Yamamoto silently stood up and walked toward the bathroom, black whip in hand.
"Wait up, Yamamoto—there's still three boxes!"
Iori stopped him and pointed at the remaining ones. He was just as furious, but he hadn't lost his mind.
"Kitahara! That scumbag… he's not even human anymore. Just let me bury him!"
Yamamoto grabbed Iori by the collar, sobbing uncontrollably.
The atmosphere turned strange. If this were a shonen anime, Yamamoto would be the crying female lead, and Iori…
Would be the hero saving her.
"We're not done yet…"
There was enough evidence to convict Kamishiro.
But to bury him? Not yet.
That pervert might try to deny everything.
There were still three small boxes left.
And knowing Kamishiro's insane tendencies… there could be photos. With those, he'd have no way to talk his way out!
"But…"
"I'll go. Just this once," Nojima said, taking off his glasses. It was do-or-die.
He opened the box—
Golden light!
A few magazines appeared in view.
All of them featured naked muscle men on the covers. Not a single woman.
"..."
Silence. The kind found in dark alleyways at 2 AM.
Even Yamamoto stopped crying. He shakily picked up the magazines one by one—
It was real.
Real erotic magazines… but all men. Not a single woman inside.
The room remained silent.
Things… had taken a strange turn.
Kamishiro Shiro's sins: minus one.
"Next box!"
Kohei opened his.
More golden light!
Yamamoto and the others looked hopeful. Could this one finally condemn Kamishiro?!
Discs!
Everyone was excited. These had to be recordings of Kamishiro's parties!
They ignored the two men on the cover—had to be a distraction!
Holding their breath, they played the disc in Kamishiro's room.
"I don't mind that you're a guy."
"Eh? Really? Actually, I also…"
Click!
Yamamoto shut off the screen just before the unspeakable part.
The room turned heavy again…
Kamishiro's sins: minus another one!
"Then… it's down to me…"
Iori swallowed nervously. Everything now depended on the final box, the smallest of them all.
Everyone huddled close as he slowly opened the wooden box—
Colorful!
Photos!
Spicy, steamy photos!
Of naked men! Drinking together!
SLAM!
Iori shut the box instantly—but it was too late. They'd seen it.
The four were petrified. The implications of those photos were too great.
Because…
Most of the men in those photos were Iori and Kohei!
They stumbled back in shock, the realization dawning upon them. It all connected!
Kamishiro liked men?!
He wore those cosplay outfits himself?!
The makeup and clothes? His!
The props? Also his!!
And the videos and photos…
AAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Their worldviews shattered.
This meant Kamishiro might be into Iori and Kohei—and the party he held… was a naked man party?!
"Um… this is a misunderstanding,"
Iori muttered, face dark as he cursed Kamishiro in his heart. Why did that bastard like taking so many photos?!
And not even explicit ones—just drinking parties! Though, yes, they were all naked…
"Don't come near us!!" ×4
The four screamed. Now that they understood everything, they realized how naive they had been.
They were lambs led to the wolf's den!
Iori and Kohei twitched. If they let these four go, they'd be all over the school forum tomorrow!
No way!
They exchanged glances and blocked the door together.
Even if it was 2v4!
For their reputations, they couldn't let them escape!
They were fired up!
Creaaak~
Shiro walked out of the bathroom.
He looked at his room in silence. From the noise earlier, he knew something big was happening… but this big?
{{(°△°; ")}}!
Seeing the six opened boxes, he started trembling. It had all been discovered…
But…
Why did the atmosphere feel so off?
"Um… can someone tell me what's going on?"
He asked weakly. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't understand what was happening.
Iori and Kohei looked like predators.
The other four were clinging together, looking very emotionally involved…
"Something… unexpected happened!"
"In any case, we can't let them leave!"
(′｀;)?
Shiro was even more confused. Were they insane again? He didn't get it at all.
"Photos! Forum! Door!"
Iori explained vaguely.
That made Shiro's eyes change—filled with murderous intent.
"Alright. Now I completely understand!"
{{(°△°; ")}}!
"Why do you understand now?! What happened between you guys?!"
The four clung to each other in fear. They had no fight left in them. They were scared that resisting would only make the three of them more excited!
But fate hadn't completely abandoned them.
Just when they thought it was all over—
Creaaak~
"Yo! Shiro, your place is pretty lively!"
"Ah, great! Shiro, we didn't find the perverts you mentioned~"
Angels!
