After seeing Shin off, Eriri also prepared to return to her room.
However, as she approached her door, she unexpectedly noticed what appeared to be a small puddle of liquid on the floor.
"Why is there water here...?"
Puzzled, Eriri crouched down to examine the damp spot. Then, almost instinctively, her thoughts drifted back to what she and Shin had just been doing.
Her face flushed red as she wondered if the liquid had accidentally dripped from her when she stepped out earlier.
It didn't occur to her that someone else might have left it—after all, the only people in the house at the time were herself, Shin, and her mother, Sayuri.
---
After leaving Eriri's home, Shin prepared to teleport back instantly.
But before heading back, he took out his phone and noticed several unread messages and missed calls.
During dinner with Eriri and Sayuri, he had set his phone to silent to avoid any interruptions.
For most people in this day and age, silencing their phone would mean missing important messages or even critical matters.
But Shin wasn't concerned—he had no boss or colleagues to answer to. If someone couldn't reach him, it was their problem, not his.
Still, when he saw who the messages were from, his expression turned slightly odd—they were all from Chika Fujiwara.
It seemed that while he was having dinner, Chika had called him multiple times. When he didn't answer, she bombarded him with texts.
The messages ranged from "Are you there?" to "Is something wrong?" and even "You're not having dinner with another girl, are you?"—like a jilted lover venting her frustrations.
Amused, Shin found a quiet street corner and called her back. She picked up immediately.
Chika's voice, dripping with resentment, came through the phone loud and clear:
"Shiiiiin... Why don't you ever reach out first?"
Of course she was upset. Just a few days ago, in front of Shinomiya Kaguya, she and Shin had engaged in a certain... educational demonstration regarding intimacy.
As a girl who idealized romance, Chika took such matters seriously—especially since it was her first time.
Back then, caught up in the moment and influenced by Shin and Hayasaka's teasing, she had awakened to some strange new interests. In the end, she had gone along with it half-reluctantly.
Truth be told, Chika herself had no prior experience, yet she had to act as a teaching aid for Kaguya, her peer. It had been quite the ordeal.
"You're usually so cheerful—I didn't think you'd be this bothered by it," Shin teased, though his tone wasn't unkind. He was sure she'd bounce back quickly.
"Besides, you seemed to be enjoying yourself back then. If anything, you were the more—"
"Aaaah! Stop talking!!"
Before he could finish, Chika shrieked in embarrassment, cutting him off.
His words had brought back vivid memories of that time—and indeed, as Shin said, despite her initial hesitation, she had quickly gotten into it.
Afterward, Hayasaka even made Kaguya share her thoughts on the experience. Kaguya's review? "Fujiwara-san's movements were... rather intense."
When Chika later heard this, she was so mortified she wanted to vanish into the ground. The next day at the student council, she couldn't even look Kaguya in the eye.
Fortunately, thanks to Hayasaka's smooth talking, Kaguya had somehow accepted Shin and Chika's demonstration.
So while Kaguya had sulked at Chika the next day, she quickly got over it—much to Chika's relief.
Thus, Chika's call today wasn't really to complain. She just genuinely wanted to talk to Shin more.
In that regard, she was far bolder than Kaguya—at least she had the courage to initiate contact.
As for Kaguya? Shin suspected she was still agonizing over whether to message him, probably even asking Hayasaka for advice.
---
"This weekend's coming up—are you free, Shin?"
After some small talk, Chika revealed her plan. Clearly, after-school dates weren't enough for her anymore.
"We could hang out, and then in the evening... my family wants to meet you."
"Meeting parents again so soon?"
The thought crossed Shin's mind—first Kato Megumi's parents, then Sayuri, and now Chika's family?
Still, he didn't refuse. His weekend was open, and meeting Chika's relatives wasn't a problem.
But he did catch her wording:
"When you say 'we,' do you mean just us two... or are Kaguya and Hayasaka included?"
"Ahem... Of course Kaguya's coming too. You are her fiancé, after all."
Chika coughed lightly, as if trying to sound nonchalant.
Hearing this, Shin understood—Chika had definitely developed some unusual interests thanks to Hayasaka's influence.
While she clearly cared for him, having Kaguya nearby seemed to excite her even more.
In short, she had awakened a kink for "wife-present offense."
"Alright, let's do Saturday. Should I tell Kaguya, or will you?"
Shin accepted the invitation and casually asked.
Chika thought for a moment before answering:
"You should tell her... I can tell Kaguya's really interested in you, so she'd be happy if you reached out."
Despite her newfound hobby, Chika still had Kaguya's best interests at heart.
She knew Kaguya would be thrilled if Shin contacted her directly—so she gave him the opportunity.
To be continued…