Half an hour into the game, Kasumigaoka's fair, slender hand trembled slightly—not out of excitement, but from frustration.
"DRAW GAME."
The game timer ran out, and the tie indicator appeared again.
Kasumigaoka couldn't hold it in any longer. She clenched the controller and angrily bumped into Hoshimi sitting beside her. "Hoshimi! Can you stop holding back? Play properly, will you?"
Hoshimi simply smiled, silently using his status as the player in control (1P) to start the next match.
"Utaha, the game's started. Don't just sit there."
"Ugh~~" Kasumigaoka gripped the controller tightly, feeling increasingly stifled.
She had come today to lose—to get thoroughly beaten. But after losing five quick rounds to Hoshimi at the start, this jerk had stopped winning altogether!
You ungrateful jerk! You're bound to get what's coming to you!
"Utaha, why aren't you moving? Playing passively won't work."
Hearing Hoshimi's teasing, Kasumigaoka nudged his shoulder with discontent.
Move? What for? I can't hit him anyway! Moving is pointless!
This game, AtaFami, was a typical side-scrolling fighting game, but unlike the popular King of Fighters, the maps in this one were vast and had a Z-axis dimension.
Besides the ground floor, each map had two layers of platforms in the air, making a total of three layers. The expansive layout made it very easy for players with poor skills to miss their opponents entirely.
Unfortunately for her, she was one of those unskilled players. Since she didn't usually play fighting games, her reactions and control couldn't keep up with Hoshimi's nimble movements.
As a result, all Hoshimi needed to do was jump between the three platform levels to avoid her, letting the time run out. With both characters still at full health, the system automatically declared a draw.
Moreover, if there were three consecutive draws, the game would trigger a sudden death round. But if that round also ended in a draw, both players would be declared losers, meaning there would be no winner.
Based on Hoshimi's earlier conditions, someone had to win 11 rounds for the game to end and for them to leave the room...
At this point, after drinking two bottles of water and feeling a slight pressure in her lower abdomen, Kasumigaoka finally realized the sinister trap Hoshimi had set for her.
"DRAW GAME."
As the draw indicator appeared yet again, Kasumigaoka's eye began to twitch. She extended her leg, her foot wrapped in fine black stockings, and lightly kicked Hoshimi.
"Hoshimi, don't go too far. If you're going to win, just win. Don't think I don't know what you're up to."
"Hmm? Utaha, what are you talking about? I don't understand." Hoshimi spread his hands innocently.
"..." Kasumigaoka squinted, tilting her head slightly as she gazed at Hoshimi. "Hoshimi, for your information, all my clothes, from the inside out, are brand new for this visit. Do you understand now?"
"I see..." Hoshimi glanced at the hem of Kasumigaoka's skirt, smiling mischievously. "No wonder you're wearing garter stockings—so they were prepared for me."
"Hmph~" Kasumigaoka snorted softly, blushing as she tugged at her skirt.
She had accidentally let the hem ride up, revealing the garter belt. This wouldn't do. Showing the garter belt while wearing stockings wasn't proper—it was a sign of being unreserved, even lacking modesty.
"Hoshimi, since you get it now, play the game properly. Stop scheming." Kasumigaoka picked up the controller, curious to see how Hoshimi would act next.
"Alright, I get it." Hoshimi started the next round of the game.
From the start, Hoshimi launched a flurry of attacks, reducing Kasumigaoka's health to almost nothing in a flash.
Then... he started hopping around again, wasting time.
Kasumigaoka glanced at him, her anger gradually fading.
Fine, as long as he keeps winning, I can tolerate a bit of time-wasting.
"GAME SET!"
Time ran out, and Hoshimi won the round, clinching that game.
"I lost. I'll drink." Kasumigaoka opened a 500ml bottle of soda and drank half of it in one go.
"Come on, let's continue." She wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue and grabbed the controller, signaling for Hoshimi to start.
After that, it seemed like Hoshimi had genuinely reformed. He won four consecutive games, bringing his total to ten wins—just one short of the required 11. It looked like he only needed three more minutes to claim victory.
"Hoshimi, hurry up, hurry up! Don't stop now." Kasumigaoka, having already drunk 2 liters of water, was anxiously urging him on.