Purple-haired and brown-haired angels!
Upon seeing the two, the four clung to them without hesitation.
Please, take us away! Save us, oh angels!
Shiro and the others silently stepped back. They weren't worried for the 'girls' at all.
Because…
"Shiro, are these your classmates?"
"So energetic! In that case, let's all join our drinking party. It's our first time hosting one at your place."
Tokita and Kotobuki smiled, holding beer, looking totally clueless...
But none of that mattered anymore—just drink!
The four stood frozen in place—those angels… had suddenly turned into demons!
And not just any demons, they were the same type as the ones from the magazines and the video earlier!
"Strip rock-paper-scissors!!!"
"Oh yeah!!"
"Nooo! Mom, I wanna go home!!" ×4
.....................…..
"Well then, I'll be heading out first~"
Nanaka waved goodbye to Shiro and Azusa with a beaming smile, followed by four thugs—each of them carrying a naked man over their shoulder.
She looked exactly like a mob boss from a yakuza gang!
"Bye bye~"
"B-Bye… Make sure… to get some rest, Nanaka-nee."
Shiro's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He had originally wanted to tell her to stay safe, but one look at her entourage made it obvious—it was everyone else who needed to be careful.
Although… they did need to be careful not to get mistaken for human traffickers. After all, walking around with a naked man on each shoulder was way too suspicious!
The ones being carried, of course, were the "Four Extras." Sure, they liked to drink, but they had never seen a party quite like this one!
After the first round, their clothes were gone. After the second, they were semi-conscious. By the third, they were completely down for the count...
Now they were being hauled away like trash by Iori and the others.
Watching them disappear into the night, Shiro could only hope they wouldn't end up traumatized for life.
"Hey, Iori, what about your friends? Where do they live?"
"Don't worry about them. Just dump them on the street somewhere!"
"Eh? Is that really okay? Aren't they your friends?"
"Iori's right! Just dump them on the street. Or if you're really worried, toss them into the ocean!"
"..."
"You two are awful."
"Being your friend must be tragic."
Shiro looked away.
With Iori and Nanaka around, those four were in for a very interesting night.
"Mm~ That felt great. I thought we weren't gonna have a party tonight, but surprise! You had a secret one at home, didn't you, Shiro~?"
Azusa lay sprawled on the bed, resting her chin in her hand, playing with a pair of pink handcuffs, her tone playful.
"I thought you'd invite a bunch of girls, but it was all guys from your year. Has our little Shiro finally realized the charm of other boys?"
Thwack!
"Ow~!"
He hit her with a karate chop.
She held her head in pain, her usual mature and alluring aura replaced with a slightly drunken cuteness. Her big eyes looked at Shiro with an innocent, teary expression.
(;?＿?)
"Quit the act! My heart is as hard as stone now! Tell me, why'd you and Nanaka-nee come back when you had such a golden opportunity?"
Shiro grumbled in frustration. What a wasted chance—two girls, one bed!
"Ahem… Well, I just wanted to compete fairly with you, Shiro. You said you wanted to marry Nanaka, right? I didn't want to take advantage…"
Azusa tried to argue her case, but her voice was less confident than her words. No way she was gonna admit she chickened out because of that embarrassing dream she had!
(???)
"..."
Shiro stared at her silently. That excuse was beyond weak. He was the wingman here—since when did the wingman need to "compete fairly" with the main guy?!
Besides… did she even have the qualifications to compete?
Feeling guilty under his gaze, Azusa turned her head and sat up with a huff. Then she suddenly looped her arms around Shiro's neck and pulled him down onto the bed.
"It was just curiosity, okay? I came back 'cause I wanted to see what a beast looks like."
...Shiro had no idea how to respond. Who actually runs back just to "see a beast"?
"A beast? You already saw six of them. You—"
He glanced at her flushed face and those slightly parted lips just inches away. He took a deep breath, barely restraining himself.
Azusa had drunk more than anyone else tonight, probably more than the six losers combined.
It was like she had something weighing on her mind… Was she beating herself up for not making a move on Nanaka-nee?
Right now, Azusa looked like a ripe, fragrant peach—too tempting not to take a bite.
The air was filled with pink, sugary bubbles~
"Crap! I forgot to ask—"
BANG!
"OW!" Shiro cried out, clutching his head. That sudden headbutt dazed him completely. Who just jumps up like that!?
