Interlude: Yuki's Feelings

I am, as usual, packing items at the secondhand bookstore.

"Today, I have to confront Yuuki-san. How could he possibly know the color of my underwear?"

Well, Yuuki-san is at that age, so it can't be helped. But even so, delicate topics like this are unacceptable. Still, I wonder if I'll eventually do such lewd things too? I wouldn’t know since this is my first boyfriend, but Yuuki-san is a boy, after all.

"No. Right now, I need to focus on packing. I’ll think about it when Yuuki-san arrives."

I silently continue with my packing. To avoid damaging the books, I wrap them in plastic, line the box with sponge padding, and place the books so they're surrounded by the sponge. Once done, I seal the box with tape.

"Before I knew it, it's already evening. Yuuki-san should arrive soon, so I’ll take a break at the counter."

Just as I thought this and stood up, my phone rang.

"Who could it be?"

The screen showed that it was from Hinata-san. In that case, I need to answer.

"Hello, this is Yuki."

"I’m glad I could reach you, Yuki."

"What’s the matter?"

"Brace yourself and listen carefully."

"What is it?"

"Yuuki was hit by a car and is currently unconscious. I don’t know all the details yet, but the hospital contacted me earlier to inform me."

I felt like the world had gone completely dark before my eyes. I prayed it wasn’t true, that it wasn’t Yuuki-san. Such thoughts raced through my mind.

"Is... is that true...? This must be a lie, right?"

"I wish it were a lie, but it’s all true. Shino is on her way to pick you up. Go to the hospital with her."

"I understand..."

I quickly closed the bookstore, grabbed the essentials, and waited for Shino-san’s car, trying to suppress my growing anxiety.

"...Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?"

"It’s fine. Let’s go."

"Alright."

I got into the car and listened to what Shino-san had to say.

"Will Yuuki-san be alright?"

"I don’t know... but I believe he will."

Yes... I suppose I’m the one who’s the most unsettled. There’s no point in panicking, yet I find it hard to calm my emotions.

"...I’m not calm either. Deep down, I’m panicking."

"As expected of you. You read my feelings perfectly."

"...It’s my job as a counselor. Everyone feels uneasy."

Even though we haven’t known each other for long, it’s amazing how easily she can understand my emotions. Thanks to her, I felt a little more at ease.

---

"...We’re almost there."

"Understood. Deep breaths... In... Out..."

I take a deep breath to steady myself, ready to face whatever awaits. No matter the outcome, I vow to stay by Yuuki-san’s side until the end.

"We’re here."

"Let’s go."

Shino-san and I rush into the hospital. After asking a nurse about Yuuki-san’s location, we head toward his room.

Standing in front of the door, I take a deep breath.

"Excuse me."

When I enter the room and see Yuuki-san’s condition, I gasp.

"...! What is this..."

"You’ve arrived, I see."

"Hinata-san..."

I look at Hinata-san, wanting to know the details, but I’m too shocked to speak.

"Yuuki’s condition is as follows: his left arm is broken, one of his ribs is fractured, and his lung is damaged. He also suffered bleeding from his head. Thanks to appropriate treatment, his life isn’t in danger, but full recovery will take a long time."

"I see..."

I don’t know how to react. Should I be relieved that his life was saved? Or...

"I’m sorry..."

"Eh...?"

It’s then that I notice a girl sitting in a chair, her head hanging low.

"Who is this girl?"

"Hmm. It’s a bit of a long story, but I’ll explain Yuuki’s accident."

"Please do."

Hinata-san explains the situation, and I finally understand everything.

Yuuki-san saved the girl sitting before us and was hit in her place. Her name is Kirishima Kaori. It seems she didn’t notice a car running a red light and only realized it after Yuuki-san pushed her out of the way.

The car fled the scene immediately after, but many witnesses saw it. It seems the perpetrator will be caught soon.

"I see... I’m glad Kirishima-san is safe."

"But I..."

"It’s okay."

Kirishima-san isn’t at fault. I gently embrace her to keep her from being crushed by the guilt.

"I... I..."

"You did well. It’s okay now."

I gently pat her head.

"I’m so sorryyyyyyy! Waaaaahhhhhhh!"

Kirishima-san bursts into tears in my arms, but I hold her tightly, unbothered. She must have been holding it all in until now.

"It’s okay. There, there..."

After a while, she stops crying and falls asleep. She’s quite a lovely girl. Yuuki-san never expresses his emotions so openly.

"Hinata-san, could you bring a chair over? It’s tough staying crouched like this."

"Got it."

Hinata-san places a chair beside me, so I sit down and let Kirishima-san rest on my lap.

"Sorry, Yuki."

"For what?"

"For leaving Kirishima Kaori in your care."

"It’s fine. She’s such a sweet girl."

I gently adjust Kirishima-san’s hair.

"What do we do next?"

"Well, now that we know Yuuki-san is safe, let’s take turns watching over her."

"I’ll leave it to you. Shino and I will report to the school."

"Understood."

Shino-san and Hinata-san leave the room, leaving only me and the sleeping Kirishima-san.

"Yuuki-san... You bear a heavy responsibility for making a girl cry."

I patiently wait for them to wake up.

---

Author’s Note:

It’s been a while! I’m surprised by the sudden rise in ratings. Also, we’ve surpassed 200 favorites! Thank you so much!!

This time, I wrote from Yuki’s perspective. I hope it came out well...

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to your feedback!

Prev        TOC

A Brave Loner

"Alright, make sure to review up to here. President, please lead the closing greeting.”  

“Stand. Bow.”  

“Thank you very much.”

The fourth period ended, and lunchtime began.  

“Well, I guess I’ll grab some bread from the school store.”  

Because of the chaos surrounding Yuki-san’s lingerie earlier, I didn’t bring my lunch. The school store is always a battlefield, so I’ll just grab whatever’s left and head to my usual spot.  

“Alright, let’s go…”  

As I stepped out of the classroom and headed to the staircase leading to the first floor, someone grabbed the collar of my shirt and yanked me backward.  

“Gah!?”  

“…Found you.”  

“Shi… Shino-san? Could you not pull on my collar like that?”  

“…You’re fine. You won’t die.”  

That’s quite the extreme mindset. I won’t die, sure, but it’s dangerous! She doesn’t even look sorry.  

“So, what do you need?”  

“…This is from Yuki. It comes with a message.”  

Shino handed me a lunchbox and a letter.  

“…Also, a message from Hinata: 'Come to the infirmary during lunch. Hardly anyone visits, so let’s eat together.'  

“Got it. Guess I’ll head there.”  

“…The lunchbox is in the staff room. I’ll grab it. You go ahead.”  

“Alright, see you later.”  

Heading to the infirmary is fine, but I’m curious about Yuki’s message. I might as well read it now.  

“Let’s see…”  

‘Dear Yuuki, we need to discuss what happened with my lingerie. Make sure you come to work. If you skip, be prepared for the consequences. —Yuki’  

“Terrifying! This is borderline blackmail! I really don’t want to go…”  

For now, I’ll just push the thought aside. I want to enjoy my lunch in peace.  

“Alright, time to forget the threatening letter and head to the infirmary.”  

I went down the stairs and opened the infirmary door.  

“Excuse me.”  

“Oh? Yuuki, you’re here. Looks like Shino delivered the message properly.”  

“I just heard about it moments ago.”  

“Fair enough. Let’s eat.”  

“…You here?”  

It seemed like Shino arrived just in time, holding her lunchbox.  

“You two can sit on that sofa.”  

“…Okay.”  

Shino and I sat next to each other on the sofa, while Hinata ate at his desk.  

“Alright, time to dig in.”  

“…Let’s eat.”  

I never imagined I’d be eating lunch with others at school. Thanks to Yuki-san, Hinata-san, and Shino-san, I’ve had less alone time recently. But in the classroom, I’m still a loner. I don’t have friends my age, so I don’t really have anyone to talk to.  

“…It’s delicious.”  

“Yuki is quite the woman, isn’t she?”  

“Yeah, I still can’t believe she’s my girlfriend sometimes.”  

The last time someone made me a homemade meal must have been when Mom packed my lunch for a field trip before she passed. It warms my heart...  

“…Are you okay?”  

“Yeah, just reminiscing. Don’t worry about it.”  

“…Alright.”  

“Is Kamiiya-sensei here?”  

The voice came from the doorway. A first-year student, judging by her yellow ribbon. Our school uses ribbon colors to distinguish grades: red for third years, blue for second years, and yellow for first years. Boys wear matching neckties.  

“What brings you here?”  

“I scraped my elbow in P.E. I washed it with water, but I need a bandage.”  

The girl looked like a gal—cute and charming, rather than beautiful. Her short silver hair barely touched her shoulders, and she wore light makeup.  

“Alright, let me disinfect it before I give you a bandage.”  

“Ugh, I hate pain!”  

“Just bear with it for a moment. Show me your arm.”  

“Fine... Ouch! It stings!”  

“Remember to be more careful.”  

Hinata handled the treatment professionally, even though he’s usually so frivolous.  

