[Warning 15+]
Author's Notes:
Part 5 Sub-Part 3 starts now!
Part 5 Sub-Part 3 starts now!
Part Five
―Even If, I Can't Treat You with That Same Energy Anymore
Chapter 183
Sleepover
―Even If, I Can't Treat You with That Same Energy Anymore
Chapter 183
Sleepover
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Saturday afternoon, the day before goin' out to buy yukata.
Hayato, havin' gotten home from school, was preppin' dinner in the kitchen.
Unusually enough, Hayato's smartphone was sittin' right beside him. He kept glancin' down at it every now and then to double-check.
"...Is this really gonna turn out okay?"
Hayato muttered to himself without thinking'.
A faint look of skepticism was clearly written on Hayato's face.
What Hayato was makin' was a request from Himeko: A dish called 'Return to Chicken!' that had gone viral on social media a while back.
You just drop butter into a pot, line it with onions, place chicken thighs on top with salt and pepper, cover it back up with another layer of onions like a lid, toss in a bay leaf, and let it simmer on low heat. Not a single drop of water needed. Even though it took some time, both the prep and cooking were crazy easy.
That was exactly why it blew up online, but since the prep wrapped up so ridiculously fast, Hayato couldn't help crossin' his arms and groanin' with doubt.
Right then, the intercom rang, announcin' guests.
Himeko, who had been slackin' off on the couch, popped right up on her feet callin' out "Comin'!", and dashed over to the video intercom.
And a moment later, both Haruki and Saki showed their faces in the livin' room.
With today bein' a Sleepover, the two of them were carryin' pretty bulky bags in their hands.
"Welcome, Haru-chan, Saki-chan. Woah, you girls brought a bunch of stuff~."
"Packed my study supplies too, so it ended up way bulkier than I thought."
"Ugh, studyin'..."
"Ahaha... ...Anyway, where should I put this? In Hime-chan's room?"
Saki held up her bag with a sheepish look, while Himeko choked on her words and let her eyes dart around. Everyone let out a wry chuckle.
Both of them were third-year middle schoolers preppin' for entrance exams. Even if it was a Sleepover, they couldn't just mess around the whole time.
"Btw, Haruki, why's your bag so massive?"
"Hmm, me?"
Haruki's bag was even bigger than Saki's.
Considerin' Haruki already kept a few changes of clothes in Hayato's room, it didn't seem like she'd need that much stuff. Even for games or hobby gear, it was way too bulky.
While Hayato tilted his head in confusion, Haruki flashed a mischievous smirk.
"Hehehe~ curious?"
"Well, yeah."
"Very well, then let me show you. Hime-chan, Saki-chan, got a sec?"
"Huh, what is it?"
"Did somethin' happen?"
Haruki flashed an obvious smug grin that practically screamed she was plottin' somethin', before whiskin' the two off and vanishin' into Himeko's room.
A moment later, high-pitched shrieks echoed out, ""Kya!""
Even after that, you could tell they were havin' an absolute blast gigglin' and screamin'.
Hayato had no idea what they were cookin' up.
Still, feelin' like Hayato was somehow the only one bein' left out, he furrowed his brow.
In the first place, today's Sleepover had been planned out of nowhere behind his back, and Hayato was only told right before it happened.
"...Hah, seriously."
Ever since Summer Break ended and Saki came over here from Tsukinose, both Haruki and Saki had gotten way closer than before.
That night, right after the Festival ended.
Exactly as Saki had pleaded.
A lot of their topics revolved around clothes, makeup, and stuff Hayato couldn't join in on, and if someone said that's just normal between girls, well, fair enough.
That in itself was fine, I guess.
Yet even so, somethin' about it just didn't sit right with Hayato.
Exasperated at Hayato's own childish side, a sigh slipped out.
Right then, a hesitant, polite little knock-knock came at the livin' room door.
"Hayato~ you in there?"
"Haruki? Yeah, I'm here, what's up?"
"Alright, openin' the door! Hime-chan, Saki-chan, let's do it on three, okay?"
"Okey-dokey!" "Y-Yeah!"
"Ready, set... ...ta-da!"
"Gh!?"
Hayato's eyes went wide at the sight of the three girls standin' before him.
Haruki was rockin' a Chinese-style gothic lolita dress based around vermilion. She even styled her hair into double buns on both sides.
Shiftin' Hayato's gaze next to Haruki, there was Saki in an idol outfit inspired by military uniforms that looked familiar from TV or somewhere. Saki's hair was tied into a side ponytail, givin' off a totally fresh look.
Himeko was sportin' a miniskirt maid outfit. The low-cut neckline really highlighted her modest flat chest, and her hair was tied in an intentionally cute pair of twintails.
"How is it, Hayato? Surprised?"
"Gh! Eh, yeah, definitely surprised..."
"I was shocked too~ But Haru-chan, I forgot to ask, where'd you even get these outfits?"
"I had a bunch of online shoppin' points saved up, so I just impulse-bought them for the hype! Late-night shoppin' impulses are scary, right? They were just collectin' dust in my closet, so I figured this was the perfect chance to bring 'em over."
"A-Ahaha, sounds just like you, Haruki-san."
"Still, I've always wanted to try wearin' somethin' like this at least once, so good job, Haru-chan!"
"It's true, dressin' up differently from usual feels super refreshin'. I'm kinda curious about both Hime-chan and Haruki-san's outfits too, honestly."
"Oh? How about we swap outfits later then!"
Tunin' out the three girls getting all hyped up, Hayato was just left completely dumbfounded.
Dressed up in cosplay, the girls were radiatin' a whole different kind of charm than usual, and with all of their skirts being super short, Hayato didn't even know where to look.
"Hey, which outfit is your favorite, Hayato?"
"I'm curious about your taste too, Big Bro!"
"Huh!? U-Um, well, this is my first time seein' this kinda thing in person, so... ...I don't really know..."
"Eh, that answer's no fun at all, Big Bro~"
"I don't care if it's no fun!"
Hayato huffed and looked away.
Right in line with Haruki's plan, Hayato's heart was flutterin' with an indescribable rush, but admittin' it felt pretty vexin'.
While Hayato was bewildered by that ticklish sensation in his chest, suddenly somethin' was casually popped onto his head.
"Here, I'll let you off the hook with this, Hayato. Even if they're free size, there's no way these outfits would fit you, though."
"Ahaha, it actually looks good on you, Big Bro!"
"Fufu, it's kinda cute, actually."
"...What is this?"
Wonderin' what it was, Hayato grabbed it and saw a cat-ear headband.
As Hayato knitted his brows, his eyes met Haruki's, who was grinnin' cheekily.
"Come on, since we're all here, join in too, Hayato, okay?"
"...Seriously, what kind of penalty game even is this?"
Still, Hayato could feel Haruki's consideration in making sure he wasn't left out all by himself.
Guess doin' somethin' like this once in a while wasn't so bad.
With an exasperated sigh, Hayato put the cat ears on.
Author's Notes:
Today's the update day for the manga adaptation!
Be sure to show some love to that one too, alright?
Meow~.