Volume 1 - CH 12

Chapter 12 - Monsters

"Hey, Koga-kun. Are you free~?

I rang the doorbell of Koga-kun's apartment at night.

The door opened immediately, and a person with an annoying face came out.

"What is it?"

"I came to make you dinner."

Koga-kun sighed when I showed him my bag of food.

It's so convenient when you have a neighbor, because you can meet them in person.

"The timing is perfect because I was just about to buy dinner, but why do you suddenly want to cook for me?"

"It's a reward because you showed me the most amazing fireflies that day."

Of course, I wanted to reward everyone, but since the one who brought me that time was Koga-kun, I thought he should be the one to get the most from me.

Yes, that's true.

To put it simply, I want to meet Koga-kun.

I'm also very confused.

I hate to admit it.

But yes... I think Koga-kun is a little bit in the "yes" category.

To Totchi-niichan, Seiran-kun, and all the men I've met so far.

I have a strange and special feeling for Koga-kun that I have never experienced before.

Actually, this boy is not my type at all.

But somehow he falls into the "yes" category, so what can I do?

Besides, he pulled me in when I had given up on everything.

And besides, wouldn't it be weird if I didn't classify you as a "yes" after you showed me that beautiful view?

...... That really pisses me off.

But I'm not going to tell you how I feel.

It's forbidden. Even thinking about it is forbidden.

And I also want to maintain the friendship between the five of us, so I'll continue to hide it.

These sound like words that someone once said... Thinking about it, I smiled slightly.

"Btw, Narushima-san, why are you doing this job?"

"It doesn't matter, it's in the past. I quit, too."

"Oh, you quit already. Did the manager say anything?"

He's not the manager, he's the owner, and of course he said something.

But still, I got my point across.

———Scene Change———

The next day we watched the fireworks together.

In the early afternoon, I went to Café Eden, which wasn't open yet.

I had called ahead, so the owner, Masashi, was already waiting for me.

Masashi was drinking whiskey alone at the bar.

"So, can you explain what happened yesterday?"

"I was a junior in high school, but I was working at a club. So my friends came to stop me. That's it."

"Well, whatever. Anyway, you made a scene in the middle of the customers, so I can't hire you here anymore. I'll refer you to another place, so go there."

"I refuse."

I replied flatly.

"Please don't contact me again. From now on, my relationship with Masashi-san is that of strangers who don't know each other."

I used to run away and disappear, but now it won't be like that.

I'll make things clear.

"Yoru-chan, when you were being chased by the punks in town, who do you think saved you?"

"It was Masashi-san. Then I'm very grateful that you took me in. But I intend to repay your kindness."

"Tch. You seem pretty strong."

Masashi bit his tongue, then downed his whiskey.

"Your body shape is very good, and you can attract customers. I can't just let go of such a source of money."

Masashi was a dangerous man with connections to anti-socialist groups, but that wasn't the worst of it.

It's true that he was the one who saved me when the punks in town were after me, then he made me work at his club even though I was only in junior high school, I'm sure there's a purpose he's hiding.

I just didn't like the invitations from his scary friends, but I didn't hate the job because it allowed me to learn more about music. In fact, it made me love music even more.

Although not very often, I had talked about music with Masashi a few times.

And that meant that, although it was a little different, I had a pretty close relationship with Masashi.

But I'm going to put an end to that.

"The guy who approached you the other day insisted that I introduce you to him, even though you're only a freshman in high school. He's a customer who often holds private parties at my place, and if I can get him to have sex with you once, I'll probably get a lot of money from him. So I'd like you to reconsider my offer, even if it's just a temporary part-time job."

"I refuse."

I want to go from this dark place to a bright place where my friends are.

"Oh, is that so? Then hurry and get out of my sight."

Him interest in me faded and he waved him hand while averting her eyes.

I was a little surprised because I had prepared myself for him to punish me more severely.

Thank you very much. Next time, I'll come here as a customer.

Without saying anything, I lowered my head and turned around.

"Oh, one more thing, Yoru."

As he sipped his drink at the bar counter, Masashi seemed to remember something.

"About the boy who pulled your hand yesterday, I think I went a little too far with him, so I was thinking of settling things. For the last time, can you give me his contact information?"

"Sure."

I stopped my steps and turned around again, walking towards Masashi.

I pulled his collar and pointed at him with the whiskey bottle on the bar counter.

"If you do anything to him, I'll really kill you."

Masashi rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Why? Ah, apparently he's your boyfriend?"

"Not really, but he's important to me."

"Ah. I see. A man who is favored by a scary girl like you, I don't know if he is happy or unhappy. Well, I guess it's better if I don't get involved. I don't want to get killed by you."

"Then, thank you."

Then I slowly put down the bottle.

Then I poured it into Masashi's glass for the last time and left the place.

———Scene Change———

"How is it, Koga-kun? Tasty?"

"Ah. You may as well try it, Big Cat Oppai."

"Ufufu, I accept your terrible compliment, you virgin king's damn boy."

When I saw Koga-kun eating my homemade hamburger, I felt happy.

Really, why should he?

No matter how you look at it, this brat is a far cry from Totchi-niichan.

Especially when you see the rice stuck to his cheeks. He's completely different.

But I have good memories.

When I was by Koga-kun's side, I enjoyed the time passing by while I found my next love.

That way, our relationship can last forever.

A relationship where I can chat and play with them without hesitation.

If this kind of relationship continues, I will definitely be very happy.

"Oh, I see. The girl's cooking is really good. Ufufu."

I picked up the rice on him cheek with my finger. It was already very satisfying to my heart.