“You’re surprisingly competent as a school nurse, huh?”  

“…Agreed.”  

Glad to see Shino’s on my side here.  

“Careful with those backhanded compliments.”  

“Sensei, you seem close to these upperclassmen.”  

“Indeed. This one is my son.”  

“For real!?”  

“No, just kidding.”  

“Why would you lie about that!?”  

Hinata-san, quit messing with the poor girl.  

“…Arguing is futile.”  

“It’s fine. A little fun never hurt anyone.”  

“Sorry about him. He’s like this with everyone.”  

“Don’t worry about it. What’s your name, Senpai?”  

“…Brace yourself.”  

“He’s none other than the legendary—”  

“Stop hyping me up! It’s Kiriyama Yuuki. Ever heard of me?”  

“…Nope. I’m Kirishima Kaori. Feel free to call me Kaorin!”  

Her cheerful wink caught me off guard. Wait, Kirishima?  

“You can call me Hinatan.”  

“…Shinonon works.”  

“Even Shino-san is going along with this!?”  

“Nice to meet you, Senpai! I’ll be going now. Thanks, Sensei!”  

“Be careful!”  

With that, Kirishima left. What a bubbly and adorable girl. I bet she’s popular.  

“Well, we better finish eating and prepare for the next class.”  

“True.”  

We chatted cheerfully while finishing our lunch.  

“Still… Kirishima. Something about that feels familiar...”  

Before I could figure it out, the day’s lessons ended, and homeroom was dismissed.  

“Guess I’ll head to my job—or should I say, my execution?”  

I started walking toward Yuki’s bookstore. As I approached a crosswalk, the light turned green.  

“Perfect timing.”  

Just as I stepped forward, I noticed something.  

“Wait—!”  

A car ran the red light, heading straight for a girl in our school uniform. Before I realized it, my body moved on its own.  

“Look out!”  

I sprinted and tackled her out of harm’s way. But I couldn’t avoid the car myself.  

“Ah…”  

My body went airborne, and everything faded to black.  

---

Author’s Note:  

Kaori is finally here! Yes, she’s the little sister! I hope I portrayed her cutely…  

I’ll be taking a break next week due to personal matters. Thank you for reading! Feedback and ratings motivate me greatly!  

Prev        TOC        Next

Loner and the Rumors

After finishing the move and unpacking over the weekend, I’m now living with Yuki-san. Today marks the start of another ordinary day.  

“Good morning, Yuki-san.”  

“Good morning, Yuuki-san.”  

Looks like she made breakfast. This kind of atmosphere—it really feels like we’re a couple.  

“If you’re going to cook breakfast, you could’ve woken me up to help, you know?”  

I tend to worry about things like this, so I’d like to pitch in when I can.  

“It’s fine. I want to make it for you, Yuuki-san. Besides, if I’m the one cooking, I can ensure your nutrition is balanced.”  

I see. That probably means she’s planning to cook dinner, too. Well, as long as she enjoys doing it, I’ll let her. Her cooking is delicious, after all.  

“Thanks. I’ll go change into my uniform.”  

“Got it. Breakfast will be ready soon.”  

“Okay.”  

I head to my room to get ready for school. After washing my face in the bathroom, I’m about to head back to the living room when the doorbell rings.  

“Yuuki-san, could you get that? My hands are full at the moment.”  

“Sure.”  

I walk to the door and open it.  

“We’ve come to mooch off breakfast!”  

“…Thanks for the meal.”  

Hinata-san and Shino-san. Of course, I had a feeling it’d be them.  

“Seriously, can you two learn a little restraint!?”  

“I left restraint somewhere on the side of the road ages ago.”  

“Go back and pick it up, then!”  

“Anyway, we’ll be coming in now.”  

“…I’m hungry.”  

It’s going to be exhausting dealing with these two first thing in the morning. Might as well lead them to the living room.  

“Good morning, Hinata-san, Shino-san.”  

“Good morning, Yuki.”  

“…Morning.”  

“Breakfast is ready, so let’s eat together.”  

We all sit down, the same arrangement as at the tempura restaurant.  

“Let’s eat,” we say in unison, clapping our hands before starting.  

Today’s breakfast consists of miso soup with tofu, nikujaga, pickled napa cabbage, and tamagoyaki. Balanced and impressive. I can’t help but admire her efforts.  

“How is it, Yuuki-san?”  

“It’s delicious. This will definitely keep me going all day.”  

“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”  

Yuki-san looks delighted by my praise. This is the kind of moment where it finally sinks in that she’s my girlfriend.  

“By the way, did you hear about this?”  

“…Hear what?”  

Hinata-san suddenly brings up a topic out of nowhere.  

“There’s a student in Class 3-1 named Sakuya Kirishima, apparently a big fan of getting into fights. Last year, she often had bruises from scuffles—enough to make me shake my head in disbelief.”  

“Is there really such a student? Yuuki-san, make sure you don’t get involved, okay?”  

Yuki-san gently warns me. I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with delinquents in the past, so I know how to stay cautious. But I’ve never heard of this Kirishima person before.  

“Don’t worry. I’ve had my share of run-ins, but I’ve never heard of Kirishima. And if she’s not part of any gang, as you say, it’s odd that her name hasn’t come up in those circles.”  

“Exactly. I’ve never seen her in any group, nor are there many reports of her in general,” Hinata adds.  

If even an ex-cop like Hinata finds it unusual, there’s probably something more to it.  

“Hinata-san, how often was she getting hurt last year?”  

“Hmm… Roughly every two or three weeks, I’d say.”  

That frequency does raise some questions.  

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t someone like her be infamous? Fighting that often—17 times in a year, by rough count—should have generated more rumors. Yet, there’s almost no mention of her. It’s strange.”  

“Exactly,” Hinata nods.  

“What’s more, her injuries don’t seem typical of regular fights,” he adds.  

“How so?” Yuki asks, clearly intrigued.  

“In most brawls, you’d expect bruises on the front or sides of the body. But Kirishima often had significant bruises on her back.”  

“If she were a solo fighter, she’d focus on protecting her back. Letting someone get behind her would mean an easy loss.”  

Something definitely feels off about this whole thing.  

“Still, it’s not worth worrying about. I’ll just steer clear of her. She’s an upperclassman, anyway, so I doubt I’ll cross paths with her.”  

“You’re right. Let’s switch to a more cheerful topic, shall we?”  

“Agreed. How about we guess what color Yuki’s underwear is?”  

“…I’m in.”  

“Don’t join in, Shino! And why are you even bringing this up, Hinata!?”  

Hinata is incorrigible.  

“I vote for black.”  

“…White.”  

“What about you, Yuuki?”  

“Well, uh… gray?”  

Wait—why did I even answer!?  

“Yuuki-san?”  

Uh oh. Yuki-san looks furious. I can practically see the anger mark on her forehead.  

“You peeked, didn’t you? I understand—it’s natural for someone your age to be curious about women’s underwear. But peeping is still wrong, don’t you think?”  

Wait, was I right? If I was, this just got a whole lot worse.  

“Uh… Yuki-san…”  

“Yes?”  

She’s smiling, but her eyes aren’t. This is bad. There’s only one option left: run. 

“Nothing! I’ll just head to school now!”  

“Yuuki-san, wait!”  

I ignore her and bolt out the door.  

“Well, we should be going too,” Hinata says.  

“Hold on, you two,” Yuki says with a sweet yet menacing tone. “We’re not done talking.”  

“…Yes, ma’am,” they respond in unison.  

Looks like they’re taking the fall for me. I’ve escaped—for now.  

“At least I made it out. But… Yuki-san wears gray, huh…”  

Nope, better not dwell on that. I’ll apologize to her at work later.  

“Alright, time for school.”  

I start walking, ready to face the day ahead.  

---

Author's Note:

Only one of the heroines' name came up. Eh... she's not the younger sister. She's the older sister. I'm sorry I couldn't include the younger sister!!!

I'm planning on releasing one more chapter this week. Maybe around Thursday? I'll be taking a break next week for work.

I would appreciate your comments and feedback.

Thank you for reading.

Prev        TOC        Next

The Loner's Panic

We arrived at the restaurant that Hinata-san recommended, with her driving us there.  

"What's this place?"  

"It's a tempura specialty shop that's known to be incredibly delicious."  

"...Really tasty."  

If these two, who've eaten here before, say it's good, then it must be. Huh? Wait, haven’t I seen this car somewhere before? And that license plate...  

"What the—?!"  

"Is something wrong?"  

Yuki-san leans in with a concerned look, but I’m too preoccupied to explain. This could be a major problem.  

"What’s the matter?"  

"Well, this car likely belongs to my childhood friend’s family, which means..."  

"...Which means?"  

"If my childhood friend is in that shop and spots us together, it’s going to get messy."  

"Hmm, I suppose that’s true. Then how about this: Shino and I will go in first, and you and Yuki can enter five minutes later, posing as her boyfriend."  

"That doesn’t feel like it solves the problem..."  

