Chapter 10
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One of my dreams has come true! It’s all thanks to you all!
I pushed myself up from the sofa and sat back properly. Beside me, Tora-ga was sitting there, and in front of us, Ki-kun—who had somehow recovered from Tora-ga’s kick—was now sitting in formal seiza, bowing and apologizing to me.
What even is this situation…?
No matter how many times I looked, it was definitely Ki-kun. And since he’d introduced himself earlier, there was no doubt it was really him. My head filled with question marks, and I ended up asking him to please stop apologizing.
“Actually, I only got into the house on the condition that I wouldn’t wake you up,” he said.
“…I see.”
“I honestly didn’t think you’d wake up the moment I saw you.”
“I’m… really sorry about that.”
“Don’t apologize. Tora-ga will kill me.”
Unlike his usual soft, gentle tone, his voice when he said “don’t apologize” was clear and firm. He held both hands out in front of him like a stop gesture, watching Tora-ga carefully from the corner of his eye with a serious expression.
When I glanced at Tora-ga beside me, he was glaring down at Ki-kun with his arms crossed, looking absolutely intimidating.
Even when he’s angry, he looks amazing… seriously, Tora-ga is just too good-looking. Every emotion he has is beautiful… as expected of my ultimate favorite. Though, I’d rather not see his “anger” or “sadness” too often. I know it’s beautiful, but I don’t want Tora-ga to be upset… still, even his angry face is kind of ridiculously attractive… I love him…
While I was quietly admiring him, Tora-ga spoke, still wearing that sharp expression.
“Isn’t this enough? Just go home.”
At his words, Ki-kun pretended to think deeply, then firmly said, “Nope.”
The moment he said that, Tora-ga stood up. Ki-kun immediately retreated out of reach, and Tora-ga clicked his tongue before sitting back down again.
“Come on, Tora-ga. This is the first time I’ve seen you bring a girl home. Of course I’m curious.”
“Go home.”
“Sorry, but I can’t leave when things are this interesting… Also, wow, women’s intuition is something else. Just like Mashiro-chan and Reika-chan said.”
“Shut up.”
“Yep yep.”
The sudden mention of female names made my heart jump.
Mashiro… that’s the heroine’s name. Hanamiya Mashiro. I didn’t know about Reika, but just from the name she sounds like another beautiful girl.
…So they were talking about me?
A strange nausea spread in my chest, like heartburn.
I don’t like hearing about other girls…
I pushed those thoughts deep down and looked at Ki-kun again.
Despite Tora-ga’s intimidation, Ki-kun only smiled and brushed it off. It was hard to believe he was the same person who had just taken a kick and been wary a moment ago. He’s strong… maybe he’s used to this as Tora-ga’s childhood friend? Still, that kick definitely sounded painful. There was a pretty nasty, dull impact…
Ki-kun, who plays the “seductive type” in KimiHaru, casually brushed his long bangs behind his ear mid-conversation.
In that moment, his charm seemed to rise even more. That simple piercing suits him well.
With a practiced, woman-attracting smile and a relaxed attitude, Ki-kun shifted his gaze back to me and smiled softly.
(…Ah, this is Ki-kun with low affection.)
I thought that instinctively.
It was the kind of smile he used when approaching a girl in the game. He understands he’s attractive—and he uses it.
The higher his affection level, the more childish his smile becomes. When he grins with his teeth showing, he looks more cute than cool.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
His voice was gentle, almost like he was speaking to a lover. Normally, any woman would fall for that instantly.
Even I used to think in the game: Is he really that attractive? But now, seeing him in reality, I could understand—his gestures, tone, everything was calculated to appeal to women.
But I didn’t answer him.
Instead, I glanced at Tora-ga.
Our eyes met immediately, and he gave a subtle shake of his head.
Don’t say it.
Got it, boss.
I nodded once, then looked back at Ki-kun and formed an “X” with my index finger near my mouth.
Seeing that, Ki-kun raised one eyebrow.
“…Huh.”
Then he turned toward Tora-ga.
“Hey, isn’t your possessiveness a little too much? You could at least tell me her name.”
Her.
That word made me speak before Tora-ga could respond.
“We’re not dating.”
I raised my hand slightly as I said it.
I answered immediately for one reason: I didn’t want to hear Tora-ga deny it first.
Not that we were dating anyway—but I didn’t want to hear it from him.
At my words, Ki-kun’s eyes widened.
“You’re really not dating? Even though you’re borrowing his clothes?”
“Yes. We’re not dating.”
“Then what, friends with benefits?”
“We don’t have that kind of relationship.”
He nodded slowly, then turned to Tora-ga.
“Hey, are you being blackmailed or something?”
“Like hell I am.”
“Then why? None of this makes sense.”
“None of your business.”
“Harsh. I’m still your childhood friend, you know?”
“So what.”
Their conversation continued as if I wasn’t even there.
Left out, I leaned back into the sofa, listening.
Sitting upright was starting to hurt again. No position was comfortable, but lying down was at least a bit better. Trying not to disturb them, I curled up in the corner of the sofa and tried to ease the pain.
