Chapter 7

"Oh my, what are you two doing here?” Haruko and Yukiko turned around to see Erina approaching them. They were in the middle of picking out some outfits to try out when she approached them.

"Ah, Erina~" Yukiko greeted sweetly, showing that she was definitely the youngest Hasegawa. "We were shopping for Haruko, to add some outfits into her wardrobe." she explained.

"Shall we help you?" A familiar voice called out from behind the siblings. Haruko realized who it was right away because of what happened the first day she had appeared. "Nice to see you again... silly girl~"

It was Akemi Minatozaki, another one of Takashi's love interests. Although she was more on the complicated side as well, there was a whole side story thing you would need to go through to get her attention, and that would include getting close to his sisters.

"H...Hello..." Haruko greeted them with an awkward smile, tensing when Reika approaches as well with two other women. 'Just how many characters are actually in this story...'

"You've met?" Reika asks, looking between them.

"She's the girl I told you about. The one I bumped into in the hallway." Akemi explains briefly. "The girl that gave me her hand instead of my books." she chuckles in amusement, staring up at Haruko.

"So you were talking about Haruko." Erina hummed in awe, "Small world, huh?"

'Small game, large pool of characters...' Haruko could only smile as she listened to them.

"Your name is Haruko, huh?" Akemi spoke.

"H-Haruko Kisaragi, a pleasure to meet you." Haruko said, introducing herself. She should just wear a sign at this point, a name tag maybe.

"Nice to meet you, Kisaragi. I'm Akemi Minatozaki." She smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you properly." she admitted. " These are our other friends, Akira Tachibana, and Saeko Kawaguchi." she motions to the other two women standing beside them.

'Maybe everyone should wear a name tag? That would be helpful...' Haruko joked to herself, bowing her head towards the newcomers. 'I suppose that because I'm a part of the background characters, I would be able to get to know them more...'

The first woman had long burgundy hair tied back into a neat ponytail and side bangs. Her eyes are light brown and full of enthusiasm. The other girl had straight jet black hair with fringe bangs that barely touched the ridge of her nose. Her eyes are a darker blue.

"Ah, so you're the girl Akemi was giggling about the whole day." The Burgundy haired girl beamed, holding her hand out towards her. "Akira Tachibana, nice to meet you." she hummed, "I'm the Captain for the women's soccer team at our school."

"Nice to meet you..." Haruko nods, shaking her hand firmly. "She was laughing at me?"

"Not in a bad way, of course." The other girl, Saeko explained, there was a mature air around her that was kind of attractive in Haruko's opinion. "She was just amused." She smiled slightly, "I am Saeko Kawaguchi."

"Nice to see you again, little Hasegawa sister." Akira greeted Yukiko playfully as Haruko shook Saeko's hand.

"I have a name, Akira..." Yukiko whines, the older woman patting her head in amusement.

"Yes, yes, I know~" Akira laughed.

"How do you all know each other?" Haruko asks now, she was genuinely curious at that point. These were all supporting characters that didn't really have avatars, aside from Akemi.

"We've been friends since high school." Erina explained, "And have some classes together."

"Y-You go to our school too?" Haruko glances at Erina and Reika.

"Yea, silly. Did you think we weren't in school?" Reika chuckled.

"I mean... Kind of."

"Well, since we're here... I see you two picked out some outfits." Akemi pointed out, she looks at the outfits in their arms curiously. "Why don't you go try them on?"

"Yea, do that. I want to see what you picked out for her." Reika hummed, "While you do that, I'm going to go pick some stuff too~" she said.

Haruko could only nod slightly, she took the clothes Yukiko picked out and brought them into the changing room. She took her time to change into some of the outfits, humming in satisfaction at Yukiko's fashion choice.

"How does it look?" Yukiko asks, waiting patiently outside of the fitting room.

Haruko walks out from behind the curtain, wearing a white long button up long sleeve with an oversized t-shirt on top. And black mid-rise slim fit khaki shorts that showed off her long legs. "What do you think?" she asks curiously, glancing at the full body mirror that was outside.

"Y...You look good." Yukiko nodded timidly. "Do you like it? You said you liked the androgynous look, so I based it off that." she smiled.

"I like it." Haruko nods.

"It suits you." Reika spoke up, walking by with some outfits as well. "Try some of these things on as well, if you don't mind."

"S-Sure..."

She tried on outfit after outfit, the women seemingly having a fun time picking things out for her. At some point she was about ready to stop, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Done changing, Haruko?" Reika asks through the curtain.

"Yea." Haruko nods, "It's a bit..." she comes out, pushing the curtain to the side to reveal she was in a slim fitted black shirt with a high neck, it showed off a bit of her stomach. Ripped denim jeans that cuffed at the ends, being held up by a black belt and a leather jacket to top it off.

She was a bit in awe of herself in all honesty, glancing at the mirror again.

Haruko approaches the large mirror, she stares at the reflection for a few seconds before feeling her toned stomach out of curiosity. 'Woah...' she gapes, blushing brightly. 'Honestly, this NPC should've been a part of the story... she's kinda... I would date her...' her thoughts trailed off.

"You look so good." Akemi tells her from behind, staring at the reflection in amazement.

"T-Thank you..." Haruko gasps, she holds her arms across her stomach. Covering the area timidly.

"Wear these out." Reika said, holding a few bags. "We already paid for everything."

"You-- what? Huh??" Haruko rubs the back of her neck nervously. "You bought me outfits???"

"Think of it as a housewarming gift." Erina suggests, smiling up at her. "You looked so good in all of them, we just had to get them for you."

"E-Eh, I-I couldn't..." Haruko grumbles.

"Don't worry, Haruko. They shop like this all the time." Yukiko admitted, it was kind of reassuring to hear.

