Cheated and Restarted Chapter 9

The Excitement Leading Up to the After-Party is Abnormal

Friday after school. Ayashiro and I, along with the others, were enjoying playing baseball with a rubber ball and plastic bat in the plaza of the Tayoshi Dorm. Today, the acceptance or rejection result for Milan's student theater troupe is scheduled to come via phone call. We know a rejection notice is coming anyway due to interference from Hagiri or his lot, but we were still fidgety. That's why we were distracting ourselves with baseball.

"Theoretically! If I throw with this rotation speed and angle, I can strike out Ayashiro-san 100%! Chestooooooo!"

Pitcher Yuzuriha throws the ball. It was a surprisingly solid pitch. Incidentally, Yuzuriha's skirt is a bit short today. From my position as catcher, the thighs visible from the slightly fluttering hem of the skirt are dazzling. But such natural, calculating cuteness doesn't work on Ayashiro.

"Naive! Witness the moment guts surpasses theory! Chesto returnnnnnnnnnnn!"

Ayashiro caught the ball, which was slightly low on the outside corner, perfectly with the sweet spot and smashed it toward the outfield. If it keeps going, it's definitely a hit. Or so it seemed, but surprisingly, Milan was standing exactly in the direction the ball flew.

"Kukuku! Ahahaha! This is the power of math! There is no need to strike out Ayashiro-san directly! I just have to make her hit it to where the outfielder is and have them catch it!"

"No way!? You purposely let me hit to take me out!? Is this what they call Sutegamari (sacrificial tactics)!? What a Fearsome Satsuma Ogojo!"

No, this is normal baseball, right? Besides, there's going to be a punchline to this anyway.

At that moment, a ringtone pipipi sounded from Milan's pocket.

"The call came! Everyone, the call came! I'm taking it! I'm taking the call! I'm gonna take it!"

The fly ball fell beside Milan and rolled away korokoro.

"Noooooooo! Even though the ball was flying exactly according to calculations! Nooooooo, my calculations! My calculationnnnnnns!"

"Yaaayyyy! This is human power that can't be measured by calculations! Yuzuriha! You underestimated the human soul! That is the reason for your defeat!"

Ayashiro ran leisurely around the diamond, while Yuzuriha shed tears of youth on the mound. ...Is this our quality level? Is this really the highest institution of learning? I strongly doubt it.

Then Milan, who had been answering the phone, came over to us. She had a somewhat perplexed face.

"Umm. I'm putting it on speaker, so everyone listen."

Confused, we leaned in toward the smartphone. Then we heard.

'Yo. Do you remember? It's me. Tenketsu Kisho.'

Unexpectedly, the Tsundere old man's voice was heard. A world-class director calling personally... Conversely, that's scary. I had told Ayashiro and Yuzuriha about Tenketsu-sensei, but both of them couldn't hide their bewilderment.

'First, the good news. You failed the student theater troupe.'

"Ugh!?"

Even though we knew it, Milan took damage. Ayashiro gently rubbed her back, and Yuzuriha hugged Milan's head to her chest to comfort her.

'If you perform acting like that, it would be extremely troublesome in a student theater troupe. Acting that stands out from the surroundings is no good. You, you're that type, right? The type in a dance performance group where only one person gets fans? Am I wrong? Hmm?'

You are exactly right, Tenketsu-sensei! Understanding what she usually does just by seeing Milan's acting... is this the observational power of a top-class director?

'Reflect greatly on this. And now I'll tell you the bad news. I couldn't find an actor or director to act as a substitute master to discipline you. I showed the video of your acting to all my acquaintances, but the answer was that they didn't want to because you were too much to handle.'

"Gwaaaa!"

That's dealing considerable damage to Milan! Translating Tenketsu-sensei's Tsundere language, it seems to mean "Your talent is too much even for other people to handle, so guidance is impossible☆," but still, not finding a mentor is pretty tough considering the future.

'So, since there was no other way, by process of elimination, I decided to take charge of your guidance myself. Releasing an actor like you into the industry would be a nuisance to everyone around. So I'll be the one to discipline you. Well, rest assured, I will do power harassment, but I won't do sexual harassment.'

"Tenketsu-sensei! I am happy! Thank you very much! Please give me lots of power harassment!"

From the lowest depression to a complete turnaround, Milan expressed joy with her whole body. She's rejoicing in a way that makes us smile too. However, I want to clear up my doubts.

"Tenketsu-sensei, excuse me. This is Tokiwa, but I have a few doubts. Could you answer them?"

'Ah, I don't mind. Considering the connection between Hagiri and me, those doubts are reasonable. Go ahead.'

"Hagiri shouldn't find it amusing that Tenketsu-sensei is guiding Milan, but is it really okay for you to look after her? If there is a possibility that her future will be exposed to danger, we must decline the offer."

'Reasonable. But you don't have to worry about that point. There is one misunderstanding, so let me correct it. What Hagiri doesn't like is Isumi not being in his hands, not Isumi succeeding. I probed and confirmed with Hagiri too, but it seems there are merits for him as well if Isumi is guided and succeeds as an actor. It seems he wants to propose some kind of deal after she succeeds and pull her into his camp. For better or worse, he values Isumi's talent itself. He doesn't mind if it grows.'

I don't really get it. There is no doubt Hagiri is a petty guy and a villain. I thought he would interfere with Milan, but it seems there's no worry about that.

