Little by little, friction began to develop, and the events during the school trip and the student council election became the final straw, creating a huge rift.
They overcame it by exposing their ugly, embarrassing, and utterly hopeless true feelings to each other, shedding tears along the way, and the Christmas event, which the three of them tackled together for the first time in a long time, ended successfully, leaving a peaceful atmosphere in the clubroom.
In the clubroom, as usual, Yukinoshita and I were reading books, while Yuigahama was fiddling with her phone. I was sipping the tea Yukinoshita had brewed for me in the teacup they had given me as a Christmas present.
Even the most ordinary moments feel unbearably restless and precious... so restless.
Occasionally closing her phone, Yuigahama cheerfully starts a casual conversation about nothing in particular.
For a time, I was desperately searching for conversational grafts and trying to connect them, solely to avoid disrupting the atmosphere of this place. But little by little, I started chatting again with the natural, energetic, and slightly annoying tone I had before.
Suddenly, Yuigahama had an idea.
"Oh, that's right, Hikki, Yukinon, why don't we try that?"
"Huh? What?"
"...What are you talking about?"
Yukinoshita and I tilted our heads in confusion at the sudden use of demonstrative pronouns that sounded like something a stupid kid would say.
Seeing our reaction, Yuigahama frantically waved both her hands in front of her chest.
"Oh, right, you wouldn't understand if I just said it out of the blue. You know, the one Yukinon and I used to play during lunch break, where the loser of rock-paper-scissors has to buy juice!"
Yuigahama said cheerfully, "Oh, now that you mention it, I remember that happening."
That time, I was eating at my usual favorite spot when Yuigahama, who had lost at rock-paper-scissors, happened to pass by and met Totsuka. I was shocked to find out that Totsuka was a boy. And Totsuka is still an angel to me...
I was grinning, my thoughts suddenly shifting to Totsuka (not Irohasu), but Yukinoshita didn't even glance at me and clapped her hands together with an "Ah" expression.
"Yes, that happened. But why so suddenly?"
Yukinoshita's question was perfectly valid. Why now? It's cold! The hallway and outside are freezing! It's warm here, though... It's cold outside!
"Um...well, you see, I just felt like doing something insignificant again, like that time. You see, lately...it hasn't really been the right atmosphere for doing something like that..."
Yuigahama's words trailed off towards the end.
True to those words, all the conversations in the clubroom over the past month had been superficial. Moreover, Yuigahama and Yukinoshita continued that kind of conversation in the clubroom even during lunchtime.
It was easy for Yuigahama, who had always lived her life constantly reading the atmosphere, to imagine that their actions would wear down each other's hearts. Yet, she didn't stop, I think, because of her desire not to lose this place.
In fact, there's still a bit of tension between the three of us. Between me and Yukinoshita, between Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, between Yuigahama and me, and among the three of us individually.
I think going to Destiny Land was quite significant, but that doesn't mean everything is solved. The emoji I tried using is kinda creepy, isn't it?
Just like me, who was going around in circles like this, Yukinoshita must have had something on her mind as well. She put her hand to her chin and thought for a moment.
Then, she gently places her hand on her thigh and smiles softly.
"...Yeah, I guess so. It doesn't look like we'll be getting any requests today, so maybe we should just play around like this."
"Yay! Thanks, Yukinon!!"
Saying that, Yuigahama hugged Yukinoshita.
"...Ugh, so annoying..."
Yukinoshita frowned and tried to pull away, but Yuigahama wouldn't let go.
It's Yuru Yuri again today.
"Where's Hikki!?"
Still clinging to Yukinoshita, Yuigahama asked with sparkling eyes, "Wait, don't look at me with those sparkling eyes... I'll rot...!" "I'm already rotten though! I know that!"
"Oh, well, I think that's fine."
I can't exactly spoil the Yuru Yuri atmosphere. If I hesitate and Yuigahama hugs me even tighter, it'll instantly turn into a full-blown yuri scene. Do that kind of thing at Yukinoshita's house!
"Yay! Let's give it a try!"
"So, we'll play rock-paper-scissors, and the loser has to buy juice for the other two...is that right?"
She moved her chair slightly closer to the two of them, turned to the left to face Yukinoshita, who had turned to the right, and glanced at Yuigahama's face.
"Hmm... Oh, since we're at it, how about the two winners give orders to the losers?"
"Oh, uh, is that okay?"
I was so surprised that I let out a sound that I could even recognize as disgusting.
As expected, when I looked straight ahead, Yukinoshita was staring at me with eyes that looked like I was garbage. Well, I'm used to being looked at and told that! Mainly by Yukinoshita and Komachi! Doesn't the made-up word "garbage-chan" have a great sound to it and a great sense of contempt? Komachi is a true angel for coming up with a word like that. In other words, Komachi is cute.