"I...If you insist." Haruko said she takes the bags from Reika to carry them instead. "Thank you so much."

"Great~" Reika purred.

"Why don't you two head back to our home for now?" Erina suggests, "Would you like to join us for dinner tonight, Haruko? Mother and I have a new dish we wanted to try making, and we'd love for you to be there."

"S-Sure. I'd love to try it." Haruko agreed, "We will meet you there then?"

"Of course." Erina smiles. "Go on."

*

"Sorry this couldn't be a proper date..." Haruko spoke up as they walked towards the Hasegawa household, Yukiko holding onto her arm. "M-Maybe we can have a proper one next time...?"

"Are you sure this is for practice?" Yukiko raises a curious brow at the girl.

"H-Huh?" Oh right. " The flirting, oh..." Haruko gasps, she just remembered why they were on a date in the first place. "I kinda forgot about that... I was just-- I was having fun with you if I'm going to be honest."

"O-Oh..." Yukiko blushes at the revelation, "T-Then, I suppose we could plan another date..." she mumbled. "We can talk about it some other time..." she hugs the plushie tightly, hiding her face into it shyly.

"S..Sure." Haruko nodded, and they turned the corner to enter through the front gates of the Hasegawa home. "We're here." she points out.

Yukiko pulls away from her to open the door, allowing them to enter. She noticed that the home was still pretty dark and that everyone's shoes were still missing. "I guess no one is home yet." she said, closing the door behind Haruko once she walked in.

"Just us, I suppose..." Haruko nods, and the two remove their shoes to put on the house slippers. She was starting to feel a bit nervous about the situation. Being alone with an attractive woman does that to her.

They enter the living room, taking a seat on the couch. They take a seat next to each other on the couch, Yukiko turning the TV on. "They should be back soon." she said.

"What do you want to do for now?" Haruko asks curiously.

"What would you want to do?" Yukiko responded, "W-We can do anything you want..." it was almost suggestive, Haruko didn't know if she meant to make it sound like that but it was sounding like that.

"W-We should be doing something you want to do..." Haruko shook her head, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly. "This is your home after all. "

"I..." Yukiko was in thought, she grasped tightly at the edge of her skirt. "I want to... if you're okay with-- I-I-- c-can we...kiss...?" she asks, very nervous.

'Woah... on the first date too?' Haruko was in awe by her suggestion, and a bit embarrassed. "I-Is that what you want...? I don't mind... i-if you're okay with me--" her eyes widened in surprise when Yukiko cut her off, and their lips met.

Yukiko cups her jaw, pulling back a bit to see if Haruko was okay with the direction they were going in. Her curiosity is answered when Haruko leans in again for their lips to meet.

Their kiss deepens when Yukiko wraps her arms around her neck.

'T...This is... nice...' Haruko's head was getting warm and fuzzy, her body moving on its own at that point. She leans more into the kiss, slowly laying Yukiko back onto the couch, pinning her there as their tongues danced around each other. Her body presses into Yukiko's as she rests her hand on her thigh, her other hand gripping at the couch.

Haruko pulls back, Yukiko staring up at her and noticing that her light blue eyes were almost in a daze. She leans in again, kissing lightly on Yukiko's jaw before peppering down her neck. "H-Haru...?" Yukiko squeaked, trying to hold back her voice. "Haru..."

Haruko gives her thigh a firm squeeze, but before anything intense could happen–

The front door swings open. "We're home!" Reika called out.

Yukiko gasps, she grabs at the back of Haruko's collar and shoves her off quickly. The other woman practically falls off of the couch just in time as the other woman walks into the living room. She sits up, snapping out of her daze from all the kissing.

"Sorry, did you wait too long?" Erina asks, looking between the two curiously. She notices that they were beet red. "Are you okay?"

"We bought some other things along the way, so we took a bit longer." Reika explained, noticing the smudges around their lips, mostly around Haruko's lips. "What did you two do while you waited?" she asks, raising an amused brow.

"W-Watching TV... we were watching TV." Yukiko admitted nervously, motioning to the TV playing in the background.

"With Haruko on the ground?"

"W-What else did you buy?" Haruko asks, trying to change the subject. "More clothes?"

"Well, Erina suggested we get Takashi some clothes. Since that boy can barely dress himself." Reika sighed.

"T-That's nice of you."

"We also got more outfits and a couple of accessories we thought you'd like." Erina added, "Akemi, Saeko and Akira helped to pick them out." She hummed, the other three walking in with their own shopping bags. They put them off to the side and take a seat on the couches.

"You two alright?" Akira asks once she saw the two of them.

"W-What do you mean?" Yukiko questioned, she held the plushie they had one earlier that day close.

"Your lipstick is smudged." Akemi pointed out, motioning around Yukiko's lips.

"H-Huh? O-Oh..." Yukiko blushes, she was quick to cover her lips. She wipes around her mouth to get rid of the evidence. "P...Probably from when we ate..." she said, averting her eyes.

"Are you sure? It looked fine earlier." Akemi raised a curious, yet amused brow. They knew.

"You too, Haruko." Reika added in, she caresses Haruko's cheek before making her turn to face her. "You have smudges of lipstick around your lips."

"H...Huh..." Haruko's jaw dropped slightly, as if she was going to say something but had nothing to say. 'I think we've been caught...'

"You weren't even wearing lipstick." Akira giggled, the older girls already had a clue of what had happened while they were away but wanted to tease them. "Unless you were?"

"I'm pretty sure she wasn't." Saeko chuckles. "I wonder where that came from."

'We've been caught...'  Haruko thought. 

"You two kissed, didn't you?~" Reika grins teasingly, "Cute. You move fast, huh?" she purred, rubbing Haruko's cheeks lightly with her thumbs. "Not a lot of people kiss on the first date, let alone make out~"

"S-Shut up... I suggested it." Yukiko spoke up, frowning. "L-Leave her alone..."

