Chapter 103: Four Girls in Sailor Uniforms

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Translator: Soafp

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I never imagined that Kokoa disliked cheating this much.

I knew I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but perhaps the trauma stemmed from her parents’ divorce.

I gave a small nod and replied.

“Alright. I’ll tell you everything I know about Nagasawa-senpai.”

“Wow, as expected of Ren-senpai!”

“It’s not exactly a condition, but could I ask you for one favor in return?”

Keeping a serious expression, I continued.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about regarding your agency.”

“M-My agency?”

“Yes. It’s something pretty important. After hearing it, can you promise me you’ll seriously think about your situation with the agency?”

If Kokoa left her current agency, there was a chance she’d lose not only the name Jirai-chan Syndrome, but also the song that had helped launch her career.

There wasn’t any immediate danger visible yet, and she had obligations to the other members as well.

I couldn’t imagine her abandoning the agency so easily.

(But knowing and not knowing are completely different things.)

At the very least, she could be cautious.

She could prepare herself in her own way.

That was far better than remaining completely unaware.

Kokoa gave a small nod.

“Okay. If Ren-senpai says it’s important, then there must be something to it. You’ve never been wrong before.”

“Thank you. Well then… actually, I’m moving tomorrow.”

“So we’re finally going to live together!?”

“The way you say it… We’re not living together. We’re just going to be residents of the same apartment building.”

“That’s basically the same thing!”

It absolutely wasn’t.

“Anyway, once the move settles down, come to my room. I’ll show you everything there.”

“Ohhh, got it! I’ll come over with a housewarming gift too!”

Kokoa smiled brightly.

◇

When I got home, not only Airi and Yui were there, but Nodoka as well.

At this point, spending time together as a group of four had become completely normal.

“I packed up all of Ren-kun’s things too. Here, this is the list. Check if I missed anything.”

“…”

Airi handed me a sheet of memo paper.

Most of the contents of my room had already been packed into cardboard boxes.

I had intended to do it myself after coming home.

(And she even knows almost perfectly what’s necessary and what’s not.)

I’d decided to buy new furniture, a desk, and a television.

Other than clothes and books, there actually wasn’t much to move.

Of course Yui had probably helped too.

Still, the fact that Airi seemed to know almost everything in my room was a little terrifying.

“Thanks. Honestly, it feels like you know me better than I know myself.”

“Hehe, of course I do.”

Of course?

Sometimes I felt like Airi and I kept our common sense in very different places.

As usual, Nodoka settled herself comfortably on my lap.

“So, how was it?”

“How was what?”

“Y-You were alone with Kokoa-san, weren’t you?”

“…Not really.”

Sure, we’d talked for a little while near the school gate.

But it had been completely out in the open where everyone could see us.

“Ren-kun, did Miyoko-san still seem kind of isolated?”

“Yeah… honestly, it looked less like isolation and more like bullying.”

“It’s unusual for a currently popular idol to get bullied.”

I thought so too.

Normally she’d be the most popular person in school.

“But considering Miyoko-san’s personality, it’s not surprising if she struggles to fit in.”

“Huh? Wouldn’t someone like her fit in easily?”

“Not necessarily, Ren-kun. Especially among girls.”

“Ah, I think I kind of understand.”

Nodoka carefully chose her words.

“Kokoa-san is the type who naturally appeals to guys. If you step back and look at her, it can seem like she’s deliberately acting cute around boys. Like she’s trying to win them over… or being flirtatious.”

“On top of that, her hair color, appearance, and fashion sense all stand out. Even her voice sounds a little like an anime voice actress.”

“Exactly! We know she isn’t doing it intentionally, but… how do I put it…”

“The princess of an otaku club.”

“That’s it! Though… what exactly does that mean? I’ve only heard the phrase before.”

“…”

Nodoka, if you don’t actually know what it means, maybe don’t agree so confidently.

Still, I understood what they were getting at.

At least from the perspective of other girls, she wasn’t necessarily someone they’d feel comfortable becoming close friends with.

“By the way, have either of you ever heard the name Kamishiro?”

“Kamishiro?”

“Yeah. Kokoa-san’s classmates kept bringing it up while teasing her. But I have no idea what it’s about.”

No matter how I thought about it, it was strange for classmates to know the details behind someone else’s parents’ divorce.

I couldn’t imagine Kokoa-san spreading that information herself.

If they knew, maybe it had become public through the media somehow.

Airi answered first.

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“What about you, Nodoka?”

“Hmm…”

Nodoka tilted her head thoughtfully.

