Takumi felt immense pressure.
On his left was Maki, her short twin ponytails tied up, staring at him with an unfriendly expression.
On his right was Chika, her long hair flowing, a black ribbon tied at her forehead, humming a tune as she walked forward with a relaxed look on her face.
A date.
At least at the very beginning, the purpose of this outing was a date.
Although it was a date with one man and two women—three people together.
Hey, hey, hey—how did things end up like this?
Could it be that I'm really about to turn into some kind of light-novel male protagonist?
From every possible angle, this kind of development was way too pandering to otaku tastes, wasn't it?
At that moment, Takumi found that no matter what he did, he couldn't calm his state of mind.
As for how things ended up like this, it all started with Chika expressing the hope that Takumi could accompany her to buy some war-game miniatures.
Yes, that's right—the pink-haired girl wanted to buy a newly released collectible set of figures. Takumi had read the original manga and knew that Chika's family upbringing was strict and that she wasn't allowed to have contact with video games, which was why she had turned her interests toward tabletop games. Even so, the fact that she would like this kind of war-game miniatures was still something that could only be described as unheard of.
Come to think of it, Chika seemed to have once proudly said that she had memorized the rulebooks for D&D and Call of Cthulhu. Those things were several thousand pages long at a minimum, weren't they? Are 2D pretty girls always this unreasonable? Is this really the kind of thing you can just say you memorized and actually have done it?!
Although Takumi really wanted to complain about all of this, once Chika leaned her body against his arm and he felt the girl's soft touch, he stopped paying attention to those issues.
"Of course."
At that moment, Takumi agreed without the slightest hesitation.
As a result, Maki—who hadn't left yet—instantly bristled. Ah, no, actually, she had already bristled the moment Chika finished speaking. It was just that Takumi agreed so quickly that Maki didn't even have time to say anything, and the end result was that she bristled even more fiercely.
"What do you think you're doing?! You're not allowed to go, Takumi-kun! I have something I need to talk to you about later!"
Maki immediately pulled her foot back, gritted her teeth, and grabbed Takumi's left hand, showing a fierce, food-guarding posture toward Chika.
"Then let's go together—perfect timing for everyone to get to know each other better and become good friends."
Chika said this next with a completely unconcerned expression, and just like that, it turned into the three of them walking down the street together.
To be honest, when Kaguya left, she seemed a bit dazed as a whole.
And the looks from passersby on the street were honestly rather piercing.
But there was nothing that could be done about it, because right now, both Chika and Maki were holding Takumi's hands.
If there was any difference, it was that Chika was openly wrapping herself around Takumi, while Maki kept a bit more distance but still reached out to grab his arm. In short, the three of them walked forward side by side like this, to the point that anyone coming from the front or back had to detour slightly to get past.
This kind of combination was undoubtedly eye-catching, so from time to time the gazes of nearby pedestrians would be drawn over, and some of the older passersby had already started sighing about how morals were declining and the like.
"I mean, weren't we supposed to keep a low profile? Didn't we agree that we'd act discreetly during this period? Going around like this—isn't it a bit too high-profile? I feel like I'll end up on the discussion boards tomorrow getting cursed out."
Takumi finally couldn't help but complain.
Almost at the same time, the two girls withdrew their hands together, as if they shared a tacit understanding, and continued walking beside Takumi like that.
"Hehehe, it's because this feels really comfortable and relaxing."
With both hands clasped behind her back, Chika said this with a light laugh.
"…"
Only then realizing what she had been doing, Maki quietly pulled her hand back and turned her face to the side, unwilling to let Takumi see her expression, though the corners of her mouth had already tightened slightly.
"Um, about where is that shop located? Oh right, Maki, are you thirsty? Do you want something to drink?"
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Takumi tried to start a new topic.
"We'll be there very soon."
Chika replied in a very leisurely tone.
"I'm not thirsty…"
Maki replied stiffly.
She really hated this feeling.
With her gaze lowered, Maki's eyes looked dull and without light.
Clearly, before, when she was together with Takumi—when it was just the two of them—it had felt pleasant and happy.
But now that feeling had been completely ruined. This Fujiwara Chika who had suddenly appeared had ruined everything.
"Oh, hello, boss!"
When they reached the shop entrance, Chika greeted the shop owner energetically.
"It's really quite luxurious. I'm even a little tempted to buy one myself and try it out."
Standing at the entrance, Takumi couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the various exquisite models inside the shop.
And Maki had already stopped moving forward.
Why had things turned out like this?
She couldn't quite understand it.
Had she done something wrong?
