Chapter 23: Determination and Decision

Contains R-15 content

Determination and Decision

Tosaka's POV

"Now that the test is over, I'll let you hear the 'Rui-chan Realize Plan' I worked so hard to come up with."

"What you mean riarizu??"

"Well, it's the English word for 'realize,' after I learned about it, 'Kidzuku = Realize' it seems."

"Oh, I see."

"The goal of this plan is to get Rui-chan to realize her feelings for Ueno-kun."

"But how?"

"Do you remember the time when we thought these two had a really good vibe?"

"Hmm? Ah, that's it."

"I'm sure she'll notice by now, so I'd like for her to cross that line in their next date!"

"...This is a special treat!"

"I see, this might work."

"There's one more thing, but I'm not really keen on this one and it might not be a deciding factor. Well, I need the cooperation from both of you, so I'll talk to you about it soon, so please cooperate."

"Okay."

"...Leave it to me."

Well, today as usual, I'll eat dinner and then head to Ryo's room.

Recently, we've developed a routine where we do our homework together, chat, and then finish up at whatever time suits us.

Today I finished my homework earlier than him and had some free time, so I wanted to be mischievous again and have a little physical contact, so I sneaked up behind Ryo, who was sitting in a floor chair doing his homework, and put him in a chokehold.

"! -- Rui, stop! Ah, no, you don't have to stop. Ah, your boobs are touching me and it feels good."

"Ah!"

"What? Are you letting go already? You could have kept it up longer."

"It's because you kept talking about my boobs!"

"Well, it did touch me, so it can't be helped -- well, once is once."

Ryo approached me with his suspicious moving hands, grabbed me, got behind me and put me in a chokehold, then we both fell backwards onto the bed.

Then he clamped both of his legs around my waist, preventing me from moving.

It's clear that the technique is being performed with insufficient force, and it's clear that he's just messing around.

"What a puzzling princess, I was still doing my homework and you wanted all my attention?"

"No, it was just a little prank!"

"Oh, so you do wanted some attention, you really are a hopeless princess, come on."

Saying this, Ryo used one hand and began to tickle my sides.

"Hey! Stop it, it tickles, ahaha! It tickles, stop!"

I was held down with enough force that even if I resisted, I wouldn't be able to shake it off.

It's fun, this kind of playfulness is fun.

And then I struggled like that for a while.

"Okay, that's all."

With that, Ryo released me, patted me gently on the head, and returned to his seat to continue his homework.

I steadied my breathing, lay in bed for a while, staring blankly at Ryo, and then returned home in time to go take a bath.

•

•

---Well, how can I put it...it's a little embarrassing, but ever since that incident on Sunday when I pretended to be asleep and then waited for a kiss, Ryo and I have been getting more physical and affectionate with each other.

I think it's great because it's not as heavy as a hug and can be done casually, but I wonder what Ryo thinks.

I'm starting to feel stronger emotions towards Ryo, wanting to be friends with him, have fun with him, and make him happy, but I don't know how much of those are the feelings of a guy's best friend and how much are the feelings of a girl, and I don't know what it means to like him as a member of the opposite sex or anything like that.

The only thing that is clear to me as feelings for the opposite sex is my sexual desire, which is also growing stronger and stronger, and it's clear that I desire Ryo.

And having physical contact and being affectionate with Ryo is like a drug; it makes me happy, I feel good, and somehow I feel fulfilled, we get along well, have fun, and are happy, and it even makes me a little sexually aroused.

That's why it's unstoppable.

I know that things can't go on like this, and that Ryo will be in pain if things remain half-hearted like this, so I have to come up with a proper answer and make a decision.

I feel like I have a vague idea, but I can't take that last step.

I wish there was something that would help me make a decision no matter which way things went...I'm afraid I'll end up putting the burden on Ryo again and buying myself some time.

•

•

•

"Rui, do you want to go on a date tomorrow?"

On Friday, on the way home from school, Ryo and I were walking together as usual when he suddenly asked me out.

I was thinking that it was about time to go on a date when Ryo asked me out, and I immediately said, "Yes!"

"I want you to make me lunch again."

"That's good, but my repertoire hasn't changed much."

"Even if it's completely unchanged, I won't complain, so please feel free to make it with all your heart."

"---When you say that, I have no choice but to try harder."

I asked him where we were going but he wouldn't tell me, which worried me, but as long as I knew I was going on a date with Ryo I didn't care where we were going.

Later that day, the two of us went to the supermarket together and bought some groceries before heading home.

There were some preparations to be made, so I couldn't go to Ryo's room that day.

Tosaka's POV

"How was it, with Ueno-kun?"

"Well, he said that one of the plan is a no-no. Hurting Rui-chan emotionally wouldn't be good for her, and above all, Ueno-kun himself would never do something like that."

"...So manly."

"I see. As expected, how should I put it, he's cool."

"Yeah, he's cool. He's good-looking, so I can see why he's popular. Right now, it seems like he's truly devoted to Rui-chan."

"Rui-chan is lucky, too. I hope they both find happiness soon."

"So, now it's just the other one left, but it seems like he'll make good use of it. It's all up to Ueno-kun, though."

"Well, at this point, all we can do is trust and wait. It's their happiness, so they'll have to make it together."