'He has various jobs on his plate. Frankly speaking, he probably can't afford to focus solely on Isumi. It's a crude way of putting it, but waiting for the rice plant to ripen before harvesting is more efficient. You can consider that Isumi won't face any interference in the entertainment industry. I will also keep a sharp eye on that. Seeing your youthful acting, I've steeled myself too. I will cooperate with Hagiri for a while, but someday I'll cut ties with him. Isumi, I want to direct you as an equal work partner someday. That's what I've always thought. That dream will definitely come true. Yes, definitely.'

"Tenketsu-sensei...! I don't know what to say... I am very honored!"

Milan is shedding tears, perhaps overcome with emotion. Her efforts so far have been rewarded in one way. She lives a surprisingly struggling student life. In the midst of that, she won this much of a chance. There's no way she wouldn't be happy.

'Don't mind it. It's not that I am great; it's just that you worked hard. If you want to thank someone, thank the man next to you. Because I haven't done anything significant. I'll contact you later with details. I'll throw you into a major, reliable agency to belong to. You just think about your art, got it?'

"Yes! Understood!!"

'See you later then.'

The call ended there. This matter is safe now. There is nothing more wonderful than effort being rewarded. Milan's talent would never shine under Hagiri. But with this, one future might change. I feel my heart pounding at that premonition.

"The three of us were talking earlier, and we've decided to have an after-party today. Misaki wants to invite us somewhere."

"It's Shibuya you know! Shibuya! I've only ever passed through Shibuya and never gotten off in the city! I'm looking forward to it! I bet it's an adult city..."

It seems the girls have already decided on the plan. Naturally, I...

"Sounds good! Shibuya! It's so college-like! I'm looking forward to it! Woohoo!"

""Ohhhhhhhhhh!""

We raised our right hands to the sky like Paripi (party people), accumulating party power.

"Then, all three of you, come to the Hachiko statue in Shibuya around nine-thirty! I'll be waiting!"

Perhaps because it's an after-party, Milan became sharp, told us only the place and time, and ran out of the dorm plaza.

"There's quite a bit of time until nine-thirty, right? Want to study or something?"

"That's right. The library is open, so shall we study?"

"You guys have a 'student of the highest institution' vibe in weird places. Well, let's study."

We headed to the library. We decided to study for the time being until the appointed time.

---

We arrived in front of the Hachiko statue in Shibuya right on time. Unlike just before I died in the previous world, frankly speaking, this place is smoky, and the roadside is full of cigarette butts. Thinking that Shibuya was this dirty just a few years ago, I deeply realize that I have returned to the past. Ayashiro kept a cool face, but Yuzuriha grimaced at the smell of cigarettes. Feels like a baptism from the city.

"Oooh. Did I keep ya waiting? Gyahaha!"

"Eh? Senpai? Why are you here?"

I heard a voice I knew well. The one who spoke to me was Keikai-senpai. Unlike the other day, he was wearing proper, fashionable clothes.

"I came to pick you up in place of Misaki, who's taking time to get ready! Come on, follow me, follow me!"

We tilted our heads, but since I don't think Keikai-senpai would go out of his way to lie, we followed behind him. Passing in front of Maru-kyu, we arrived at a small back street. Where Love hotels are scattered here and there.

"I wonder if I stayed overnight at that time? Or was it just a 'rest'? Haha!"

Yuzuriha is looking at the love hotel price list with a smile that is interested, yet simultaneously holds disgust and self-deprecation. Since she can make a self-deprecating joke about it, she must have come to terms with that day in her heart. I thought her mental strength was far greater than mine.

"Here is your after-party venue! Ahaha!"

It was a place called a club, with a moody sign standing there. According to the sign, opening time is from ten o'clock, but flashy guys were already forming a line. Burly men who looked like bouncers were standing at the entrance.

"Oh my. Come to think of it, Misaki said she works as a dancer at clubs here and there. This is exciting! Even for me, this is my first time in a place like this!"

"...Is this Tokyo...!? I've never seen CG like this in gal games or otome games before! Hieeee!"

The two girls seem excited. I'm also quite nervous.

"Nice. Innocent, I like it! Since you guys are Misaki's pals, you get special treatment to enter! She reserved a table in the VIP room! Good for you! Gyahaha!"

Keikai-senpai went toward the entrance, spoke something to the bouncer, and then beckoned us over. And even though it was before opening time, we were allowed inside.

"Is this a dungeon! Is this place a dungeon!? Kyaa!"

While staff were coming and going for final checks in the hall where there were no people yet, we walked leisurely toward the back. Yuzuriha, hopping around happily with a bright red face, is cute.

"Heh. It's quite a lovely space. So men and women spend time decadently here. Hmm. It’s so romantic!"

Ayashiro is Ayashiro, and her tension is higher than usual. Extraordinary spaces drive people crazy very easily.

And we arrived at a calm area filled with blue light in the back. A space lined with semi-circular partitioned tables and sofas. On one of the tables, a small blackboard with "Tokiwa Group" written on it was standing.

"Yees, Tokiwa Group everyone, go ahead! Please enjoy yourselves at this VIP seat today! Gyaha!"

Keikai-senpai guided us to the seat like a concierge. Ayashiro and Yuzuriha sat on the sofa happily with squeals. I also tried to sit, but.

"I heard about your exploits. Kanata. Your seat is the seat of honor in the back! Just act majestic! Gyahaha!"

