Because she had obtained her driver's license many years ago, when Takanashi Junko finally drove the car out of the dealership, her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. Her expression was no longer the mixture of relief and joy she had shown earlier; instead, she looked serious, like a soldier heading into battle.
Rikka chattered away in the passenger seat, her hands exploring here and there, constantly exclaiming at little things—but none of it seemed to distract Junko for even a second.
When they passed narrow paths and met oncoming vehicles, she panicked slightly, worried she might misjudge the distance and scrape against them. She braked abruptly, letting the other car pass before slowly resuming her drive. Her approach seemed to follow a principle: better to do nothing at all than risk making a mistake.
They navigated the tricky roads and eventually reached the parking lot without incident. With the car's panoramic camera, backing into a parking space posed no real difficulty.
Finally parked, Junko turned off the engine and let out a sigh of relief. "Sorry, it's been a few years since I last drove… I'm a bit rusty."
Toka shook her head. "It's okay. That road near our house has very few cars and pedestrians at night. Just practice more, Mom, and you'll be fine."
Senya stepped out from the backseat and took Kokoyo from Toka's hands. "Honestly, Mom, I think you drove really well. Your starts and stops were smooth, no jerky movements at all, and your spacing was good too."
Rikka quickly chimed in. "Exactly! Even taxis make me feel a bit dizzy from all the swaying, but in Mom's car, I don't feel that at all."
Junko smiled, feeling reassured, but she still sounded a bit unsure. "Is it just my imagination?"
"Maybe for you alone, but Senya just said it too," Toka said.
"Exactly. If we talk about controlling the accelerator, Mom, you drive almost as well as Miyako-san. What you're missing is just that instinct for distance, which comes naturally with more practice."
"Exactly, exactly!"
Toka took Kokoyo back from Senya, smiling as she watched the playful exchange between her foster siblings. She understood immediately: they were boosting Mom's confidence in driving.
The group then headed toward the restaurant. Senya walked beside Junko, letting out a quiet sigh. "I guess it's my fault for not thinking it through. I should have chosen a slightly smaller car. It might've been easier to handle."
"Don't say that, Senya. I really like the car you picked. The bigger size is more convenient for the whole family," Junko replied warmly.
"Exactly! Big is good—don't you think it looks powerful?" Rikka added.
"Well, once you get your license, Rikka, I'll get you a car too," Senya said.
"Really?!"
"Yeah, a van."
"…."
That night, everyone had a joyful evening together, only slightly dampened by the absence of Senya's father.
On the way home from dinner, Junko asked permission from everyone and deliberately drove a few extra laps. She was fine driving—it was just that she had been too nervous and hadn't driven in years. Now, deliberately practicing various functions and controls, she gradually relaxed and drove more naturally.
"Senya, thank you so much today. I'm really happy…"
That night, before going to bed, Junko came to his room for a rare mother-son heart-to-heart.
After she left and returned to her room, Toka slid in smoothly, as usual.
Senya noticed that today she was unusually wearing a sleek nightdress instead of her usual two-piece pajamas—a dark purple piece, delicately adorned with lace, slightly backless, with a low neckline revealing a subtle but elegant curve.
He couldn't help but stare.
Toka looked slightly embarrassed. "…It's my new nightdress. Why, does it look wrong?"
Senya shook his head. "No, it's perfect… Actually, with how beautiful you are, anything would look perfect on you."
"You're so cheeky…" she muttered softly, yet turned her head to bite her lip shyly, revealing a moment of vulnerability.
Sitting on the bed, hands supporting her sides, her small feet tapping lightly, she said, "…Mom was in your room for so long, probably half an hour. What did you two talk about?"
Senya pulled over a chair and sat facing her, speaking seriously. "We discussed some important things. I asked Mom to let me take care of you. She was surprised at first, but I convinced her. She agreed to let us handle our matters ourselves, since it's all within the family."
Toka froze, eyes wide, body tense, as if even a breeze could crumble her.
Senya couldn't help but chuckle. "Toka, you're too cute. Of course, I wouldn't tell Mom yet. I promised you, remember?"
Toka relaxed, exhaling slowly. Then, expressionless, she kneeled between his legs, hands outstretched but not touching, voice flat:
"Next time you joke like that, I'll get rid of you before I die of fright."
"Suicide pact… actually, not a bad idea."
"I'm not doing a pact with you! Don't move! I'm serious!"
"Sure, sure. You say yours, I touch mine. But really, it's not my fault—your body just draws me in. It's all your fault."
"You're no different from those criminals making excuses after being caught."
"Nope, there's a difference. First, I'm a way more handsome and excellent criminal. Second… you like it yourself."
"I… I don't… I don't…"
Because Senya had lightly tickled her, Toka, previously composed, now collapsed softly into his arms. Like Saeko, she couldn't resist his closeness, even while verbally protesting. Her body was honest.
Senya carried Toka to the door. She hesitated, then considering it was past ten and Junko wouldn't come upstairs again, plus Rikka could handle anything, she finally locked the door as he wanted.
They settled on the bed, leaning together.
