"Click—"
With that soft sound, the door was slowly pushed open, and a tall, slender silhouette stepped inside.
The newcomer had long purple hair and wore the deep wine-red school uniform — it was Kamuro Masumi.
Since the two of them had already established their relationship, Shikime Natsu had given Kamuro Masumi a spare key to his room for convenience. Naturally, Sakura Airi — his second girlfriend — had one as well.
Kamuro Masumi stepped into the entryway, changed her shoes, and the moment she raised her head, her gaze immediately locked onto Shikime Natsu and Shiina Hiyori in the living room.
The instant she saw Shiina Hiyori, a flicker of surprise passed through those violet eyes of hers — though it vanished just as quickly as it had appeared, lasting only a single moment. Beyond that, Kamuro Masumi gave no particular reaction.
After all, this was Shikime Natsu's dormitory. It was perfectly normal for her remarkably charming boyfriend to have other girls over.
Still…
This was, technically, the second time she and Shiina Hiyori had run into each other in Shikime Natsu's room.
Last time, the place had been positively lively. But right now, counting herself, there were only three people here.
"Good evening, Natsu. And Shiina-san."
Kamuro Masumi settled her gaze on the two of them, her violet eyes soft, a faint smile resting on her lips. Ever since she'd started dating Shikime Natsu, that smile had become a fixture on the face of this girl who had always seemed so coolly distant — a quiet, gentle smile, not unlike his own.
"Good evening, Kamuro-san."
Shiina Hiyori responded, a touch stiffly.
"Good evening, Masumi."
Shikime Natsu smiled and walked over, his tone easy and natural.
"Have you eaten? If not, I can go make something for you."
"No need. I've already eaten."
Kamuro Masumi gave a small wave, declining his offer, then walked straight over and sat down on Shikime Natsu's bed with the casual ease of someone returning to their own room.
At this moment.
Shiina Hiyori, standing off to the side, found herself feeling just a little… complicated.
Having been his "third girlfriend" for less than an hour, she was already meeting the legendary "first girlfriend" this quickly.
Saying she wasn't nervous at all would be an outright lie.
Her eyes drifted involuntarily between Kamuro Masumi and Shikime Natsu as she quietly tried to gauge Masumi's attitude.
Would she be angry?
Would she see her as some shameless latecomer?
After all… gaining another girlfriend meant one fewer slice of time alone with Shikime Natsu.
At the same time, she found herself wondering: when did Shikime Natsu plan to tell Kamuro Masumi — and the as-yet-unseen Sakura Airi — about her new status?
Right now? Or later, when the moment was right?
While Shiina Hiyori was still lost in these swirling thoughts —
Shikime Natsu suddenly turned around. He looked at Kamuro Masumi sitting on his bed, that characteristic gentle smile on his face, and spoke in a light, casual tone.
"Oh, right. Masumi."
"There's something I should tell you."
"I've started dating Hiyori as well. Just now, actually."
At those words, Shiina Hiyori went completely still.
She stared at him, mouth slightly agape, completely caught off guard.
That… that was a bit sudden, wasn't it?!
He just came right out and said it?!
Not even the slightest lead-up. Not even a moment to let her brace herself mentally.
She was his third girlfriend, after all — being introduced to the first girlfriend this openly and matter-of-factly gave Shiina Hiyori a strangely odd feeling. A nameless mix of embarrassment and guilt.
Especially with Kamuro Masumi right there in front of her.
At those words, the hands Kamuro Masumi had been using to tidy her hair paused noticeably.
She raised her head, those violet eyes of hers widening slightly. Clearly, she hadn't expected Shikime Natsu to have moved so quickly with Shiina Hiyori.
It had only been a week — barely — since she and Shikime Natsu had officially started dating.
How long had it even been?
He'd already found a third girlfriend?
That speed… was frankly staggering.
But then, thinking it over.
Looking at the young man before her — whose looks, talent, and personality were all beyond reproach — Kamuro Masumi found herself thinking that, really, it all made a certain kind of sense.
Shikime Natsu's personal magnetism was genuinely, absurdly powerful. That someone like Shiina Hiyori — exceptional in every way — would be drawn to him was only natural.
