6 Main Heroines Who Absolutely Want to Monopolize Me - Volume 1 Chapter 5.2

Sauna, School Swimsuits, and Mysterious Letters 2

“This is the men’s sauna, right?”

“Yes, this is the men’s sauna.”

“What are you doing? If the roles were reversed between men and women, it would be a problem! No, even without the gender reversal, it’s still a problem!”

“Oh, Hirakawa, you’re talking too fast. But here, it’s just you, isn’t it okay?”

Kanda remains calm and smiles at her own pace.

“Why are you here? Why are you wearing a school swimsuit? You shouldn’t do this to a virgin!”

“Hahaha, why are you suddenly exposing your sexual experience and getting all self-deprecating?”

“That’s not the point!”

“About the school swimsuit? I thought maybe the all-boys school Hirakawa would like it.”

“I did ask that question, but that’s not the point of the question!”

Also, I personally don’t like school swimsuits as much as jerseys! The reason is that it’s too graphic!

“Just kidding, just kidding. I just came to tell you, ‘Don’t choose me for the date.’ “

Upon hearing those words, I stopped in my tracks.

“Huh? What did you say?”

“What’s wrong? You’re acting like a dense protagonist from a light novel. Didn’t you hear me?”

When I turn around, Kanda tilts her head.

“…I heard you, but I’m asking about the meaning behind those words.”

“Yeah, since we need to talk properly, let’s just get in the sauna for now. But still, hasn’t anything like this happened since the study abroad began?”

Kanda and I sit on the sauna’s middle step with one space between us, forming a sort of staircase arrangement.

Looking at the scene of a swimsuit-clad beauty in a sauna, it’s such a niche sight that it’s beyond enticing, it was downright astonishing.

“…by ‘this,’ you mean someone intruding into the men’s sauna?”

“Yeah. After all, everyone knows that it’s reserved for Hirakawa. Like Shinagawa, for instance. Isn’t she a stalker?”

I wish she wouldn’t say things like ‘Isn’t she a stalker?’ so casually…

“Sakiho doesn’t try to see me naked.”

“Huh, why not?”

“I don’t know…”

Previously, when I asked, ‘You wouldn’t have set up surveillance cameras in the baths, right?’ she blushed and shyly said, ‘For that, I’m saving it for the time when we’re in a relationship and I can openly look at you.’

I can’t say such a thing from my side, though.

“Oh, really? That’s surprising. Shinagawa, she’s more innocent than I thought.”

“I didn’t say anything?”

“It’s written all over your face.”

“I don’t have such a complicated expression…”

“Hahaha, you’re interesting.”

Kanda’s insight or observation skills are just too keen, but for me, it’s really not amusing—

“…So, what do you mean by ‘don’t choose me’? Did you become fed up with the study abroad?”

“No, it’s not that. I want to marry Hirakawa.”

“Then, why?”

Slightly taken aback by her straightforward words, I ask again.

“In the 1-on-1 dates, you can only choose two people, right? But within Hirakawa’s choices, there are three including me. Isn’t that the case?”

“Well, yeah.”

This is something one could expect even without Kanda saying it.

In the dressing room of Disney, there were opportunities to talk 1-on-1 with Ria. With Yuu, it was during the additional date of Disney. And with Osaki, it was during the additional date in Nasu.

Comparing those experiences, there hasn’t been a chance to have a thorough conversation with Sakiho, Maion, and Kanda – the three of them since I join this program.

“And I’m the most likely candidate, I guess? Because this is our first meeting.”

“That’s correct. So why?”

“Well…”

After showing a slight contemplative gesture, Kanda smiles with curved eyebrows.

“Maybe because I don’t want you to regret choosing me. If I can eliminate myself as an option, it’ll reduce one source of regret for you. So, it’s not ‘I’m not good enough for you,’ but ‘Don’t choose me.’ “

“Hmm…?”

In an attempt to unveil her lie, I fix my gaze on her.

“What’s wrong, you’re staring at me like that? Hirakawa, when it’s just the two of us, you tend to become quite bold, don’t you?”

“N-No…”

Surprised by the proximity that was closer than I realized, I instinctively tried to move away a bit. At that moment,

“No one will find out, and I won’t tell anyone.”

She grabs – no, pulls – my arm, detaining me.

“Kanda…?”

“This study abroad is strange, isn’t it? You, Hirakawa, have to make a promise of marriage even to someone you’re not yet in a romantic relationship with. As for me, I haven’t even become friends with you, Hirakawa.”

Before I knew it, I found myself in a position where Kanda had me pressed against the sauna step, like some kind of ‘(Kabe don) wall don ‘ or rather, a ‘floor don.’

“But on the other hand, it means that we have to do lover-like things for this study abroad. When you think about it that way, even if Hirakawa suddenly tried to do something ‘bold’ in one leap, no one could blame you. That’s why…”

My heart beats rapidly. My throat is dry.

Whether it’s the effect of the sauna or because of the fine skin and fragrance before me, my head starts to spin.

Just as that sensation kicks in, Kanda’s alluring lips utter something dazzlingly soft.

“…It’s okay, Hirakawa.”

“Yahooo! Rii makes a triumphant return! ♡ Wait, huhhhh? Shinichi-kunnnn!?”

Simultaneously, a brilliantly playful voice burst into the sauna, so bright it almost felt blinding.

“Ri, Ria!?”

“Meguro…!”

“Wait a second! What are you two doing here together? I thought I’d surprise Shinichi-kun, since he was all alone!”

“No, Ria, listen. It’s not what you think. This is not what it seems…”

I recognized these words. This is the ultimate cliché line of a cheater.

“Well, I guess I’m just the convenient fling partner.”

Kanda calmly continues her analysis of the situation as composed as ever, even in a school swimsuit in the sauna.