After a series of (highly suggestive) events, Yuria told me to stay put in her room. I spent the next hour or so lounging around, still stuck in the maid outfit as usual.
"Man, Airi’s really sticking around..."
Over an hour had already passed since Airi arrived.
There was no way for her to know I was even there. Meanwhile, Yuria and Airi seemed to be having a blast talking about cosmetics, so it didn't look like the party was going to break up anytime soon.
It felt like that agonizing wait when your mother bumps into a fellow "mom friend" at the Supermarket and settles in for a marathon chat.
Still, that was one of Yuria’s better qualities.
No matter how much of a crisis I was having in the next room, she didn't brush Airi off. She treated her like a proper guest and entertained her thoroughly.
That was the kind of thing that sounded easy but was actually quite difficult.
If Tanaka had burst into Ryouta's Room while I was "getting intimate" with Yuria, for instance, I would have kicked her out without a second thought. When I looked at it that way, Yuria had an impressive amount of composure—not that there was any realistic scenario where I’d be getting intimate with her in the first place, of course.
"Yuria usually acts like a Downer Gyaru, but because I’m her friend, I’m the one who knows she’s got a heart of gold underneath it all."
While I sat there alone, acting like some kind of proud, supportive boyfriend from the sidelines, I heard a door open in the hallway. Then came the sound of the two of them walking.
(Oh, is Airi finally heading home?)
Airi had been through a lot lately, so if she was able to cool off in Yuria’s Room for a bit, then my humiliating performance as a maid was worth it.
Summer vacation wasn't over yet. Next time, I’d invite her to Ryouta's Room and host her for hours on end with the AC cranked to the max.
Not that I had any ulterior motives. I’d be perfectly satisfied just catching a glimpse of those sweaty, massive breasts.
"Ryouta, I’m coming in."
"O-oh."
Having seen Airi off, Yuria returned to the otaku room.
"Airi finally went home."
"You two were having quite the long, fun conversation. Meanwhile, I was basically a prisoner in the next room, all alone and dressed like this."
"I wasn't imprisoning you. Though it’s true things would’ve been bad if you’d come out."
That’s exactly what being a prisoner is.
"Come on, don't be so grumpy. More importantly, as an apology for all this, I'll pick out some clothes for you. Want to head to a nearby mall for now?"
"I guess... but I can't exactly go outside in this costume."
"I figured you’d say that, so I brought some replacements. For now, you can just wear these clothes my dad usually wears."
Yuria reached into a bag she was holding and spread out a few items... but my jaw dropped.
"Wait, why is every single thing Hawaiian?!"
She pulled out shirt after shirt designed with tropical leaves and hibiscuses.
"I’ve got sunglasses, too. Here."
Yuria slid the sunglasses onto my face and smiled with satisfaction.
I didn't care if it was midsummer; this "playboy on vacation" look was way too much. Honestly, Airi, give me my clothes back.
"Alright, once you’ve changed into those, want to go shopping, Ryouta?"
"Sigh... fine."