Lately, it feels like Kaya has been holding back around me. If I had to pinpoint when it started, it would be around the day of the sports festival. Our conversations seem more awkward than usual, and she keeps asking me about what I want to do. Did something happen? Even so, we're still kissing as usual, and it doesn't seem like she's distancing herself from me, so I decided to leave it alone unless Kaya brings it up herself. Of course, if this goes on for months, I'll have to do something about it, but for now, I don't think it's that serious.
That's what I thought until yesterday. Kaya went out with Shinobu, saying she had something to discuss. I wanted to go with her, but for some reason, she wouldn't let me, so I had no choice but to secretly follow them to see what was going on. Luckily, they only went to a café, so I was relieved, but I couldn't hear what they were talking about. Last night, I asked Kaya what she and Shinobu talked about, but she brushed me off. Even when I pressed her, she said she was still thinking about it and didn't give me a clear answer.
And today, she left me again, saying she needed time alone to think and went to the library. I wanted to follow her like yesterday, but since she specifically asked me not to come along, I thought it would be risky if she found out, so I decided not to. Instead, I checked Kaya's location using the GPS I had secretly installed on her phone, confirming that she was at the library.
While Kaya was out, I contacted Shinobu to get to the bottom of this. Even though she claimed to be busy, I insisted on meeting as soon as possible. We agreed to talk in her apartment upstairs so that Kaya wouldn't know if she came back early.
I quickly got ready and left the house. As I climbed the stairs, anxiety kept bubbling up inside me. Why won't she tell me? Does she trust Shinobu more than me? Could she have started hating me? These thoughts kept swirling around, but I quickly shook my head to stop them. I had decided to trust Kaya, but I still had to be prepared for the worst…
Before I knew it, Shinobu was standing in front of me. I hadn't even realized I had reached her door. She left the door half-open, looking at me with a slightly exasperated expression.
"What are you doing just standing there? You said we'd talk right away."
"N-Nothing. Let's just get started already."
"Alright, alright, as you wish."
Shinobu, somewhat indifferent, led me inside. As always, her place was sparsely furnished, with only the essentials. After sitting down on a simple chair in the living room, she asked, "Juice, okay?" I replied, "I'll have coffee." She brought over two cups, sat down, and began talking.
"So, what's today's topic? Although, I think I can guess."
"Yes, that should make this quick. It's about Kaya and what happened yesterday."
"I figured as much. Yesterday's—wait, before we get to that, what's on your phone?"
Shinobu pointed at my phone, which was on the table.
"What do you mean? It's Kaya's current location."
Since I didn't know when Kaya might move, it's only natural to constantly check her location. Why would she even ask?
"Wow… Okay, but does Kaya know about this?"
"No, I'm keeping it a secret so she doesn't get suspicious. She almost caught on before, so I can't be too careful. Now, hurry up and get to the point."
"Uh, right… The point, yes. Well, sorry, but I can't tell you what happened yesterday."
"Why not? Is it something I shouldn't know?"
"Calm down. That's not it. It's just that, for Kaya's sake, I can't be the one to tell you. She'll probably talk to you about it today or tomorrow."
As I started to get worked up, Shinobu remained calm, trying to soothe me.
"Fine. Losing my cool won't help, I suppose."
"Exactly. But this is partly your fault, you know. Kaya saw you get confessed to during the sports festival, and you didn't tell her."
A confession? Oh, right, that did happen. It was so trivial I'd forgotten all about it. But did Kaya see it? How does that connect to what happened yesterday?
"So, this has to do with yesterday?"
"Forget I said anything. It just slipped out. I can't say more. You'll have to hear it from Kaya."
"I see… Alright then. Can you prepare the restraints again?"
This is the only option. Last time, everything went smoothly except for the very end. Besides, Kaya said she wouldn't mind if I did it again. So this time, I'll make sure it goes perfectly.