After talking for a while longer, the two walked out of the alley. Chihaya Anon opened her phone and chose a well-rated family restaurant to try out with Kitahara Makoto.
After dinner.
The two went to the bookstore together to choose the special manga they would read tonight.
"Welcome."
Walking into the bookstore, the staff behind the cashier immediately bowed in greeting, their smiling service living up to its reputation.
Chihaya Anon hugged Kitahara Makoto's arm, her pretty face flushed, and whispered:
"How about we just forget it... and just buy two regular manga?"
"Tsk~"
Kitahara Makoto lightly clicked his tongue:
"Is Anon trying to run away at the last minute?"
"No way!" Chihaya Anon couldn't help but glare at him, "Coming here so seriously to buy that kind of manga, don't you, perverted Kitahara, feel ashamed?"
"Sorry, not at all."
Kitahara Makoto replied righteously.
The first step to becoming a social person is to abandon useless self-esteem and shame.
It's just a restricted manga, there's nothing to be ashamed of.
"That's because pervert Kitahara has too thick a skin; I'm not like him," Chihaya Anon muttered quietly, "We're not even adults yet, buying this kind of manga, won't the cashier stop us?"
"Rest assured," Kitahara Makoto replied in a low voice, "The cashier will definitely not ask a single extra question; she will only smile and seal the manga to protect our privacy."
Japan's law does indeed stipulate that minors are not allowed to buy special manga, but a law on paper needs people to enforce it.
This law is like the one about minors not being allowed to drink alcohol; everyone knows about it, but not many people actually follow it—most cashiers are part-timers earning hourly wages, and they'd be crazy to meddle in other people's business.
In fact, if you want to buy restricted manga, you don't need to go to a specialized bookstore; you can buy them at any convenience store on the street, although the selection in bookstores is more comprehensive and extensive.
Kitahara Makoto and Anon simply browsed around the outer section for a while, buying a few magazines and manga that interested them; after all, since they were already there, besides the explicit ones, they could also buy some regular manga.
After making their selections, the two walked further inside and soon saw rows of manga and magazines, and even DVDs, special items, and so on… In short, everything imaginable.
"Hurry up and choose," Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed slightly as she urged softly, "Let's go home early after we buy them."
Kitahara Makoto said righteously:
"This is the first time I'm buying manga with Anon, so of course, I have to choose carefully."
"Pfft~"
Chihaya Anon couldn't help but let out a soft snort, her face flushed as she glared at him:
"What if we run into classmates or friends?"
Kitahara Makoto said indifferently:
"If you run into friends in a place like this, you'd definitely pretend not to know each other, right?"
Chihaya Anon: "..."
Thinking about it carefully, if she encountered a friend in a special area, she would indeed pretend to be a stranger.
"How about this one?"
Kitahara Makoto's gaze swept across, and he casually picked up a manga from the bookshelf.
"No," Chihaya Anon hummed disdainfully, "The art style looks so greasy."
"Then Anon can choose herself."
"Hmph, I'll choose then."
"..."
It was still dinner time, so there weren't many customers in the bookstore. Chihaya Anon was a bit reserved at first, but after a short while, she quietly regained her usual boldness.
Ultimately, Anon's nature was not shy or introverted; rather, she enjoyed exploring the unknown, and with Kitahara Makoto, she didn't need to deliberately pretend to be a good girl.
"Oh, 'Shojo Ramune'…" Chihaya Anon's eyes widened, her pretty face full of disgust, "The ones on the cover are all elementary school students, right? Guys who like to read this kind of stuff are all perverted lolicon, right!"
"Stop cursing," Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice, "Someone might already be excited."
"Huh?"
Chihaya Anon turned her head to look, her gaze at Kitahara Makoto as if he were kitchen waste in a sewer:
"You actually got excited shamelessly?"
"I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense."
Kitahara Makoto directly denied all three accusations.
"Speaking of which, Hana's physique is like a five or six-year-old elementary school student," Chihaya Anon crossed her arms, her eyes even more disdainful, "You're definitely the same kind of pervert, aren't you?"
"Anon, don't slander my innocence," Kitahara Makoto firmly denied, casually picking up a manga, "How about this one?"
