Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844261747978/episodes/822139844262749141
Mitsuki returned to her room, and I timed my move to retrieve the forgotten item, then got ready and stepped outside.
As I walked down the apartment hallway… I suddenly bumped into someone.
“Ah, Yui-kun.”
The one who recognized Yui and called out was—another stunningly beautiful girl.
Her beauty possessed a translucent quality that rivaled Mitsuki’s, complemented by a perfectly formed figure—some say even more developed than Mitsuki’s.
Adding to this were the inner coloring and hair accessories adorning her lustrous hair. Her delicate yet resolute features might give a harsh first impression…
“Yukina-san. Good morning! You look stunning as always!”
Yui cheerfully returned the greeting without hesitation.
Because he knew. That despite that aura… she was actually a deeply affectionate person towards those she let into her heart.
“Hmm… thanks. And you, on the other hand…”
The beautiful girl addressed—Yukina—blushed with surprise. Then, seeming to notice something, she approached Yui… and with a slightly narrowed gaze, said this.
“…You’ve got dark circles under your eyes. Did you stay up late?”
“Uh…”
She saw right through him in an instant. Yui broke out in a cold sweat.
“Seriously… you should pace yourself, okay? I get it, you were probably absorbed in your writing, but if you ruin your health, it’ll all be for nothing.”
“You’re absolutely right…”
“If Yui-kun can’t move, a lot of people would be in trouble. …Me included.”
Her tone was reproachful, but her words and demeanor were entirely concerned for Yui.
Seeing her like that, Yui couldn’t help but smile. Yukina’s expression, which had caught him, narrowed her eyes again.
“…What’s with that face?”
“Nothing, I was just thinking how kind you really are, Yukina-san. Thank you for worrying about me. I totally get why your little sisters adore you so much.”
“Huh?! Kind… That’s just normal. If this looks kind, then of course I’ll be kind. They’re both important little sisters to me… Besides—”
Yui’s direct compliment made Yukina flustered in an adorable way.
With her cheeks flushed, she looked up at him and said this about him.
“Ah, you’re also… an important assistant, you know.”
Her name was Minatsumi Yukina.
The eldest of three sisters who attended the same school as Mitsuki and lived in the same apartment building. A second-year student one year above him… and also one of the most famous illustrators and manga artists within the school.
And—as you might generally guess.
She too was one of Yui’s admired idols. An aspiring illustrator and manga artist—no, a genuine professional at this age, having already shed the “aspiring” label. A true genius.
It was astonishing that Yukina also attended the same school, and even more shocking that she was Mitsuki’s older sister.
Yui had met her through a certain connection as fellow artists striving to improve their drawing… and after various events, ended up working as her assistant.
Then she continued, opening her mouth again.
“Do you remember what an assistant’s duties are?”
“Huh? Of course. Supporting the artwork, giving advice on drawings and the story, and then… assisting with research, right?”
“Yes, assisting with research. …So, you see.”
For some reason, Yukina repeated and emphasized that last point.
…And then, for some reason, she reached both hands out towards him.
“Hm?”
“Um… Yukina-san, what are you doing?”
“You know, right? …I don’t really understand love. My editor keeps telling me my emotional depictions still lack complexity.”
“…”
“Some say it’s inevitable because I’m young, but I don’t want to leave it at that. If I have weaknesses, I want to improve them. So… I should research love. Do things manga lovers do, learn what it feels like to be in love, even if it’s simulated. You promised to help me with that too, right?”
Yes, after explaining Yukna’s ‘reason’.
“So—”
Averting her eyes in embarrassment, she reached out her hands again—
“…I want to try a good morning hug.”
She said this with a slightly clingy expression.
The gap between her usual self and this moment made her gesture and expression overwhelmingly cute, causing Yui’s time to freeze.
“……Um. Yukina-san, is that okay?”
“I said I want to try it, so of course it’s okay. …What, or do you not want to, Yui-kun…?”
“…Isn’t that a bit unfair?”
Faced with that look, tinged with faint unease, he couldn’t possibly refuse.
Steeling himself, he stepped toward Yukina.
