On a random day in the latter half of June.
I was peacefully sleeping, just like a baby. Things have finally calmed down now that both Miyabi and Reina's problems are dealt with, so I thought I should enjoy this peaceful time as much as I could.
But that didn't mean I planned to sleep forever. It's just that, recently, I've come to enjoy a new event in my mornings.
"Is onii-chan still sleeping desu? Then, Reina has to wake him up."
Reina walked up to the bed. She got so close to me I could feel her breath with my ear.
"If onii-chan wakes up soon, there will be some time to play before going to school desu. So wake up, onii-chan."
"I'm up!"
There's no way I could stay sleeping with such an interesting proposal. Not that I was deep asleep before.
Reina's been coming to wake me up everyday for a little while now. Every day, she comes up with something different for us to do before going to Ginsei Academy.
So I asked Reina what was on today's agenda. She told me to wait a second while she went to grab something. She came back in about a minute with a number of pairs of underwear.
"Reina wants onii-chan to help Reina get dressed."
Reina then lifted up her skirt and shirt, showing me she was wearing nothing under her uniform. Aah, there's the perverted little sister I've come to know.
I'd seen Reina naked before, but this has a whole other appeal. It took all of my self-control to not start a Healing Lovers with Reina on the spot. If only our mornings weren't so rushed. But I'll control myself, since I know there'll be time for Healing Lovers later. I'm not getting addicted, I swear.
Anyway, despite the appeal of the idea, I'm not letting my little sister go full commando. I'd be one thing if it were just us, but I'm not risking other people seeing Reina's lewd parts.
"Then… these ones should be fine."
"Does onii-chan want Reina to wear something smaller desu?"
The pair I chose was fairly normal. Okay, maybe that doesn't mean much, but most of Reina's underwear are quite perverted, like it covers very little or nothing at all, so going with something fairly normal is about as good of a result as I'm going to get.
"Well, Reina's a bit clumsy, so you might trip or something. And I don't want other people seeing Reina's perverted side. That's something only I can see."
"Nnn! Onii-chan~"
As I was helping Reina put her panties on, I thought I'd play around a bit and kneaded Reina's ass and also kissed her breast at the same time.
As much as I'd love to continue doing it, I had just woken up, so I didn't want to get my stink all over Reina. But at least I felt we were a little more even now. I'd spend the day thinking of Reina's underwear, and she'd spend the day thinking of my small teasing just now.
Once I finished getting Reina's underwear in order, I left her to fix her uniform while I went to go take a bath. It wouldn't be funny if we really ended up late.
I quickly finished my bath and headed back to my room to get dressed for school. Reina had already headed down when I'd come back, and I soon followed.
"Oh, good morning, Yuuto."
"Good morning, Yuu-kun."
"Good morning, mom, dad."
With me finally down, we were all ready to eat breakfast. Mom served dad while Reina served me, then they served themselves. Finally, we all sat down together to eat.
"Yuuto, did you know Reina's the one who made today's breakfast?"
"I didn't know that."
"R-Reina is a bit embarrassed desu..."
"Don't worry, Reina-chan. I'm sure it'll taste good."
Now that I remember, Reina's been having cooking classes with mom for a good while now. I remember Reina's already a good cook, but I'm sure she's even better now.
Today's breakfast was pancakes. I took a bite, and within a second stars started appearing in my eyes.
"This is amazing, Reina! Are you going to become a professional chef?!"
"Huhuhu, and who do you think has been teaching Reina-chan?"
"Haha, but at this rate, she might surpass you soon, dear."
"R-Reina's getting embarrassed desu…"
Reina's face was red like a tomato, but her expression seemed happy. I think Reina's enjoying her new family.
Once we finished breakfast, we all finished getting ready and went our separate ways. Lizel-senpai's car was already waiting for us, so we got inside.
"Good morning, Lizel-senpai, Miyabi."
"Good morning desu, senpais."
"Morning~"
"Mm, good morning."
As usual, the ride to school wasn't eventful, but it was enjoyable. We just chatted about unimportant stuff all the way. It was nice when the days went by like this.
Once we arrived at Ginsei Academy, we all headed our separate ways. Miyabi and I were the only ones together, since we're in the same class.