"...It reminds me of the first time we met... Combined with those rotten eyes of yours, it almost makes me want to call the police."
"Hey, wait a minute, stop reaching for your phone while you're saying that. I mean, you've already typed up to 11 on the screen. What? Are you going to press 7? Do you want to hear the time signal?"
It's completely irrelevant, but when I type "temple treasure," I think of soap fruit. I really want to try that. Completely irrelevant.
Seeing our exchange, Yuigahama tilted her head. It's understandable.
She should have heard about the Battle Royale from Ms. Hiratsuka, but this exchange took place before Yuigahama knocked on the door of the Service Club.
"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about... but I won't order you to do anything weird like that! ...Hikki, you, um, don't say anything too weird, okay?"
She said hesitantly, her cheeks flushed, and fidgeting: "Stop it, the room temperature just suddenly rose. That's strange, isn't the heating on too high?"
"Well, let's just give it a try. The winner will be decided by a simple game of rock-paper-scissors."
...Well, that's what you say, but Yukinoshita-san, aren't you putting in a lot of effort? Why are you covering your right hand with your left hand as if you're gathering energy? The only thing that can come out of that motion is some kind of wave, you know?
I don't know how Yukinoshita sensed my internal monologue, but she glanced at me—no, glared intensely. I'm really sorry, but please stop. Every time you glare at me like that, I feel like my lifespan is shortened by about two weeks. Wait, am I not going to last until the end of this story? I wanted to be a stay-at-home husband...
"Yeah, let's just give it a try."
"Alright! Here we go! Rock, paper, scissors..."
"..."
"Hikki..."
"Even if it's all down to luck... Hikigaya-kun... I can only say that you're amazing."
First round of rock-paper-scissors.
Me: Rock
Yuigahama: Par
Yukinoshita: Par
Result: I'm a slave to two people☆
No, wait, think positively.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama are both the type of girls who tend to attract attention at school, and although they're different types, they're both praised as "cute" and "beautiful." I understand that perfectly well, and I've experienced it myself. Yukinoshita has a nasty way with words, and Yuigahama is such a ditzy girl that it almost feels like I'm dealing with a child.
Those two look at each other and say, "Hmm, what should we do?" and give me a small command. Ah, but with those two, it's kind of too late now, so it's not as special anymore. And then I realized I have a similar memory, it's a trauma from elementary school! It feels like the door to THE WORLD☆ is about to open, so I'll stop here.
"Ah, when you actually try it, you don't know what to say..."
Well, since you're the one who brought it up, you should at least think of two or three options.
"Well... how about something befitting the Service Club, like picking up trash on Mount Fuji?"
Wait, who's the premise for that request? That sounds like too much of a chore, doesn't it?
The two of them groaned for a while, but then Yuigahama clapped her hands together.
"That's right, give me a shoulder massage! Yukinon probably won't know what to say at first, so let's have Hikki give her a shoulder massage!"
"Hey, Yuigahama, you jerk," what an awkward and delightful thing to say.
"Um... but..."
Hey, Yukinoshita, why are you pretending to be confused but then giving me a cold look and putting your arm around my shoulder?
"That's great! My shoulders have been really stiff lately."
Yuigahama rotates her shoulders while saying something old-fashioned. No, well, Melon-san is also spinning around wildly... I can't look directly at it...
"Yeah, Yuigahama would definitely get really into it."
I blurted it out without thinking. And I was even comparing her to Yukinoshita while I was saying it.
The shift in my gaze was instantaneous, and it seemed Yuigahama didn't understand my intention, tilting her head with a "Huh?" expression. I don't think you're cute at all!
However, Yukinoshita noticed his gaze, and seemed to have completely read his intentions, so she was startled for a moment and looked down at her own chest. I'm sorry.
"...Even I get stiff shoulders..."
He said it in a very, very quiet voice. He was clearly sulking. Huh, this kid is so cute. No, wait, Totsuka is cuter, Totsuka is cute. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore.
Yuigahama still has that "Huh?" look on her face, tilting her head. Now she tilts it the other way. I don't think she's cute at all...!
"Yukinon's into it too! Well then, let's have her do it!"
My wishes won't be reflected, will they...? I knew that...
First, I massage Yuigahama's shoulders. Just her shoulders, mind you.
I was in despair, thinking that I'd die just from lightly touching a woman's body, let alone giving her a shoulder massage... but somehow I managed to steel myself.
However, when I stood behind Yuigahama, who had taken off her jacket and was sitting in a chair in just her shirt, that resolve vanished in an instant.
