Mahiru's unexpected confession left Akifumi momentarily frozen in place.
With a relieved smile, Mahiru opened her eyes.
"It seems like you already knew, Mugiho-kun."
She pouted playfully. "Making a girl confess first... you're really are a bad person!"
Of course, he had known.
That's exactly why he didn't know how to respond.
Akifumi let out a wry smile, searching for the right words.
Mahiru's expression remained light hearted. "So, do you still think I'm not a cunning woman?"
She sighed, glancing away. "Eriri trusted me as her friend, yet I went behind her back and confessed first."
Akifumi frowned. "If you ask me, that's more on her than you. She had every chance but kept messing it up."
No matter what others did, at least ninety percent of the responsibility lay with her.
Mahiru chuckled with a touch of melancholy. "You're not wrong."
Then, with a serious look, she whispered, "If I had been the first to meet you, I wouldn't have given anyone else a chance."
A shadow crossed her face.
"But... the first person to meet you was Eriri. I'm the one who came later."
Akifumi gazed at her, puzzled.
Mahiru smiled softly. "That's why, as someone who came later, I don't have the right to say these things."
She took a deep breath. "Mugiho-kun, did you know? I... I was an unwanted child."
"My parents only got married because of family interests. There was never any love between them. Even my birth was an accident."
She laughed bitterly. "My father had a mistress, and my mother had a lover of her own."
"I worked so hard growing up, thinking that if I became excellent enough, maybe they would notice me."
"Maybe... just maybe... they would mend their relationship because of me."
Her smile was filled with an aching sadness.
"But in the end, I was too naive."
"No matter how hard I tried—whether it was getting top grades or being the perfect child in everyone's eyes—nothing I did ever made them look at me."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"That rainy day... I had to go see my father about transferring schools."
"It was the rare chance I had to meet him. I thought maybe, just maybe, if I tried a little harder, he'd say something kind to me."
"But all he cared about was his other family—his mistress and the child they had together."
"I should have known better. But I was still furious. I ran out into the rain, hoping... hoping that maybe he would come after me."
"But in the end, the only one who came looking for me... was you, Mugiho-kun."
Tears welled in her eyes, yet her smile shone brighter than ever.
"But you know what? I'm so glad I met you!"
"Before I met you, I kept thinking I was just an unwanted, unnecessary existence."
"But with you, I realized—I do belong somewhere. I am wanted."
"And realizing that... made me so, so happy!!"
"Then, I met Eriri, a wonderful friend. I discovered manga, light novels, and anime—things I had never paid attention to before but found so fun!"
"And when Mashiro moved in, your house became even livelier. It made me not want to leave."
"Each and every time... I never wanted to leave!"
She puffed up her cheeks slightly.
"Even though it annoys me a little when you look at other girls, expecting such an amazing guy like you to belong only to me is just unrealistic, huh?"
She chuckled. "I had a bit of a greedy thought like that, but only for a moment."
"So, my confession… it's not because I expect anything in return. I just wanted you to know my feelings."
"That's all. Please believe me, Mugiho-kun!"
Her unwavering gaze made Akifumi sigh. "Honestly, how could I not believe you?"
"To be honest, when you started talking, I was worried. I was afraid you still saw yourself as someone unwanted, as someone without value. But I guess I was overthinking it."
Mahiru playfully rolled her eyes. "Do I seem that stubborn to you?"
Akifumi chuckled. "With your personality, I wouldn't put it past you to get stuck in that kind of mindset."
He smiled wryly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have done so many reckless things."
"To think that parents as horrible as yours managed to have a daughter as angelic as you..."
"Maybe they ignored you not because they didn't care, but because they felt unworthy of you?"
Mahiru giggled. "I'm nowhere near as great as you make me out to be…. I'm not an angel or anything like that."
"I'm just a girl who happens to look a little better than average, but compared to people with loving families, I'm nothing special."
Akifumi smirked. "You do realize that just being pretty is enough to make a lot of girls jealous of you, right?"
Mahiru blushed slightly but held his gaze.
"Mugiho-kun, do you think I'm pretty?"
Akifumi shrugged. "Unless someone's blind, I don't think anyone could deny that."
Mahiru's expression softened. "It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. As long as you like me, that's all that matters."
Her words were so earnest that Akifumi couldn't help but tease her.
"You really are sneaky, Mahiru."
"Eh?"
"You always say things that make me want to tease you."
Mahiru looked away, her cheeks turning even redder.
"But you said you just wanted me to know your feelings. Do you really think a guy can just stay indifferent after hearing something like that?"
"Mahiru..."
"N-No! Stop!" She cut him off before he could say anything else.
"You're incredibly important to me, Mugiho-kun, but Eriri is also my dear friend!"
Her voice trembled, and tears threatened to spill again.
"Asking you to choose… that's something I just can't do….."
"I absolutely, absolutely can't….."
Akifumi gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You don't have to."
"Eh?"
"I don't have to choose."
Before she could react, Akifumi pulled her into his arms, tossing aside the gift he had bought.
"Ah—!"
The sudden embrace made Mahiru's mind go blank.
Even through the thick layers of their winter coats, their heartbeats pounded against each other.
The world around them faded as passersby cast them warm, envious glances.
"I'm greedy, you know."
"I won't let go of either you or Eriri."
Even though she knew she shouldn't, Mahiru's heart pounded at the sound of his deep, sincere voice—words meant just for her.
She whispered, almost like a complaint, "How... could you say something like that?"
