After a long while, Kaguya finally calmed down, though her cheeks were still bright red and she kept sneaking embarrassed glances at Shichen.
Shichen simply ignored her and turned to Yuzuru. "Yuzuru, is there anything else you two need me to do?"
"Question. Before that, Yuzuru wants to ask: just now, between Yuzuru and Kaguya, who attracted you more?" Yuzuru asked seriously.
"That's right! Hurry up and say it—between me and Yuzuru back there, who had more charm?" Kaguya also latched onto the topic, staring at Shichen earnestly.
"So we're doing a verdict now? Fine." Shichen nodded.
"Originally, it should have been a draw. You both know this—putting sunscreen on you two felt no different."
"Eh? How can it be like that…"
"Question. It should be a draw?"
"Yeah, it should have been. But someone gave a bit too much… bonus at the end," Shichen said, smiling as he looked at Kaguya.
"Eh?" Kaguya froze.
"Bonus? What bonus… don't tell me—" She suddenly remembered, and a flush climbed up her cheeks.
"Exactly what you're thinking."
"Eeeeh—!"
Kaguya immediately turned sideways, half-facing away from him, glaring in flustered anger. "Shichen, you pervert!"
"How's that my fault? You're the one who exposed yourself."
"You couldn't just not look?"
"I'm a normal man, how could I not look?"
"You…" For a moment, Kaguya couldn't come up with anything to say, overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment.
"Question. So that means Kaguya won?" Yuzuru cut in, asking, with no hint of disappointment on her face.
It wasn't her usual blank look—she'd genuinely relaxed a little.
"Eh?" Kaguya blinked at that, a hint of panic flickering in her eyes.
"Hehe, not really. You two are tied," Shichen said, shaking his head with a smile.
"Question. A tie—what do you mean?" Yuzuru frowned.
Kaguya, on the other hand, looked at him with open relief and delight.
"Yuzuru, you forgot? Yesterday in the bath, you were the more charming one."
"That's…"
"Yesterday you won, today Kaguya wins. So it's a tie. You'll settle the real result later," Shichen explained.
"…" Yuzuru fell silent.
"Great!" Kaguya almost jumped up, grinning from ear to ear.
"Confusion. Yuzuru doesn't understand—Kaguya, why are you so happy?" Yuzuru frowned at her.
"Eh? I… right, I just don't want to win too easily, okay? When I beat you, I want it to be utterly decisive!" Kaguya waved her hands, eyes darting away as she hurried to explain.
"Understood. I see…"
"So, do you two still have any other ways to show off your charm?" Shichen asked.
"Of course we do!" Kaguya said, sounding a little too excited.
"What else?"
"Mm~ next is… watermelon splitting!"
"Watermelon splitting? That counts? How is that supposed to show off your charm?"
"Hmph~ Shichen, don't underestimate this game. It's to train our teamwork. That'll make you like us more."
"Is that so? So you two are the ones wearing the blindfolds, right?"
"Eh? Isn't Shichen supposed to wear the blindfold?" Kaguya blinked.
"No, no. You two wear it. If you can hit the watermelon following my directions, that'll make me happier."
"Is that how it is?" Kaguya looked over at Yuzuru.
"Affirmative. Then we'll be the ones blindfolded," Yuzuru nodded.
"Yuzuru, you…?"
"Question. Kaguya, are you scared that you and Shichen don't have any chemistry?"
"Of course not! Fine, we'll wear the blindfolds, we'll wear them!"
"Then you two rock–paper–scissors. Winner goes first."
"Okay!"
The two glared at each other, an invisible tension crackling between them.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
"Mocking. Kaguya can't even beat Yuzuru at rock–paper–scissors," Yuzuru said with a smirk.
"Hmph! We're not competing at rock–paper–scissors!" Kaguya shot back.
"All right, let's get the props ready."
Naturally, watermelon and blindfolds had already been prepared by Murasame Reine.
Shichen set the watermelon down, and Yuzuru helped Kaguya put on the blindfold, then spun her around.
"Confirmation. Keep spinning until Kaguya is dizzy and can't see straight—"
"Wait, wait! Just spin her a couple of times. Don't make it so she can't even walk," Shichen quickly cut in.
"Fine… I suppose…" Yuzuru sighed, looking disappointed.
"I'm done spinning," Kaguya announced. She didn't feel dizzy at all, and stood facing a completely wrong direction.
