OreImo: My Little Sister Can't Be This Much of a Bitch

03

About three years ago…

Damned noose, I grumbled mentally, loosening the tie around my neck as I made my way through the packed streets towards my destination—all but invisible in the crowd. Pulling out my phone, I checked my messages for the tenth time that morning.

Saori: I have a friend in the industry. Trust me, I can get you in. Meet me this Saturday.

Kyoka: Fine. I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Send me the address and a time and I'll meet you there.

I checked the address that followed against the building, nodded, and headed inside. Checking the map, I quickly found 'Suite 1229' and took the elevator up. A glance at my phone showed I was a bit early, but that was fine. Stepping out of the elevator, I hummed as I looked down the hall. There were a few office types moving around here and there, but amongst the sea of corporate drones something stood out as out of place. A girl around my age sat in a chair to the side of Suite 1229, dressed in form-hugging jeans and a stylish, loose white blouse, with long, black hair light enough that I almost called it blue and suspected it was dyed.

Me? Dressed in my black slacks, long sleeved white button down, tie, and boots and carrying a briefcase I looked like I belonged even if I was young compared to those around me—just another fresh-faced intern in a crowd of slightly older drones. Her? She stood out like a sore thumb. Quite honestly, she looked like a super model. She did not belong in this corporate hell.

Dropping into the chair beside her and drawing a curious look, I heaved an exaggerated sigh before turning a questioning look on her. "Waiting for someone?"

"Godot," she smiled, and I rolled my eyes.

"You may be in for quite a wait, then," I returned. "You know," I hummed, turning an amused look on her, "you're not what I was expecting."

"Oh?" she asked, raising one fine eyebrow as a knowing look spread across her face.

I nodded. "There are rules of the internet. One of them says that all women are actually men."

"And all girls are government agents," she added as her smile spread. "I have to say, I find myself pleasantly surprised as well. To be honest, I expected a stereotypical otaku pretending to be a girl."

"Fat, greasy slob covered in body hair and reeking like he hasn't showered in a month of Sundays?" I asked, earning a nod in answer. "I am happy to disappoint, in that case." Holding out my hand, I grinned. "It's nice to meet you in person, Ms. Bajeena."

Her hand was cool and soft as she took mine. "You as well, Kyoka-dono."

"Kyosuke is fine," I shook my head. "Or Kosaka, if you're not comfortable with that. And I never said whether I was male or female—intentionally. The handle was the best thing I could come up with using parts of my name."

"No, no. It's fine," she shook her head. "And just Saori is fine, unless you would rather call me Makishima-san, Kyosuke-dono. No need to be formal."

I rolled my eyed. "Only if you drop the '-dono.'"

"Very well, Kyosuke-shi," she smiled a very catty smile. "Have you brought some samples?" she asked, gesturing towards my briefcase.

Hefting the case in question, I nodded. "Are we ready?"

Saori nodded, pushing herself up from her chair. "Let's go."

"She was dressed like a normal human being and not a reject from Golden Boy or some other 80s anime?" Ruri asked, incredulity written all over her face.

I chuckled, nodding. "Yep. How old do you think she is?"

Ruri shrugged. "Eighteen? Twenty, at the oldest."

Smirking, I shook my head. "She's your age."

Her eyes went slightly wide as she shook her head. "Impossible!"

"Oh, it's possible alright. Our Saori is leading a double life. On the one hand, daughter of a wealthy family who lives alone save for the hired help because her parents are constantly busy overseas. Tall, graceful, educated, well-spoken—the perfect picture of a high-class lady. On the other hand, the Saori you know: otaku, 80s anime reject, flirty, and a little too handsy with her friends."

"Which is the real one?" Ruri asked.

"The real Saori is somewhere in the middle," I answered with a shrug. "She can't be seen embarrassing her family, so she disguises herself such that no one would recognize her. Even the glasses are a prop. Well, those glasses anyway, since she does have a prescription, but she usually wears contacts."

"'Body of a supermodel?'"

I nodded. "Don't get me wrong I appreciate most types, I don't discriminate when it comes to breast size, and the only thing that really turns me off is overweight women. I'm not talking women with a little excess fat or pregnant women, I mean women who are in the neighborhood of 150 kilos and upwards." Ruri made a disgusted face and I nodded.

Frowning, she asked, "How do I compare?"

Turning an amused look on her, I said, "That's an unfair question."

"Oh?"

