The gentle yet mischievous gaze of the adorable girl with whom I shared a deep bond left me no choice but to set my work aside for the moment.
"Hoshino, what is it?"
"Nothing at all∼ Sensei doesn't need to mind me, just keep working on the important stuff∼"
"You're the important stuff right now. And besides, I'm getting tired."
Saying so, I capped my pen and stretched. Then I suddenly frowned.
"Where's Shiroko?"
Judging from the feedback of my [Listener of the Wind] authority, the hallway was silent. Shiroko wasn't nearby.
Hoshino covered her mouth with a laugh, then rubbed the back of her head and stuck out her soft pink tongue with a shy yet smug expression.
"Ehehe∼ The annoying third wheel was sent away by this Oji-san here."
Calling her precious junior an annoying third wheel while she wasn't even present… What turned Hoshino into this?
Oh. Right. That would be me. Never mind then.
Still, something about her phrasing bothered me.
"Why didn't Shiroko come say goodbye before leaving?"
"Because you were busy," Hoshino replied calmly. "She hadn't finished her exercise plan for tonight. Since it looked like you wouldn't be free for a while, I told her to continue cycling until she hit her planned distance. Once she came back, you'd probably be done with work."
A reasonable explanation. Obedient as she was, Shiroko would definitely worry about disturbing me. And if she were persuaded by someone she trusted, leaving without informing me wasn't strange.
But still, Hoshino had used Shiroko's innocence for her own advantage. How cruel.
And then Hoshino pouted and complained at me.
"Sensei, listen! Shiroko kept telling this Oji-san not to disturb your work while she was away… Honestly! Do I look like that kind of person?"
Then what are you doing right now?
"Of course not," I said sincerely. "Anyway, come sit closer."
Since Shiroko wasn't here, there was no need to pretend anymore. There was space beside me. And space on me.
"No need∼"
Hoshino waved her small hand and rested her chin on both palms, looking at me gently.
"I said I wouldn't distract you. So just let me sit here in this special VIP seat, and watch you get serious. That's enough."
If that was what she wanted, I had to give her my best.
I nodded with a smile, took a sip of coffee, and focused on the mountain of paperwork.
Since I planned to visit Hyakkiyako before the Cherry Blossom Festival, I didn't intend to spend tonight relaxing. And though I could work remotely, efficiency dropped significantly, so it was better to sacrifice my leisure now and clear as much as possible.
Every so often, when I lifted my gaze, I met the eyes of someone who could perhaps already be called my lover. Despite her small stature and cute appearance, her expression held an ocean-like warmth that calmed me and filled me with endless strength.
Hoshino was affecting me, but in the best possible way.
Under this strange yet comforting atmosphere, my efficiency skyrocketed. By the time my coffee ran dry and only a few documents remained, I glanced at Hoshino again… and found her asleep on the desk.
Her breathing was soft and steady. Her long lashes fluttered faintly, and a faint smile remained on her face, as though she was having a pleasant dream.
I couldn't help but wonder if I appeared in her dream.
Maybe it was arrogant to think so. But after meeting me, with no need to bear the weight of protecting her school and kouhais alone, Hoshino had begun smiling from the heart more often.
For that alone, everything I had done was worth it. Her affection was worth receiving.
A deep tenderness rose in my chest.
Checking the time, I messaged Shiroko asking where she was. No reply. She was probably still cycling. I sent another message telling her to let me know she was safe as soon as she saw it.
Then I walked to Hoshino's side and, as gently as possible, lifted her sleeping form into my arms.
Perhaps exhausted after being dragged around by Shiroko, she slept deeply. She let out a soft whimper and continued purring like a kitten.
Gazing at her defenseless, beautiful sleeping face, I couldn't help smiling. Carrying her in a full princess hold, I moved slowly toward the living quarters.
Without turning on the bedroom light, I placed her carefully on the soft bed and pulled the blanket over her.
Sitting beside the bed, I watched her sleep. A quiet, warm feeling welled up inside, and I leaned down to press a soft goodnight kiss onto her smooth forehead.
At that moment,
A small click. And then my world turned bright.
"Sen…sei…?"
A shocked yet hesitant voice came from behind me. My entire body froze.
Like a puppet with a jammed joint, I sat upright stiffly and turned my head.
My gaze met Shiroko's.
Her expression was calm as always, but her wolf ears drooped lifelessly.
Caught in bed for the first time in my life. No experience, no mental preparation. My mind blanked out. I forced an awkward smile.
Shiroko stepped closer and lowered her voice.
"Sensei, you and Hoshino-senpai… what were you doing?"
Her calmness felt like a lifeline.
She didn't turn and leave. She didn't raise her voice and wake Hoshino.
There was still room to explain.
I exhaled in relief and quickly stood up, holding her hand.
"Shiroko, let's talk somewhere else first, okay?"
Surely my gentle, obedient Shiroko wouldn't refuse such a small request,
"No."
Her answer shocked me.
She lifted her face stubbornly.
"We can talk here."
My expression stiffened.
"Shiroko, be good. Talking here will wake Hoshino."
"Then let her wake up."
Her voice rose slightly, and her blue eyes locked onto me with sharp intensity, making my head throb.
If it were just Shiroko and me, I could coax her. But with Hoshino asleep nearby… who knew what could happen?
And what if Hoshino woke up halfway?
