Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.
Ā
\n
<b>*****</b>
The next day, Mai properly came to school with her hair tied up into a ponytail. I quickly sent her a message through SNS to invite her out.
After she received my message, she looked at me with glimmering eyes. Receiving that gaze full of expectation, I tried my best to keep my composed expression.
It's not like I did something weird. It's normal for best friends to visit each othersā houses!
\n
<b>**</b>
<b>\n</b>
Seeing a super darling getting nervous is really fascinating.
"Here is my room, a perfectly normal one without anything usual, an ordinary commoner's room. Please don't hesitate and come in."
From the door, an extreme beauty came inside and looked around. Seeing Mai acting like a little girl feels really refreshing...
"Aa, excuse me for intruding. Hm, somehow it feels like that. Really, like that. This room feels like Renako's room, the atmosphere, and the mood."
Hearing that awkward statement, I let out a laugh.
My room is really different from the girl's bedroom from the magazine. Both the curtain and the carpet are plain, the bedcover is nothing special. I don't even use any tissue cover. This room is like me, it keeps up appearances but thereās a void inside.
The only thing that makes my room different to any other room is this television and game console. Also, these game discs inside my aluminum racks, and these special music CDs I bought for the sake of getting hand-shake tickets with my favorite idols.
I heard that showing your room means baring what's inside your head. These games make up most of my life, so...
"And I am...Amaori Renako who has gaming as her hobby."
I bashfully did my self-introduction. It's been two months since I last did that.
If it's Mai, she won't be repelled by my hobby, is what I thought, but if she reacts with "Games? Are you a middle school boy? Lame." and get repulsed, I might cry.
In fact, she reacted normally.
She's looking around with a lot of interest.
"Yes, I see. Your hobby fits you well. I've never done this before, but I am curious. Will you show me how to do it?"
This side of her, when she naturally tries to understand my interests, it makes my chest tighten. Mai, you are a good fellow....
"I-it's alright...if we're gonna play, it's better if we play together. You already came here after all, what do you think?"
For now, sheās still puzzled about where she should sit so she keeps standing in the middle of my room. I put out the cushion and gesture for her to take a seat. While still confused, she sits right beside me.
"But, just like what I said earlier I have zero experience."
I swing the controller toward her hands, during this moment our fingers brush each other, but it's not like my heart is pounding faster. Because right now we are best friends. It's really not!
"It's okay, no problem. This game is easy so you will master it in no time."
I add another remark.
"You don't have to hold back like that, we are best friends, right?"
I smile at her. Mai who keeps glancing around and looks nervous since earlier is looking at me and nods her head. Her cheeks are getting redder.
Ugh. As I thought she's so different today. She's too defenseless, and too honest!
She has a nice face, that's why when she's showing her admirable and adorable side just a little, it has a huge effect on others...I proceed to turn on the console and try to start the conversation.
"W-well then, let's do a zombie shooting game. Ah, I've never done this with someone else before, I always wanted to try this!"\n"Not even once?"\n"Nope. Because this is my first time inviting my friend into my room. Because if I suddenly say something like āI like to shoot zombiesā, everyone would get weirded out, right?"\n"Is it? I think everyone will gladly accept it though."\n"If you were the one who said it, they might be...But that's not how it works for me..."\n"Fumu, but because of that I ended up receiving your first time, it's an honor."\n"Stop using weird phrasing!"
I lead her inside the game and we proceed nicely. I keep supporting Mai while taking turns between defense and offense. I'm doing my best to keep controlling my territory's condition during this operation.
When I'm glancing at her, Mai looks very serious. Somehow I feel the warmth inside my chest.
This is, friends...playing games together, talking about hobbies...a relationship without any unnecessary troubles.Ā
Aah, this is...this is what I always longed for...this relaxing mood...
"Not that way, Mai! This way, this way! There is new ammo over here so it's okay to just toss that one. Ah the zombie is coming from your right!" \n"Aa, I got it. Leave this one to me. Fuu, I heard voices from somewhere. I think there are still a lot left?"
She's getting better at this in such a short time. It irked me a little but I'm happy I have a partner who I can trust to watch my back.