Urged by Senpai, I sat on the sofa in the back. With Yuzuriha and Ayashiro on both sides, it feels incredibly rich.

"This has a New York mafia feel to it! Nice! Very nice, Kanata-san!"

What’s with Yuzuriha-san's love for American mafia? Ayashiro also nodded in agreement.

"If you do that, you look like a nouveau riche IT billionaire! A homey workplace aiming for stock listing!"

That is definitely a black company.

"I'll take that as a compliment, but even so, this place..."

"""So hype! Yaaaay!!!"""

Everyone finds Paripi (party people) annoying. In reality, they are annoying, and often cause trouble. But there are also times when you look from afar and think they look like they're having fun.

"Hold off on drinks and the toast since Misaki is still preparing."

"What is Milan doing?"

What on earth does she intend to do? There was a hint that she would entertain us?

"Hmm? Well, once it opens and the flow of people inside settles down, go to Hall C. Also, this seat is yours today, so use it freely as a resting place. You're hungry for now, right? I'll serve some light snacks!"

When Keikai-senpai clapped his hands, staff brought light appetizers like fries and ham. Since we had only been studying until just now, we were very grateful.

"Well then! I'm going to go pick up girls, so bye! Tell Misaki congrats for me! Gyahaha!"

Saying that, Keikai-senpai vanished smoothly. That person is seriously a mystery. We pecked at the light snacks for the time being and waited for the opening and the flow of people to settle.

***Inside the Club, Moving!***

Is this club seriously a dungeon? That's how huge it is. There are various areas, and the music playing is different in all of them. People coming and going are all dancing or picking up girls; it doesn't seem like an atmosphere where an In-kya can survive. In fact, Yuzuriha was scared of the crowd at first, but after I instructed her to grab onto my arm, she looked like she was having fun.

"Like, somehow! The atmosphere! It's amazing! The sound vibrates in my stomach! And my eyes are flickering! But for some reason, I can't stop grinning! Ahaha! Ahahahaha!"

Yuzuriha, holding my arm, has a mysterious smile that looks both embarrassed and excited. The gap between this and her usual serious face as a mathematician is nice.

"Heeey! DJ! More explosive sound! Violently, whoaaaa!!"

Conversely, Ayashiro Ane-san is letting loose. She's been high-fiving girls passing by with pointlessly high tension for a while now. The fact that she doesn't do it to guys makes me feel her good upbringing or perhaps her sense of boundaries.

And we arrived at Hall C. It wasn't like a place where a DJ is playing and people are dancing, but rather an atmosphere like a live house. There was a stage, and an atmosphere like the customers were waiting for something.

"Hmmm. I heard Milan-dono would be performing an emergency live show, so I rushed over de gozaru, but to think it's at Shibuya's number one club, I am truly overcome with emotion..."

"Indeed. Milan-tan finally got serious, buhyohyohyo. The end and the beginning of the world will open right here today..."

What are those guys? Only one group was clearly strange. A flock of men and women wearing matching Hanten coats. Lights sticks were gripped in their hands. They didn't blend into the club atmosphere at all, but they didn't seem to care.

'Now, everyone, sorry to keep you waiting! Milan's emergency live show starts now!'

"""UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"""

The flashy guys and the mysterious Hanten group alike thrust their hands up and roared. The folks here, despite having no common points, are all way too fired up...!

'As everyone knows, Milan is a hard worker who has been building up fans little by little as a travelling dancer not just here but all over Tokyo! And finally today! Happy news has flown in that Milan will officially belong to an entertainment agency!!'

"""MI-LAN! MI-LAN!"""

...What is this? Only this place doesn't feel like a club, but more like a live concert venue? What the hell is going on?

'This might be the last time you can see Milan at such close range! Everyone! Let's get hype!'

"""OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MIIILAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!!"""

The fans' voices united and echoed in the hall. Then the stage flashed intensely, and Milan appeared. She was clad in a costume that was sexy yet cute. The skirt is short and gives the impression that you can glimpse a little of the inside, but I'm sure she's wearing spats, so it’s kinda frustrating! And an intense song starts playing. A cover of a famous song everyone knows begins to flow.

"Kyaa! It's Isumi-san! Wonderful! What's that! So cute! Kyaa!"

"What's this, an idol? Oh my? Wasn't that girl aiming to be an actor?"

Ayashiro tilted her head frequently. I understand that feeling well too.

"Well, that should be the case, but entertainers do anything, you know."

While practicing acting with Milan, I heard that actors actually have to be able to do almost anything. Milan herself said she particularly likes musicals, so this is probably acceptable too. Yeah.

"""MI-LAN! MI-LAN!"""

The audience instantly became captivated by Milan's beautiful and "Emo" singing voice and her somewhat erotic and "Emo" dance. Not just that. Even ordinary customers who weren't interested in Milan and just passed by near the hall, heard the song, and came pouring in happily. And they too waved their hands toward the stage and started dancing together to the music. Her performance is charming even to strangers. Overwhelming aura. The current Milan is on a roll.

"Hey, hey, Kanata. Look at that customer in the front row?"

"Hmm? Let's see... Ah..."

In front of the customer in the front row and the walls on both sides of the hall, guys wearing Hanten were waving lights and doing Wotagei (Otaku dance). Looking closely, Yuzuriha was nonchalantly mixed in there doing Wotagei too. I'm very happy that you, an In-kya, have become cheerful! Above all, you look like you're having fun.