The pink fantasy burst in an instant…
"AZUSA-NEE!!!"
Shiro rained karate chops down on her head like a madman. He was ready to crack it open and check if it was filled with booze!
You're just talking normally, then suddenly a headbutt?! Are you some kind of Pokémon?!
"Wait—Ow ow ow! Shiro, stop, you'll break me!"
Azusa clutched her head. This evil junior had no respect for his senpai! Picking on her while she was drunk!
Yeah, Azusa knew she was drunk. But she couldn't help it. That dream from earlier was way too embarrassing, and now she couldn't even look Shiro or Nanaka in the eye. Just give her a day to recover, please!
"Hmph ╯^╰"
Shiro huffed and snatched the pink handcuffs from her hands. This Azusa was broken. Useless!
Noticing the handcuffs were gone, Azusa suddenly remembered what she had wanted to ask earlier.
"Shiro, Shiro! I just remembered, why do you have so many cosplay costumes?"
Shiro, who was tidying the room, froze.
Yeah… why indeed?
Actually, they weren't his. Shiro did have a thing for cosplay, but even he wouldn't bring this much home…
The cosplay outfits…
He once had a junior—one year younger—a famous cosplayer. She used to send him her worn costumes, claiming they were "authentic…"
He didn't even know why he brought them here back then. But they weren't just costumes.
With Azusa looking baffled, Shiro reached into the pile like a total perv.
Jie jie jie~ (evil laughter)
He pulled out a book-sized box.
"Uh… what's that, Shiro?"
"This—this is the real treasure!"
Σ(?д?|||)??
Azusa jumped back in surprise. Just hearing those words sobered her up.
She leapt off the bed.
"Open it! I wanna see what it is!"
She changes moods fast! Wasn't she drunk just a second ago?
Without a word, Shiro opened the box under Azusa's curious gaze.
(^o^)
(???)
Azusa's excitement instantly vanished.
Inside the box, same size as it, was… a notebook.
"That's it?"
Azusa stared in disbelief. How was this a treasure? Was there gold hidden inside?
"Hmph, don't underestimate it!"
Shiro beamed like a kid showing off his favorite toy.
He opened the book. Inside were pages full of phone numbers!
(′｀;)?
Azusa was still confused. So many numbers… Was Shiro a secret agent?
"These… are all the contacts of rich sugar mommies!!!"
Σ(?д?|||)??
Azusa took a cautious step back.
Sugar mommies… Shiro…
"Shiro! Don't do something stupid! Azusa-nee will work hard to support you!"
She hugged his leg. Was this… just drunken rambling?
"What are you even thinking? You think I need that?"
Shiro scoffed.
He had no interest in sugar mommies. He was a man dedicated to rescuing beautiful, helpless girls!
"Eh? You don't?"
"Of course not! I'm not into older women. These were from when I worked as a host."
"Then why call it a treasure?"
"Hmph~ Think about it, Azusa-nee. I don't need them, but others do! This is a sugar mommy contact list! I could sell each copy for 50,000 yen, easy. Just 50,000 to change someone's life! What a deal—and I can sell it over and over!"
Shiro's eyes sparkled with gold. He could already see cash pouring into his pockets!
He even had his first targets lined up:
Those six losers!
He'd help them ditch their virginity and reach the peak of life!
Shiro, oh Shiro, you're practically a saint!!!
This move? A win-win of fame and fortune!
"..."
Azusa quietly climbed back into bed, watching Shiro losing his mind.
This Shiro was broken.
Time to sleep.
.....................…..
It was yet another sunny day~
All the joy started from that diving shop.
"Ah…"
"Ugh…"
Iori and Kouhei sat slumped in their chairs like their souls had been sucked out by succubi, trembling from time to time.
They looked completely lifeless.
No one knew exactly what they went through, but it was obvious they hadn't recovered yet…
"…What the heck did you two do yesterday?"
Aina was speechless. Why was it that every time she saw these two, they always came with new chaos?
"Ah… the 'cosplaying zombie beast'…"
"Don't call me the cosplaying zombie beast!!"
Why were they so hung up on that nickname anyway?!
"We're kind of short on money lately…"
"Thought we'd earn a little… but turns out that's way harder than we thought…"
The two sighed heavily.
The cost of the group training trip was pretty high. The club only covered the travel fare to Okinawa—everything else they had to pay themselves.