"Oh please." Reika rolled her eyes, "Maybe we could do that too~" she suggested in a lower tone, staring into Haruko's blue eyes. "I wouldn't oppose that~"

"Stop teasing them." Erina scolded, "I'm going to start preparing the food. You all get comfortable." she suggested to the others.

"I'll let Takashi know that you're making something." Yukiko says, avoiding eye contact from the others.

"I'll call you when it's ready." Erina nodded, disappearing into the kitchen. Leaving the others to sit around, watch TV and chat. Kind of…

Haruko was in her own little world while they were chatting. Her head was a bit... she was still in a bit of a daze from all the kissing. 'What is going on...? Why am I feeling this way...?' she wondered, massaging the sides of her temple. 'Haruko... must like kissing or something...' she sighed.

'I would get a weird one, huh...?'

*

By the time Erina finished with dinner, Takashi had returned home with some of his own shopping bags. He goes to put his stuff away and joins the others in the dining room. The group ate silently. Or well, Haruko was eating silently, she was trying to figure out the body at the moment.

"You like to cook too?" Akemi asks her suddenly, surprising Haruko.

She figured they were talking about the breakfast she had made earlier. "Y-Yea... sometimes." Haruko answered.

"Maybe you can cook for me one day~" Akemi giggled, causing her to blush.

'What's wrong with me, am I a teenage boy...?? This body is so sensitive...' Haruko grumbles. "Y-Yea..."

"You can cook for me again one day~" Reika smiled, "I'll be sure to repay the favor with something that'll please you too..." she said in a suggestive tone, leaning in close.

"H-Huh..." Haruko instantly thought about kissing, she tenses up. She misses her mouth when trying to feed herself, causing the food to fall off from her fork. "Ah..."

"Let me get that for you~" Reika reaches for a napkin, wiping off the smudge of sauce on her jeans. She rests her hand on her thigh for a second before sliding her fingers slowly up her stomach to caress her abs. "Clean enough...?" she asks with a smirk.

"U-Uh." Haruko couldn't breathe, she felt a knot in her throat as she stared into Reika's eyes.

"Stop please." Takashi deadpanned, "I'm trying to eat." he pointed out blandly, stuffing his face with some food.

"Shut up." Reika rolled her eyes in annoyance. "We can continue this later?~" she said, whispering into Haruko's ear. Causing her to shiver from the sensation of her hot breath blowing on her. "Spend the night with me, Haruko~"

"Sure!" Akira grinned widely, "Thanks for the invite, Reika!~ You staying as well, Akemi? Saeko?"

"Sure. Sounds fun." Akemi chuckles, "Haven't had a slumber party in a while, huh?"

“I will gladly participate.” Saeko nods.

"It wasn't an invite for everyone..." Reika pouted, she then sighs, giving into the sleepover idea. "Fine, you girls can stay over too." she huffed, crossing her arms in a sassy manner.

"If you're staying over, maybe you should stay in my room tonight...?" Yukiko said she was a bit weary of how Reika was acting. Wondering why she was being so aggressive towards their friend.

"Y-Yea sure..." Haruko nodded, relieved when Reika removed her hands. She pauses, glancing around at the people involved with the sleepover and becoming anxious with the set of characters. 'Fuck me... they're all attractive...' she whined.

'I'm not going to survive...'

*

After dinner, the siblings took turns taking their baths and coming back to their guests in the living room. The rest of the group was just chatting. "How are you liking Japan so far?" Akemi asks suddenly, looking at Haruko.

"It's great." Haruko admitted, "I've been enjoying it..." she trails off, thinking about everything that had happened to her up until now. "It's definitely been an adventure."

"That's good." Saeko chuckles. "Have you always been in the states?" she asks curiously.

"I lived here when I was younger but moved to the states a majority of my life. Now I'm back." Haruko answered, summarizing her answer because that was basically all she knew based on the picture books in her home.

"We're glad to have you back." Erina says.

"What should we do?" Akira asks, putting an arm around Haruko's shoulders enthusiastically. "The night is still young~"

"Homework, perhaps?" Akemi suggested, looking directly at Akira.

"Damn, I've been caught already??" Akira laughed sheepishly. "And I thought I got away with it."

"Do your homework, Akira." Akemi scolded. "You shouldn't be doing it right before classes."

"Is it math again?" Saeko crosses her legs, staring at the other woman with a knowing  gaze.

"Yes ma'am, please help me." Akira pleads, getting up to grab her notebook from her bag.

"Does anyone else have homework to do?" Erina asks, looking around at the group. Not surprised when Takashi and Yukiko raised their hands hesitantly. "Go grab your homework." she sighs.

Haruko watches as the group shifts around the kotatsu table, books and papers sprawled out on top. They went to work right away, Erina trying to help Akira with a math problem while the other two were working by themselves. Speaking up every now and then to ask for some help.

She leans back into the couch, getting comfortable as she listens in. Jumping in surprise when Reika sat right next to her. "Haru~"

"M..Ms. Hasegawa?" Haruko answered back with an awkward smile.

"Isn't it hot? Don't you want to take this off...?" Reika purred, tugging on Haruko's jacket lightly.

"Eh, um..." Haruko swallows hard as Reika's hand reaches under the jacket, resting onto her shoulders.

"Reika." Erina called out in a warning tone.

"Calm down, I'm just considering how our guest feels~ Isn't it a little hot in a leather jacket?" Reika smiles innocently. "No?"

"I-I guess so.." Haruko agreed.

"Take this off then..." Reika reassures, helping her slide the jacket off her shoulders. She hums and leans against her, resting her head on her shoulder. "Just people watching, huh?~"

"Y...Yea... I-I don't want to interrupt anyone... or bother them while they're doing homework..."

