Chapter 15 - A Hungry Stomach and More

On his way home from school, Ryuichi glanced at Shizuna walking next to him and wondered how this happened. He was now headed to Shizuna's house…where he had been invited for dinner.

"I'll make you Hamburg steaks and anything else you want!"

Ryuichi could still remember how the meat and potato stew she'd made for him last time was really tasty. Unless he had someone to cook for him or unless he absolutely had to cook for himself, he would spend his days constantly consuming instant food. That was why Shizuna's cooking touched Ryuichi's heart.

"Hmm hmm hmm~ ♪ Hmm hmm hmm hmm~ ♪"

Shizuna had been like this ever since they left the school and regrouped with each other after they'd walked part of the way home. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she was humming in a good mood as she walked. However, she was walking straight towards a telephone pole in front of her.

"Shizuna."

"Kyah?!"

He grabbed hold of the distracted Shizuna's shoulder. Shizuna seemed surprised to have her shoulder suddenly grabbed, but Ryuichi let out a big sigh, thinking that he was the one who should be surprised.

"U-Umm… Ryuichi-kun?"

Shizuna's cheeks reddened even more than before, and she turned her somewhat expectant eyes on Ryuichi. Ryuichi silently turned his eyes toward the telephone pole, and Shizuna, tilting her head, also looked in that direction and let out a gasp.

"O-Oh, sorry…"

"Don't space out. I'd hate to see you get injured in front of me."

Shizuna hung her head low at Ryuichi's words, but when Ryuichi patted her on the shoulder, she smiled happily and started walking again. Ryuichi, who was following Shizuna a distance behind her, thought about something as he watched her back.

…I feel like everything's completely changed.

He had no idea how many times this thought had crossed his mind, but Ryuichi and Shizuna were originally a couple that never should've been.

From what Ryuichi could tell at this stage, he would say that he and Shizuna were getting along quite well. Just being invited to her home like this and being treated to dinner was truly a huge difference.

"You… You're absolute scum!"

"Hehe, I know I'm scum. Now, get ready, because you're about to be changed at the hands of this absolute scum!"

"…Sohei-kun…sniff."

In the manga, this was the scene when Ryuichi first laid his hands on Shizuna. At the time, Shizuna was undoubtedly looking at Ryuichi with disgust in her eyes. It was also the moment when Ryuichi, on the contrary, was so excited by that look that he resolved to make her submit to him and make her his property.

"Ryuichi-kun? What are you thinking about?"

"…Nothing."

He obviously couldn't tell her that he was thinking back to her being raped by him in an alternate universe.

"Hey, Shizuna. Is this really okay?"

"Of course it is! ♪"

Shizuna replied with a beautiful smile. Truthfully speaking, Ryuichi had never thought to avoid visiting Shizuna's house. He was happy to be able to eat delicious food, and he certainly didn't mind being able to enjoy the company of Sakie and Shizuna, two very beautiful women.

After all, I'm still Ryuichi. Sure, I don't want to cuckold others nor do I want to steal what others hold precious to them anymore… But, I still can't help but think that I want to make a woman as beautiful as Shizuna mine.

There was something about Shizuna that was different from any woman he had ever had a relationship with, whether it be Chisa or Sakie.

"I haven't told my mom yet, but I'm sure she'll be happy even if it's sudden."

"You do realize it's only been a day since our bar visit together, right? Seriously…"

"Fufu, just give it up, Ryuichi-kun."

It seemed Ryuichi had no choice but to do as she said and give up. He followed Shizuna to her house. Unlike Ryuichi who lived in an apartment, her house was a magnificent house. I had seen a glimpse of its exterior in the manga, but standing in front of it like this, I could tell that it really was an impressive home.

"I still remember when I walked you home around here, but this is my first time actually visiting your home, huh."

"Yup. Come on in, make yourself at home."

Shizuna urged Ryuichi to enter the house. At the same time that he felt a kind of warmth that he could feel even from the entrance, he remembered that there were descriptions of Shizuna being raped in various places in this house. Shizuna's room, the living room, the balcony, the toilet, the bathroom, the hallway, and even this entranceway had all become scenes depicted in the manga.

"Ryuichi-kun?"

"…Oh, sorry."

Shizuna noticed as soon as Ryuichi started to think strange thoughts. He knew she couldn't actually see through his thoughts, but he still couldn't underestimate how sharp she was. They went to the living room, and Shizuna served him a simple glass of juice.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. ♪"

He picked up the glass and drank the citrus juice. The cold sensation felt good as it went down his throat. Shizuna kept smiling and staring at Ryuichi while he drank the juice. Of course, being stared at made him uncomfortable, so he was about to point this out to her when the intercom rang.

