As the two lovestruck individuals got lost in drinking alcohol, on the other side of the table, the last two people finally sat down together.
"..."
"..."
Even in the dim light, it could be seen that the girl had shiny, wet-looking hair and a beautiful appearance as she sipped her cocktails. Her name was Isumi Tsukiko.
The red-haired young man across from her was Kongou Souji, sipping his beer.
After the game ended, the group had naturally split into three groups. There were Matsuda, who was alone, and Yuusuke, who were completely drunk and being looked after by Lisha. Then, there was Hinata and Hayasaki, who were engaged in a conversation that felt like a wake.
And then, there were Tsukiko and Souji, left behind in this situation.
"It's been a while since we've hung out like this, Isumi."
"Has it? We used to have gatherings in the literary club, didn't we?"
"Have we ever sat down together like this before?"
"Well... maybe not."
With calm voices, the two of them exchanged words, trying to figure out how deep they could go into the conversation, subtly assessing each other's intentions.
Originally, these two were classmates and members of the same club. Plus, they were in the same department, so they often hung out and had meals together. But they were never alone together.
Souji had found himself in a tricky situation as the third wheel between Yuusuke and Tsukiko, who had secretly been interested in each other. Naturally, the time Souji spent with the two had decreased significantly since Yuusuke and Tsukiko started dating, and it had dwindled further since they broke up.
Souji's position was complicated. Both Yuusuke and Tsukiko were important friends, but he had known Yuusuke for longer. That's why he couldn't help but distance himself from Tsukiko.
In a way, today's gathering was an opportunity for Souji. Even though Tsukiko was probably being cautious while drinking with him, her gaze occasionally flickered in Yuusuke's direction. Souji understood her feelings quite well. When his friend was being pampered by a world-class beauty, it was only natural that she felt upset.
――Even though this guy used to be Tsukiko's boyfriend.
But still, Souji pondered as he absentmindedly gazed at Tsukiko's beautiful face. According to what he had heard from Yuusuke, Tsukiko had dumped him quite harshly, but Tsukiko didn't seem to dislike Yuusuke from what Souji could see.
Indeed, during this drinking session, Tsukiko had never once made eye contact with Yuusuke. The same held true in class and during club activities.
However, it wasn't genuine aversion. When people genuinely dislike someone, they unconsciously avoid the source of their dislike. But Tsukiko was intentionally avoiding Yuusuke's gaze.
Even now, as she glanced at the disheveled Yuusuke sleeping on Lisha's thigh, she discreetly sipped her drink to hide her emotions. There was no doubt that she was doing it deliberately.
However, in the end, Souji didn't know why Tsukiko had broken up with Yuusuke or what her true feelings were. He didn't intend to meddle in their relationship, but they were in the same department and club. It would be better to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
So, Souji decided to ask directly.
"Hey, Isumi."
"What?"
"Why did you dump Yuusuke?"
"‥‥!?"
Perhaps because she was from a respectable family or because she was a trained warrior, Tsukiko didn't embarrass herself by spitting out her drink. She briefly showed a complex expression but quickly returned to her usual expressionless self.
"It's none of your business."
"Well, it might not be any of my business, but I just wanted to know if there's any reason you two can go back to being friends, or if that's not the case."
"‥‥Why?"
"As long as you and Yuusuke keep going on like this, I'll be concerned about it. Can't you two at least have a normal conversation?"
"‥‥"
In response to Souji's question, Tsukiko took a sip of her cocktail as if fleeing from the topic.
Tsukiko didn't think the current situation was good either. Even if she couldn't go back to being lovers, returning to the days when they could all laugh together like in the past would be a great source of happiness.
But as Tsukiko thought about it, a certain scene came to mind.
The painful expression on Yuusuke's face when she brought up the breakup, the stunned voice calling her name when they met at school again. Those memories weighed heavily in the center of her chest, causing a dull ache.
In this pain she had never felt before, Tsukiko found herself uttering words she would never say under normal circumstances.
"Can we... go back to how things used to be?"
Souji looked at Tsukiko with a surprised expression.
This seemingly mischievous young man was, on the other hand, very considerate. He knew that Tsukiko had difficulty expressing her true feelings and rarely complained. So, he was surprised. Surprised that Tsukiko had revealed her true feelings and that Yuusuke had meant so much to her.
"Um... Going back to the way things were, that might be impossible. Once a relationship changes, it can't return to the same form, I think."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
Souji let go of his glass and continued, "But maybe..."
He paused for a moment before saying.
"Maybe you can find a new way. People can't erase what happened, but they can build a new relationship based on that, don't you think?"
People can't stay in the same kind of relationship forever. Something always changes, whether it's due to circumstances or nothing at all.
This time, the change had been abrupt, that was all. Tsukiko contemplated the phrase "a new way" and looked at Souji.
"Yeah... you're right."
"Exactly. Don't overthink it. Dating and breaking up in college is common. It's not like someone died."
"Thank you."
