Chapter 7: Drowning

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Translator: Soafp

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“Hey, Toma, do you think I'm not attractive from a guy's perspective?” (Akiho)

Akiho asked while sitting on a park bench.

“Ha? What are you talking about? You're pretty cute. You've got a decent ch*st, too. I think you're totally attractive. Did Haruto say something like that?” (Toma)

“No, Haruto would never say that. But even though we've been dating for six months, he hasn't even kissed me. I'm starting to wonder if I'm not attractive.”

“You're such an idiot. If it were me, I'd have pushed you down right away. Like this.” (Toma)

Suddenly, Toma embraced Akiho, and before she could resist, he stole a kiss.

“Mmm! What are you doing, Toma? Let go! No! Mmm, ugh, haah” (Akiho)

Unable to counter him, Akiho's body was at Toma's mercy.

Toma was holding a smartphone in his hand, recording the entire incident.

“You understand, right?” (Toma)

Toma showed Akiho the smartphone.

“I'll contact you again.” (Toma)

Left alone on the spot, Akiho could only cry.

“Why? Why is this happening—” (Akiho)

After this, Akiho was called by Toma repeatedly and had her body toyed with.

Toma's smartphone was filled with photos and videos of Akiho in compromising situations, and she was threatened with having them spread online if she refused.

Powerless to resist, Akiho had no choice but to endure, unable to seek help from Haruto or her parents.

As her mental state deteriorated, Akiho began to experience changes.

“Ah, fuu, ahn” (Akiho)

During her acts with the repugnant Toma, she started to feel pleasure. Despite rejecting it mentally and emotionally, her body accepted Toma.

As Akiho began to realize this, a casual comment from Toma reached her.

“You're the best.” (Toma)

While this might have sounded like mockery under normal circumstances, Akiho felt a sense of being acknowledged.

Compared to her exceptional older sister, Akiho had grown up largely neglected by her parents.

Though her sister cared for her, Akiho struggled to accept the care from someone who had a better situation.

The only emotional support for Akiho was her childhood friend, Haruto.

Even if her father didn't praise her, Haruto did.

Even if her mother wasn't worried, Haruto was.

Whenever she felt lonely, Haruto was always there by her side.

So, Akiho became dependent on Haruto.

Not because she loved him, but because she was dependent.

Haruto did not seek her out.

Toma did.

So she no longer needed Haruto.

If he didn't seek her out, she didn't need him.

Something inside Akiho broke.

She became more proactive in the s*x she had been forced into.

She began to initiate contact with Toma.

Haruto's presence became an annoyance.

She stopped reaching out first.

She started going to school alone.

She began to turn down dates.

“Hey, Toma. I'm going to break up with Haruto, so let's go out.” (Akiho)

For Akiho, who could only see Toma now, it was the obvious choice.

“I'm fine with us dating, but don't break up with Haruto just yet. It's still recognized by your parents, right? If they think it's cheating, it could become a problem later. For now, let's keep it discreet.” (Akiho)

“Okay. That’s fine by me.” (Toma)

Cheating

I never imagined that I would end up doing something like this, especially when I've liked Haruto since I was little.

Ideally, I would want to break up with Haruto as soon as possible.

But Toma told me not to break up with him.

So, I can't break up with him.

I should just leave everything to Toma.

Whenever I meet with Toma, it's always about being intimate.

For the two of us, that was the main purpose.

So, meeting Onee-chan that Christmas night was a series of coincidences.

Normally, we spent time at Toma's house, the park, or a nearby hotel, but since I wanted to enjoy a bit of the Christmas spirit, I invited Toma to a hotel near the station.

“I didn't expect to run into Na-chan. I was caught off guard.” (Toma)

“She was probably on her way back to university, so I don't think it will get back to Mom immediately. We just need to be careful when she returns.” (Akiho)

Having been caught in an affair and accidentally admitting to breaking up with Haruto, I needed to ensure no one else found out.

Fortunately, Onee-chan was on her way back to her boarding house and wasn't the type to frequently visit home or contact us actively.

Now, it was a matter of how to turn lies into truth.

Then, one day in the summer, it happened.

“Akiho! What are you doing after canceling our plans?” (Haru)

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All Akiho told her mother was that she was the one having the affair. That fact alone was enough.

“So you're saying that you were the one who cheated. Haruto wasn't at fault. Is that right?” (Natsu’s mother)

Her mother confirmed with Akiho, holding her head.

“Yes.” (Akiho)

Akiho answered briefly, looking down.

“Ugh, you really made a mess of things.” (Natsu’s mother)

Her mother sighed and spoke disparagingly.

A moment of silence followed.

The ticking of the clock seemed oddly loud.

“…you'll have to keep this a secret.” (Natsu’s mother)

“Eh?” (Akiho)

Unable to understand her mother's words, Akiho asked for clarification.

“I said you need to stick to your lie. This will be our secret. Keep it from Natsuki as well. If she says anything, just brush it off.” (Natsu’s mother)

Akiho was stunned by the unexpected words.

“Now, of all times, you want me to apologize? Fortunately, Haruto is no longer around. He probably won't come back to the family home. And Furukawa-san says he won't let him near you.” (Natsu’s mother)

“B-But…” (Akiho)

Though this was convenient for her, Akiho struggled to process it all.

“You don't have a choice. Don't trouble me further.” (Natsu’s mother)

Akiho could only nod in response.