I knew bait when I saw it. "It's apples to oranges. I happen to enjoy both."

"Hm," she hummed and dropped that line of questioning as she realized I wouldn't be baited into such an obvious verbal trap. "Obviously, you got the job."

"I can't believe that worked," I muttered as Saori and I left the publisher's office.

"Heh heh! I told you Kyosuke-shi, trust me," she sent me that smugly satisfied, catty look again.

I nodded. "You did," I agreed. Checking my watch, I said, "Let me buy you lunch."

Saori's catty smile shifted into something more genuine and excited. "I'm in the mood for McDonald's."

"Ugh. It's trash," I shook my head. Sighing, I admitted, "On the other hand, occasionally I find myself in the mood to eat trash. And they have great fries." I missed having my own place, where I could grill my own burgers, steaks, and whatever else struck my fancy. A medium-well steak, baked potato, and a beer sounded amazing right about now. I was in Japan, I wanted to try grilling local Wagyu, damnit.

Well, getting a job is a good first step towards that. Save money.

We fell into companionable silence as we navigated the crowds a few blocks down to the familiar golden arches, neither of us feeling like trying to speak over the sounds of pedestrian traffic around us. Our conversation resumed as soon as we had our trays in hand and had taken a table. "To be honest, I didn't expect them to toss out that much money as a starting offer," I admitted. "Really didn't expect them to allow me to negotiate upwards, then agree to a pay raise if I stuck around once I finished college."

Saori blinked, looking up from drowning a fry in ketchup to send me a guilelessly confused look. "Is it a lot? I mean, for a normal job."

"It's a lot," I agreed. "Especially considering all I'm doing is translating and making suggestions and I don't actually have any sort of formal education in the system. I don't even have to insert the dialog anymore."

The bluenette across from me shrugged, swallowing a bite of her burger before saying, "I've seen your work, remember? It's excellent quality." Biting her lip, she asked, "You don't think you should stop doing 'fansubs' and 'scanslations' do you?" she asked, using the English words for the terms. "Isn't it some sort of conflict of interests?"

I snorted softly. "So you're suggesting I not double dip?"

"Well, we've only just really met in person and so far you've turned out to be a decent guy. Don't get greedy. I'd be kind of upset if you got yourself thrown in jail, Kyosuke-shi."

"And this is why I'm careful with my money," I nodded. Considering it, I sighed. "Fine. I'll agree not to double dip—"

"I know what that term means, Kyosuke-shi. You're trying to leave yourself a loophole," she turned an amused glare on me.

I shrugged, holding up both hands in surrender. "Caught red handed. I'll agree not to do anything on the side for a few months while I'm doing this gig. All bets are off if the industry hits a slump—seasonal or otherwise."

"I suppose that's good enough," Saori nodded.

"And in exchange, you agree to help," I smirked at her. Saori blinked, sending me a confused look. "You've got contacts, as you've just proven. You could potentially get my foot in other doors, doing other projects, to localize things for English translation. You can be my manager."

Saori chuckled. "Kyosuke-shi, I'm not exactly hurting for money."

"Maybe not," I shrugged. "But we both know the real reason you agreed to meet. Why you trekked out this far and stuck your neck out for me. Why you risked an IRL meetup with an unknown, alone." I turned a knowing look on her and added, quietly, "Why you spend so much time online."

"Oh? Why is that?" she asked, feigning ignorance, even as the catty smile returned.

"You're lonely and in need of a friend. And right about now, you're thinking I might just be interesting enough to hang around with. After all, we share similar interests, miss 'named herself after a Char clone.'"

Saori's chuckle was quiet, low, and a bit more ominous than she may have intended. "Oh, I think you're right Kyosuke-shi. This may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Picking up a fry and dipping it in ketchup, she waved it menacingly at me. "And it wasn't a Char clone, it was Char himself using an alias."

"So, the very first Char clone was Char himself," I shrugged, knowing exactly what sort of argument I was stirring up. That I enjoyed the way her face flushed when she got worked up may have factored into it.

"I am beginning to see a recurring pattern," Ruri pointed out.

"Oh?" I asked, leaning back in my seat. "Do tell."

Turning a knowing look on me, she said, "You enjoy arguing."

"I do," I readily agreed.

"But more than that, you enjoy getting others needlessly worked up over things. You are a troll."

Chuckling, I nodded. "Guilty as charged, detective."