She had saved Takumi-kun's life—this was something Takumi-kun himself acknowledged, and he wouldn't lie about something like that.
For someone who had saved Takumi-kun from danger at the cost of her own life to make Takumi-kun fall for her was only natural. And she could even express her affection so openly, without any concealment at all. Compared to herself—so unstraightforward, unable to do anything—the gap was really enormous…
Maki lowered her head even further.
She could hear Chika talking with the shop owner beside her, as well as Takumi occasionally chiming in from the side.
The atmosphere seemed quite good.
But that was only to be expected. According to what Oba-san had said, Fujiwara-san was the type who really loved games, just like Takumi-kun. So the two of them had many shared topics and got along more easily, unlike when she went on dates with Takumi-kun, where it was often him accommodating her.
It was as if the two of them were simply more well-matched.
Maki couldn't help but have such a thought.
Her chest felt a little tight.
And her nose felt a bit sore as well.
The girl stood there, not moving at all.
She felt deeply wronged.
She really felt wronged.
If it weren't for her sufficiently strong self-control, she probably would have already burst into tears.
Why did something like this have to happen to her?
Why on earth had she followed along all this way?
It was simply like a fool…
…
"Mm, it's bought. Then, Takumi-kun, I'll be heading off first."
She took a few steps back, and after confirming that Maki—having suffered a severe emotional blow—was not paying attention to what was happening on this side, Chika reached out to pull Takumi closer, leaned in slightly, and spoke to him in a low voice.
"You're leaving already?"
Takumi was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected that after having him accompany her to buy the game pieces, Chika would leave right away.
"Mm-hm. If I keep staying here any longer, it'll be a bit unfavorable to team unity."
As she said this, Chika glanced toward Maki not far away and let out a light laugh, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
The effect was stronger than she had expected—stronger than it should have been. So she was actually this fragile, huh. It seemed she would have to yield.
The girl sighed helplessly in her heart, and then that sense of helplessness quickly turned into resolve. Chika stepped forward, her whole body almost pressed against Takumi's chest. She raised her head, looked at him seriously, and met his gaze.
"Takumi, you must treat people who are sincere toward you properly."
Chika looked straight into Takumi's eyes and spoke each word clearly.
"For girls, situations like everyone getting along together like this are actually very painful and uncomfortable."
"People all have their own private desires. Not many are willing to accept this kind of situation wholeheartedly."
"So, for the girls who are willing to make choices and sacrifices for you, you must treat them even more gently. I'll be heading off now—next, I'll leave little Maki to you to comfort, Takumi."
After saying all this, Chika took two steps back, then made a playful tongue-out peace-sign gesture toward Takumi. After that, she turned around, carrying her bag as she hopped away, disappearing at the end of the street.
On his chest, it seemed there was still a faint lingering fragrance from the girl's hair.
Takumi's mood was somewhat complicated. Of course he understood what Chika was saying, and he also realized that the reckless wish he had once made—to "build a harem"—now truly had the possibility of becoming reality. But how should he put it? He was very happy, yet he couldn't be completely happy. That sense of helpless awkwardness had grown quite strong ever since the three of them started walking together, and after hearing what Chika had said—especially upon realizing the suppressed unwillingness hidden within those words—the feeling of guilt became overwhelmingly intense.
"I really never imagined that one day I'd become someone burdened with such heavy sins."
Murmuring this softly, Takumi turned and walked to Maki's side, directly taking her hand and tucking it into his coat pocket.
"Eh—eh? You… you're not going to accompany Fujiwara-san anymore?"
Caught completely off guard, Maki was startled. She then looked in surprise at Takumi who had come to her side. An instinctive look of happiness flashed across her face, but it was quickly and carefully concealed. After that, she began looking around, searching for Chika's figure.
It was as if an abandoned little cat had found its owner again.
Takumi's mood instantly became even more complicated.
"Chika has already gone back. Now it's just the two of us here. Let's go—where do you want to go next?"
So he grinned, and without hesitation took Maki's hand, walking off toward an area opposite to the direction Chika had left.
"What is this, acting like nothing happened at all? You were completely dazzled by that woman just now. Let go of me—I don't want you accompanying me."
The stubborn girl struggled and muttered, the sense of grievance in her words completely undisguised.
But there was no way for her to break free.
After all, Takumi had received more and stronger blessings and boosts. As long as he was unwilling to let go, there was naturally no way she could break free, no matter what.
Maki couldn't help recalling what Chika had said earlier in that private room.
As a team, Takumi was the absolute center. Everyone had to revolve around him and could not separate from him.