“I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before… but I can’t remember where.”

I suspected that if I dug through old articles, I’d probably find something.

But I doubted it would help prevent Kokoa-san’s nightmare.

Digging up painful memories rarely led to anything good.

“Well, then let’s wait until Kokoa-san decides to tell us herself.”

“You’re such a serious person, Ren-kun. That’s one of your good points.”

“Come to think of it, I meant to ask. How was your day in the classroom, Airi?”

“About what?”

“The classmates asking questions and stuff.”

“Oh, that.”

Airi smirked.

“The boys especially wouldn’t stop bothering me. Asking if those photos were real, whether I was dating you. Some of them even said, ‘Why him of all people?’ That really irritated me. …Actually, talking about it is making me annoyed again.”

“…Calm down. So what did you do?”

“I told them this.”

She placed both hands on her lower abdomen and continued.

“I told them that every day, this place receives proof of Ren-kun’s passionate affection. The boys looked like they were about to cry.”

“…”

Those boys were probably in love with Airi.

No, Airi had definitely known that and said it on purpose.

If I were in their position, I’d probably spend the entire night crying into my pillow.

“It’s not a lie, is it?”

“I guess not. But the fact that you can say something like that so openly is impressive in a lot of ways. Still, if you go around saying things like that… won’t you end up isolated in class?”

“My relationships with Ren-kun and his pets are enough for me.”

“Could you at least call me by my name, senpai!? Even if I am a pet!?”

Apparently, both Nodoka and I occupied equally irreplaceable places in Airi’s heart.

For some reason, that made me incredibly happy.

I reached over and patted Airi’s head.

…And since Nodoka was staring at me expectantly, I patted hers too.

“So, Ren-kun, how did Miyoko-san look in her sailor uniform?”

“Huh? Well, she was cute, obviously.”

“I knew it. You like sailor uniforms too, don’t you?”

“Well, I mean… they’re nice, I guess.”

For some reason, Airi and Nodoka exchanged glances.

Then they disappeared into the next room and quickly returned.

Each of them was carrying a hanger.

“Ren-kun, we’re done preparing for the move, so let’s go to a love hotel.”

“Or my house! Anywhere is fine! Because today, I-I’ll wear this!”

Both hangers held sailor uniforms.

Nodoka’s was the genuine uniform she had worn in middle school.

…Meanwhile, Airi’s was a revealing cosplay version with a very short skirt and top.

Nodoka intertwined her fingers with mine and continued while holding my hand.

“R-Ren, when you think of cute girls in sailor uniforms, it has to be us, okay?”

I really couldn’t win against Nodoka.

Had they been preparing this from the moment I agreed to be a guide today?

“Alright. Let’s go to a love hotel. It’d be a hassle cleaning up afterward anyway.”

“Okay!”

The two of them nodded together.

Just as I was beginning to imagine how the evening would go—

“U-Um…”

Yui, who had been quietly watching us the whole time, timidly spoke up.

“W-Would it be okay if I brought my middle school sailor uniform too…? Then even if I’m only watching from the side, I’d feel… even better… Ah, sorry!”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t known this when we were in middle school.

…Who would’ve thought that Yui was such a pervert too?

◇

The next morning, Sunday.

The movers arrived and transported all of our belongings.

That said, neither Nodoka’s nor my things amounted to many boxes.

Most of the appliances and furniture had already been installed in the new apartment.

“So this is our love nest.”

Airi smiled with satisfaction.

Nodoka’s face instantly turned bright red.

“A-A love nest…!”

“A master, a slave, a pet, and a maid.”

“Wait a second. Aren’t we missing the young wife role?”

…Our relationship was unconventional in all sorts of ways.

But regardless, this was where our new life would begin.

Honestly, I never expected to leave my parents’ home and become independent this quickly.

A variety of emotions stirred inside me.

At the same time, a growing sense of responsibility welled up from somewhere deep within.

“Wow! The bed in this room is huge!”

“Ah, Kokoa-san! We haven’t even used it yet!”

“Ehh, Nodoka-san, you’re so stingy!”

Kokoa had tagged along as well.

I had intended to invite her after we finished unpacking.

But she insisted on helping and showed up on her own.

“Oh? Miyoko-san, interested in that bed?”

“It’s my first time seeing a bed this big!”

“Want me to tell you what it’s used for?”

“Huh? Doesn’t a bed only have one purpose—sleeping?”

“…Airi, stop right there. What exactly are you planning to tell a middle schooler?”

Kokoa tilted her head innocently.

It seemed she genuinely had no idea what Airi was implying.