Chapter 2121: Another Visitor

"Huh... Would you look at that? Are you also here to ask me for advice? Or to give me a piece of your mind?"

Not long after Eri returned upstairs, I welcomed another visitor. I did expect this somewhat considering Eri took so long to return. On top of that, she was left behind with Akane and Fuyu there.

No matter what kind of topic they discussed, my name would be brought up one way or another, right?

Anyway, it's really going to be a long night...

Hearing my slightly sarcastic tone, Futaba's eyebrows slanted.

I'd already seen her in the room earlier but somehow, seeing her whole figure in her pajamas was giving me a few silly ideas. Something like she looks better in her natural form and... she's already approaching the same size as Fuyu.

Even if I didn't want to focus on it, it's quite emphasized this time.

Her top was quite tight on her chest, highlighting it unintentionally. Was she wearing pajamas one size smaller? I don't know. Maybe, that part of her had just grown recently and she had yet to buy a new one.

Futaba didn't answer my question, instead, she suddenly covered up that part of her. Most likely, she noticed that my eyes got stuck there.

"Shameless Onoda-kun, I can see where your eyes are wandering."

"Yeah. My bad. Am I in trouble?"

Since she caught me red-handed, making an excuse would just make me sound pathetic even if it sounded valid. I mean, I was sitting on the sofa while she approached from the side. Her chest was in line with my vision.

True, I could've raised my head to face her. However, that tightness got me stuck for a few seconds which led to this moment.

"Un. You are. Move over. Let me sit down first."

I heard stifled laughter from the girl before she took a step forward and said that in a cold yet playful tone.

I obediently did as she asked and the girl took the space where Eri was just sitting earlier. With this, our eyesight intersected.

I left the room earlier after teasing her with the sweets that I brought. But at the moment, it appeared as though she had long recovered from it and her usual countenance returned.

Still, I had no idea what she was here for. If she's here to ask me a question, she'd be like Eri. She would hesitate first before bringing it up. However, from what I could see at the moment, there wasn't any indication of her being troubled about something.

Which means... Futaba came down here of her own volition. Akane wasn't responsible for sending her here.

So, by the process of elimination, it's about the sweets and Fuyu, right?

"Onoda-kun." She started, "I still don't know how I will feel about you and Fuyu."

"Mhm. That's fair." I swiftly replied. "You don't have to accept it right away."

"Right? I wasn't even that serious in suspecting you. But you went and revealed it in the most shocking way. Imagine being in my shoes. I thought you were just playing with us before saying 'gotcha' at the end. Oh, how wrong I was..."

Ah. So she's going for this route, huh? Letting me know how it affected her. She's here to reconcile with the reality that I'm truly dating Fuyu now. It's normal as a concerned individual. It just showed that she truly valued their friendship.

"Yeah... That's indeed me jumping the gun. I tend to overthink things. When I heard how you noticed Fuyu has changed around me, I thought it would be difficult to continue hiding it from you two. You're always together. You'll be able to notice the changes in her."

"Now that you mention it, she's blooming during the day. It felt like Fuyu had just broken out of the ice she encased herself with. She's also shining as bright as Akane."

If Futaba noticed it during the day, there's no doubt that there were more people who saw the changes in her. I mean, she was suppressing her feelings for me before last night. And now that she didn't have to do that anymore, Fuyu was able to be more honest with herself. Her cold smiles became warmer and her icy disposition began to melt.

"Mhm. You're right. There was a glow about her that seemed even more beautiful than usual this morning. She radiates happiness in her every move. I guess she's also finding it difficult to hide, huh?" As I said that, I couldn't help but recall Fuyu from this morning. The way she smiles around me was too heart-warming.

Noticing that I got lost in my own thoughts again, Futaba smirked.

"Look at your smugness. Now you successfully bagged both Akane and Fuyu. Have you no shame?"

"None. Aren't you already calling me shameless?"

"Yeah. Shameless Onoda-kun..." Futaba said. Her eyes hinge on acceptance more than her previous show of annoyance.

I thought this would be over here. But Futaba remained sitting there, seemingly deep in contemplation.

I couldn't just ask her to leave so I waited until she gathered her thoughts.

And that happened around a minute later.

She lifted her head and looked at me again. This time, her countenance felt like someone who was finding an answer to something. It's like realizing that there must be a reason why these

things happened.

"Hey, Onoda-kun. All of us had this experience of following Akane at one point or another when she was still chasing after you during middle school. I find it hard to believe that you only suddenly remembered your love for her. And now, you also fell for Fuyu... Have you experienced something life-changing? You turned from a snobbish guy who couldn't face Akane properly but kept meeting other girls into this shameless guy who's now dating Akane and her best friend."

Upon saying that, the girl's eyes narrowed a little. The slits of her eyes were already small to begin with but with this, she looked a little intimidating. But not enough to make me sweat.

In any case, it does feel like she wants to clear this up to better understand me as a person she can trust for her close friends.

Yep. This just proves that in their group, she's the most sensible.

"Yes. I experienced something that opened my eyes about things that I'd been turning a blind eye to."

"I hope it's not in the line of 'why look for someone else when you can have Akane and her best friend?"."

"Nope. It's nothing like that. Akane and Fuyu know the truth. But I don't think it's right for me to tell you about it. It's kinda heavy and you'll surely hate me more. However, you can ask them. I won't forbid them from letting you understand why they accepted me."

"Okay. I will do that." Futaba stared at me for a while before nodding, seemingly content with my answer. "I'm aware I may be like a meddlesome friend to you. But I care for them. I hope you understand me, Onoda-kun."

"No worries. Your actions are justified. And I'm glad you cared for them like this. Not that I'm saying Eri isn't but that girl seems to have built a trust for me."

"Oh. You're right. She was beaming with joy when she returned. Akane sent her to you for advice. She was always troubled about her relationship. Thanks for that as well."

"You won't ask me what kind of advice I gave her?"

"What for? It's quite easy to notice that you dispelled the doubts in her head and she's happy with the result. She cannot stop praising you. That's why I went down here to check on you." Ah... So that's the reason why she's here. I guess she's really not here for advice.

"Well, she's praising me for nothing. I only answered a few questions from her. But I'm glad. I

hope it works out for her."

"Yeah. But Onoda-kun, setting everything aside... Shouldn't you apologize to me about

something else?"

Just when I thought this was over, the air around her suddenly turned hostile.

I didn't need to guess. It's about that one. But let's see. I heard from Eri that she loves eating anyway. I should tease her first before giving her what she wants.

"Hmm? Is the biscuit good? I made sure to pick the one covered in sugar. It should go well

with the tea."

Halfway through my words, Futaba was already triggered enough to glare at me as though I

successfully ruined her diet.

"Onoda-kun... I really hate you!"