After school ended, I waited for Kotoha in front of her classroom.
Kotoha was the kind of girl who naturally drew people in. A bright, friendly demeanor. Beautiful features softened by a radiant smile. Everyone wanted to be near her, and it showed in the crowd of boys and girls that flocked around her.
Her female friends didn't bother me, but the guys did. The way they hovered close, trying to squeeze into her attention, irritated me. It wasn't like it mattered—Kotoha only had eyes for me anyway. But seeing them circle her like insects still put me on edge.
"Kotoha-chan."
I called out just loud enough for her to hear over the chatter. My voice cut through the crowd, pulling her gaze immediately.
My presence worked like a deterrent, pushing the pests back. I wasn't lacking in looks—tall, toned from baseball, with features inherited from two attractive parents. Girls had no problem finding me appealing, and I could've been popular if I hadn't shut myself away in my last life.
"Souta-kun!"
Her face lit up as she broke away from the group, leaving them behind without hesitation. She hurried over to me, her smile so bright it made the others fade into the background.
"What are you doing here? What happened to the going home club?"
"I just wanted to see you before I leave. I'll walk you over to the track club."
Her cheeks flushed faintly at my words. She wasn't used to me being this forward. Childhood friend words on the surface. A man's words beneath. Perfectly ambiguous, leaving her heart caught in between.
We walked side by side, her blush lingering.
"Souta-kun, you're being weird."
"How am I weird?"
"Saying you want to see me."
"You don't want to see me?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Then..?"
"I liked seeing you too!"
"Weirdo."
By then her face was completely red, her embarrassment spilling out in every word. I coaxed it from her on purpose—she was too adorable not to tease. I love you too, Kotoha.
"I-I'm not talking to you anymore!"
She darted away.
"Wait!"
I chased after her, but she was years of track against my casual baseball. I couldn't catch up.
She stopped at the top of a staircase, sticking her tongue out playfully.
Ah, Kotoha, if you tease me like that I'll want to grab you by the hair and fuck your throat until you're crying.
"I can see your panties."
"W-Why are you looking at it in the first place!"
"I'm just letting you know so no one else sees."
"Souta-kun, you're being bad!"
"I'm sorry for teasing you, okay?"
"Humph. As long as you're sorry."
"Come back here now."
She pouted but came down, her fake grudge already dissolved. I knew her well enough to see through it.
We reached the track club room.
"Text me when you get home, okay? I'll go now."
"…Okay, I'll text you."
Her voice was small, shy. She wasn't used to me being this proactive, but that was exactly how I'd make her realize her feelings.
I left filled with joy.
On the way home, I thought about my next move. I needed a car. With my inheritance, I could afford one easily. If I got my license this weekend, I could spend the following week shopping for one. Two weeks at most, and I'd be able to drive Kotoha around. Until then, our morning walks together would be enough.
The walk home was fifteen minutes. No trains, just a straight road. Convenient.
Next on my list was Hikari—Kotoha's mother.
She often went shopping for groceries. Since our houses were next to each other, I could find a chance to bump into her. Peeking over the wall like a pervert was tempting, but risky. If someone caught me staring at Hikari's tits, I'd be in trouble.
Running, though—that was the perfect excuse. If I jogged around the block, I could time it to "coincidentally" see her leave. Looping every five minutes would guarantee a run-in. I could keep it up for about an hour before collapsing, but that was fine. My stamina would build over time, which would only benefit me in bed.
A perfect plan.
I changed into my tracksuit, stretched, and started running. Light jog at first, then faster. Thirty minutes later, the reward came—Hikari stepped out of her house.
She was a mature version of Kotoha, temptation wrapped in elegance. Long, black hair like silk, lashes framing big clear eyes, features refined and graceful. A motherly softness in her complexion.
Her body was devastating—enormous double E breasts, a narrow waist, wide hips. Hourglass perfection. A secret only I knew: her nipples were inverted. Pop them out and milk would leak. A gift that kept on giving.
She wore a beige blouse tucked into a long navy skirt, modest yet accentuating her curves. Sandals revealed her red-painted nails, a small flash of hidden allure.
"Hikari-san!"
I waved, jogging up to her.
"Souta-kun?"
"I'm just finishing my run. Are you going out for groceries?"
"I am. Did you just start running recently?"
"Just today."
"Why not join the track club like Kotoha?"
"I don't want to be tied down. Ah—can I help with your groceries? I might be a little sweaty though."
Hikari leaned in slightly, her nose twitching as she sniffed.
"It's alright, you don't smell."
Hikari always did this—small, intimate gestures that made me want to explode. But if I tried to push back, she'd fluster instantly. Not yet. Not until I closed the distance.
"Should we get going right away then?"
"Okay. What's with the sudden change?"
"I just feel like I haven't seen you in a while."
"We just ate together last week, though?"
That wasn't me last week, Hikari. That was the old me who didn't know how to appreciate you.
"One week is a long time for me, Hikari-san. Not saying you're old—you look like you could be Kotoha's sister!"
"So full of energy today. Fufu."
"I'm serious, though."
"Right right, let's get going."
"Okay!"
This was good. But coincidence wasn't enough. I needed more regular contact.
"Also, I want to start learning how to cook, so I wanted to tag along."
"Eating my food isn't enough?"
"Of course that's not what I mean. Since I live alone, whenever I'm not eating your food, I just order takeout."
"I guess I'll let it pass then."
"Will you teach me? Maybe I can help you cook today."
"Since you're so enthusiastic, I won't turn you down."
"I'll help carry the groceries too. It's a good deal, right?"
"Amazing deal."
I grinned wide. Just walking beside her, talking to her again—it filled me with a joy that words could barely touch.