She couldn't hold it much longer—her sphincters were on the verge of rebellion.
"Alright, here we go." Hoshimi smiled deeply as he started the next match.
At the start of the round, Hoshimi hit Kasumigaoka once and then began his usual time-wasting antics.
Watching him hop all over the place, Kasumigaoka felt oddly calm.
It's fine. Hoshimi already landed a hit. I'm bound to lose this round, so even if the next two are draws, he'll still be the winner. I just have to endure these three minutes.
"GAME SET!"
Time ran out, and Hoshimi won. The second round began immediately after.
In this round, Hoshimi didn't even bother to land a hit. He went straight into time-wasting mode.
Kasumigaoka didn't mind, simply throwing out a few random long-range attacks as usual.
"Hmm?"
She noticed that Hoshimi had deliberately walked into one of her random attacks. She shot him a suspicious look.
Suddenly, she had a bad feeling...
"GAME OVER!"
Time expired, and Kasumigaoka won. The third round followed.
Her bad feeling proved true as Hoshimi continued to deliberately walk into her long-range attacks.
"GAME OVER!"
After two small rounds, Kasumigaoka won the game.
"Oh no, I lost. Guess I'll drink." Hoshimi, feeling a bit thirsty, casually grabbed a bottle of soda and slowly drank half of it.
"Shall we continue, Utaha?" Hoshimi asked with a playful smile as he picked up the controller.
"..." Kasumigaoka said nothing, simply staring at him quietly.
After a long pause, she put down the controller and spoke calmly, "Hoshimi, just propose your conditions. What do you want me to do?"
She understood clearly that Hoshimi had no intention of winning anymore. He would keep stalling until she couldn't hold it in any longer, forcing her into an unfair deal or pushing her to lose control, leaving behind blackmail material for later use.
If that was the case, she might as well give in and let Hoshimi's scheme succeed—at least partially.
She had said it herself—she came today looking to lose, to be humiliated, seeking excitement.
And to be honest, she really couldn't hold it in much longer…
"Conditions?" Hoshimi tilted his head with an innocent look. "Utaha, you've misunderstood me. I just want to..."
"Bah!" Kasumigaoka spat lightly, suddenly leaning close to Hoshimi, pressing her forehead against his, and snarling fiercely, "Hoshimi! Do you think I don't know you? You jerk! You're getting back at me, aren't you? You petty man!"
"Mm?" Hoshimi blinked, looking completely confused.
"Tch, keep pretending! Go ahead and act all innocent!" Kasumigaoka, both embarrassed and annoyed, jabbed Hoshimi's side.
This jerk was definitely getting revenge for those three boxes of 12-pack Okamoto 003s she had prepared! If not, she couldn't think of any other reason why he would be acting like this!
"Spit it out! Hoshimi, what do you want?! Anything except going all the way is on the table!" Kasumigaoka stopped pretending and directly revealed the bottom line she had prepared, throwing it right in Hoshimi's face.
"..." Hoshimi hesitated for a moment, his gaze dropping to the ample view hidden beneath Kasumigaoka's clothes.
"Utaha, are you sure about anything?" Hoshimi, his nose twitching, stopped hiding his excitement as he gazed into Kasumigaoka's wine-red eyes.
"Of course!" Kasumigaoka locked eyes with him and said firmly, "I'm not like you, Hoshimi, saying things you don't mean! I always keep my word!"
"Is that so..." Hoshimi wrapped an arm around Kasumigaoka's waist, his eyes shining brightly. "Utaha, how about... we take a bath together?"
"A bath?" Kasumigaoka quickly understood Hoshimi's intentions and, without much thought, agreed, "Fine."
"Then let's go." With Kasumigaoka's approval, Hoshimi promptly took her hand and led her downstairs to the bathroom.
As they reached the door, Hoshimi suddenly remembered something he had forgotten.
"Utaha, wait a second, I need to grab something." Hoshimi turned back to his closet and pulled out a large bag of bubble bath salts.
He had ordered this stuff online a while ago.
He had wanted to try it out with Yukino before, but with Yukino being so flat-chested, he figured she'd just give him an icy stare, so he never brought it up.
Now that Kasumigaoka was here, he could finally put it to use.
"What is this?" Kasumigaoka looked at Hoshimi, puzzled.