"Let’s say Shino and I are Yuki’s friends. Simple, isn’t it? Well then, we’re off."  

"Wait, hey—!?"  

Before I could protest, Hinata-san and Shino-san left, leaving just me and Yuki-san in the parking lot. What now?  

"Let’s prepare for the worst in case we’re found out."  

"Yeah, good idea..."  

Why does something as simple as eating out have to turn into this? My luck is just unbelievable.  

"To make it believable, let’s act more like a couple."  

"Act like a couple?"  

"Like this."  

Yuki-san wraps her arms around my right arm, pressing her chest against me. My self-control is in *serious* danger here!  

"Couldn’t we just hold hands? This is... embarrassing."  

"It has to look convincing. Let’s go."  

"Yuki-san!?"  

Before I could stop her, she pulled me into the restaurant.  

"Welcome. A table for two?"  

The proprietress greeted us, bowing gracefully. She carried an air of elegance, her movements precise and refined.  

"Actually, could you show us to Kamiyama-san’s room?"  

"Right this way, please."  

The proprietress led us through the restaurant. The place exuded luxury—definitely not somewhere I’d come on my own. My mom never brought me to places like this either.  

"Here you are."  

She slid the door open, and we entered the room.  

"Looks like we didn’t get caught. Let’s have a toast to that!"  

"Too soon! I just got here!"  

"...Hungry. Now."  

"Alright, let’s enjoy the meal then."  

I sat down next to Yuki-san, with Hinata-san across from me and Shino-san across from Yuki.  

"No drinking, alright? We’ve got plenty to do tomorrow."  

"A little bit won’t hurt."  

"Hey, as an educator, you shouldn’t be saying things like that."  

"...It’s fine. Yuki and Yuki’s boyfriend can drive us home."  

"That’s not fine!"  

These two aren’t going to listen, are they?  

"Ahem. You two know what happens if you drink, right?"  

Yuki-san smiled, but her eyes were anything but friendly.  

"Y-yes, of course."  

The two of them instantly became compliant. She really does feel like their mom sometimes.  

"Alright, let’s order. I love tempura, so I’m excited!"  

"Really? Didn’t know you were into tempura."  

"Yes, I love Japanese cuisine, and tempura is one of my favorites."  

Come to think of it, Yuki-san often makes Japanese-style meals. I usually go for Western food when I cook, so her dishes are a nice treat.  

"My recommendation is shrimp tempura. I order it every time I come here."  

"...Pumpkin is delicious."  

Hinata-san loves shrimp, and Shino-san goes for pumpkin, huh?  

"I’ll try those two, plus onion and mixed tempura."  

"I want to try mountain yam."  

"...I’ll have my usual."  

"Then let’s call the proprietress."  

We placed our orders, and the proprietress left the room after noting them all down.  

"I’m going to the restroom real quick."  

"It’s down the hall to the right."  

"Got it."  

Hinata-san pointed me in the right direction. After finishing my business, I stepped out into the corridor, only to bump into someone.  

"Ah!"  

"Oh, I’m sorry! Are you okay?"  

I reached out a hand to help the woman who had fallen. When I saw her face, I froze.  

"Yuuki-kun?"  

"Ah, yeah... Long time no see, Saeko-san."  

Of all people to run into... This timing couldn’t be worse.  

"I’m surprised to see you here!"  

Saeko-san, the mother of my childhood friend, is as radiant as ever. She has this gentle, maternal air about her that feels so comforting.  

"Well, it happens. Are you dining alone today?"  

"No, I’m with my daughter."  

That makes sense. She’s a single mother but never shows any sign of hardship. She’s amazing like that.  

"Please don’t tell Shana I’m here. She’ll give me an earful later."  

"That’s too bad. I would’ve loved to join you, but I understand."  

"No worries, I just—"  

"Yuuki-san? What’s taking so long?"  

I’m cursed. This timing... Yuki-san walked in at the worst possible moment.  

"Yuuki...san...?"  

"Uh, let me explain! This is Harukawa Saeko-san, my childhood friend’s mother. And no, this isn’t what it looks like!"  

I frantically clarified. Yuki-san’s uneasy expression softened a little.  

"I see. That’s a relief."  

"And who is this?"  

"Um... my girlfriend, Shiraishi Yuki. She’s also my boss at work."  

Now I had to explain to Saeko-san. Why does every interaction feel so exhausting today?  

"Ah, I see. Nice to meet you. I’m dating Yuuki-san. Please take care of him."  

"...I see. Please take care of him for me."  

"Saeko-san?"  

"Oh, right! I should get back to my daughter. Excuse me!"  

She hurried off, looking flustered. What was that about?  

"Well, at least it’s just Yuki who ran into her. As long as Hinata-san and Shino-san aren’t seen, we should be okay."  

"I see... So that’s how it is."  

"Yuki? What’s wrong?"  

"Nothing. Let’s enjoy some delicious tempura."  

"Yeah, let’s eat!"  

Even though Yuki-san seemed to be deep in thought, I decided not to press her. For now, it’s time for tempura!

---

Author's Note:

It's been a long time. First of all, I'm sorry. <m(__)m> I'm going to bow down.

Due to university and family matters, I wasn't able to update! Things have calmed down since April began, so I'm hoping to update about once a week from now on.

Maybe the younger sister will appear next time? Probably.

Prev        TOC        Next

A Loner's Move

I’m currently in Shino-san’s room.  

“...Is it clean?”  

“It’s clean.”  

“...Amazing?”  

“Yeah, amazing.”  

But...  

“If you’re moving, at least pack your stuff! You haven’t done anything, have you?”  

“...Cleanliness is the best.”  

“It’s fine if things get messy while preparing for a move! What’s really problematic is not being ready at all.”  

“...You’re mean.”  

Wait, how am I being mean? I’m just pointing out something obvious!  

“Come on, hurry up. The moving company will be here by evening.”  

“...Understood. Then, let’s start with that area together.”  

“Alright, alright...”  

I moved closer to the closet with Shino-san and began sorting things out. She doesn’t seem to have much stuff, so we’ll probably finish before the movers arrive.  

“...Look. Does it suit me?”  

“What the!?”  

What she held up was a pair of black lace panties.  

“What are you suddenly showing me!?”  

“...Underwear?”  

“That’s not the point! Just put it away already!”  

“...Should I wear it now?”  

“Hey! Don’t start taking your pants off! Let’s just focus on organizing, alright?”  

“...I’ll wear these on our first night.”  

I’m not reacting to that. Nope, it’s better to pretend I didn’t hear anything.  

“...Got it.”  

Finally, she understood. Shino-san must have just gotten a bit overexcited.  

“...Then let’s make our first night happen now.”  

“...Huh?”  

Wait, what did she just say? Please let it be a misunderstanding.  

“...Let’s do it on that bed.”  

“It wasn’t a misunderstanding!? Shino-san!?”  

“...It’s fine. Trust me.”  

“No, no, no! Your face is way too close!”  

“...Because I love you.”  

Her face gradually approached mine. So this is what a woman’s scent is like... No, this isn’t the time for that!  

“Uh, um...”  

Crap, I can’t think of anything to say! Is this really going to happen!?  

“Shino? I’m coming in.”  

The door opened, and in walked Hinata-san and Yuki-san.  

“...Ah.”  

I heard Shino-san let out a quiet sigh of disappointment.  

“Oh? Something interesting seems to be happening here. Mind if I join in?”  

Before I could respond, Hinata-san lay down beside me. Honestly, her looks alone are enough to mess with my composure. My self-control is at its limit here!  

“This is quite enjoyable. So this is what it’s like to have Yuki beside me...”  

“...I’ll lie down on the other side too.”  

Now Shino-san is lying on my other side. Great. Moving preparations are definitely not happening today.  

“No need to worry. We can move tomorrow.”  

“...Let’s enjoy this moment of happiness for now.”  

Can they stop pressing their chests against my arms already? My self-control is breaking down over here!  

“Enough already! Everyone, start packing now!”  

Ah, Yuki-san is mad.  

“I understand your feelings, but you need to focus on what needs to be done! Otherwise, it’ll inconvenience the movers.”  

“Well, if Yuki insists, I suppose I’ll get started.”  

“...Understood.”  

Finally, I escaped their clutches by sticking close to Yuki-san. My sanity is intact—barely.  

“Shino-san, are you done packing yet?”  

“...Just about.”  

It seems like we managed to pull it off in time.  

---  

“This is the last of it.”  

“Good work.”  

We managed to finish by evening, just in time for the movers.  

“Whew... Hinata-san really didn’t do anything, huh.”  

“Well, isn’t taking it easy important sometimes?”  

“...Too easy.”  

At least Shino-san helped out quite a bit. As for that school nurse... Well, I’ll just remember not to rely on her for anything.  

“Are you thinking something rude about me?”  

“It’s just your imagination. By the way, are you two staying at my place tonight?”  

“Please take care of us.”  

“...Thank you.”  

Yeah, I figured as much. But there’s one problem left.  

“What are we doing about dinner? If we wait for the movers to finish at Yuki-san’s place, it’ll be pretty late before we can cook.”  

