We were walking home together since we'd decided to have a study session after school. Yuria walked beside me, her voluminous and alluring thighs swaying with every step as usual.
"Ryouta, what are you looking at? My thighs again?"
"…No. I’m looking at Yuria’s 'thick thighs'."
"That’s the same thing. If you’re going to make an excuse, at least try to be a bit more clever…"
Since I was already practically authorized to look at Airi's huge breasts and Yuria's thighs—not to mention the navel shots Rui sent me without even being asked—I didn't see any reason to hold back anymore.
"Honestly, Ryouta, you really love my legs, don't you? Look at my face once in a while," Yuria said, sounding a bit miffed.
Being a gyaru, I supposed she wanted me to appreciate the makeup she’d worked so hard on rather than just staring at her legs. Personally, though, I’d prefer it if she put "makeup"—like fishnets—on her thighs too.
"Wait! Enough with the usual banter, we need to hurry and start the study session today."
"Oh, right. So where are we doing it? The nearby Snoto?"
"At Ryouta’s house, obviously."
"…Hah."
"You got a problem with that?"
"It's not that I have a problem with it, but…"
I’d had a feeling it would come to this… but my room again? This was roughly the fourth time I’d invited a girl over—excluding Tanaka—and my sense of resistance was starting to fade.
Since Yuria had already found out about so many of my secrets and we were fellow otaku, I didn't feel like I had anything left to hide. It was relaxing. I felt the same way around her as I did around Tanaka, so there was no need for formalities. The only issue was her body—specifically those thighs. If I let my guard down, I’d end up staring immediately. Even if I had permission, there were limits, and I had to be careful.
"Fine, my room it is. It might be a bit messy, so don't complain."
"……"
"Hm? What’s up, Yuria?"
"Ryouta, there's something I’ve been wondering about."
"Wondering about what?"
"Lately, Ryouta… haven't you become awfully comfortable around girls?"
"…Huh?"
"Like just now. You have zero resistance to letting me into your room. I was just thinking you have the vibe of a guy who’s really used to being around women."
Yuria narrowed her eyes, her mouth curved into a sour pout.
Me… used to girls!?
"No—no way! A sixteen-year-old guy who’s never even held a girl’s hand couldn't possibly be used to girls!"
"Well, when we first met at the arcade, you definitely reeked of being a total virgin, but lately, you have the aura of a guy who’s made plenty of women cry."
"What kind of aura is that?! No matter how you look at it, I’m just a plain-faced, loner otaku boy!"
It was depressing to admit it myself, but no matter how you sliced it, I didn't look like some kind of playboy piece of shit.
"It probably only looks that way when I’m talking to you, Yuria, since you're the person who understands me best. Probably."
"Hmm… only when you're with me, huh?"
As I stumbled through my excuse, the corners of Yuria’s mouth softened into a smile.
"Well, I guess that’s fine then."
"What do you mean, 'fine'?"
"Exactly what I said. Anyway, Ryouta, want to hit the arcade after exams are over? A new Milk-tan prize is out. It’s the one in the cow-print swimsuit."
"O-oh, sure."
Where did the grumpy Yuria from a moment ago go…? Well, as long as the misunderstanding was cleared up, I wasn't going to complain.
Still, "used to girls"… huh?
Was I really getting used to talking to them by sharing secrets with the three of them? I hadn't noticed it myself, but now that Yuria mentioned it, it felt plausible. I suppose it just meant we’d become that close.
"What's up, Ryouta? Now you're grinning."
"No, it's nothing. Let's get back to the topic of the giant-breasted figure."
We arrived at my place to begin our study session… however.
"Ry-Ryouta! You…"
The moment I walked in, my mother—who was home all day on her day off—popped out into the hallway, her face pale.
"D-don't tell me you're two-timing…"
"I'm not! They're both just friends!"
"Pardon the intrusion!" Yuria chirped.
"Oh, of course. Please take good care of my son for a long time to come~"
My mother, who was remarkably quick to adapt despite her suspicions of infidelity, bowed repeatedly as she watched us head upstairs. I was just glad she didn't mention that Rui had been in my room before.
"Ryouta’s mom is really young and cute. She doesn't really look like you, though."
"Sorry for taking after my dad."
Once I let Yuria into the room, I set up the low table and cushions, just like I had when Airi visited.
"No matter how many times I come here, Ryouta’s room is just so otaku… Oh, can I read this manga?"
"Go ahead, read whatever you want, but today we’re supposed to be—"
It happened right then.
"Ah…"
As Yuria pulled a volume from the shelf, a light, dark-brown box that had been resting on top of it tumbled to the floor with a soft thud…
Hnnnnnngh!?!?
That was… the box of condoms I’d bought before the study session with Airi.
I’ll spare you the details on the brand, but a condom is a condom.
(Crap! Since those two caught me with my stash under the bed last time, I moved my hiding spot to the gaps in the bookshelf!)
It was too late. Yuria was staring at the fallen item, her interest in the manga completely forgotten. There was no way to hide it now.
Th-this is bad.
"What's this box…? Oh! I recognize this character! I think her name was Da… Hm? Wait a second. What is this?"
Yuria went right ahead and prying open Pandora’s Box.