We walked together into the school.
Since it was the first day, the atmosphere was bustling. Students filled the hallways, voices overlapping, the air thick with nervous excitement and fresh beginnings.
If I recalled correctly, there had been an orientation day a week prior, but I couldn't remember much of it. I hadn't regressed then. I had only come back to this timeline yesterday. Orientation day was nothing but dull speeches and classroom introductions, the kind of thing that left no real impression.
I was in 1C, and Kotoha was in 1A.
We wouldn't be in the same class until the second year. Hiyori wouldn't even enroll until the second half of the year, after summer break. Until then, I'd have to endure the long days on my own.
We stepped into the first-year building. The sight of the rows of lockers felt strangely nostalgic. I slipped off my shoes and changed into the indoor ones. The cool tiles beneath my feet grounded me in the reality of this second chance.
"Souta-kun. You're in 1C, right?"
As expected, Kotoha was always on top of things. She was always looking out for me. I couldn't believe I used to take that for granted.
"And Kotoha, you're in 1A, right?"
"Kotoha?"
"Kotoha-chan, sorry."
I had to be careful not to make any more of those mistakes. Before we dated in my previous life, I always called her Kotoha-chan. Only after we got together did I drop the honorific. The same would go for Hikari and Hiyori. For now, it would be Hikari-san and Kanzaki-san.
"I-it's okay."
"Come, I'll walk you to your class."
"You don't need to do that, my class is at the end of the hall."
"I enjoy walking with you."
"…Okay."
Kotoha was naturally submissive by nature. If I insisted, she would give in. But I had to be careful not to push too far too quickly. Push the boundaries slowly, carefully, and she'd bend to me completely. Once trained, she'd be easy to handle.
We walked shoulder to shoulder down the hall. When the corridor grew crowded, I let my taller frame clear the way for her, guiding her easily through the sea of students.
"Here we are."
"Thank you."
"I'll see you later then, Kotoha-chan."
"When?"
"After school?"
"Souta-kun. Do you want to eat lunch together later?"
"Okay. Where should we meet?"
"Classroom?"
"How about the rooftop?"
Having lunch on the rooftop with your childhood friend—it was the kind of moment that could never be replaced. I had to savor it.
"Can we go to the rooftop?"
"We can. I'll be buying food from the cafeteria. Do you want anything?"
"Then…"
"Melon bread, right?"
"Ah. How did you know?"
"I've known you long enough. Just wait for me on the rooftop. I'll meet you there after getting our food."
"Okay."
Her blush was soft, blooming across her cheeks. Back then, Kotoha gave me all the care. This time, I'd be the one to make her happy.
In class, I sat at the end row by the window. Outside, the athletic field stretched into view. I could doze off watching students practice, let time pass without boredom. Class would grow more interesting once Hiyori transferred next semester.
"Mizuhara, yo!"
"Good morning, Mizuhara-kun."
A few classmates greeted me as they came in. I couldn't remember their names. I wasn't close with anyone before; back then, my depression kept me from building real relationships.
This life, I had a bigger goal—piecing together my harem.
Kotoha, Hikari, Hiyori. I wouldn't give up on any of them. I loved them all.
Kotoha would be the easiest. She already loved me. I just needed her to realize it again, to train her properly once she was mine. Hikari and Hiyori would take more time. After I won them over, I had to find a way to make them all get along.
A 4P was in sight, but the pieces needed to be played carefully.
I could confess to Kotoha right now, but that wasn't what I wanted. I wanted something romantic, something that would seal this new life differently than before.
Perhaps during cherry blossom season. A date beneath the petals. A kiss, like the one she gave me in our third year. This time, I'd be the one to move first.
Before long, the bell rang.
At lunch, I headed to the cafeteria. I grabbed rice balls for myself, melon bread and chocolate milk for Kotoha. Then I made my way to the rooftop.
The rooftop was quiet, the spring air brushing against my skin. Kotoha sat with her back against the wall, her legs folded neatly, skirt stretching faintly across her thighs as she tapped away on her phone.
"Kotoha-chan!"
I lifted the bag of food. She looked up, her face brightening instantly.
"That was quick."
"I didn't want to keep you waiting."
"How much was it?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Then next time, I'll go get the food."
"Next time, I'll get it too."
She puffed her cheeks in frustration, lips pursed into a soft pout that begged to be kissed.
"Then what should I do?"
"How about a bento?"
"A bento? I've never made one before."
Her first clumsy bento would be mine alone. The thought made my chest tighten with satisfaction.
"Will you?"
"…Okay."
"Good."
"You've really changed, Souta-kun."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No."
I handed her the melon bread and chocolate milk. She peeled open the wrapper carefully, her small hands tugging at the plastic, and took her first bite. Her lips closed around the soft bread, teeth sinking in, cheeks rounding with the sweet bite. I couldn't look away. I imagined those lips stretching around my cock, her cheeks bulging in the same way, her eyes lifting toward me in that same innocent glance she gave me now.
She sipped from the carton of milk, her lips sealing tightly around the straw, cheeks hollowing as she drank. My cock twitched at the sight. If I let my imagination run, I could almost feel the warmth of her throat, hear the wet sound of her sucking obediently while her eyes teared up from the size.
I took a slow bite of my rice ball just to calm myself, but the sight of her licking a crumb off her fingertip only made me harder. That clueless face paired with her submissive nature—Kotoha had no idea how much I wanted to use her.
"Mm. Tastes good," she said softly, crumbs sticking faintly to the corner of her lips.
I had to restrain myself from leaning forward to lick them off.
We ate together at a slow pace, talking about nothing, laughing over little things. But every time she lifted the bread to her mouth or pressed her lips to the straw, my thoughts grew filthier.
"What are you doing after school?" I asked.
"I went to see the track club during orientation. I'm going to go submit my application today and watch them practice."
"You've been doing track since junior high. Keep it up."
Her body from track was perfect. Stamina to ride for hours, legs that could wrap around me tightly, hips that could grind down on me until I broke. In short, she could ride like a fighter jet.
"What about you, Souta-kun?"
"I'll be joining the going home club."
If I joined a club, I wouldn't have time to make my moves on Hikari. Kotoha's absence would give me the opening I needed.
"Boring~"
"Why is it boring?"
"Boring~"
I pinched her nose lightly, grinning at her startled squeak.
"What are you doing?"
She retaliated, pinching mine back, and soon we were both laughing, going back and forth until her laughter dissolved into hiccups.
"Souta-kun. You're so bad."
"You're bad too."
"How am I bad?"
Her giggles slowed, and she leaned her head on my shoulder, her hair brushing against my neck. I breathed her in—her scent was soft, sweet, a faint trace of shampoo mixed with the warm sweat of her morning run.
I let myself enjoy the weight of her against me, the warmth of her body pressing close.
Soon, I'd have her pressed against me in other ways too.