And it was only after getting part-time jobs that they realized how hard it is to actually earn money. Iori thought about the 250,000 yen IOU he owed to Shiro and just sank into despair.
"Wait? Didn't Chisa introduce you guys to a job?"
Azusa, who was sipping beer, looked puzzled. Just yesterday the two had eagerly gone off to work with Chisa.
"..."
The two fell silent. Then slowly raised their trembling arms… their pain was written all over their faces.
Their experience yesterday could only be described as tragic…
Tokita-senpai had gotten them jobs at a moving company. The physical labor was insane—the kind only someone with his monstrous physique could handle!
Sure, after busting their butts all day, they did earn a decent amount of money.
But…
Going out for a drink afterward was totally understandable, right?
Alcohol in Japan is pretty expensive… and they could really drink. So, them blowing all their wages in one night? Also understandable… right?
(´Д｀)
They had basically worked for free that day!!!
"Of course it's expensive if you're drinking at a bar… So where's Chisa?"
Azusa didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Drinking at bars was costly and had no vibe—if they'd just come back, they could've thrown a fun little drinking party!
"Uuuu~ it was too late to head back X﹏X"
"Tokita-senpai said he was going to earn back what he drank yesterday…"
Just thinking about how energetic Tokita looked when he left made their hearts ache again. They really got bodied in the physical fitness department…
Seeing the two on the verge of tears, Azusa couldn't help but feel a little bad.
"Well… why not borrow a bit from Shiro? Doesn't he do IOUs?"
{{(°△°;")}}
The two stared at her in horror—what kind of grim reaper was she?!
If they went to Shiro, that bastard would crank the interest rate to the max! And if they couldn't pay it back, they'd probably get shipped off to a boys' club!
And that wasn't a joke—they'd actually looked it up! The boys' club is real!!
"Absolutely not!"
They rejected the idea on the spot. Iori was already stressing about that 250,000 yen debt…
"…Just how afraid are you two of that boys' club anyway…"
From what she remembered, the vibe and dress code at that place wasn't much different from a regular drinking party…
"Speaking of which, where's Shiro?"
Aina looked around—wasn't their trio usually stuck together?
"Now that you mention it, Kotubuki-senpai isn't here either."
The two suddenly realized the oddity. Shouldn't everyone be lazing around the dive shop at this hour?
"Well, as for Shiro… he's been all secretive lately, coming home late too."
Azusa looked annoyed—clearly, Shiro's late nights had been messing with her evening plans!
"As for Buuki—he's working a part-time job too~"
!!!
Kotubuki-senpai?!
A job?!
Thinking about his buff physique and halfway-decent looks, the two's imaginations ran wild again.
"A pimp at a brothel?"
"Or maybe a dancer at the boys' club!"
"…What kind of image do you two even have of Kotubuki-senpai…"
Aina facepalmed. Wasn't it taboo to joke about your senpai like this?! Were they even real Japanese?!
"Pfft, hahaha—of course not, you two~"
Azusa laughed. These two were always a riot.
"So… wanna come see where Bukki's working?"
"Where he's working?"
"You sure it's not a boys' club?"
"Of course not. Just come with me—you'll see. Oh, and one of your other little friends is already there. Looks like he's making moves early~"
Azusa put away her phone with a mischievous grin. Kotubuki had just sent her a very entertaining message.
…
"Shiro-kun? Shiro-kun?"
A soft and gentle voice woke Shiro from his daze. Just now, for some reason… he'd felt a sudden chill!
Damn it! He'd made a rookie mistake—spacing out during a date!
He looked up at the person in front of him—a mature woman with cherry blossom-pink hair smiling sweetly at him.
Her gaze was so gentle, it felt like he was soaking in a hot spring.
He was smitten!
Utterly smitten!
Right now, Shiro was at a bar he'd discovered two days ago.
Not only were the drinks cheap, but most of the customers were students from nearby universities. The whole place radiated youthful vibes and hormones.
He'd been coming here for two days straight, meeting all sorts of girls. That's why he'd been getting home so late.
But just when he thought he'd found the perfect hunting ground… he saw someone new behind the bar—
Or rather… someone familiar.
Kotubuki Ryuujirou!!!
Shiro was stunned the moment he saw him!
Sure, the bar was close to Izu University, so it wasn't impossible to run into people he knew.
But of all people to bump into first—it was Kotubuki-senpai… and he was playing the role of a bartender?
Completely out of character!
