After summer break ended, we had shortened classes in the mornings for a while.

That meant I’d have free time in the afternoons, so I made plans with Yarai-san to hang out after school.

We agreed to go home for a bit first and then meet up again, so I headed back home for the time being.

Since I was more of a homebody, I was the type to stay in unless I had something to do. Sure, I’d go out with Yui or go on dates and such, but other than that, I was usually at home.

Because of that, I figured I didn’t get as many chances to wear casual clothes compared to other high school girls. Not that I’d done any actual research or anything.

Even so, here I was now, rummaging through my wardrobe to find something to wear to meet Yarai-san.

It wasn’t for Yarai-san’s sake. It was for mine.

Standing next to someone like her—so exceptional from the very fabric of her being—I needed to dress up at least a little, or else I’d just fade into the background. That was why I was putting on a full face of makeup, different from my usual school look.

“Oh, are you going somewhere, Sis? A date?”

As she passed by my room, Shirabe called out to me.

“Just off to a duel.”
“W-Wait, are you turning into a delinquent…?”
“Well, anyway, I’m heading out.”
“Ah, okay. What about dinner?”
“Tell Mom I think I’ll be home for it.”
“Got it. I don’t know who you’re fighting, but good luck!”
“…Thanks.”

No way Shirabe could’ve guessed that her sister was about to go have a kissing showdown…

Feeling a weird pang of guilt, and having received my little sister’s well wishes, I figured it was time to head out.

Our meeting spot was in front of the station. Not my local station—Yarai-san’s.

Summer might’ve been over, but the season itself was still going strong. The unrelenting sun and the asphalt reflecting its rays felt like they were scorching me alive.

If I could, I would’ve gone with just a T-shirt. But like I said before, I had a reason to dress up, so that wasn’t happening. If I tugged at my collar to fan myself, I’d just end up stretching the fabric. I had to tough it out.

Yarai-san showed up almost exactly on time. She wore a simple white one-piece dress and sandals—an unadorned outfit. She looked like she’d fit right into a field of sunflowers.

But that kind of simplicity only worked because she had the looks for it. I could never pull off a pure white one-piece like that.

As for me, I went with what you’d call a conservative style. My sharp eyes didn’t suit anything too girly. Not that I didn’t like girly clothes. I actually did. A lot.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Kaidou-san! And sorry for making you stand out here in the heat.”
“No, I just got here too.”
“Ahaha, kind of feels like something out of a date, huh? Well then, let’s go.”

With a smile almost hotter than the blazing sun, Yarai-san beamed at me.

Then, she took my hand. Even though it was sweltering out, her hand felt strangely cool.

It seemed her hand was just a little bigger than mine. And yet, it was soft and smooth. Holding hands with her felt completely different from when I held hands with Shouya.

“…Hey, what’s this supposed to be?”

I raised our clasped hands to eye level in protest.

“Hm? So you don’t get lost.”
“Do I look like a child to you?”
“Hmm… If anything, Kaidou-san, you seem more mature. You’ve got this calm vibe—I really admire it!”

Yarai-san looked me straight in the eyes as she said that.

Mature, huh. If we were talking appearance alone, she looked far more grown-up than I did. Then again, her words and actions were so disconnected from anything remotely adult…

“It’s not that I’m mature—it’s that you’re too noisy.”

I thought it sounded kind of harsh even as I said it, but it was true that she lacked composure, so I figured I’d say it to keep her in check.

“My mom says that all the time!”
“Then maybe try fixing it…”
“I’m working on it! Really!”

With that beaming smile, it was hard to believe her even a little.

In the end, my protests were in vain, and I somehow ended up being led by the hand as we started walking toward our destination.

“My place is kinda run-down, but don’t mind it too much, okay?”
“Uh… sure…”

I was currently on my way to the Demon Lord’s castle—aka Yarai-san’s house.

The reason was simple. I didn’t want to kiss in public.

My little sister was home, and something like a karaoke booth just felt… off.

When I explained that to Yarai-san, she offered, “Then come to my place.” And just like that, I found myself plunging straight into enemy territory.

To be honest, I was terrified. What if she devoured me on the spot and locked me up or something?

“Here we are!”

Yarai-san announced brightly. In front of us stood a three-story apartment building that looked like it had a few years on it. It wasn’t quite “run-down,” but it certainly had some age.

Still, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t clash a little with the image I had of her.

It’s not fair to push your own ideals onto someone else, but… somehow, I’d always imagined Yarai-san as this proper young lady from a well-to-do family. So I guess, deep down, I just assumed her home would match.

We climbed up the clunking, metal spiral staircase to the second-floor corner unit.

Yarai-san unlocked the door and pushed it open.

“It’s kinda messy, but come on in.”
“Thanks for having me…”

Feeling like a soldier stepping into enemy lines, I crossed the threshold into the Yarai household.