"I'll keep you company then~ You can bother me all you want~"

"You--" Erina started, placing a book on Reika's lap. "- need to work on math too." she finished, "Or should I remind you of your last test?" She raised a judging brow.

"Ugh..." Reika groaned out loud. "Okaaayyy, fine...."

When the homework was over, Takashi went up to his room to leave the women alone. They opted to stay in the living room to hang out, considering it was large.

They decided on watching a movie to finish up the night. Sitting around the couch again, eating some snacks.

Throughout the movie, Haruko noticed some of them were falling asleep. She wasn't surprised by Yukiko being tired, they had been out the whole day so it made sense.

She on the other hand was still awake, surprisingly Haruko had a lot of energy. Either that or the kissing was keeping her awake...

"Maybe the movie wasn't such a good idea." Akemi giggled, she was the other person that was awake. As well as Reika. "Then again, perhaps it was a good idea. It is getting kind of late."

"Well, you can go to sleep as well, Minatozaki." Reika suggests, "I want to have some fun with Haruko~"

"E-Eh...?" Haruko tensed, Reika leaning in close, tracing light circles into Haruko's stomach.

"We can go up to my room~" Reika whispers into her ear again, "Erina and Yuki are asleep~ No one will bother us~"

"But what if I'm not sleepy?" Akemi asks, smiling at them innocently.

"Hmm... would you like to join then?" Reika asks playfully, Haruko looking between them in shock at their conversation.

"I wouldn't mind~"

'These girls are... intense... super intense...' Haruko clears her throat nervously. "U-Um... b-but we don't know each other that well... to be doing t-that stuff..." she spoke, scratching at her arm anxiously. Her mind was nervous but her body was excited by the idea of kissing again. 'Stop... bad Haruko...'

"We can get to know each other..." Akemi hummed, sitting on the other side of Haruko, caressing her arm gently.

"S-Sure!" Haruko smiles, her lip twitching. "W-What should we talk about??" She tried, going for the innocent act.

"O-Oh..." Reika replies wearily, she wasn't expecting her to take it seriously. "Uhh, what are your hobbies, Haru?"

"I like... um, drawing and stuff." Haruko admitted.

"Are you thinking of joining an art club?" Akemi asks, "Since you like drawing."

"N-Nah. I already drew enough with my major..." Haruko laughs awkwardly, "I-I was thinking about.. uhh... joining basketball actually." She was pulling stuff out of her ass now, she was just trying to stall.

"I can see that happening." Akemi chuckled. "You do seem like the athletic type..." she rests her hand on Haruko's stomach, her fingers outlining the curves of her muscles lightly.

"I...I work out..." Haruko rasps out softly, "I-It helps me sleep. Because apparently I have a lot of stamina..." she didn't mean to sound suggestive, it just came out like that.

"Oh really now?" Reika leans in close, "I can help you take care of some of that energy..." she whispered, blowing softly into her ear.

Haruko covers her ear in surprise, a warm flush going over her face. She stared at Reika with widened eyes. "U-Um..."

"You're adorable..." Reika grinned, she rubbed her cheek softly. Bringing Haruko's face closer to kiss her on the lips.

'A...Again...' Haruko's fist tightened into a tight ball, pressing her nails into her palm to keep herself grounded. She was losing the mind war though, the warm daze coming again when Reika kissed her deeply.

Reika moves back in amusement, allowing Akemi to kiss her now.

Haruko kisses back a bit, her hands quaking and hovering just above their hips. "Haru... you can touch us..." Akemi says into the kiss with a slight smile.

Reika stops her before she can touch them, helping her take the shirt off first before capturing her lips again as Akemi kisses around her neck. Haruko's breath hitches when she feels one of them tug one of her belts open, her hands resting on their hips.

'Woah! NO!' She snaps out of it when someone unbuttons her jeans. "T-This is-- u-uhm..." Haruko stuttered nervously, her shoulders stiff when the two closed in on her again, their bodies pressing into the side of hers. "I-I should go home actually..." she tells them, slipping out from between the two. Haruko stood up, holding her jacket in front of her.

"Eh?? You shouldn't. It's late." Akemi said, looking at the time worriedly.

"I-I--" Haruko backs up a bit, grabbing her shopping bags. "I'm sorry! M-Maybe next time...!" She tells them in a hurried tone, rushing out the front door after picking up her shoes.

BAM

The door slams closed behind her, slowly waking the others up from the loud noise.

"What is going on...?" Erina questions tiredly, she rubs at her eyes to wake up a bit more. Erina looks around, "Where is Haruko...?"

"Uhh..." Akemi smiles at her nervously, sharing a glance with Reika.

"Is that her shirt...?" Erina squinted at the two wearily, noticing Haruko's shirt tossed onto the couch near them. "Reika... What happened? You'd better tell me right now..." Erina frowns, serious.

"Ugh.... fine...." Reika whines.

*

The next morning came and Haruko considered skipping school to avoid seeing any of them, especially Reika and Akemi. Unfortunately for her, Minami came by her home so that they could walk to school together.

"How'd it go yesterday?" Minami asks her curiously.

"It... was a lot." Haruko admitted to her.

"Oh? Wanna talk about it?"

'Should I...?' Haruko pondered, staring at Minami. 'Hell, might as well, they're best friends...' She decided to tell her what had happened the previous day, even the details of last night while they were on their way to the school.

"Woah..." Minami spoke, her cheeks slightly red. She was a bit embarrassed by what she heard. "That is a lot..."

"Mornin' Haruko, Minami." They heard a voice come from behind, turning to see Takashi there with his sisters and their friends. The boy yawned tiredly as Erina tried to fix his bed head.

Haruko quickly hid behind Minami... tried to, she couldn't really hide with her height.

