25 A Space for Two
“Wow.”
I stepped into a high-rise apartment building in a residential area of the downtown district.
Well, it’s Riri-chan’s home, but still.
After she let me in through the security entrance requiring a passcode, I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
“Ahh… ahaha. Yeah, it’s all thanks to my parents.”
Perhaps used to this reaction, Riri-chan gave a wry smile and led me inside.
The interior featured gleaming stone floors (marble, or something like that?), large windows, and calming wood-paneled walls.
The high ceilings further emphasized the luxurious atmosphere of the apartment.
“This way.”
I followed Riri-chan to the elevator.
We went up.
Stepping out into the hallway, the floor was softly lit with indirect lighting. Stylish.
“As expected, your environment shapes you…”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Beautiful people are born in beautiful places.”
“You’re saying weird things again, Suzuna.”
No, I’m being completely serious.
Riri-chan chuckled and stopped in front of a door.
Apparently, you need a key card to enter the apartment.
A beep sounded, and the lock disengaged.
“Go ahead.”
“Excuse me.”
I was led into the living room.
The view from the window overlooked almost all the surrounding buildings, and the sky felt close.
The predominantly white interior was simple and sophisticated.
“There’s nothing here, but have a seat.”
I sat down on the gray sofa in the center of the living room.
It was plush, with soft cushions.
But, as she said, the living room was simple.
Since there weren’t many things in the room, it might be more accurate to call it minimalist.
It was a stark contrast to Riri-chan’s flashy appearance.
“Where’s your room, Riri-chan?”
The living room wasn’t shown in the original game, so I didn’t know it was this minimalist.
But I know that Riri-chan’s room is as flashy as she is.
“Eh, you want to go in already?”
“Hmm? Is that not okay?”
Riri-chan’s voice was slightly high-pitched.
Was she not planning on letting me into her room?
The living room felt too sterile and impersonal, so I naturally wanted to see her room.
“I-It’s not that it’s not okay, but… I need to mentally prepare myself…”
“Mentally prepare…?”
What’s that supposed to mean?
She invited me to her house, and now she needs to mentally prepare to let me into her room?
“Riri-chan, don’t tell me your room is messy?”
Is it the “too messy to let anyone in” scenario?
“N-No way! I cleaned it! It might not be tidy, but…”
“Hmm. Then there’s no problem, right? Let’s go to your room.”
“Fine, but wait a minute. Can you drink tea, Suzuna?”
Apparently, Riri-chan was preparing tea.
“Yeah, I can.”
“Okay. Then I’ll go to my room first.”
I looked around the living room restlessly while listening to the sounds of Riri-chan pouring water.
No matter how many times I looked, it was a simple room.
It felt like she deliberately kept it bare.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
I was led to Riri-chan’s room.
“Oh!”
It was exactly like the room in the game.
A black and white patterned carpet, a white low table, pink furniture and accessories, and a bed with black sheets.
It screamed “gal.”
It was so different from the living room and the rest of the apartment that it felt like I had stepped into another world.
“Hey, don’t stare so much. It’s embarrassing.”
“Really?”
“No one stares that much.”
I see.
I thought she’d be used to it, but apparently not.
I’ve never invited a friend to my room, so I can’t understand how she feels.
“Anyway, have a seat. Although there aren’t any chairs, so it’s either the bed or the floor.”
“Ah…”
I couldn’t bring myself to sit on Riri-chan’s bed.
I decided to sit on the carpet.
Right by the entrance, facing the bed.
“The bed is fine too, you know?”
“I’m good here.”
Saying “Okay,” Riri-chan took off her blazer and hung it on a hanger along with her ribbon.
It’s natural to dress casually at home, but Riri-chan in just her blouse seemed even more relaxed.
“I wonder if the water’s boiled. I’ll go check.”
“Okay.”
I was left alone in her room.
The room was filled with Riri-chan’s scent.
I hadn’t been consciously aware of it before, but I noticed it because she often hugs me.
A faint, sweet fragrance.
“I’m such a creep!”
I felt strangely excited.
Come to think of it, this is the first time we’ve been truly alone together.
We’ve been alone before, but it was always outside, at a cafe, or at school.
There was always the presence of others, but not in this space.
It was a space completely for the two of us, where I could hear nothing but the sounds Riri-chan made.
It made me feel more… giddy than usual.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Riri-chan returned a few minutes later.
She was carrying a tray with a tea set.
The scent of tea filled the room.
It smelled nice, but I also thought it was a shame that it was masking Riri-chan’s scent.
“Sorry, let me do everything.”
“It’s fine. You’re the guest, so relax.”
Riri-chan placed the tray on the low table.
…And that’s when it happened.
“Here you go.”
Riri-chan usually has the top two buttons of her blouse undone.
So when she bent down, there was a lot of… exposure.
I caught a glimpse of her black underwear and the white skin beneath.
“Th-Thanks.”
“…? You’re welcome.”
I felt like I had seen something I shouldn’t have and quickly averted my gaze.
I replied to avoid looking suspicious, but my voice cracked, betraying my flustered state.
This is strange.
Why am I reacting like this just from seeing a girl’s underwear?
Maybe I’m just nervous being in this space.
Tea and cookies were placed on the table.
“You can eat that.”
“Okay.”
I picked up a cookie and put it in my mouth, afraid that speaking would reveal my strange excitement.
A pleasant crunching sound.
“…So? Is it good?”
“Yeah.”
A creaking sound from the bed.
Riri-chan must have sat down on the bed.
Since I was looking down, I could only judge the situation from the sound.
“Really?”
“Y-Yeah.”
Honestly, I couldn’t taste anything.
It’s not that the cookies tasted bad, but I wasn’t in a state to appreciate the flavor.
“Suzuna, you’ve only been saying ‘yeah.’ Did you not like it?”
“N-No, that’s not true.”
“Then why are you looking down?”
It’s so Riri-chan wouldn’t notice how flustered I am.
But if I keep doing this, she’ll get suspicious.
So I lifted my head, trying to appear calm.
It’s okay, I just need to speak in my usual flat tone.
“It’s really delici—ah.”
“Hmm?”
Riri-chan’s skirt is always short.
Sitting on the bed, she didn’t seem to care and had her legs spread.
That’s normal.
Because this is Riri-chan’s room, and I’m the only one here.
But because of that, I could see her black underwear beneath her skirt.
From the top of her thighs inwards, a place I shouldn’t be able to see.
I didn’t know where to look and could only look down again.
“Eh… ah. A-Ahaha, sorry, sorry. I got a little too relaxed at home.”
She must have noticed my gaze and my reaction.
Riri-chan quickly closed her legs, and I heard a forced laugh.
But I know that I’m the strange one.
A normal person wouldn’t react like this.
“No, I’m the one who should apologize.”
“No, no, I’m the one who showed you something strange. Of course you’d be flustered.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Oh, o-okay…”
Because of me, the atmosphere in the room had become awkward.
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