"Okay, thanks then!"
Yuigahama says it cheerfully, but I'm not in that mood.
Because just getting close to it gives off a lovely citrusy scent, and I can't help but think things like, "What a slender neck," "How beautiful," and "Melons look especially amazing from behind," and so on, I can't help but have all sorts of impure thoughts.
However, Yukinoshita is watching. There's no time to hesitate.
I gently touched Yuigahama's shoulder.
The shoulder I touched twitched in that instant.
"...Ahhh..."
Are you an idiot? That reaction is crazy, seriously. Seriously.
"I-I'm okay, so please continue...?"
Don't turn around with your cheeks all red, it'll make me imagine something completely different! Oh no oh no oh no, Yukinoshita is looking this way, I have to keep going.
"...Okay, let's go."
"…yeah"
I wanted to completely shut down the imagination that I take such pride in, just for this moment.
As I began the massage slowly, we both seemed to get used to each other, and our movements and reactions gradually became more natural.
"Wow, Hikki's really good... This is pure bliss..."
I can't see his face from here, but he probably looks like he's just soaked in a hot spring.
"Well, I've massaged my mother's and Komachi's shoulders countless times."
Yeah, I really do massage them well. Dad, can you stop giving me that deadly look when I'm massaging Komachi's shoulders? I doubt Komachi will ever let you massage her shoulders. It's an impossible dream!
"Oh, really... Ahhh, this is paradise..."
The voice gradually gets quieter. Huh? What? Why?
I gently peered into his face.
"...sleepy..."
He fell asleep...!!!!
That was quick. It only took five minutes. And I was sitting on a hard chair, and both Yukinoshita and I were there. What audacity.
...Well, I guess they're feeling relieved.
"Oh, Yuigahama-san has fallen asleep?... Honestly..."
Yukinoshita, though exasperated, placed a chair next to Yuigahama and pulled her close to him.
I was letting her rest her head on my lap.
"...Huh? What, are you Mom?"
"...It's your older sister."
It's confirmed that we're family...
"Okay, it's my turn next..."
As Yuigahama slept soundly and blissfully, her head resting on Yukinoshita's lap, Yukinoshita slowly took off her school uniform jacket. That seemingly insignificant gesture made my heart pound.
His attire is nothing special—just a dress shirt—but the glimpse of his neck and the more clearly defined lines of his body are captivating.
"...Nice to meet you... okay...?"
Wait a minute. Why are you asking me this at this particular moment, blushing and looking so embarrassed? Don't underestimate the power of that! Unlike Hino or Isshiki, she's not calculating it; she's genuinely embarrassed, and that's just so annoying! Plus, she smells good! This is bad!
"…Ou"
Just like at Yuigahama, I carefully placed my hand on his shoulder.
At that moment.
"Ahhh...!!"
Clearly, it was a sweet, high-pitched, soprano-like voice I had never heard before.
I flinched for a moment, but Yuigahama seemed to wake up groggily, saying "Huh...?", so I quickly returned to my original position.
...Oh, I remember now. I recall Haruno-san saying cheerfully before, "Yukino-chan, you know? She's quite sensitive! I can't really tease her about that in front of everyone, but you should try it sometime♪"
I would have thought you'd be messing around with it regardless of time or place...
"...Are you okay?"
I listened, trying to appear as calm as possible.
"...It's okay, continue?"
Unable to control her voice, Yukinoshita replied.
Seriously, why did you get on the shoulder massager...?
Well, I guess it's because I looked at your chest. I'm really sorry about that.
...Yuihama is sleeping right in front of her, and Yukinoshita is trying to refrain from raising her voice so as not to wake her.
Damn, to be honest, I'm excited.
Once again, I press my hands into his shoulders, this time slowly, as if sinking down.
"Ahh...ugh...ah..."
He held back a muffled voice, trying not to wake Yuigahama, and pressed his hand against her head.
He was desperately trying to endure it, arching his back and then straightening it.
Gradually, my sadistic side started to kick in. It was a new discovery for me—I didn't know I had this side to me.
"...Huff...Huff...Mmm...!"
After about five minutes, Yukinoshita was, in a word, "finished."
Sweat glistened on her beautiful neck, and her dress shirt was slightly see-through, revealing a faint glimpse of her bra.
Her voice grew sweeter and sweeter, and halfway through, she placed her left hand on Yuigahama while using her right hand to cover her own mouth.
...What is this? Why does just a shoulder massage get so erotic? I think it's unfair how her body trembles so seductively.
Calm down, My Hachiman! This is no joke! It was pressed all the way up to 11 just now!
As my thoughts swirled around and around, I gradually found myself wanting to do something to this girl in front of me.
To be continued.