Ruri held up a hand, one finger raised in a pose I recognized from many long hours playing VNs as something I'd seen more than once on a certain tsundere Tohsaka, usually when she lectured the series protagonist. "However, you most enjoy it when the ones you're stirring up are females. You enjoy dipping your finger in and stirring up our insides, setting our emotions awhirl."

"Nice wordplay there. Very sexy mental imagery," I complemented.

Ruri ignored me, adding, "You learn the things we like, watch them yourself, pick them apart, then carefully attack the things we love most and force us to defend it—even if they're things you enjoy yourself, such as in Saori's case with Gundam."

"You've caught me, detective. Turning a beautiful girl into a flushed, sweaty mess—her lungs heaving in great, panting gasps, her hair in disarray and sticking to her glistening body, and her eyes alight with passion—that is the sight I enjoy most."

On the bed across from me, a blush had crept from Ruri's face down her neck and her own breath had begun racing with her heart as I'd spoken. Narrowing fierce blue eyes at me, she heaved a quiet sigh between her lips. "That's not fair."

I smirked in response, probably looking entirely too smug as I did. "I also enjoy wordplay, Ruri-chan. Be warned however—if you play those games with me, I will beat you with experience."

"Perhaps experience isn't a bad thing," she murmured almost too quiet for me to hear as she glanced away, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Continue with your story."

About two years ago...

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Checking to make sure the teacher was facing away and involved in his lecture on Japanese history—which I found absolutely fascinating and one of the few joys in my return to school days, seeing as I knew every other subject nearly well enough to pass in my sleep—I pulled out my phone and glanced at the screen, finding a text waiting for me.

Saori: Can we meet after school?

I considered it for a moment. I'd had plans with Manami, but Saori didn't tend to ask to meet on a spur of the moment—we made plans in advance, most of which usually accounted for Manami tagging along and us avoiding Kirino. She certainly never texted me in the middle of the school day, when she knew I was in class. On my lunch break or free periods? Sure. But never during class. Everything about this screamed 'emergency' of some kind.

Kyoka: Sure. My place?

The reply was immediate—she was clearly waiting with phone in hand for an answer.

Saori: Mine. Come alone?

I blinked at that, before sending an agreement and asking for an address. I would talk to Manami when class let out. She would understand—she always did.

"You take advantage of that girl," Ruri accused.

I shook my head. "It's... complicated."

"Un-complicate it," Ruri demanded again.

"No can do. You'll have to solve this mystery on your own, detective."

I stepped off the train and checked my phone's mapping app. Japan being technological Mecca of the world and the earliest adopter of smartphones, I had saved a few pay checks from my job during the past year and splurged to get one. Having GPS and a web browser were worth more to me than the money.

It wasn't a long walk to a private driveway, leading down to a house on a cliff overlooking the sea. I whistled as I took in the estate. In America, that setup would've run a pretty penny. In Japan, with its shortage of real estate and the home's proximity to the city? It had likely cost a small fortune.

Making my way up the drive, I rang the bell on the front door and waited. A moment later, a kindly looking elderly man wearing a suit opened the door. "Kosaka Kyosuke-dono?"

"Yes," I nodded. "Saori said meet her here," I lead.

The butler nodded, lowering his head and gesturing me inside, where I kicked off my boots and stepped into the offered house slippers. "This way," he said, closing the door behind me and hurrying off down the hall. Turning his head slightly to regard me over his shoulder, he spoke quietly, "I have never seen Ojou-sama so distraught, Kosaka-dono," he murmured. A smile crossed his face as he added, "She speaks highly of you as a trusted friend. Please look after her where we cannot."

I nodded. "Any idea what's wrong?"

"Unfortunately, no," he denied. "The girl you know as Saori is very skilled at hiding behind the mask of our 'Ojou-sama.' I am sure that she feels that to confide in us, her staff, would be a sign of weakness. Ojou-sama is under much pressure. Having friends her age—especially one she can speak with in person—who could allow her to simply be 'Saori' has done her a world of good since her elder sister married and moved away." Stopping, he gestured towards a closed door several feet up the hall. "I leave her in your hands, Kosaka-dono. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call on us."

"Thank you," I nodded, walking to the door as he turned and walked back the way we'd come. Knocking softly on the door—shave-and-a-haircut—I waited.

