—The next day.
I was currently on my way to Yuria’s house to get a good, long look at the maid outfit she’d worn during last year’s school festival—the one that had apparently caused quite a scandal.
This summer vacation, I’d been at the beck and call of the Beautiful Girl Trio, but as luck would have it, Airi was at her part-time job today, and Rui was still in Kanto for the Inter-High.
In other words, I could spend time alone with Yuria without anyone finding out or complaining.
When I’d stayed the night with Airi, her tendency to leak information—specifically a photo of us getting sweaty on a futon (it was a battle room!)—meant the evidence had ended up in Rui’s hands. But I didn't have that worry with Yuria. Rui was halfway across the country, so there was no risk of her walking in on us.
When the cat’s away... that was exactly the situation here.
Still, for a loner like me, being invited to a girl’s house was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Back in junior high, I’d play with Tanaka in my room almost every day, but that was only easy because it was my "home turf." Entering a girl's room, however, was strictly an "away" game. I felt like I was walking into a minefield of feminine mysteries—like those weird boxes in the bathroom—that would feel as unfair as a biased whistle from a Middle Eastern referee.
Then again, Yuria had already found a rubber in my room, so even if I stumbled upon something in hers, we’d be even.
Before heading over, I stopped at a nearby convenience store for a box of assorted baked goods as a souvenir, then double-checked the address she’d sent me on LIME.
"Let's see, to get to Yuria's from here... wait."
I squinted at the map. Wasn't this a high-end residential district?
☆☆
When I arrived, I was greeted by a massive, classic iron fence. Behind it sat a sophisticated, sprawling Western-style mansion with white walls, a black roof, and even a stylish garage. Through the gaps in the fence, I could see a large dog dozing on the lawn.
"Is this really the same city I live in?"
I felt like I’d been transported into the world of MOTHER. Or, to quote the creator Shigesato Itoi, it felt like I’d stepped through the tunnel and into another world entirely.
"Ryouta, you're finally here. Morning."
As I stood there, dwarfed by the sheer luxury of the place, Yuria walked over, turning off the hose she’d been using to water the grass.
"O-Oh... morning."
Yuria appeared in a provocative gyaru style that looked like it belonged in a Hollywood movie—denim hot pants paired with a white crop top that exposed her midriff. The distressed denim looked like it was screaming for mercy, ready to rip further under the pressure of her incredible thighs.
I’d buy those shorts for whatever price she named.
"What's with that look?"
"Ah, no, nothing. Anyway, here. It’s nothing special, but please share it with your family."
"Wait, really? Thanks for going out of your way, Ryouta."
Looking at her mansion, my "nothing special" felt like an insult. I probably should’ve bought some designer cake... but nothing like that was open at this hour anyway.
"You know, for a pervert, you’re surprisingly polite. Even though you are a total pervert."
"Why do you have to add that part?!"
"Because it’s true. Besides, you’ve been staring at my shorts this whole time."
Yuria caught my chin with one hand and forced my eyes up. I couldn't exactly deny that I’d been having a silent conversation with her thighs.
"Honestly, my dog is better behaved than you."
"Is he really that smart?"
"Pretty much. Actually, if you promise to be a good boy like him, I guess I could keep you as a pet."
"For real?! You mean it?!"
"Wow... the fact that you’re actually into that is super creepy."
She laughed with a hint of disgust and grabbed my hand.
"Whatever. Let’s just go inside. It’s roasting out here."
"Y-Yeah... but wait. I’m not ready to meet your parents yet."
"It's not like you’re here to ask for my hand in marriage. Besides, they’re traveling abroad right now."
"Abroad?"
"Yeah, they love international travel. I wanted to stay and hang out with everyone, so I skipped it this year."
"I see..."
They traveled the world for fun? Rich people were on another level. They were light-years away from my mother, who seemingly played Sepak Takraw eight days a week, and my father, whose only personality trait was hoarding savings. Overseas travel was a foreign concept to my household.
"Well, it's just me, so you can relax."
Which meant... it was just the two of us.
Just thinking about it made me stiffen up—in more ways than one. Alone together, with permission to photograph Yuria’s maid cosplay from every conceivable angle... this was basically sex, wasn't it?
"By the way, I’ve got a suggestion."
"A suggestion?"
"Well... since my parents aren't around, do you want to stay over tonight?"
...Wait.
This was definitely sex.