Chapter 27: The Beautiful Girl Goes Out to Play — [Sakurako’s House Arc]

It was early afternoon on my day off, and I was sitting in a café near some train station.

Not the one closest to my school, nor the one in my neighborhood—actually, I’d never even gotten off at this station before.

And yet, here I was—the usually reclusive me—sitting alone in a stylish (well, probably stylish) café, sipping coffee.

Bitter… Maybe I should’ve gone with orange juice or something instead.

I’d panicked and said “coffee” at the counter without even looking at the menu. The pressure of holding up the line is real, you know?

So why was a total beginner like me here? Simple — a meetup.

Today, Saturday, I was invited over to Sakurako-chan’s house.

It would’ve been nice if Moeka-chan could’ve joined us too, but she had other plans today and couldn’t make it.

Still… going solo to Sakurako-chan’s place feels kinda scary.

I absentmindedly stirred my unwanted coffee with a straw, glancing out the window.

People walking by kept sneaking looks at me. I don’t overreact to that as much anymore — guess I’ve gotten used to it.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ayumi-chan! Have you been waiting long?"

The sudden voice behind me made me jump.

But wait—I was just looking outside! When did she get inside?! A ninja?!

…No, she probably just came in from the other entrance that doesn’t pass by my window.

"Oh, not drinking your coffee?"

"Yeah, I’m… not really into it."

"Hmm. If you don’t want it, can I have it? I ran here, and I’m hot."

I silently handed her the cup.

Sakurako-chan downed it all in one go. I don’t think coffee’s something you chug like that…

"Ahh, that hit the spot! And it even had some of Ayumi-chan’s essence in it, too."

Excuse me, I’m not soup stock!

Then it hit me—we’d just done an indirect kiss.

…But I guess that’s nothing new at this point. Sakurako-chan probably did it on purpose anyway. She always does things like this…!

Before I realized it, she’d already grabbed my hand.

Honestly, I never know how to deal with girls who are this forward, so I just let her do what she wants.

"Ahh… Ayumi-chan looks so cute in casual clothes. My heart’s racing! Your family must have a hard time keeping it together around you."

I really wish she’d stop gently squeezing and opening my hand like that…

And for the record, my family isn’t the one suffering — I am.

My little brother, an absurdly pervy fifth-grader, keeps begging to bathe with me. That’s tragic enough for any older brother.

Then there’s Mom, who keeps trying to turn me into some kind of proper maiden. She was way too delighted the other day when she saw my laundry… that woman’s hopeless too.

And Dad? Uh… he’s been getting home late lately, so yeah, I’m already asleep by then.

"Honestly, I wanted it to be just the two of us at home, but my sister’s around today."

Sakurako-chan’s sister — Yoshino-san, as I’ve heard from Moeka-chan.

Apparently, she’s a model and quite popular in fashion magazines. (That info came from Ryoji, by the way.)

If she’s that beautiful, I kinda want to see her. Maybe even get an autograph from a real model…! Though maybe it’s not that kind of situation.

Eventually, we arrived at Sakurako-chan’s apartment building.

She led me up to the seventh floor — her place.

"I’m home!"

"O-Oh… excuse me for intruding."

Sakurako-chan slipped off her shoes and stepped inside first. I followed her nervously.

Even though I’d already been to Moeka-chan’s house before, visiting a girl’s home still makes my heart race.

She guided me to the living room — where a woman was sitting on the sofa.

Whoa… I almost gasped aloud. Sakurako-chan’s cute, sure, but this woman stood out even more.

Her facial features weren’t necessarily superior, but she had this incredible presence — a natural ability to make herself look stunning.

Her black hair, cut to shoulder length with soft waves at the ends, looked silky and smooth. Like Sakurako-chan, she was well-endowed and seemed tall too.

Despite wearing just a simple T-shirt and a fitted denim skirt, she looked effortlessly elegant.

"Oh my…"

The woman on the sofa raised her hand to her lips and spoke softly.