“Hmm... That’s a good point.”  

Yuki-san seemed to be considering the options. If anyone’s cooking, it’d be either me or her.  

“Why not eat out tonight? Then we can just bathe and rest at home afterward.”  

“That sounds good. Honestly, I’m exhausted today.”  

“If you both agree, then I’m fine with it too.”  

“...I agree.”  

And so, we decided to eat out. But that brings up another problem—where to eat. Since our relationships can’t be made public, we have to be careful.  

“Still, going somewhere we might be seen isn’t a good idea.”  

“Hmm, true. Let’s pick a place with private dining rooms, even if it’s a bit pricey.”  

“...That place?”  

“It’s fine, isn’t it?”  

“...That should work.”  

If Shino-san says it’s okay, then it should be fine.  

“Looks like the movers are here. Let’s finish up quickly and head out.”  

With the move completed, we headed to the restaurant. What kind of place it’ll be is apparently a surprise.  

---  

Author's Note:

It's been a while! The Sisters Arc is starting now. Although the sisters haven’t appeared yet, please look forward to it!  

Feel free to leave comments or ratings. Thank you for your continued support!

Prev        TOC        Next

The Loner's Dining Table

After the commotion of the morning's confession, time passed, and it was now evening.

"Yuuki-san, are you feeling okay? How's your cold?"

"It's much better now. Sorry for... causing you trouble in so many ways."

"Don't worry about it. By the way, you don't have to use polite language with me, Yuuki-san."

"Well, but..."

I mean, she's older than me and my boss at work, so I naturally end up using polite language.

"We're lovers now, so let's drop all that stiffness, shall we?"

"Hmm... if Yuki-san insists that much, I guess it's fine."

"Great! Then, shall we eat?"

"Alright, let's eat."

With Yuki-san's cheerful smile, we went downstairs from my room on the second floor to the living room, where Hinata-san and Shino-san were already present.

"So, why are you two here?"

"That's obvious. Since we've become lovers, we're here to eat together."

"Being a lovers has nothing to do with this, right?!"

"Indeed, Yuuki's words are correct. Then let me rephrase: I want to eat Yuki's cooking."

"That's not something to say with a smug face!"

What is this school nurse even thinking? Coming over to eat as soon as she becomes my girlfriend—what’s up with that?

"Of course, I'll repay the favor. And if you want, you can even pounce on me as a reward."

"A school nurse shouldn't be saying things like that, right? Hinata-san, do you understand?"

"I-I understand."

Yuki-san seems quietly angry, but the intensity is... overwhelming. Even Hinata-san looks a little scared. I'll just pretend I didn't see anything. Yeah, that's the safest choice.

"Shino-san, did you also come here to eat?"

"...No. I just want to be with you, Yuuki-kun."

"...O-Oh."

That kind of embarrassed me. For someone who used to be a loner, being told something like that is overwhelming. I’m not used to it at all.

"Alright, then. Shall we eat?"

At Yuki-san's suggestion, everyone sat down and began eating.

"I was just thinking—are all of you planning to live at Yuuki-san's house from now on?"

What? They're planning to live here? I just want to enjoy a peaceful life alone...

"Hmm... I'd love to live here, but as the school nurse at Yuuki's school, it's impossible for me."

"...Same for me. But I'll come here for breakfast and dinner as often as I can."

"I see... Hinata-san and Shino-san, let's at least eat meals together. As for me, I'll be living here, so please take care of me."

"What?!"

What did Yuki-san just say?

"So, Yuuki-san, from now on, I'll be living here. Nice to meet you."

Yuki-san bowed her head. Wait, that's not the issue here!

"Living under the same roof as a man and a woman..."

"It's fine. Yuuki-san won't do anything like that."

Hey, I’m still a man, you know. I might get... urges. Also, Yuki-san’s overwhelming trust in me is kind of terrifying in its own way.

"Yuuki-san... is it bad if I live here?"

With her looking at me so anxiously...

"Uh... fine, I guess."

"Thank you very much."

Why am I agreeing to this?! Kiriyama Yuuki! This is a huge event in your life! A woman other than your mom or sister is going to live here! Is this really okay?!

My internal alarm bells are ringing like crazy, but since I already gave my answer, there’s no going back now.

"That said, what about the bookstore?"

"That’s the problem. There are some rare and expensive books, so leaving it unattended at night makes me uneasy."

True, if a thief breaks in, it would be a huge loss. What should we do...?

"In that case, I could live there. I live alone in an apartment, so moving would be easy. Plus, your house is closer than where I live now, which is a benefit for me. And I wouldn’t have to cook, just clean and do laundry, right?"

"...I’ll live there too. I feel like leaving Hinata alone is worrisome."

"That’s rude. I think I’m quite capable, you know."

"...I don’t trust Hinata on her own, so I’ll live there as well."

"Alright, I’ll leave it to you then."

The discussion progressed rapidly, but... is this really okay? I can’t help but feel uneasy. Well, I guess things will work out somehow.

"So, when will everyone be moving?"

"I’m off this weekend."

"...Me too."

"Then let’s all move this weekend."

With Yuki-san’s suggestion, the moving plans were set. But why does everyone look so happy?

"...Because we’ll be close to the guy we like."

"Don’t read my mind!"

And so, amidst the commotion, we finished eating. However, it had been a while since I’d had such a lively meal, and I found it a little enjoyable.

The coming weekend will likely be exhausting, but I also feel excited in a way. I have no idea how things will turn out from here, but I’ll do my best as a loner!

---

Author's Note:

Well, this wraps up Yuuki’s backstory and the "three onee-san" harem. I might occasionally include side stories with different perspectives, so please bear with me.

Next up is the "sisters" arc, so stay tuned.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Thank you for always supporting me!

Prev        TOC        Next

The First Step of a Loner's Harem

"So, that's what happened."

"I can't believe it..."

Hearing about my past, the three of them were visibly shaken. Well, I've bounced back from it, so it’s not something they need to worry about too much.  

"Still, if you stick around me, you'll probably hear some unpleasant rumors, so I think it’s better not to get too involved with me. Yuki-san, you’re my boss at work. Hinata-san, you’re the school nurse. Shino-san, we’re just old acquaintances. That’s more than enough."

"..."

None of them said a word. Sure, revealing my past doesn't change our relationship, but I'd feel bad if they were treated poorly because of me. It might even cause trouble with their work.  

"That’s all I wanted to say, so don’t dwell on it too much. I’ll be lying down on my bed now. When you leave, please lock the door behind you. The key is here; you can return it tomorrow."

I returned to my bed, lay down, and closed my eyes. Slowly, I drifted to sleep while reflecting on my past.  

---

I woke up suddenly. What time is it? Judging by the dim light through the curtains, it’s still dark outside. I guess I should check the time.  

"You're awake, Yuuki-san?"

I turned towards the voice and saw Yuki-san sitting on a chair near my bed.  

"Yuki-san? Why are you here?"

"Just rest for now. Everything’s fine."

She gently stopped me from sitting up, taking my hand. The warmth reminded me of something from long ago—my mother used to do this. No, now's not the time to get sentimental.  

"Aren’t you supposed to be at work? Don’t you have responsibilities at the bookstore?"

"I’ve taken the day off. Seeing how unwell you were today, I thought it was necessary. So please, don’t think about anything and just rest."  

"Uh… okay, if you insist." 

Judging by her expression, trying to argue would be futile. I gave in.  

Yuki-san refreshed the cold towel on my forehead. It felt so soothing—guess I really do still have a fever.  

"Good night, Yuuki-san."

With the comfort of her warmth, I drifted back to sleep.  

---

By morning, I felt a bit less sluggish than yesterday, though the feverish sensation lingered.  

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"Yuki-san?"

She was still sitting in the same spot. No way...  

"You stayed here the whole night?"

"I was worried. Here’s a change of clothes for you. I’ll prepare a light breakfast."

"Uh... okay, thank you."  

What happened to Yuki-san? Even after hearing about my past, her attitude hasn’t changed. It’s confusing, but for now, I’ll use the bathroom and check on her.  

"Seriously, what’s gotten into her?"

After finishing up in the bathroom, I headed to the living room and peeked at her. Why is she doing all this in my house?  

"Hmm… Yuuki-san might like this and this..."

She was humming as she cooked breakfast. It’s nice to have homemade food, but her enthusiasm was baffling.  

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang. I guess I should answer it since Yuki-san’s too focused on cooking.  

"Coming!"

When I opened the door, Hinata-san and Shino-san were there.  

"Uh... why are you here?"

"Well, I wanted to try Yuki’s cooking for breakfast," Hinata-san replied.  

You’re the school nurse, showing up at a sick student’s house to mooch breakfast? Seriously?  

"It’s part of my charm as a seductive school nurse."  

"Please stop bragging about that."  

"So you agree that I’m charming?" 

Talking to Hinata-san is exhausting. She’s always teasing.  

"Good morning, Yuuki-kun. How are you feeling?" Shino-san asked softly.  