"This power of charm is amazing. The heat! The excitement! Enough to make even me want to forget everything and dance madly in intoxication!"

Actually, Ayashiro has been dancing with beautiful steps and waving her hands to the music for a while now. How should I put it... she's surprisingly good at dancing. This girl has a good brain, and can do this kind of dance too; what kind of upbringing did she have? I'm curious.

"But I wonder what it is? Usually with music and live shows, flashy types go with flashy types, and otaku types go with otaku types, but Misaki's art doesn't have that division. It accepts everyone evenly. Yes. She is surely an idealist. Therefore, her fans are not dyed by specific attributes..."

"What do you want to say?"

"That idealism feels more like a virgin (Doutei) than a virgin (Shojo) after all! You know! Like the 'understanding boyfriend'! Like the virgin boy who gets together with a bitch! Misaki is like that! That's why she can't throw away being a 'Doutei Onna.' Pupupu. Wonderful!"

Just as a virgin accepts everything about his bitch girlfriend, Milan's art also wraps all people emotionally. In other words, virgins are the kindest people.

"In the end, it's about virgins! Are virgins cursed and can't be thrown away! That's quite a stretch! Aah! Hyahhaa!"

I got tired of retorting. So I danced together with Ayashiro. Actually, after time leaping, I had practiced dancing. I'll show the results of that now! And so we continued dancing until Milan's live show ended.

---

After the live show ended, Milan came to our table. She had changed from the idol-like clothes to a really flirty-feeling clothes, a mini pleated skirt with navel-baring tank top.

"Yo, kept you waiting! How was my live show! It was fun, right! Ahaha! Since I can involve that many people, I won't let you call me a doutei anymore! Ahaha! Ahahahaha!!"

Milan is wearing a very confident smile. However, according to Great Teacher Ayashiro, the idealism that can accept anyone and everyone as a fan is the gesture of an "understanding boyfriend" like a doutei dating a bitch, so Milan remains a doutei after all. But Ayashiro is a sensible woman.

"That's right. From now on, name yourself a 'Non-Virgin Woman' (Hi-Doutei-Onna) (I didn't say you lost your virginity). That's how wonderful the live show was. It was a splendid start dash for the after-party."

"Fufufu! Right! I'm a Hi-Doutei-Onna! Ahaha! Ahahaha!"

"Doutei-Onna" is mysterious, but "Hi-Doutei-Onna" is even more mysterious. Rather, what does a woman have to do to lose her "Doutei"? Very interesting.

"Then, everyone's here, so shall we start soon! Everyone, hold your glasses!!"

"""Yaaaay───────!!!"""

I stood up and raised a glass filled with Shandy Gaff. Ayashiro raised wine, Yuzuriha raised Shochu, and Milan raised a glass of straight gin respectively.

"Milan, good work! Congratulations! Cheeeeeeers!!!"

"""Cheeeeeeers───────!!!"""

Everyone toasted, and each drained it in one go.

"""Fuaaaaaa!!!! Yeeaaaaaaa!!!"""

This is a club. No one cares about us even if we make noise. The DJ's explosive sound washes away all the hustle and bustle. Finally having alcohol in us, we high-fived each other and drank the various alcohols lined up on the table one after another. And alcohol showed us a wonderful temporary paradise.

*** Everyone has alcohol in them! ***

*** Characters are broken! Hyahaha! ***

"Hagiri's face back then was the best! Just with that face, I can go three shots of tequila! Tequilaaaaa!"

"Right! Just remembering his face makes me seriously Tequilaaaaa too!"

Milan and I, striking unnecessarily pretentious poses, flicked 500-yen coins with our thumbs and handed them to the staff. And the staff also caught the 500-yen coins coolly and immediately brought out two shots of tequila. Milan and I linked arms and drank the tequila from each other's glasses. The sensation of pleasantly burning throats feels very good!

"Ayashiro-san! I want to do that too!"

"Sounds good! But I'll do that one! Mumble mumble."

"Aaaaaaah! I'll do it! One tequila!"

Yuzuriha ordered tequila, sandwiched that shot glass in her cleavage of all places, and Ayashiro put her mouth there.

"Hyahaha! Idiot! Seriously an idiot! Hee-hahaha!"

I took a video of that sight with my smartphone. When I get sober, I'll definitely tease her about it!

"Seriously an idiot for a math major lolol! I want to chuu chuu too!!!"

Swapping with Ayashiro, Milan chuu chuu'd (sucked) the tequila from the glass in Yuzuriha's cleavage. That's why you reek of doutei!

"Jeez, both of you! Are you babies! Or rather, I can't drink like this! Ahaha! Ahaha!"

Tequila is the best alcohol! Tequila! Tequila! Tequiiiiiiila──────!

*** Everyone has tequila in them! Tequila! ***

Milan was teaching Yuzuriha how to dance. Ayashiro and I are dancing belly dance next to them.

"Got it? keep your center of gravity slightly low."

"Specifically how much is that!? Please answer with a proper rigorous definition! Everything in this world can be properly converted into numbers!"

The two are saying something while lowering their centers of gravity. It's stupid talk anyway. Ayashiro and I make the belly dance even more "belly."

"It's here! Science harassment! Whew! Like I said, it's that! That! It's a feeling! A low feeling!"