"Good morning." Minami laughed, "Come on Haru, it'll be okay." she reassured, tugging on her wrist lightly.

"Haruko...!" Erina approaches with an apologetic look, "I'm so sorry about what Reika did..." she frowns, bowing her head politely.

"Me too. She doesn't know when to knock it off." Yukiko shook her head, approaching Haruko cautiously. "I should've stayed awake to keep an eye on you. I knew I couldn't trust her not to do anything.." she rolled her eyes, glaring at her older sister.

"Hey...! I wasn't the only one...!" Reika scoffs, she crosses her arms before motioning to Akemi.

"I-I feel so bad, you left without your shirt..." Erina looked slightly guilty, even though she did nothing at fault. She held her head low. "It was late too..."

"I-It's okay! I-I put my jacket on..." Haruko reassured them.

"I'm sorry, Haruko." Akemi spoke up now. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"I-It's not you, really." Haruko shook her head, "I-I just... I wasn't prepared to stay over. My clothes were at home, and my homework and stuff. It would've been better if I left."

"What did they do?" Takashi asks suddenly, curious from the conversation.

"Oh uh..." Haruko thought about it, wondering if she should tell him. Her cheeks became red when the memories came back to her like a flood. "T-They um..."

"None of your business." Reika snapped back.

Haruko listens to them argue a bit, staying behind Minami quietly. She grabs onto her arm quickly when she feels that heavy sensation again on her shoulders, something ominous approaching them.

"Haru...?" Minami looks at her worriedly, her eyes falling on the people behind her. "They're---" she whispered.

"Good morning!" A voice called out. Haruko grunts when an arm goes around her shoulders suddenly, she looks back wearily to see Kou there. Chills erupting up her arms and neck. "Hey, Kisaragi!"

"M...Morning..." Haruko greeted him awkwardly, offering a slight smile.

"Are you headed to class, Kisaragi? You wanna walk together?" Kou suggested with a dopey grin. Noriko approached them as well, that smile still plastered on her face. Haruko felt overwhelmed just by looking at her, sensing something dark. Beside her another woman, she has long brown hair in a neat ponytail with layered curtain bangs. She was about Yukiko's height, so a bit on the shorter side.

"Get off of her." Noriko scolded him, patting his shoulder. Kou was quick to oblige, "Yesterday was fun, Kisaragi. I hope we can hang out again." she admitted with a tone that just threw Haruko off, it was courteous but there was something hidden beneath it.

"R-Right, me too..." Haruko nodded.

"Oh right!" Noriko continued, "Kisaragi, this is Chisako. Chisako, this is Haruko Kisaragi. She's the new student we were talking about."

“Hello.” Chisako said, bowing her head slightly. She had a stoic expression but when she noticed Takashi her brow furrowed and she frowned. Chisako crosses her arms.

“A pleasure…” Haruko greeted back awkwardly.

“Please ignore Kou, Kisaragi.” Noriko hummed. “You are free to do as you please.” She grabbed his arms, tugging on it once. “Now if you'll excuse us.” She drags Kou along, heading to their own classes and leaving Chisako behind.

“Captain.” Chisako greeted Akira briefly. “I will see you at practice tomorrow.” She stated, disgusted when Takashi gave her a small wave. She ignored him and walked away.

“Bye Chisako~” Akira waves, the group watching them leave silently.

“... She really doesn't like you, huh?” Reika hummed, looking at Takashi. “I can see why.”

“Reika.” Erina scolded, slapping her arm lightly. “Don't listen to her, Takashi.”

“Don't worry, I wasn't.” Takashi huffs, glaring at Reika.

“I have to head to my class now.” Akemi said, glancing at the time. “Haruko, if you're free at lunch… Please join us. I would like to buy your lunch today.” She pats her on the shoulder lightly.

“Hope to see you there~” Reika nodded. She kissed Haruko on the cheek briefly. The older girls walk off to do their own things.

Takashi glances at Haruko curiously. “What did they do…? We already know Reika has a weird habit…” he asks as they head into the school building.

“They were feeling her up and kissing her while the rest of us were asleep.” Yukiko answered for her. “Reika and Akemi.”

“Huhhhh?? At the same time??” Takashi was baffled by that information. “Are you sure you're not good with women??”

“Listen, I-I don't know how that happened, really…” Haruko held her hands up defensively. “I'm not good at talking to women, I swear…” she mumbled.

“It's a bit surprising at how fast things escalated, you only met Akemi once before that, right?” Minami added in with a hum. “Must be her pheromones or something.”

“Well, I say she's secretly good at flirting with women.” Takashi chuckles.

“I never knew your sisters were into women though, and their friends?” Minami commented.

“I'm just as surprised as you.” Takashi shrugs. “Hopefully they're like, bisexual or something… I was hoping to ask Akemi to hang out…” he sighs.

“You too, Yuki?” Minami looks at Yukiko curiously. “Do you like women too?”

“I… I was curious…” Yukiko admitted. “Haruko might have helped guide me in a direction of where I might be in terms of sexuality.”

“Oh? And that would be…?” Minami asks, smiling playfully as Haruko looks at her in confusion.

Yukiko took a moment to glance at the taller girl, noticing she was staring with a slight smile. “I-I'll tell you later…” was all she could say, blushing slightly.

“Fine. Fine.” Minami laughs, “Oh! I have to get to my class. See you guys later??” She waves, separating from the group.

“You too, Haruko?” Takashi asks.

“I have some time before my first class.” Haruko shook her head. “You two have something?”

“Yea. So we'll see you at lunch?”

“Sure.”

Haruko waves them off, watching the two walk away quietly. She takes the time to just roam the campus instead, mentally drawing a map for later.

At some point she takes a seat on a bench that was in the designated smoking area. ‘God… makes me miss it, but also… did it always smell this bad…?’ Haruko sighed, glancing at the people passing by.

