"Sigh... you, honestly. I think you're too busy enjoying the thrill of juggling multiple relationships—you haven't put any real thought into how to maintain balance between them," Ayani Kika lectured.
"Hehe..."
Kotomi Izumi gave an embarrassed laugh, then continued:
"Kika-nee, I'll definitely keep your criticism firmly in mind! But this is how things are right now—I really want to sit in your lap while working on my manuscript! But I'm afraid my girlfriends will scold me... I don't want to be called a scumbag who plays multiple sides..."
"Huh? Do you actually think you're some pure, innocent girl? The moment you say 'girlfriends,' you've already become a little scumbag."
When Ayani Kika said "girlfriends," she deliberately emphasized the plural.
Kotomi's cheeks flushed slightly at her words. After pausing for a moment, she said awkwardly:
"Kika-nee, I have a friend named Yukino Yukinoshita. You two should exchange techniques on sharp-tongued insults sometime."
"Didn't she just confess to you? Why are you still calling her a friend?" Ayani Kika asked in confusion.
"Ahem, even though she confessed to me, I haven't fully accepted yet. So for now, I still treat her as a friend. Only after I completely respond to her will our relationship take the next step into becoming lovers."
"I don't know why, but when you say that, a certain image comes to mind," Ayani Kika said seriously after a brief silence.
"What image?"
Kotomi was curious and confused. She had been speaking normally—how did it suddenly turn into imagery? Even if there was some insight, shouldn't it be more of a feeling rather than a visual?
"A cluster of willow fluff drifting gently on water," Ayani Kika said calmly.
Kotomi was just about to comment that the imagery sounded poetic.
But before she could speak, her clever little brain suddenly jolted.
Kotomi's sudden realization activated!
In an instant, she understood what Ayani Kika was implying.
Her face flushed red—not just from embarrassment this time, but from anger:
"Y-You... are you calling me promiscuous?!"
"I simply described the image that appeared in my mind. There was no implication at all. But if that's how you interpret it, perhaps that's how you see yourself," Ayani Kika replied meaningfully, denying any intent.
"You... fine! If you say I'm promiscuous, then I'm promiscuous! Since you say that, then no matter how many girls I date or flirt with in the future, you can't get angry or criticize me!" Kotomi deliberately used a provoking tone.
However, Ayani Kika, who seemed completely familiar with Kotomi's tactics, effortlessly sidestepped the provocation and replied with a gentle smile:
"Even if I don't say anything, aren't you already dating multiple girls at the same time? Doesn't seem like anything would change."
"Tch. My phone's out of battery. I'm hanging up."
Seeing she couldn't win, Kotomi didn't linger and chose to retreat immediately.
Running away may be shameful—but it works!
Ayani Kika could naturally see through Kotomi's little thoughts, but that slightly cheeky cuteness only made the smile on her lips grow deeper.
"Is that so? Then make sure to charge your phone well tonight."
"Got it~"
Just as Kotomi was about to hang up, Ayani Kika suddenly added:
"Kotomi, next time you come to Kyoto alone, remember to bring your computer."
"Eh? Why do I need to bring my computer?" Kotomi asked, puzzled.
"Didn't you say you want to sit in my lap while working? Since you won't let me go to Chiba now, then next time you come to Kyoto, bring your computer to my house and sit in my lap while working. That way, you won't have to worry about your girlfriends finding out."
Only then did Kotomi understand. She was just about to say, 'Brilliant!'
But before she could speak, Ayani Kika continued—this time with a hint of warning in her tone:
"Of course, that's only if you come alone. If you come like this time—bringing two girlfriends to Kyoto and only sparing one day for me... then you'd better think carefully about how you're going to cheer up an angry me. Just so you know, I don't get angry often, but when I do, it's quite terrifying."
Even though they were only speaking over the phone, Kotomi instinctively shrank her neck slightly, feeling a bit nervous.
Because she suddenly remembered—when she first started dating Megumi Kato, Megumi rarely got angry and always had a gentle smile. Back then, Kotomi would never have imagined that Megumi's true nature was a yandere who could turn dark and pull out a knife.
