Chapter 10

"…………"

After getting out of the bath, we headed to Rinka's room together.

Neither of us said anything in particular.

Before I knew it, we were sitting on the bed, shoulders touching.

The scent of shampoo from Rinka, who had just gotten out of the bath, wafted over.

Rinka was wearing a plain pajama made of smooth material. It was cute.

Of course, this was the first time I had seen a girl in pajamas.

"……"

"……"

The silence continued.

It was clear that we were both nervous.

Not just me, but Rinka too...

What should I do?

I should probably take the lead and be a man.

To be honest, it's hard to hold back when a girl you like is being so forward.

But... what should I do?

What's the starting signal?

How should I approach her?

Damn... I have no idea about anything since I've only played online games!

It feels like I've wandered into a pitch-black world where I can't see a thing...

I don't want to do anything weird and disappoint Rinka.

...If only I had done some research beforehand.

But what would I even research?

If Kaoru-san were here, she'd probably scold me and tell me to just follow my instincts.

"Um... Wato-kun"

"Y-Yes!"

"J-Just a little... let's play an online game, okay? Online games are our life and our purpose. I think playing an online game will help us relax."

"Ah, I see."

I could tell Rinka was trying to be considerate.

Well, it might be for her own sake too.

I decided to be honest and indulge her.

"But we only have one PC."

"I have a laptop. It's my sister's, though."

"Is it okay to use it without permission?"

"Yes. She doesn't mind such things. Plus, she recently started playing Black Plains too."

"Really?"

Kaoru-san has started playing online games too.

The number of players is increasing. That's a good thing.

"Then... is it okay if we play an online game for a little while?"

"Sure, please."

Rinka got up from the bed and left the room.

She must have gone to get Kaoru-san's laptop.

"……"

Once this online game is over, it's finally time...

My heart feels like it's about to jump out of my mouth.

◇

And a few minutes later.

"Wato-kun, please!"

"Got it, leave it to me!"

In response to Rinka's desperate words, I activated my provocation skill to draw the monster's attention.

Even though we are max level, the end-game content, raid battles, are a bit challenging.

We would lose if we played carelessly.

There are also six other unknown members in our party.

Coordination among players is required.

"Rinka!"

"Yes!"

The sight of the two of us, completely absorbed in the online game, was here.

We were enjoying ourselves from the bottom of our hearts, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

This is our natural state.

We were enjoying the online game without any pretense, just being ourselves.

"Phew, we managed to clear it."

"Right... good job."

I also sent a chat message to the party members in the game, saying "Good job."

Everyone was cooperative and nice.

There were two people who were challenging this raid boss for the first time, so I was worried that someone might get angry.

But that didn't happen; we were surrounded by kind people.

We were able to finish in a good atmosphere from start to finish, which was a relief.

I don't want any tension...

"Wato-kun, what do we do next?"

"Hmm, mining?"

"Got it. You really want to go fishing, don't you?"

"Fishing? Did I say that? That I want to go fishing?"

"I can hear it... Wato-kun's inner voice."

"That's an auditory hallucination. It's a status abnormality, so please recover quickly."

While facing the computers, we exchanged light-hearted banter.

By the way, I was playing on the laptop placed on a small table.

Rinka was using a desktop computer.

"Oh, what a joy... Black Plains is the best!"

"By the way, Rinka, you haven't logged in recently, right?"

"I've been busy and couldn't find the time. I was too tired at night and just fell asleep..."

"I see. Is it okay today?"

"Yes! I'm free until noon tomorrow. Plus, we're playing an online game in the same room, right? There's no time to sleep!"

Rinka was excited.

I can understand her feelings.

We usually communicate through text chat or voice chat.

That's why there was a desire to play an online game while talking in real voices.

I'm sure Rinka felt the same way.

"Oh, there's a fireworks show in Black Plains too."

She was looking at the announcement from the game operators.

"Really? I was surprised too."

"......Fireworks show, huh."

"Rinka?"

Rinka murmured in a shadowed voice.

What's wrong?