Ding dong!

"Who could it be…? Sorry, please give me a moment."

"Sure."

I saw Shizuna off as she went to answer the door and drank from my cup again, but because the door was open, I could hear the conversation from the front door.

"What's up?"

"Err, I just wanted to ask if you want to have dinner together."

The person with whom Shizuna was talking was a man, and Ryuichi recognized his voice. It belonged to Sohei, Shizuna's childhood friend. It seemed that he had come to invite Shizuna to dinner. Since they had known each other since childhood and lived close to each other, this was probably a usual occurrence over their many years together. However, all he could say was that Sohei had chosen a bad time. He couldn't speak for others, but Ryuichi knew that Shizuna would likely refuse.

"I'm sorry. Could we go out some other time?"

"Huh? Oh, okay… Are you having somebody over?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, the shoes…"

Sohei had apparently noticed Ryuichi's shoes. Well, he hadn't expected Sohei to visit like this, so obviously he hadn't hidden them. Shizuna hadn't asked him to do such a tedious thing, and Ryuichi didn't mind such things either.

"Whether I have a visitor or not doesn't matter, does it? Is that all? Now, if you'd excuse me."

"Tch… Wait, Shizuna!"

"What?"

"You've been acting weird lately! Why… Why have you changed so much?!"

"…I haven't changed at all, though."

Ryuichi knew what Sohei meant. Sitting leisurely on the couch drinking his juice, Ryuichi wanted to tell Shizuna that it wasn't good for her to raise her voice like that, even though it wasn't his place to say such things.

Well, I'm the one who caused it, after all.

For now, Ryuichi got ready to move. Their conversation did not end, and Sohei's tone became more forceful. He forcibly probed her, asking her why and what was going on.

"Hey, Sohei-kun."

"What is it…"

"Why do you have to say all that? What are you to me?"

"…Huh?"

Sohei's dismay was palpable even to Ryuichi. Quietly and calmly, Shizuna continued to speak to Sohei as if to admonish him.

"It is my right, and my right alone to decide who and what kind of people I associate with. It is not for others to decide."

"'Others'…? But we're childhood friends, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are. But just because we're childhood friends doesn't mean I have to obey every single thing you ask of me, Sohei-kun. Really, I appreciate your concern for me, but my life is none of your business."

"…Shizuna!"

"Go home. I have to prepare dinner now."

Ryuichi heard the door close with a loud slam. Of course she'd close the door after she said all that. Sohei did not open it again, perhaps because he could not say anything more.

"Sorry for the wait… Oh? What're you doing?"

"…Ah~."

Caught loitering in front of the living room door, Ryuichi scratched his cheek and looked away. Shizuna, perhaps realizing his intentions, giggled and put her hand over her mouth, but her expression quickly clouded.

"It's frustrating. I can't believe he said all that without knowing anything about you."

"Well, maybe it's because he does know who I am."

It was ironic how Sohei's words did not reach Shizuna, not in this world or in the other world, regardless of Shizuna's state. Shizuna's face was downcast; seeing this, Ryuichi put his hand on her chin and forcibly lifted it, causing her to look up at him.

"?!"

"Keep your head up. I don't care about what he said, and neither should you."

"…Ryuichi-kun."

"…Geez."

Seeing Shizuna's expression still gloomy, Ryuichi put his hand on her back. When he had done this with Chisa and Sakie, the girls had calmed down. He had thought that this would work for Shizuna, too, but then he reconsidered that this was probably not the way to do it.

Just as he was about to pull his hand back, Shizuna leaned forward and hugged Ryuichi.

"Shizuna?"

"…Hug me. Don't stop."

Ryuichi was surprised, but put his arm around Shizuna's back to meet her request. In his arms, Shizuna let out a sigh and looked up to see Ryuichi's face. Her beautiful eyes were so clear that they seemed to absorb everything.

"It really puts me at ease when you hug me like this."

"Yeah, well, Chisa and Sakie both said the same thing, too. That they felt good to be hugged like this."

"…That's a point deduction, Ryuichi-kun."

"What?"

"You heard me right: a point deduction… But since I'm really happy right now, I'll give you some plus points."

Shizuna then pressed her face against Ryuichi's chest. She stayed that way for a while and continued until Sakie returned shortly thereafter.

"You've been acting strange lately, Shizuna! Why… Why did you change so much?"

"I didn't change at all. I just came to know his wonderful side. I…have been dyed by him. Hey, Sohei-kun. He's seriously incredible, you know?"

He'd asked the same question, but her reply this time was entirely different.