"Night Shift Ward…" Chihaya Anon looked down at the cover, "Isn't this an old classic?"
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly:
"Anon has seen it?"
"Of course, I haven't seen it," Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed slightly, "I've only heard the name. Hurry up and change it; I want pure love, not heavy taste."
You haven't seen it, so how do you know it's heavy?
After searching for a while, Chihaya Anon finally found a pure-love manga with an art style that satisfied her.
"This is it."
Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly:
"I'll go pay."
The content of the manga isn't important; watching it together is the key.
It was all just a simulator mission.
"I'll go out and wait for the pervert-kun."
Chihaya Anon's pretty face was slightly red; she felt too embarrassed to pay with Kitahara Makoto, so she directly gave Kitahara Makoto her share of the money and slipped out of the bookstore first.
Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't feel shy or guilty; he walked to the cashier with a normal expression, paid, and left with the manga.
Stepping out of the bookstore.
The intense summer heat hit them.
Unbeknownst to them, the sky had already completely darkened, the sunset had fallen below the horizon, and only a faint, ember-like dark red remained in the sky.
"It's almost seven o'clock," Kitahara Makoto took out his phone, checked the time, and asked softly, "Anon, are you going home first, or are you coming back with me?"
Chihaya Anon pursed her lips, hesitated for two seconds, and quickly said:
"I'll go home first. If we go back together, we might run into my dad and mom, and I also need to ask Tomori for help."
While studying, Anon rented a room alone, but now that it was summer vacation, Anon naturally went home to live with her parents, which is why the three of them had nightmares together.
"Then I'll go back and call Hana," Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, handed the manga to Anon, "See you later."
"..."
After discussing, Kitahara Makoto took the train station home first.
After a simple wash-up, Kitahara Makoto told Hana about the 'mission' for the evening.
Kitahara Makoto offered the reward:
"Ten Cupcakes."
"I'll go!"
Hana readily agreed.
As long as there were enough Cupcakes, nothing else mattered.
At the same time.
On the other side.
"Tomori, there's something I need to ask of you…"
Chihaya Anon sat on the train station, took out her phone, and sent a message to Takamatsu Tomori, explaining the situation.
Takamatsu Tomori: "Makoto-kun is going to Anon's house tonight?"
Chihaya Anon: "Tomori, don't worry, it's just for help."
Takamatsu Tomori: "I want to go too."
Chihaya Anon: "Um… Tomori, if you don't go home tonight, won't your uncle and aunt worry?"
Takamatsu Tomori: "It's okay, I often don't come home at night; my parents are already used to it."
"...Then Tomori, come along."
Seeing that Tomori's mind was made up, Chihaya Anon naturally agreed.
"The train station will pass by Tomori's house in a bit. Tomori, pack your things and then wait for me at the train station."
"..."
After sending the message, Chihaya Anon let out a light breath and turned to look at her reflection in the glass.
(Tomori is coming along to help tonight, so I shouldn't be taken advantage of, right?)
(But why...)
Chihaya Anon silently pressed her right hand to her chest, savoring the emotions of the moment.
(Why do I feel a little disappointed?)
(Is it because with Tomori there, pervert Kitahara won't be able to take advantage of me?)
Chihaya Anon quickly shook her head, muttering softly.
"Impossible."
"I won't be taken advantage of tonight, I should clearly be relieved, right?"
However, despite saying so, Chihaya Anon naturally couldn't fool herself.
(I still want to be taken advantage of after all…)
A moment later.
The train station swayed, arriving at Tsukinomori Academy.
Tomori's house was not far from Tsukinomori Academy.
"Tomori, over here, over here!"
Chihaya Anon stepped off the train station, waving happily, her smile particularly bright.
"Anon, good evening."
Takamatsu Tomori, carrying her backpack, walked quickly forward.
"I'll be relying on Tomori tonight," Chihaya Anon clasped her hands together, her smile bright, "I was worried about being taken advantage of alone tonight, but with Tomori here, I can relax."
"..."
The two girls got on the train station and continued their journey.
The journey was silent.
Half an hour later.
They finally arrived at Chihaya Anon's house.