"Low feeling... Ahaha... Someone like me... is just an ugly girl who can't even become an 'Otasaa no Hime' (Princess of an Otaku Circle)... Hahaha, hyahahaha!"

Just when I thought Yuzuriha showed an In-kya laughing-while-pulling-back face, she immediately showed a high smile. Ayashiro and I switched from belly dance to headbanging.

"That's an In-kya! Not low! What a Gloomy guy! Hyahaha! Listen! The hips go like this, like this! Show off your hips conscious of curves like sin and cos!!!"

"Ah! You took my math joke! Don't take my character! If you take math from me, only my boobs remain! 3.1415P!!! 3.1415P!!!"

"You can use the 'Yutori' (relaxed/simplified) spec there! 3P! 3P! 3P!"

Finally, Yuzuriha seemed to understand how to shake her hips. The two shake their hips to the rhythm and dance sexily. Incidentally, Yuzuriha's boobs also shake. By the way, what kind of play is 3.1415P? Who are the people below the decimal point? Ayashiro and I danced ballroom-style hip-hop belly dance. The world is in chaos!!!

*** Drunkenness where the world spins round and round is nice, isn't it! ***

Ayashiro got a folding fan from somewhere and is solo dancing on the platform where only girls are allowed to stand. Guys were swarming like crazy, but since touching is out by club rules, everyone just danced nearby without touching.

"Bubble Era, once more! Let's distribute folding fans to every citizen and do the Bubble fan dance! Bodycon! Shoulder pad suits and shabu-shabu! Wooper Looper! Skiing! DJ! Nostalgic melody please!"

A space that felt like "The Ayashiro Zone" was created. Only there felt like it had the scenery of nostalgic Bubble Era Japan. Despite liking modern dark fashion called Jirai-kei, does she like the Showa era? She is seriously a mystery. I thought I wanted to know more deeply about her soon.

*** Let's go with the usual routine! ***

It was around the time it turned past 3 AM. We returned to the table and were enjoying alcohol sip by sip. The time looking back on the stupid things we did earlier is very precious.

"I feel like I became a Yo-kya for the first time in my life! It was very fun!!"

"Right. It was fun. Yuzuriha has grown. As expected of my disciple. I'll praise you."

Ayashiro hugged Yuzuriha to her chest and patted her.

"Come to think of it, Misaki gets called out to by guys often in class too, right?"

"Ah. Yeah. It's very frequent. It's troubling. Ahaha. I take classes pretty seriously, so it's nothing but a nuisance. Because of them, girls tend to glare at me too. Ahaha... no, actually it's not really a laughing matter..."

Milan showed a slightly dark expression. Seeing that face, Ayashiro showed a truly wicked-looking smile.

"For you, here is the recommended product! Kanahisa Tokiwa-kun! Mafia gaooooooon!!"

Ayashiro roared like a cute lion. And I had alarm bells ringing in my chest.

"Misaki! Sit on Tokiwa's lap immediately! And wrap your arms around his neck! Right now!"

"Y-Yeah!? Okay. Umm, excuse me...!"

Milan fearfully sat on my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. The sensation of her butt on my knees and her chest touching me is soft and feels good.

"Good! How is it, Yuzuriha!? Good vibe, right!?"

"Ah, this is good! It feels like a lone wolf outlaw who won big in Vegas and a bunny girl, very good! It's Ero-Emo!"

My attributes are being piled on rapidly. I initially thought the best I could do was become a "college debuter" who managed to get a girlfriend, so why did it turn out like this?

"Misaki-chaaan! Come on, come on! Make an ecchi face! Hurry, hurry! Actor's soul! Show me! Kyahaha!!"

Holding her smartphone, Ayashiro instigated Milan.

"You said it! I'll charm you! With my acting! Kanata-kuuuun! Loove yooou ahe!"

Milan put on a fawning, pervy, estrus smile. Yet, as always, it was a clean, somewhat contradictory, but very beautiful smile. This is the talent Tenketsu-sensei anticipated!

"Nice face! Yees, cheeeeeese!"

Snap. That smile of Milan and my figure were easily turned into a photo.

"Chase away the guys approaching you with this photo. Like, 'I'm this person's Darling!'!"

I wonder what Ayashiro-san thinks of me?

"That's nice! I will use that photo aggressively! Ahaha!"

Milan laughed excitedly while looking at the photo. Sex friend -> Second -> Darling. I don't understand the criteria!

"Eh? Can 'Darling' be used for women too? Isn't it 'Honey' for girls?"

Yuzuriha tilted her head. I think so too, but.

"Darling is used for addressing women too. This is why science majors are trouble! No romance, no romance! Kyahaha!"

"This is humanities harassment! I can't stand vague trivia! Study math! I hate people who don't know trigonometry!"

Ayashiro's provocation was huge damage to us science majors. This is why humanities majors are...! Science and Humanities surely cannot coexist.

"Now, shall we leave soon. Closing is around four, but it gets crowded then. We have to leave before that... glance."

"I see~ we have to leave? It was super fun. I had so much fun. But is this the end? Glance."

"Right. All things come to an end. But surely memories remain. Besides, this heat won't disappear yet. It won't disappear so easily. Panchira (panty flash)."

The girls are directing gazes at me as if expecting something. Do they want to become friends? We're already friends. Well, simply put, they are expecting a "second party". There is time until the first train.

"That's right! We danced, so next shall we sing! Let's go to karaoke or something!"