And besides…
No matter what, she would always be Shikime Natsu's first girlfriend.
That "first" — no one could take it from her.
As long as that remained unchanged, everything else… wasn't so hard to accept.
Kamuro Masumi let out a quiet breath, and the expression on her face settled back into calm.
She turned her head and looked at Shiina Hiyori with a genuinely warm gaze, her voice gentle.
"Is that so…"
"Then congratulations, Shiina-san."
"Since you're also with Natsu now… let's get along well from here on."
Hearing that, Shiina Hiyori was almost overwhelmed.
She had mentally prepared herself for an all-out war.
But…
Kamuro Masumi's response was unexpectedly gracious. Unexpectedly kind.
No hostility. No cutting remarks.
The tension Shiina Hiyori had been carrying finally, truly released.
Thank goodness…
No catastrophic scene. No battlefield drama.
If it had actually come to that, she, with her gentle, bookish nature, wasn't sure she would have been able to handle it.
"Mm… mm!"
Shiina Hiyori gave a small nod, a smile breaking across her face.
"Likewise… please take care of me, Kamuro-san."
At that moment.
Shikime Natsu walked over to the bedside table, picked up the delicate hair clip that Kamuro Masumi had left behind in the corner the day before, then walked over to her and held it out.
"Here. You left this yesterday."
"Mm."
Kamuro Masumi took the clip and pinned it casually into her hair.
After that, she rose to her feet and glanced briefly at the two of them.
She wasn't the most romantically perceptive person, but she understood the situation.
Today was the first day of Shiina Hiyori and Shikime Natsu's relationship.
For a newly-formed couple, this time was precious — and private. Even as Shikime Natsu's first girlfriend, she had no business being a third wheel right now. The right thing to do was leave enough space for this newcomer to spend time with him properly.
And so, she opened her mouth to say goodbye.
However.
Just as she was about to speak —
"Click——"
The door lock rattled again.
The door swung open once more.
This time, another silhouette stepped inside.
It was… Sakura Airi.
She hadn't even fully crossed the threshold before her voice — bright, sweet, and brimming with warmth — rang out ahead of her:
"Natsu——!"
The affection in her voice was impossible to conceal.
And then.
Sakura Airi's figure came fully into view.
The moment she took in the scene in the living room, she froze completely on the spot.
Shiina Hiyori and Kamuro Masumi, still in the room, also went briefly still.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
At this precise moment, Shikime Natsu's dormitory had achieved something truly remarkable — a full gathering of exceptional individuals.
First girlfriend: Kamuro Masumi.
Second girlfriend: Sakura Airi.
Third girlfriend: Shiina Hiyori.
Shikime Natsu's harem, for the very first time, found itself assembled in the same space — a historic meeting, realized at last.
That said.
Sakura Airi had, after all, mentally prepared herself for something like this. She recovered quickly, and with a warm, bright smile, greeted the other two.
"Good evening, Kamuro-san. And Shiina-san."
"Good evening, Sakura-san."
The two replied politely.
With everyone now present, Shikime Natsu looked perfectly unruffled.
He chuckled softly, stepped into the middle of the group, and spoke as though nothing could be more ordinary:
"Since everyone's here, this is a good chance for proper introductions."
He gestured to Kamuro Masumi:
"This is Masumi — my first girlfriend."
Then to Sakura Airi:
"This is Airi — my second girlfriend."
And finally, his hand came to rest in the direction of a slightly flustered Shiina Hiyori:
"And this is Hiyori. We just made it official a little while ago — she's my third girlfriend."
As Shikime Natsu made his introductions, the three girls exchanged glances, each getting a clearer sense of the others.
Hearing the news.
Sakura Airi's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
She'd known Shikime Natsu was popular. She'd known more girls would inevitably join down the road.
But still…
This soon?
She and Shikime Natsu had only been together for a few days, and he'd already found a third girlfriend!
This pace… this efficiency…
It was so utterly like the Shikime Natsu she'd fallen for.
Still.
Surprised as she was, Sakura Airi wasn't particularly rattled.
Because not long ago, she and Shikime Natsu had made a very important promise — that the second person he would share that kind of intimate physical relationship with could only be her, Sakura Airi!
