(Huh? Is this really okay?)
I instinctively glanced at Misago and the others nearby for confirmation.
(Yeah, it's fine, just go for it, go for it!)
Misago gave me a silent thumbs-up in response. Tsugumi-san remained as composed as ever, and Yata-Grandma, sitting a little further away, was watching with a beaming smile, as if curious to see what would happen next.
As I processed the situation, Kotori-san was already hugging him.
By the way, Kotori-san has a rather large chest. Since excessively feminine features can sometimes make men shy away, she doesn't get many opportunities like this. She probably didn't want to miss her chance.
For women like us, being invited into a man's embrace can feel like a milk trap, honey trap, or bar trap—a one-hit social death trap that could destroy our reputations instantly. It's terrifying in many ways.
To make matters worse, even if we were to visit those kinds of establishments, we'd still have to pay, only to be told in the end that the men get to choose, making it a total waste of money. So rather than deal with that, we tend to prioritize satisfying our desires and stress relief with food.
As I pondered all this, I kept observing the situation.
Oh? Is she…?
I could see Kotori-san's body trembling slightly. Just from being hugged? That's… unbelievably weak to affection.
She stayed in his embrace for quite a while, seemingly savoring the moment. Hisui-san had already loosened his hold, so it was clear that Kotori-san was the one who didn't want to let go.
Not that it really mattered.
After what felt like ages, the two finally separated, moving like toy robots running low on oil.
And then…
Hisui-san opened his arms again.
Kiyora hesitated, stepping back timidly, looking like a nervous little Chihuahua.
"Alright, my turn," I said, stepping forward to embrace him.
Height-wise, the balance was a bit off, so I bent my knees slightly, kneeling to make it more comfortable. Even so, I was still a bit taller. Worried about overwhelming him, I carefully tightened my arms around him.
Even through his clothes, I could feel his physique—small but more muscular than I expected.
Despite being in a space surrounded by women, he wasn't trembling or flinching at all.
I see… this person is strong.
The thought surfaced in my mind—stronger on the inside than his small frame suggests. Perhaps even stronger than any man I've met before.
Would he let me hold him even tighter?
Being careful not to hurt him, I squeezed a little harder.
Hisui-san didn't resist or show any discomfort, simply accepting the embrace.
My heart was pounding. I took a deep breath to calm myself.
Inhale… Exhale…
He smells nice.
It's soothing and exciting at the same time—unlike anything I've ever smelled before.
I wish I weren't wearing a suit. If only I had been in lighter clothing, this could have been an even better experience.
Wait… he's not wearing anything under that yukata?
That's dangerous—you might get attacked, you know?
Internally, I joked about it. Not everyone has the level of self-control we do, you know?
"It's fine, you know?"
I could almost hear him responding without hesitation to my stray thoughts.
No, no, no. That's too much. This is dangerous.
Consent is important.
Wait… what is this…?
I felt something distinctly different from a woman's body.
Was he… reacting?
Ah, damn it. I totally missed my chance. I should have at least taken off my jacket.
A sudden heat curled in my stomach.
This is bad, isn't it?
Summoning every last ounce of my self-control, I forced myself to pull away.
My body screamed in protest, but I wasn't about to let something so trivial shatter my restraint. Don't underestimate me.
…Even though, as I awkwardly untangled myself, my stiff joints creaked embarrassingly.
I had no right to laugh at Kotori-san anymore.
And then… it was Kiyora's turn.
But she kept backing away, arms stretched out in front of her in a ridiculous, defensive stance—almost like some awkward martial arts pose.
This was going to take forever if left alone.
I exchanged glances with Kotori-san. We were on the same page.
With a single nod, we moved in sync.
"Alright, just let yourself be hugged already!"
Blocking off Kiyora's escape, we shoved her toward Hisui-san.
She struggled a little at first, but soon went limp, surrendering to the embrace.
Huh?
Oh, she's totally out of it.
Her consciousness seemed to drift somewhere else. Was she okay?
Judging by Hisui-san's gentle smile, she was probably fine. Hopefully, he'd stay with her until she came back to reality.
He held her for quite a while.
That looked… really nice.
She was still half-unconscious, but I bet she'd cherish that moment once she snapped out of it.
Eventually, Kiyora, still in a dreamy daze, walked off with Kotori-san on the way home.
Meanwhile, I had my own problem to deal with—whether or not I'd be accepted for this job.
Time to get serious again.
Author's note :
At the end of the day, Hachikuma-san handled everything pretty calmly—probably because she has the perfect temperament for a bodyguard.
Milk Trap – Because it involves white, milky fluid. Some people say, "Hey, if you let it out, it's fine, right?"
Honey Trap – Because it lets you experience sweet dreams. You get the idea.
Bar Trap – Because there's a bar (棒, meaning "stick"). And if you touch the stick… well, you get the picture.
False accusations, workplace harassment claims, and even coerced encounters can all easily destroy a person's social standing. Just switching the genders doesn't change how society reacts.
But still… if you really want a man, you have to be willing to take some risks. Fortune favors the bold, after all.