His heart skipped a beat at her impatient, pleading voice saying “…Hurry up,” but he wrapped his arms around her.
“Mmm…”
Yukina let out a sensual moan, her body stiffening momentarily.
Then, as if relieved, she relaxed and leaned into Yui.
They remained like that for a while, exchanging body heat in silence.
…Yukina wasn’t as aggressive about pressing close as Minatsuki. Still, she had a very well-endowed figure, so naturally, various soft parts pressed against him.
On top of that—
“Um… How does it feel?”
“…My heart’s pounding so hard. I’m embarrassed and nervous… but also safe and happy, this strange feeling where I don’t want to let go. I want to stay like this longer.”
“!”
Just like that.
When she’s doing ‘research’, whether it’s for manga reference or not, she actively verbalizes her feelings. And every single thing she says is just too cute.
“Can you hear my heart pounding?”
“Not from here…”
“Right. …But I can hear yours. You’re pounding just as hard as mine.”
As if to confirm it, she’d rub her head against Yui’s chest, or grip Yui’s sleeve tightly. After repeating these endearing gestures for a while…
“Mm.”
Just before her rationality reached its limit, she finally pulled away, looking satisfied.
“Thanks, that was helpful.”
“Well, thank you…”
“So this is what it feels like, huh? Even with a guy I’m not in love with, my heart’s pounding like this. If it were real, it’d be even more intense, right?”
For some reason, she asked Yui to confirm that.
“Thanks again. Thanks to you, I think I can come up with a good episode. …Well, I should head to school soon. I’ll get ready, so wait at the meeting spot.”
With that, she turned and walked away at a slightly brisk pace.
…From there, I found myself pondering a few things.
I took a few steps in the direction Yukina had gone…
“…I really pulling off that ‘for research’ excuse, am I?”
──Yukina’s unmistakable voice came from around the corner.
“Yui-kun, you’re so dense. Of course, saying it’s to understand a girl’s feelings when she’s in love isn’t a lie either… but if it wasn’t someone you really liked, doing something like that wouldn’t mean anything, right?”
“……”
“But it’s fine for now. While he doesn’t realize it, we can do lots of things lovers do. …And I want to do more ‘research’ too.”
Her voice held a sweet resolve, tinged with embarrassment.
“Pretending to be lovers is a cliché in stories… but it turning into real love is also a cliché, right?”
“…..”
“I’ll absolutely make it happen. I’ll tell you how I feel after that. …So I’ll be more clingy and say what I feel. …If it’s an excuse for research, I can endure even the most embarrassing moments.”
…And then.
Hearing that, Kozora Yui—who, unfortunately, wasn’t so insensitive as to think he had no interest after being treated like that, nor was she fooled—
Found himself… oddly enough, in a situation similar to both Yukina and Mitsuki.
(…Right…!)
Once again, he growled inwardly and quietly slipped away, careful not to be noticed.
◆
Descending the stairs, I step outside.
The lobby in front of the apartment building. That’s the ‘meeting spot’ Yukina mentioned earlier.
Besides Yui, there was already someone waiting there.
The figure turned toward Yui in response to the footsteps—
“—Yui! Good morning!”
A girl radiating sunshine-like energy greeted her with a smile that seemed to brighten the world itself.
“Good morning, Tomoka.”
“Oh? Your voice’s a bit low today, just waking up? C’mon, get your energy up! You get to spend the morning with a beauty like me—aren’t you excited!?”
Approaching Yui with that same innocent, radiant smile, she possessed looks that could easily rival Mitsuki or Yukina.
What was truly distinctive, though, was her voice.
Listening to her incredibly sweet and adorable tone, Yui returned a wry smile.
“I think it’ll take me a little longer to get as hyped up as you, Tomoka.”
“Really? Then I’ll cheer you up myself! Oh, right… Hey, Yui, did you notice anything about me just now?”
With that question, Tomoka spun around on the spot. …ha verted his gaze from the voluptuous part that drew his eyes and the skirt that rose dangerously high.
Soon enough, he noticed.
“Ah, did you change your hair accessory?”