Cornered, afraid of upsetting Shiroko into waking Hoshino on purpose, I reluctantly nodded.
"Alright. We'll talk here."
Hoshino, please stay asleep…
"Sensei." Shiroko gripped my hand tightly. "Are you and Hoshino-senpai already in that kind of relationship?"
I fell silent.
I could make up a lie. Shiroko would believe me no matter how flimsy it was.
But…
Would that be right?
It was the best option strategically. If I told her the truth, she might be disappointed. She might leave.
Just imagining that pain made it hard to breathe.
Rationally, I should lie for her sake. For everyone's happiness.
But I couldn't.
My feelings for Shiroko, and Shiroko's feelings for me, were real. Something real couldn't be built on a lie.
I had chosen this path. The thorny, merciless path ahead would force me to face scenes like this again and again. Would I rely on lies every time?
That would be a betrayal of our feelings.
My mind became clear.
A lie could soften a blow, but not on something like this.
If someone wanted to leave me, then I would chase her with everything I had until she returned.
That was my path.
A man who would one day stand at the top of Kivotos could not build a harem on lies.
My heart felt light. My resolve firm.
I held Shiroko's hand to my chest, letting her feel my heartbeat.
"Yes. Hoshino and I have done it. But I love you too, Shiroko."
Maybe she would break my hand free. Maybe slap me before leaving.
If that was the price, I would take it.
To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.
Shiroko's lips parted. Her cheeks reddened. Her breathing quickened.
She was clearly angry,
Huh?
Before I could process it, something heavy hit my chest. My world flipped. I fell onto the soft bed.
Thank goodness Hoshino happened to roll over in her sleep or I would have landed on her.
As I pushed myself up, something soft sat on me.
Shiroko.
Her gaze was burning.
"I don't believe you."
"Huh?"
"So prove it."
She leaned down. Her hair brushed my face, tickling lightly.
Her warm breath hit my skin as she whispered.
"Please do to me what you did with Hoshino-senpai."
"...Hah?"
My confident composure shattered instantly.
Wasn't this progressing a bit too fast?
In another situation, I might not refuse. Even if I did, deep down I would hope for it, like with Hoshino.
But now? With Hoshino sleeping right beside us?
"Wait, Hoshino is... Shiroko, your hand, where are you touching?!"
Shiroko was already fumbling all over me.
"Hoshino-senpai touched you. Why can't I? You're lying to me!"
I struggled but couldn't break free.
"I'm not lying, Let's move to the guest room. What if Hoshino wakes up?!"
"She won't. Hoshino-senpai sleeps like a rock at school. Unless you scream into her ear, she won't wake."
"That's… exaggerated…"
I recalled Abydos and felt she wasn't completely wrong.
"Anyway, don't worry about that."
"Wait wait wait! Even ignoring the location, isn't this too fast? Shiroko, I'm literally cheating on multiple people! Aren't you angry?!"
To prevent disaster, I even started insulting myself.
"It's okay. I believe you."
Shiroko awkwardly undid the buttons on my shirt.
"It must have been Hoshino-senpai who seduced you. After all, she did something so improper to you. And despite being the senpai, her body is like a child's, with no feminine charm at all. She can only use shameful methods, "
"What is wrong with you?!"
A furious voice exploded beside us.
Hoshino sprang up, glaring at Shiroko.
"With you mumbling nonstop, who could stay asleep?! And who are you calling a pig! Those lines weren't in the plan! You're just taking the chance to insult me!"
Shiroko hugged me tightly.
"I didn't say anything wrong. It's all true. Hoshino-senpai, you thieving cat."
"Th… thieving cat?!" Hoshino jerked, scandalized. "Don't forget who helped you plan this! Who acted with you! You ungrateful wolf who bites the hand that feeds you!"
"I would have succeeded without you. I came first. You intruded. So anything you're doing now is just atonement."
"What?! You dare say that! I spoiled you too much, now look at you!"
"Didn't Hoshino-senpai teach me how to rebel against my elders? With practical demonstrations?"
"You...! White-eyed wolf!"
"Thieving cat."
"White-eyed wolf!!"
"Thieving cat!!"
And thus, the unbreakable alliance shattered.
"Ladies," I said calmly as they descended into an elementary-school-level argument, "Would one of you explain what exactly this plan was?"
Both froze instantly.
I gently pushed Shiroko off me, sat up, looked at the awkwardly grinning Hoshino, then at the averted Shiroko. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.
All the earlier strange details finally connected.
The biggest one,
If Shiroko had really left to continue cycling, as Hoshino claimed…
How did she reenter Schale without a key or system authorization, and without triggering any alarms?
Which meant from the beginning, I had been inside their plan.
From making me think Shiroko was gone, to Hoshino's sudden deep sleep, to Shiroko "catching" me with Hoshino…
I understood everything.
This… was a Kivotos-style honey trap.
I smiled peacefully.
"In any case, girls… are you prepared to die and come back to life?"
Hoshino went pale. Shiroko tilted her head in confusion.
I opened the drawer filled with holsters, and stared at the two beauties.
"Forget sleeping tonight."
Hoshino swallowed hard. Her legs trembled. Shiroko still didn't understand.
"…But first, I'm taking a shower."
Leaving those words behind, I walked steadily out of the master bedroom.
And headed straight to the office,
I forgot my Shittim Chest.
Arona! Show me your limits!
Give me protection!