"""Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah!"""

Seeming to be the correct answer, the girls high-fived happily. At times like this, the man has to lead. And we left the club.

*** Question! Answer the specialty of Maruyama-cho! Hint: Karaoke! ***

The streets of Shibuya are full of slopes. The ups and downs take a toll on the legs. After buying alcohol to bring in at a convenience store, I walked toward the karaoke shop while drinking canned beer. The girls were looking at smartphones and chatting while drinking some alcohol.

"I looked up karaoke shops, you see. This is..."

"Ah! Come to think of it, that's right! I've heard there's karaoke too!"

"Hoeee! Seriously!? But even with this many people... wait, huh? So multiple participants are actually okay? 3.1415 P"

"Besides, even if we go to karaoke now, we can only stay for about two hours effectively, right? Isn't that exceedingly bad (Hanahada Waroshi)? I want to spend time very gracefully (Ito Okashiku)."

"Humanities Harassment! It's true it seems to end at six, but we want to sing more, right?"

"Besides, the room is clean, and there's a sofa and a bed too, is it a go?"

"It's a go."

"It's a go, isn't it."

"""Go, go, go, go, go!"""

What's that witch conference? What did they decide? Then Yuzuriha walked tap tap tap up to me.

"I am very tired... I want to rest...!"

Furthermore, Milan also came to my side.

"I want to go to a place where I can relax."

And Ayashiro patted my shoulder.

"It’s just the tip! Just the tip! It'll end while you’re counting the stains on the ceiling! Right, right! We won't do anything! Lately, it's that you know! You can watch movies, and there's karaoke too! It's like a slightly expensive manga cafe! How about it?"

She started proclaiming while looking at a love hotel sign. Ah, well, they do have karaoke, right?

"Really just karaoke? We won't do anything?"

"We won't, we won't! It's okay! We won't do anything! Right? Right? It's fine, right!?"

Ayashiro is smiling nicha-nicha. She seems unable to contain her amusement. As the Dirty Joke Queen, she must be interested in love hotels.

"Kanata-san! I! Today! Will overcome my trauma!"

I see~ Yuzuriha overcame her trauma with her own power, huh! She became a strong girl.

"This is that, you know! Part of character building! I said we won't do anything! So It's okay! It's that, you know! It’s no different from just a karaoke room! Ahaha!"

Milan-san's desperation reeks of virginity. As expected, she couldn't graduate from being a doutei. How pitiful.

"Well, even if we go to a karaoke shop now, we can't sing much. If we're not doing anything, here is fine too."

The Girls silently high-fived. Are they looking forward to a love hotel that much? Well, I've heard Yo-kya groups sometimes stay at love hotels when they miss the last train, so maybe it's like that.

We entered a nearby love hotel just like that. Got a room without being particularly reproached, and arrived safely at the room.

---

As soon as she entered the room, Ayashiro headed for the bed with high tension.

"Phew! First one here!"

She lay on her back on the bed, kicking her legs and enjoying herself. While downing a bottle of beer, I watched her moving legs and fluttering skirt. But this woman never lets me catch a glimpse of her panties. How ironclad is her skirt?

I placed the beer bottle on the table and went over to Yuzuriha.

"Woooooooow! So this is a love hotel! It's plainer than I thought! I thought it would be glittering more! It's normal! Super normal! Ahaha! Ahahahaha! Ah! But look, Kanata-san! The bath! The bath wall! It's transparent! Oh my!"

Yuzuriha explored here and there in the room, nodding un-un, and finally got super excited looking very happy when she reached the bathroom. Then she went around to the other side of the transparent wall. It became a situation where she and I were staring at each other right through the glass wall.

"I'll do a one-shot gag! Someone trying to do pantomime but their boobs are too big so their hands can't touch the wall! Chestoooo!"

Saying that, Yuzuriha pressed her boobs against the wall. She started a mysterious act of trying her hardest to reach her hands toward the glass wall but failing. It was cute, but the boobs being squashed against the wall were kind of erotic, so I laughed.

"I can't reach~! Why~!? How come~!? Huh? My boobs are in the way! But I can't take them off! My hands can't reach the wall~!"

"Pfft! That gag is cheating! Hyahaha!"

Naturally, I'm taking a video of this too. I'll tease her with this when we're sober!

"By the way, why is Isumi-san clutching Kanata-san's sleeve tightly for a while now?"

Stopping her pantomime game, Yuzuriha asked Milan, who was standing fidgety next to me.

"Just now... we passed another couple in the hallway, right?"

"Well, this is a hotel, and there are other guests, so passing someone is normal, right?"

"Thinking that couple is... having... se... sex... right now makes me somehow... very embarrassed! I have never felt this embarrassed before!"

Milan covered her face with both hands and shook her head, going "no way, no way."

"""Wow, seriously virgin-like! Gyahaha!"""

Yuzuriha and I burst into laughter at Milan's behavior, which went beyond innocent and was now fully exposing her virginity.

At that moment, Ayashiro's voice echoed from the bed.

"Everyone come here! I found something outrageous!"

I kind of know the punchline, but I headed toward Ayashiro.

"Hey! Yuzuriha, pass!"

Ayashiro threw something with a beaming smile. Yuzuriha caught it.

"Th-This is! Oh my! Even though I'm a girl, I touched something like this! Isumi-san, pass! You, a virgin, need this!"