"Come in." Saori's voice was muffled and sounded off—congested, or more likely, thick with tears.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and closed it behind me. Spying the lock on the knob, I turned it in place with a satisfying click, grateful it was Western in design and not the sliding rice paper native to Japan. "Hey," I greeted the lump on the western-style bed, buried under a mound of covers. I spotted a wire garbage basket pulled up beside the bed, half-full of what looked to be two boxes worth of used tissues. On the desk and shelves were a collection of various Gundam model kits, assembled and painted by hand by the look of it.

A nose honking sounded from under the covers and one pale hand shot out, tossing a wadded up ball of tissue unerringly into the trash can. The hand patted the bed before snaking back under the blanket. Taking the invitation, I sat on the edge of the bed. I let out a strangled "Ack!" as Saori's surprisingly strong arm flashed out, grabbed me around the chest, and dragged me under the covers. Turning an amused look on the girl in the dim light, I asked, "What's up?"

Instead of replying, Saori wrapped her arms around my chest and her legs around mine, latching on squid-like before burying her teary face against my chest. Sighing quietly, I shifted to get comfortable and pulled her closer, my arms going around her back in a hug. "Want to talk about it?" I asked. The tall girl's face rubbed against my chest as she shook her head. "Okay." Eventually, Saori's quiet sniffles stopped and her breathing grew deep and even. I felt her body twitch in my arms and chuckled quietly as I realized she'd fallen asleep. "Well, I suppose a nap sounds good," I whispered, closing my eyes and resting my face against the top of her head, pulling the covers down so I could breath easier.

It was dusk by the time I woke again, and a glance at the clock told me it was a quarter 'till 8. I observed Saori's sleeping form for a moment before gently shaking her. "Come on princess, time to wake up."

"Don' wanna," she grumbled, burrowing her face deeper into my chest and squeezing her arms and legs around me tighter.

I rolled my eyes. "Saori, at least get up and get something to eat." That got a long, drawn out whine in answer. While Manami's bentos were delicious—the glasses-wearing girl having long ago figured out my tastes and that they didn't exactly follow standard Japanese fare—that had been at noon. "Saori, if you don't wake up, I am going to tickle you."

The girl in my arms went momentarily stiff before her head turned up to glare up at me. "You wouldn't dare." That catty smile crossed her lips before she added, "Besides, you don't know where I'm ticklish."

A smirk crossed my own lips in reply. "Oh, but it will be so very fun finding out. And when I do, I won't stop until I make you pee yourself."

The girl in my arms blinked, then raised an eyebrow. "Why Kyosuke-shi, I didn't know you were into omorashi."

"The fact that you know the proper name for it says more about you than it does me," I pointed out, earning a blush in response. Taking a breath, I moved onto the subject that had brought me here. Best to get it over with quickly, like ripping off a bandaid. "So, what happened?"

Frowning, Saori pressed her face into the side of my neck and quietly began explaining. "You know my sister married and left a while ago."

"I remember you told me," I nodded. "I figure it's why you were hanging out in some of the same channels I was to begin with."

I should really thank Saori's elder sister. Without her marrying and moving away, Saori and I would have never met. After her sister moved, Saori spent much of her time online. I had convinced my parents to buy me a laptop the year before, insisting that it would help with my studies. What it really did was enable me to get in touch with in the fan translation field. I was actually working on subbing the new Gundam when I ran across Saori in one of the channels I frequented. After many heated discussions over which Char clone was best, which Gundam kicked the most ass, and the like I had complained about being broke one day. Saori had asked why I didn't simply go legit, since while there was some money in donations, it wasn't enough for what I wanted—namely, to save up enough for a vehicle and to rent an apartment. I owed Saori's sister both my friendship with the girl and my job.

Saori nodded against my chest. "Yes. My sister ran a group of friends called Pretty Garden. After onee-sama left, the members began slowly leaving, one by one. I received an email saying the group had officially disbanded today. Th-they just left me, Kyosuke. My friends abandoned me."

"Ah. Yeah, that'd do it," I murmured, squeezing her tighter for a moment. "Saori, you do know they didn't abandon you specifically, right?"

"The results are the same as if they had," she argued quietly.

She had a point. "True, but the intent isn't. People have lives, jobs, hobbies, and things that keep them busy. They may have just not had time any more. I've had to quit more than one MMO guild for those very reasons."

