"Natsumi, you go play by yourself for a bit. I've got something to take care of with Yoshino."
Shichen suddenly picked Yoshino up and headed for his room.
"Sh–Shichen-nii…?" Yoshino curled into his arms, looking up at him in confusion.
"Don't worry." He lowered his head, smiled at her, and pinched her cheek.
Her skin was soft and smooth, like dough.
"What are you two going to do?" Natsumi couldn't help asking.
"Don't mind it."
Without even looking back, Shichen carried Yoshino into his room and closed the door behind them. Sitting in the living room, Natsumi could even hear the sound of the lock turning.
"…"
She sat there stunned for a moment.
What was that supposed to mean?
Was he really going to do something to Yoshino?
Thinking back to the conversation they'd just had, she couldn't help but assume that was where this was going.
But wasn't it all a bit too sudden?
And would he actually do something like that to a girl who looked that young?
Of course she understood Yoshino wasn't truly the age she appeared to be, but appearance still mattered, didn't it?
So this guy really was a lolicon?
She should probably be happy about that.
Except… this completely messed up her plan!
If Shichen really was going to do something not-so-innocent with Yoshino, how was she supposed to pretend to be her after that?
If she disguised herself as Yoshino now, while he was especially interested in her, he'd almost certainly try something.
And she was definitely not ready for that.
What was she going to do?
…
While Natsumi was panicking and overthinking everything, Shichen's room was quiet and gentle.
After putting Yoshino down on the bed, he climbed up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, settling her on his lap.
Yoshino sat perfectly still, but her heart was pounding like crazy. This was the first time Shichen had held her this intimately.
"Sh–Shichen-nii…?"
"Mm? What's wrong?" Shichen rested his chin lightly on her right shoulder, his voice soft.
"Shichen-nii… what are you going to do?" Yoshino whispered.
"I am planning to do something," he nodded.
"But that depends on you."
"On… me?" Yoshino turned her head to look at him.
"Yoshino, do you want me to do something?" Shichen asked with a smile.
"Uuh…" Yoshino's face instantly flushed bright red.
"Ah~ Is little bro finally going to make a move on Yoshino? That sure took a while, she's been waiting— mmph!"
Yoshinon's comment was cut off as Yoshino slapped a hand over its mouth, her small face burning.
"Haha…" Seeing how embarrassed she was, Shichen couldn't help but laugh.
He held Yoshino's slender waist with one arm, then reached out with the other to take Yoshinon from her and set it aside.
"Shichen-nii?" Yoshino looked at him in confusion.
"Right now, I don't want Yoshinon saying what's in your heart for you. I want to hear you say it yourself."
"Uu…" Yoshino bit her lip, bowing her head.
Her long blue hair fell forward, and the tips of her little ears were flushed red. Shichen thought they looked good enough to bite.
He leaned forward and gently took the tip of her ear between his lips.
"Mmf!" Yoshino let out a tiny sound, completely flustered.
Shichen didn't tease her for long; he gave a light lick and then let go.
The "taste" wasn't bad.
"Yoshino, don't you have anything you want to say?" Shichen moved closer to her face and asked.
"Uu…" Yoshino just whimpered softly, unable to answer.
"Is that so? Then I'll drop it." Shichen loosened his arms around her.
"Eh?" Yoshino froze, immediately lifting her head to look at him.
"Sh–Shichen-nii…?"
"If you don't give me permission, I can't bring myself to tease you," he said, ruffling her hair.
"You… you weren't teasing me…" Yoshino shook her head hurriedly.
"But you didn't say I could, either."
"I… I agree…" Her voice was barely audible.
"What was that?" Shichen pretended not to hear.
"I… I agree…" Yoshino raised her voice a bit, still soft and fragile.
Her eyes were squeezed shut, lashes trembling, and her face was so red it looked like it might start dripping.
He had definitely pushed her far enough… but seeing her like this just made him want to push her a little more.
"Agree to what?" he asked.
"I agree… I don't know…" Yoshino shook her head.
"Really? Then is there anything you want me to do?" he asked gently.
"What I want Shichen-nii to do…? No… nothing…" she murmured, clearly hesitating.
"Really nothing? Because if there's nothing, I won't do anything at all~"
"Uu…" Yoshino clutched tightly at his sleeve.
"Just say it. Whatever you want me to do most, I'll agree."
"I… I want Shichen-nii… to… kiss me…"
Like she'd used up all her strength to force the words out, Yoshino sagged into his arms afterward, mouth parted as she gasped for breath, her little face crimson.
"I see," Shichen laughed softly. He turned Yoshino around so she faced him.
She was so embarrassed she couldn't even look at him, head hanging low. Her heart hammered so loudly it seemed to echo in the room.
Shichen cupped her cheek and gently lifted her face, brushing her bangs aside so he could see her clearly.
Her skin was pale and delicate, smooth and soft — just a bit overheated.
Right then, Yoshino looked like a ripe red apple, and Shichen leaned in slowly.
As expected, he kissed her.
"Mmm…"
Yoshino felt as if a jolt of electricity ran through her entire body, and a little sound slipped out of her.
She cracked her eyes open and snuck a glance; Shichen's face was right there, eyes also open, smiling at her.
She immediately shut her eyes tightly again.
Shichen smiled, wrapped his arms more securely around her, and just quietly pressed his lips to hers without taking it further.
After a while, once he felt she'd gotten used to it, he gently parted her lips and let the kiss deepen.
"Mm!" Yoshino's eyes flew open.
So… kissing could feel like this…
She'd longed for Shichen to kiss her, but he'd never done it — and she knew why. To him, she looked too small, too childlike.
But watching him be close with everyone else, day after day, had made her horribly jealous.
She was a girl, not a child. How could she not want these things?
And Shichen was the person she liked most in the whole world. Of course she wanted to do what couples did with him.
She'd imagined a moment like this so many times… She'd just never expected it to actually happen today.
Having it come true felt wonderful.
Shichen also thought it was wonderful. Her lips were soft and sweet, and he could even catch a hint of her gentle scent.
So Yoshino had always smelled this nice.
He realized he'd been holding back too much — noticed too late.
But not too late.
Overwhelmed by the feeling in both her body and her heart, Yoshino's mind went blank.
Shichen didn't let go. One hand slid to the small of her back, drawing her closer as he kissed her again.
Yoshino let him lead completely, soon becoming dazed and lightheaded.
Soft, faint humming drifted through the room.
Yoshino was only wearing a cute, simple undergarment — that was all she really needed.
Their low voices and quiet breaths mingled in the room.
About ten minutes later, Shichen came out alone, looking pleasantly satisfied as he sat down next to Natsumi.
Natsumi finally snapped back to herself. Seeing his expression, she couldn't stop herself from asking:
"What did you do to Yoshino?"
"Do?" Shichen raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"
"Where is she?" Natsumi pressed.
"She's a bit tired and went to sleep," he replied.
"Tired? Asleep? What happened?"
"Do you really want to know?" Shichen smiled at her.
"I… d–don't!" Natsumi shook her head quickly.
Just from his expression, she could tell something had happened — something "serious" enough that Yoshino was now worn out and sleeping.
What could possibly tire her out like that?
So he had done something to her!
And so suddenly, too!
How was she supposed to pretend to be Yoshino now?
Right now though, she was even more worried about Yoshino herself.
"Um… can I go check on her?" Natsumi asked.
"No. You can't," Shichen said immediately.
"Why not?"
"Because what you'd see is still a bit too much for you. You'd be scared."
Natsumi: "…"
Just what had he done in there?