"Here, Take This."
After parting ways with Karuizawa, I returned to my room, where Arisu—who was staying over tonight—held out a sinister-looking bottle with a skull sticker on it, placed on the desk.
"...What's this?"
"Can't you tell by looking?"
"If I could, I wouldn't be asking."
Arisu acted like it should've been obvious, but I'd never seen a liquid this color before. And why the skull symbol…?
"Lately, I've been thinking…"
"What, all of a sudden?"
She abruptly met my gaze, her tone shifting to something quieter. Unconsciously, I straightened my posture.
"We've slept together quite a few times now, haven't we?"
"Yeah, probably past double digits by now."
"The first time, I was so nervous I could barely function, but lately… I've gotten used to it."
"Ah, right. Recently, you've been more proactive—asking for what you want, begging me to touch you here and—Ow!"
"You really need to learn some tact."
She pinched my outstretched leg hard. I reflexively recoiled, earning a sharp glare. To move things along, I urged, "So?"
"Our nights together are very satisfying. I have no complaints whatsoever."
"Glad to hear it."
"But what about you, Hachiman?"
"Me?"
"Are you satisfied?"
…Satisfied? What kind of question is that?
"I've always noticed—you always stop when I'm satisfied, don't you?"
"Isn't that just basic decency?"
Pushing things further at her expense was out of the question.
"Your consideration is admirable, but I dislike it when only one side is satisfied."
"It's not like I'm unsatisfied…"
Honestly, the fact that she even considers me is more than enough. But for Arisu, that wasn't good enough.
"So to sum it up… you want me to go all the way until I can't take it anymore?"
"…That wording is a bit embarrassing."
She blushed faintly but nodded. I sighed.
"But still—"
"You're worried about my body, aren't you?"
She cut me off. There were other concerns, but my biggest hang-up was the strain on her.
"You're important to me. You know that."
"And that's exactly why I want to satisfy you."
"But—"
"Which is why this exists."
With a dramatic flourish, she presented the bottle again.
"So, what is this?"
"An aphrodisiac. Something to heighten your desires."
"Ah… an aphrodisiac."
I'd kinda guessed, so I wasn't shocked. The conversation had been heading this way.
Still… for some reason, this bottle reminded me of Ayanokouji. No connection at all, but why…?
"With this, you won't hold back anymore. A brilliant idea, don't you think?"
"Is it really that potent?"
"In its current state, it's too strong. We'll dilute it with tea and let it sit for a few days before consumption. Even then, it's several times more effective than normal aphrodisiacs."
"And it's safe?"
"Rest assured. It's harmless, and I'll be the one taking care of you."
Her eyes locked onto mine, waiting for my answer.
"Well?"
"If you've gone this far, I can't exactly say no."
She'd put in all this effort for me. As a man, I couldn't refuse.
"But in return—I hope you're prepared."
"Prepared?"
"If this stuff's as strong as you say, I might lose control."
I beckoned her closer. She leaned in, curious—until I yanked her waist against me.
"I might just ravage you. You better be ready."
"R-Ravage…?! W-Wha—… Y-Yes…"
Her voice cracked, flustered. Arisu was oddly pure for someone so cunning—one touch, and she turned scarlet. Seeing her like this made me feel… something. Maybe I am twisted.
…Oh, right. I'd missed a call earlier. I should probably return it now.
Later…
My usual self-study time at my desk. Yet, for some reason, I couldn't focus. My pen moved sluggishly across the notebook. My phone, lying beside it, kept stealing my attention.
…This was all his fault.
An hour had passed since I'd called him. No callback. It was irritating.
"Haah… This isn't like me."
I sighed at myself. Getting worked up over a single phone call?
"Overthinking won't help. I should just leave my phone on the bed."
Exams were coming up. I needed to focus. But just as I reached for it—
Buzz.
"Eh…?!"
I fumbled, checking the screen.
Incoming call: Hikigaya Hachiman.
"W-Wait, so suddenly…?!"
My mind blanked. What was I supposed to—? No, it's just a call. Answer it.
I took a deep breath, sat on the bed, and pressed the phone to my ear.
["Hello. Horikita?"]
"H-Hewwo—I mean, hello."
["…Did you just—"]
"—What?"
["…Never mind."]
Close call. Almost repeated that mistake. He didn't seem to notice.
["Sorry for missing your call earlier. Got tied up."]
"I-It's fine. Did something happen?"
["Well… stuff came up. Took a while to call back."]
"How vague."
["Let's leave it at that."]
…I sounded normal, right? Calm? The delay had helped. I felt steadier now.
["Still, it's rare for you to call. Need something?"]
"Yes, well… I just wanted to—"
Just ask about your brother. Arrange a talk on Sunday. Simple.
But the words wouldn't come.
["Ah, about Horikita Manabu? You want to discuss him, right?"]
He'd jumped to the most logical conclusion.
["Since you didn't meet at the festival, it makes sense you'd—"]
"…That's not it."
"Eh?"
The surprised voice wasn't just his—mine too.
What did I just say? He'd handed me the perfect excuse, and I rejected it?
"I never said I wanted to talk about my brother."
["…You didn't. Then what is it?"]
"An invitation. This Sunday… want to go out together?"
The words spilled out before I could think. As if I'd planned this.
My face burned. I bowed my head, knowing full well how red I must've looked.
["..."]
"Your silence isn't helping."
["Just surprised. Didn't expect you to ask me out."]
"My apologies for being unexpected. So… will you?"
Would he refuse? Well, he probably had plans. It's fine. I'd just study instead. More productive anyway—
["Sunday, right? That day's—"]
["Who are you talking to?"]
A woman's voice. One I recognized.
"…Why is Sakayanagi with you?"
["W-Wait, hold on— You're out of the bath already?"]
["I hurried because I didn't want to waste time with you. Now, who's on the phone?"]
["Uh, well… Wait, what are you wearing?"]
["Your favorite sleepwear—the one that shows off my thighs~."]
["You exhibitionist."]
["They're just shorts. I protest that label."]
["No, but—"]
["Fufu~. If I'd known you'd stare so much, I wouldn't have told Shiina or Amasawa~."]
My mind went blank. This conversation was… what?
Hachiman, flustered, suddenly blurted:
["Horikita! Sunday's fine! I'll text you the time. Looking forward to it!"]
Click.
The call ended.
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!!!!"
I hurled my phone at the pillow.
Extra Scene
After hanging up with Horikita, Arisu grilled me about the call, but at least things had settled.
"I can't wait for the aphrodisiac to be ready."
"That's a weird thing to say, but if you're happy, fine."
I prepared a separate container of tea mixed with the aphrodisiac, labeling it with a big "X" to avoid accidents.
…Little did I know, this concoction would end up being used in a way I never expected.
=================================
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