Chapter 53 OBIG Vol. 3 chapter 1 part 5

───● The Tsundere OL Makes a Resolution ●○●

If one were to look only at the situation, surely I had secured the very scenario I had desired from the bottom of my heart.

According to my original plan, by now I should be lewdly expanding my delusions about the first experience about to occur, my body burning with the flames of lust.

“Beyond this point! You absolutely cannot enter! Absolutely! The moment you step foot past here, I’m kicking you out and I’ll never speak to you again!”

“Is it normal to go that far?! Fine, I get it, I won’t go!”

The current situation—where I’m exchanging lighthearted banter with a smiling Masato, who is desperately trying to draw a borderline inside the room with bath towels—is unbearably fun.

How did it end up like this?

The story goes back to when we got soaked in that park.

The time was just past 10:00 PM.

After that incident, we couldn’t just stay wet and carefree, so Masato and I had evacuated to a covered bench within the park.

“Kchoo…!”

“Are you okay…? I’m sorry, I only have my jacket…”

“It’s fine. You’re cold too, aren’t you, Masato?”

“I’m totally fine.”

Every single word he gives me is warm.

I thought I had switched gears, but I hate myself for committing criminal acts against such a boy.

Before I knew it, an apology slipped from my lips.

“I’m sorry, Masato. It’s my fault.”

“No! I did it because I wanted to… You did nothing wrong, Seira-san.”

He surely thinks I’m apologizing for getting wet. Even so, “because I wanted to,” huh… Really, I don’t know how many times I’ve been saved by this boy’s kindness.

“Seira-san, will you be okay? Can you get home…?”

“Yes, well, I probably can’t take the train like this, so I’ll take a taxi home.”

“….Didn’t you say before that taking a taxi from here when it gets late costs a huge amount of money…?”

“Well, yes. But it can’t be helped, right?”

It’s true that if I take a taxi from here, I have to be prepared to spend at least ten thousand yen given the distance.

But that said, getting on the train in this dripping wet state is… well, I’d hesitate to do that.

Glancing at Masato beside me, he has his hand on his head, thinking about something.

“…It’s really bad, isn’t it…? No, but sending her home like this is cruel too… It’s fine, if I explain properly, and if I’m careful…”

“…? What’s wrong?”

He’s muttering something in a small voice…

“Ah, um, Seira-san?”

“What?”

Kohon, Masato clears his throat and straightens up.

“…My house is right near here… do you want to come over for now?”

“Eh…”

It was, strangely enough, the very development I had dreamed of today.

“I-I can’t just send you home like this… and I have a shower and stuff…”

“Eh, but… is that okay?”

“It’s… fine. But! It’s just to get out of the rain, okay?! There are absolutely no! Other intentions! Just a bath and a change of clothes! That’s all, okay?!”

While feeling overwhelmed by Masato’s desperate rambling, I still found myself thinking, he really is cute.

“This is my house. Sorry it’s run-down.”

“…That’s not true.”

About a fifteen-minute walk from the park.

I am being introduced to Masato’s house. …Well, I knew where it was without being introduced, though.

A shadow falls slightly over my heart at the guilty fact.

But I shook my head. I won’t lose my way anymore. I’m going to become a woman worthy of standing by Masato’s side.

Masato takes out a key and opens the door.

“Go ahead.”

“Yes. Excuse the intrusion…”

The lights came on. The exterior certainly had noticeable scratches and stains that made one feel its history, but the interior was quite clean.

“Do you want to take off your socks and stuff? Since you’re soaked.”

“Y-Yes. You’re right…”

From the entrance, I can see all the way to the living room.

It was a very tidy room with a sense of cleanliness. It was somehow very Masato-like.

Masato went in first and brought me a towel.

“For now, please dry off a bit with this… and go ahead and take a bath first. It should be ready to get in within a few minutes.”

“Eh, but I feel bad going first.”

“It’s fine. In the meantime I’ll just get some drinks ready or something.”

While feeling apologetic, I had no choice but to follow Masato’s words.

“Phew…”

I was inside the bathtub at Masato’s house.

