When Eriri Spencer Sawamura finally returned to the classroom after her private interlude with Hozuki Nozomi, she immediately noticed Kato Megumi's curious gaze fixed upon her. A flash of guilt shot through her, and she reacted instinctively.
"Kano! Why are you looking at me with such a strange expression? Is there something wrong with me?"
The girl blinked, then responded in her characteristically flat tone. "I'm Kato. And I was just wondering, Sawamura... why are your lips swollen?"
Eriri's hands flew to cover her mouth, her face burning. "Is it really that obvious?"
"Yes," Kato Megumi confirmed matter-of-factly. "Very obvious."
Eriri Spencer Sawamura let out a small, mortified wail. Her eyes immediately sought out a certain someone who was just then strolling back into the classroom, looking entirely too pleased with himself. She glared at him, teeth gritted.
That scoundrel! Couldn't he exercise even a little restraint? Kissing her until her lips were actually swollen—how was she supposed to face anyone?
Hozuki Nozomi noticed her glare and tilted his head in genuine confusion. "Eriri Spencer Sawamura, why are you looking at me like that? Are you dissatisfied with what just happened?"
Eriri quickly averted her gaze, her voice taking on a stubborn, defensive edge. "I wasn't looking at you at all! And... don't talk to me!"
She knew nothing about what had just happened. Absolutely nothing. The girl who'd been acting all coy in his arms moments ago wasn't her—it was some alternate version of herself. Kashiwagi Eri, perhaps!
Hozuki Nozomi observed her with an amused expression. He didn't quite understand why she was sulking again, but he had plenty of experience in coaxing her out of such moods.
English class arrived, and with it, a fresh opportunity for embarrassment.
When the teacher called on Eriri Spencer Sawamura, she rose hesitantly, her cheeks still carrying a faint blush. With Hozuki Nozomi's quiet prompting from the seat in front of her, she managed to read out the correct answer with feigned composure.
After class ended, Hozuki Nozomi turned around to face her, his expression caught between amusement and genuine curiosity.
"Eriri Spencer Sawamura," he began carefully, "your father is a British diplomat, isn't he? So why is your English... well, you know?"
Eriri's face flushed deeper. "Stop nagging me about it! I've hardly ever lived in England, okay? I grew up almost entirely here! My father doesn't even speak English at home, so what am I supposed to do about my bad English?"
She glared at him fiercely, her cute little fangs making an appearance as she practically challenged him. "My English is bad. Do you have a problem with that?"
Hozuki Nozomi quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Of course not! I don't have a problem at all. It's just... if you ever need tutoring, I'd be more than happy to help."
Eriri's glare softened as she realized his intention. A small, pleased smile tugged at the corners of her mouth before she could stop it.
"Well... since you offered so sincerely, I suppose I can reluctantly give you a chance. I'll come to your place for tutoring this weekend."
"Perfect."
Kato Megumi, who had been silently observing this entire exchange from her seat, felt a complex swirl of emotions.
Wait a minute.
Mr. Scumbag, what about me? Didn't you invite me over to play games this weekend? Did you just completely forget about me?
Sure enough, even Hozuki Nozomi overlooked her sometimes. She really was that easy to miss.
As if sensing her gaze, Hozuki Nozomi turned and offered her a warm smile. "Don't worry, Megumi. Tutoring Eriri won't interfere with our gaming plans. I can manage both."
Kato Megumi's heart did something strange—a small skip, followed by an unusual warmth spreading through her chest. This feeling was new to her.
A little happy.
Then reality caught up with her. Wait. He planned to tutor Eriri Spencer Sawamura AND play games with her at the same time? At his house?
Wasn't that basically walking straight into the lion's den?
Kato Megumi found herself caught in an unexpected dilemma.
By noon, Hozuki Nozomi had made his way to the rooftop, bento box in hand.
Waiting for him was the beautiful Kasumigaoka Utaha, her signature white hairband in place, her long legs elegantly crossed and clad in black stockings. She sat gracefully on the long bench, looking for all the world like a scene from one of her own novels.
Hozuki Nozomi approached with a smile. "Utaha-senpai, lunchtime."
Kasumigaoka Utaha responded by gently patting the space beside her—an invitation.
