"Kayoha-san, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you. I thought you might have run into some danger," Nagayasu Yamano said. He was a harmless, gentle-looking boy—the quintessential "herbivore" type. While his kind nature and "yasashii" (sweet) personality often won people over, in a world like this, being the nice guy was a one-way ticket to a dead end.
For Kayoha Shinomiya, Nagayasu had been her close childhood friend since they were toddlers. But after meeting Alex, and comparing him to Nagayasu, the latter felt far too ordinary. He couldn't satisfy the dark, carnal fantasies blooming in her heart.
Kayoha walked down the mountain path, her legs still feeling a bit like jelly. Meeting Nagayasu halfway up, she gave him an apologetic smile and discreetly wiped the sweat from her neck. "I was just doing some hiking for exercise... it's not dangerous around here."
"That explains why you're sweating so much," Nagayasu said, his face flushed with a mix of shyness and concern. He stole a glance at his childhood friend, noticing her flushed, radiant face and how her sports tank top clung to her body, soaked with sweat.
Kayoha is so beautiful. Ever since they entered high school, she had become more and more stunning. And since she didn't have a boyfriend, Nagayasu felt a surge of excitement thinking about their close history.
Summoning his courage, he whispered, "Kayoha-san, you look... really beautiful today."
"Really? I'm not even wearing makeup," Kayoha replied. Hearing his praise didn't excite her; her heart remained perfectly calm.
"Even without makeup, you're prettier than any other girl," Nagayasu rubbed the back of his head, looking genuinely happy. "I'm so glad we could come hiking together during summer break."
"..."
Kayoha didn't look pleased. She bit her lip in frustration. You just don't know, Nagayasu. There are plenty of girls prettier than me. Otherwise, why would he ignore me?
Alex was constantly surrounded by beautiful girls, enjoying his life to the fullest while seemingly looking right through her. It was a massive blow to Kayoha's confidence. I'm not bad looking either. Why does he seduce so many girls but won't lay a finger on me?
"Kayoha-san, did you say something?"
"No, it's nothing, Nagayasu," Kayoha shook her head, looking at him with a complex gaze. This childhood friend had rushed to find her as soon as the holidays started. They had been apart for a semester since she entered high school.
Even though he would be transferring to Seijo Academy next semester... things had already changed fundamentally.
By then, maybe I'll already be...
"Nagayasu, I'm going back now."
"Eh? So early? Let's go check out the shops on the street."
"I mean I'm going home. I want to go back to the city."
"But we just got here yesterday! What's wrong? You said you wanted to go to the beach!"
She did want to go to the beach, but only because she heard Senri and the others talking about a beach training camp. In short, rather than staying with her boring childhood friend, she wanted to find Alex.
Having just peeked at their outdoor orgy, Kayoha was feeling a heavy mix of frustration and arousal.
"Forget the beach. If you want to go, go by yourself."
"What's the point if I go alone? If you aren't going... I'm not going either," Nagayasu looked at her strangely. He felt something was off with her mood. "I'll accompany you home."
"I just want to be alone for a while..."
Nagayasu stood there helplessly. Just as Kayoha was about to turn away, a girl's giggling voice echoed from behind them. "Oh? Isn't that Kayoha? You're here too, Shinomiya-san?"
Turning around, they saw a large group of beautiful girls descending from the mountain. Each one possessed extreme beauty and perfect figures. They were clustered together like a flock of gorgeous birds, and in the center of them all was Alex. Any other man seeing this would have turned green with envy.
These girls... are so... so beautiful!
It was Makoto who had spoken. She hadn't realized Kayoha was there. She waved a hand. "What a coincidence!"
"Makoto-san... yeah, what a coincidence," Kayoha said, pulling back her foot that had been ready to leave. She blushed. "I... I was just here for a visit. I didn't expect to run into you guys."
As she spoke, her eyes kept darting toward Alex.
"Good afternoon, Alex-kun..." she greeted him cautiously.
She seems so humble lately. Alex noticed the change in Kayoha's attitude. What happened? Where is the girl who practiced Aikido and beat up thugs? Why is she acting like this?
Is it my fault? I haven't even PUA-ed her. I'm just too busy with the other women, sigh~
Tsubaki Rurikawaya stood by her Master's side, her gaze calm as she looked at Kayoha. She didn't expose her lies. The maid noticed the boy standing next to Kayoha, blinked, and realized the situation. A sly smile played on her lips as she spoke up.
"Shinomiya-san must be on a date. Is the boy next to you your boyfriend?"
"Eh? No! No, no!" Kayoha jumped like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Nagayasu is just my childhood friend! We grew up together. He's not my boyfriend, and this isn't a date. We're just hiking."
She explained frantically, looking at Alex with sheer panic, terrified he might misunderstand. Nagayasu stood beside her, his expression awkward.
Even though she was telling the truth, that desperate, panicked tone was... a bit much.
"Not a boyfriend? In that case, do you want to join us? We're going to walk around the shopping district. Want to come along?" Tsubaki invited.
"Can I? Will I be a bother, Alex-kun...?"
Alex knew Tsubaki was wingman-ing him. He shrugged. "Sure. We were getting a bit bored anyway. You're welcome anytime, Kayoha."
"Then... then I'll join you."
Seeing Alex made Kayoha remember the images of his naked body from her spying session. She didn't care about her childhood friend anymore; she couldn't let this chance slip.
"Kayoha-san, didn't you say you wanted to go home?" Nagayasu asked, unable to accept the sudden shift.
"Um, Nagayasu... since we met some acquaintances, it's fine to stay a bit longer." She whispered a silent apology in her heart. She knew she was hurting him, but she couldn't help it. Even though it had only been a semester, her heart was already...
Sorry, Nagayasu.
"If he's your friend, he can come along too," Alex waved a hand, smiling brightly. "We're just wandering through the commercial street."
"Is that... okay?"
Kayoha froze. Noticing the strange smile Alex gave her, her heart skipped a beat, and a blush flooded her face. What does he mean? Does he want to...
A thousand messy thoughts flooded her mind.
As for Nagayasu, seeing Kayoha's shy, schoolgirl expression, he felt a wave of terror. He realized something was horribly wrong. He felt no joy—only an indescribable fear and pain.
Kayoha-san... does she feel that way about that guy?