What is this? It’s a strange feeling. I feel fluffy and restless, yet at the same time, I feel calm.

I never thought I would be allowed into Masato’s house in this way.

I’m happy, but the feeling that I must not betray Masato’s trust is stronger.

“I absolutely cannot do anything weird…”

I recall the incident at the bar.

Masato’s frightened expression. The clear intent of rejection.

If he looks at me with those eyes again, this time I really won’t be able to go on living.

On the way to Masato’s house, he told me something.

‘I want to get along with you from now on, Seira-san… so please refrain from forcing yourself on me like before. That applies both inside the shop and outside.’

I took those words to heart. Of course, being a woman, these kinds of desires inevitably well up. Masato is just too charming, you see.

But I’ve had enough of him hating me because of my actions.

Casual body touch is fine, but forcefully inviting him to an after-party or the like is banned, I decided.

That is why, even in this situation that is exactly like what I yearned for, let’s accept the fact that I am being trusted and solidify my resolve to endure with nerves of steel.

After soaking in the tub for ten minutes, I got out of the bath.

Masato is waiting, after all. I have to be as quick as possible.

When I went out to the changing area… there was a short-sleeved T-shirt and half-pants folded there.

…Does this mean I can wear these?

Suddenly, my heart rate spikes.

“C-C-C-C-Calm down. No, no. Be rational, me. This is Masato’s kindness. If I get excited here, it’s all over…!”

It feels impossible not to get excited, but here I am, enduring with a will of steel. Good girl.

Emptying my mind, I slipped my arms into those clothes.

Just like that, I put my hand on the doorknob to return to the living room where Masato was.

And there, I remembered.

—I am currently without makeup.

My body froze. I washed off all my makeup without thinking, but will Masato be disillusioned if I expose this ugly bare face in front of him?

“Seira-san, are you done?”

“Y-Yes! I’m done, I’m done but…”

“? Did the clothes not fit? I hope you can tolerate them being a little big…”

“T-That’s also fine! It’s fine but…?!”

Fortunately, since I fall into the category of being taller than the average woman, the size wasn’t that much of a problem. But more than that, my face is the problem.

This is bad, what should I do?

Do I have no choice but to steel myself…!

Half giving up, I opened the door to the changing area.

“Oh, good, it looks like it fits… wait, why are you hiding your face?”

“…Because I’m bare-faced right now. I don’t want to be seen…”

“Ehh… That’s fine, but… do you intend to keep it like that the whole time? It’s hard to talk, isn’t it?”

“Ugh…”

As I was worrying about what to do, both hands covering my face were gently peeled away by Masato.

“…What. Just as I thought, aren’t you beautiful?”

“…!”

“It’s true that the mature-looking Seira-san with her usual makeup is beautiful, but the side of you that isn’t like that is also… wait, ah—never mind, please forget thaaaat!”

Shoot, it’s my usual habit…! While saying things like that, Masato takes his change of clothes and enters the changing area.

…Geez. He’s really unfair. Masato always gives me the words I want. If he had said, “You look the same as usual,” that would have been lonely in its own right.

In the living room, two teacups of warm green tea and a bottle of cold barley tea were placed.

Masato must have prepared them.

“You didn’t have to go that far…”

I sit down on the floor cushion.

I looked around the room.

Most places are tidy and organized, but the kitchen is a bit cluttered, which gives it a lived-in feel that is nice.

It could be even messier. I want him to show me at least that much weakness.

Swallowing the barley tea, I let out a breath.

When I calmly organize the current situation, I laugh at how unrealistic it feels.

If I told my friends, none of them would likely believe me.

Or rather, come to think of it.

“This is my first time coming to a boy’s house…”

Counting even from my student days, not once.

When I become conscious of that, my heart rate rises a little. Besides, these clothes I’m wearing right now are actually Masato’s.

Just a little, I sniffed the sleeve part.

Instantly, a sweet stimulation runs through my brain.

“…A narcotic, this is…”

For a moment, I thought my brain would melt.

This is not good. Doesn’t Masato’s scent have a side effect that sends women into heat?

Well, at my level, my brain is already used to it and I’ve built up a tolerance, so I’m fine.