Why was a guy who looked like a fitness model crossed with an AV actor working as a bartender here?!
And worse yet—he was actually popular!
It was so wrong on so many levels!
Because of the bar's open layout, Kotubuki also noticed Shiro right away.
He was a bit surprised too, but knowing Shiro's personality, it all made perfect sense. Nothing awkward about it, he even casually sent Azusa a little update~
Shiro, on the other hand, didn't try to avoid him either.
This was a bar, not a club—no need to be embarrassed. And after sampling Kotubuki-senpai's drink mixing skills, he just calmly got back to hunting for his prey.
That was when he spotted her—the mature, gentle beauty with cherry blossom-pink hair!
…
"Ah, sorry… I spaced out for a second."
Shiro placed a cocktail in front of her. A Pink Lady—a cocktail very suitable for women, and the same color as her hair.
(Pink Lady recipe: Chill the glass, shake 40ml gin, 15ml Cointreau, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml light cream, and a spoon of grenadine with ice)
"This is an apology."
Shiro smiled, making up for his earlier distraction.
He'd gotten so lost after introducing himself that he didn't even catch her name properly. What a fail!
Although… she had called him "Shiro-kun" right off the bat.
That had to be a good sign!
As expected, it was these gentle older women that really got his heart racing~
Shiro was pumped. This woman's charm wasn't any less than Nanaka's—plus, she probably didn't have Nanaka's extreme little-sister obsession, right?
"Wow, it's beautiful~ Did you make this just for me?"
Her soft gaze sparkled with joy.
She'd seen him jump in front of the bartender and insist on making that Pink Lady himself.
"Of course. It suits you perfectly."
Shiro looked at her silky pink hair.
She was like a cherry blossom tree standing by a hot spring—so beautiful it was mesmerizing.
"Thank you, I love it~"
The woman gently sipped the cocktail. The sweet, creamy aroma mellowed out the alcohol perfectly—it was smooth and velvety.
Watching her drink, Shiro was even more entranced. He kept thinking about how to subtly ask for her name again.
Damn it! Why did he space out back then?!
The woman put down her glass and smiled warmly at the manga-protagonist-looking boy in front of her.
Though he was trying to act calm, her sharp eyes caught the flicker of anxiety in his.
"Akane. You can call me Akane~"
In that moment, it was like a cherry blossom petal drifted down onto Shiro's head.
Saikou!
"Miss Akane, may I call you that?"
Shiro sat down next to Akane with a casual air, a scent as delicate as cherry blossoms lingering around his nose.
"Of course you can~ But don't you men usually like to act a little older than you really are~?"
Her eyes, as dark and brilliant as black pearls, sparkled with amusement as she looked at Shiro, as if seeing her younger self reflected in him.
No—he was even better than her former self. Back then, she didn't have his level of confidence and ease.
"Maybe some guys think acting older gives off a sense of security. But I prefer being my true self. I'm one of the youngest in the bar, you know. Unless… Miss Akane, do you like the older type?"
A faint trace of amusement danced in Akane's gaze.
Shiro looked so innocent—like a little rabbit who had stumbled into a bar—but unfortunately, no rabbit flirts this smoothly. He was already trying to probe her preferences.
She didn't respond. Instead, her eyes drifted to Shiro's drink—a deep amber liquid, like black tea. Long Island Iced Tea, a classic cocktail known for its aggressive kick.
(Long Island Iced Tea: 15ml vodka + 15ml rum + 15ml tequila + 15ml gin + 15ml Cointreau + 20ml lemon juice + 5ml syrup, shaken with ice and topped with cola.)
"Can I have a taste of your drink?"
The sudden question caught Shiro off guard.
He hadn't expected her to set her sights directly on his drink, especially since he'd just taken a sip from it right in front of her!
Shiro gently slid the glass over. "Of course."
"Thank you~"
Akane held the glass, the dark brown liquid glowing dreamily under the bar's lighting.
She took a small sip. Despite its over-30% alcohol content, it wasn't as harsh as she'd expected—in fact, there was a hint of sweetness.
There are many ways to make a boy fall for you: accidental touches, casually linking arms while walking, thoughtful little gifts during holidays… and the classic indirect kiss.
Any one of these could pull a boy into a beautiful fantasy born from his own imagination.
Under the warm lighting, even the seasoned Shiro found himself briefly entranced.
What a siren.
The cherry blossom fairy gently set the glass down. With that action, she had already answered Shiro's earlier question.