"If possible... I want to see the fireworks with Wato-kun."

"Can't you log in on the day of the fireworks show?"

"I can. But I'm talking about the real world."

"Ah..."

"I want to wear a yukata, hold hands with Wato-kun, walk around the food stalls, and look up at the beautiful fireworks in the night sky together..."

"Rinka..."

Hearing her wistful and envious voice, I couldn't say anything.

It's impossible for Rinka and me to go to the fireworks festival together.

We would definitely be recognized by people around us.

Even if Rinka were to disguise herself, the result would be the same.

Walking in the city is one thing, but the density of people at a fireworks festival is completely different.

Moreover, Rinka wants to wear a yukata.

...Unfortunately, it's an unattainable dream.

"S-Sorry. I said something that ruined the mood."

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize. I want to go to the fireworks festival with Rinka too."

"Wato-kun... thank you."

"Well, let's look forward to the fireworks show in Black Plains."

"Hehe, right. I'll look forward to it."

She seemed to have regained a bit of her energy and showed a light smile.

...But, yeah.

Of course, Rinka would want to go to a real fireworks festival with me.

Wearing a yukata and walking around the food stalls...

I want to fulfill Rinka's wish.

But how can I do that?

I want to make it happen somehow...

"The boat is ready. Let's go to the sea quickly."

"Got it."

By the way, did I forget something important? I can't shake the feeling.

...Well, it's fine.

Rinka is having fun.

There's no need to ruin the mood.

◇

"Su... su..."

A peaceful snore gently shook my eardrums.

When I opened my eyes, Rinka's cute sleeping face was right in front of my nose!

"―――!"

I almost let out a sound.

We were lying face-to-face on the bed.

I panicked, wondering how we ended up in this situation, but my memory came back.

While playing the online game, I was hit by sleepiness and decided to take a nap.

After all, I had been running around the pool with Nonoai-chan just a few hours ago.

It's not surprising that I got sleepy.

Rinka suggested I take a nap on the bed... and that's how we ended up here.

"Su... su..."

"...Rinka?"

"Su... hmm... Wato-kun..."

She muttered my name but didn't show any signs of waking up. It must be a dream.

"What should I do about this?"

I stared at Rinka's sleeping face without any particular purpose.

She was really cute.

Long eyelashes, a straight nose.

Her white cheeks, tinged with a slight blush, looked so soft.

Her plump lips were so fresh, just looking at them made my heart race.

...This is bad, I'm getting weird feelings.

"N-No, no. What am I thinking...!"

I shook my head to clear my mind.

"...Wato-kun... su..."

Aww, so cute.

She looked so comfortable sleeping.

Occasionally, she would murmur my name and smile happily.

I wonder what kind of dream she's having.

"...Thanks, Rinka."

I wasn't sure what I was thanking her for.

Probably for her existence.

I pinched Rinka's nose on a whim.

"Hmm... hmm..."

"Hehe. S-Sorry, Rinka. I won't do it again."

I immediately let go.

I couldn't help but laugh.

It was a small prank.

I shouldn't do things like that.

...Listening to Rinka's snoring, I started to feel sleepy again.

I couldn't resist the sleepiness. I was about to fall asleep.

But then again, everyone has experienced falling asleep while playing an online game.

Maybe this was a typical day for us, who see online games as a pure world.

◇

I gradually regained consciousness, sensing something.

It felt like morning.

I could hear the chirping of birds as I slowly opened my eyes.

I confirmed Rinka's healthy sleeping face.

She was still so cute.

But my peaceful awakening was shattered in an instant.

"Good morning, Ayasugi-kun."

"Good morning... Wait, what?!"

I jumped up at the sound of a familiar low male voice.

Standing there was... Rinka's father, Kan'ou.

He was standing with his arms crossed, looking down at me with a stern expression.

Needless to say, he was emanating a heavy, oppressive aura.

"Um, well...?"

"Go wash your face first."

"Um, okay..."

"After that, I want to have a talk with you."

"―――About what you were doing here, of course."