August 8th was Senpai's birthday.
It was probably the biggest event of the summer vacation.
"...So, I'm having trouble deciding on a present."
"I see, so that's it~"
That gentle voice came from Nene-san, my conversation partner. We had become quite close, so much so that we could easily call each other when we weren't meeting at university.
Somehow, Nene-san possessed not just a comforting aura, but also an overwhelming broad-mindedness. That's why I knew I'd be forgiven and could easily contact her and even consult her about things like this.
Also, the fact that her boyfriend and the person I like are the same type is a huge plus. It might make me sound like a really nasty person to say that, though.
"By the way, Iroha-chan, have you ever received a birthday present from Hachiman?"
"I have, but... I kept reminding him it was my birthday, and then he asked, 'So what kind of thing do you want?' and I just got what I asked for."
"Ahaha, you're really assertive~"
By the way, what I received for my birthday this year was a slightly good brand of lip gloss. Thinking back, if I had just said, "Anything Senpai chooses is fine," I might have gotten a present that Senpai chose after agonizing over it. It was my mistake to give in and answer with "for example."
"Then why don't you just ask him directly?"
"I thought about that, but he just said, 'I don't need anything special.'"
I probably think he held back because if I asked, he would definitely buy something. Senpai is someone who thinks about such things and doesn't honestly say what he wants, so I think I understand that much.
But, since it's a special occasion, I want him to be happy. And if that makes him get all excited and go "gaaaah" and "waaaah," then that's fine too. More than fine, actually. Though he probably won't.
"Hachiman, he's turning twenty this year, right?"
"That's right."
"Then how about alcohol?"
"Ah..."
I see, something consumable. It was a thought I hadn't had, as I was only thinking about leaving a lasting impression.
This might actually make him go "gaaaah" and "waaaah." Given his calmness at the previous group date, the chances are low, but... Oh, then I should buy high-proof alcohol. Nice idea, me.
"That might actually be a good idea. I'll look into that."
"Yeah. I think he'd be happy with something he wouldn't usually buy himself."
After discussing what kind of alcohol would be good, I thanked Nene-san and ended the call.
Just you wait, Senpai.
I'll bring you some delicious alcohol!
—-------
And so, Senpai's birthday arrived.
In the evening, I was walking towards Senpai's apartment.
Ideally, I would have liked to go from the morning, but Senpai, who was indifferent to his own birthday, had scheduled a part-time job from morning again today. That's just like you, Senpai.
"Oh, Senpai~"
While thinking such thoughts, I approached the apartment and saw Senpai walking towards me from the opposite direction.
I involuntarily waved, and Senpai waved back, tilting his body. He seemed to be carrying something heavy in one hand.
"Yo. Perfect timing."
As we got closer and made proper eye contact, Senpai had a faint smile on his face. Ah, I like that face. No, that's not what I should be focusing on right now.
"Happy birthday. ...And what's that?"
In Senpai's right hand was a double-layered paper bag. I checked it with just my eyes, but because it was wrapped, I couldn't tell what it was.
"Ah... I got it at my part-time job."
"Oh, really..."
Senpai said, averting his gaze from me, as if he had something to hide.
Given the timing, it had to be a birthday present. This might be a case that requires an urgent investigation at Senpai's workplace.
"For now, let's go inside. I'll make dinner."
"Alright."
There was no way he'd tell me if I asked him here, so I said that and headed towards the apartment. If I was going to get it out of him, it would probably be better after he had some alcohol. Though I don't know if he'd answer even then.
Once inside the room, I moved around as if I owned the place. I put the ingredients I had just bought, the gift wine, and the cake I had just made today into the refrigerator.
The prepared dishes I had made and stored before... yes, they were gone. My plan to capture his stomach and never let go was steadily progressing.
I put on the apron hanging in its usual spot in the kitchen and tied the waist string with more effort than usual.
Now, all that was left was to make dinner with a slightly richer flavor and some appetizers, to help the alcohol go down.
I glanced at Senpai, who was standing in the living room fiddling with his phone, and a smile I couldn't hide spread across my lips.
—-------
"Sorry to keep you waiting~"
Along with that voice, the pleasant smell of baking cheese reached my nose.
I had wondered what she had brought with her, but it seemed today's main dish was pizza. There was also salad, pasta, and even carpaccio. So, Italian today.
"Just a moment, please."
After arranging the dishes, Isshiki said that and went back to the kitchen. After the sound of the refrigerator opening and closing, Isshiki returned with wine and wine glasses.
"Once again, happy birthday. This is your present."
"Oh, thanks... And this?"
"It's a wine glass?"
"No, I mean, why are there two?"
"I bought them at a 100-yen shop, so you don't have to worry about it."
"That's not what I mean..."
As if to put an end to our disjointed conversation, Isshiki pushed the wine towards me, saying, "Here." No, it's not like I want to monopolize it, but you're bad with alcohol, aren't you?
While thinking about what to do, I pulled out the cork with the wine opener Isshiki had handed me. A sophisticated, Renaissance-like aroma, unfamiliar to me, tickled my nostrils, and at the same time, my stomach growled. I was quite hungry, having eaten lunch early to accommodate my part-time job.
"...Just one glass, okay? It's quite high in alcohol content."
