Chapter 48

The next morning, when Yuki was solving a problem set for the test at her desk, Eri, who had just returned from a group of chattering girls, greeted her with "Good morning."

Eri bent down and peered over Yuki's desk, smiling casually. "You're really getting into it this early, huh?"

Yuki, thinking Eri might be about to make a crude joke, looked back at her. Eri then grinned, "What, are you staring at me? Is something wrong?" Despite not really wanting to, Yuki decided to mention what happened with Mizu yesterday.

"…Well, basically, the fake girlfriend thing is a bit suspicious, it seems."

"Hmm, I see…."

Eri tilted her head, looking puzzled. Even if she was known as the "killer of the neighboring seat," this was still a troublesome situation.

Yuki thought Eri's indifferent reaction was understandable, but then—

"Well, I can just show up at your place again, right? It's all good, it's all good."

Eri made a circle with her fingers, surprisingly enthusiastic. She seemed to be thoroughly committed to this.

However, she suddenly remembered something and her expression clouded.

"Ah, but I had a study session with Rion today…."

"No, if that's the case, you should prioritize it. It's totally fine."

"Well, it's for Mizu, so I can't help it. I can't help it."

As she said this, she took out her phone and started operating it. Was she canceling on Rion? Yuki felt bad about intruding, so she said,

"But you had a prior commitment, right? Aren't you two like 'max heart'?"

"Yep, yep. We're the kind of friends who can cancel plans without any issues. Look, Rion said, 'It's totally fine, don't worry!'"

"Hmm…."

Yuki imagined Rion stomping her feet and trembling, but she wasn't sure. If Eri said it was fine, it probably was.

---

After school, Yuki and Eri went home together. When they entered the living room, Mizu, who had been sitting on the sofa playing with her phone, immediately stood up and ran over.

"Wow! Yuki, Yuki!"

Mizu, who hadn't expected Yuki to come, hugged Eri with sparkling eyes. Her affection seemed to have reached a new level. Yuki, feeling a bit confused, subtly glanced at Eri.

"…Is it always like this?"

"Yep, Eri is very popular. Even crying babies stop crying when they see her."

"Doesn't that mean something different?"

Eri herself seemed a bit surprised by the enthusiastic welcome. She was slightly backing away from Mizu, who was clinging to her.

"Ooh, your butt is soft~"

"Hey, hey! Mizu!"

After the incident last time, something seemed to have changed in Mizu. She might just think Eri is easy to handle.

Mizu, caressing Eri's butt, asked, "Do you want to try, Yuki?"

"Hey, is it okay?"

"No way."

"Why do you keep trying to get physical?" Eri glared at her, and Mizu pouted.

"Hey, we're dating, right?"

"Y-Yeah, but that's for later! We're having a healthy relationship!"

Eri shooed Mizu away with her hand. Mizu, pouting, ran to Yuki's side, and Yuki placed a hand on her head and patted it.

"You're wearing clothes today. Good job."

"Hehe."

Mizu smiled smugly. She was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, but at least she was fully dressed. Yuki had tried to correct her behavior, but it didn't improve, so he decided to praise her instead. For Mizu, getting praise for just wearing clothes was a very low bar.

"I realized that not wearing underwear gives a greater sense of freedom and thrill…."

"Let's try harder."

Praising her was also difficult.

"Please, come in."

Following Mizu's invitation, Yuki and Eri sat on the sofa. Mizu, moving busily, went to the kitchen and brought back two glasses of drinks. The water levels were uneven, but it seemed to be tea.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. Study hard."

Mizu then left the living room. She acted like a mother, but the one who needed to study the most was her.

Still, Yuki wondered what was going on. He glanced at the entrance to the living room and caught Mizu peeking from the shadows. When she noticed Yuki, she shook her fist and gestured, "Go for it, go!"

Yesterday, Mizu had muttered something about how, since they were dating, they should have more physical contact. She seemed to be suspicious about the fake girlfriend situation or just frustrated that their relationship wasn't progressing.

Incidentally, Mizu, acting as a hidden second, was probably visible to Eri from her angle. Yuki glanced at Eri and saw her smiling wryly. He explained the situation to her.

"Apparently, she's worried that I might get dumped by Eri if things stay like this…."

"Wow… That's quite considerate of her. So?"

"Basically, I thought a bit of light physical contact might help."

"Physical contact? What do you mean by that…?"

"Um… like, a head rest on the knee, like last time."

"…Is that just what you want?"

"Kind of, yeah?"

They looked at each other, and an awkward silence fell. Eri seemed to want to say something but didn't. Instead, she cleared her throat and adjusted her posture, which seemed to be a sign of approval. However, Yuki hesitated to eagerly rest his head on her knee.

"It's a bit embarrassing, you know."

"R-Right… I didn't know you had such feelings, Yuki."

Treating people like robots was not something Yuki wanted.

"Thinking about my sister watching makes it a bit…."

"Yeah, it feels like a kinky play."

At the edge of his vision, Mizu was making a fist and gesturing, "Go for it!" Without needing to be told, Yuki laid his head on Eri's knee, feeling the warmth and softness of her skin. He relaxed, pressing his face into her thigh, and heard a slightly flustered voice from above.

"Hey, that's not how you sleep…."

"This is the best way to feel the softness of your thigh."

"What, what kind of perverted explanation is that! And you're a pervert, aren't you!?"

"Eri's knee is the best. I don't know about others, though."

"Yuki seems like the type who might cheat."

"Why?"

As he asked, he looked up from below, and Eri turned her head away. At the same time, his head started to shake. Eri was gently bouncing her knee.

"Okay, one, two, three…."

"Stop the bouncing."

"You have a light head, huh? Is your head empty?"

As she said this, she vigorously shook her knee, and Yuki, unable to bear it, sat up and silently stared at Eri.

"Hey, are you mad?"

"Kind of."

"You're hard to read."

This time, Yuki looked away. He saw Mizu, who seemed to be saying, "What are you doing?" and slamming her fist down.

Eri leaned in, looking a bit concerned.

"Sorry, are you mad?"

"No, I'm not mad."

"Then what's up?"

"Just…."

Yuki, with a hint of something, stared intently at Eri.

"…What?"

Eri's long eyelashes fluttered rapidly. Her expression was a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Yuki leaned in closer, and the "Go! Do it!" button to heat up Mizu's support is right here.