Suddenly, a hand gently rested on my back.
I turned slightly and saw Tora-ga leaning over me.
“This is still rough, huh.”
He lifted me carefully, laid me down, and covered me with the blanket again.
But this time, he positioned me so I was facing him instead of the armrest.
His thighs were right in front of my face…
Lower body hell, upper body paradise—I felt like I’d died and gone somewhere impossible. His muscular thighs… even through his clothes, I could feel it… it hurts how much I like it…
“Never seen Tora-ga be this nice to a girl before…” Ki-kun muttered, stepping closer but still out of reach.
He tilted his head, studying me.
He definitely thinks I’m plain.
He definitely thinks, why is he with a girl like this?
Shut up! I’m just a mob character! I’m not cute like Mashiro-chan!
“Why… no, what’s up with her?” Ki-kun started, then changed his words mid-sentence.
“What’s up…” I wondered what he was going to say. Why are you being nice to a girl like this? Or maybe why aren’t you sleeping with her?
Tora-ga stayed silent.
Ki-kun seemed to understand something and murmured, “Ah… that day, huh.”
Yeah. That day.
Men should also experience one week a month of unbearable pain and bleeding… except Tora-ga.
“…Want me to rub your stomach?”
“I’m fine.”
I answered immediately.
Sorry, Ki-kun. I only want Tora-ga to touch me…
Still, it’s fine. Just looking at Tora-ga eases the pain…
When I looked up at him again, the pain really did feel like it was fading.
Is Tora-ga made of painkillers or something?
My heart was pounding so hard it hurt more than the cramps.
Ki-kun watched us again and tilted his head.
“Did you fall for me or something?”
At that moment, I felt Tora-ga react beside me.
That sweet voice… that handsome face… yes, I get it, he’s attractive. But sorry.
I went completely blank.
A dead fish stare.
“Not even a little,” I said flatly.
Sorry, that just slipped out.
But honestly… compared to Tora-ga being right next to me, nothing else registers.
Ki-kun blinked. “…Huh?”
Tora-ga suddenly laughed.
I turned to him.
He was smiling at me.
Cute. I love him.
It hit me again—this overwhelming feeling every time I look at him. Like I can’t breathe properly.
“Cute… I love you…”
The words slipped out naturally, as always.
Tora-ga accepted them like it was normal.
I love him. I really do. No matter how many times I say it, it keeps overflowing.
Then Ki-kun muttered, stunned, “No way…”
“I think I just saw you smile for the first time.”
“Yeah?”
“You always look pissed off. …Wait, does she actually like you?”
“I like him!”
I jumped in without thinking.
Ki-kun looked between us, completely lost.
“I really don’t get your relationship…”
“I like Tora-ga and he lets me stay by his side,” I said.
Ki-kun stared at me like I was some rare animal.
“So you’re okay with unrequited love?”
“Yes.”
The moment I said it, something sharp pierced my chest—but I didn’t show it.
Tora-ga finally spoke, cutting through the air.
“Ki, go home already.”
His expression had changed back—serious, slightly irritated.
“Fine, fine. I got what I needed anyway.”
And just like that, Ki-kun left, as quickly as he had come.
Silence returned, as if a storm had passed.
I stayed on the sofa, thinking about what he said.
Mashiro… Reika… those names again.
What are they planning? Why do I feel uneasy?
A cold sweat ran down my back.
I curled up under the blanket, hiding in a small world of my own, trying not to think—just focusing on Tora-ga.
Tora-ga stayed out for a while.
I felt lonely.
About five minutes later, the door opened again.
“I’m back. Sorry, was talking with Ki.”
“It’s okay… I’m the one who should apologize. I’m sorry for coming today…”
“No. You did nothing wrong.”
He cut me off immediately.
“I should probably head home…”
I tried to sit up.
But the next moment—
Warmth.
Something wrapped around me.
Black filled the edge of my vision.
It took a second to realize.
He was hugging me.
My heart felt like it would explode.
I hesitantly wrapped my arms around his back—carefully, timidly.
Every small movement of his fingers made my heart jump.
“This is worse than the pain…”
“Are you leaving already?”
“…Is it okay if I stay a little longer?”
“Yeah.”
He let go of me and laid me down again.
“You’re not as energetic as usual.”
“…My cramps hurt.”
He placed his hand gently over my stomach.
“Piii—!”
“What kind of sound is that.”
He laughed softly.
And I was so happy he smiled…
“…If you don’t mind, please do whatever you like,” I said.
“Then this is fine.”
“Honestly speaking… I’m kind of happy when you touch my stomach because I worry about… um… fat showing, but also I want you to stop…”
“Too late.”
“Don’t play with people’s stomach!”
He laughed again.
And I thought… if his smile stays, maybe it’s okay.
Even if it hurts.
But there was one more reason I wanted him to stop touching me.
For a split second, I imagined it—
Me and Tora-ga married.
A child between us.
Such a ridiculous fantasy.
Reality and dreams.
The gap between them made my chest ache.
But still, I smiled.
Because he was smiling too.