Whether or not she liked older guys—at the very least, she clearly had a very good impression of Shiro.
"That's quite a strong drink~"
A blush crept onto Akane's cheeks. Long Island Iced Tea may taste smooth, but its kick was undeniable.
"Maybe it's because of what it symbolizes."
Shiro chuckled as he accepted the glass back from her and unhesitatingly drank from the same spot she had.
Now he understood—he'd walked into a high-level game. This woman was no soft-hearted sweetheart.
This was a high-end match.
"Oh? And what does it symbolize? Care to enlighten me?"
Akane looked at Shiro with playful mischief.
As a seasoned hunter, she naturally knew the meaning behind the drink—just as she knew the meaning behind her own Pink Lady.
She simply wanted to tease this little bunny boy. His act of innocence was about to fall apart~
Shiro's expression remained composed—he had deliberately steered the conversation toward the drink's meaning.
At the end of the day, these so-called symbolic meanings were just decorations to give cocktails more flair.
He could easily make one up. A cliché love story? Piece of cake.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he caught a glimpse of those twinkling black pearl eyes—so gentle, yet brimming with teasing amusement.
Then it hit him: someone this experienced wouldn't not know the drink's meaning.
"Ai… Miss Akane, please don't mess with me. You don't really look like someone who doesn't know what it means."
"Oh? I thought I was playing the part pretty well~"
"Your big eyes are practically overflowing with laughter."
"Can I take that as a compliment?"
Resting her cheek on one hand, Akane saw a shadow of her past students in Shiro. Though they were entirely different people, something about this bar brought back memories of her wild youth.
(T/N: Been racking my brain who this girl is, turns out its just a bitch.)
"Of course. I mean, you really are beautiful."
"Now Shiro-kun's throwing straight pitches, huh? What happened to your cute bunny act?"
"Bunny? Miss Akane, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word."
Shiro activated his skill: playing dumb—with an acting level far beyond Akane's own.
Akane didn't respond, just took away his glass of Long Island Iced Tea.
"Long Island, huh? It's the first time I've had one that satisfied me this much. Your bartending skills are really impressive, Shiro-kun~"
She praised him. After all, a Long Island is a true test of a bartender's skill—it's not easy to make one that pleases the customer.
"Oh, then… would I have the chance to enjoy the night view of Izu with Miss Akane?"
Shiro made his move.
Offering someone a Long Island Iced Tea today commonly meant "I want to take you home." The drink hits hard and fast, perfect for not wasting any time through a long night.
He hadn't made the drink for Akane—he'd made it for himself. So there was no hidden meaning behind it. He just liked strong drinks and found lighter ones too bland lately.
But now that Akane had taken it—well, that changed everything. It implied that she was open to the idea, meaning it was fair game to extend an invitation~
"My, aren't you eager, Shiro-kun~"
Still, she didn't respond directly. Her eyes moved back to her own drink.
The pink liquid looked even more dreamy than the Long Island.
"Are you regretting giving me this drink now?"
The Pink Lady had a meaning too. Just like its taste, it symbolized romantic love and was a popular choice among women.
If she were just a naive girl who didn't know cocktails, then steering the conversation toward drink meanings would've been a great move. The romantic symbolism of this drink was very appealing to most girls.
A bar with soft music playing, a handsome boy who looked like he stepped out of a manga, and a cocktail mixed just for you that symbolizes love…
There aren't many girls who wouldn't feel their heart flutter under those circumstances.
"In hindsight, I kind of do regret it. Maybe… compared to the Pink Lady, that Long Island suits Miss Akane better."
Shiro had relaxed quite a bit. He didn't force the point or say something romantic.
They both already knew the other wasn't simple—any hollow flattery would just lower her opinion of him.
He really did regret it. He regretted it so much. He'd been fooled by her appearance. If he had known earlier, he would've just gone with a bold "see you tomorrow" drink.
Why the hell did he choose a Pink Lady?
"Hahaha, Shiro-kun, you really are honest. That answer caught me off guard—but I like it~"
She was pleased with that reply, and loved this atmosphere. She didn't know when it had started, but she had come to enjoy this kind of interaction—where both sides dropped their masks.
"I've never liked this drink, you know. Not once."
There was a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. It was as if she was seeing that absurd youth all over again.
.....................…..
"You don't like it?"
Shiro was a bit surprised.