As long as that promise held.
Even if Shiina Hiyori was already his girlfriend now — even if a fourth or fifth came along in the near future — when it came to the ranking for that, they would all have to wait their turn behind her!
With that thought, Sakura Airi felt a solid sense of reassurance settle in her chest, and that small flicker of anxiety faded considerably.
Still…
Looking at this newly-arrived Shiina Hiyori — who seemed quiet and sweet and utterly lovely — Sakura Airi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This guy, Shikime Natsu… his charm really was something else entirely.
If she let her guard down even slightly, or moved even a fraction too slowly, she might not be able to hold onto even the "second" spot — who knew where she'd end up.
"So, um…"
Sakura Airi collected herself and looked over at Shikime Natsu with curious eyes.
"Natsu, what were you two doing just now?"
"Hiyori and I just finished eating, and we were about to read together."
Shikime Natsu answered with a smile, then turned his gaze to the two other girls and extended an invitation:
"How about it? Masumi, Airi — do you want to join us?"
At that.
Neither Sakura Airi nor Kamuro Masumi answered right away. Instead, they instinctively glanced at each other.
In that single moment.
Something like a shared understanding flickered in both their eyes.
Almost simultaneously, they shook their heads.
"It's all right."
Sakura Airi spoke first, a warm, understanding smile on her face:
"Today is the first day of Natsu and Shiina-san's relationship — it's a special occasion."
"The time that's left tonight… belongs to you two. We're not about to play third wheel."
Kamuro Masumi nodded in agreement, fully endorsing the sentiment.
"Exactly."
With that settled, the two exchanged one more glance before turning their eyes to Shikime Natsu.
"However…"
Kamuro Masumi's faint smile remained in place as she added:
"When it comes to our dates, Natsu — don't you dare shortchange us on time."
"Yes, yes, exactly!"
Sakura Airi nodded vigorously, shaking her little fist in mock ferocity:
"If Natsu shows any favouritism, I'm going to be very upset!"
Looking at these two girls — slightly jealous and yet so generously gracious about it — Shikime Natsu couldn't help but laugh.
He nodded.
"Of course. You have my word — your time won't be cut short by a single second."
Satisfied with that answer.
Both girls wasted no more time, turned, and left the room cleanly, returning the space to the true main characters of tonight.
As the door clicked shut once more.
Quiet settled over the room again, leaving just the two of them — Shikime Natsu and Shiina Hiyori.
Shikime Natsu turned around and looked at Shiina Hiyori, who was still standing there in a bit of a daze, and said warmly:
"Don't be nervous, Hiyori. As you saw — Masumi and Airi are both easy to get along with. They're not nearly as intimidating as you might have thought."
"Mm…"
Shiina Hiyori gave a small nod, and the last of the weight she'd been carrying finally, fully lifted.
It had only been a brief exchange, but she could already feel it — those two "seniors" bore her no ill will. If anything, they'd shown her kindness and genuine warmth.
For her, that was the best possible outcome.
And just then.
"Ding—"
Shikime Natsu's phone on the table let out a chime.
He picked it up and glanced at the screen.
A message from Sakura Airi.
[Sakura Airi: Right now, Natsu has only just started dating Shiina-san — but later on… if Natsu wants, the four of us should have some fun together sometime~ Oh, and… don't forget our little promise, okay? 💕]
Reading Sakura Airi's message, Shikime Natsu let out a quiet laugh. That phrase "have some fun together" — he wasn't sure if he was reading too much into it, but something about it felt just slightly… off.
Then again, coming from Sakura Airi, a certain kind of "off" was pretty much par for the course. After all, she was the one who had proposed the seven-day rule to him in the first place.
Shaking his head, he cleared away those wandering, alluring thoughts.
Shikime Natsu tapped the screen and sent individual messages to Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyou, and Sakayanagi Arisu, letting each of them know they didn't need to come over today.
After all, tonight belonged entirely to Shiina Hiyori.
Once all that was taken care of.
He set the phone down and looked at Shiina Hiyori, who had been waiting quietly nearby, and said softly:
"Alright. No one else should be dropping by after this. Hiyori… shall we get back to reading, just the two of us?"
