Chapter 1

Consciousness slowly surfaced, and I gently opened my eyes.

I gazed at the familiar ceiling of the Mizuki family home, welcoming another ordinary morning.

However, I soon felt a sense of unease.

Inside the futon—there was a presence.

It felt as if someone was curled up and sleeping around my stomach.

Thinking of a cat, I lifted the blanket, and as expected, a cute little girl had snuggled in.

She was breathing softly, a sound that brought peace just by listening to it.

...It was Nona. She was curled up like a cat, clinging to my side.

"Hey, Nona."

"......Hmm?"

When I gently shook her shoulder, she opened her eyes drowsily and looked at me, her face breaking into the soft, squishy smile characteristic of children.

"Ah, Kazuto-nii. Good morning... hehe."

"..."

The smile that leaked out on its own was so adorable, it made her seem like an angel.

"Nona, what's going on? Why did you come into the futon...?"

Thinking it was cute but surprised by the first-time occurrence, I asked.

Nona, still rubbing her sleepy eyes, answered in a small voice.

"Hmm... Kazuto-nii, you're leaving today..."

"Is that so. You wanted to sleep together for the last time?"

"Yeah."

This little girl is too cute, too innocent.

Since summer vacation was about to end, I was planning to return home tonight.

Nona stood up sleepily as I sat up.

"By the way, where's Rinako?"

"Hmm? I haven't seen her since morning..."

"I see, maybe she's already gone."

Popular idols probably don't have the luxury of a leisurely morning.

Over the past few days, she had been coming home late, going to bed early, and leaving early in the morning. She must be doing the same today.

"Kazuto-nii, pick me up."

"Sure."

I gently picked up Nona, who was doing a victory pose, and held her. Still sleepy, she rested her head on my chest and started breathing deeply.

Kids are so weak in the morning. Feeling touched by Nona's presence, I was about to leave the room when a chill ran down my spine.

I immediately turned around and noticed the closet door was slightly open. Just slightly.

It was open just enough to peek outside...

"What should I do, I feel a presence...!"

It's definitely there. I won't say who, but it's definitely there.

I cautiously approached the closet, and my throat went dry.

After putting Nona down, I bent down and slowly opened the door—there was a long-haired woman sitting in a seiza position, staring at me with cloudy, glass-like eyes—!

"Ah, Rinako!!"

"As if you were reacting to being attacked by a ghost."

"Why are you in the closet...!"

I knew... I knew she was there...! But I still got scared.

What are you doing, popular cool idol... seriously.

"Kazuto-kun, you're leaving today..."

"Rinako too... Still, it's weird to be in the closet."

"Sleeping together is forbidden, right? If so, the closet is the only option."

"I don't understand...! And what are you doing in the closet..."

"Feeling your breathing and presence through this door... hehe."

"Wait, did you stay there all night...?"

Rinako, with a dark smile in the pitch-black space of the closet.

This is bad, she must be exhausted from her busy idol activities.

But then I realized, this is just how Rinako operates.

"Our mother is terrible. We're a married couple, yet she forces us to sleep in separate rooms..."

"We're not married, just dating. But I agree that it's healthy."

"Are you taking our mother's side? I hear men tend to side with their mothers... So, you're the same, Kazuto-kun."

"Your mother, not just any mother."

Even as I said this, Rinako's dissatisfied expression didn't change.

Seeing her like this, it's hard to believe she's the cool idol rumored to hate men and known for her cool demeanor.

☆

After greeting Rinako's family, I returned home at night.

Standing in front of my house, which I hadn't seen in a while, I felt a nostalgic sentiment as I took out the key and opened the door.

"Shall we play some online games?"

I realized I hadn't received any login bonuses.

I hadn't participated in any summer vacation events either.

When was the last time I played an online game?

—Oh no, I really want to play.

I ran.

I sprinted up the stairs and down the hallway toward my room.

On the way, I passed a girl and greeted her, "Hey, hi," and she replied in a small voice, "H-hi..."

"......"

Is something wrong?

I stopped in front of my room.

I turned around. A small girl was descending the stairs, wrapped in a black, hooded blanket—.

"Who are you...!"

"——!"

The girl tumbled down the stairs with a thud.

I hurriedly ran over and peered down the stairs.

"...T-there... there..."

An unfamiliar girl in a black blanket was lying on the ground, holding her head...