"Yes. Of course, it's a present for Senpai."
For now, just one glass probably wouldn't lead to a repeat of last time. After pouring the wine, we both raised our glasses.
"Well then, a toast to Senpai's birthday!"
After a light clink of glasses, I took a quick sip.
It didn't take long to regret my complacency that it would be just one glass.
"Senpai, ahn~"
"No, that's enough already..."
"Ehhh, noooo~. Come on, Senpai, ahn~"
Less than thirty minutes after the toast.
I was being fed pizza by Isshiki, who had flushed cheeks. She had told me I couldn't eat unless she fed me, and it had been like this ever since.
"How is it~?"
Isshiki asked me in a sickly sweet voice, tilting her head.
Of course, she wasn't in this state from just one glass. Isshiki, who seemed to have acquired a taste for wine, had apparently started on her second glass while I was in the restroom.
"It's good... but. Hey, stop drinking already."
"Ehh, it's fine~"
I grabbed Isshiki's wrist as she reached for the wine for a third glass, stopping her movement. Of course, I couldn't let her drink any more.
"Put the wine down."
"But if I don't finish it, it'll oxidize~"
Isshiki tried to shake off my hand and hug the wine. This girl, she's really drunk...
"Hey, enough already."
"Ah!"
As I forcibly tried to take the wine bottle, Isshiki resisted, and with a plop, wine splattered out. The wine spilled onto Isshiki's shirt, of all things, a white one.
"Ah... My bad, wait a sec."
I went to the kitchen to get a cloth, but would that really prevent a stain? They say wine stains easily, so it would probably be better to wash it quickly.
"Here, if you like, put this on. I'll wash that in the meantime."
"Oh, no... I'm sorry. I'll wash it myself."
Her earlier demeanor completely gone, Isshiki suddenly became meek. She took the T-shirt from me and headed to the changing room.
A few minutes later, Isshiki returned, for some reason unusually cheerful.
"Hehe. Senpai, look at this. It's like, a 'boyfriend's shirt,' right?"
Saying that, Isshiki twirled around in place. I was so captivated by her movement that I couldn't even say, "No, it's not."
Huh? What's with this girl, she's so damn cute?
Perhaps because it was hot, she was wearing hot pants underneath, making it look as if she was only wearing the T-shirt I lent her. That subtly stimulated both eroticism and fetishism, and even though the exposed area hadn't changed much, her bare legs felt even more attractive.
"A-anyway, once you've eaten, you should go home. I'll see you off."
"Ehh, no way. Besides, are you telling me to walk around in this shirt?"
Isshiki said that, stretching out the shirt and showing me the printed letters on it.
The words, of course, were "I♡Chiba." What could she possibly object to about that?
"It's fine, isn't it? Though it does feel like it's picking a fight with Tokyo."
"No, that's not the problem."
Then what is the problem, I wondered, but indeed, it would be heartless to send her home dressed in such an eyesore. This meant...
"My first overnight stay at Senpai's place, right♪"
"..."
Is this girl a deliberate offender in every sense? Considering Isshiki's calculating nature, that's the only way I could think of it.
"So,"
"Ah."
For some reason, Isshiki picked up the wine and chugged it straight from the bottle. Isshiki-san, didn't you say that was a present for me?
"Now I can get drunk without worry~"
No, it's not okay to get drunk. This girl has no sense of danger.
However, considering her past behavior... could this possibly be a "ready-made meal," so to speak?
...No, what am I thinking? More importantly, I can't let her get any drunker. So, what to do?
"Ah!"
I took the wine bottle back from Isshiki, put it to my mouth, and chugged it all at once.
"What are you doing, Senpai? Are you okay?"
To prevent Isshiki from getting any drunker, I would eliminate the alcohol itself. This was a drastic measure, ensuring Isshiki could not consume any more alcohol.
"I-I'm fine..."
The alcohol hadn't hit yet, but chugging the remaining third of the bottle seemed dangerous.
However, desperate times call for desperate measures. I quickly gobbled down the remaining pizza before she could "ahn" it to me, and then I—
"Senpai?"
Ah, this is bad.
As time passed, my thoughts began to wander in circles.
My vision distorted, my heart raced. My head throbbed.
"Please wait a moment."
Isshiki said that and began tidying up with surprising efficiency for someone so drunk. After finishing in just a few minutes, she returned to the living room/bedroom and turned off the lights.
"Alright, let's sleep."
Saying that as if it were the most natural thing, Isshiki pulled my arm and lay down on the bed. Naturally, I also ended up lying on the bed.
...Huh? Isn't this co-sleeping? Literally, isn't this almost sex? What are you doing, girl?
"Tell me if you feel sick, okay?"
Saying that, Isshiki slipped her arm under my head and began stroking my hair.
A gentle touch, like putting a child to sleep. A sweet moment.
I knew this shouldn't be happening, yet my body gave up resisting the overwhelming sense of security and drowsiness that washed over me like a large wave.
"...Good night, Isshiki."
"Good night, Senpai."
And so, I closed my eyes.
Feeling her close, warm breath on my nose, I drifted off to sleep—
By the way, this is an aside.
It goes without saying that when we woke up almost simultaneously the next morning, we were incredibly awkward and embarrassed.
================
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