Chapter 63

The next day.

Arisa arrived at Yugen's house with a paper bag.

"Thank you for having me again today."

"…Yeah."

Yugen, who greeted Arisa, couldn't help but catch his breath.

Perhaps because it was getting colder as autumn deepened… Arisa was dressed warmer than usual.

Specifically… a very warm-looking knitted sweater.

The cream-colored sweater clung tightly to Arisa's body, revealing her beautiful figure.

As a result, her ample chest was hard to ignore. …Of course, it wasn't unpleasant at all; it was quite a feast for the eyes.

However, while the top was warm, the bottom looked a bit cold.

Uncharacteristically, Arisa was wearing a mini skirt.

Her beautiful, long legs, covered in black, shiny tights, peeked out from under the short skirt.

She was quite slim compared to other girls her age.

But she wasn't too thin; she had a well-rounded figure that looked very soft.

Feeling a bit nervous, Yugen let Arisa into the house.

"Um, Yugen-san… Since it's Halloween, I made some sweets."

Saying this, Arisa took out a cute, wrapped plastic cup from the paper bag.

It seemed to be a pudding.

"I made pumpkin pudding. I hope you like it."

"Thank you, Arisa."

Yugen thanked Arisa and took the pudding.

Arisa then chuckled.

"Actually, yesterday, Ayaka, Chiharu, Tenka, and Ryosenzan gave me some sweets."

"Ayaka and Chiharu gave you some, huh? And Tenka and Sei too?"

While Ayaka and Chiharu were understandable, it was a bit surprising that Tenka and Sei had given Arisa sweets.

Although, it wasn't that strange, considering Sei, despite her appearance, wasn't that bad with people.

"Yugen-san got some too, right?"

"Yeah. Ayaka and Chiharu always ask for sweets every year."

They liked such events.

Yugen didn't particularly dislike them either, so he always went along with it every year.

"Is that so? …I, embarrassingly, didn't prepare anything."

"Well, that's normal."

He wasn't sure about other countries, but in Japan, Halloween is mostly seen as just a costume party.

While it's not uncommon for people to exchange sweets, it's also not unusual for people not to prepare anything.

"But I felt a bit guilty."

She seemed to feel some guilt, though not to the extent of feeling bad, but she was clearly concerned.

"Ayaka and Chiharu probably didn't tell you in advance. I think they didn't want to force you."

"Is that so?"

"Those two, despite everything, don't force people."

Strictly speaking, they know who they can and can't force.

They are less reserved with Yugen than with Arisa, and they have caused a lot of trouble for Soichiro.

Of course, Yugen and Soichiro have allowed it.

The girls only do things within a tolerable range.

"If you feel guilty and want to give them sweets in return, why not do it next year?"

"That's true. …If I return the favor too soon, they might feel guilty too."

It seemed Arisa had decided to prepare something next year.

Yugen could understand the feelings of his childhood friends Ayaka and Chiharu, and his friend Sei.

But he didn't know much about Tenka, as they hadn't known each other for long.

However, it seemed Tenka, like Sei, had just given the sweets out of courtesy, so she probably didn't expect anything in return. Probably.

Anyway, Yugen, having received the pudding from Arisa, brought out a return gift from the refrigerator.

It was a cake box from his usual patisserie.

The difference was… the illustration on the box was a Halloween version.

"Well, I always prepare something, so it might seem a bit odd to give this as a return gift."

He placed the box on the table, opened it, and showed the contents to Arisa.

Arisa peered inside and widened her eyes in surprise.

"I know this. The kids in my class were talking about it."

"Talking about it?"

"It's a limited edition, and you have to wait in line to get it, right!?"

Arisa said this with a bit of excitement.

Yugen nodded.

"Yeah, that's right. I got up early this morning and waited in line to buy it."

Yugen had bought a limited edition Halloween cake.

During this season, his favorite patisserie sells a special pumpkin cake.

Thinking that Arisa might bring some Halloween sweets, Yugen had made an effort to buy this cake.

"Um… I feel a bit guilty. I just made a simple pudding…"

"Before feeling guilty, I'd rather hear some praise."

Instead of apologizing, he wanted her to acknowledge his effort.

Yugen said this half-jokingly.

Arisa narrowed her eyes.

"Then… can I be a good girl, good girl?"

"Wh-What!?"

Yugen couldn't help but let out a strange sound.

Arisa blushed slightly but smiled.

"You said you wanted to be praised, didn't you, Yugen-san?"

"Well, yeah, but…"

"If I ask for permission, can I pet you?"

Indeed, he had said something like that.

Yugen himself had petted Arisa's head many times, so if Arisa said it was unfair not to let her do the same, he couldn't argue.

"My head isn't that interesting to pet, though."

"I find it interesting."

Arisa said this and sat in a formal position.

Then she patted her soft-looking thighs, covered in tights.

"Um? No…"

"It's a thank you. Ayaka said men like this. …Do you dislike it?"

"No, I don't… dislike it."

Looking at her beautiful legs, Yugen couldn't help but swallow hard.

Honestly, he really liked it.

While rationally thinking it wasn't a good idea, he was drawn to her charm and placed his head on her lap.

Then, a soft mound of flesh came into his field of vision.

The plump fruit defied gravity and pointed upwards.

Unable to resist rationally, Yugen turned his head.

But he quickly realized this was a mistake.

Because his cheek was more sensitive to the softness of Arisa's thighs than the back of his head.

The soft fat on top of the muscle and the slightly sinful feel of the tights transmitted through his cheek.

Moreover, the proximity of Arisa's skin to his nose wasn't good.

The scent of soap and a hint of sweat eroded Yugen's rationality.

"Thank you for getting up early and waiting in line for me."

Saying this, Arisa started to pet Yugen's head.

Each time her fingers ran through his hair and touched his ears and neck, a tingling sensation ran through his body.

"Ah… I can't take it anymore."

"Ah!"

Losing his rationality, Yugen rolled away from Arisa.

On the other hand, Arisa let out a lonely-sounding voice.

"I haven't petted you enough yet."

"I'm satisfied."

When Yugen said this, Arisa pouted.

"Petting you and then running away when you're satisfied… you don't have to be like a cat, you know."

"I never intended to be a cat."

After all, it was Arisa who had asked to pet him.

Yugen felt a bit unsatisfied.

If anything, Yuzuru is more cat-like, and Arisa is more dog-like…

Incidentally, Yuzuru likes dogs, and Arisa likes cats.

If you think they make a cute couple, please bookmark and rate (change the stars at the bottom of the table of contents to ★★★★★).

True Dere Level: 50% → 55%

If you are looking forward to and excited about the dere level, please bookmark and rate (change the stars at the bottom of the table of contents to ★★★★★).