, why are you covering your mouth?
Are you laughing? You think it’s appropriate to laugh while your partner is getting sexually harassed?
“Mika’s unique ‘I’m so pretty and lovely, just staring at me? Come on over, quick!’ look is cute. Just a little teasing and she gets all fidgety—”
“That’s enough! Please stop! Nagisa-chan, why are you being so mischievous today? Even if there’re no people around!”
“This playful reaction is so cute. I think I understand a little why you used to tease me so much, Mika. Fufu.”
“…Ahaha.”
I don’t know which Mika you’re talking about, but it seems neither of them would have pulled pranks like this, Nagisa.
“Fufu… To be honest, I think the same as Nagisa. After all, begging the first person for such things is…”
“Um, I’m asking you both to be quiet. Yeah. Or I might make you quiet myself.”
“I’m all for it.”
“Me too.”
“No! I mean I’ll literally make you quiet physically?!”
“Mika-san, are you going to lay hands on me? No way.”
“…”
As if she couldn’t believe I would, Nagisa smiled calmly. But Hina seemed to notice something odd and closed her mouth.
Then she reached out, took my hand, and placed it on her cheek, leaning into it. The way she rubbed her cheek against my hand was so cute, like a playful kitten.
“Mika… I’ll give you one.”
“Okay, deal☆”
“Huh? What are you two suddenly… ugh?!”
Sorasaki Hina, you’re innocent. You are free.
Kirihouji Nagisa, guilty. You will pay the price.
“Um, Mika-san… even if there are no people around, doing this outdoors is a bit…!”
“…What? You naughty angel.”
With her shoulders pinned down, Nagisa’s eyes were wildly shaking. Her lost gaze darted around but seemed to hold a subtle hint of anticipation, or maybe that was just my imagination.
Kneeling with my knees on either side of Nagisa’s flat stomach, I slowly lowered my hands.
Over her shoulder, past her collarbone, and then… into her armpit.
“Mika-san, wait a moment.”
“Why are you anticipating this, Nagisa-chan? What was that you said… ‘Are you really going to touch me? No way.’? All I’m saying is, if you happen to get hurt, I’ll feel heartbroken. How could I ever hit or hurt you? No, I can’t lay a finger on my Nagisa-chan.”
“Let’s talk it out. I’m being too rude——”
“It’s too late, Nagisa-chan☆”
“Ugh, ugh… Kyaaah, ahh…! Mika-san, please, that’s too much…!”
Watching Nagisa squirm beneath me, Hina was looking relieved from the side.
Yeah, this is how you stay alive. Why couldn’t you be like Hina and pick up on things, Nagisa?
After three minutes of being thoroughly tormented in her sensitive area, Nagisa was drenched in sweat and utterly spent.
And that’s why even if I give Nagisa control, it always ends in a draw.
Our weak Nagisa-chan could really use some exercise. I even bought We Fit for her, and she hasn’t used it—that’s just rude…
“Mika, um…”
“Shh, Hina-chan. We’ve already come to an agreement, right? You don’t need to express your gratitude.”
“Actually, thinking about it again, it seems like I was the one who lost out on this deal.”
“…That was a special three minutes for Nagisa-chan.”
“What…?”
“Our Hina-chan is fearless. What kind of masochist negates their own deal?”
“Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that, Mika. Instead…”
Without a shred of fear, Hina brought up our deal again, glancing at Nagisa before placing her hand on my shoulder and planting a kiss on my lips. Then she stepped back instinctively, her cheeks flushed red.
“I hope this makes up for it…”
“Wow—oh.”
‘I mean, kissing is something you do because you want to. How can you ask for forgiveness with that?’ was what I should have said, but her last expression made it impossible to refuse.
I had to let that slide. No choice——
“Oh my~ the atmosphere is dripping with sweetness. Can I join in a little too~?!”
——What…?
Suddenly surprised, I couldn’t believe a blonde delinquent had popped out of nowhere.
“You guys are…?”
“We’re the street thugs of Hakgwiyaeng…”
“Please, just let us join in, okay?”
“Huh? You dare come at us without a gun—are you trying to defy us street thugs?!”
As the unexpected delinquent spoke, I and Hina hadn’t actually brought any guns. I left mine back at the lodging, and Hina’s was too big to drag along.
Having a gun during a date is a subtle minus, you know.
After all, in Kivotos, there are only a couple of people you can count on one hand who can line up using force, and whether or not there’s a gun doesn’t matter much.
“So, what brings you here?”
“What’s up with this guy? You totally sound like a rich brats~! Whatever, we have something straightforward to say. That spot you’re sitting in? We have it reserved!”
“…Reserved?”
“Yeah! This is the area our street thugs have registered to enjoy the festival~!”
Looks like a flimsy excuse, but we already had our fair share of fun here. It’d be better to just step aside.
“Oh, and that lady over there? I’d like for you to stay a while. Let’s have some fun together~! Hehe!”
“…Heueng?”
As the golden-haired thug pointed at Nagisa, I felt my lips curl up. So this guy isn’t just a blonde delinquent but also a complete jerk.
But, wow, he’s ballsy. Right in front of me, he’s talking that way about Nagisa?
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you smiling and acting all cocky? Get out of here!”
“Hey, Nagisa-chan. Let me borrow this for a moment☆”
I took the gun out from the holster on Nagisa’s side.
As I said earlier, Hina and I hadn’t brought any guns.
However, Nagisa usually carries a pistol, so there was no need for her to leave it behind.
So, I could straightforwardly borrow it and use it like this.
“What? Are you really going to take us on alone? Just you and that tiny little pistol? Ha, ha!”
“Oh, right. This gun is pretty small and cute. Yeah, I know.”
If Nagisa fired it, these punks would just feel a little sting.
But if I infused my magic into it, it’d be a different story.
“W-Wait…?!”
“This is a payback for Haruna-chan.”
Though she should know very well she brought this upon herself, she had made Haruna drop her snack that day.
This is about punishing her for ruining the good mood we had today too. You guys should understand. This disaster is of your own making.
So… yeah, what we’re looking at here is, what do you call it? Venting frustration, I guess?