That sweet, syrupy flavor made for a great drink, after all. Akane really seemed to have a story behind her.
His curiosity was piqued—after all, the more stories Akane had, the better his chances tonight!
"Shiro-kun, reel that gaze in a bit, okay~?"
Akane teased with a smile. Really, the boy in front of her was just like her younger self.
"Ah, youth is such a wonderful thing~"
"Why so sentimental? You don't look that old, Miss Akane."
Shiro tilted his head.
He had honestly thought Akane was just another student from the nearby Girls' University.
"Hehe~ Shiro-kun really knows how to flatter. But I'm already getting on in years. I've been working for quite a while now. And actually—"
She paused.
Under Shiro's confused gaze, she pulled out a ring and slid it onto her ring finger.
"Ta-da~ I'm married!"
!!!
Σ(°Д°;)
It felt like a bolt of lightning had just struck Shiro.
Married?!
How could someone as sweet and lovely as her be married already? Unforgivable!
He had never imagined that today's target would turn out to be a wife—and not just any wife, but one who didn't give off that "married woman" vibe at all. She felt more like the big-sister-next-door type!
But… wives are kinda...
"Miss Akane… you're joking, right…?"
"Nope~ I'm a high school teacher, and my husband's a teacher too."
"Why didn't you mention it earlier? Who just suddenly pulls out a ring like that while chatting someone up?!"
"Hehehe, well, I got so caught up chatting with you that I forgot. Besides, even with the ring on, it shouldn't really affect anything, right? In fact, shouldn't Shiro-kun be even more excited?"
Akane tilted her head playfully, her smile teasing. Her words left Shiro absolutely stunned.
People are really this blunt these days?!
He was floored. He hadn't encountered someone like this before, not even in the host clubs. Those, at least, you could tell right away what you were dealing with.
Judging by this… Akane must have been deeply hurt by her husband.
Just as he was about to respond, he noticed Akane leaning in, her slender fingers gently lifting his chin.
Her movements were laced with allure and desire—but in those beautiful eyes, there was something else: nostalgia, and a complicated emotion he couldn't quite name.
"Shiro, you and I… we're actually a lot alike."
"Alike…?"
Shiro didn't quite get it.
Sure, he'd sensed that she wasn't simple, but to say they were alike? Aside from both being good-looking, what else did they have in common?
"We are. Very much so," Akane said softly, returning to her seat.
"I bet I'm not the first girl you've hit on, right~?"
Shiro's face stiffened at her accurate guess. While she was right, did she really have to say it so bluntly?
He had no idea what this master-level flirt was playing at anymore.
"No need to get all flustered, Shiro-kun. It's just that places like bars tend to make people nostalgic. Speaking of which—what was your high school life like? Full of roses? Surrounded by adoring girls?"
Akane's curiosity sparkled.
This manga-protagonist-looking boy really piqued her interest. Maybe he had some unforgettable experience? A pivotal moment that shaped him?
"My youth, huh…"
Shiro thought about it.
Was it rose-colored? Probably.
Ever since he enrolled, he was always surrounded by girls, constantly getting close with them every day.
As for the rest of his time? Either he was trying out some new part-time job or learning a new skill while running from a pack of wild beasts!
It was terrifying.
That bunch of animals managed to turn a normal high school into something that felt like a Hawaiian beach resort.
Honestly, if there had been a plane nearby, he probably would've learned how to fly it just to escape.
"Hmm… how do I put it… my high school years were like bouncing between heaven and hell!"
"…?"
Akane blinked at him.
Heaven and hell? What kind of high school experience was that? Was Shiro constantly challenging himself or something?
Shiro just shook his head and didn't explain further. He felt his high school life was kind of monotonous, without any moving or dramatic moments like in anime.
As for what made him a playboy?
Come on—there was no "reason." He was just plain lustful. No tragic backstory here. And hey, this was a world of anime, after all.
The girls were all well above average!
"Sounds like Shiro-kun's high school life was even richer than I imagined."
Akane took a sip of her drink and didn't press further. What she really wanted was just someone to talk to.
"Shiro-kun, I'm a terrible person. A complete and utter piece of trash."
!!!
Σ(?д?|||)??
Shirojumped. Why is she suddenly insulting herself?!
He took back everything he thought earlier—these gentle big-sister types all seem to have hidden quirks! Like how Nanaka was an extreme siscon… and Miss Akane?
Maybe she had a self-denial personality?
