At the high school I attend, there's a group called the Four Heavenly Beauties. There's the popular classic beauty Tatemiya Nanami, and the cool student council president Kurasue Sumire. The remaining two are Matsuki Ichika and Hamabe Mitsuki, who are standing right in front of me now.
"What the hell are you just standing there for?! Explain yourself properly, you trash bastard!!"
Matsuki Ichika's face is bright red as she yells at me. Ever since we started high school, she's had it out for me from our very first meeting, constantly hurling abuse at me whenever she gets the chance.
"Kido... why are you...?"
Hamabe Mitsuki seems confused seeing me here. I've recently become friends with Hamabe through Alouette. She's also the only girl besides the student council president who has me on LINE.
"Wait... don't tell you two are... Recipients?"
Given that they're in this room, there's no doubt about it. But even though my head understands, my heart hasn't caught up yet.
"Hah?! That's none of your damn business!! We're here to meet the Seeder, so get the hell out of our sight!! Or just drop dead right now!!"
"W-wait, Ichika, calm down. If Kido's here, then maybe..."
Hamabe tries to soothe the furious Matsuki. It seems Hamabe is starting to understand the situation.
"Matsuki! I'm the Seeder you're here to meet!"
"Hah?! What the hell are you talking about?! Why would you be the Seeder?! Don't mess with me!"
"Then why do you think I'm here?! Cool your head and think for a second!"
"That's right, Ichika, calm down a bit. Kido, is what you just said true?"
Still holding Matsuki's shoulders, Hamabe turns her face toward me.
"It's true. I was told in June that I'm a Genius Gene Holder, and I became a Seeder in July. If you two don't believe me, you can ask Ohno-san."
At the mention of "Ohno-san," both of their eyes widen as they stare at me. They must be really shocked—their mouths are hanging open.
"F-for real?!... Kido is... a Genius Gene Holder?!"
"No no no way! That's impossible! I can't accept this! There's no way I'm doing it with Creepy Hall!!"
Watching Matsuki reject the idea with her whole body, I let out a deep sigh. I finally understand. Ohno-san is really something else. Knowing my relationship with Matsuki and still throwing us into this situation...
"Fine, whatever. I don't want to do it with someone who's against it either. Just leave if you want."
"Hah?! Who the hell do you think you are, Creepy Hall, giving orders like that?!"
"It's not about giving orders—it's the truth. I'm a Genius Gene Holder, and there are tens of thousands of people waiting in line to do it with me. If you don't want to, then get out of the way for them!"
Ugh... That felt surprisingly good. I finally got to talk back to Matsuki after all the crap she's given me! Oh, Matsuki's trembling, unable to say anything. Wait, is she tearing up? Maybe I went too far...
"Ichika..."
Hamabe looks back and forth between me and Matsuki, flustered. Sorry, Hamabe. We just became friends, and I never wanted us to meet like this in a place like this.
"Hamabe, you don't have to force yourself either. You don't want to suddenly do it with me, right?"
"But... if I leave now, I won't be able to become a Recipient anymore..."
"Well, that's just how the rules are. It can't be helped."
A heavy silence falls between us. Both of them seem too confused to know what to do. I don't know the details, but becoming a Recipient is supposedly really tough. Even if you pass the paperwork and are lucky enough to be selected as a candidate, you have to go through over a year of interviews with Ohno-san and the others, maintain your living conditions, and keep your physical and mental health in check. You can't just throw away something you worked that hard for.
Knock knock
Huh? Someone's knocking at the door. Ohno-san? Even she must have seen this coming. That's probably why she's here to help.
I walk over to the door and quickly grab the knob.
"Hey! Chifumi-kun, it's been five days!"
"Y-Yua-san?!"
"Hello, Chifumi-kun. It's been ten days for me, I think?"
"Ayaka-san too?! What are you two doing here?!"
"Well~, someone asked us for a favor. They said you needed help—that you were in trouble right now."
"I got a message from Ayaka-chan. I told her I'd be happy to help Chifumi-kun anytime."
"Th-thank you. But who's this 'someone'...?"
"We'll talk about that later!"
Yua-san and Ayaka-san push past me and enter the room.
"No way!! Yua-chan?!... A goddess?!"
"Whoa!! For real?! Why?!"