So that was how it was? She seemed to… really be unable to let go after all…
"Letting go is impossible. With you, everything you say has to be understood in reverse—this rule, I remember very clearly."
Takumi continued to grip Maki's hand tightly, speaking with a hint of teasing in his tone.
"Y-you… you jerk… ugh… forget it. There's really nothing I can do about you. I don't have anywhere I want to go—just decide yourself… anyway, I've already got no choice anymore…"
Lowering her head, Maki muttered softly, her voice growing smaller and smaller, until the last sentence was so faint that only she herself could hear it.
"Then alright—how about we go to that place we went to before?"
Takumi said this casually, continuing to walk forward while holding Maki's hand.
Was it really okay to keep going like this?
Walking beside Takumi, the girl asked herself softly in her mind.
It still felt very hard to accept.
But at the same time, she really had no way to simply turn around and leave.
This version of herself was truly rather pitiful…
Still, at least for now, it seemed like she could continue enjoying things for a little while longer.
After all, this jerk was probably not going to let her go anyway, so… this wasn't her problem. She was just being forced by circumstances…
…
They went from one street to another.
Ate a few skewers of street snacks.
Tried playing all kinds of games.
Watched a newly released movie.
Just like before—days spent with the two of them holding hands together.
Days that were just as intoxicating as ever, making her smile happily without even realizing it.
"Heheh, looks like I'm the better one after all."
Inside the indoor court, Maki swung her racket, and after defeating Takumi, couldn't help but show a proud expression.
"Yeah, yeah, you're really impressive. Want to grab something to drink later?"
Takumi picked up the tennis ball that had fallen to the ground and then asked.
"Anything's fine. You know my tastes anyway. Mm, let's go check out the next place."
Taking off her cap, Maki smiled, walked over to Takumi's side, and unconsciously wrapped an arm around him as she spoke with a smile.
Leaving the court, they wandered around the streets for quite a long time.
The unpleasant feelings from earlier seemed to have been completely forgotten by the girl.
Smiling happily like that, she enjoyed the moments he spent by her side. They kept playing until dusk fell, and only when it was time to part did she realize something. She stopped by the roadside, lifted her head, and stared blankly at Takumi.
"How do you feel now? Is your mood a little better?"
Seeing her wear such an expression, Takumi raised an eyebrow and then asked.
"I… I'm not happy at all."
Maki said resentfully, stepping a little closer and lightly pounding her fist against his chest.
She used a bit too much strength—enough for Takumi to feel pain, but certainly not enough to injure him.
"It's all because of you, you know. Because of you, I'm unhappy every single day now…"
Still unable to be honest with herself, the girl buried her head against Takumi's chest.
In the end, she still couldn't hold it in and started crying.
Why did she have to fall for this kind of bastard…
Why did she have to get dragged into this death game and live like this…
With her grievance erupting once more, Maki clung tightly to Takumi and cried out loud in his arms.
Takumi, in turn, wrapped his arms around the girl and helped shield her as they slipped into a small alley, letting her huddle in his embrace, trembling.
This feeling… really did make him feel guilty.
But even so, he wouldn't regret it.
Raising his head to look at the dying sun on the horizon, Takumi reflected quietly to himself.
…
Half an hour later, Maki said goodbye to Takumi and went home.
He could feel that the girl's emotions had recovered quite a bit. Although there were still many uncertainties ahead, her attitude of wanting to remain by Takumi's side had, at this point, become clear.
That said, if things continued like this, it really did feel like Kaguya would end up being somewhat out of place among their group.
Thinking this to himself, Takumi headed in the direction of home. That house only had him living in it—empty and devoid of anything worth getting attached to—but as a place to sleep, rest, and play games, it was still luxurious enough.
With that thought in mind, Takumi slowly made his way to the front of the house. Lifting his head, he saw a girl sitting in front of the gate, yawning and on the verge of falling asleep.
"Haa~ Takumi, you're so slow."
Chika stood up, stretched, and smiled at Takumi.
"Why are you here?"
Takumi froze, having completely failed to anticipate this.
"Hehe!"
Chika struck a cute pose once again.
"Hey, cut it out with the 'hehe,' it's almost dark already, you know. What are you planning to—uh, don't tell me…"
Takumi instinctively complained, then suddenly realized something.
"My family knows about it. I told them I'd be staying over at Kaguya's place tonight, so, Takumi, it's totally fine for me to stay here until tomorrow morning. So? Any thoughts? Feeling pretty excited, huh? Hehehehe~"
Covering her mouth with one hand, the girl let out a little devilish laugh at that moment.
Takumi had to admit that after hearing what Chika said, his state of mind truly did ripple with unrest.
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