"Dad and Mom should both be home," seeing the lights on in the house, Chihaya Anon pursed her lips and suggested softly, "Kitahara-kun needs to hide his tracks, but Tomori doesn't. Just come in with me, say hello to Dad and Mom, and treat it as a normal visit… If Kitahara-kun accidentally gets exposed, Tomori can also help cover for him."
"Okay."
Takamatsu Tomori nodded in agreement.
There was no need to say more about what happened next.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Anon's parents, Takamatsu Tomori quickly arrived in Anon's room.
"Tomori, please make yourself at home," Chihaya Anon put down her backpack and shopping bag, clasped her hands above her head, and stretched, "I'll go wash some fruit for Tomori."
"Thank you, Anon."
"I told you not to be so polite."
"..."
Chihaya Anon turned and left with a thump, and soon after, she came back with a plate of fruit.
"Tomori, help yourself," Chihaya Anon put down the fruit plate and drinks, "Kitahara-kun just messaged me, saying he's already at the train station. I'll go out and pick him up."
Takamatsu Tomori looked up with her small face: "I'll go with Anon."
"That's too much trouble," Chihaya Anon waved her hand, "If we go out together, Dad and Mom will definitely ask a lot of questions. Tomori, please sit tight, and leave the rest to me."
"..."
Bang.
The door gently closed.
Takamatsu Tomori knelt in the room and suddenly saw a grape roll off the fruit plate and fall under the table.
"Hmm…"
Takamatsu Tomori bent down to pick up the grapes, but accidentally touched the shopping bag by the table.
Rustle.
The shopping bag opened, and the manga and light novels inside fell out.
Takamatsu Tomori quickly sat upright, picking up the fallen manga and magazines one by one, preparing to put them back into the shopping bag.
"…Eh?"
A very peculiar manga caught Takamatsu Tomori's eye, and the embarrassing images quickly made Takamatsu Tomori's face flush.
Takamatsu Tomori's face was crimson, and she quickly averted her gaze, preparing to put the manga back into the shopping bag, but her eyes scanned a sentence on the book, and her movements suddenly froze:
"Do you want to know how to make your boyfriend happy and comfortable?"
Takamatsu Tomori parted her lips, of course, she wouldn't deceive her own heart:
"…I want to know."
It must be said, this sentence successfully piqued Takamatsu Tomori's curiosity.
Unlike others, Tomori's thoughts were very simple; as long as Kitahara Makoto kept his promise and stayed by her side forever, then joining a harem was not a problem.
Coupled with Kitahara Makoto's previous confession, in Takamatsu Tomori's mind, they were already in a dating relationship.
So, as a girlfriend, wanting to make her boyfriend happy is very normal, isn't it?
Hesitating for a few seconds, Takamatsu Tomori's heart quietly sped up, she picked up the book again, sat up properly, turned to the first page, and began to read with a serious expression.
At the same time.
Train station.
"Kitahara-kun, I'm here~"
Chihaya Anon arrived at the train station and saw Kitahara Makoto standing under a street lamp, with a white-furred, red-eyed Hana by his feet.
"Anon."
Kitahara Makoto went to meet her with Hana.
The two parties met.
"Hana, good evening."
Chihaya Anon squatted down, holding her skirt, reached out and rubbed Hana's small head, then looked up with her pretty face and said:
"Let's go buy cake for Hana first, then sit in the park for a while, don't go home just yet."
"Why?"
Kitahara Makoto looked over curiously.
"Because my mom absolutely loves watching soap operas," Chihaya Anon said crisply, "She's definitely watching TV in the living room right now, so we have to wait a bit before going back."
Besides the above reason, there was actually another reason Anon didn't voice.
If they didn't go back, it would be their alone time; once they went back, it would become time for three people.
"I don't have a problem with that," Kitahara Makoto nodded in agreement, "Will Tomori be restless by herself?"
"It's okay, I've already brought Tomori into the room," Chihaya Anon took out her phone, "I'll send Tomori a message first, so she doesn't worry."
Buzz buzz.
The phone on the table suddenly vibrated, startling Takamatsu Tomori.
