/
Chapter 69: A Bittersweet Memory
“…Graduation ceremony, huh?”
The day had come for the third-year students, who were seniors to me, to graduate.
They were leaving this place today, and in about a month, I would also become a third-year student, marking the beginning of my final year as a high school student.
“It’s quite nostalgic.”
During my first year, nothing particularly changed, but in my second year, after the events of Halloween, I got to know them. Although one year had passed in the blink of an eye, I think those five months were truly rich and intense.
Well, it’s certain that these intense days will continue from now on too… Ah, I’m really looking forward to it. There will be happy days waiting for me.
“Well then, I should head back to the classroom soon.”
I have my belongings there, and I’m supposed to meet Arisa and Aina over there. I’ve already said goodbye to the seniors I was quite close to, so I don’t have any other businesses to finish.
“…?”
As I was about to return to the classroom, I saw a pair of a boy and a girl.
The girl seemed like a junior, but the boy was a graduating senior. It’s probably not right, but I approached them a little. Well, there are also people hiding and watching over them, so I guess it’s fine to do this much.
“Um, senior! I’ve liked you all this time!”
“I see. Thank you.”
“…Would you, by any chance, go out with me!? We won’t meet at school anymore, but I’d love to see you a lot in private!”
It felt like I was witnessing a sweet and sour page of youth.
However, the senior lowered his head apologetically to the girl who confessed with courage.
“I’m sorry, there’s someone I have feelings for.”
“…I see. I heard various things and knew, but I still wanted to tell you.”
…So, here and now, one love has come to an end.
It’s not about me, and I don’t know anything about that junior girl, but the end of love still brings a sense of loneliness. The girl shed tears, but no one can blame the senior.
I quickly left the scene and returned to the classroom. And there, Arisa had already come to the classroom with her bag.
“Oh, you’re early?”
“Yeah. I don’t have anything particular to do, so let’s go home?”
“Sure.”
Since I couldn’t see Aina, I asked, and it seems she made a casual promise to go shopping with her friends. For a moment, I thought if there was a guy with them, but then I realized how narrow-minded I was for even considering such a thing.
“It’s alright. I’ve said it before, but Aina would never do anything to make Hayato-kun misunderstand. Absolutely not. And of course, that goes for me too♪”
“…Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. I love Hayato-kun so much that I don’t even have time for jealousy. But being thought of that way is also proof of being loved, so it makes me happy.”
Jealousy is often called ugly… but when it comes to the person you love, it’s natural to feel a hint of jealousy. Well, when I think about it carefully, I strangely have a sense of security that it’s something that could never happen, especially with them.
“Arisa, come here.”
“Yeah.”
Arisa leaned closer, hugging me tightly.
Although we’re at school, I made sure there was no one around. Even so, we’ve been doing things like this quite often, so it feels a bit late now… but neither I nor Arisa, nor Aina, really mind it anymore.
“It’s not just about receiving, I also have to give back properly. From now on, and even until death, I want Arisa and the others to stay by my side.”
“…Yeah♪”
I placed my hand on her smiling cheek and moved my face closer. Arisa didn’t refuse; instead, she leaned in herself, and our lips met. …However, even though I was sure I had looked around, there was someone watching us, the only person present.
“…?”
Arisa didn’t notice because her back was turned, but a boy was looking at us with wide eyes. It was the senior… the one who had rejected the girl’s confession earlier.
“Mmm, Hayato-kun? No daydreaming while kissing, okay?”
“Huh!?”
While our tongues didn’t intertwine, it was still an intense kiss for a simple touch of lips. I really felt relieved that there was no one else around, but Arisa still hadn’t noticed the senior.
“…!?”
The senior averted his gaze from us and quickly walked away.
Feeling the sensation of Arisa’s lips and enveloped in her fragrance, I reflected on what had just happened. That senior, if I remember correctly, said he had someone he had feelings for and rejected the confession.
“…Ah, I see.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s nothing…”
That senior… maybe he had feelings for Arisa.
I have no confirmation, but I somehow feel like it could be true. He rejected the confession, and on the day of the graduation ceremony, I ended up doing something inconsiderate towards that senior… I pondered on it for a moment, but then I couldn’t bear the thought of letting go of Arisa, so I hugged her tightly.
“Arisa, I will never let you go. You will always be mine, Arisa.”
“…O-of course!”
A high-pitched voice, which didn’t suit Arisa’s dignified appearance, came out. If this were a manga world, hearts would probably be floating in her eyes because Arisa only sees me in her gaze.
“I belong only to Hayato-kun♪ For eternity, I will serve only you… Arisa is Hayato-kun’s exclusive slave, you know♪”
“…I feel awkward saying this after what you said, but we’re still at school, Arisa.”
“I don’t kno… I mean, I don’t know♪ Hey, Hayato-kun, let’s go home quickly, okay? Can I serve you a lot when we get home? Please command this Maid, Arisa, to do many things.”
Apparently, her switch has been turned on completely.
Once it reaches this point, Arisa won’t return to normal until she’s completely satisfied. I do think she’ll go back if I genuinely express my reluctance, but I would never reject them no matter what they show me.
“Understood. Let’s go home quickly.”
“Eeh!”
I left the school building with Arisa.
As usual, there were still many students who were reluctant to part with their seniors or taking pictures. We maneuvered through them and left the school behind.
“By the way, Hayato-kun, did you see something when we were kissing?”
“…Ah, you noticed?”
“I heard footsteps, but the kiss was more important than that.”
“I see.”
That’s just like Arisa… I honestly told her that I noticed the senior watching us and suggested that maybe he was concerned about Arisa.
“I see, so it was better than forcefully trying to take me away or unilaterally expressing their feelings. Well, even if that senior really was concerned about me, it’s a love that wouldn’t bear fruit anyway, so I think it’s fine.”
“You’re being straightforward.”
“I am saying it straightforwardly. No matter how good and sincere the other person may be, I can only love Hayato-kun. I can only have feelings for Hayato-kun. So, the one who is concerned about me is at fault.”
“I see.”
In a sense, there’s no place for them to attach themselves to.
Well, I should probably not worry too much about the senior either. It might be a somewhat callous way of thinking, but the happiness within my reach is more important than anything else.
Afterwards, as promised, when I returned home with Arisa… well, I intended to fulfill her desired play.
But there was one more person.
“Hehe, maid outfits are really something, aren’t they? So cute.”
“…Mom, seriously!!”
Sakuna-san, who had returned home earlier, joined in.
By the way, is she okay with that maid outfit? It’s quite tight around her chest… Oh.
“Ah.”
With a small sound, the neckline shifted… Well, let’s stop here.
However, even with that small mishap, Sakuna-san manages to make it look erotic. And so, until Aina returns, I will be taken care of by the two maids.