“Um… I’m really sorry.” “Huh?” After we finished shaking hands, I bowed my head again. Koyanagi tilted her head to one side, confused. “What brought this on?” "I didn't know, but I said and did some very disrespectful things to you... Ugh, what was I thinking? I need to properly apologize for that," I explained. "Hehe. You’re such a serious one, aren’t you, Yuki-kun? BBut don't worry, I really don't mind at all.” “But…” “I understand my appearance very well. It’s not surprising that you thought I was in the same grade as you. In fact, it's unavoidable. I'm used to it... Ha, Hahaha, yes, I'm quite used to it...” Kotose had a faraway look in her eyes. I really felt sorry for her. At this rate, there was no way I could tell her that I’d thought she was an elementary schooler. “Besides, you’ve already apologized so many times. There’s no way I could stay mad at you.” “You’re very kind.” “Am I? I don’t think so. I think you’re the kind one, Yuki-kun. You’re amazing for apologizing so many times. There, there.” This time, she was the one patting me on the head. “Mmm…!” Because she was shorter than me, Koyanagi-senpai had to stand on the tips of her toes to reach up and pat my head. She was trembling the whole time. It was kind of cute how desperately she was trying to reach my head. She reminded me of a child trying to act like an adult... But of course, I couldn’t say that out loud. “Oh… I’m sorry. I started patting your head without asking. Boys don’t like it when girls do that, do they…?” “Um... It’s fine. Actually, I’m happy about it. Koyanagi-senpai, you’re... umm... Ah... That’s right! You’re like an older sister. You’re very comforting!” “An older sister?!” Koyanagi’s eyes sparkled. “Oh yeah, oh yeah. I was trying to act normal, but I guess I couldn’t hide my big-sister aura. Sorry about that!” “Um…” “I’ll be more careful next time. But as your big sister, I might do it again. When that happens, please forgive me, okay? I’m your big sister!” “Ah…” “Well then, see you later! Hum, hum♪” Koyanagi walked away, humming cheerfully. “...That girl might be really gullible.” —— “I’m home.” “Welcome back! Do you want to eat? Or take a bath? Or ...M-E? ♪” “What are you doing in my house?” “Owww…! Owww, it hurts! That really hurts!” Somehow, Miyanoshita had sneaked into my apartment while I wasn’t looking. I grabbed her by the temple and squeezed. “Ow… This is domestic violence!” “It’s discipline.” “I’m like a faithful dog, but when my master gets angry, I get angry, too! Woof!” “Okay, let’s do that again.” “Sorry?! Squee…” Miyanoshita was starting to look like an actual dog. “You actually broke in here.” “As your wife, I believe I should be allowed to make a copy of your key and enter whenever I want.” “You’re not my wife, so it’s not okay. Sheesh…” Before I knew it, Miyanoshita had closed the distance between us using her own unique method. It was hard to believe she was still in elementary school. Recently, she’d also stopped holding back like she had when we’d first met.

Whenever she saw an opening, she would express her feelings and try to cross a line she shouldn't. Should I allow it? Or should I put my foot down here and now? “Hmm…” “What’s wrong?” “…Nothing.” In the end, I couldn't find the right words to scold her. She may have been acting a little aggressively, but she was just trying to tell me how she felt, and she was willing to wait until I was ready to give her an answer. She was spoiling me. In that case, I would have to seriously accept Miyanoshita’s advances. “By the way…” This time, Miyanoshita took the lead in the conversation. “I smell a woman.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Don’t play dumb. I smell the scent of another woman. It doesn’t feel like she’s just a classmate, either. It feels like you know her pretty well.” “Well... I go to a coed high school, so that’s to be expected, isn’t it?” “That’s not what I’m talking about. Have you gotten to know any new girls recently?” She was probably talking about Koyanagi-senpai. Miyanoshita’s sense of smell was too sharp, wasn’t it? Or was it her intuition? Whatever it was, it was unbelievable that she’d noticed something was up about Koyanagi-senpai in such a short amount of time. “Ah... I just happened to get to know a new senpai.” “A senpai, you say?” “Yes, a senpai from school. I helped her with some tasks, and we became friends... Well, I'm not sure if we're really friends. She says we are, but... I don't know, it's complicated. But I think what you're sensing is probably her.” “Hmm...” Miyanoshita puffed out her cheeks and pouted. She looked just like Koyanagi-senpai when she did that. No, wait. Was it more accurate to say that Koyanagi-senapi looked like Miyanoshita? It was a tough call... “...Yuki-san.” Kotose’s voice sounded very lonely, and she gently tugged on my sleeve with the tips of her fingers. Her hand was trembling, and it felt like it might let go at any moment. “…I told you before, but if I’m your main wife, I don’t mind if you have a mistress on the side.” “Ah, that’s right. We did talk about that, didn’t we?” “If you really want to, I don’t mind if it’s your senpai...” “Bam!” “Owww?!” Miyanoshita tumbled back when I flicked her forehead. Her skirt fluttered, and I caught a glimpse of something dangerous. “Senpai and I just met; we’re just friends. There’s nothing between us.” “But...” “You’re jumping to conclusions too quickly. Calm down and think about what you’re saying. I...” “You...?” “...don’t see you in a romantic light, but I do consider you my closest friend.” “Ah♪” Miyanoshita looked very happy to hear that. “Geez, you’re such a tsundere! A tsundere! Even though you act like you don’t care, you really love me, don’t you? ♪” “I never said I loved you... Also, I don't think I'm a tsundere.” “Okay, okay, okay. But if that’s the case, don’t you think it’s time we take our relationship to the next level?”