He didn't hesitate, settling onto the bench close enough that their shoulders nearly touched. Utaha studied him carefully, her red eyes sharp and assessing. Today's version of him was clearly different from yesterday's. More normal. More... him.
Satisfied with her observations, she opened her small mouth slightly and gave him a meaningful look, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear in a gesture he recognized immediately.
She wanted to be fed.
The memory of yesterday's innocent, clueless version of him flashed through her mind, and her expression softened with subtle amusement. That had been unexpectedly endearing.
Hozuki Nozomi complied without hesitation, offering bites from his bento to his beautiful senpai. They shared the meal in comfortable intimacy, the rooftop breeze carrying away the warmth of the afternoon sun.
When the bento was finished, he made his move.
In one smooth motion, he lifted Kasumigaoka Utaha and settled her onto his lap, his arms encircling her slender waist. She fit perfectly against him, her soft warmth pressing against his chest.
"Utaha-senpai," he murmured near her ear, "isn't there anything you want to ask me? About yesterday's version of me, perhaps?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned into his embrace, her heartbeat accelerating despite herself. Compared to that innocent, shy version of him, she much preferred this one—the one who took initiative, who held her close without hesitation.
"If I ask," she replied softly, "will you tell me the truth?"
"Of course." His voice was sincere. "Anything Utaha-senpai wants to know about me, I'll tell you. After all, you know what kind of person I am—a scoundrel, really. And yet you still accept me. I'm genuinely grateful for that."
Looking into his earnest eyes, Kasumigaoka Utaha reached up and poked his cheek gently. "So you do know you're a scoundrel."
Then her expression shifted to one of genuine curiosity. "But I am curious about yesterday's you. Why were you sitting like a girl? So prim and proper?"
Hozuki Nozomi's face immediately fell. "Utaha-senpai, I want to die. I'm mortified. Please don't bring this up."
A soft laugh escaped her. "Pfft... Because of a sitting posture? Don't worry, it wasn't that obvious. Honestly, it looked kind of cute."
"That doesn't make me feel better at all."
Hozuki Nozomi pouted, mentally adding another item to his list of things to discuss with Miyamizu Mitsuha. He absolutely could not allow her to continue using his body in ways that compromised his masculine image.
Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck, her voice taking on a soothing, almost coaxing tone. "Alright, don't dwell on it. Instead of worrying about what's already happened, why don't you explain to me exactly what's going on?"
Hozuki Nozomi inhaled her captivating scent, feeling the softness of her body against his. He held her a little tighter before beginning his explanation.
"It's essentially a request from a deity. The one who inhabited my body yesterday was a shrine maiden—her name is Miyamizu Mitsuha. For reasons I don't fully understand, she and I have become connected, which is why the soul-swapping occurred."
He continued, "The deity's power seems capable of twisting time and space, linking the past and future. Until I resolve whatever problem exists, we'll occasionally connect and continue swapping souls."
He paused, then added, "If you search for 'Itomori Town' on your phone, you'll probably understand better."
Kasumigaoka Utaha's curiosity was immediately engaged. Still seated in his lap, she reached for her laptop and quickly typed in the search.
"The disappearance of Itomori Town... struck by a falling comet... all residents unfortunately perished." She read aloud, then looked up with wide eyes. "This happened three years ago!"
Hozuki Nozomi nodded solemnly. "I'm sure Utaha-senpai has long understood that I'm... unusual. What I'm working on now is a request from that deity. If I succeed, the people of Itomori Town can live."
He met her gaze directly. "I'm telling you this because I want you to know that I'm not neglecting you. Yesterday's version of me wasn't really me—it was a girl from a rural town experiencing the city for the first time."
Kasumigaoka Utaha absorbed his words, her expression thoughtful. Then she nodded.
"I understand. I'll help you look after her too, if needed." A teasing smile curved her lips. "And honestly, you were really cute like that. Blushing at the slightest provocation."
"Utaha, you can't do this to me. I'm getting angry now. I'm going to have to punish you."
She tilted her head, her smile widening into a challenge. "Oh? If you have the guts, come on then—mmmph!"
Mr. Kissing Fiend didn't hesitate. He captured her lips in a firm, possessive kiss, effectively silencing whatever teasing remark she'd been about to make.
Some punishments, after all, were pleasures in disguise.