"So you’re the famous Ayumi-san?"

She looked straight at me. Ugh… that stare was intense. My heart tensed up as I nodded silently, like a mongoose cornered by a cobra.

"Sis, you’re scaring Ayumi-chan."

"Come on, Sakurako, I didn’t do anything, did I?"

Well… true. She hadn’t. So why was I so nervous?

"Hello, Ayumi-san. I’m Yoshino, Sakurako’s sister. Nice to meet you."

She… actually seemed normal! Like, a person you could talk to!

"Still, you really are adorable. I thought Sakurako was exaggerating. She’s weird, obsessed with girls lately, and totally oblivious to her surroundings — so I assumed she was making it up, but…"

She’s awfully harsh with her own family. Sakurako-chan just huffed and turned away with a pout.

Honestly, with a sister this beautiful, I’m surprised Sakurako even looks at other girls.

"Oh right, would you like some mizu-yōkan? Sakurako bought some earlier."

Wait—mizu-yōkan?!

"Y-Yes, please!"

"Hey! I wanted to be the one to give Ayumi-chan some and make her smile!"

Yoshino-san brought out the mizu-yōkan and placed it on the coffee table before sitting back down on the sofa. She motioned for me to sit as well.

Th-this brand… Nakamuraya’s, three hundred yen each!

Thank you, Sakurako-chan, I silently prayed as I sat beside Yoshino-san.

"H-Hey, Sis! I was gonna sit next to Ayumi-chan!"

"Sakurako, you’re being too pushy. You’re scaring Ayumi-san. Go to your room for a bit."

"But—but I was the one who invited her to hang out…!"

"Sakurako-chan, come on, let’s all eat together?"

"R-right! It’s a little cramped, but can I sit next to you?"

I leaned just a little closer to Yoshino-san. She smelled really nice. Not like mizu-yōkan—something softer, maybe her shampoo?

"Here you go, Ayumi-san."

Yoshino-san picked up one of the mizu-yōkan from the table and handed it to me. Wow, she’s so kind. Comparing her to the oddballs in my family just makes the contrast painful.

"Now’s my chance! While Ayumi-chan’s distracted…!"

Sakurako-chan lunged toward me, trying to hug me from the side. Yeah, maybe letting her sit next to me was a bad idea after all.

Before she could make contact, Yoshino-san’s hand came down with a sharp chop!

"Don’t do things like that when someone’s eating."

"Ugh… I should’ve invited her over when you weren’t home…"

"Ayumi-san, how is it? Tasty?"

"Yeah!"

Yoshino-san smiled warmly. Ahh, she’s so nice. I wish I had an older sister like her.

"Honestly, I’d love to have such an adorable little sister."

Wait, hold on—if both of us are thinking that, doesn’t that solve everything? Maybe she really could be my big sister!

Then I glanced at Sakurako-chan, who had gone quiet since getting chopped. Poor thing—oh wait, she’s just staring at my thighs sticking out from my skirt. Never mind. Not pitiful at all.

"Ayumi-chan, once you’re done eating, let’s go to my room?"

"Eh…?"

To be honest, I hesitated. Staying near Yoshino-san definitely felt like the safer option here…

"See? That’s what you get for staring at weird places, Sakurako. Ayumi-san doesn’t want to be alone with you."

"Wh-what?! No way! That’s not true, right, Ayumi-chan?"

"Uh—um! You’re not going to do anything weird, right?"

"～♪"

Why are you whistling and looking away!?

"I don’t like lying, you know!"

That’s not something to brag about! You’re basically announcing you’re planning something weird!

Then Yoshino-san gently patted my head.

"Don’t worry about it, Ayumi-san. Thanks for coming, even though this silly girl invited you."

Her touch was soft and warm—it felt really nice. Yoshino-san really is the best. She’s kind… and she gives me mizu-yōkan.

"Ugh… so frustrating, but the two of you together really look like a perfect picture…"

I finished the mizu-yōkan and placed the empty cup back on the table.