"Uh…"
"Do you know why I said we're alike? Back in high school, I loved seducing boys too. Especially the ones already liked by other girls. No, that's not quite right… I didn't care about the boys themselves—I just loved the thrill of stealing someone else's crush."
Her words, though spoken with a smile, made Shiro visibly nervous.
Was this something you say to someone you just met?! Is she going to kill me afterward to cover this up?!
"Uhm… I think we're different. I'm just plain horny?"
"`(∩_∩)′ Mhm, I understand. Your eyes were literally sparkling when I said I was married just now."
"…That was a misunderstanding!"
"I'm joking."
Akane flicked his forehead gently and swirled the wine in her glass.
"You know, from the moment I stole someone else's crush for the first time, I got addicted to the thrill. I didn't care about right or wrong. I didn't care whether the man liked me or was just lusting after me. I didn't even care about my body. In the end, none of that mattered, right?"
Actually, it kinda does?! Shiro screamed inwardly. Can we turn off this trauma-dump mode?!
And hey—he didn't mean to always go after girls who already had admirers! It was just… they were all cute, okay? And no one else was making a move!
"Later on, I just kept chasing that high. Until I became a teacher and met some people—a few students, and a teacher who liked me."
A warm smile played on Akane's lips, like she was remembering the faces of those people.
"There was one girl, kind of like me, whose older brother liked me. She always tried to expose the real me to him."
Akane chuckled.
"And in the end, she succeeded. He saw the real me, stripped of all masks."
She gently rubbed the ring on her finger, remembering that man's words in the hotel that day.
"But even so… that man accepted me. The real, ugly me. Silly, isn't it? Such a cliché story, right, Shiro-kun?"
"…"
Shiro was speechless.
That story stopped being cliché the moment you said you were addicted to stealing other people's boyfriends.
That's peak character backstory!
But… why did it all sound so familiar?
As for the chance of going night sightseeing with her now… judging by her blissful smile, she and her husband weren't estranged after all!
"It's a nice story. A happy ending… and Miss Akane, you changed."
A story of redemption, really. That teacher guy was a real one!
"Liar, Shiro-kun."
Akane smiled knowingly.
"You're wrong though~ I didn't change before being with him. He accepted me as I was. I even told him I'd keep cheating after we got married, and he didn't mind. That man's such an idiot."
!!!
Shiro took critical emotional damage. What kind of twisted love story is this?! That guy's gotta have a few screws loose!
Wait—does that mean… he also—
"Miss Akane… um…"
BAM!
Just as Shiro was about to make another move, two strong arms wrapped tightly around him.
"Well well~ Kamishiro-kun, sneaking around behind our backs, huh?"
"Running off alone like that… not very nice!"
Two demon-like figures shattered the warm, bittersweet mood and dragged the atmosphere straight into shounen territory.
"You two again?!"
Shiro instantly knew he was screwed.
He glanced at Akane.
Sure enough, she had covered her mouth in surprise—but then she lowered her hand and smiled warmly again.
So those were his friends, huh?
Different from the kind of friends she had imagined, but the way they fought and teased made their closeness clear.
She looked down at the untouched glass of Pink Lady.
Come to think of it… maybe I don't dislike this drink after all.
Akane picked it up and took a sip. Sweet, intoxicating—just like that night.
"Well then, thanks for tonight. Hope we meet again, Shiro-kun. And also…"
She tapped his lips gently with her finger before walking off. As she passed by a girl with short purple hair, she flashed a knowing smile.
Sometimes, you can't hide the way you look at someone when you like them, Shiro-kun.
We really aren't so different. You've got plenty of girls around you who care. But the real question is…
Will you ever truly find them? Will you ever really change?
"You jerks! I told you nothing happened!"
"Like hell we're buying that!"
"Just chatting with a gorgeous older woman is enough to earn you the death penalty!"
As chaos erupted behind her, Akane suddenly felt like…
Maybe this kind of youth… is actually pretty nice.
…
Outside the bar, Akane looked up at the beautiful night sky and smiled.
People don't change easily. She once thought she'd live her life a certain way forever. But…
That all changed the day she met someone who accepted everything about her.
She realized—even someone like her… could change.
"You…"
A voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned around and saw a stunning woman in formal attire with short dark purple hair staring at her in shock.
That cute face overlapped with the girl she once saw holding her bouquet at the wedding.
She never expected to run into her here.
"Long time no see… Hanabi-chan."