"Oh, that sounds like something good to say."

"Hehehehe."

"...It'll be okay...probably."

I got up quite early and am busy making the lunch bento, and I'm planning to add just one more item.

Unlike last time, this is for two people, so I'll have to be careful not to make too much.

Sandwiches seem like they'd be easy to make, so I'd like to try making one next time.

Now that the lunch is ready, I think it's time to get changed. Ryo said to wear clothes that I won't mind getting a little dirty today. I wonder if we're going somewhere like the zoo or botanical garden where it might get dirty.

That said, since I only have skirts, I have no choice but to choose something plain that won't show dirt easily. Come to think of it, I don't mind short skirts at all anymore. Well, to be precise, it's not that I don't mind them, but I don't have any reservations about wearing them. Well, they were above the knee length to begin with, so I guess I just get used to it.

Now that I'm ready, will he come and pick me up soon?

Ding Dong

Ah, here he comes.

"Good morning, I've been waiting for you."

"Good morning, are you wearing a ponytail today?"

"Yeah, you said something about it was supposed to be okay if it got dirty, so I thought it would be best to keep it tied up, and besides, Ryo likes ponytails."

"Nice, I like ponytails."

"The skirt is pretty plain, so it should be okay if it gets a little dirty too."

"Yeah, I think this should be fine, let's go then."

•

•

•

As expected, we went to the botanical garden in the morning. Actually, this was my first time visiting a botanical garden. It was quite moving to see the huge amount of beautiful flowers blooming, but overall it was a little plain.

I think the botanical gardens would have been even more beautiful overall if they had been lit up at night.

We decided to eat our lunch at the dining area inside the botanical garden.

Here it is! The additional side dish this time is shogayaki and instead, I've decided to take a break from the hamburger steak this time.

"No matter how many times I look at Rui's homemade bento, it looks delicious and makes me the happiest person in the world.

This time, instead of hamburger steak, there's more pork shogayaki, and the onions are also flavorful and delicious. Well then, itadakimasu!"

"Yes, yes, enjoy it and eat it well."

"The shogayaki is delicious even when it's cold! The flavor is well-absorbed into the onions, it's really the best."

By the third time, I was starting to get used to it, although my face was still flushed and I was still nervous.

And it's fun and makes me happy to see Ryo eating my bento with gusto.

It makes me want to make it again, it's great when people eat it with that kind of enjoyment.

"I think I like Rui's onigiri the best. They have the most homemade feel and I like how they taste like Rui's."

"---What do you mean it's taste like me? Doesn't it sound a little perverted?"

"I think that's probably the one that feels the most love-filled."

"I, I guess that's how it is."

Damn, Ryo keeps praising me with such a nice vibe, it's only natural that I should feel good.

"It was delicious, thank you for the meal."

"Yes, thank you very much."

•

•

After a break after dinner, Ryo spoke up.

"About the next..."

"Yeah?"

He looked nervous, but he quickly followed.

"I want to go with Rui to make matching rings, just the two of us. Is that okay?"

"Sure! ...Huh?"

--Huh? Huh? Wait a minute, I casually said yes just now, is that okay?

"Huh? Wait a minute, what? Making matching rings? Just the two of us?"

"Yeah, I want to make something to remember us by and wear together."

"..."

Hearing those words that sounded like a marriage proposal, my cheeks relaxed, my heart started beating fast, my body trembled with joy, and I could no longer hear the sounds around me, as if we were in a world just for the two of us.

Despite my body, my head was turning blue.

I'd been dragging myself along in this lukewarm situation for so long that Ryo had finally reached his limit and was forcing me to make a decision on whether or not to move forward with our relationship. He wanted me to make the decision here and now.

"Just to clarify, just because we made this doesn't mean we'll be dating or anything like that. I just want us to make it together and wear it, that's all."

Hearing those words, Ryo created an escape route for me, and I felt a sense of relief, even though it was a bit pathetic.

I thought about replying that I understood right away, but I wanted to think it through carefully. I knew I couldn't just keep relying on Ryo's kindness.

"Let me think about it for a moment."

"EH! --- Got it."

Ryo was a little surprised, as the answer was unexpected even for him.

Now, I've been given some time, so let's think about it properly.

First, what is the problem?

By going to make matching rings, I will be accepted as someone who is willing to go out with him.

I couldn't decide that yet, but Ryo gave me some time.

But I don't want to rely on that forever.

And he invited me to make matching rings, saying that he wanted to make them together and wear a keepsake item together.

When I remembered that, I felt excited, and when I recalled the emotions I felt at that time, my whole body was filled with joy.

That's what I mean.

The reason I can't make a decision is not because I'm unaware of it, but just because I always try to not notice it.

But my body already knows.

---Okay! I'll prepare myself too.

I don't think I'll ever get an answer if I keep dragging it out forever, so I think I need to be given a deadline.

Up until now, I'd been wasting time meaninglessly just to avoid regrets, so this is just right.

If things continue like this, I'll end up relying on Ryo too much and making him suffer.

Find out the answer today when our date is over!

"Ryo"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll go, but Ryo, you have to be prepared for whatever happens."

"--- I understand, then let's go."

Ryo took my hand with his usual gentle smile.