"Better than yesterday. Are you sure it’s okay for you to be here, Shino-san?"  

"I’ve actually started working at the school as a counselor, alongside Hinata. So, starting today, we’ll be colleagues."

"Wait... does that mean..."

"It means I’ll be with you from now on."

Great. Now both of them are working at my school. This can only mean more trouble for me—mainly because of Hinata-san’s antics.  

"Enough chatter. Can we come in? I’m starving."

"Yeah, yeah. Come on in."

I led them into the living room.  

"Yuki-san, Hinata-san and Shino-san are here."

"I see. Yuuki-san, you should be resting."

"I just got up to use the bathroom. Besides, breakfast smells too good to resist."

"Well, as long as you’re eating. Just take it slow." 

Yuki-san set out a traditional Japanese breakfast: grilled fish, miso soup, and more.  

"Yuki-san’s cooking is always something to look forward to."

"It looks delicious."

"Thank you for the meal," Shino-san said politely.  

We started eating, and as usual, Yuki-san’s cooking was impeccable. It reminded me of my mom’s cooking—something I hadn’t had in years.  

After breakfast, I decided to address the elephant in the room.  

"So, why are the three of you here? Didn’t I say it’s better not to get too involved with me?" 

Yuki-san looked straight at me, her eyes filled with determination.  

"Yuuki-san, after hearing about your past, I was shocked. You seemed so composed when we met, I never imagined you’d been through such pain. But when you told us to stay away yesterday, it made me realize something."  

Her gaze was unwavering, more serious than I’d ever seen it.  

"I love you, Yuuki-san. No matter what your past holds, I want to stay by your side."

"I..."

I was stunned. This was the first time anyone had confessed to me like this. Before I could respond, Hinata-san chimed in.  

"Sorry to interrupt your moment, but I also like Yuuki. Despite my quirks, you’ve never judged me or pushed me away. That’s why I want to be your girlfriend too."

"Hinata-san too?!"

And then Shino-san added quietly, "I love you too. This time, I want to be there to support you."

All three of them confessed... to me? What kind of surreal situation is this?  

"Yuuki-san, we’ve heard your past and accept everything about you. So please, don’t let it hold you back. Just give us your answer."  

I took a deep breath and made my decision.  

"If you’re okay with my burdens... please, be my girlfriends!" 

All three of them smiled warmly, and thus began the first chapter of my unexpected harem life.

---

Author's Note:

Let me know if you need any adjustments!

Prev        TOC        Next

The Loner’s Coincidence

Since then, I hadn’t been bullied or hassled, but being alone remained unchanged. I graduated middle school as a loner and started attending my current high school. Rumors have a way of spreading, and even as a high schooler, I still got hassled. But I always fought back when necessary.  

“Still, it’s only April, and I’ve already dealt with over 30 incidents of harassment. Seriously, how much do they hate me?”  

I mused while eating some bread. As a high schooler, finding a part-time job was tough. I kept getting turned down, often because of those same rumors.  

“Man, this is bad. I really need to find a job. I’d rather use Mom’s inheritance for tuition, so I could really use the extra money for living expenses.”  

Being a loner sucks at times like this. Without people to ask, my only option is to rely on job ads. Well, guess I’ll take my time searching.  

“Anyway, lunch is over. Time to head back to class.”  

I returned to the classroom and went through the afternoon lessons. Soon, it was time to go home.  

“Guess I’ll head out…”  

I wasn’t part of any clubs, so my evenings were pretty free. I usually just headed home to play online games—after finishing my homework, of course!  

On my way back, I noticed something unusual.  

“What’s that about…?”  

A woman was standing on the sidewalk, looking flustered. I decided to approach and see what was going on.  

From the looks of it, she’d been carrying books in a paper bag, but the weight caused it to tear apart, leaving her in a bind.  

“Excuse me… Do you need help?”  

“Huh?”  

When she turned around, I was momentarily captivated. She was incredibly beautiful.  

“Oh… If you’re okay, then—”  

“No, thank you. You’re very kind. I didn’t have a spare bag, and this paper one just couldn’t hold up…”  

Wow, the bag’s bottom was completely gone. I guess I should lend a hand.  

“Well… I have a bag with me. Let’s put the books in there, and we can grab a box from the nearby supermarket to carry them the rest of the way.”  

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”  

“It’s no trouble at all. Let’s get these packed and head to the store.”  

“Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.”  

I pulled out a reusable shopping bag from my school bag and handed it to her. I’m glad I always carry one—living alone, you learn to be prepared. We managed to fit most of the books in the bag, while the rest went into my school bag.  

“Alright, let’s go.”  

“I can carry the books if they’re too heavy for you.”  

“It’s fine, really. They’re not that heavy.”  

In truth, they were quite heavy, but I didn’t want to admit it. Slinging my school bag over my shoulder like a backpack, I walked with her to the supermarket.  

Now that I think about it, this was the first time in ages I’d had a real conversation with a woman. At school, I barely spoke, and at home, it was dead silent. So that’s why this feels so strange…  

“May I ask your name?”  

“Mine? You might be better off not knowing…”  

“No, I’d like to know. You’ve helped me so much.”  

Hmm… Should I just tell her? Well, if she figures it out, I’ll deal with it then.  

“It’s Kiriyama Yuuki.”  

“Kiriyama Yuuki? It’s nice to meet you.”  

Wait, she doesn’t recognize my name? Is that even possible? Well, for now, I’ll just play along.  

“Nice to meet you too.”  

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I? I’m Shiraishi Yuki.”  

“Shiraishi-san, nice to meet you.”  

After that brief exchange, we arrived at the supermarket. I got a cardboard box, packed up the books, and we headed to her home.  

“Thank you so much for bringing the books all the way here.”  

“It’s no problem at all. So, where’s your house?”  

“See that old bookstore over there? That’s my house.”  

Looking where she pointed, I saw an antique-looking bookstore. I’d passed this way before but had never noticed it.  

“Alright, let’s go.”  

I followed her into the store and placed the box behind the counter.  

“This spot is fine.”  

“Got it. Well, I’ll be heading out then.”  

“Wait, at least have some tea before you go. You must be tired, and I’d like to show my gratitude.”  

She seemed genuinely worried, so I decided to accept her offer.  

“Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”  

“Great! Please wait in that room over there.”  

I sat on a cushion in the tatami room, waiting for her to bring tea.  

“Sorry for the wait. I don’t have much to offer, but I hope this is okay.”  

“Not at all. I’m grateful you’d bother at all.”  

She handed me some green tea and a manju.  

“This is regular sweet red bean manju. Do you not like anko?”  

“Not at all! I love it. Thank you.”  

“How is it?”  

She looked at me anxiously. Beautiful women really shouldn’t make expressions like that—it gives guys the wrong idea. Not that she wouldn’t have a boyfriend already, looking like this…  

“It’s delicious. Pairs perfectly with the tea.”  

“I’m so glad to hear that.”  

We ended up chatting about random things—hobbies, favorite foods, school life. It was fun, but time flew, and before I knew it, night had fallen.  

“I should be going. Thanks for everything today.”  

“Wait… May I ask you something?”  

“Sure, what is it?”  

She hesitated before speaking.  

“Are you good with computers?”  

“Computers? I’d say I’m decent. I’m no expert, though.”  

Being a loner, I spent a lot of time tinkering with computers, so I knew my way around.  

“I was wondering… Would you be interested in a part-time job here?”  

“What kind of work?”  

“Mostly computer tasks, like making sales records or managing online orders. Would you be interested?”  

Honestly, I was thrilled. But why me?  

“I’d love to, but why ask me? I’m sure you could find someone else…”  

“Well, I’m not good at talking to people, and I don’t know anyone who’s skilled with computers. So I thought of you.”  

“I see… Alright, I’ll do it. I’ve been looking for a job anyway.”  

“Really? Thank you so much!”  

She smiled so brightly it was breathtaking.  

“When do I start?”  

“Tomorrow, if possible.”  

“Sounds good. I’m free in the evenings.”  

“Thank you so much.”  

“Of course.”  

---

And that’s how I started working at Shiraishi-san’s bookstore. This marks the beginning of my part-time job and my connection with her.  

---

Author's Note:

Next time, we’ll return to the present, and the story will finally start moving forward.  

Thank you for reading! Please share your thoughts and feedback. Your support means the world!

Prev        TOC        Next

The Loner's Middle School Past

It all began the day after entering middle school.  

On the first day, textbooks were distributed in bulk. They were heavy, so most students stored them in their lockers. Yet, for some reason, mine were missing.  

"Huh...? Why are mine the only ones missing?"

Since they weren’t there, I had no choice but to report it to the teacher. I went to the staff room and told my homeroom teacher.  

"Um... My textbooks are missing."

"We handed them out yesterday. How did you lose them?"

The male teacher questioned me harshly. I answered honestly.  

"I put them in my locker, but they were gone when I came today."

"That’s impossible. You must have been careless."

"N-no! I really don’t know what happened!"

"Well, then, you’ll just have to buy new ones. I’ll prepare a list of publishers after class. You can buy them today since we only have orientation today."