She lowered her gaze, reading through the book Shizuka had gotten her before. ‘Might as well learn about it since this is her major…’ she sighed.

Haruko jumps in surprise when someone shuts the book in front of her, taking it out of her hand. She looks up, her jaw dropping in surprise. “S…Shizu–”

“Shizu.” Shizuka smiled down at her, pressing a finger up to her lips. “Haruko. What are you doing out here?” She asks, taking a seat beside her.

“I-I wasn't just--I was waiting for my class time.” Haruko admitted, growing a bit timid by her presence. “W-Why are you here??” Shizuka moves to the school at some point to help with the plan, perhaps that's why?

“I transferred to this school just for the purpose of the mission.” Shizuka hummed, looking through her book curiously. “I thought that this would be easier, instead of having to find the time to meet up at someone's home. This way we can relay messages faster as well.”

“Aren't you worried about being recognized??”

“I may have a reputation but in actuality no one has seen me before.” Shizuka said she shuts the book to meet Haruko's eyes. “Aside from those twins, you and Minami, no one else has seen my face. I made sure of that. Here I go by Shizu Miyamoto.”

“Where is Miyamoto from?”

“My mother's maiden name.” Shizuka chuckles.

“I-I see…”

“Will you show me around?” Shizuka asks sweetly. “Since you're free for now.”

“Yea s-sure… What major are you in? So I can show you the general area…” Haruko stood up, and she took Shizuka's hand on her own.

“Hmm? Nursing.” Shizuka says.

“Ah, okay. Let's go.” Haruko nodded, and she led her towards the nursing building. Holding her hand all the way there.

“Haruko…” Shizuka calls out in amusement.

“Yes?”

“You don't need to hold my hand, you know? I can follow you just fine.” She chuckles, smiling up at her.

“O-Oh!! S-Sorry…” Haruko mumbled, her fingers loosening.

Shizuka intertwined their fingers. “Don't stop now. See it through to the end.” she said, they walked side by side now as Haruko showed her around. “Was Hasegawa good to you on your date? How'd it go?”

“It was nice. There was a lot of interference from others… but it was fun.” Haruko said. “I suggested we reschedule since the actual date kept getting interrupted by outside sources.”

“Or, if not her. You can practice on me.”

“I-I suppose I could…” Haruko hesitantly agreed as they stopped by an office area. “This is actually the counseling area for the nursing students, a teachers lounge or whatever. Do you need to go here for anything?”

“Actually, I do.” Shizuka nods in awe. “Thank you for escorting me, Haruko.”

“No problem, I have to go to my class now. But I'll see you for lunch if anything?” Haruko was a bit disappointed when Shizuka let go of her hand. It felt empty when she was gone.

“I will text you about my whereabouts, then you can escort me to the cafeteria as well.”

“Yea. See you then… b-bye.”

*

Thankfully, Haruko had warned them about Shizuka's presence on the campus because the Hasegawa twins were not happy when they heard about it and they were not happy when they saw her face to face.

Minami and Haruko standing between them, watching the trio awkwardly.

“Uehara.” Takashi deadpanned.

“Failing already to keep my identity hidden, huh?” Shizuka rolled her eyes. “Maybe learn to keep your mouth shut, that might be better for all of us.”

“Why the fuck are you here…?” Yukiko glared intensely, she ignored the jab at Takashi easily. Considering it wasn't towards her.

“Hmm, I remember discussing this in the group chat.” Shizuka said blandly, she was unimpressed with the two. “Oh right, you two can't read. My apologies, I suppose I can explain it then.”

“Just shut up already…!” Yukiko hissed, almost hitting the other woman where she stood.

“Let's go get lunch.” Minami cut in, trying to prevent a fight from breaking out in public.

“Yea. Let's do that.” Takashi sighed, leading the group to the cafeteria. They spotted the others easily.

“Hey~ Over here~” Akemi called out to them, motioning to the empty seats at their table. “I got you some food, Haruko.” She motions.

They join them at the table, taking their seats. Shizuka makes sure to sit beside Haruko considering she had claimed they were friends to the older Hasegawa siblings.

“Oh? Who's this?” Saeko asks, glancing at Shizuka curiously.

“Shizu Miyamoto, a pleasure to meet you.” Shizuka stated simply, the others introducing themselves as well. But it wasn't like Shizuka didn't know about them. Haruko was 100% sure she knew everyone there.

“I didn't know you attended this school as well.” Erina hummed in awe.

“I just transferred from a private college.” Shizuka admitted. “I wanted to try something different, private schools are nice and all but they're bland as well and way too strict. Haruko suggested her school, so here I am.” She smiles, holding Haruko's arm.

“Ahh, I see! Well, welcome.” Erina nods. “Let's eat before our food gets cold.” She suggests it to the group.

They ate quietly until Minami spoke up, glancing at Akemi and Reika curiously. “So…” she started. “I heard you two are quite the adventurous type.” She said, smiling playfully.

Shizuka listens in closely, curious as to what she means considering she didn't hear much from the other four about yesterday.

“Are we…?” Reika smiles. “Perhaps.”

“M-Maybe a little…” Akemi on the other hand blushed a bit, poking at her meal.

“A little?” Minami repeated. “You even managed to take her shirt off, a very enthusiastic duo if I may say so myself.” She laughed when Reika blushed too now.

“That's a new look on her.” Takashi commented, looking at Reika. He hissed when she kicked his leg under the table. “OUCH!”

“It's her baby blue eyes, huh?” Minami teases them. “Can't help but drown in those to take a bite.”

Shizuka looks at Haruko now, curious. The taller girl smiled at her awkwardly, she gave her a slight shrug.

“They are really nice…” Yukiko mumbled, she would agree from experience as well.