"Thank you for the treat."

"Was it good?" Yoshino-san asked with a bright smile. I nodded enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, Sakurako-chan was sulking beside me, mumbling, "But I was the one who bought it…"

"Thank you, Sakurako-chan."

I turned to her and smiled.

Her face lit up instantly, glowing with happiness. Wow… smiles really are powerful weapons!

…Wait, no, that’s not right. A girl’s smile isn’t supposed to work on other girls, is it?

"Hmm."

Yoshino-san stared quietly at my face.

Um… her face was really close.

"That’s right—Ayumi-san, would you like to try some makeup?"

"Eh?"

"You’re already super cute even without it, but with a little makeup, you’d be even cuter."

Uh, no thanks. Makeup feels like one more line of defense as a former boy about to crumble. I mean, sure, I’ve already crossed plenty of lines—using the girls’ restroom, wearing skirts, even putting on a bra—but still!

There’s a difference, you know? I can still kind of tell myself, “I’m a guy deep down.” Using the girls’ restroom? That’s just anatomy—can’t help it. The skirt? School uniform—no choice there. And not wearing a bra would just be weird.

But makeup? That’s where I draw the line. I mean, sure, for adult women it’s a grooming thing or whatever, but I’m just starting high school! I can’t—

Wait. Why is she already spreading out her makeup kit!?

"First, let’s use some lotion. You need to prep the skin before applying anything."

Ah… so this is what Mom meant when she talked about blush, lip gloss, and BB cream.

Honestly, I could’ve gone my whole life without learning that.

"All done!"

"Whoa—Ayumi-chan, you look crazy cute!"

Ugh… I can’t believe how long that took. Yoshino-san spent forever drawing on my face. She even made me do parts of it myself. Torture. Absolute torture.

So this is what office ladies go through every morning before work? Respect.

"Here you go, Ayumi-chan, mirror!"

Sakurako-chan held up a mirror in front of me.

The girl reflected in it was… stunning. For a moment, I forgot I was even looking at myself.

"This is… me?"

"That’s right, Ayumi-san. What do you think?"

Wow… I had no idea it could change so much.

I seriously underestimated makeup. I used to think it was pointless, but now? I get it. Of course everyone does it—if it can change how you look this much!

"She’s too cute! Sis, where’s the camera!?"

"Hehe, surprised?"

"Y-yeah…"

"Ayumi-san, you’re a girl too, so you should learn how to do makeup properly, okay? I can teach you again next time if you’d like."

Uh—no, that’s…

I hate to admit it, but… a tiny part of me was curious.

I’d never thought about wanting to “look pretty” before, but seeing my own face made up like this—sparkling and soft—I couldn’t help but think… just a little… this isn’t so bad.

It’s not that I want to be cute, exactly, but… yeah.

"Say, Ayumi-san, next time I have a fashion magazine shoot, would you like to come along?"

"Huh? You mean to watch?"

"No, to join in. Let’s take pictures together. I doubt anyone would turn you away."

Wha—hold on. That means… with Yoshino-san… for an actual fashion magazine!?

"No way no way no way! I—I can’t do photos like that!"

"Really? You’re not interested?"

"N-not at all!"

Being photographed as a girl and having it published nationwide!? That’d be beyond a dark past—it’d be a permanent scar!

Ugh, just remembering that unofficial school website makes me want to crawl into a hole. My face isn’t even fully visible there, but still—it’s the internet! Basically nationwide exposure already!

"Are you sure you’re not interested? I’d really love to take pictures with you, Ayumi-san."

Ugh… why does it sound so persuasive when she says it?

She’s so pretty, so graceful—there’s no one like her around me. If Moeka-chan or Sakurako-chan found out I said that, I’d never hear the end of it…

In the end, I gave in to Yoshino-san’s warm smile and gentle insistence, nodding despite my hesitation.

Lately, I’ve been getting swept along way too easily… I can’t even imagine what’ll happen next.