"...Thank you."

The culprit was never found. I ended up using the money my late mother left behind to buy new textbooks.  

The next morning, I woke up at 6 a.m.  

"Let’s see... Press this button on the washing machine, add detergent, set the cycle, and close the lid, right?"

After finishing the laundry, I moved on to preparing breakfast.  

"Ouch! Ugh... I cut my finger with the knife. There should be band-aids over there."

I went to the first aid kit, put on a band-aid, and continued cooking.  

"This potato is so hard... Ugh!"

I worked hard to make potato miso soup. It was my mother’s favorite dish, and my older sister loved it too.  

"Don’t cry! You’re not done yet!"

It took 30 minutes, but I finally finished making the soup.  

"Alright! It’s done!"

I poured the soup into three bowls, placed two of them on the family altar, and spoke softly.  

"Mom, sis, I hope this tastes good. I worked really hard..."

After clasping my hands in prayer, I set the table and started eating. Today’s breakfast was miso soup, tamagoyaki, and rice—everything turned out pretty well.  

"Well, time to head to school. I’ll be back soon."

I spoke to an empty house, locked the door, and left. The neighbors averted their gazes when I greeted them, and the parents of my classmates glared at me.  

"I was only defending myself... What did I do wrong?"

Every day, I asked myself the same question without finding an answer. Over time, I got used to the stares.  

When I arrived at school, I thought I’d spend my day studying. But instead...  

The homeroom teacher addressed the class with an intimidating tone.  

"There’s been a report this morning. Tanaka’s math textbook was found torn to shreds. I don’t want to accuse anyone, but the person responsible should come forward. I won’t be angry."

No one would confess, of course.  

"Teacher, I know who did it."

It was Kawada Natsu, a girl in the class, who raised her hand.  

"Oh? Who was it?"

"I saw Yuki Kiriyama do it."

"Is that true, Kiriyama?"

The teacher yelled my name angrily.  

"Did you do it?"

"I didn’t do it!"

"But we have a witness. Who else could it be?"

The teacher kicked the podium loudly, speaking to me like a criminal suspect.  

"I-I really didn’t do it!"

"But you’re a murderer, right? Someone like you wouldn’t hesitate to do such a thing."

A male student made this remark, and the class agreed.  

"Kiriyama, come to the staff room later."

"I... I didn’t..."

No one listened to me.  

When the teacher left, Tanaka approached me with a sneer.  

"You messed with my textbook, didn’t you? Take this!" 

"Ugh!"

He punched me in the stomach.  

"You’re lucky the teacher believes me over you, you murderer!"

He continued to hit and kick me, while the others held me down. No one helped.  

"Somebody... please..."  

No one answered.  

I endured such abuse daily. Even my childhood friends turned against me.  

"Stay away! You’re filthy!"

"You’re a stain on my life. Don’t come near me!"

"Naoya... Sana..."

Those words hit harder than the punches.  

"Disgusting."

"Just die already."

"You’re better off alone, right?"

I heard such words every day.  

By October, the abuse had escalated. During lunch, the class leader barked an order at me.  

"Go buy something for me!"

"W-we’re not allowed to leave school grounds..."

"What did you say? Just do it, and use your money!"

He glared at me menacingly.  

"You’re loaded, right? You’ve got all that inheritance money. Buying stuff at the convenience store should be easy for you."

He punched me again, then took my wallet.  

Something snapped in me.  

"Give that back."

"No way!"

I stood up despite the hits, glaring at him with a cold smile.  

"Do you want to die?"

The classroom fell silent as I retrieved my money and left.

---

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading! Please leave feedback and suggestions.

Prev        TOC        Next

Reunion and Apology

"Ugh…"

"Yuuki-san!!"

I slowly open my eyes. My vision is blurry, and I can’t make out much… but I can faintly tell it’s Yuki-san’s face.

"Yuuki-san! Are you okay?"

Come to think of it, what happened to me? I can’t quite remember…

"I’m so glad… You suddenly lost consciousness, Yuuki-san."

"I see…"

That’s right, I think something happened, and I passed out. But wait, what’s going on now? This soft sensation on my head, and Yuki-san’s face directly above me… Could this be…

"A lap pillow!?"

"Yuuki-san? That’s not okay."

I try to get up, but for some reason, Yuki-san holds me down, preventing me from moving. What kind of embarrassing situation is this?

"You’re not fully recovered yet, so just lie down and rest for a while."

"This is… so embarrassing."

"Please bear with it. Besides, Yuuki-san, there’s someone here who wants to greet you."

"Greet me?"

Now that she mentions it, I feel like someone else came…

"…It’s been a while, Yuuki-kun."

Hearing this voice, everything comes rushing back to me. Shino-san is here…

"It has been a while. So, what are you here for after all this time?"

I deliberately ask in a harsh tone. I can’t forgive her for suddenly disappearing that day. Call it petty, but back then, Shino-san was my everything.

"…Are you still angry?"

"Of course I am. Back then, your kindness meant the world to me. It supported me, made me happy. So, I can’t forgive you for leaving without even saying a word. And besides…"

I hesitate to say it. It’s too late now, but I need to get it off my chest.

"…Yuuki-kun?"

"I wanted you to take me in, Shino-san. At that time, I’d lost everything… My mom and sister were gone, and my relatives turned a blind eye to me. But you gave me warmth. That’s why I wanted to become your family. But that didn’t happen, and you left without a word. It made me think… I don’t have anyone on my side, and I’m destined to be alone forever. So I decided—if family just disappears, I don’t need one. And if I fall in love, I’ll just suppress those feelings."

"…"

Shino-san looks down, saying nothing. That’s fine by me. I don’t care if she hates me after this. I’ve already resolved to live alone.

"…I wanted to help you, Yuuki-kun. But I realized something—I wasn’t capable of truly helping you. Even if we became family, I wouldn’t have been able to lighten your darkness. It would have been nothing more than mutual consolation."

Though I can’t see her face, I can hear the tears in her voice.

"…I’m sorry. That’s why I left. But afterward, I resolved to help kids like you in any way I could. I studied psychology and became a counselor."

"I see. I’m glad I got to hear the reason. It’s cleared up a lot for me."

"…I’m sorry. I should have prioritized helping you, Yuuki-kun…"

"Don’t worry about it. I’ve learned to live on my own, and I’ve accepted the past, so it’s fine."

Tears begin to stream down Shino-san’s face. Honestly, her crying in front of my sick self is troublesome. And why is everyone gathering around me when I’m trying to rest?

"Hmm… is it okay if I speak now?"

"What is it, Hinata-san?"

Hinata-san gently strokes Shino-san’s back, trying to calm her, before beginning to speak.

"Watching Yuuki today, I’ve come to believe… you’re struggling to do it all alone, aren’t you?"

"It’s just because I’m sick right now. Normally, I’m fine."

"Is that really true? I do admire your independence—you handle cooking, cleaning, and everything else on your own. But surely you’re pushing yourself too hard sometimes?"

"…That’s not true."

Even as I deny it, I know Hinata-san is right. I’ve had to push myself at times, but there’s no one else to do it, so it’s all on me.

"Still, I hope you’ll realize this one thing."

Hinata-san moves closer and gently places her hand on my cheek.

"There are people who care about you, Yuuki. Myself included."

"Me too, Yuuki-san."

"…Me as well."

It feels nice to know people care, but my awful past makes me think it’s better if they don’t get involved with me.

"I don’t need—"

"Yuuki-san, please tell us about your past. We’ll accept it and won’t leave your side. So, please."

The sincerity in their eyes convinces me. Maybe it’s better for them to know. It might even save them from unnecessary worry.

"Alright. I’ll start from when I returned to this house. It was back in March…"

And so, I began telling the three of them about my past, up to the events that led to me working part-time at Yuki-san’s place.

---

Author's Note:

Next time: Yuuki’s Past Arc begins.

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

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From a Three-Way to a Four-Way

Why do I keep dreaming about the past like this...? There are some memories you can't forget, no matter how much you want to, but still, this is excessive. Oh well, since it’s done, I might as well move on. Time to wipe off this sweat and change my clothes.  

---

Ding Dong

"Huh? Who’s visiting at this hour? If it’s a salesman, I’m going to give them a piece of my mind."  

When I opened the door, I saw two familiar faces.  

"Yuki-san, Hinata-san... What’s going on?"  

"We need to talk about something. May we come inside for a bit?"  

"Sure, I don’t mind."  

"Then, excuse us."  

"Excuse us."  

It’s fine that Yuki-san and Hinata-san came over, but honestly, I didn’t want to see Yuki-san right now... Not after what happened earlier today.  

"So, what do you want to talk about?"  

"I can’t tell you just yet. We’re waiting for one more person, so can you be patient for a little while?"  

"That’s fine, I guess... Would you like some tea?"  

When I tried to stand up from my chair, Yuki-san grabbed my arm.  

"Uh... Yuki-san?"  

"Yuuki-san, please take it easy on the sofa. I don’t think you’re feeling well yet..."  

