Lately, Tashiro Benika had been showing up more often during the day.
She could often be found sitting in the living room for a while—not to interrupt Kuroba Akira and Shiginomiya, but just resting her chin in her hand and watching them, as if appreciating some kind of beautiful scenery.
Shiginomiya's face held a trace of awkwardness, a blush coloring her cheeks. She spoke a little shyly.
"Um… Benika-san… there's something I'd like to ask you…"
"Oh? Just say it, Shion-chan. If it's something this onee-san can do, I'll say yes."
It was obvious—Tashiro Benika genuinely liked Shiginomiya. Just like Kobayashi-obaasan, she'd started calling her "Shion-chan" from their very first meeting, treating her like a younger sister.
So it seemed that the facial wash hug Akira had once enjoyed wasn't some exclusive privilege—Benika simply had the caring, big-sister nature of someone who loved looking after others.
After all, Tashiro Benika's mental age was pushing forty. In her eyes, Kuroba Akira and Shiginomiya Shion were probably like relatives' kids.
"It's just… could I borrow a pair of pants from you?"
"What?! Shion-chan, don't tell me you don't even have a change of clothes!"
For such a small request, Benika reacted in an over-the-top way, looking completely incredulous.
"I was wondering why you're always wearing that gymnastics outfit that's practically a swimsuit. I thought you just liked wearing breezy clothes like that."
"Well… I do think it's a pretty good outfit… at least, it's easy to move around in."
Of course, the real reason was because Akira-kun liked seeing it…
Shiginomiya gave a wry smile.
"But yes, I only have two sets of clothes to swap between…"
She didn't actually wear the gym outfit every single day—sometimes she wore her sailor uniform. But she would usually wear that only when Akira was at school, and change back into the gym outfit before he returned, pairing it with white stockings—the intent behind that needed no explanation.
"That's no good! A girl should have at least seven different outfits!"
"Seven is way too much…"
"Not at all! Seven's already the bare minimum! If my work didn't require me to wear a professional skirt suit every day—and black, no less—I'd be changing into even cuter clothes every day!"
Right now, Benika was wearing high-waisted slim-fit jeans with a clean white T-shirt—a simple but stylish look that made her legs look long, gave her a youthful air, and still radiated onee-san allure.
"Shion-chan, you're so pretty—how can you not have a few nice outfits? That's wasting your looks…"
She clapped her hands as an idea struck her.
"That's it! Let's go buy clothes right now!"
"Eh?"
Shiginomiya hadn't expected that what began as a request to borrow pants would awaken Benika's 'how can I let my own kid dress so poorly, I must buy her something!' shopping instinct.
Benika stood up, grabbed Shiginomiya's hand, and started pulling her toward the door.
"Come on, let's go now! The mall should still be open at this hour—we've got time."
Shiginomiya almost let herself get pulled up—risking exposing the still-damp spot—so she quickly shook free and waved her hands.
"No, no, Benika-san, you really don't have to buy me clothes. I don't want to make you spend money…"
"Why be so formal? Besides, buying clothes for you would make me happy too, Shion-chan."
From the very first meeting, Benika had been captivated by Shiginomiya's flawless looks. It was like laying eyes on a top-grade dress-up doll—she wanted to put her in all kinds of outfits, have her pose in all kinds of ways, and then stand back to admire and take pictures.
Now she finally had an "excuse." As long as she bought Shiginomiya clothes, she could enjoy a live dress-up show. Money well spent.
"Really, it's fine… Akira-kun and I agreed we'd support ourselves with our own abilities."
Shiginomiya refused again and again. She'd already turned down offers from her father and Kobayashi-obaasan; her gym outfit and sneakers had been earned through labor. She certainly wasn't going to accept Benika's kindness now.
From the side, Akira, who'd been watching for fun, teased,
"Benika-san, you won't convince Shion like this. She doesn't accept 'unconditional sponsorship,' you know?"
