Sitting on Yukino's bed, Kotomi glanced around Yukino Yukinoshita's bedroom. There were no flashy decorations that a typical high school girl might like. The Hello Kitty plush placed on the bookshelf—rather than something to cuddle like a little girl would—looked more like a display piece.
The apartment Yukino Yukinoshita rented had an overall minimalist style.
Kotomi Izumi really liked this style of décor. She didn't like overly colorful, flashy designs, nor was she like some girls who filled their rooms with stuffed dolls. Everyone had their own preferences. For Kotomi, instead of dolls, she preferred figures. Keeping the room simple left more space for bookshelves, a computer desk, and peripherals.
"Yukino's room… if nothing else, these two bookshelves are really huge." Kotomi glanced at the shelves and let out a small laugh. They were so big she even wanted to touch them, just to see if there might be some kind of hidden mechanism.
Wasn't that how it always went in movies? The protagonist or villain would have bookshelves filled with books. In an emergency, they'd press a spot on the shelf, and with the sound of gears grinding and a heavy door sliding open, the shelf would become a secret passage leading to a hidden base.
The shelves were filled with books—Japanese ones, as well as many untranslated classics of foreign literature. Yukino's foreign language skills were excellent. She almost always scored full marks in English exams, and the books she read most often were untranslated ones.
Kotomi could also understand them, so sometimes she would deliberately borrow books from Yukino, asking her to recommend something she liked.
When she got them, Kotomi really did read them. After finishing, she could discuss them with Yukino at length. Once she figured out what Yukino liked, Kotomi even tried recommending books back to her. Using books as the connection, their relationship gradually developed.
In fact, whether it's good friends or lifelong partners, the first meeting is often nothing dramatic. Just a simple greeting, and over time, you come to understand what kind of person the other is. Gradually, you're drawn to them and become friends.
And after becoming friends, maybe by chance, or through many moments, you discover countless things about them that attract you and leave an imprint on your heart. Fortunately, while they're attracting you, you're attracting them too. From there, friends can become lovers.
That's how feelings work. At first, they're plain and ordinary. After years together, they surge like waves.
Actually, if not for the system granting her the ability to study, Kotomi wouldn't even be able to read the covers of these books, let alone their contents.
Kotomi was able to quickly close the distance with Yukino Yukinoshita thanks to Kazumi.
The reason Yukino had so many books wasn't to show off—she had read them all.
She had read far more than anyone could imagine. Even the two large bookshelves here, plus the ones outside the bedroom, weren't enough. There were cardboard boxes stacked against the walls, all full of books she had already finished.
Just as Kotomi stood by the shelves browsing idly, the door opened. Yukino Yukinoshita entered, saw Kotomi awake, and simply asked:
"Are you hungry?"
"Yeah…" Kotomi nodded, then scratched her hair with an awkward smile. "Sorry, Yukino, for troubling you. I don't know what happened earlier. I was sitting on the sofa, then I heard such a beautiful piano melody… my mood and mind relaxed without me realizing it, and I just fell asleep."
"It's fine. But at this time of night, you probably can't go buy soy sauce anymore," Yukino replied calmly.
"Eh?" Kotomi looked at Yukino Yukinoshita in confusion. Glancing outside the window by chance, she finally understood—she had slept from afternoon until night. Judging from the sky, it was probably already late at night.
There was no clock in the bedroom, so Kotomi couldn't tell the time. Her phone… well, it had run out of battery.
Fortunately, she had brought along her power bank and charging cable. Even if the power bank didn't have much charge left, she could use one of Yukino's outlets.
"What time is it now?" Kotomi asked.
"Eight in the evening. If your family usually eats dinner early, they've probably already finished."
"Ah…"
Kotomi let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, before coming to Yukino's place, she had sent her mom a text. Aimi must have already bought the soy sauce in her place.
What a reliable little sister!
Still, since she hadn't gone home this late, she'd have to call while heading back.
"Yukino, it's getting late. I should head home now. You should rest early. See you tomorrow at school."