"That’s not true. I feel much better now, so don’t worry."  

Of course, that was a lie. Honestly, I’d love to lie down for a bit, but since they seem to have something important to say, I’ll endure it. Even though I’m struggling, I don’t want to make them worry.  

"Hmm... You should rest for now. Don’t worry about the tea. Besides, if we drink too much and go to the bathroom, and Yuuki smells our pee, wouldn’t that excite him?"  

"I’m not that kind of pervert! I don’t even have that kind of kink!"  

"Yuuki-san..."  

Yuki-san quickly let go of my arm, looking at me like I was some kind of deviant. Stop making me out to be a weirdo! It’s a terrible misunderstanding!  

"Even if you’re unlucky with women, that kind of hobby is..."  

"Yuki-san! It’s just Hinata-san joking around! Don’t take it seriously!"  

"Hmm... But I heard you’re into that kind of thing?"  

"Hey, shut up, you perverted school nurse!"  

"Yuuki-san... I’m disappointed in you..."  

"Argh! It’s all a joke!"  

I yelled until I was out of breath. That’s probably why I didn’t notice how sick I was until it was too late...  

"Ah... This is bad..."  

I started to collapse.  

"Yuuki-san!"  

Yuki-san caught me and gently embraced me. It felt warm and comforting, but I couldn’t let this go on and cause trouble for her. I need to pull away, even if it’s a shame to do so.  

"Sorry about that. I’m okay now."  

Even though I tried to pull away, she wouldn’t let go at all. I really wish she would, though... I might pass my cold to her.  

"Um... Yuki-san?"  

"It’s fine now... Just let me take care of you."  

"But you might catch my cold..."  

"If it helps you get better, that’s a small price to pay."  

Well, Yuki-san might be fine with that, but I’m definitely not! Plus, her patting my head is low-key embarrassing. I’m not a kid!  

"When Yuki’s like this, there’s no stopping her. You might as well give up," said Hinata-san.  

Even Hinata-san’s saying this? Well, she’s not letting go, and it’s rare to have this kind of moment, so I’ll stay quiet for now.  

"Yuuki-san, you can lean on me. I don’t know your past or how hard it’s been for you... But..."  

Yuki-san spoke with a serious expression. She must’ve noticed how I’ve been trying to avoid relying on her. Especially after what happened earlier today... Should I finally tell her? But...  

---

Ding Dong

As I was pondering, the doorbell rang. I tried to get up to answer it, but Yuki-san still wouldn’t let go.  

"I’ll get it. It’s probably them," Hinata-san said as she went to the door.  

"Now that I think about it, who’s coming? No one told me."  

"It’s someone you know, Yuuki-san."  

"That doesn’t make it any clearer..."  

"You’ll find out soon."  

Whoever it is, I hope they don’t take too long. I really want to lie down...  

"Yuki-san, can I lie on the sofa?"  

"Sure, let’s go over there."  

Wait, I can go on my own... Why are you offering me your shoulder? Seriously, why is Yuki-san being so overly caring today?  

"Let’s get you on the sofa. I’ll even give you a lap pillow."  

"...Huh!?"  

What is she saying all of a sudden?! This is not like the modest Yuki-san I know! What’s going on?  

"Are you okay, Yuki-san? You’re acting really weird today."  

"I know I am, but I’ve already decided on something. I won’t back down now."  

Hearing her say that so earnestly is unsettling... What should I do? I can’t keep relying on her like this.  

"I brought them. Allow me to introduce them."  

Hinata-san returned just as we reached the sofa. I wonder who it is. I’m a bit curious...  

"Nice to meet you. I’m Shino Takigawa."  

...What?  

"Shino... san...?"  

"...Yuuki... kun?"  

As I saw someone I thought I’d never meet again, I felt a dizzying shock and collapsed, losing consciousness.  

---

Author's Note:

If there’s anything strange or off about the characters’ actions or dialogue, please let me know. Criticism is welcome, but please be gentle. I’m a bit fragile... (T_T)

Feedback and ratings are greatly appreciated!

Let me know if you want feedback on specific parts or themes in the story!

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Interlude: Hinata and Yuuki’s First Encounter

Was it after Kiriyama Yuuki became a middle schooler? Back then, I was assigned as a school nurse at a middle school in the neighboring town, different from Yuuki's. Yet, I often heard rumors about him.

Words like “killer,” “murderer,” “a boy who broke someone’s mind”, “monster,” and “mentally disturbed” floated around. Even though I worked at a different school, such stories still reached me.

I couldn’t help but be curious about Yuuki. However, the fact that we were in different schools was quite a significant obstacle. But then, in October, after the cultural festival during Yuuki’s second year of middle school, an opportunity finally presented itself.

It came in the form of a meeting for school nurses across the city to discuss the state of student health and nutrition. That meeting was set to be held at Yuuki’s school.

Of course, I wasn’t going to miss this chance. I obtained permission from Yuuki’s school nurse to observe the campus.

And that day, I came to learn everything.

“Hello, Hatakeyama-sensei.”  

“Oh, hello, Kamiya-sensei.”

Hatakeyama-sensei was Yuuki’s school nurse and a veteran in the field, with 30 years of experience.

“I apologize for the sudden request to observe the school.”  

“No, no. Understanding students from other schools is important for us as nurses. There’s nothing to apologize for.”  

“Thank you. That’s reassuring to hear.”  

“Hehe. Well then, it’s lunchtime now. Shall we start with the first-year classrooms?”  

“Sounds good. Please lead the way.”

As we went through the classrooms, starting with 1-1, I noticed that Yuuki’s school wasn’t all that different from mine.

“What do you think, Kamiya-sensei? Any noticeable differences from your school?”  

“Hmm… not much. It’s quite similar.”  

“I see. Shall we move on to the second-year classrooms?”

I didn’t miss it—the brief moment when Hatakeyama-sensei’s expression darkened as he mentioned the second-years.

“This is the second-year area.”

As we continued our tour, I noticed a student sleeping at his desk despite it being lunchtime.

“Hmm… who is that?”  

“That’s Kiriyama Yuuki—the boy everyone talks about. He’s quite an ordinary child, really… but rumors tend to take on a life of their own.”  

“I see… How is he handling school life now?”

At my question, Hatakeyama-sensei hesitated, looking a bit troubled.

“Well… when he first entered school, he didn’t seem particularly assertive. But around autumn of his first year, his personality took a complete turn. He was being bullied up until then, but suddenly, it all stopped.”

Could bullying stop that easily? From my experience, it wasn’t something that just disappeared. Nor was it common for the roles of bully and victim to completely reverse. What exactly happened?

“They say the bullying stopped because of something Yuuki said. Even though he’d been subjected to physical violence, one day he simply responded with one sentence.”  

“And that was…?”  

“‘Do you want to die?’”

Hmm… It’s a terrifying yet effective approach. Using his past actions as leverage, perhaps? If someone with a history of killing says, “Do you want to die?” it would naturally instill fear. It would make others believe he might genuinely follow through.

“Is something the matter?”  

It seems I’d let myself get lost in thought. But one thing was clear: Kiriyama Yuuki was clever. It also appeared that the personality Shino had described was deeply buried within him.

“No, it’s nothing. So, how is his school life now?”  

“Well, he’s isolated from his classmates, but there’s no bullying. Things are peaceful.”  

I see… It seems the class had collectively decided not to interact with him. But my curiosity only grew.

“Shall we move on to the third-years?”  

That day, after the meeting and my usual work, I returned home.

And that was how I first came to know of Kiriyama Yuuki.

“That’s what happened, Yuki.”  

“So that’s the story. But you’ve only mentioned the school nurse and Shino-san so far.”  

“Hmm… Well, I believe what I heard from the homeroom teacher is something Yuuki himself should tell you.”  

“I see… In that case, may I ask for one favor?”  

“If it’s within reason…”  

“Then, please do this for me.”

I was surprised by Yuki’s proposal but found it intriguing, so I decided to go along with it.

“Well then, shall we visit Yuuki’s house now?”

---

Author's Note:

Sorry to keep you all waiting! The story resumes, albeit at a slower pace since I’m also studying for my license exams. I’ll do my best!  

Your thoughts and feedback are welcome!

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Interlude: Hinata’s Interest

This time, we’ll explore how Hinata came to learn about Yuuki’s past.

---

My name is Kamiya Hinata, a 26-year-old school nurse. Before heading to Yuuki’s house, I received a call from Yuki, so I’m now on my way to her place. I have a rough idea of what this is about, but since Yuki was crying, I should probably listen seriously.

"Alright then, let’s do our best to persuade Yuki."

I rang the doorbell at Yuki's house.

“...Is that you, Hinata-san? Please, come in.”

Her eyes seemed a bit red—likely from crying. I sat on a cushion across the table from Yuki.

“So, what’s the reason you called me here today?”  

“I want to understand why Yuuki-kun rejects me so strongly. To be honest, I thought we were getting along, but it turns out I was wrong. That’s why I want to know more about him.”