That served as a hint. Benika's eyes lit up—she smacked her palm with her fist and tried a different approach.
"I get it. Then let's call it an advance investment. I'll buy you clothes now, and once you make it big, you buy me clothes in return. How about that?"
"Mm…"
This roundabout method was harder to refuse. Shiginomiya turned to Akira for his opinion.
Akira leaned back, hands behind his head.
"I think it's fine. Just don't buy anything too expensive. Shion, you really do need at least one normal outfit for going out."
Neither a sailor uniform nor a gym outfit was very suitable for outings—fine for home, but weird outside.
In Japan, JKs didn't just wander around in uniform at night or on weekends. Otherwise, they'd be taken for enjo-kōsai girls and hit on by creepy old men.
"Then… thank you for your kindness, Benika-san."
Shiginomiya bowed her head in thanks, and Benika took the chance to pull her into a hug, stroking her hair.
"Alright, alright. No need to be so formal with me."
"Mm…"
This is exactly the scene I just fantasized about… only, in my fantasy, the one hugging me was Akira-kun, not Benika-san…
I wonder when I'll actually get the chance to be hugged by him…
Akira noticed her gaze—tinged with a kind of pleading—and thought she was asking him for going-out clothes.
"When you two head out later, just wear my tracksuit, Shion. You can't go out in your gym clothes."
He was wearing the tracksuit right now—which meant he was offering to take it off and give it to her.
The moment she heard that, Shiginomiya perked right up.
She had borrowed his tracksuit before, but those had been washed. This time, she could wear one he'd just had on!
A tracksuit with Akira-kun's scent…
It wasn't an actual hug, but… it was kind of an indirect hug, wasn't it?
Wearing it would be like being wrapped in him.
She could soak in Akira-kun's scent… amazing.
The more she thought about it, the more excited she got, and she nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
"Alright, wait here, I'll go change."
Akira got up to go upstairs, but Benika called out to him.
"Why don't you come with us, Akira? It's about dinner time anyway—I'll treat you both."
"Oh? There's a deal. But you're also buying Shion's clothes—can your wallet take it, Benika-san?"
Benika made a V-sign and grinned.
"No worries, I just got paid. I can handle this much."
"Heh… just us? What about Hijikata-san?"
"He's probably still asleep at this hour. When you go up, check on him—if Yu-san's awake, bring him along. I'll go ask Kobayashi-obaasan too… Ah, this is starting to feel like a family dinner."
Family…
Hearing that word now only left Akira wistful.
He might never have the chance to see his real parents again.
Maybe Benika was thinking the same thing—Akira saw a trace of loneliness on her face.
Their eyes met, and both gave a small, wry smile… which shifted into a smile of understanding… and finally, they both laughed.
"Haha… yeah, it really does feel like that."
"Hehe, since we're all living together now, we can count as family, right, Shion-chan?"
"Mm… I suppose so."
Shiginomiya echoed the smile—but hers was a little stiff.
She was sure Benika had no romantic feelings toward Akira, but there was some special connection between them that she couldn't quite understand.
Same with Hijikata-san—the three of them didn't seem like ordinary housemates. There was a subtle, unspoken bond there.
It felt like she was the only one on the outside…
She remembered how Kobayashi-obaasan had said she wouldn't be getting a new room—it was obvious she'd known these three were special.
Come to think of it… she knew almost nothing about Akira-kun.
Where his hometown was, why he'd come to Tokyo for school, why he lived here at the Kobayashi house, why he was so fixated on making money…
She didn't know anything.
Shiginomiya suddenly realized—she didn't know the person she liked at all.
I hate… I really hate this feeling of being left out…
After the stab of disappointment, her determination surged.
She wanted to know more about Akira-kun. She didn't want to miss even the smallest detail about him.
When you truly like someone… you want to know everything about them.
Shiginomiya Shion… was now fully awakened.
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