"Mm."
Shiina Hiyori nodded, her cheeks faintly flushed.
The two of them settled back into their original spots, each picking up a book, and fell into quiet reading.
Time slipped by in the soft rustle of turning pages.
Outside the window, the night deepened. Inside the room, the light was warm and gentle.
Despite the little stir of events that had just passed, in this moment, it was as if nothing had happened at all — the two of them back in that familiar, unhurried rhythm of comfortable silence, the kind where words weren't necessary for hearts to meet.
Until nine o'clock in the evening.
Shiina Hiyori closed the book in her hands, checked the time on her phone, and quietly rose to her feet.
"Um… Natsu."
"It's getting late. I should head back."
"Mm. Let me walk you to the door."
Shikime Natsu set his own book aside and stood, seeing her to the entryway.
At the doorway.
Shiina Hiyori put on her shoes, then turned to face Shikime Natsu.
She suddenly paused.
A shy light shimmered in those violet eyes of hers, and the colour in her cheeks rose with visible swiftness.
She hesitated for a moment.
Then, slowly, she opened her arms — a little awkwardly, yet filled with so much unguarded longing as she looked at him.
That posture. That gaze.
The girl was clearly asking for a farewell hug.
Shikime Natsu looked at her adorable expression, his eyes full of fond indulgence.
Smiling, he stepped forward, opened his arms, and gently drew that slender, soft figure into his embrace.
"Mm…"
The moment she was pulled in, Shiina Hiyori let out a small, involuntary sound.
The faint, distinctive scent that was hers drifted up to meet him — like delicate violet blossoms, clean and understated.
Through the thin fabric of her clothes, Shikime Natsu could clearly feel the warmth and softness of her, and the gentle quickening of her heartbeat — fluttering with nerves and excitement both.
In that warm, steady embrace.
Shiina Hiyori felt as though she might melt entirely.
The feeling of being held close by the person you love — it was wonderful. Safe, and impossibly right.
She nuzzled slightly against his chest, then spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Thank you… Natsu."
Thank you for accepting my feelings.
Thank you… for liking me.
A moment later.
Shikime Natsu gently released her and looked at the girl before him, cheeks blazing red — and a mischievous smile curved at the corner of his lips as he leaned close to her ear and murmured:
"Since you're leaving anyway…"
"How about a goodbye kiss?"
"?!"
At those words, Shiina Hiyori's head snapped up, and her cheeks went scarlet so fast it looked like they might bleed.
A… a kiss?!
Here?!
Right now?!
Wasn't that a bit fast?!
For Shiina Hiyori — for this girl who was, by nature, a little reserved — a kiss this sudden and out of nowhere carried far too much of an impact.
They were dating, yes, and there had technically been an "indirect kiss" earlier — but a real kiss was something she wasn't mentally prepared for at all!
And besides — for a first kiss, Shiina Hiyori really did want something just a little more… romantic. Because unlike a sudden, impulsive confession, a moment like this called for a sense of occasion. She wanted a little ceremony.
And yet, when Shiina Hiyori's gaze landed on Shikime Natsu's strikingly handsome face — while she wasn't about to go for a direct kiss — still…
Shiina Hiyori bit her lower lip.
She drew in a quiet breath, then rose ever so slightly onto her tiptoes.
Under Shikime Natsu's startled eyes.
She closed hers — and pressed those soft, warm lips of hers to his cheek. Light as a dragonfly skimming water. Gone in an instant.
"Mwah~"
The touch was feather-light, over before it had truly begun.
After doing it, Shiina Hiyori quickly stepped back, covering her burning cheeks with both hands, and looked at Shikime Natsu with a shy, radiant smile.
"As for an actual kiss — I'd like to save it for our first date, Natsu. I want something a little more romantic for that. Is that alright?"
Looking at the expectant shimmer in those violet eyes of hers, Shikime Natsu naturally said yes.
"Of course."
With his answer, Shiina Hiyori left with a happy heart. Shikime Natsu could still feel the lingering warmth on his cheek — and found himself looking forward, just a little, to the kiss Shiina Hiyori had promised for their next meeting.
____
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