Faced with the sudden turn of events, a glimmer of understanding flashed across Rei Ao's iridescent eyes.
But he did not expose it.
Nodoka felt as though she were melting.
All rational thought had already evaporated.
She was completely immersed in what she believed to be an illusion.
Just then—
"Wah!!!"
The bedroom door was flung open.
"Nodoka Toyohama!"
That familiar, furious shout made Nodoka freeze.
Her head turned stiffly, bit by bit.
She saw "herself" standing in the doorway.
The familiar face was twisted with equal parts shock and anger—so fierce it looked as if she might be swallowed alive.
Uh… what kind of bizarre dream is this? Am I catching myself in the act?
Rei Ao's lips curved into a small smile.
Time to lay everything bare.
He suddenly stood, lifting the "Nodoka Toyohama" in his arms, and carried her straight to the full‑length mirror.
With a tilt of his chin he said, "Take a good look at the situation."
"Hm?"
She had thought dream‑Rei Ao was simply teasing her, and being carried like this certainly felt thrilling.
But he clearly wanted her to look in the mirror.
Still puzzled, she glanced over—
"What?!"
Her pupils shrank.
A surge of absurdity flooded her chest.
Because in the mirror she could see that the body cradled in Rei Ao's arms was Sakurajima Mai's!
She… had become Sakurajima Mai?!
A familiar déjà‑vu washed over her.
Nodoka's mind crashed.
"This… this isn't a dream?"
Her voice rose, filled with terror and disbelief.
There could be only one explanation—Adolescence Syndrome had struck again!
But… why at a time like this?!
Just as the first time, Rei Ao and Mai had been—
"Heh."
Rei Ao chuckled softly and turned her toward the mirror.
"Seen it clearly now?"
His movements never paused; if anything, he went right on holding her that way.
In the reflection, she saw Mai's face flush bright red.
The sight made Nodoka's heart race; waves of shame crashed over her, leaving her nowhere to hide.
"Rei Ao!"
The "Nodoka" at the doorway—really Mai's soul—trembled with rage.
Fury and grievance were written across Nodoka's face.
Storming over, she demanded,
"You knew all along, didn't you?!"
"Yes."
Rei Ao shrugged, admitting it outright.
And even that didn't slow his "advance."
"After all, Nodoka's reactions were so inexperienced—totally unlike you, Mai. I sensed it immediately."
"?"
Nodoka was so mortified she nearly fainted,
yet her body answered his movements in spite of herself.
"You!"
Mai lunged to pull them apart, but the moment she touched Rei Ao's arm, he turned and swept her into his embrace as well.
"Since things are already like this…"
Rei Ao's rainbow irises drifted between them, shining with deep, enigmatic light.
"Why don't we all share?"
"Are you crazy?!"
Mai struggled,
but her strength was insignificant against Rei Ao.
Yet when she caught the scent of the shower gel on Nodoka—one she herself had used specially that day—she stiffened.
A tangle of complicated feelings welled up inside.
Nodoka suddenly burst into tears.
"I'm sorry… I really… honestly thought I could…"
"I just… have feelings for Rei Ao‑kun…"
Her guilt choked her words.
Because of her feelings for him she'd ended up in this embarrassing mess.
Tears poured down like a breached dam, splashing onto their intertwined arms.
Mai's struggles stopped.
She stared blankly at Nodoka—at her own face showing a vulnerability it had never worn before.
"So your Adolescence Syndrome…"
Mai's voice was dry, laced with a faint, barely perceptible ache.
"…was triggered by that?"
Because Nodoka had feelings for Rei Ao, because she envied Mai being with him, she had once again become Mai…
For a moment, Mai didn't know what to say.
Rei Ao gently set Nodoka on his knee.
His fingers brushed away her tears, as though handling something fragile and precious.
Mai looked at the marks on her own body, then at Nodoka's tear‑reddened eyes.
The anger and jealousy in her heart slowly melted into understanding and pity.
Seeing Nodoka in such pain, she couldn't bring herself to blame her.
At last she let out a long sigh.
"Rei Ao‑kun… take her in."
"Eh?"
Nodoka snapped her head up, eyes wide with shock and delight, tears still clinging to her lashes, sparkling like gems in the moonlight.
"I said…"
Mai turned away, ears blazing red, the blush blooming like a vivid flower.
"Make this idiot your girlfriend! Since…"
Her voice trailed off.
"…since you've already got plenty of girlfriends in that weird chat group of yours anyway…"
Rei Ao raised an amused brow. "You're sure?"
"But!"
Mai suddenly spun and grabbed his collar, eyes warning.
"If you dare play favorites…"
Her threat was cut off when Nodoka pounced on her in a hug.
The two girls knelt on the bed.
Mai stared in astonishment as her cousin—using Mai's own body—hugged her tightly.
"Thank you… thank you, Onee‑chan…"
Nodoka buried her face in Mai's shoulder, sobbing with gratitude and joy.
Mai froze for a moment,
then slowly lifted her hand to pat Nodoka's back, the motion turning gentle.
Rei Ao watched the cousins, a smile lighting his eyes.
He wrapped both of them in his arms.
Mai made a token struggle before surrendering and leaning against his shoulder.
Nodoka, like a shy little creature, curled up between them, savoring the hard‑won warmth and happiness.
Far off, waves crashed against rocks, mingling with the room's gradually steadying breaths.
"From today on…"
Rei Ao's voice was low and tender. "You both belong to me."
Mai gave a soft "hmph" but didn't argue.
Nodoka shyly nodded, her fingers quietly hooking Rei Ao's sleeve.
"So for tonight I won't switch you back. I think this is pretty fun, don't you?"
"Huh?"
Mai blinked.
Before she could react, Rei Ao pounced again.
He clearly had the power to restore them—yet insisted on letting the mistake stand!
How infuriating!!!
~~~
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