Seeing Kotomi getting ready to leave, Yukino sighed softly. "I forgot to mention—my windows are soundproof. With the curtains drawn, you probably didn't notice the weather outside."
"Hm?" Kotomi, halfway into her coat, looked at her in puzzlement.
Without further explanation, Yukino walked over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. Even without opening it, Kotomi immediately understood what was going on outside.
It was raining.
Pouring.
No—it was a downpour.
The sky had been so clear during the day, yet suddenly at night a heavy storm had covered Chiba City in misty rain. It looked like it would last the entire night.
It might even still be raining come morning.
"I forgot to check the forecast yesterday," Kotomi said helplessly.
"Even if you had, even if you brought an umbrella today, in a storm like this, it would be useless. It's dangerous even to drive in weather like this. I just checked the forecast—it'll rain until midnight. If you don't mind, you can stay over at my place tonight."
"Mind? After hearing that, the storm isn't even on my mind anymore. I was just thinking: what luck! Then I'll trouble you tonight!" Kotomi replied with a radiant smile, bold and without the slightest hint of shyness.
Her cheer made Yukino momentarily at a loss. She quickly averted her gaze and changed the subject. "I was waiting for you to wake up, so I haven't eaten yet. It's later than usual, but eight isn't too bad. I'll make dinner—you can sit and relax."
"I'll help too."
With the storm raging outside, she couldn't go home tonight anyway. Staying over meant she couldn't just sit around idly while Yukino cooked. It wasn't like she was here as a guest.
"No need."
"Yes need! I cook really well. My grandma says my cooking alone is enough to guarantee I'll get married." Kotomi said matter-of-factly, casually repeating her grandmother's words.
Sometimes Kotomi could be a bit silly, like now—completely unaware that saying such a thing directly to Yukino would make her overthink.
Yukino's eyes widened slightly, lips parting as if to say something. But she didn't know how. She was afraid of misinterpreting the hidden meaning in Kotomi's words.
Unable to resist Kotomi's persistence, Yukino eventually gave in and let her join in making dinner.
Of course, before cooking, Kotomi plugged in her phone, turned it on, and called home.
"Mom."
"It's pouring outside. Don't tell me you're planning to stay at Yukino's again tonight?"
"That's exactly it. We got so absorbed in music practice that I lost track of time. Isn't there a saying? When two people resonate through music in the same space, it's like threads weaving together by Cupid's hand, pulling two hearts closer and closer…"
"Huh? Kotomi, from the way you're describing it… don't tell me you actually slept with Yukino?" Akina Izumi suddenly interrupted in shock.
"Of course not!"
One moment, Kotomi had been quoting poetic lines from a book. The next, her mother's blunt words made her lose all composure. Her face turned red as she hurriedly denied it.
I, Kotomi Izumi, pride myself on honesty! If I didn't do something, I absolutely won't admit to it! she swore silently in her heart.
"Alright, I understand. With rain this heavy, even if you wanted to come back, I'd tell you to stay there. But tomorrow is Monday, and you don't have your uniform, do you? Will the school even let you in without it?"
Akina Izumi asked, essentially agreeing to Kotomi staying at Yukino's place, though she felt a little helpless. Just how many girls was her daughter close with?
"Don't worry about the uniform. I've gotten first place in the entire school twice in a row, and first place in all of Tokyo too. Even if I stopped wearing the uniform altogether, the school wouldn't say anything~" Kotomi said casually. She wasn't wrong—when your grades are outstanding enough, schools silently grant you certain privileges.
"Alright then. Have dinner with Yukino and rest early. And Yukino isn't your wife, so when she's cooking, remember to lend a hand. Don't just sit on the sofa waiting to be fed." Akina reminded her.
Mom, why does that sound so weird? But I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong… Kotomi thought.
"Oh right, did Aimi buy the soy sauce?"
"She bought it already."
"What a reliable little sister I have~" Kotomi sighed in relief.
After hanging up, she turned and went to the kitchen to help Yukino with dinner.
But Kotomi didn't yet know that her reliable little sister Aimi, when she went out in the afternoon to buy soy sauce, happened to run into Megumi Kato…
...
