All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Still, since she hadn’t gone home this late, she’d have to call while heading back.

”Yukino, it’s getting late. I should head home now. You should rest early. See you tomorrow at school.”

Seeing Kotomi getting ready to leave, Yukino sighed softly. ”I forgot to mention—my windows are soundproof. With the curtains drawn, you probably didn’t notice the weather outside.”

”Hm?” Kotomi, halfway into her coat, looked at her in puzzlement.

Without further explanation, Yukino walked over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. Even without opening it, Kotomi immediately understood what was going on outside.

It was raining.

Pouring.

No—it was a downpour.

The sky had been so clear during the day, yet suddenly at night a heavy storm had covered Chiba City in misty rain. It looked like it would last the entire night.

It might even still be raining come morning.

”I forgot to check the forecast yesterday,” Kotomi said helplessly.

”Even if you had, even if you brought an umbrella today, in a storm like this, it would be useless. It’s dangerous even to drive in weather like this. I just checked the forecast—it’ll rain until midnight. If you don’t mind, you can stay over at my place tonight.”

”Mind? After hearing that, the storm isn’t even on my mind anymore. I was just thinking: what luck! Then I’ll trouble you tonight!” Kotomi replied with a radiant smile, bold and without the slightest hint of shyness.

Her cheer made Yukino momentarily at a loss. She quickly averted her gaze and changed the subject. ”I was waiting for you to wake up, so I haven’t eaten yet. It’s later than usual, but eight isn’t too bad. I’ll make dinner—you can sit and relax.”

”I’ll help too.”

With the storm raging outside, she couldn’t go home tonight anyway. Staying over meant she couldn’t just sit around idly while Yukino cooked. It wasn’t like she was here as a guest.

”No need.”

”Yes need! I cook really well. My grandma says my cooking alone is enough to guarantee I’ll get married.” Kotomi said matter-of-factly, casually repeating her grandmother’s words.

Sometimes Kotomi could be a bit silly, like now—completely unaware that saying such a thing directly to Yukino would make her overthink.

Yukino’s eyes widened slightly, lips parting as if to say something. But she didn’t know how. She was afraid of misinterpreting the hidden meaning in Kotomi’s words.

Unable to resist Kotomi’s persistence, Yukino eventually gave in and let her join in making dinner.

Of course, before cooking, Kotomi plugged in her phone, turned it on, and called home.

”Mom.”

”It’s pouring outside. Don’t tell me you’re planning to stay at Yukino’s again tonight?”

”That’s exactly it. We got so absorbed in music practice that I lost track of time. Isn’t there a saying? When two people resonate through music in the same space, it’s like threads weaving together by Cupid’s hand, pulling two hearts closer and closer…”

”Huh? Kotomi, from the way you’re describing it… don’t tell me you actually slept with Yukino?” Akina Izumi suddenly interrupted in shock.

”Of course not!”

One moment, Kotomi had been quoting poetic lines from a book. The next, her mother’s blunt words made her lose all composure. Her face turned red as she hurriedly denied it.

I, Kotomi Izumi, pride myself on honesty! If I didn’t do something, I absolutely won’t admit to it! she swore silently in her heart.

”Alright, I understand. With rain this heavy, even if you wanted to come back, I’d tell you to stay there. But tomorrow is Monday, and you don’t have your uniform, do you? Will the school even let you in without it?”

Akina Izumi asked, essentially agreeing to Kotomi staying at Yukino’s place, though she felt a little helpless. Just how many girls was her daughter close with?

”Don’t worry about the uniform. I’ve gotten first place in the entire school twice in a row, and first place in all of Tokyo too. Even if I stopped wearing the uniform altogether, the school wouldn’t say anything~” Kotomi said casually. She wasn’t wrong—when your grades are outstanding enough, schools silently grant you certain privileges.

”Alright then. Have dinner with Yukino and rest early. And Yukino isn’t your wife, so when she’s cooking, remember to lend a hand. Don’t just sit on the sofa waiting to be fed.” Akina reminded her.

Mom, why does that sound so weird? But I can’t quite put my finger on what’s wrong… Kotomi thought.

”Oh right, did Aimi buy the soy sauce?”

”She bought it already.”

”What a reliable little sister I have~” Kotomi sighed in relief.