The doorbell rang, sending Yuria to the front door and leaving me all alone in her room.
A visitor this early in the morning? Who could it be?
I highly doubted a high-end, Western-style neighborhood like this still practiced the tradition of passing around neighborhood notice boards. Even if it were an acquaintance, they should have known Yuria’s parents were away on an overseas trip.
If that were the case, it was likely one of Yuria’s friends. However, given her history—becoming a "lonely gyaru" after her junior high best friend discovered her otaku hobbies—her social circle was likely limited to people from high school.
Relationships from high school... that brought only two people to mind.
Either Airi or Rui.
But Airi had mentioned she would be busy all day with a one-day part-time job.
Which meant the only remaining possibility was...!
"Could it be Rui?"
The moment the thought crossed my mind, my heart hammered against my ribs and a cold shiver ran down my spine.
Then, I heard the sound of footsteps clicking against the marble tiles in the hallway.
(Oh crap! The footsteps are getting closer!)
If Rui saw me here, my chances of becoming Vice President in the second semester would be the least of my worries!
Rui’s possessiveness was on a whole different level. Whenever I got too friendly with the other two—or Tanaka—she’d bear down on me with such murderous intensity I felt like she might actually kill me.
If she caught us one-on-one in Yuria’s bedroom... I’d be banned from the Student Council for life.
"I-I have to hide!"
I frantically scanned the room for a spot.
Fortunately, Yuria’s room was spacious enough to belong to a high-born lady, filled with plenty of furniture and closets. There were plenty of options.
Realistically, I could dive into the large closet, duck behind the heavy window curtains where several people could easily fit, or... the bed.
There was no time to deliberate. I had to cast aside all hesitation!
(Alright... this is the one!)
"The bed it is!"
Without a second thought, I executed a certain character’s famous torpedo dive and plunged straight under the covers.
I-It wasn't like I specifically wanted to bury my face in Yuria’s bed under the guise of an emergency! (I told myself with a perfectly straight face).
I held my breath inside the sheets... or rather, I did the exact opposite and started inhaling deeply.
"S-So this is the scent of Yuria’s bed—"
"Ryouta... what on earth are you doing?"
Just as I was "holding my breath" (relatively speaking), Yuria casually peeled back the duvet and looked down at me with eyes full of utter disgust and scorn.
I looked around. There was no one else in the room but her.
"I’m sure whatever explanation you have is a waste of my time... but did you seriously get horny in my room?"
"N-No! You’ve got it all wrong, Yuria! I thought Rui had arrived, so I tried to hide!"
"Huh? Rui? Why would she be here?"
"Well, because...!"
"And even if it were her, why the bed?"
"That’s..."
Yuria didn't realize that if Rui found us together like this, a terrifying "punishment" would be waiting for me. She couldn't possibly understand my plight.
"Well, I don't really get it, but choosing my bed as a hiding spot just because Rui might show up... Since it’s you, Ryouta, didn't you just want an excuse to sniff my sheets?"
"T-That’s—!"
"Bullseye. Honestly, I can't take my eyes off you for a second... Fine, if you want to sniff them that badly..."
"Wait, what?"
"A-Anyway!! It wasn't a guest, it was a delivery. It’s the stuff I ordered the other day. Since we’re doing the cosplay photoshoot today, I set the delivery date for this morning."
"You ordered it for the cosplay? C-Could it be, Yuria...! For me?"
Did that mean she was going to wear more than just the maid outfit? Something even more suggestive?
All my previous anxiety vanished in an instant, and my blood rushed south.
"Well, yeah. I personally prepared a special cosplay just for you."
"Woooooh! Hell yeah! You’re really getting into the spirit of this, Yuria!"
"Heh... I guess. Come on then, let’s head over to the otaku room."
Following a strangely enthusiastic Yuria, I made my way toward her private sanctuary.