Or so I thought. There was a time when I thought that.

“Phew~ I’m out. Ah, was barley tea okay, Seira-san?”

—Ah, I’m dead.

“Seira-san?! Seira-san, why are you collapsing?!”

Freshly-out-of-the-bath Masato SSR had destructive power beyond measure. I simply noted that in my mental memo pad.

And so, the story rewinds to the beginning.

“T-Today is special! It’s bad to send you home at this time… so you can stay over! But I am merely providing a place to sleep! Please absolutely do not come beyond this area partitioned by bath towels!”

Because I fainted upon seeing Bath-Time Masato, the time ended up passing midnight, and I was allowed to stay at Masato’s house. No, really, it’s not like I planned this at all, okay?!

…Who exactly am I making excuses to?

In reality, if that incident hadn’t happened, this would be a development I couldn’t have wished for more. I probably would have happily pounced on Masato.

But, now is different.

“Since I promise not to do anything, how about sleeping together…”

“Absolutely not!! Seira-san, you’re planning to do something while I’m asleep, aren’t you!”

“It’s fine, isn’t it! Stingy! Just let me put the tip in!”

“Hasn’t your character changed somehow, Seira-san?!”

Me attacking him is a no-go, but if Masato seeks me out, it’s safe!

—Well, I’m joking, though.

Right now, being able to have this kind of exchange feels better.

His reactions are innocent and cute, too.

“Ah, that’s right, Masato. Next time, can I leave my mug and toothbrush here?”

“Why are you trying to live here like it’s natural!! Absolutely not!”

Teasing him isn’t bad either.

Because Masato, objecting while bright red, is smiling.

“Haa, haa…! I laid out the futon, so if you take even one step out of there, I’m calling the police…”

“Let’s finish everything before they come. Don’t worry, I’m quite skilled.”

“Seira-san is brokennnn!!”

I am able to laugh from the bottom of my heart.

This might be the first time I’ve seen Masato smiling like this, too. That fact made me a little happy.

In the end, I kept my promise to him, and without laying a hand on Masato, I went to sleep.

However, perhaps because it was a place I wasn’t used to sleeping in, I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night.

After something like that happened. And considering it’s my first time in a boy’s house, I thought there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, but maybe I was tired after all; I seem to have fallen asleep surprisingly quickly.

Maybe the fact that I had no intention of making a move was a big factor too.

Beyond the partition carefully made of bath towels and something like a curtain rail, lay Masato’s innocent sleeping face.

Even after being so cautious, to fall asleep with such a peaceful expression… what a cute guy.

Moonlight is streaming in through the window.

Amidst the silence of the summer night, Masato’s face, breathing softly in his sleep, looks like a painting illuminated by the moonlight.

Involuntarily, a smile spilled out.

“—I love you. Masato.”

My honest feelings slipped from my mouth surprisingly easily.

…I can’t properly convey them to you yet, though.

I’ll become a person wonderful enough to stand by your side someday, okay?

“Well then, I’m going home.”

There is no reply.

Masato seemed tired and was sleeping soundly.

The first trains have already started running.

It would be bad to stay too late, so I decided to leave early.

I want praise for not laying a hand on him. I am a woman who can endure.

—I swear I didn’t lay a hand on Masato, but keeping it a secret that I set up a little mischief in the house is part of the fun.

Imagining his flustered figure when he notices it makes me laugh.

I left Masato’s house. I sent a message via SNS saying I was heading home first.

“Come to think of it.”

Remembering one thing, I operate my smartphone right there.

“I don’t need this anymore, do I?”

The memo pad app.

I deleted what was written there without any hesitation.

Because this is no longer necessary.

After completely deleting it, I tossed my smartphone into my bag.

Looking up at the sky as I started walking, it was clear, as if yesterday’s rain had been a lie.

I took a big stretch.

Just like this weather, my heart is clear too. That kind of feeling.

Reaching the corner, I looked back in the direction of Masato’s house.

“See you later, Masato.”

—Let’s start again from today.

—So that I can become a woman who can stand proudly next to the person she loves most.

(T/N: Thank you user013 for supporting the series)