Chapter 118: No Such Thing as a Love Triangle
Kouya turned toward the voice and saw two beautiful girls—one tall, one short—standing not far away, both looking at him with pleasant surprise and a hint of affection that warmed the scene like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
It was Chiba Ruri and Chiba Hinata.
The shrine maiden was still wearing her signature red-and-white miko outfit. Her long black hair, soft and glossy like flowing silk, was tied back neatly with a red ribbon that fluttered gently in the breeze. Her demeanor was calm and elegant, like cherry blossoms drifting down on a quiet spring morning, exuding a sense of sacred grace and serenity that made those around her unconsciously lower their voices.
Chiba Hinata, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to her sister's tranquility. She wore a snow-white princess dress that matched the fluffy clouds above, topped off with a cute straw hat that tilted slightly as she moved. Her hairstyle mirrored her sister's, but her face carried a lively spark—the little fang showing from the corner of her lips added a mischievous charm that made her all the more adorable. Unlike her composed and gentle sister, Hinata's bright eyes and bouncy movements made her seem like a ball of pure joy.
And below that—she was wearing pristine white stockings that hugged her slender legs tightly!
There are many colors of stockings in the world, but the classics—white and black—never fade from fashion. Most schoolgirls go for black stockings since they look more seductive and, let's be honest, slimming. White stockings are risky. They reflect light and highlight every curve, every imperfection, and if your legs aren't perfectly shaped, the illusion can break fast.
After all, Japan's average height doesn't leave much room for leg-length illusions. If your thighs are thick, white stockings only make the issue stand out.
Like that blue-eyed baby dragon standing next to Kouya—adorable, yes, but not exactly graceful in the leg department.
But little Hinata was an exception. Her legs were a miracle—smooth, straight, and slender, with a delicate curve that shimmered under the soft sunlight. The contrast of her tender skin beneath those knee-high white stockings made her look like a porcelain doll come to life. It was the kind of sight that could make time slow down. One could almost believe she had been crafted purely to test human restraint.
Several boys passing by couldn't resist glancing over. Their gazes lingered shamelessly, and before long, whispers filled the air.
"Such beautiful sisters—one mature and one cute! It's unfair!"
"The older one looks like a goddess, but I don't know why… the little one's charm hits different."
"Same here. It's like she's from a painting!"
"I wanna hug her! She's too cute!"
"Lolis are humanity's eternal salvation!"
"…."
Shut up already!
Are you guys sure you're talking about the right person?! There's a tall, gorgeous shrine maiden right there, and you're all drooling over the flat-chested kid next to her?!
What's so great about lolis anyway?!
"Eh, are they your friends?" Gabriel asked lazily beside him, tilting her head.
"Friends?"
Kouya hesitated. Before he could answer, Hinata suddenly darted forward with the lightness of a sparrow, wrapping herself tightly around his arm. Her cheeks bloomed with a radiant smile.
"Kou-nii! I didn't think I'd meet you here! What a coincidence!"
"Yeah."
"Let's play that game again later, okay? But don't be so rough this time—it really hurt last time."
"…"
And just like that, the air froze solid.
Every girl around Kouya turned to him slowly. Their gazes, sharp enough to pierce steel, focused on him like a squad of executioners. If stares could kill, Kouya would have been reduced to ashes on the spot.
Gabriel: "I knew it. You're a full-blown hentai."
Raphiel: "Tch, figures. Scumbag-kun strikes again—already preying on little girls, huh?"
Rikka: "S-so scary~."
Hey! What kind of expressions are those?! I was just playing a fighting game! All I did was use my full strength! Isn't that what competitive gaming is about?!
"Hinata." Ruri's calm voice sliced through the awkward tension like a blade.
"Ehehe, Onee-sama…" Hinata stuck out her tongue, still looking utterly innocent.
"Don't say strange things."
"I didn't! I was just—ow ow ow!"
Hinata crouched down, clutching her head with both hands. "But Kou-nii was super rough in the game! I didn't lie!"
"So it was a game?" Vigne sighed in visible relief, pressing a hand to her chest.
What did you think it was?! Something that'd get me arrested for life?!
After giving her sister a firm scolding, Ruri turned toward the group with a polite bow. "Are you all Kou-kun's friends?" she asked softly.