"Mom just said I don't need to buy expensive gifts for her or Dad anymore. She said I should save my money; I'll have my own home someday. By then, money will be useful in many ways."
"That's just like Mom's personality," Toka said.
"And she asked about school and work, so I don't have to stress so much. No matter what happens, she and Dad will support me… That's about it."
"Oh…"
"By the way, you're graduating soon."
"Yeah."
"Mom also said she'll schedule a meeting with your homeroom teacher—a three-way discussion between student, parent, and teacher—to help plan your future."
"Yes, in about two weeks."
"Do you have any ideas? Mom seemed a bit worried, asking if I knew your thoughts."
"To be honest, I'm a little lost."
Since finishing rhythmic gymnastics in elementary school, she hadn't joined any clubs. Her life was a simple routine of school and home, with free time spent on chores and cooking. She liked it, but she couldn't tell Senya that.
He reassured her. "Being lost is fine. Take your time to find your goal. I was lost before I met you too, but I eventually found something worth striving for. Don't rush—just go with the flow."
"Hmm…"
She noticed Senya's hand near her skirt, clearly trying to get closer… but no.
"…We're at home," she reminded him, holding his hand firmly.
Senya grinned. "So, it's fine if we're not at home?"
"Don't twist my words. Just… no."
"Eh~"
"If you really want, go find Saeko."
"Saeko's busy too… I can't trouble her all the time, and honestly, I'm not sure she could handle it…"
"Stop! I don't want to hear about you and her."
"You brought it up!"
"I need to go back to my room."
"Stay a bit longer."
"It's late. You're off work, but remember to rest—this is the most important period for your development."
"So you rejected me for my development?"
"Think whatever you want."
"By the way, do you want to get a driver's license?"
"Why bring that up now?"
"Just thinking it would be convenient for trips. Plus, there's another reason I picked this car."
"?"
"The backseat folds flat. Two adults can lie down with a thin mattress and blanket. Sleeping? No problem."
Seeing his eager look, Toka raised an eyebrow and lightly rested her hand on his waist. "What are you implying?"
"That we could drive to nearby nature spots in Tokyo, no tent needed."
"…You'd better really mean a road trip."
"Otherwise what could I mean?"
Senya blinked innocently.
Toka huffed, embarrassed, and got out of bed.
"Eh… really leaving? That night at the hotel, holding you felt so safe… wanted to do it again tonight."
"Don't say things that didn't happen. That night, you didn't sleep at all," Toka replied, opening the door, then peeked back softly: "Get some rest. Good night."
"Mm, good night."
Back in her room, Toka leaned against the door, reached under her skirt, bent down cautiously, and lifted her feet, feeling shy as she looked down. Being held by Senya and his hands exploring her waist had already affected her…
Fortunately, today's nightdress was cotton, not thin or revealing. Otherwise…
After wiping off, she changed clothes and carefully mixed the used ones with fresh laundry, taking them downstairs. At least then, if Mom or Senya noticed her late-night laundry, she could say she forgot them earlier—a perfect solution.
Unfortunately, Senya wasn't like anyone else.
"So… thighs tightly together, just as I thought… better not look, or I won't sleep," he muttered, moving to his desk and picking up the latest volume of Kasumi Shiko's Love Metronome.
Her writing was delicate, focusing on emotional nuance—perfect bedtime reading.
Most of his tasks were done, but August would bring the Hayakawa Science Fiction Award results.
His matters with Saeko were becoming harder to address. Some wounds never heal unless opened and cleaned. This weekend, he planned to meet her alone, continuing their hotel conversation and fully explaining his situation.
For Kasumino Oka Shiko, having acknowledged her feelings for Senya, each day was spent improving herself—fashion sense, black stockings, cooking… all to impress him.
But things hadn't gone smoothly.
That night at the hotel replayed endlessly in her mind. He had said he liked her: both as the light novel author Kasumi Shiko and in her private self, Kasumino Oka Shiko.
Later, at the beach, he said he wanted to spend his life with her—marriage. A clear confession, yet when asked, he said otherwise.
She was left in constant confusion.
Since returning from the beach, she had suffered insomnia. Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, difficulty focusing on writing, mood swings, and even a delayed period.
"Thank goodness you're here, Saeko, or I'd be lost," Shiko muttered during lunch break in the nurse's office.
With only the two of them, Saeko carefully wiped Shiko's sweat and placed a heat pack on her abdomen to relieve menstrual pain.
"Don't mention it," Saeko said.
"Still… thanks. You really helped. If you weren't here, I'd have been embarrassed in class."
Minutes earlier, Shiko had been curled in her seat in pain. Saeko, barely changed out of her kendo uniform, had rushed to help, bought sanitary products, and brought her to the nurse's office.
Shiko's pain eased slightly.
"Do you always hurt this much?" Saeko asked, concerned.
"No, not usually this severe," Shiko admitted, breathing heavily, like after intense exercise.
She tried to smile but noticed something unexpected: her hands had unconsciously pulled at Saeko's uniform, exposing her neck. The fair skin there now bore several red marks, vivid and striking.
…