Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! (1)

"Is that so? But I don't think everyone is pursuing those two things."

"Houtarou."

"Yes?"

"Do you know what causes loneliness?"

"Probably... not having anyone to confide in."

"Yes. That is a manifestation of the desire to be loved."

"Then what is love?"

"Lonely people usually keep pets."

"I see..."

"By loving a pet, making it dependent on you, you gain the feeling of being loved."

"I feel like this is getting more and more convoluted..."

"It's fine if you don't understand."

"Really?"

"After all, I will always be by Houtarou's side."

"!"

Oreki turned his head away, feeling a bit shy.

Good grief...

Launching a surprise attack like that is mean.

However, there was indeed a fluttering feeling in his heart.

How should I put it...

The god of love occasionally does something good.

At least, by letting him meet Sakayanagi and having them fall for each other?

"Then it's a promise, we will never be separated."

"Mm."

Sakayanagi responded softly.

She extended the pinky finger of her left hand toward Oreki.

The meaning was clear.

"Mm..."

Oreki hooked his own pinky with Sakayanagi's.

The evening breeze suddenly picked up, causing the willow branches to sway.

He vaguely saw...

Two red strings drifting out between Sakayanagi and himself.

They intertwined and descended into the twilight.

When he blinked again, they were nowhere to be seen.

"What's wrong?"

"No... I think I had a hallucination."

"Is that so?"

"I've probably been consuming too much energy these past few days."

"Then let's go back and sleep early."

"Mm..."

Oreki took one last look out the window.

Just now, he seemed to see those two red strings drifting toward the other side of the sea.

"Let's go."

And so, Oreki and Sakayanagi returned to their room.

Sakayanagi's Father has been busy lately.

So he usually comes home very late.

Emphasizing this point isn't because of anything like that.

It's just...

Oreki will cook a little less rice, that's all.

That's right, that's right.

Home chef Oreki Houtarou!

Although it's a bit early for that title.

But it's only a matter of time.

The Omurice Sakayanagi made last time was truly delicious.

It's a pity her health isn't up to it.

So, it's best if she stays out of the kitchen as much as possible.

"Today is rice with steamed fish."

Oreki brought over two plates of food.

For Sakayanagi, she can only eat such bland meals.

With a weak heart, she shouldn't be eating recklessly.

And she certainly shouldn't be drinking coffee.

In the original world, to maintain that sickly image, they didn't consider logic at all.

Drinking coffee with a bad heart?

Was she tired of living?

"I'm digging in..."

"Yes, I'm digging in."

The two sat together to eat dinner.

This made Sakayanagi recall her life as a child.

"You don't need to worry about that matter with the art gallery anymore."

"Why?"

"Because... it was just a whim of mine. There's no need for Houtarou to waste time on it..."

"It's fine."

"Hm?"

"It's good to find something to do once in a while."

"That's unexpected."

"Is it?"

"Don't you usually talk about energy conservation?"

"That's a different matter."

"Hehe..."

"Well, it's good to smile occasionally. Besides, you look very pretty when you smile."

"...Thank you."

"Let's finish it off completely tomorrow afternoon."

"Mm."

"However, the weekly test is coming up soon."

"Are we choosing a subject to test in?"

"To be precise, the four classes are divided into two groups. Then, the groups compete against each other."

"It's decided by drawing lots, right?"

"That's correct, but..."

Oreki glanced around.

Only after confirming there wasn't a third person present did he lower his voice:

"There's still quite a bit of room for manipulation."

"For example?"

"Using a pen that doesn't dry quickly."

"...Unexpectedly cunning, aren't you."

"If you aren't cunning, you won't survive in this school."

"That's true."

Sakayanagi tidied up the bowls and chopsticks.

She prepared to go wash them.

"Leave that kind of thing to me."

"No... you're very tired right now, go get some sleep."

"...Understood."

Oreki watched Sakayanagi leave.

He was truly exhausted.

But how did Sakayanagi figure that out?

Intuition?

Regardless, it warmed Oreki's heart.

Is this the magic called "love"?

If so, please send more my way, oh God of Love!

Jokes aside.

Back to the previous topic.

Ichinose Honami's willingness to cooperate with Oreki had a lot to do with the weekly test a few days away.

He didn't know why she needed points so badly.

But that was fine.

Compared to some hollow friendship, a relationship based on mutual interest was far more stable.

If things went as discussed, Oreki would be able to get Class A and Class B paired together for this weekly test.

In that case, Ichinose would not oppose any of his subsequent plans.

Provided they didn't harm the interests of Class B.

"Would Houtarou like to take a bath?"

"Huh? Oh, go ahead, you wash first."

"Mm..."

After cleaning the dishes, Sakayanagi went to the room to grab a change of clothes.

Wait!

She even brought out her underwear?

She really didn't treat Oreki like an outsider.

--Bear-patterned panties...

Cute.

This is what he wanted to see...

No, no, better not say anything too perverted.

Anyway, Oreki looked out the window with a flushed face.

"Good night."

"Mm... good night."

Oreki had said good night to Sakayanagi even though she hadn't gone to bed yet.

Like an idiot.

No wonder Sakayanagi was stunned for a moment.

Soon, Oreki heard the sound of water droplets hitting the floor.

Next came the sound of a large volume of water splashing against the floor.

This meant...

Sakayanagi must be in the bathtub already.

What a pity.

It would have been great to hear this sound while eating earlier.

Oreki guaranteed it.

He could have finished three large bowls while listening.

No exaggeration.

Forget it.

After the excitement came a tidal wave of fatigue.

It washed over Oreki, making him blink repeatedly.

He was truly sleepy.

And so, he changed into his pajamas and turned off the room lights.

On the other side.

In the bathroom, Sakayanagi parted the waves with her slender hands, her jade toes tapping lightly.

The water in the tank rippled into a thousand waves in an instant.

Untying her hair tie, her silver hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

Her fingertips brushed across her right shoulder.

Water droplets fell from her collarbone, sending out a few delicate ripples.

The damp towel glided over her spine, finally lingering for a moment at the small of her back.

I never used to care about such things before...

But now...

I want to spend more time with you, even if it's just a little.

If only my body were healthier.

If only my heart weren't failing.

If only...

If only I had met Oreki sooner.

But it is already too late.

Coming to this school was originally meant to see Kiyoko.

And then to settle the score with her.

But after meeting Oreki, everything changed.

Kiyoko and the like no longer matter.

In the time she has left, Sakayanagi Arisu only wants to be with Oreki as much as possible...

And leave behind memories that belong only to the two of them.

--To be continue