“Oh?” Minami whistled in awe, looking at Yukiko. “Looks like someone else took a bite as well~”

“M…Minami…” Yukiko whines, blushing. She hides her face with her hands.

“Okay, okay.” Minami pats her shoulder lightly. “I'll stop teasing.”

“Did something happen…” Shizuka asks Haruko in a whispered voice, leaning in close.

“I- umm… we'll explain later…” Haruko shook her head.

“Why not now…?”

“It's just that–” The tense feeling again, Haruko's breath hitches, she reaches around Shizuka's shoulders to pull her close in a protective manner. An overwhelming sensation coming over her.

“Haruko…?” Shizuka asks worriedly, she glances back in confusion to see the Ishikawa's and Chisako approaching the table. “It's them…” she mumbled.

“I… I'm going to make space, okay?” Haruko tells her quietly, “They might sit here… I'll make sure I'm in-between two…”

“Be careful…” Shizuka nodded.

“Good Evening.” Noriko greeted them. “Mind if we join you?” She asks, already taking her seat at the table.

“I guess so.” Yukiko grumbled under her breath. Visibly annoyed when Kou sat beside Haruko, making sure their shoulders were touching.

Chisako took the other open space beside her. Sitting in between Haruko and Shizuka.

“What are you eating?” Kou asks, glancing at her plate.

“C-Curry.” Haruko answers.

“Looks good! Can I try some?” 

“Don't you have the same thing on your tray?” Takashi pointed out, his tone slightly harsh as he looked at the man's tray.

“Do I?? What if hers is spicier than mine?” Kou persisted, stubborn.

“I… I can't handle spice actually.” Haruko lied. “So it's probably the same thing.” She laughed, trying to move away from him. She accidentally bumps into Chisako. “O-Oh, sorry…”

“It's alright, Kisaragi.” Chisako shook her head, reassuring her as she pokes at her food.

“Ah.. what are you eating?” Haruko asks her, trying to make a conversation after seeing Shizuka motion for her to try something.

“Fish.” Chisako replied.

‘Well… isn't she fun…’ Haruko sighed inwardly, thinking about what to do. “Fi…sh…? Huh? What is fis…h…?” She questioned, tilting her head in faux confusion. “Oh! Fish!” She laughs and smiles at her. “Seems healthy.”

“She does strive for a healthy lifestyle.” Noriko hummed. “Since she's on the soccer team and all.”

Chisako looks up from her food to meet Noriko's gaze, as if they were speaking through that alone.

“What?” Noriko spoke up, raising a curious brow.

Chisako seemed fed up, the annoyance visible on her expression. “Why are we sitting here…” she questioned harshly.

“Why not? They're our friends.”

“Friends…?? I don't remember agreeing to tha–” Shizuka started, cut off by Takashi immediately.

“Of course we're friends.” Takashi laughs nervously, which he probably shouldn't have done.

“Friends?” Chisako glared at him directly. “I'd rather die than be associated with you.” She deadpanned.

Haruko watches quietly, listening in. There was a tension between the two, and it didn't seem like something that could easily be fixed. She wonders how Chisako became an option as a love interest.

“Hey… what happened was your fault.” Takashi blurted out.

‘Her fault…? But what happened…?’ Haruko frowns, ‘What are you hiding Takashi Hasegawa…?’

“Really? My fault, huh?” Chisako scoffs, “You really like making yourself look better than me. I bet your sisters don't even know about what you did.” Her tone was raising with each passing second, the more she looked at him the more pissed off she was getting. She stood up, about to throw food in his face.

“W-Wait!!” Haruko calls out all of a sudden, she grabs Chisako's arm and pulls her down lightly. Practically sitting her on her lap.

Chisako was taken aback, looking at her in both surprise and confusion. “H-Huh???” Her face grew red at how close they were.

“Y-You shouldn't fight…” Haruko tried awkwardly. She wraps her arms around her waist, holding her there.

Shizuka and Minami motioned for her to say more on the side, the two going unnoticed by the others.

“A pretty girl like you shouldn't be getting so mad, it'll be bad for your skin.” Haruko tried, acting casual.

“M-Me?? Pretty??” Chisako was baffled.

“Mhmm. Really pretty…” Haruko stares into her eyes, tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and smiles. “Beautiful, even…”

“!” Chisako looks away quickly, breaking eye contact out of embarrassment. She rests her hands on Haruko's shoulders, pushing her away slightly but not far. “I-I–” her words trailed off when she met eyes with Takashi. “What are you looking at…” and like that she was back to angry, her expression distorting to disgust in seconds.

“What's your problem? Just mind your own business and ignore him.” Yukiko rolled her eyes, bothered by the angry girl. Unfortunately for them, she was just as angry. “That shouldn't be hard, even for someone like you…”

“What is that supposed to mean…” Chisako glared at her now, the tension rising between the two girls. More than it was with Takashi.

“It means– to figure it out, you stupid bitch.” Yukiko hissed, wincing when Erina slapped her thigh softly. Her older sister frowned at her.

At that point, Kou had gotten up to put his tray away. Unaware of the fight brewing on the table.

Chisako shoved herself off of Haruko's lap. She grabbed her cup of hot tea and was about to throw it onto Yukiko in a fit of rage.

‘Woah! No…!’ Haruko thought she was quick to grab the cup before she could toss the liquids. The two were struggling against one another.

Chisako's elbow knocks Kou's tray over, causing the plate of curry to fall all over Haruko's unsuspecting body. From the top of her head to her shoulders.

Chisako on the other hand was quick to move away before any could get on her.

“Oh my God…!” Kou gasps, he puts his tray back down, reaching for some napkins to help wipe her down but ultimately not knowing where to start because it was so messy.

“O….Ow…” Haruko got out through clenched teeth. ‘It's still hot…’ she groaned.