Seeing Souji laugh heartily, Tsukiko felt relieved in a way. After breaking up with Yuusuke, she had been afraid that their entire relationship would disappear. But Souji, Matsuda, their club friends—none of them blamed Tsukiko. Even Yuusuke, who had been pushed away, was sitting at the same table.
It was somehow heartwarming and ticklish. With time, would she be able to have a normal conversation with Yuusuke again? She felt that the future held warmth and happiness.
She smiled, a genuine smile that hadn't graced her face in a long time.
And then, without even realizing it, her gaze unconsciously shifted to the side, and that's when Tsukiko froze.
"Mmm..."
"Ah, Yuusuke-san, that's not good!"
"Soft... Fluffy..."
"Hey! Yuusuke-san!"
Idiot Yuusuke, completely disoriented, had embraced Lisha.
"..."
From the position of resting on her lap, he must have been half-asleep. His face was slack, and his hands firmly held onto her waist. Yuusuke's fae, faintly visible, looked relaxed and carefree.
――Huh?
Crack! The cocktail glass that she was holding cracked, but such a thing had never entered her mind.
What filled her mind was a surge of emotions.
――Is that it? Is this why he flat-out rejected my warning to stay out of this world? He said something about them being soft, right? Is he really comparing me to Lisha? After all, I did mention that I might not be as soft. I mean, sure, my body is trained as an Anti-Demon Officer, so it might be firm, but comparing me to Lisha?
Late as it was, the frustration at not being listened to, the embarrassment of thinking Yuusuke found that cool, the selfishness of feeling betrayed, the jealousy of seeing Lisha flaunting her closeness—all of it mixed into chaos.
Driven by various emotions, Tsukiko stood up with a bang.
Souji, sitting across from her, looked bewildered, but he didn't know what was going on.
"..."
Now, Tsukiko started walking.
She forgot about new relationships and everything else, focused solely on delivering a crushing blow to the lolicon boob-obsessed criminal.
* * *
Slumber is heaven; waking up is hell.
For some reason, my head is wrapped in something soft, and it smelled so nice. I once sat in a department store on a sofa designed to incapacitate people, but this was beyond that. It was truly paradise.
Oh, maybe I could die like this. With that thought in my foggy mind, I sought to improve my posture. I wanted to feel this heaven more directly. I wanted to know it with all my might.
It was a natural instinct as a living being. Pleasure, a word that couldn't quite capture it, a sensation that purified the soul.
War, demon lord subjugation, none of it was necessary. If everyone in humanity could experience this feeling, the world would surely be at peace.
There was a time when I thought that way too.
"..."
When I opened my eyes, Tsukiko was staring down at me with eyes that seemed to be at the opposite end of peace. It had been a while since I felt like I could be killed with just a glance.
Is that what's happening? What's going on here?
Or am I still lying down? If so, this sensation wrapping around my head feels unusually soft.
Soft, huh?
"..."
Okay, let's confirm this. For some reason, I'm currently in a position where I'm using Lisha's lap as a pillow, and my arms are wrapped around her waist. It's almost like I'm hugging her.
And there are Hinata and the president, staring at me with what seems like shock. Matsuda has collapsed, and Souji has a rather indescribable expression.
Well, I can't keep escaping from reality forever.
I must somehow deal with Tsukiko, who's standing there like a guardian deity. Otherwise, I might die in a situation completely unrelated to demons.
But why is Tsukiko so angry? Is it because I was getting drunk instead of protecting her? Or maybe it's because of the hugging?
No way, she's jealous――,
"..."
No, that doesn't seem to be it.
Those eyes are more like the gaze one would have when looking at cockroaches gathering in a corner. My spine froze, and it felt like it might snap.
But wait, did I do something wrong? True, I've been using magic lately, and there have been times when I fell asleep on the living room couch, only to end up with me using Lisha's lap as a pillow. But I did stop her.
Yet, Lisha didn't stop. I never expected this to happen outside. And once I've been subjected to the lap pillow, resisting the temptation is impossible.
I should be in the clear for what happened while I was asleep.
So, I need to confront this situation with a firm attitude. I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't done anything to make her angry.
"Listen, Tsukiko."
"...Before you say anything, how long do you plan on keeping your hands there?"
"..."
I gently removed my hands from around Lisha's waist.
"Listen to me, Tsukiko."
"What? How long do you plan on keeping your head there?"
"..."
I carefully raised my upper body from Lisha's thigh. In the process, I nearly touched her ample bosom, but as a gentleman, I couldn't allow myself to make such a blunder. By the way, Lisha's face inexplicably turned red. What on earth did I do?
Well, that's something to address later. I settled back into the chair and looked Tsukiko straight in the eyes.
"Listen to me, Tsukiko."
"Do you think I'll listen to your excuses?"
No, there won't be time for such words of apology. Of course, Tsukiko didn't give me that chance. Her hand moved to my neck, and a sharp thunderbolt went through my body.
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