"Hmm…"
Takamatsu Tomori was like a little squirrel caught stealing food, so startled she almost jumped.
Chihaya Anon: "Tomori, I have something to tell you… The thing is, Kitahara-kun and I won't be able to go back for at least half an hour. You stay in the room by yourself, don't worry."
Takamatsu Tomori couldn't help but sigh in relief, feeling at ease:
"I'm fine, I won't worry."
Gently putting down her phone, Takamatsu Tomori's eyes shifted to the book she had guiltily closed earlier.
"Anon and Makoto-kun won't be here for another half an hour…" Takamatsu Tomori pursed her lips, her face flushed crimson, and she picked up the book again, "Enough time to finish the manga."
"…"
The moonlight was bright.
The evening breeze was cool.
As night fell, the unbearable heat of the day finally subsided.
Chihaya Anon first led Kitahara Makoto to the cake shop, bought a Cupcake for Hana, and then said crisply:
"Kitahara-kun, let's go sit in the park for a while, it's not far ahead, I used to play there a lot when I was little."
"Alright."
Kitahara Makoto naturally had no objections.
Under Anon's guidance, the two arrived at a small park.
"Hana, there's a swing set over there," Chihaya Anon pointed, "You can go play for a while, Kitahara-kun and I won't go far."
Hana, holding a Cupcake, turned to look at Kitahara Makoto upon hearing this:
"Want to play."
Kitahara Makoto waved his hand and said:
"If you want to play, go play for a bit."
"…"
Watching Hana leave, Kitahara Makoto turned his head and looked meaningfully at the pink-haired girl.
"What are you looking at?" Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed slightly, and she put her hands on her hips and snorted softly, "It's normal for children to like playing on swings, isn't it?"
Actively sending Hana away to create a private space… She would never admit to such a thing!
Kitahara Makoto took a sip of his drink and said unhurriedly:
"I didn't say anything, why is Anon so eager to explain?"
"You…"
Chihaya Anon bit her teeth lightly, glared at Kitahara Makoto in embarrassment, and turned to leave:
"I'm going to play on the swings with Hana!"
After only two steps, a hand reached around Chihaya Anon's waist, pulling the pink-haired girl directly into an embrace.
"Let go of me."
Chihaya Anon puffed out her cheeks and turned her pretty face away with an indignant huff, like a little hamster whose peanuts had been snatched away.
"Anon-chan rushed out, she must be very thirsty, right?"
Kitahara Makoto held Anon in his arms and unscrewed the drink he had just bought:
"Have a sip of drink."
Chihaya Anon turned her head and snorted softly:
"No."
"Then Anon-chan has no choice."
Kitahara Makoto tilted his head back and took a sip of the drink, then looked at Anon with burning eyes.
"Eh?"
Their eyes met.
Chihaya Anon's pretty face quickly flushed, and she instantly knew what Kitahara Makoto wanted to do. Her heart quietly sped up, but she still said disdainfully:
"Go away, I don't want to drink something you've already drunk…"
Before she finished speaking, Kitahara Makoto had already leaned in, blocking Anon's soft, rosy lips.
Chihaya Anon said she wouldn't drink, but when Kitahara Makoto kissed her, her body obediently parted her lips, allowing Kitahara Makoto to feed her the drink.
One sip of drink lasted several minutes.
When they separated, a silver thread could still be clearly seen stretching and breaking…
"Hoo… hoo…"
Chihaya Anon was panting, her arms wrapped around Kitahara Makoto's neck, her eyes filled with misty moisture.
"Is Anon still angry now?"
Kitahara Makoto asked softly.
"I… I wasn't angry originally…" Chihaya Anon pursed her lips and huffed tsundere-like, "To actually force me to drink such a terrible thing, now I'm really angry."
"Since you're not un-angry, then we can only continue."
Kitahara Makoto picked up the drink bottle he had placed nearby and held it in front of Chihaya Anon.
"Eh?"
"Now it's Anon's turn to feed me."
"…Pervert!"
"Freak!"
"So disgusting!"
Though she said disdainful words, Chihaya Anon's body was quite honest. She guiltily looked around, and seeing no one, she snorted, took the drink bottle, took a small sip with a flushed face, and then fed Kitahara Makoto the drink with a look of disgust.