“Are you alright??” Chisako asks worriedly, and she puts her tea down. “Kou, you idiot…!”

“I'm fine.” Haruko tried with an awkward laugh, slightly embarrassed by all the eyes watching her. It felt familiar, like she was being publicly humiliated again.

She hated it.

“Come with me, you can take a shower in my dorm room.” Chisako suggested.

“I-I don't have extra clothes…” Haruko admitted, standing up anyways when Chisako pulls on her arm aggressively.

“You can borrow my clothes.” Chisako said, it was an offer but it felt more like a demand. “Come on.”

“A-Alright.”

The two left quickly, leaving the others with the mess. “Should I follow them to make sure she's okay??” Kou asks, his gaze following the two.

“What was that?” Reika glared at him intensely. “How about- no.”

“She's going to shower, you idiot.” Noriko frowned. “Clean up the mess you made.” She deadpanned, motioning to the curry that covered one spot.

Haruko's friends looked in the direction they had gone worriedly. The four shared a knowing look but continued to act normally as another conversation started.

*

For some reason, she was very nervous to be in Chisako's dorm room. And it wasn't because of any ominous tension, no… it was because she was alone with a girl... in her room.

‘They're both girls… This is fine.’ Haruko tells herself over and over. ‘Why am I nervous, I'm not a boy…’ she watches as Chisako digs through her drawers looking for clothes, her eyes spotting something of lace–

Haruko snaps her gaze away quickly, her heart pounding in her ears. ‘Why is this happening to me…??? Can't Takashi be here instead…??’ She whined, ‘Make him shower– shower…!?’

It dawned upon Haruko what was happening now as she stood there awkwardly. She was going to take a shower here… she can't. Really, she still has a hard time looking at this body naked.

“I'm so sorry that happened.” Chisako said, cutting off her train of thought as she handed her some clothes. “These are my brother's clothes, thankfully I took some when I went to visit them in the summer. I don't think you would've fit my clothes.” She admitted shyly.

“I-It's okay, it was an accident.”

“Here's the bathroom.” Chisako opened the door, leading Haruko in. It wasn't huge but it was honest work. “I can give him an earful if you'd like...” She suggests, talking about Kou.

“I-It's alright, really.” Haruko shakes her head, hesitantly begins by taking her top off.

“Okay, if you insist.” Chisako frowns. “The showers run cold sometimes, so let the water run for a bit before you go in to wash off.” She suggested, about to head out of the bathroom.

“Oh! Uhh, wait.” Haruko called out before she could leave.

“Hm?”

“J-Join me…?”

“Huh???” Chisako's face flushed red quickly at the question.

“T-To help me with my back and stuff…” Haruko said as an excuse. ‘What am I doing…!?!!’ She cried out in her head. She was thinking of ways to get out of this. Maybe she could kill herself real quick…?

Okay, too morbid.

“O-Oh, right.” Chisako nods, to Haruko's dismay. “Sure, I-I can help…” she goes to turn the shower on for them, rolling her sleeves up.

“W-Won't your clothes get wet?” Haruko asks. ‘Shut upppp… shut up now, shut upp!’ She was thinking about slamming her face into the mirror right there but that would be impolite and downright crazy. It wasn't even her bathroom.

“Right… d-don't turn around.” Chisako motions for Haruko to go in first. The taller, doing that after taking her own clothes off.

Haruko swallows hard, facing the wall. Her face becomes entirely red when she hears rustling behind her. She doesn't even go to the bathhouse with any of her family members, what makes her think she can do this…!?

“C-Can you move forward a bit…?” Chisako asks from behind.

Haruko did just that, she squeaked when the water touched her body. It was cold. Making her jump back a little, right into Chisako's arms.

“I told you to watch out, it starts cold.” Chisako said worriedly. “Are you okay.. ?”

“P…Peachy…” Haruko croaked out, her back pressing into the other girl's chest. She was going to pass out, she was definitely going to pass out.

“It should be fine now.” Chisako suggested, reaching over to feel the water.

“Okay…” Haruko mumbled, moving forward again to stand under the running water.

She uses Chisako's shampoo, allowing the girl to also scrub her back in the process. She was hyper aware of Chisako's touch, noticing the little things.

Chisako's fingers sliding between the valley in Haruko's back slowly. Feeling her muscles unintentionally when she goes up to her shoulders now to massage there. “You're well built…” she admitted out of the blue.

“T…Thanks??” Haruko got out, trembling under her touch.

“Do you play anything?”

“Uhh n-not really. I like working out though, and did a bit of basketball…” Haruko admitted.

“Would you be interested in joining the soccer team??” Chisako asks, somewhat enthusiastic with her question.

“S-Sorry. I was actually thinking about joining basketball.” She was not, she just didn't want to do soccer. She honestly didn't want to do any after school activities. “I think soccer is cool though, so kudos to you for playing it.” They had somewhat finished the shower, Chisako reaching over to turn the water off when Haruko was done washing.

Haruko turns around unconsciously, facing the shorter girl.

“If you ever change your mind, we'd be happy to take you in.” Chisako smiled up at her, unaware of the position she was in.

Haruko's eyes couldn't help but go lower. She was relieved to see Chisako opted to wear her underwear into the shower, she was still somewhat dry. She wasn't expecting the lace though.

‘Woman! I'm a woman, both women… me woman, she, her, I–’, Haruko's brain was malfunctioning as Chisako shoves a towel into her face.

“L-Let's hurry back! Before they get the wrong idea…” Chisako said, she gets out to put her clothes back on.

“I-I… who cares if they were doing something weird…” Haruko said, keeping the towel over her face to give her some confidence to continue on.

“I-I– J-Just get dressed… I'll wait for you outside…” Chisako mumbled out, hurrying out of the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Haruko could tell her face was red though, noticing the color on her ears before the door shut.