Kotomi naturally understood the hidden meaning behind Kika's words.
Even though Ayani Kika hadn't voiced any complaints in Kyoto, that didn't mean she was truly happy.
She wanted more time alone with Kotomi. But during this trip, Kotomi had spent most of her time with Yui Yuigahama and Yukino Yukinoshita. Even the one day she spent with Kika had been squeezed out of an already packed schedule.
Of course Ayani Kika would feel unbalanced.
Now, during this phone call, she was simply taking the opportunity to express a small complaint.
"Why did you suddenly go quiet? Is the signal bad on the train?" Ayani Kika asked. She had been waiting for a response, but Kotomi had been silent for quite a while.
"Yeah, maybe we've gone pretty far already. The signal was a bit bad just now," Kotomi lied smoothly, then added sweetly:
"Next time I go to Kyoto, I'll definitely try to go alone, so I can spend every day with you, Kika-nee~"
"That's more like it," Ayani Kika said, the smile in her voice returning.
After chatting a bit more, Kotomi asked:
"Kika-nee, it's getting late. Have you gotten home yet?"
"I'm sitting on my bicycle right now, at a traffic light not far from the station."
"You've been there this whole time since earlier?"
"Of course. What else would I do? I can't exactly ride a bicycle while talking on the phone—that's unsafe and against traffic rules," Ayani Kika replied matter-of-factly.
"Then hurry up and go home! It's so cold—aren't you afraid of catching a cold? If there's a convenience store on the way, remember to buy a pair of cotton gloves!" Kotomi urged helplessly.
She had thought Kika was already home, but instead, she had been sitting on her bicycle in the cold wind just to talk to her.
"I did feel a bit cold earlier, but after hearing your concern, I suddenly don't feel cold anymore," Ayani Kika said with a soft laugh.
"You... I'm hanging up now. Go home quickly and don't catch a cold. Once you're home, drink something warm to heat up. When I visited your house last time, I noticed you left something as important as your kettle in the cabinet—I already took it out and placed it on the kitchen counter for you."
"Got it~ So considerate. Looks like you're gradually becoming the mistress of this household," Ayani Kika said with a smile.
"You're so annoying!"
Kotomi shouted with a flushed face, then hung up.
After ending the call, she touched her cheeks. They had cooled down earlier from washing her face with cold water, but now they were gradually heating up again.
"Come to think of it, didn't I come to the restroom to cool my face down?"
Blushing, Kotomi turned on the faucet and continued washing her face with cold water.
After washing her face with cold water once more and finally calming the faint heat on her cheeks, Kotomi Izumi stepped out of the restroom and returned to her seat.
As soon as she sat down, Yukino Yukinoshita handed her a tissue and said calmly:
"There are still water droplets on your cheeks."
"Oh, okay, thanks. I didn't use the towel in the restroom—I figured even if I didn't wipe them, they'd dry on their own after a while," Kotomi said as she accepted the tissue.
"In winter, you should always dry your hands and face properly after washing. Otherwise, your skin can easily become rough from the cold. With skin as delicate as yours, wouldn't it be a waste if it became rough?"
"Ah, I didn't know there was something like that," Kotomi replied with a cheerful smile.
"Eh? You don't usually take care of your skin?"
"Does applying hand cream once a day count?" Kotomi answered.
Hearing this, Yukino reached out and touched Kotomi's hand again, then said faintly:
"If those beauty-conscious girls heard that, they'd definitely rush to ask what brand of hand cream you use."
"Haha, then I'd better go ask which cosmetics company is willing to pay me advertising fees. When the time comes, whichever pays more, I'll say I use their hand cream," Kotomi joked.
Buying a spacious apartment with money she earned herself—this had always been a goal Kotomi kept in mind. Naturally, she would occasionally think about how to make more money under the pen name "Izumi Ki."
Yui Yuigahama was still fast asleep. After chatting with Yukino Yukinoshita for a while, Kotomi also began to feel drowsy.
"Yukino, I'm a bit sleepy, so I'm going to sleep first. I like to sleep in, so if we arrive tomorrow morning and I'm still not awake, remember to wake me," Kotomi said, rubbing her eyes.