"This wasn't some MMO guild. These were people we knew—had known for years! And they just quit, like it didn't even matter—"

I reached out, pressing a finger against her lips to shush her raising voice. "Like you didn't matter to them?" I asked, earning a quiet nod. "It sucks. Believe me, I know. I've had friends and family move away for school, work, things like that and just fall completely off the map. Never heard from them again." She opened her mouth and I pressed my finger to her lips again. "But you move on and make new friends. Yes, it's going to hurt for a while, but eventually it will stop hurting."

Saori closed her eyes, her lips puckering against my finger for a moment—almost a kiss, or maybe it was—before she asked, "How do you always know what to say?"

"I'm an old soul. Better yet, I listen to grandma's advice," I chuckled.

"Manami is wise like that," she agreed quietly. Her arms shifted out from around me and she took my hand in hers. This time, there was no question when she turned my hand over and pressed a kiss into my palm. "Thank you." Her lips pressed into my wrist. "For listening." My arm. "For coming when I called." My bicep. "For putting up with me." My chest. "For being my friend."

I'd be lying if I said I had the willpower to push her away as her lips met mine, my mouth opening slightly either in surprise or on reflex, as her tongue darted in to explore. God, she tasted delicious, even if the kiss was salty with fresh tears—and it had been a long, long time. Manami would and did welcome any advance I made with the same gentle kindness she showed in everything else, but Saori was the aggressor here, and there was a need there that surprised me.

I was more surprised when her hands pulled my right hand down between us, over her silk robe, to the juncture between her legs. I had suspected it before, but Saori confirmed it for me—she was not wearing panties under that robe. Her folds were shaved smooth and bare and were hot against my fingers as I took the hint and explored her. When she was sure I wouldn't move my hand away, her hands sought out my belt and pants, deftly undoing them before slipping down inside my boxers. My cock jumped as her soft, warm hand cupped my shaft.

"I-I thought you didn't kiss and tell," Ruri said quietly, and I looked up from where I'd been staring at my hands to find her squirming on the bed, her eyes slightly out of focus as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

I shrugged, a small chuckle escaping as I did. "For all her upbringing, Saori's no lady, and she likes to brag. She won't mind you knowing. In fact, if you ask, I'm sure she'll tell you the story herself—or the 'good parts,' at least."

Breathing deeply, Ruri closed her eyes and took a moment to compose herself. "Does Belphegor know you cheated on her?"

"I have never cheated on Manami," I denied.

Frowning, Ruri's bright blue eyes met my storm gray. "You kissed another girl."

"She kissed me, but yes," I agreed.

"You and she," Ruri paused to search for the proper word, "molested each other."

I hummed, considering it for a moment before nodding. "Yes, in the most technical sense. We took advantage of each other, just a bit. Saori took advantage of my kindness, I took advantage of her vulnerability. We were both aware of it and okay with it."

"And yet, you claim you didn't cheat on Belphegor."

My answer was a flat, "Never have, never will."

Ruri's frown returned as she considered that. "I feel as though I'm missing something obvious."

My smile was teasing as I told her, "It's fun to watch you chase your tail like this."

The tiny girl rolled her eyes. "Well, if you will not provide the answers yourself, then I'll have you give me more details." She swallowed once before adding quietly, "No matter how lewd they may be."

"Very well, Detective."

For a while, we simply enjoyed each other—exploring, teasing, sharing in the feeling of intimacy. I felt her shudder in my arms as she came and knew if I didn't stop, we would likely take this dance to its inevitable conclusion. I withdrew my fingers from her sopping slit, eliciting another shudder and a quiet whine at the loss. "Saori."

"Yes?" she breathed against my lips, trying to initiate another kiss as her hand pumped me harder.

Gently taking her arm, I drew her hand away and shifted until I had her pinned to the bed, her arms held up to either side of her head. I felt her hard nipples through the silk of her robe and my cotton shirt brushing against my chest as she arched her back under me, thrusting her chest out invitingly. For a moment, I wondered if the rest of her would taste as delicious as her mouth.

If only it weren't tainted by tears.

Sighing quietly, I threaded my fingers with hers and leaned down to kiss her lips once. "We're going to stop here for tonight," I told her.

Below me, Saori blinked before a frown crossed her pretty face. "Why?"

"Because this isn't right," I answered.

Before I could explain further, she sighed. "Kyosuke, I know you love Manami-chan. I would never want to come between you. Really, I wouldn't! I don't want all of you, just tonight. She—she wouldn't mind—"

I brought our joined hands up to press our fingers against her lips. "It's not about Manami," I denied. Seeing the questioning look on her face, I added, "It's about you, Saori."