Just like any normal classes, the students are talking with each other before the teacher arrives. The same is also true for me and Miyabi, but…
Well, let's just say Miyabi likes to stick really close. By that I mean that she's sitting on my lap.
"So, did Yuuto and Reina do anything perverted today?"
"W-what's this about?"
It's not really a lie, but how could Miyabi just guess that? … Actually, it's probably not that hard of a guess.
"Oh, it's just what I would do. If I was still living with Yuuto, we'd be doing lewd things from morning until night."
Somehow, I didn't doubt that. This kind of thing didn't happen during the time Miyabi and Miyako spent at my home but if it were now, then I could totally see Miyabi doing something like that.
Thinking about that brought that time at the love hotel back to my mind. Lizel-senpai said that, once summer break comes, we'll be going on a training camp. Is it going to be like the love hotel? Part of me hopes that's how it'll be, but another part of me is also nervous.
"Heh, you guys are flirting so early?"
"Oh, Geld."
Geld had arrived and took his seat. Miyabi got a little embarrassed. I guess she was fine before since no one was really paying attention, but not now that someone has seen us, her cheeks got a little red.
Lucky for her, Nagasawa-sensei arrived not long after, so it was a good excuse to go back to her seat. I think Nagasawa-sensei was also a little embarrassed from seeing Miyabi on my lap, but she was able to play it off just fine.
Class started. Although I still have difficulties, I think I've been doing pretty good, all things considered. Maybe I should study a bit more, but… you know, I'm busy with Healing Lovers and stuff.
"This is it for now, everyone. If you have some time after lunch, please try to see if there's any doubts and I'll try to answer them once I come back."
Nagasawa-sensei left the classroom. She's probably going to quickly eat something and then go after Fleminar for some lessons of her own. I know that schedule because I've been forced to help a few times now, but it seems I'm in luck today and won't have to serve as a lab rat.
"See you after lunch, Yuuto."
"Aah, see you."
Miyabi went off to the cafeteria to eat with Lizel-senpai and Reina. I've stopped going there for a while now, since I usually bring my lunch and I didn't think that high-class restaurant atmosphere was for me.
So that means I'm often on my own during lunch. I know the girls wouldn't mind joining me, but I told them I liked it this way. Which wasn't a lie, some alone time was good, but there's also another reason…
Let's just say that I've been feeding a 'stray cat'.
I got my lunch and headed out to where I've gotten used to eating at, that is, the roof. Also, I should probably mention my lunch has gotten quite big. Part of the reason for that is the person I'm feeding, but the biggest reason is my training with Miyabi. But hey, my muscles have been getting quite well-defined recently.
Once I got to the roof, I sat on my usual spot and set things up. I'd brought 3 lunches with me today, rather than the usual 2. No, I'm not going to eat all that alone.
"… You're really doing this every day…"
"Oh, hey, Rinne."
Yup, the 'stray cat' I'm feeding is actually Wheel of Fortune's Candidate and Lost's friend, Rinne.
If I were to explain how we got to this… basically, after my run-in with Lost in the bookstore, I thought I should try to learn more about him, since my memories are missing. And who better to tell me than Rinne?
I remembered Lost said he'd have her hanging around me, and luckily she's no ninja, so it was easy enough for me to locate her and talk with her. During one of our conversations, Rinne's stomach grumbled, so I decided to share some of my lunch with her.
Before I noticed, talking with Rinne and giving her lunch had become a part of my day. At the start, I was just asking about Lost, but now we're just killing time together. Yesterday, I tried asking Rinne why she doesn't go to classes, but all I got out of her was that her and Hisoka's situation was a bit complicated.
By the way, Hisoka is Hermit's Candidate, and a longtime friend of Rinne's. I had forgotten about her, but I remembered after Rinne told me. I met her at the Unveiling when Ibiza tried to hit on her and Miyabi intervened. If only I'd noticed things back then…
No, there's no point in thinking about it like that. Anyway, since I was already bringing a bigger lunch to account for Rinne, I figured I should also bring a little more for Hisoka. Whatever her situation, it seems she can't even come to school. I'd like to do more to help, but I guess Rinne doesn't trust me enough to tell me what's going on.
"Thank you for the food. It was delicious."
"Right? My little sister made it."