Yuzuriha blushed slightly and passed it to Milan. Milan caught it splendidly, realized its identity, and started panicking awa-awa.

"Th-This is that, isn't it!? A condom!? No way!? Do I have to put it on!? Because I'm a virgin, I have to put this on! Wait, I don't have a place to put it on!"

Milan threw it toward Ayashiro. Yes, that is everyone's beloved Mr. Condom. Still unopened. Ayashiro caught it and opened it without any hesitation. Then she put it over the mouth of the beer bottle I was drinking from until just now.

"Hey! Where are you putting that!!"

"I'm making sure you don't get pregnant from the beer! Come on! Suck it! Suck iiiiit!"

Ayashiro brought the mouth of the beer bottle covered with the condom closer to me. She looks really happy. Is this kind of sexual harassment allowed!?

"You said we wouldn't do anything!"

"Just the tip! Just the tip is fine! O-hohoho!"

Ayashiro-san poked my cheek with the condom-covered beer bottle. This is the first time I've been in such a meaningless situation! Yuzuriha is filming it nearby with her smartphone.

"Kanata-san! I'm taking that face! Maybe I'll set it as my wallpaper later!"

"S-Stop it! If someone sees something like that! My university life! I say no thank you to any more bad reputation!"

I peeled the rubber off the beer bottle mouth and passed it to Ayashiro. Ayashiro caught it and poured a little wine into it.

"Yaaay! Are you watching!? This is the rubber that took Tokiwa-kun's virginity! Look! It's so sticky with the blood of defloration!"

Ayashiro caught it and pinched it with her fingers happily, striking a smug face toward Yuzuriha's smartphone. Extremely bad taste!

"I just thought of something good! While we're at it, let's make a cocktail in that condom flask! Adding potato shochu~! Kyahaha!"

Adding potato shochu to wine. Is that a cocktail? Something feels wrong? And then.

"I'm not a virgin! Bring Gin to me! Let’s Insert it! Uooooooh!"

Gin is poured from the bottle into Mr. Condom. Like I said, that's not a cocktail.

"Aha! First time seeing such dangerous booze! Who's gonna cum? I mean drink?"

The condom flask was swollen to the bursting point. What is this incredibly goofy picture? But is it really okay to let the ladies put their mouths on this Mr. Condom? I worried intensely. And then.

"I'll go! Everyone watch me!"

I put my mouth on the condom flask and drank that mysterious pseudo-cocktail in one go. To be blunt, it tastes bad. How should I put it, it's just plainly not delicious. But the feeling of alcohol hitting me and moderately burning my throat was good.

"Puhaa! Thanks for the meal! Ahya!"

Mr. Condom became empty and limp.

"""Wheeeeeeeeeey! Ka-nata-kuuuun! Congrats on losing your virginity!!!"""

"Thanks everyone!"

What is this vibe? Well, whatever. Because it's fun. Thus, the second party started.

---

"So they seriously have karaoke. Fufuuun. Actually... this is... my first time...!"

Yuzuriha, sitting on the bed, lowered her face somewhat embarrassedly.

"Rest assured. It's Milan's first time as a virgin too. So, you two virgins have fun together! I'll be there to watch you until the end!"

Ayashiro had her legs resting on my thighs with her shoes off as I sat on the sofa. She leaned her back against the armrest in a relaxed mode, enjoying gulping down her canned Chu-Hi. Occasionally, Ayashiro traced my calf with her toes. Every time she did, a slightly tingling, sweet sensation spread through my leg.

"You don't mean that kind of first time, right!? Well, Yuzuriha-chan, leave the karaoke to me. ...I'll lead you properly...!"

Milan hugged Yuzuriha from behind and whispered into her ear with a sweet voice. However, isn't it crazy for your first karaoke experience to be in a love hotel?

"No way! The 'Zuka' (Takarazuka) voice resonates in my womb! Okay then, first, please show us an example, Isumi-san!"

Then Yuzuriha operated the karaoke machine and entered a song. For me, it's a nostalgic melody. For these girls, a currently popular idol song began to play in the room. Milan went first. As expected, she's good. And after finishing the first verse, she passed the mic to Yuzuriha.

"Do your best!"

"Shaa! Shaaa! Chestooo!!! Yuzuriha Kouyou! Going for my first karaoke!!"

Yuzuriha sang the second verse of that song. Her voice was somewhat higher and slightly sweeter than usual. Cute, and with her face dyed a little red, she was singing her best.

"Nice. A (karaoke) virgin's first time is..."

Ayashiro was listening intently to the song. Actually, Yuzuriha's singing was pretty good. It's a loner trope, to avoid trouble on the day you get invited to karaoke someday, you practice insanely alone! Surely Yuzuriha did that too. How fleeting (Ito Hakanashi)!

And the song ended.

"Everyone! Thank you! Thank you! For listening to my song until the end! Thank yoooouuuuuuu sob!"

Overcome with emotion, Yuzuriha was shedding tears profusely. Yuzuriha, who used to be a loner, now has friends to come to karaoke with. Not being lonely is a good thing, I thought.

"Fufufu. Good for you, Yuzuriha. Our meeting turned out to be a good thing. Yes, truly good."

Ayashiro stood up, went to Yuzuriha's side, and gently patted her head. Then she took the mic and entered a song.

"Hyahhaa! Next is my turn! Everyone! While I am singing is the perfect toilet time! O-hohoho!"