The two of us who are engrossed with our game are being noisy without having to mind about anything. Stuff like reading the mood, I don't have to do that because it's unnecessary right now.
Aah, as I thought, being friends is the best. A relationship more than this is impossible.
Talking with others during school is lovely, but...doing this at home is the best!
The stuff we are doing right now, which is shooting and killing the zombies with a grotesque visual, is not something we can show to other people, though!
"Hey hey, what do you think of your first gaming experience?"
I ask Mai, who sits beside me, and look at her. At the same time, she also turns her head and we end up looking at each other.
I panic a bit when I realize how close her face is.
Right now she's far closer than at yesterday's pool. In this distance when we can feel each other's warmth, I forcefully change the mood between us.
"Well well, now go to the next stage!"
If I'm not doing this, I have a feeling that I will be engulfed in something I don't really understand.
"Yes. Let's go."
Mai also fixes her position and looks at the screen once again. I secretly let out a breath of relief. I feel like Mai can see through the current turmoil inside my heart so I tried to fool her by deliberately moving around my stick.
Today is a really enjoyable day for me, that's why I believe that Mai also feels the same and understands the greatness of being best friends.
The event that would happen next week might have been the result of this slacking attitude of mine!
\n
***
\n
Monday, at school.
I received a message from Mai who has her hair down for today, I see, she's in her lovers mode.
[I enjoyed my first experience with the game last time, is it alright if I go to your house again today?]
I'm lost. If I let her inside my house when she's in her lovers mode....
I can't really reject anyone so I automatically replied to her message with a simple [It's alright!]. After that, I threw my body lazily on my desk. Even though I'm the one who agreed, I can't help but think of myself as a huge pushover.
When the lunch break started, Ajisai-san came to my desk and started the conversation.
"Rena-chan, you sure look troubled since earlier."
Looking at her fluffy eyelashes that look like dandelions and the pureness of her eyes, I'm getting flustered and dodge her question.
"Nah, it's just, I'm thinking about my errand today."
My words won't get through if I phrased it like that, let's change it a bit.
"I wonder what I should do about studying because my friend just invited me to hang out today."\n"If it were me, I'd choose to hang out, I think. Studying can be done after that."
Just looking at her angelic smile while answering my question I feel like getting a massage on my whole body. My outward appearance is crumbling.
That's right, let's just play around! My mood has completely changed. Ajisai-san's words have the same weight as an angel's revelation after all!
"I understand! Well then, I will hang out for today!"\n"How fun, what are you going to do?"
It sounds like a harmless question, but I only manage to smile while shutting my mouth. What if I told her the truth. Let's imagine it a bit.
[We're gonna play a game where we shoot zombiesā heads. The moment they get hit, the spinal fluid will scatter around! It feels really good, you see!]
While Ajisai-san folds her arms on her chest, she will look down on me with eyes full of disgust and coldly answers:
[Eww. Gross.]
It's only my own imagination but I want to cry already.
Ajisai-san is very good at handling people at the level where I wonder if itās really possible for a person this gentle to exist. I won't be surprised if she has a hidden dark side.Ā
What the heck, me.
"Eerrr...we are going to my home, and then, err, rolling around together!"
I answered it like it's a normal thing to do, Ajisai-san keeps her usual smile and answers with an excited voice.
"Eeeh? You roll around with your friends? What is that, sounds interesting."
I can't dirty that holy smile behind those hands. I vow to myself that I will protect this secret. After that, I sent a message to Mai.
[Please take care of me!]
Remembering Mai's nervousness the last time she came, I'm sure that everything will be okay. Yep. It's just us two playing games together and having fun. I can't wait!
\n
**
\n
On a loversā day, we exited the classroom at different times and met up after that, is what she suggested. I don't really understand why sheād do that so I just went along with it.
Right now we are inside the train, my house is four stations away from our school. It seems like I'm not as nervous as before when I'm alone with her like this. It might be that I got used to her after we spent a lot of time together last week.
But, there's an unpredictable event happening right now. Right in front of my house, we meet my mother who just came home from her part-time job.
When we saw each other, we stopped our steps and the air turned into a weird situation. Besides, my mother is stupefied since she saw someone behind me.
"Err, my friend."