"… I'll also give Hisoka-chan her part later. … But I have to ask, why are you doing this? You don't have any obligations to us."
"You're Lost's friend, so I'd like us to be friends as well, and you also saved me and Reina when Marios attacked. And even without all that, can't I just help someone just because?"
I'm not going to lie, the person I'm helping being a cute girl sure does help, but I'll keep that detail to myself.
If we're putting stuff in the balance, Rinne literally brought me and Reina back from the dead, so no amount of lunches for her and Hisoka would be able to repay that. And it's also true I'd like to be Rinne's friends.
"And I have 1 more reason."
"That is?"
"I like your normal expression better."
Rinne didn't seem to understand me for a second, but then she touched her own face and noticed her usual smile was no longer there.
Rinne often has this fake smile on her face, it's kinda like a service smile. Honestly, she should consider being an actress, because most people don't seem to notice it's fake.
But I can and I don't like it. No idea why she keeps up that fake smile, but I prefer her normal expression, even if it looks like she's frowning a bit. Something in me just tells me that she's happier when she's not smiling.
Oh, but now she's embarrassed and she's looking away. Now that's cute. So she also has that kind of expression.
"I-I'll be going now."
"Ah, sure. I'll be here tomorrow as well."
Rinne went off, embarrassed. Maybe it wasn't a smart decision by me, considering she's supposed to be on guard to help me in case of an attack, but I don't expect to be killed today, so it should be fine.
Lunch ended soon after and I went back to class. Nagasawa-sensei continued her lessons. Honestly, I was having some trouble following, but I didn't want to be a bother to her. I'll just review everything later.
Once the bell chimed again, it marked the end of classes for the day. Nagasawa-sensei finished her lesson and everyone went their separate ways. Miyabi and I headed to the Palace.
Now's probably my favorite time of the day: Healing Lovers. Sometimes we do it before training, sometimes after, sometimes it's just me and 1 of the girls, sometimes more, but we always do it every day. That's because the Arcana is healing my magic circuits so I can expand my mana capacity.
Saying it that way makes it sound like my magic circuits are damaged… somehow, I don't feel it's wrong, but I don't remember why they would be…
Anyway, my mind was soon taken off that topic, since something a lot more important showed up.
"We'll be suspending our trainings and Healing Lovers until the tests are done."
"""Eeeh?!"""
Lizel-senpai suddenly dropped that bomb on all of us. My favorite part of the day! Gone, just like that!
"Shouldn't we at least do a light Healing Lovers? F-for the sake of healing my magic circuits."
"R-Reina also thinks we should help onii-chan."
"I promise I'll stop when told to, senpai! Maybe a few minutes later."
"… Is it a good or a bad sign that everyone's getting so perverted? Anyway, Yuuto has taken my right to make decisions for the group, so it's not like I can force anyone, but it's still something I'd like to suggest. The tests are coming soon, and after that will be our summer training camp. Everyone should focus on their studies to make sure we all get a passing grade. Once we're at the training camp, we can do Healing Lovers as much as we like, and this period of abstinence should even make it better."
I understood all that. I understand it, but still… why do I feel like something important was taken from me?
Everyone was looking at me. Since Lizel-senpai couldn't make decisions for the group anymore, it was up to me to give the final word. I could just bar it, but… I knew it was actually for the better.
"We'll… do as Lizel-senpai said."
Why do I feel like crying?
So that marked a temporary schedule change. Since the trainings and Healing Lovers were suspended, we all started studying for our tests. But why do I feel extra tired today? Is it withdrawal? Was I really addicted?
A while later, we all returned to our own homes. Reina, Miyabi and I felt defeated like never before.
The day passed like normal, but then an unexpected test came during bath time. To be more specific, Reina was bathing and I had the chance of "mistakenly" coming in.
I could do that, and things could happen and we'd end up doing Healing Lovers. It's nothing impossible. In fact, it's very possible. Even likely I'd say.
But then I stopped myself. I knew Lizel-senpai was right, so I decided I'd try to endure for a little while. I've been joking around, but it's no good to actually get addicted.
So… all that's left for me to do is study I guess. Might as well get to it.
I managed to survive the first day. Hopefully, I'll also make it through the other days.