"Isn't that the most hated thing in karaoke!?"

Karaoke trope: when an In-kya puts in a ballad song no one knows, the Yo-kya types all start taking toilet breaks at once. It is humiliation. By the way, Ayashiro was normally good. I laughed at how the vibrato marks kept displaying excessively for some reason, though.

"Here, Tokiwa's turn."

"Ooosshaaaa! Leave it to me!"

I got super fired up. Yuzuriha looks kind of excited. Ayashiro is smiling slyly as usual. Without a doubt, if I mess up, I'll be teased! For some reason, Milan was staring at me worriedly.

And then.

"~♪ ...How was it! Isn't the score pretty high!? It's acceptable, right! Ahaha!"

But the reaction from the women was somewhat subtle. Yuzuriha clapped her hands pachi-pachi.

"IT WAS SKILLFUL! I LIKE IT!"

Why is she speaking in katakana (robotically)!? Her smile is somewhat stiff too.

"Ah, Misaki... this is... that, right?"

"It's that. The pitch is correct, and unlike during acting practice, the voice is good too, but... What is that song!? I don't know it at all!"

"What do you mean... It's a song by a band that was popular when I was in junior high?"

"I feel the gap. Not generation, but gender! You're good, but I don't know the song at all so it's hard to get into it! Art must be easy to understand! It's a waste since you have acting ability! Let's put in a song everyone knows? Okay?"

Yuzuriha was nodding un-un. Ayashiro shrugged her shoulders, going "good grief."

"At this rate, your song time will become toilet time, you know? Is that okay? Hmm? Is it okay? Hmmm?"

Ayashiro-san is provoking me. Bring it on, damnit!

"Ooh? You bastard! Yuzuriha! Duet with me!"

I sat next to Yuzuriha and fiddled with the karaoke machine.

"Is a duet okay!? If it's anime songs, I have confidence..."

"Ah, I know this one. How about it?"

"Sounds good! Let's put it in!!"

Yuzuriha and I stood on the bed and sang while jumping. After that, it was just purely chaotic karaoke. Drinking, singing, making noise.

"Singing while lying down is difficult! Kyahaha!"

"I put a rubber on the mic and it tore! Oh no! It's gonna get impregnated! Wahahaha!!"

"I wanted to try this! Using two mics at the same time! Gyahaha!!"

It's chaos already. We did everything we couldn't do in normal karaoke.

*** A Slightly Silly Bonus ***

Ayashiro put her hand to her forehead, let out a mysterious groan "Uuu," and started playing Chuunibyou.

"What? Awakened to your past life? Going to another world?"

"I remembered! The secret of this room!"

"What? You came with an ex-boyfriend? I don't mind that kind of thing. Ahahaha!!"

My wife had tons of ex-boyfriends. I am verily used to such things. Entering a love hotel and having my wife's smartphone connect to the Wi-Fi automatically is exceedingly sorrowful. The way she fiddled with the switches around the bed with practiced hands was most unseemly.

"I've never had a boyfriend. That's not it! This room! It's a room often used in a popular amateur porn series!"

"Ha? What?"

"It's an ecchi video! Hoo…! To think it would be a pilgrimage to a sexual holy land! I'm getting fired up!"

Good boys and girls, even if you realize the love hotel room you went to was used in an ecchi video, let's absolutely not tell your girlfriend! Absolutely!

*** We Enjoyed Karaoke! ***

*** And Everyone is Going to Sleep! Zzz-Zzz! ***

How long did we sing? I stopped counting after six hours. Everyone made noise and sang like crazy, and before we knew it, we were all lying on the bed. Yuzuriha was clinging to my right, and Milan was snuggling up to my left. Ayashiro was using my shin as a pillow. That's just like her.

While looking at the ceiling, I felt their breathing. The softness touching me here and there gave me a sense of elation and simultaneously a sense of relief. The only woman's softness and comfort I knew was my wife's. When I remembered that, I suddenly felt scared. That soft body was torn apart in an instant, bloody and lifeless. No more pleading, no more apologies, no more being told I love you. And time rewound, and a different softness is by my side now. The preciousness of this moment today is the result of my actions. Then the result of the previous world was also the result of my actions. That's why I think.

Where will she end up in this world?

Where should I be at that time?

It was when I was trapped in rambling delusions. I felt a sudden ticklish sensation on my thigh. Ayashiro's finger traced my thigh.

I met Ayashiro's blue eyes. They were a vivid and beautiful blue, hard to believe they were colored contacts.

"Hey. It was very fun. Wasn't it?"

She asks, wearing an amiable and very beautiful smile.

"I had fun. And I feel happy even in this moment. It’s thanks to you. Thank you. That’s why I want to ask. Hey, what about you?"

I ended up smiling at that question. Because there is only one answer.

"Yeah. I had fun too. And I’m happy even now."

"I see. I’m glad. Let’s rest now, then. If you like, play with me in your dreams too. Good night."

Ayashiro closed her eyes and began to breathe peacefully in sleep. Lured by that, I closed my eyes too. Hopefully, I'll have a good dream. And I fell asleep.

When we woke up and checked out, we were billed an amount that startled me a little. For me, a commoner at heart, it was quite a shock. Thank you, future knowledge. If I hadn't won in stocks thanks to you, I wouldn't have been able to maintain a smile of composure. I paid the love hotel bill with a card dashingly and protected my face as a man.

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