The next morning, Hoshino Miru was surprised to see Kasugano Sora up early.
The two made eye contact in the living room. Kasugano Sora's face was slightly flushed - whether from remembering last night's boldness or not, the girl's shyness prevented her from speaking.
"Good morning, you're up quite early today." Hoshino Miru smiled slightly. His attitude toward her hadn't changed at all, which put Kasugano Sora somewhat at ease. If Hoshino Miru also couldn't speak up, the atmosphere would definitely be awkward.
"It's brother who woke up too early. It's spring break - there's no need to go to school." Kasugano Sora was too embarrassed to admit the reason she usually stayed up late, so she could only blame it on Hoshino Miru. It was him who woke up too early - it wasn't her problem.
"Early to bed and early to rise keeps you healthy. Your sleep schedule is what needs fixing." Hoshino Miru felt he needed to be stricter with Kasugano Sora. "Once school starts, I won't coddle you like this - I'll just drag you out of bed."
"That's too rough! You need to be gentler with girls!" Kasugano Sora's cheeks felt somewhat hot. Actually, that didn't sound too bad - she could try sleeping naked at night.
"I think I'm already gentle enough."
"Of course not! Girls are creatures that need frequent rewards to obediently listen!"
"What do you mean?"
"For example, I got up so early today - shouldn't brother give some kind of reward?"
"..."
Hoshino Miru couldn't keep up the act anymore. What should have been everyday sibling conversation, with her saying it like this, made last night's scenes impossible to shake off.
Actually, seeing the girl standing before him, wearing last night's T-shirt, exposing her entire delicate shoulders, slightly swelling beneath the refined, fair collarbone - with any slight movement, the soft, sweet little bunny would seem to bounce - that warmth unique to young girls emanating from skin like water and jade, Hoshino Miru was already working very hard to restrain his bodily desires.
Hoshino Miru didn't even look at the girl's pretty face, because it would remind him of last night's events. What should have been a pure and cute face had been working hard to swallow pudding-like stickiness, moist lips that seemed able to wrap around everything.
Seeing Hoshino Miru's reaction, Kasugano Sora also knew what he was thinking. She just stood there motionless with a red face, because she too remembered last night's events.
Though it was somewhat embarrassing, they had already confessed to each other - having her taste it once more should be fine, right?
However, Hoshino Miru reached out and tapped her little head.
"Well done. Your reward is today's breakfast. After eating, hurry up and change clothes."
"Brother, you idiot!" Kasugano Sora indignantly covered her head. She'd heard that boys have strange reactions in the morning and had been thinking about helping relieve it.
This stinky brother not only didn't appreciate it, but why did he have to tap her head?
Hoshino Miru ignored Kasugano Sora's gaze, because last night he'd discovered Kasugano Sora's intimacy had increased by one point.
How strange. Was it because the two did strange naughty things, or because they mutually confessed and he spoke what was in his heart?
If it was the former, wouldn't that mean he could only continue pushing intimacy by doing naughty things with Kasugano Sora?
Hoshino Miru felt this wasn't good. Could it be the same with Eriri and the others too?
...
Hoshino Miru carried his guitar on his back and looked up at the storefront before him - it seemed to be a particularly professional LIVE HOUSE.
This wasn't a place he'd chosen, but rather Wakaba Mutsuki, finding that he couldn't find a suitable place for half the day, had actively brought him here.
"This is a place for band performances, right?" Hoshino Miru saw the advertisement nearby and said quietly to Wakaba Mutsuki.
"Individuals, bands both can." Wakaba Mutsuki said softly. "I only know this place."
Hoshino Miru noticed her eyes revealing somewhat complex meaning. He couldn't help but look around again, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity - this seemed like the place where he'd first seen Wakaba Mutsuki and Toyokawa Sakiko.
So this was the place where their band disbanded?
How strange - why bring him here?
No wait, he had actively said he wanted to practice outside, so the responsibility seemed to be on him.
Hoshino Miru started feeling awkward. Was it too late to change locations now?
However, Wakaba Mutsuki had already walked inside.
Seeing this, Hoshino Miru could only hurry to follow. He quickly saw Wakaba Mutsuki walking toward the front desk.
"Welcome, two guests." The attendant showed a brilliant smile, then seeing Wakaba Mutsuki's appearance, couldn't help but pause slightly.
Wakaba Mutsuki didn't speak. Her gaze shifted to Hoshino Miru, obviously planning to let him make the decision.
Hoshino Miru first looked at the menu and found this place was indeed very professional - not only were there various practice rooms, but also several performance halls.
"Excuse me, are there any individual practice rooms available now?"
"There's still one individual practice room, but the afternoon time slot has already been reserved. Right now only the 10 AM to 12 PM slot is available."
"Two hours works too. Please help me process this."
Just as Hoshino Miru placed the order, Wakaba Mutsuki beside him gently tugged at his sleeve. This small gesture immediately made Hoshino Miru react.
"Wait, let me check the later times." Hoshino Miru flipped through the time slot table - indeed very popular, with people making reservations almost every day.
The attendant noticed their movements and explained: "It's spring break recently, so there are many customers wanting to practice. If you'll be coming regularly, it's best to make reservations in advance."
Hoshino Miru glanced at the menu prices. If reserving continuously for over a week, this price really wasn't something ordinary students could afford. No wonder people in bands all had to work part-time.
"Would you like to get a membership card?" The attendant blinked. "Members get 12% off. Processing membership now only costs 2,000 yen, plus we're giving away two free coffee coupons, and you can upgrade to premium membership later."
"Miss, I haven't even said anything yet - you're way too practiced at this." Hoshino Miru's face darkened.
"Because this is my job. I suggest this to every new customer." The attendant smiled. "There's a coffee shop right next door. After you finish practicing, you can go have a cup of coffee, okay?"
Hoshino Miru looked at Wakaba Mutsuki. She perceptively shook her head - she didn't have a membership card.
"Alright, help me process a membership card." Hoshino Miru selected a few time slots. "Also help me reserve times for this month. Thank you, miss."
"No problem, leave it to me." The attendant patted her chest - compared to a young girl's figure, she was obviously more maturely developed.
"By the way, she's so cute - aren't there more discounts?" Hoshino Miru pushed the flustered Wakaba Mutsuki to the front desk, trying to haggle with the attendant.
"Though she is indeed very cute, the answer is no." The attendant touched her chin. "This is a proper establishment."
"But wouldn't miss like to hear her say 'thank you'?" Hoshino Miru began his bewitchment again. "Look, so cute and so dazed - even I'm looking forward to seeing her call you 'onee-san'."
"I'm a bit tempted, but onee-san prefers your type more - quite handsome, and your words are very interesting." The attendant smiled. "You can mention my name at the coffee shop for 20% off."
"Shouldn't it be free?" Hoshino Miru was very surprised.
"Free my ass - being handsome doesn't put food on the table." The attendant curled her lip.
Wakaba Mutsuki stood nearby watching their conversation. This boy seemed able to get along well with anyone.