Akifumi smiled. "Just like you can't lie to yourself, neither can I."
He had already accepted his fate as the villain in this story, and at this moment, he had no hesitation whatsoever.
"I can't choose between Mahiru and Eriri. I just can't."
"Then, you have to confront your own feelings"
"So, Mahiru... what do you think?" Akifumi loosened his embrace slightly, holding Mahiru by the shoulders and looking straight into her eyes.
Mahiru averted her gaze. "What if... I say no?"
Akifumi's lips curled into a smile.
"Why are you smiling, Mugiho-kun?" Mahiru asked, puzzled.
"Because that's the most natural answer."
"Then you..." Mahiru looked even more confused.
Akifumi spoke with conviction, "Because from the very start, I wasn't asking for your permission. No matter what you say—whether you scold me or even hate me—I have no intention of giving up!"
Faced with his burning gaze, Mahiru couldn't help but look away. She whispered, "I just realized... compared to me, you're much more cunning, Mugiho-kun."
"There's no way I could hate you now….." she added.
After all, you're the one who made me understand—there's someone in this world who truly needs me.
Sometimes, reason alone isn't enough to dictate our actions.
At that moment, emotions took over, and what happened next was the most natural expression of intimacy.
A while later.
Mahiru lowered her head, her face flushed with a deep red.
Guilt welled up inside her for betraying Eriri, yet, at the same time, she couldn't deny the thrill of it.
"Mahiru."
"Mm?"
"Mashiro still have a lot of snacks at home, right?"
"Yeah, plenty. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
"Even if we go to the someplace tonight and don't come home, Mashiro should be fine alone, right?"
"Eh?!"
Mahiru let out a small yelp, her already flushed cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red. Her head felt light, dizzy from his words.
"Do you not want to?"
'Do I not want to?' Mahiru took a moment to truly examine the emotions swirling within her.
Instead of resistance or fear, she felt something else—anticipation.
"Mashiro being alone at home... that's not okay, right?"
"A fledgling has to leave the nest eventually. We need to trust in Mashiro's growth!"
"..." Mahiru bit her lip gently, her watery eyes flickering as if they could shatter at any moment.
Finally, she gave a small nod.
......…..
Akifumi Mugiho and Shiina Mahiru stood awkwardly in front of the love hotel, its neon lights casting a soft glow on their faces. This was their first time stepping into such a place together.
Mahiru fiddled with the strap of her bag, her cheeks flushed, while Akifumi scratched the back of his neck, trying to appear nonchalant.
"So… this is it, huh?" Akifumi said, breaking the silence.
Mahiru nodded, avoiding his gaze.
They stepped inside, greeted by a sleek, futuristic lobby with a touchscreen menu displaying various room themes.
Mahiru's eyes widened as she scrolled through the options. "A spaceship room? A jungle theme? They even have a room that looks like a castle!"
Akifumi chuckled at her excitement. "You pick. I'm fine with anything."
After a moment of deliberation, Mahiru selected the "Romantic Paris" theme, giggling as the screen confirmed their booking.
The elevator ride to their floor was quiet, save for the soft hum of music.
When they entered the room, both of them froze.
The walls were design like a fancy hotel in paris, and a fake chandelier hung from the ceiling.
"Wow," Mahiru whispered, taking it all in.
"This is… a lot." Akifumi awkwardly laughed, to hide his nervousness, he decided to check up the room and search for any hidden camera in the room, or recorder in the room.
'Even though this is a hotel room, i should still be careful—some people might try to record/peek in.'
As they rummaged through the room's amenities, Akifumi opened a closet and froze.
Inside was a cabinet full of costume and one of them was black bunny costume, complete with ears and a tail.
"Uh… Mahiru?" he called, holding it up. "You're not going to believe this, you can also cosplay in here."
"Cosplay?"
Mahiru turned and gasped, her face turning bright red.
Mahiru hesitated, then looked up at him shyly. "Do you… want me to wear it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Akifumi's eyes widened, and he scratched the back of his head, trying to hide his own embarrassment.
"I mean, only if you want to. It's up to you. Don't force yourself.."
Before she could respond, Mahiru's gaze drifted to another part of the closet.
Her eyes landed on a butler outfit, complete with a tailcoat, and bowtie.
A mischievous smile crept onto her face. "Well… if I wear the bunny costume, then you have to wear that," she said, pointing to the butler outfit.
Mahiru nooded her head, expecting him to refuse. But to her surprise, Akifumi shrugged and said, "Alright, deal. I'll wear it if you wear the bunny costume."
Mahiru's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, really? You're actually going to do it?" she asked, her voice rising slightly in disbelief.
Akifumi grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Yeah, why not? It's makes it more unique, right?"
After a moment of silence, Mahiru took the costume from him. And she started to push him to the corner of the room.
"O-okay! But you have to turn around and close your eyes until I'm ready."
Akifumi obliged, go to the edge of the room and starting to change his clothes to.
A few minutes later after he done changing, Mahiru's voice called out softly, "Okay… you can look now."
He opened his eyes and felt his breath catch. Mahiru stood in front of him, wearing the bunny costume.
The bunny ears perched atop her head, and the tail swayed slightly as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
She looked adorable, and Akifumi couldn't help but laugh, though his cheeks were tinged with pink.
"You look… amazing," he said, his voice warm.
Mahiru awardly giggled, twirling slightly. "R-Really? I think the size it's not right…. I look kinda of silly."