Mai smoothly changes her expression, as expected from [Miss Perfect], she quickly bows her head in a really graceful manner. It reminds me of Kaho-chan who will do the same to borrow other studentsā homework.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Oozuka Mai. I feel honored to be regarded as Renako-san's schoolmate."
Huh, I can smell the mellow scent of roses from her.Ā
That greeting scored 100, a perfect score. No, wait, it amounted to 5000 points. (The 4900 is the bonus because she has a crazy gorgeous appearance). My mother who received her wonderful greeting still looks confused, it's natural since she's just an ordinary citizen like me.
"Aa, um...err...yes. I will leave Renako in your care...?"
Please don't.
"Yes, of course."
She smiles brightly just like a protector of the earth that vowed to maintain the world's peace. With that elegant smile, she turns her gaze on me.
Ah, that's right. This is so sudden that I'm getting taken aback by the whole situation.
"Yes, um, Mai is my friend and she came to play. Actually she came once last week too but you weren't home."\n"I feel ashamed to greet you late like this."\n"Ah, n-no it's okay, it's not something that major...Uhh, Renako, is she really your friend? Not some royals who went incognito or something?"\n"That's..."
Today, she let her hair down, so technically speaking she's not a friend...
Mai smiled meaningfully while looking at me, and once again, "I have a very fulfilling relationship with Renako-san."
She said it. She really said it.
Hearing that ambiguous reply, of course my mother really didnāt get the real meaning behind Mai's word. My mother tilted her neck a little since she doesn't understand why Mai would say something to that extent considering the differences between me and Mai. But I don't really care because right now I pay attention to my nape that feels feverish since earlier.
I feel like I just escaped from the overheated stove while taking off my shoes. I keep a proper distance from her so she couldn't see my face.
"I will play games with Mai now, so you don't have to come, Mom!"
From my back, I hear Mai's crisp voice, "Well then, I'll be imposing your house for a while. You sure have a wonderful mother, Renako."
After we went into my room, I tried to calm down. I sweated a lot just in that short amount of time.
"What were you thinking? Saying stuff like that to my mother!?"\n"What are you talking about? It's a truth that we are schoolmates that we have a fulfilling relationship, right? Or could it be that you interpret it in a different way?"
Her smile looks like an iron fortress. Ugh, this difference in power is so overwhelming...She acts so different since the last time....
"Well, it's okay...But remember that I invited you into my room not for any other purpose. Today, we are only going to play games, okay?"\n"Of course, I also intended to do so. I really enjoyed our time as best friends back then. That's why I believe that doing it as lovers will be much more enjoyable."
She swayed her beautiful hair, her scent has filled this room in an instant. Just like a stimulant, her scent is scattering around that it bothers me a little.
I should brace myself since the enemy is inside my room, right in front of me....
"...The last time you came, were you pretending to lower my guard?"\n"No, I was really nervous back then."\n"Then, won't you also get nervous for today? No, please do!"\n"I really want to grant my cute girlfriend's request, but I can master something after having experienced it for once. Also, I'm excited because today I come as your lover."\n"I see..."
I can't really say anything.
I placed myself a bit further compared to last time, but I can't shake off this feeling of getting caged together with some carnivorous animal.
Mai calmly sits right before the game console and picks the game. I tried to be indifferent both with her and the situation, but when I saw her from behind and looked at her hip swaying right and left, I felt like....
Wait. What am I thinking! She's a girl!
While I struggle with an unexpected disturbance, Mai casually turns her body around while holding a game disc.
"Would you like to play this one? Rather than team play, this one looks more interesting as a PvP match."
Her gaze looks like she's provoking me. With an unknown tension, it stirs my motivation.
Mai puts up an alluring expression. While licking her own lips, she's looking at my direction. It's like she's tasting me with that eyes, what a lewd person.
Grrr.
"...It's okay, let's do it."
Even though we are friends, I still need to experience defeating Oozuka Mai. It doesn't have to be related to something inside the school. What I want is something that can make us equals so we can be proper best friends. The relationship where we trust each other without being too calculating.
Also, I want to make her experience the feel of defeat.
"I really get it. Let's hurry and do this!"