“Hmm…”

It’s rare for Yuki to show such interest in someone else. For Yuki and Yuuki’s sake, I suppose I’ll have to give this my all.

“I can tell you, but even after learning, you’ll have to interact with Yuuki as you always have. He probably doesn’t expect you to know about his past.”  

“I’ll be fine. No matter what, I’ll support Yuuki-kun.”

If someone overheard, they might mistake that for a proposal. That could be amusing in its own way, but I’ll refrain for now.

“I learned about Yuuki’s past from three people during his middle school years: his homeroom teacher, the school nurse, and one other person.”

“One other person…?”  

“It was back when I had just become a school nurse. During a psychology training seminar, I noticed a woman furiously taking notes. She caught my attention, so I decided to talk to her. She turned out to be surprisingly interesting.”

“And who was she?”  

“Her name is Takigawa Shino. We were close in age, so we hit it off and shared our dreams with each other.”

---

It was a cold day, and I thought warming up with some alcohol would be nice.

“What’s your drink of choice today?”  

“...I don’t drink.”  

“Haha, that’s right, Shino.”

Shino and I were at a private room in an izakaya. It could turn out to be a fun night.

“So, what’s the topic today?”  

“You’re as curt as ever, Shino. Why not enjoy yourself a little more?”  

“...I don’t have time for that.”  

“Sigh... You’re no fun. Alright, alright. I’m curious—why did you want to become a psychological counselor? I looked into it and found out you were a police officer. Not just any officer, but an elite one.”

I was genuinely intrigued. Why would she give up an elite career as a police detective to pursue psychology?

“...Yes, I was an elite who had never even done patrol work. But there was an incident that made me willing to throw it all away.”  

“What kind of incident?”  

“...If it’s you, Hinata, I guess I can talk about it.”

“That makes me happy.”  

“...There was a boy I desperately wanted to save. But back then, I didn’t have the knowledge or skills to do it. In the end, I couldn’t save him. I even ended up crying in front of him, and he comforted me instead. I promised myself that next time, if I encountered someone like him, I’d be able to help.”

What kind of boy could inspire such a transformation? My curiosity was piqued.

“And what happened to that boy?”  

“...I don’t know. But if I ever meet him again, I want to apologize.”

“I see. Could you tell me his name? I’m a school nurse, so if he’s still a student, I might be able to find him.”  

“...This is my issue, not yours, Hinata.”

“Hmm… That’s true. But I want to know why you’d risk everything for this boy.”

Though I said that, the truth was simpler. When Shino talked about the boy, her face looked like she was about to cry. I wanted to help her.

“...I know you won’t stop once you’re interested, Hinata. Fine.”  

“That’s great. I’ll do my best to look into him.”  

“...His name is Kiriyama Yuuki. That should give you enough to go on.”

When I heard that name, I was shocked. He was the boy who had once dominated headlines, a name you couldn’t avoid hearing—even someone like me, who rarely watches TV, knew about him.

“...Please, if you find him, support him, even if it’s from the shadows. I’m begging you.”

Shino bowed deeply as she asked for my help. At the same time, I felt a pang of envy. To care about someone so deeply—it’s a feeling I’d never experienced.

“Alright. I’ll do everything I can to help. I’ll even fully exploit my role as a school nurse for this.”  

“...Thank you.”  

“Don’t mention it. Now, let’s drink the night away.”

I poured a glass of beer for Shino, who wasn’t much of a drinker, and made sure she drank until she was thoroughly drunk.

And that was what inspired me to start investigating Yuuki.

---

Author's Note:

Next time, we’ll explore how Hinata uncovers Yuuki’s middle school experiences and how Yuki reacts to what she learns.

Thank you for your thoughts and reviews! Your support means everything!

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Loner’s Past Dream 2

This time, a new person appears. This takes place after the incident.  

---

I had such a nostalgic dream. It’s been five years since then... It feels like it went by in the blink of an eye.  

“A fever brings up dreams like that, huh? I hadn’t had one in a while…”  

“Hmm… You seemed to be groaning a lot. Are you alright?”  

When I turned toward the voice, I saw Hinata-san. For some reason, she was holding my hand.  

“Um... Why are you holding my hand?”  

“Because I wanted to,” she said casually.  

Well, sure. It’s quite the privilege to have an attractive school nurse hold my hand. But still, that doesn’t explain anything!  

“Uh, right. But, why?”  

“You’re the one who grabbed my hand first. I was a bit surprised myself…”  

...Seriously? That’s going to be a black mark on my life record. Thank goodness it was Hinata-san. She doesn’t seem like the type to mind things like this.  

“You were so passionately holding on, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. It was great.”  

Can this nurse only talk in ways that cause misunderstandings? And now that I think about it, how did she even get into my house? She’s the second intruder today.  

“Yeah, I’m definitely not clinging to you like that. More importantly, how did you get in here?”  

“I used a wire to open the lock. Piece of cake.”  

She’s going to ruin the keyhole on my front door! Wait, was it Hinata-san who taught Yuki-san how to pick locks? No proof, but it feels like it.  

“Actually, I’m joking. The door was already unlocked, so I just let myself in. Though, I can pick locks.”  

“You’re kidding…”  

I believed her! I wish the lock-picking part was a lie too!  

“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Anyway, how are you feeling?”  

“Completely exhausted, thanks to you.”  

“You’re young; don’t be so weak.”  

Stop hitting me with so many jokes; I’m already sick! It’s exhausting!  

“Alright, alright. My condition isn’t great. I’m still feverish, and my body feels heavy.”  

“Hmm… Let me check you out for a moment.”  

Hinata-san pressed her hand to my forehead and examined my throat. Seeing her like this, I realized she really does have medical knowledge. Normally, I just think of her as an attractive but eccentric school nurse.  

“It’s definitely a cold. Resting should help you recover quickly, so make sure you get plenty of sleep. I’ll prepare some porridge and then have a word with Yuki. Don’t overdo it, alright?”  

“Understood...”  

She spoke to me kindly. Probably because she knows about my past, she’s careful to avoid making me feel like a burden.  

“I’ll head out after I make the porridge. Once I’ve spoken with Yuki, I’ll check on you one last time before leaving. Focus only on resting for now.”  

With that, Hinata-san left.  

“Alright, I guess I’ll do some laundry and eat while I still have the energy. I feel sluggish, but it seems manageable for now.”  

I got changed, did the laundry, and ate the porridge Yuki-san had made.  

“It’s good... It has a slightly different flavor than the porridge my mom or I used to make. Maybe a little saltier.”  

It’s been a while since someone looked after me like this. I should thank her once I’ve recovered.  

“Thank you for the meal.”  

After confirming the washing machine had stopped, I hung the laundry out to dry, lay down on the sofa, and went to sleep.  

---

A distant voice echoed in my ears. Another dream, huh?  

“Why did you kill him?”  

A police officer was questioning me in a harsh tone. Now I remember—I woke up in a locked room after losing consciousness. Every time the door opened, I was asked about the incident. The same questions, over and over.  

“To avoid being killed.”  

“I see. Do you know who the perpetrator was?”  

“No. I’d never seen him before.”  

That’s all they ever asked me. Over time, I started to lose my sense of self. A room with no TV, no clock, just white walls and the same questions. Back then, I really wanted to die.  

“...Why? Did I do something wrong? Somebody, please tell me!”  

Even when I screamed, no one came. Days like that dragged on endlessly. But one day, a woman appeared before me.  

“...Kiriyama Yuuki?”  

“...Who are you?”  

She didn’t say much and didn’t show much emotion either. She had black hair tied near the ends and slightly narrow eyes that gave her an air of dignity.  

“...My name is Takigawa Shino. I’m your assigned officer. Nice to meet you.”  

“Nice to meet you.”  

At the time, I didn’t care about anything anymore. But Shino-san came to see me every day and talked to me.  

“...I’ve got some free time today, so let’s chat.”  

Each time she came, she’d do things like hug me gently from behind or give me a lap pillow while I slept. Slowly but surely, I started opening up to her.  

“Thank you, Shino-san.”  

“...No need to thank me…”  

Even when I thanked her, she’d blush and avoid looking at me. But to someone like me, who had lost my family, she became my only emotional anchor.  

Yet, even Shino-san cried in front of me once.  

“...Why? Yuuki-kun didn’t do anything wrong…”  

At the time, I didn’t understand. But now I do. The case was all over the news, and public opinion was split on whether my actions were self-defense or excessive force. Some even called me mentally unstable. Shino-san was crying because of that.  

“I’m sorry, Shino-san. But I’m okay.”  

For the first time, I hugged Shino-san back.  

“...Thank you.”  

But after that, she stopped coming. Around the same time, the trial progressed, and I was ultimately deemed to have acted in self-defense, though I would remain under police surveillance until I finished middle school.  

When I asked about Shino-san, I was told she had quit the police force. That was all they would tell me.  

---

And that’s where the dream ended, and I woke up.  

There’s still more to my past, but I’ll save it for another time.  

---

Author's Note:

Please share your thoughts and feedback. Thank you for your continued support.

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