"What do you mean?" she whispered against our entwined fingers.

"I am your friend, and that's why I'm not going to take advantage of you. Well, no more than I already have," I admitted, before a small smile crossed my lips. "Though, I'd say it was more a mutual taking advantage, wasn't it?" When she nodded sheepishly, I continued. "I'm not going to abandon you."

"I—that—"

"I'm not. I promise," I spoke over her. "But I'm not going to sleep with you because you feel that if I did, I'd be less likely to do so. We're not fuck-buddies, we don't have a 'skinship,' or however you want to put it—and I'm not going to cheapen what we do have by turning it into an excuse for sex. Or worse, leave you constantly wondering in the back of your mind if I'm only friends with you because you're hot and an easy lay on the side—something different when I get tired of Manami."

Saori turned her head away and closed her eyes, fresh tears streaming from them. "I'm sorry, Kyosuke-shi. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Releasing her hand, I tilted her face back towards me and wiped at her eyes. "I'm not mad at you and I don't think less of you for it. You're hurting, lonely, and desperate. People make stupid mistakes all the time." Shooting her a grin, I added, "But hey, when you're feeling better, if you want to fool around again, I'm game."

The girl beneath me snorted a quiet laugh before sucking in a long, rattling, snotty breath through her nose. "Ugh. I'm a mess. Would you get me a tissue?"

Reaching over and snagging the box off the floor, I shifted off of her to lay at her side. Pulling out my phone, I shot off a text to Manami and asked, "Where's your kitchen?"

Blowing her nose, Saori shook her head. "You don't have to cook. There should be a maid on duty nearby in the next room up the hall if you're hungry." Saori's stomach rumbled and she winced. "I could eat." Looking down at herself, she cringed. "They can't see me like this."

"I'll get it, then." My phone dinged with an incoming text alert and I hopped off the bed, fixing my pants on the way to the door. Slipping out, I found the maid in question. "Hey, excuse me."

"Yes, Kyosuke-dono? How may we be of assistance?" the short-haired young woman asked, bowing politely. She was pretty and only a few years older than me—likely a factor in the hiring process; being closer to Saori's age would make some of the help more approachable.

"Could we get something to eat brought to Saori's room?"

The maid nodded, opening a drawer and pulling out a menu of all things to hand to me. Though, calling it a menu was doing it a disservice, considering the thing was the size of a phone book and had selections for not just standard Japanese fare but also more exotic choices. "Of course. Please, order whatever you would like. Do you know what ojou-sama wishes to have?"

I shrugged. "She's not really in a state to decide. If she's got a favorite, how about that?" I asked, and the maid nodded. Scanning the menu, I paused as I spotted a section for burgers. My mouth watered at the options and I quickly picked one. Checking my phone, I nodded and added, "And could we get some ice cream later? Another of Saori's friends should be here in an hour or so."

"What is their name, so we'll know who to expect?" the maid asked.

"Tamura Manami." The maid nodded and let me know that she would return with our orders shortly.

Heading back to the bedroom, I dropped into a seated position beside Saori, who quickly shifted to rest her head in my lap. Reaching down, I combed my fingers through her long hair. "Who'd you text?" she asked, knowing I wouldn't complain about her curiosity. I was still very much a Westerner that way—which went a long way towards explaining why many people felt I sometimes came off as either 'aggressive' or uncouth. I tended to ignore or cut straight through a lot of the Japanese societal niceties. On the other hand, other people tended to appreciate someone who came right out and said exactly what they meant. Manami and Saori both preferred it to dancing around a subject. Kirino, on the other hand, hated it—mostly because I tended to tell her exactly how she fucked up without mincing words.

"Manami."

Saori blinked and her eyes went wide. "Oh gods. I—I should apologize—"

"You can tell her yourself in about an hour. I asked if she could come over and she said yes."

"You… why?!"

I smiled down at the girl in my lap. "Because you still have friends who love you and won't abandon you, and I want to prove that to you."

"If she still feels that way after I apologize," Saori muttered. "I was so stupid."

"You'll be fine," I sent her a smirk. "I have a feeling she'll understand."

"What were the contents of that conversation?" Ruri asked, and I grinned.

"Now that would be telling, my dear detective. You may be able to ascertain the contents from later actions, however."

Ruri sighed. "You are very frustrating."

"I know," I grinned. "But you love it. I keep you on your toes."

Ruri's answer was a glare and a growl.