"Alright. I'm about to sleep as well. Just to be safe, I'll set an alarm," Yukino replied.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
After saying that, Kotomi asked the attendant for three blankets and eye masks.
After receiving them, she gently covered Yui with a blanket and carefully placed an eye mask over her eyes.
After finishing, Kotomi let out a soft chuckle and whispered:
"Yui fell asleep too early and forgot to cover herself with a blanket. Even though it's warm in the premium cabin, it's still better to have one."
From beginning to end, Yukino had been watching Kotomi cover Yui with the blanket and put on the eye mask. Kotomi's careful movements, gentle gaze, and soft voice stirred a trace of jealousy in Yukino's heart. If I had known, I would have fallen asleep earlier too. I also want Kotomi to cover me with a blanket and put on an eye mask...
After taking care of Yui, Kotomi glanced at Yukino. Just moments ago, Yukino had been planning to read a few more pages before sleeping, but now she had already covered herself with a blanket and lay on the reclined seat, turned slightly to the side. From behind, she looked somewhat sulky.
Kotomi froze for a few seconds, then couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh.
What's with this little tigress suddenly throwing a tantrum?
Thinking this, Kotomi smiled again. After softly saying goodnight to Yukino, she lay down under her blanket.
I wonder if she even heard my goodnight...
Kotomi thought before drifting off to sleep.
A moment later, Yukino turned around and looked at Kotomi's sleeping face. With slightly flushed cheeks, she softly said goodnight.
When she lay down again, she deliberately moved a little closer to Kotomi.
Yukino wanted to hold Kotomi while sleeping, but she didn't have the courage. After all, Yui was still beside them. Being able to move this little bit closer was already the greatest bravery she could muster right now.
Kotomi had a dream.
In a dim room, the only source of light was a few lit candles.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The snow-white clay placed on the ritual stands resembled freshly scooped snow in winter, marked with small, blood-red handprints like cherry blossoms.
The white clay's glossy surface reflected the flickering candlelight. The increasing number of crimson handprints looked like drops of blood falling onto pure white snow.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
In the room where only a single girl was present, the only sound that echoed was this endlessly repeating tapping.
The girl, dressed in a dark red kimono, sat silently within the circle of candles. Her pink hair trailed across the cold floor.
In this vast, dimly lit room where only a few candles served as light, the pink-haired girl remained expressionless, repeating the motions of pounding and kneading the white clay over and over again. She had long lost count of how many times she had repeated these actions.
Her emotions and sense of self were gradually numbing, to the point where she no longer felt the pain from the wounds on her hands, where blood still flowed.
Kotomi stood not far away, watching the pink-haired girl surrounded by candles. For some reason, the girl's figure gave her a strange sense of familiarity.
The familiarity rising in her heart urged Kotomi to step forward and approach the girl.
"Hello, I..."
Kotomi wasn't sure if speaking at this moment would disturb the girl, who was busy working the clay. But the familiarity of that figure still compelled her to speak.
The pink-haired girl in the dark red kimono gave no response and continued her actions.
Kotomi thought perhaps her voice hadn't been loud enough. After all, the room was very spacious—eerily so, as there wasn't a single piece of furniture inside.
The only things present were the candles surrounding the girl and the ritual stands holding the white clay.
Kotomi stepped closer, wanting to speak again at a nearer distance.
Only then did she notice that there were nine identical ritual stands around the girl.
Including the one she was currently using, there were ten in total.
Just as Kotomi was about to speak, the corner of her eye suddenly caught something strange—her foot passed through one of the ritual stands as if through air.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Kotomi realized that her current state was less like a human and more like an invisible, intangible ghost. No wonder the girl hadn't responded—she simply couldn't hear her.
Since she couldn't speak to her, she could only observe.
Thinking this, Kotomi walked in front of the girl, sat down, and looked at her face.
The moment her gaze fell upon the girl's face, an intense surge of emotion erupted within her. Her beautiful eyes trembled uncontrollably, her breathing became uneven, and as tears streamed down her cheeks, she spoke the name she had longed for day and night:
"Kazumi..."
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