I Accidentally Sent a Love Letter to the School's Most Prestigious Young Lady Instead of My Childhood Friend, and Now She's Bowing to Me, Asking, "Please Date Me—On the Premise of Marriage!" - 21

Across from the sofa where I was sitting, Shion-san was cleaning up after the tea party in the kitchenette.

Her glossy black hair swayed faintly on her back as she moved.

It was a lovely figure to look at, but just sitting there made me feel awkward.

“Need any help?” I asked.

Without turning around, Shion-san replied, “Kisaragi-san, you like black hair, don’t you? What do you think of mine?”

Her tone seemed to imply she’d noticed me staring.

“I hope it’s at least presentable enough for your appreciation. Am I being conceited?”

“No… I think it’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. I’ll treasure your words deeply.”

“Don’t take it so seriously… I mean, it’s not a lie or anything…”

As I flustered, Shion-san wiped her hands with a towel, turned with a smile, and came over to sit beside me.

“I’m done cleaning up. Let’s take a break,” she said, plopping down next to me.

I’d admitted to liking black hair. Silence hung between us.

It was Shion-san herself who broke the awkward atmosphere.

“The tea party was lively, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, having no reason to disagree.

“Haru and Airi were so excited… but if we leave those two alone, who knows what they’ll get up to. We have to keep an eye on them.”

When I made a troubled face, Shion-san chuckled softly and asked, “I was genuinely surprised to hear you bathed with Haru-san until middle school. I’m jealous.”

“…Sorry.”

“Why apologize? I’m just envious.”

Shion-san looked puzzled, so I tried to deflect. “Well… middle school boys and girls bathing together… Even I think it’s a bit… inappropriate or lewd when you consider our ages…”

“You both consented, right? I don’t see any problem. Even if you two… engaged in some sexual acts, wouldn’t that be natural biological behavior?”

“…So that’s how you think, Shion-san. Free-spirited or… unrestrained.”

“I’m glad you understand me.”

Shion-san clasped her hands before her chest, smiling, and continued, “While we’re at it, may I ask why you like black hair? It’s not because you’re conscious of me… right?”

“It’s not that interesting of a story…”

“Please, if you don’t mind…”

Hesitating at first, I figured Shion-san would understand and began, “Before I met Haru in elementary school, I was bullied and stopped going to school. While I was shut in, I played this game… There was a cool, amazing black-haired heroine in it, an older sister type who gave me courage… If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here now. Seriously, no joke.”

“…I see…”

As Shion-san nodded solemnly, I added one more thing.

“She was my first love—before I met Haru and fell for her. So even though my type is different, I’m still drawn to you, Shion-san, with your long black hair. To be honest.”

“…………”

Shion-san didn’t respond verbally, just stared intently at me.

“Please keep this from Haru. She’d get jealous even over something like this.”

“Understood. It’s a promise, then.”

“A promise.”

Shion-san held out her pinky, and we linked fingers.

After hugging that pinky to her chest, she spoke again.

“I have one more favor to ask… May I? It’s nothing unreasonable.”

“…What is it?”

When I asked, Shion-san watched my reaction as she declared, “Shall we go out tomorrow?”