Matsuki and Hamabe are completely overwhelmed by Yua-san and Ayaka-san's aura. Well, duh. If two top-tier celebrities suddenly appeared in front of you, anyone would react like that. That said, Yua-san and Ayaka-san really are on another level looks-wise. Matsuki and Hamabe are called the Four Heavenly Beauties, so they're definitely high on the attractiveness scale, but compared to Yua-san and Ayaka-san, it's like the difference between a Major Leaguer and a high school baseball player.
"You must be Matsuki Ichika-chan? You're super cute!"
"H-huh?! Ah, um, I-I love Yua-chan, like, seriously, I respect you so much, this is crazy crazy crazy! What do I do, Mickey?!"
"And you must be Hamabe Mitsuki-chan. Nice to meet you, I'm Kawana Ayaka."
"Whoa! For real?! Ah, n-nice to meet you too. I'm Hamabe Mitsuki. P-p-pleased to meet you!"
Hamabe's trembling from nerves. Matsuki's covering her mouth with her hands... Oh, she's crying.
"Now now, no need to be so nervous. Here, wipe your tears. You'll ruin your makeup."
Yua-san gently wipes Matsuki's face with a handkerchief.
"That's right. You two are Recipients, right? That means you're our little sisters now, so let's get along."
At Ayaka-san's words, Matsuki and Hamabe's faces light up. Well, of course they'd react like that after being called sisters by Kawakami Yua and Kawana Ayaka.
"But Ayaka-san, these two don't seem to want to receive the seeding."
"Eh, really?! Why why?"
Ayaka-san looks back and forth between Matsuki and Hamabe in surprise.
"N-no, it's not like that! Don't say unnecessary things, Cr... eepy Hall!"
"I don't mind either. I was just surprised..."
"Ah, that's good. Then there's no problem, so we'll be going now. Let's go, Yua-san."
"Right. Let's grab dinner together when you're done. Good luck, you two. Chifumi-kun, be gentle with them, okay? ♡"
"Y-yes!"
The two who appeared out of nowhere completely flipped the tense mood in an instant, then left like a storm. Matsuki and Hamabe are still standing there, stunned by what just happened.
"Alright then..."
I plop down on the sofa and cross my legs. I've been pushed around by Matsuki's attitude this whole time, but now it's my turn.
"So, what'll it be, you two? Like I said before, I'm not into forcing anyone. You can leave the room now or go through with the seeding—it's your choice."
At my words, the two seem to snap out of it, glancing at each other with "What should we do?" expressions. Maybe it's because they just met Yua-san and Ayaka-san, but they both look oddly childish right now.
That said, Matsuki's mannerisms... I feel like I've seen them somewhere before. That fidgety way she moves...
I can't recall anything no matter how hard I think. As I'm scratching my head, Hamabe speaks up.
"U-um, I never said I didn't want to. I was just surprised. Kido's my friend, and he's a good guy..."
"W-wait, Mickey!"
"Yeah, I got it, Hamabe. Don't worry, I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with. You can relax."
"...Okay."
Hamabe gives a small nod and smiles for the first time today. A cute snaggletooth peeks out from the left corner of her mouth.
"W-wait, I don't exactly hate the idea either!"
Seeing Hamabe's resolve, Matsuki cuts in with a flustered expression.
"But you just said 'no way' earlier."
"Th-that's because I thought you were lying... But you've done it with Yua-chan and Ayaka-chan, right?"
"Yeah. About three times with Yua-san, and twice with Ayaka-san."
"S-so that means Yua-chan is gonna have your kid, right?"
"Of course. If Matsuki has my kid, she'll become Yua-san's relative."
"Guh?!"
My words seem to hit hard—Matsuki lets out a weird noise and clutches her chest.
"W-well, no need to rush your decision. We've got time. —Hamabe, let's go to the bed over there first."
I reach out my hand to Hamabe.
"O-okay."
She responds, but still seems a little hesitant. Even though she's smiling, she hasn't fully made up her mind yet.
"Hold it!! I'm going first! Mickey's not mentally ready yet!"
With that, Matsuki suddenly grabs my outstretched hand.
"I-Ichika..."
"Creepy Hall! I hate you, but I can be Yua-chan's sister! I'll endure it!"
Spitting out the least romantic, most calculating line possible, Matsuki drags me toward the bed.
...Am I really gonna get hard for someone like this?