"Kaguya, turn right about a hundred and twenty degrees," Shichen said.
"A hundred and twenty degrees? How much is that?" Kaguya asked, totally lost.
"…Just keep turning right, and I'll tell you when to stop," Shichen said helplessly.
"Oh…"
"Okay, stop. Walk straight ahead now."
"Got it~" Kaguya strode forward confidently.
"Request. Shichen, can we make a deal?" Yuzuru suddenly leaned in close and whispered.
"A deal?" Shichen glanced at her.
"Yes. For this match, Yuzuru asks that you must choose Kaguya."
"…Why?" Shichen frowned slightly.
"Explanation. Because Kaguya is more outstanding than Yuzuru. There's nothing to hesitate about. Shichen should clearly see how cute Kaguya is by now, right? She can be overbearing, but she's straightforward, she takes care of people, and when you hold that delicate body in your arms—the one that feels like it might break if you squeeze too hard—the sense of bliss is nothing short of heavenly… If you choose Kaguya, she'll definitely devote herself to looking after you. That's why you have to choose her," Yuzuru said, sincerely praising her. The corners of her mouth lifted without her noticing.
"And if I do choose Kaguya, what about you?" Shichen asked.
"…" Yuzuru didn't answer. She just lowered her gaze.
"Have you thought this through? If I choose her, you'll disappear."
"Understood. Kaguya is the one truly worthy of being the spirit Yamai. After these two days together, Shichen, you must have realized how charming she is. You have no reason not to choose Kaguya."
"That's true, but…"
"Explanation. Don't be fooled by her exterior. She gets embarrassed very easily. If I'm not by her side fanning the flames, she'd never dare to show off at all."
"You really do understand her," Shichen sighed.
"Confirmation. So please, choose Kaguya… Otherwise, your friends will suffer misfortune," Yuzuru added, trying to threaten him.
"Threats don't work on me. You should know what I can do."
"Affirmative. Then in that case…"
Yuzuru rose up on tiptoe and pressed a light kiss to his lips.
Just a touch, then she pulled away.
"Question. Is that okay? Consider it the price of our deal," Yuzuru murmured, not daring to meet his eyes, ears blazing red.
"You… really don't need to go that far," Shichen said quietly.
"Request. I'm begging you," Yuzuru said, bowing deeply before stepping aside and pretending nothing had happened.
"Shichen, what are your directions? Where's the watermelon?" Kaguya's voice dragged him back to the moment.
"Almost there. It's just a bit ahead—take two more steps."
"Okay!"
…
Kaguya never did manage to smash the watermelon. Shichen's instructions had been distracted; even knowing their choices and intentions, he'd still been shaken.
Faced directly with feelings where each of them was willing to sacrifice herself for the other, it was hard not to be moved.
Next it was Yuzuru's turn. After Kaguya blindfolded her and spun her around two and a half times, Shichen began guiding her.
"Yuzuru, turn left first. I'll say stop when it's enough."
"Suggestion. You can just say how many degrees. Yuzuru doesn't want to be like Kaguya, who doesn't know anything."
"Yuzuru! What's that supposed to mean?" Kaguya snapped.
"Mocking. You know exactly what it means," Yuzuru replied.
"Ugh, you…!"
"All right, Yuzuru, turn one hundred degrees, then walk straight," Shichen said.
"Understood."
"Hmph… that girl…" Kaguya grumbled, walking over to stand next to Shichen.
Shichen glanced at her, and their eyes met.
"Shichen, can you promise me one thing? Then I won't hold it against you for… seeing everything," Kaguya said softly.
"…What is it?" Shichen asked.
"For this match… choose Yuzuru."
Of course, she said the exact same thing Yuzuru had.
"…Why?" Shichen looked at her evenly.
"Why not?" Kaguya shrugged.
"What's there to hesitate over? Yuzuru is super cute. She looks a little blank on the surface, but she's gentle, and she's got big boobs… She's like the ultimate dream girl for guys! And if you pick her, she'll give you all kinds of… services. You have no reason not to choose her, right?"
As she listed Yuzuru's good points, Kaguya wore a sweet, soft smile.
The two of them really, truly loved each other.
"And just for that, I'm supposed to choose her?" Shichen asked.
"That isn't enough? I'm even letting you off the hook for seeing me naked," Kaguya huffed.
"That still isn't enough."
~~~
Thank you for reading! More Chapters in my Patreon Page! Please check it out!
–› Patreon.com/Bleam