“Ooh! Correct! I found a nice one during my break last week and decided to wear it starting today! How’s it look?”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly enjoying my reaction.
To Tomoka’s question, he replied honestly, though a little embarrassed.
“Yeah. It’s cute. It really suits you and makes you stand out.”
“…Ahaha, thanks! That makes me so happy!”
At the words, Tomoka showed a moment of surprise… but quickly returned to her usual bright smile.
“Yeah, yeah, Yui’s starting to get it too, huh? You know I wanted you to tell me, right? Yeah, really—”
Then.
Suddenly, Tomoka’s soft chuckle turned into a bewitching smile.
Taking it a step further, she smoothly wrapped one arm around Yui’s neck, gently pulling her close. Pressing her luscious lips to Yui’s ear, she whispered one word.
“──I looove that about you.”
Her characteristically sweet, cute voice transformed into a honey-like whisper.
With a gentle voice that melted from her ear to her head, she murmured.
“!?”
Yui was naturally confused.
“Wh-what are you—”
“Huh? What do you mean? I’m just telling the person I like that I like you. That’s not wrong at all, right? …Oh, or maybe you haven’t understood my feelings yet? Well then, I’ll tell you even more things I like about you.”
But she paid no heed to Yui’s bewilderment.
Rather, seeming to relish it, Tomoka relaxed her beautiful features, deepening her little devil aura as she continued.
“I love how you compliment me honestly. But I also love how you get a little shy about it—it’s so cute. And I really love how you put up with my energetic self first thing in the morning!”
“—”
“Oh dear oh dear—? Your face is turning red, but what’s wrong? Maybe my feelings still haven’t gotten through? …Well, I guess words alone aren’t enough…”
With that, she moved her arm. Fixing her own stunningly beautiful face directly in front of Yui’s.
As Yui stood frozen, mesmerized, Tomoka gradually drew her face closer—
“—Okay, cut!”
Suddenly, once again.
Tomoka herself declared this as she abruptly pulled away from Yui.
Startled, Yui looked straight ahead… and there stood her usual bright self.
With a teasing grin, she moved closer to Yui again.
“Hey hey, how was that just now? Did your heart race? Did you get all fluttery? Did you really think I was going to kiss you? Did you fall for me?”
“…You can tell just by looking at my face…”
“Ahaha, looks like you were super nervous! Which means—”
Yui couldn’t quite meet her gaze just then, muttering to herself.
Tomoka, like a child who’d pulled off a successful prank, proudly announced her ‘reason’.
“—Drumroll, please… ‘The Girl Who Loves You’s Close-Up Voice’. Total success!”
…Her name is Minasumi Tomoka.
The youngest of three sisters living in the same school and apartment complex. A first-year like Yui, and Mitsuki’s twin.
And already a famous figure in the streaming world with numerous subscribers.
Furthermore—as you might have guessed.
She, too, was one of Yui’s ‘favorites’. An aspirational streamer.
… Unbelievably, every single person Yui admired turned out to be a sister.
My connection with Tomoka began when she consulted me about streaming-related matters.
And after various developments, she’s now starting her full-fledged transition into becoming a VTuber…
“When you think of VTubers, the defining features are things like their distinctive voices and role-playing, right?”
With that in mind, she explained the reason behind her earlier actions.
“I want to be able to do that kind of thing too, and I want people to like me for it! That’s why I want to practice with you! Sweet voices, roleplay, all kinds of stuff!”
“…Just sweet voices?”
“If I’m going to make the most of my voice, that’s gotta be it, right?”
She answered my minor question as if she’d prepared it.
“And—if I’m going to do this, I’m going all out.”
“…”
“It’s just ‘practice,’ mind you. It’s not like I only like you specially… but during practice, I’ll act like I do, and I’ll go all out to make you fall for me. Better brace yourself!”
Hearing her speak like that, it was clear she was at least moving straight toward her own dream.
For Yui, who learned a lot from her idol’s attitude, she wanted to help.
“…I’ll do my best to make it good practice.”
“Mm, thanks! If there’s anything I can do to repay you, just say the word! And…”
At the end, Tomoka let a hint of that earlier little devilish aura seep through.