"Yes. Simply put, it's because Narushima-san is a good cook."

"Eh, Koga-kun saying something like that makes me happy~"

"Yes. But I think Asagiri-san's cooking must be much better."

"Ahaha... ──────────────────────────eh?"

When I heard that sentence, I clearly understood.

My face froze.

"Huh? What's wrong, Narushima-san?"

That's right.

Right now, Koga-kun likes Honoko-chan.

I remembered that and compared it to my own cooking.

Then, deep in my heart, I saw the figure of a monster.

I saw a terrifying darkness that seemed to curl around my neck.

It was the same monster that had appeared in my older sister eyes.

The name of this monster was──jealousy.

"Hey, Narushima-san. What's the matter? Did you hear me?"

Didn't you say you wanted to find your next love?

What did I say?

Did I want her to be taken by someone else?

I don't want that. I can't let that happen.

But I don't want to ruin the relationship between the five of us. I don't want to destroy it.

I understand that very well, but.

"I like you."

The monster inside me must have made me say that forbidden sentence of my own free will.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

Fortunately, Koga-kun didn't seem to hear it.

I can still retreat now. I can still turn around and worship this feeling well.

However,

But it's the opposite of how I feel,

I walked around the table and sat down next to Koga-kun.

"What's wrong? Why are you so upset─────────?

I wrapped my hand around his neck.

Then I pressed my lips to him.

"Chuu......mmmm~~"

A sweet river traveled through my body until it came out through my nose.

This seed of love has grown by leaps and bounds.

Ah, this is it.

This is the thing.

The thing that made my smart older sister keep a man away from his 10 year old sister because of his possessiveness.

The sweet, crazy, addictive, obsessive thing that makes you think he's everything to you.

In that moment, I unintentionally understood how evil the "love" I was looking for was.

Because I was so thirsty for it, I grabbed Koga-kun's lips out of greed.

I pushed him to the ground.

And I finally found the love I had always cherished and admired. And then I checked my lips once more.

"Mmmhhhh.....chuuuuuuu......mmmmhhh..."

It was a shameless act that didn't care about other people's feelings because of my selfishness.

I'm too hypocritical, and that's a childish trait that I despise.

"Nnn...puah... Wa-wait Narushima-san!"

But true "love" will indeed turn a woman into a stupid little child.

"Anu, if you're teasing me like this, I think you've gone too far..."

Now I will make my forbidden desire clear.

"I like Koga-kun! And I don't want to give you up to Honoko-chan!"

"Huh? No, Narushima-san, you don't hate me..."

Ah, this is really great.

It's even better than when I cooked for you.

Even though I only touched him and pressed my lips against him, this feeling of pleasure flowed through my body.

"Mmmhh.....chuuuu.... I love you, I love you, I love you....!"

What's more, when he kissed her, the feeling grew even stronger.

"I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you!!!"

I ignored Koga-kun's slight rebellion and my excuse to hold back and continued to enjoy this sweet thing by myself.

Apparently, my thirst for love had only gotten crazier since that day.

But──what is it?

The thing is, once I get here, I can't go back.

I can confirm it. I will never find more love than this.

And I'm sure. There will never be another man I like as much as him.

My view is too narrow? The world is big? Are there many other men who are better?

Be quiet.

If I'm looking for real love, it will all be nonsense to me.

"Hey, Koga-kun. Be my boyfriend."

I finally let go of my lips and looked into his eyes from a very close distance.

"Eh, Narushima-san, have you lost your mind?"

I lost my mind long ago. That and my serenity had disappeared because I had found true love.

Once again, I remembered my older sister who was related to me by blood.

However, we had different choices.

"I thank you all, and I'm happy to spend time with you. From now on, I promise not to ruin the relationship between the five of us. But I still want to be Koga-kun's girlfriend!"

"That's impossible... Instead of going out with someone from the group, I'm better off with the current five."

I brought my lips close to his ear and whispered softly.

"If we do it in secret, we shouldn't have any problems."

Himneyes widened in surprise.

"W-what...are you saying..."

"Hey, Koga-kun, be my friend and hide this from everyone. We'll keep this a secret, okay?"

Unlike my older sister, I'll go out with him, but I won't hide from everyone.

This love and the relationship between the five of us is not something I will throw away.

Love is the most important thing, friendship is the most important thing. But both are the most important.

Then I will keep them both. That's all.

"Does Koga-kun hate me? Or does he like me?"

"I was thinking about that..."

"In that case, I like it."

If he doesn't hate me, then all I have to do is try. That's how easy I thought it would be.

After all, I'm not going to think about anyone else but Koga-kun.

"No, no. Anyway....Are you really saying that?"

"I've been out with a lot of men, and I told you that I've never kissed anyone, right? And you still don't understand, are you stupid? That's why I hate you. I really like you."

"Not so, Etto..."

"It's okay. We won't get caught. If we meet secretly, nothing will change for the five of us. And if Koga-kun wants us to get married, I'll keep it a secret."

"That's impossible! I won't be able to do it..."

"We can definitely do it."

I assured him without hesitation. I'm very confident.

"I can definitely do it. No, no one can do it but us. We can keep this unknown to the others, and nothing will change about the five of us. So let's do it. Let's go out and hide this from the others."

...............................................

Outside the apartment, the sound of tonggerets began to play.

It's quite late, but there are certain conditions where they make noise even at night.

And amidst the sound of the tonggeret, I kissed Koga-kun again.

I kissed him as if it was a love room just for the two of us───.

Without any lies, as a proof of my great love for him, I slowly engraved that memory.