Half an hour later.
One bottle of drink was finally finished by Kitahara Makoto and Anon.
The pink-haired girl who had been huffing and puffing earlier was now already panting, like melted ice cream, directly in Kitahara Makoto's arms.
"Pervert-kun, quickly take your hand out, it's all sweaty and so uncomfortable," Chihaya Anon bit her teeth lightly and pinched Kitahara Makoto's arm, "And it's about time to go back."
Kitahara Makoto took a deep breath and said:
"Let me calm down for a bit."
Chihaya Anon's eyes were full of disdain: "Who told you boys to have nothing but lewd thoughts in your heads?"
Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow:
"If Anon says that, then I can continue."
"I'm sorry, I was wrong." Chihaya Anon quickly covered her lips and apologized, well-versed in the art of knowing when to yield, "No more kissing, if we kiss again, Mom and Dad will definitely be suspicious."
"Your apology was too quiet, I didn't hear it."
"…"
Cooling down completed.
Kitahara Makoto was finally able to get up, call over Hana who was playing on the swing by herself, and then they all went to Anon's house.
"Kitahara-kun, you and Hana wait outside for me," Chihaya Anon lowered her voice, "I'll go in and scout the situation first."
"Go ahead."
Kitahara Makoto nodded lightly, standing silently in the shadows.
Anon's house was a standard detached house, but the area was clearly much larger, even having a dedicated front yard with many flowers and plants. Although she wasn't a rich young lady, she definitely belonged to the middle class.
Thinking about it carefully, it was clear that Anon was able to study abroad in England back then, partly due to her own ability, and partly because her family clearly had sufficient financial resources.
A moment later.
The door quietly opened a crack, and Chihaya Anon poked her small head out, calling softly:
"Kitahara-kun, come quickly."
"Coming."
Kitahara Makoto strode to the door.
"Dad has gone back to his room, and Mom is taking a shower in the bathroom, so now is the perfect time to come in." Chihaya Anon quickly opened the door and whispered, "I'll take Kitahara-kun to my room first."
Kitahara Makoto quietly stepped into the entrance hall, and Chihaya Anon took out a pair of slippers and handed them over:
"These are cool slippers that Mom bought for Dad, but he hasn't worn them yet. Kitahara-kun, you can wear them."
"So, we're clearly in a relationship, so why do we have to sneak around like thieves?"
Kitahara Makoto muttered softly while changing his shoes.
"What do you think?" Chihaya Anon glared at him unhappily, "Mom is usually very strict. If she knew you were a harem slag man, she would definitely kick you out directly, okay?"
Kitahara Makoto smiled and looked over.
"Wait." Chihaya Anon quickly reacted, her pretty face slightly red, and hurriedly retorted, "I'm not dating a pervert. I just forgot to deny it just now."
Kitahara Makoto lowered his voice:
"We've already kissed, and it's been exposed. Anon, don't you want to take responsibility?"
"Tch ~"
Chihaya Anon put her hands on her hips and raised her chin:
"What if I just don't take responsibility?"
Kitahara Makoto whispered:
"Then I won't be polite tonight."
"Don't mess around." Chihaya Anon's pretty face flushed, and she warned softly, "Tomori-chan is still here."
A moment later.
Under Anon's guidance, Kitahara Makoto successfully arrived at the room and joined Takamatsu Tomori.
"Tomori, good evening."
"Good evening…"
Takamatsu Tomori was kneeling in front of the low table, her eyes clearly flickering and evasive.
"Kitahara-kun, quickly take out the answer book and let Tomori-chan ask about the weaknesses of that ghost story."
Chihaya Anon urged.
"Okay."
Kitahara Makoto took out the answer book and handed it to Tomori.
Whoosh.
The answer book turned pages automatically without any wind, flipping pages quickly.
Then a person's name quietly emerged.
[Kitahara Makoto].
"Eh?" Chihaya Anon widened her eyes, "Why does Kitahara-kun's name appear on the book?"
Kitahara Makoto crossed his fingers and propped up his chin:
"Because the dream is my home field."
"…"
☰