Well, considering this game is something she never played before (and last week was her first gaming experience), rejecting her suggestion is too cowardly even for me! But that can't be helped! Because it is Oozuka Mai, she might be able to beat me out of nowhere! That's not gonna happen though!
But that's okay, even though the opponent is a first-timer, victory is still victory.
When I'm getting fired up, Mai keeps raising the condition.
"Then, let's do something more lovers-like, for example, the one who wins this game will have her wish granted by the loser. What do you think?"\n"Eh, impo-..."
I almost said 'impossible' out of habit, but I shut my mouth.
She just wants to shake up the situation by messing with my mind. Just look at that grin. If I reject her challenge, she will insist on doing it another time with something more well-prepared.Ā
"O-okay then, let's do that."\n"Fufu, this is why I think you are a lovely person, Renako"
Ignoring my poutiness, Mai proceeds to insert the battle game disc into the console.Ā
I personally think that this game is a really difficult one. I was getting frustrated and stopped playing it after one month of focusing on PvP matches. Even then, compared to Mai who only knows how the game works, I wouldn't get defeated.
"Then, it's a win if one of us manages to secure 5 wins. Do you need any practicing time?"\n"No, it's okay. In exchange, how about making it into my victory when I manage to score a single win over you?"\n"I won't give you any upper hand. You have a crazy amount of luck in you, it won't be surprising if you get an accidental win."\n"Is it? That's cold. Well, okay then. Granting my cute girlfriend's selfishness is also one way to express my overflowing love for you."
She laughs with a lot of confidence. I bet even if she ends up losing, she will only laugh calmly while saying, "As expected, you are very strong, Renako."
And with this, the match where I definitely should win has begun.
\n
\n
I ended up with 3 wins and 5 loses.
What the heck.
\n
"It's my victory."
W-why...? I still get dumbfounded by the situation. After I managed to recover, I turned my head and glared at Mai.
"...You said that you never touched a game before."
She looked back at me with a firm gaze,Ā
"I would never lie to you."\n"B-but-"
Mai keeps looking at me and smiles. I understand that she told the truth. If she hadnāt right now, she would have ended up losing my trust in her, and Mai would never do something like that.
I know it well, but still, how!?
Mai puffs up her chest with an annoying triumphant look.
"That day after I went home, I quickly bought a console for myself and did special training. I wanted to surprise you, how was it? Were you surprised?"\n"I ended up getting dumbfounded though! You played during Saturday and Sunday and are already at this level? Are you a genius or what?!"
During our battle, I already thought about that small possibility! But I would never imagine that in just two days she could have seized a complete victory over me like this!
"I didn't really have the time to practice defense, so I chose to keep pushing with the offense and focused on practicing combo attacks. I thought with this I would manage somehow, but Renako was way too cautious!"\n"Damn. This Miss Perfect! This overpowered woman!"
She completely shattered my pride as a gamer.
I hit the floor dramatically. During this, I saw her knee that was covered by her tights and for a moment I thought of biting her out of frustration. I'm not doing that though.
As if it wasnāt enough, she adds more pressure on me.
"Well then, it's my victory. You will grant one thing I wish for, right?"
It's not like she's guilty by having special training for the last two days, but I can't help feeling like a failure when she defeats me so easily and snatches away such a victory from me like that...
"Uuu....ā\n"Right, Renako?"\n"We did promise that...."
But...whatever she wished for...whatever...
"You can't ask something too unreasonable, okay!? My mother is downstairs!"
She laughs happily.
".............................Of course, I understand. This is only part of the game after all."\n"Wasn't that interval too long!?"\n"If things go well, I will ask you later for sure."\n"...If I hadn't stopped you, what kind of things would you have made me do!?"
She looks a bit embarrassed.
What.
"I want you to bear our child."\n"You don't have the right shaft for doing that!"
Amaori Renako, 16 years old. Virgin. I never thought that the day I would scream something like that would have come.
"Anyway, you intended to make a huge change in my life by a mere punishment game!?"\n"I want to let you know that my love for you is so deep that it makes me want to touch you, I want you to understand."\n"Lies! You said you will go for it if things go well!"\n"How is it, are you getting excited now?"\n"The more I understand the scarier it sounds! Just like the longer I stare into the abyss the more fearful I become!"