“…If you really do end up liking me. Don’t hold back—make sure you tell me, okay?”
She said it in that sweet, almost joking tone she used during ‘practice’.
Right then, Yui’s phone rang.
“Huh?”
“Oh… It’s Harutsugu calling. Wonder what it is.”
A call came in from Yui’s friend, and he tried to answer it from behind the nearby bushes.
But just before he could, the call ended. …
An apology message arrived immediately. Yui was about to reply when…
Then. From beyond the bushes, where Tomoka thought Yui couldn’t hear her because he was on the call—
“…Whoa, that was close… I almost really kissed him…”
His hand slipped badly, sending a weird message.
A confused reply from a friend arrived, and naturally, he found himself listening intently to her voice.
“Hehe… But Yui probably hasn’t noticed. That excuse about ‘practice’. Well, sure, it does help with roleplay practice too, and that’s useful…”
“…”
“But the fact that I am so good at it… means I’m really in love with you.”
In the same sweet voice as during practice, but with even more sincerity than before.
“I know Yui loves my voice, you know. So I’m using that to my advantage, using ‘practice’ as an excuse to tell you how much I like you over and over…”
She cheerfully recounted every detail of her scheme, convinced she hadn’t been caught.
“And then, I’ll make you fall so deep you can’t think of anyone but me… Then I’ll tell you it was all real and drown you in ‘I like you’!”
Tomoka’s voice, cheerful yet flushed with embarrassment, declared that it was fine for him to find out she liked him after that. Yui, who had already known all along, heard it again.
“…………”
For a moment, he crouched in the bushes. Once more, his friend grew concerned.
◆
After returning, he found all three of his friends waiting—Yukina, Mitsuki, and Tomoka—so Yui and the others started heading to school.
“Tomoka, did you change your hair accessory? It looks great on you.”
“Thanks! But you’re the cutest girl in the whole world today too!”
“That’s way too much…”
“Huh? I mean it! Right, Mitchan?”
“Yeah. And I love onee chan every single day too.”
“~~ Ugh, seriously!”
Walking ahead of Yui, he watched them engage in such affectionate conversation.
he thought about it again. …About this strange situation right now.
Yui has idols. Idols she admires and aspires to be like.
And… unbelievably, those three idols are all sisters. And incredibly beautiful girls at that.
Furthermore—each sister actively supports Yui, who works hard at the same activities as them. And even more than that.
For some reason, each of them has come to make Yui fall for them, driven by their own distinct ‘creative’ goals.
And what’s more—somehow, all of them half-heartedly use that ‘creative purpose’ as an excuse, convinced Yui hasn’t noticed their romantic feelings.
How did it come to this?
Just a month ago, things weren’t like this. I barely had any connection with these genius, beautiful creator sisters who seemed like unreachable stars.
To add to that—someone who was close to the sisters and even walked to school with them.
That enviable position… should have belonged to someone else.
“…I wonder what he’s doing now.”
Recalling that one male student, Yui murmured softly.
Whether she heard it or not, Tomoka turned around and asked.
“Yui, who’s ‘that guy’?”
“The one who used to be here, your childhood friend—”
“──”
That instant.
The air froze, and all three sisters’ expressions went blank.
The atmosphere grew so eerie that Yui’s words stopped mid-sentence.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment. Then, as if to break the silence, Tomoka spoke.
“Hey, Yui.”
“Yes?”
“We know we can talk about most things happily with you. …But you see—”
Her voice remained sweet yet was noticeably lower, pleading as she spoke.
“Please. Could we not talk about that yet?”
“I understand! I’m sorry!”
Her voice sounded pained yet uncompromising, and I apologized without hesitation.
I reflected. I definitely hadn’t been considerate enough. Bringing up that topic with the three sisters now was definitely not a good idea, no matter how you looked at it.
But… even so, I wanted to say it.
It had really only been a month since that incident.
(How… how did it come to this…!)
To find the cause.
Yui traced his thoughts back to a month ago—about a month after enrollment. Back to the very first incident that led to his involvement with them.
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