"Tch, just classmates. Who'd be friends with this pervert?" Gabriel said, crossing her arms with disdain.
"Yeah!" Satania chimed in proudly, hand on hip. "He's just my subordinate, nothing more!"
Rikka raised her hand enthusiastically. "Kouya's a hero!"
"Sorry," Vigne said with a weary sigh. "We're classmates. Since Kouya had a membership card, we came to the hot springs together…"
Raphiel smiled sweetly, her golden eyes glimmering. "And you are…?"
"I'm a friend from Kou-kun's part-time job," Ruri replied smoothly, glancing at him with serene composure.
"Oh? Is that so, Kouya?" Raphiel leaned closer with a smile that was both gentle and terrifying. "Funny, I don't recall you mentioning that before…"
The temperature seemed to drop by a few degrees.
A strange chill filled the air as an unspoken pressure built around him.
Kouya fell silent. Then, with a subtle shrug, he chose to ignore it completely.
So what if I didn't mention it? Why do I owe anyone an explanation?
"Kouya, you have a part-time job?" Vigne asked curiously. For some reason, a faint, unfamiliar discomfort stirred in her chest. She shook her head, pushing it aside. "You always seem so free and lazy, though…"
As the conversation continued, the girls quickly hit it off. Before long, Kouya found himself entirely sidelined as the group of girls chatted and laughed without him.
"Miss Chiba, did you just arrive?" Vigne asked. "Have you booked a room yet?"
Ruri shook her head gracefully. "Not yet."
"Then, if you don't mind, come stay with us. The room's pretty big…" Vigne's words trailed off, her face flushing bright red as the memory of the pink-rose-themed master bedroom resurfaced.
Before she could backtrack, Ruri nodded gently. "Alright. Thank you for your kindness."
"By the way, have you eaten lunch yet?" Vigne asked.
Immediately, the little blue-eyed dragon's eyes sparkled like a night sky full of stars.
Hey! You're not thinking of going back for another meal, are you?! You'll scare people to death!
Ruri smiled faintly and shook her head. "No, we had some bread on the way here."
"I see. Then let's go."
The group made their way back to the villa, chatting lightly along the path.
"Kouya, we're heading to the backyard hot spring," Vigne said firmly, giving him a warning glance. "Please refrain from doing anything inappropriate."
Japanese hot springs don't allow clothes or swimsuits. Naturally, Gabriel, Vigne, and the other girls could all bathe together comfortably—but for Kouya, that meant total exclusion.
Raphiel smirked slyly. "You can peek if you want, Kouya. Just make sure we don't catch you. Otherwise…" She let the threat hang with a deceptively sweet smile.
Gabriel yawned, waving a hand lazily. "Try it and die."
"Not interested. Get lost," Kouya said dryly.
There was also a small indoor spring, but he had no desire to bathe. Instead, he slouched on the sofa, grabbed a book, and let the quiet fill the room.
"Kou-nii, what are you reading?" Hinata's voice came cheerfully as she skipped over, holding a chilled bottle of yogurt.
He looked up. "Why aren't you in the hot spring?"
"Because I was thirsty, so I came to get some milk~."
The little loli sipped her drink delicately, her cheeks puffing slightly as she swallowed. Her eyes darted around, ensuring no one else was nearby, before she leaned in and whispered conspiratorially:
"Kou-nii, what do you think of my sister?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know~ like whether she's pretty, kind, or cute!"
Kouya's eyebrow twitched.
"Why do you sound like you've rehearsed this a hundred times?!"
"Hmph, I'm not a kid!" Hinata puffed up her cheeks proudly. "There's this big bookstore near my way home. They've got all kinds of manga—even the fifteen-plus and eighteen-plus ones! My friend snuck me a peek once."
"Pfft—"
Kouya nearly spat out his drink all over the table.
No wonder she's so fluent in this nonsense—it's from those books!
That's nothing to brag about!
"What kind of friend lets you read that stuff?" he asked, frowning deeply.
"It's not like that!" she protested quickly. "Her big sister draws ecchi manga, okay? And I only saw one book!" Her cheeks flushed a bright pink as she realized what she'd just admitted, and she hurriedly waved her hands. "Anyway! Kou-nii, you should be more confident! Even if my sister's older, guys like mature women, right?"
"…"