Afternoon.
Though the sky had been clear in the morning, by afternoon it had already turned heavy and oppressive.
Feeling it might rain soon, Aimi quickened her pace toward the supermarket.
"Eh? Aimi? Good afternoon~"
That extremely annoying voice.
Aimi Izumi frowned slightly, her cute brows knitting together. Why did she always run into this hateful woman, Megumi Kato?! Still, she had to stay polite—after all, it wasn't time yet to completely fall out with her. With a reluctant pout, she turned and muttered:
"Oh, hi."
Seeing Aimi's sour little expression and hearing her cold greeting, Megumi only chuckled softly. To her, Aimi was nothing more than a child. Who would seriously argue with a kid?
Besides, Aimi was her future little sister-in-law. Of course she had to find ways to build a good relationship.
"Heading out now—are you going to buy snacks?" Megumi asked warmly, ignoring Aimi's cold attitude.
"I'm going to buy soy sauce."
"Pfft—"
Megumi swore she hadn't meant to laugh, but hearing Aimi mutter about buying soy sauce made her burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" Aimi snapped, annoyed. At this distance, of course she could hear it.
Someone's mad, but I won't say who.
"Nothing. I just thought—you're so obedient and thoughtful. Your sister must often tell people, 'I have such a good little sister.'" Megumi said, barely suppressing her smile.
The moment Aimi heard praise, she couldn't help but puff up with pride—even if it came from the person she hated most, Megumi Kato.
Hands on her hips, Aimi looked smug. "Of course! My sister's favorite person is me! No one can replace me in her heart—especially not you!"
"Mhm, mhm." Megumi didn't argue, just smiled gently and nodded, as though agreeing.
Seeing this, Aimi grew even more smug.
Seizing the moment, Megumi pressed on, "So, Aimi, is your sister at home right now?"
"My sister? Nope. She left really early this morning and hasn't come back yet." Aimi answered casually.
Megumi's expression faltered. She had always thought Kotomi had stayed home all day. Kotomi had told her she'd be watching anime at home, and even when Megumi asked her in the morning, that's what she had said.
So why was Aimi saying Kotomi had gone out early in the morning?
"Your sister went out so early… where did she go?"
"She went to karaoke with Yui Yuigahama."
"Yui… Yuigahama?" Megumi Kato's face slowly darkened.
"Yeah. Originally, my sister and Yui were supposed to finish singing by the afternoon. But for some reason, after that my sister went over to Yukino's house. She still hasn't come home yet, so my mom asked me to go buy the soy sauce instead. Normally, it should've been my sister who bought it on her way back."
Aimi shrugged, but when she glanced at Megumi again, she suddenly felt a chill crawl up her spine. Was it just her imagination? In that brief instant when their eyes met, she thought she saw ice-cold hostility in Megumi's gaze!
But in the next second, that coldness vanished. Megumi once again put on a warm smile. "So that's how it is… hehe, I understand. Thanks for telling me, Aimi. It's getting late, and there might be a big storm tonight. Hurry up and buy the soy sauce, then go home early. Don't be like your sister, staying out so late without… coming… back."
Her tone was calm, yet when she reached the end, it carried a disturbingly sharp edge—like teeth clenched in a sickly obsession.
"S-see you."
Megumi's tone and expression looked no different from usual, but for some reason, they filled Aimi with fear.
Megumi walked straight away. She had originally planned to just buy some snacks and go home, but now she changed her mind. Suddenly, she felt like there were so many things she still needed to buy~
Megumi thought she was sometimes far too gentle. That was why everyone kept trying to steal Kotomi away from her. Even Kotomi herself had learned to lie to her.
The thing she could never forgive—was Kotomi lying to her.
After parting with Aimi and walking some distance, Megumi rubbed her cheeks. The anger in her eyes hadn't faded, only been buried deep inside. In an impossibly soft voice, she whispered to herself like a girl in love, as if cradling the cold body of her beloved and murmuring sweet nothings into her ear:
"Little Penguin is being naughty. But it's fine. I'll make sure you become obedient again… absolutely."
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