Episode 16 – The Curse of Missing Ryoko

Craving Ryoko

Morning. Shota was getting ready for work while Ryoko prepared breakfast in the kitchen.

Just watching her back filled him with a deep sense of comfort. So far, so normal.

The problem started when Ryoko stepped away—to the bathroom.

(...Huh?)

Suddenly, a pang tightened in his chest.

(...What is this? Why do I feel so... lonely?)

"Shota-kun? You okay?"

As soon as Ryoko returned, the unbearable pressure in his chest lifted. His heart lightened so dramatically, it even shocked him.

(What... was that!?)

Later, as they left for work, Ryoko waved him off.

"Good luck at work today, Shota-kun♡"

And the moment she walked out of sight—

"...!!"

An overwhelming loneliness struck like a knife to the chest. The moment he could no longer see Ryoko, a wave of anxiety surged through him. It felt exactly like the intense emotional dependency of early-stage infatuation.

(This... This is a curse!!)

Shota finally realized: Ryoko had placed a curse on him.

A Hellish Workday

At his desk, Shota tried to focus—but nothing worked.

(...Lonely.) (...What’s Ryoko-senpai doing now...) (...I want to see her. Right now...!!)

His eyes stared blankly at the computer screen. Not a single word registered.

"Shota-kun, are you okay? You look pale," Nana Sakurai asked, concerned.

But Shota didn’t care.

(...Where is Ryoko-senpai...)

Almost on autopilot, he pulled out his phone and sent her a message.

"Ryoko-senpai, where are you right now...?"

She replied instantly:

"At work. Why? Is something wrong?"

(Oh thank god… she replied…!!)

Just that reply was enough to bring him momentary relief. But then—

(Nope. Still unbearable!! I need to see her!!!)

Shota leapt up from his desk.

"Ryoko-senpai!!"

He rushed to the other floor where Ryoko worked. Colleagues looked on, puzzled, but he didn’t care.

Ryoko looked up, surprised, then chuckled.

"Shota-kun? What’s going on?" "Um, well..."

He couldn’t explain why he was there—only that he had to see her.

"Could it be... you missed me?"

He said nothing.

Ryoko smiled knowingly and gently stroked his cheek.

"It’s okay, Shota-kun♡ Once you learn to be a little more patient, I’ll lift the curse for you♡"

(So… not anytime soon, huh...)

Shota’s torment was far from over.

Lunchtime Temptations and the Curse Persists

The lunch bell rang. Shota slumped over his desk, sighing.

(Haaah… Ryoko-senpai…)

The moment she left his line of sight, that crushing loneliness returned. He could barely function, let alone enjoy lunch.

That’s when Nana Sakurai popped up.

"Shota-kun, wanna grab lunch together?" "Ah..."

(No way. I can’t. Not without Ryoko-senpai...!)

But turning her down would be awkward. Especially without explaining the curse. Flustered, Shota asked, "W-Where to?"

"There’s this awesome pasta place nearby! Let’s go try it out!"

"Uh, yeah... s-sure..."

He wanted to say no. But she looked so hopeful, and he couldn’t very well tell her, “Sorry, I’m cursed with separation anxiety by my telekinetic girlfriend.”

"...Just for a bit, then."

That decision would be his downfall.

Curse Activated — An Overwhelming Sadness

Shota and Nana walked toward the pasta restaurant. She chatted happily about their destination—but Shota was completely detached.

Then, it hit him. Ryoko wasn’t there.

(...Ah!!)

Suddenly—

"Ugh...!!"

An intense wave of loneliness crushed his chest. Ryoko was out of sight. And that was enough to make it hard to breathe.

(No good… I have to go back…!!)

"Shota-kun? Are you okay?"

"N-No, it’s nothing…"

He forced a smile, but his body trembled. Even with Nana beside him, the world felt hollow. So cold and empty—without Ryoko.

(I can’t take this anymore!!)

Shota stopped abruptly.

"S-Sorry Nana-chan!! I can’t do this!!" "Huh?! What? Are you sick?!" "No, not really… I-I just remembered something urgent!!" "But we’re almost there! At least come next time—"

He bolted, leaving her stunned.

Back to Ryoko

Shota raced back to the office and ran straight to Ryoko’s desk.

"Ryoko-senpai!!"

She looked up, surprised.

"Shota-kun? Weren’t you out to lunch?"

Shota didn’t speak—he only panted heavily, staring at her.

(Oh god… Ryoko-senpai…!!)

Just seeing her face, the storm inside him cleared. His heart felt calm for the first time that day.

"I couldn’t take it… I’m sorry…" "Fufu♡ I thought so."

Ryoko gently pulled him in by the arm and kissed his forehead.

"Feeling better now?" "...Yeah."

Just her touch made the world feel right again.

"Good boy, Shota-kun. You did your best today♡"

Smiling softly, she stroked his hair. And as he looked up at her, Shota knew—

(...I really can’t live without her anymore...)

And there was no sign the curse would lift any time soon.

Ryoko’s “Baby Mode” — Activated

After work, Shota headed straight home to Ryoko’s apartment. There was no other place he wanted to be.

She greeted him at the door.

"Welcome home, Shota-kun♡"

Just hearing her voice brought relief.

"Ryoko-senpai… I have a request." "Hm? What is it?" "...Could you maybe cancel this curse now...?"

He offered a sheepish smile.

The day had been pure hell. Every moment away from her had felt like emotional freefall. He couldn’t go on like this.

Ryoko stared at him for a moment before giggling.

"...You’re so hopeless♡"

She touched his forehead gently, and a soft sensation flowed through him.

"There. The curse is lifted." "...Phew. Thank goodness..."

But—

"Now then, let’s switch to Baby Mode♡" "…Wait, what?"

Before he could react, Shota was lifted into the air.

"Wha—!? Ryoko-senpai!?"

"Aww, you worked so hard today♡ Good boy~♡"

She cradled him like an oversized baby and carried him to the sofa.

"N-No, I’m a grown man!" "Ehh~? But you were whining all day like, ‘I miss Ryoko-senpai sooo much~’ like a baby, weren’t you?" "T-That’s—!!"

No rebuttal.

She wasn’t wrong.

"So today, I’m going to spoil you extra hard. Come here~♡"

She patted her lap invitingly.

"Uh, I really don’t think that’s—" "Shota-ku~n?"

Hearing her soft voice, his body moved on its own.

And before he realized it—

He was resting on her lap.

"...Huh?" "Fufu♡ See? Such a good boy♡"

She began to gently stroke his hair.

"Feels good?" "...Yeah…"

(...This is bad… I’m melting…)

Each stroke of her fingers sent him deeper into bliss. Warm, soft, and safe.

(...I’m done for...)

He didn’t even mind anymore. Baby Mode or not, he never wanted to leave.

"There, there♡ You’ll always be my precious little baby, okay?"

And with that, Shota closed his eyes.

(...This is fine. I could stay like this forever...)

Cradled in Ryoko’s lap, he slowly drifted off to sleep—.