I protect my own body by hugging it inside my own arms and distance myself from Mai.
Even though it's my own room, I have nowhere to escape.
Mai lets out a sound of clearing her own throat.
"I was joking. I won't decide on something so important with a game. I will properly make you choose me by your own will, and it will happen."\n"Please don't say it like it's already been decided..."
To prove that being best friends is better than lovers, I should make sure to crush that overconfidence of hers, it's dejecting.
"Well then, what kind of wish do you have?"\n"Let's see, it's infinite."\n"Infinite."\n"But if I should pick one, I think this one is good."
Mai picked a paper from her bag. She already prepared this beforehand. Mai opened the paper with a victorious spirit. Inside the paper there are beautifully written letters.
\n
[I want to hug Renako]
Just like holding a proof of her win over a lawsuit, she shows it with a face full of triumph. I look at her with my eyes half-closed.
"Somehow...it's just too normal it feels fishy...."\n"I see. As I thought you won't get satisfied at this degree. Don't worry, I already prepared something more thrilling that you can enjoy. For example, your breastsć¼"\n"Aaa! It's okay! A hug is perfectly okay! I will do it!"
Mai, who in the middle of taking her second paper, stops her movement and looks at me with glimmering eyes.
"Really? I see, I'm happy. There's also a choice to force you into doing this, but as expected, having your consent is the most important thing so I don't need to cross that boundary."\n"Aaa...okay...."
I accepted my fate and prepared myself. Just like the kiss on top of my nose back then, this time itās something like a hug...
"Then, please open your arms."\n"Aye aye."
I resigned myself to the situation and opened my arms just like a scare-crow. With a serious expression, Mai came closer.
Of course having that perfectly carved face right in front of me is making my heart throbbing uncontrollably. This is a normal reaction, I'm not wrong.
But even though she messed around about pushing down and stuff earlier, now she's showing a very earnest face...A beauty who recognizes her own beauty is really a troublesome being.
"Well then, excuse me."\n"Y-yeah."
Slowly, just like treating a delicate object, she enveloped my body with her own.
Up until now, I never did something like this with others than family, this feels foreign.
I don't really know what I should do, it's just, even though my fingers are tense, I feel like this feels relaxing at the same time. It's a weird feeling.
"Renako."\n"..."
Her voice is echoing inside my ear, it reminds me again that right now I'm between her arms. On top of that, she's not an ordinary person. She's someone who has each second of her life valued tremendously.
Compared to me, I feel like I'm no one important. But when I realized that right now I'm monopolizing her precious time, my back is shivering.
"Renako, I like you."\n"I, I know...If it's that..."
Right now at this moment, I'm the only one inside her mind.
My temperature is the only one she feels.
"I really like you, Renako. I always wanted to do this."\n"I-isn't this too long?"\n"Squeeeeeze."\n"Guh."
If she keeps pushing my body with hers like this, she might be able to hear my heart beat, it worries me. When I'm thinking that she might know, it makes my face get hotter.
No, I didn't mean it as something strange. No matter who my partner is, if I got passionately hugged like this, of course I would get nervous. Ah, I already used this excuse earlier.
Her personality aside, Mai is a gorgeous person, her beauty is on a level where it becomes unbelievable. It feels ridiculous getting jealous over her extraordinary appearance, Mai is that kind of person.
"H, hey, Mai."
I timidly raise my voice, she gently answers me with a soft voice, "What is it?"Ā
It sounds like she's very content with this situation where she's hugging a girl she likes.
That's why I can't help but ask her this.
\n
"...Mai, could it be that...you were serious when you said that you like me?"
\n
She pushes my shoulders. Our eyes meet. With a huge disbelief on her face her eyes open widely.
It's like she's getting sprayed by water from a hose right into her face.
She utters,
"You realized it just now!?!?!?"
Hearing my very insensitive question, even the super darling would receive huge damage, is what her face says.
\n
<b>*****</b>
<b>\n</b>
For more detailed info about the novel, clickĀ here
<b>Credit:\nTL and everything else: Meatbun\nProofread: Mai88</b>