"Bubble bath salts, rose-scented," Hoshimi replied, shaking the large bag of bath salts in his hand.
"What are you going to do with so much?" Kasumigaoka had barely asked the question when she realized—the bathroom at Hoshimi's house had a full bath, way bigger than a typical bathtub, so naturally, the amount needed was different.
"If the dosage is too small, there won't be enough bubbles, and that ruins the mood," Hoshimi explained with a cheeky smile.
"... You really know how to have fun!" Kasumigaoka rolled her eyes at him.
Hoshimi chuckled and took Kasumigaoka's hand, leading her down to the bathroom.
Just before they entered, Kasumigaoka suddenly remembered something. She glanced sideways at Hoshimi and asked with a meaningful look, "Hoshimi, why do you have bubble bath salts in your closet? Do you take bubble baths by yourself?"
Hoshimi, his heart skipping a beat, replied calmly, "I saw them in romantic… action movies before, and I got curious. So I bought them to see what effect it has."
"Oh?" Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow. "Hoshimi, so you watch 'romantic... action movies,' huh?"
"Well~ I'm a young man with normal desires. Isn't it perfectly natural to watch that kind of stuff?" Hoshimi said casually, showing no shame at all.
"What type do you usually watch? Or rather, which ones have you seen that left an impression?" Now that her suspicion was gone, Kasumigaoka was curious about Hoshimi's preferences.
It was somewhat important to her. Although she was confident in her own charm, it would be a bit of a problem if it didn't match Hoshimi's tastes.
"What type, huh?" Hoshimi thought for a moment and casually said, "I've seen ones with housekeepers, teachers, even amateurs. I've watched a lot, but none really left a strong impression because..."
Hoshimi turned to look at Kasumigaoka. "Because they're all just average. They can't compare to you, Utaha."
"Hmm?!" Kasumigaoka narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in her wine-red gaze. "Hoshimi, are you comparing me to them?"
Hoshimi's mouth twitched as he rested his hands on Kasumigaoka's shoulders and said seriously, "Utaha, you're looking at this the wrong way. I was only talking about appearances, nothing more. Still, you're right—I made a mistake. I shouldn't have said that. I apologize."
After thinking for a moment, Hoshimi leaned close to Kasumigaoka's ear and whispered, "Utaha, as an apology, I'll make sure to take good care of you later." With that, he lightly nibbled on her soft, pink earlobe.
"..." Kasumigaoka, instantly understanding what Hoshimi meant, felt her knees go weak. Blushing, she turned her head away, gently pushing him.
"Utaha, let's go in." The crisis averted, Hoshimi grinned, holding her waist as he guided her into the bathroom.
...
Meanwhile, in the classroom of Class 2-J at Sobu High, Yukino blinked twice, feeling somewhat distracted as she gazed out the window.
What was Hoshimi up to? Why did his aunt suddenly call him home?
She felt a bit uneasy. Could something have happened?
Let's contact Hoshimi after school this afternoon...
Just then, a green leaf fell outside the window, catching Yukino's eye as it drifted down. She watched it until it was out of sight, before finally returning her attention to the lesson she had long since mastered.
...
At the same time, at Chiba Station, Iwanaga Kotoko, dressed in a white dress, slowly stepped out of the station.
She looked up at the blazing sun and murmured, "What a beautiful day... It's summer already, huh... Should I prepare my swimsuit?"
Lowering her head, she wondered what kind of swimsuit Hoshimi would like.
A school swimsuit? He seemed to like seeing her in those... but she wasn't too fond of it. It made her look like a little kid. When she sat on Hoshimi's lap, it didn't feel like they were a couple—it felt more like siblings...
And when Hoshimi got older, it wouldn't be siblings anymore; it would feel like father and daughter...
"Ugh~" Once again, Kotoko felt frustrated with her slow physical development and its worrying future.
"Booboo~~ Booboo~~"
"Hm?" Just as Kotoko was pondering how to grow faster, a small pink yokai, only about the size of a fist, flew towards her, crying out as it approached.
As it spoke, Kotoko translated its words, and her expression immediately froze.
"Priestess, Priestess, your man ran off with another woman."
===
[30 Bonus Chapters: https://www.patreon.com/cherryblooming]