358: Insight Comparable to Sherlock Holmes (2)

The next morning, Chisato carefully lifted Eriri's arm from his chest, then gently moved Utaha's right leg off his stomach. 

After making sure they wouldn't be disturbed, he cautiously got out of bed.

He had thought his movements were light enough not to wake them.

However, when Eriri's outstretched hand reached forward and, instead of landing on something firm and reassuring, pressed into the soft bedsheet, the unfamiliar sensation caused her to slowly open her eyes.

She turned her head and met Chisato's gaze as he stood on one foot, midway through getting dressed.

"Chisato…"

At the sound of her drowsy murmur, the light-sleeping Utaha also opened her eyes. 

After a brief moment of dazed confusion, she lay on her side in the same posture as Eriri, silently watching his impromptu dressing routine.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?"

Eriri shook her head, indicating that she didn't mind.

Utaha yawned lightly and asked, "What time is it?"

Chisato picked up his phone and checked. "A little past seven."

"Getting up this early on a Saturday… Seriously, you must really love that pianist of yours. If you're going, then go. Just don't disturb my sleep."

Utaha grumbled and turned over irritably.

Eriri glanced at her, then smiled silently. She gestured at Chisato, telling him not to take it to heart. 

That was just how Utaha was—quick to get mad but just as quick to cool off. If left alone for a bit, she would eventually get distracted by something else and forget about it.

Chisato scratched his cheek and gave a helpless smile. Of course, Utaha had every right to be upset.

Last weekend, he hadn't properly spent time with either of them. And now, after an entire week had passed, when the long-awaited weekend had finally arrived, he had made other plans again.

Today, he was going to Kazusa's place since it was her birthday. 

Tomorrow, he wouldn't be free either, because he had already promised Hitori that he would go over to her house to celebrate Nijika's birthday.

It wasn't as if he was intentionally avoiding spending time with Utaha and Eriri, but no matter how he looked at it, he had indeed been neglecting them lately.

Even though last night had been enjoyable for all of them, relationships weren't something that could be sustained only in the bedroom. 

This wasn't some eroge world where everything could be solved with just that.

Emotional connection was just as important as physical intimacy.

"Sorry, Utaha, Eriri. Next week, I'll definitely set aside time for you two. You can decide where to go."

Chisato's words did not satisfy Utaha in the slightest.

"Oh, so now we have to come up with the date locations too? Where's the sincerity in that?"

"Then I'll make the plans. I've saved up some money from my part-time job recently. How about we go shopping in Shinjuku? I can buy you two some gifts."

"No need. If you have to force it, it's not worth anything to me."

"..."

Chisato sat down on the bed.

"So you're just dead set on being difficult with me today, huh?"

"Ugh, you're already losing your patience after just a few words? 

Men really are fickle creatures. Always chasing after what they don't have, and losing interest once they do.

But whatever, don't mind me. Go freshen up and hurry off to see your little pianist girlfriend."

Lying on her side, Utaha lazily waved her hand, as if she couldn't care less. But her tone made it painfully obvious to anyone just how sour she actually felt.

Chisato could only let out a wry smile at that.

Eriri, on the other hand, said nothing. Instead, she simply pulled Chisato—who was already up—back down to sit at the edge of the bed.

"It's still early anyway. There's no rush, right? A little delay shouldn't matter that much…"

"Yeah, I guess not… Mmph—"

Chisato couldn't finish his sentence.

It seemed Eriri was in a particularly good mood this morning. Or maybe… This was her way of diffusing the tension between the other two.

Because the next moment, even Utaha, who had been acting so above it all, could no longer keep up her aloof demeanor. 

When she turned her head to see what was happening, she hastily averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing.

At first, she put up a righteous front, scolding them for doing such indecent things in broad daylight. 

She grumbled about how she was trying to sleep, and that they should take their antics elsewhere.

But as time went on, the strength in her voice gradually faded, turning into something else entirely. 

Eventually, she gave in to the moment—pushing Eriri aside and fully immersing herself in it as well.

By the time Chisato got out of bed again, it was already past nine.

Eriri, curled up in exhaustion, weakly told him to be careful on his way out. 

As for Utaha… she had long since passed out, having completely run out of energy before the end.

Well, this wasn't exactly how he had planned to resolve the situation, but in its own way, it had worked out.

He had to admit, the horseback-riding technique he had once abandoned really did turn out to be quite the useful skill.

Unlike the two drained girls still lying in bed, Chisato, full of energy, took a shower, changed clothes, and stepped out of the house.

…

At the entrance of the Touma residence, Chisato rang the doorbell three times, but no one answered.

He recalled something Youko had casually mentioned to him before—how she wouldn't be home on Saturday so that the "young couple" could have the house to themselves.

At the time, he had thought she was just joking. But it seemed she had meant it seriously.

As for why Kazusa wasn't answering the door despite being home…

Maybe she was just trying to make him sweat a little. 

Maybe she was secretly watching him struggle through the security camera on the doorbell, giggling to herself at his frustration.

It was hard to imagine Kazusa doing something so childish, but who knew? Maybe she actually enjoyed that sort of mischief.

Unfortunately for her, Youko had already given him the passcode to the house.

So no matter what game Kazusa was trying to play, it wasn't going to work on him.

Chisato punched in the string of numbers, successfully stepping into the courtyard before unlocking the front door and entering the house.

At the entrance, a pair of neatly placed leather shoes faced inward. It seemed Kazusa had listened to him and stayed home today.

The house was quiet, just as usual.

Moving naturally, as if he were in his own home, Chisato put on a pair of slippers. He called out in the living room but received no response. 

Then, he went upstairs to check her room—only to find it empty as well.

Recalling something Youko had once mentioned, Chisato went to Kazusa's bed and placed his hand under the covers.

Cold. She must have been up for quite a while.

Just to be sure, he also checked the bathrooms on both floors. Still, no sign of her.

That meant there was only one place she could be.

Chisato stepped out of the living room and descended the stairs leading downward.

These stairs led to the underground piano room, and soft lights lined each step, illuminating the way. Kazusa had taken him down here once before.

As he got closer, faint traces of piano music began drifting into his ears.

That confirmed it—she was down there.

Chisato slowed his pace.

Carefully, he pushed open the door. The moment he did, the delicate sound of flowing piano notes became crystal clear.

Under Kazusa's fingertips, the grand piano seemed almost alive, producing melodies as gentle and intricate as a trickling stream.

Chisato quietly approached, watching as a faint smile curved her lips—an expression of pure bliss. 

His gaze shifted to her hands, dancing gracefully across the black and white keys, as elegant as fluttering butterflies.

It wasn't until the final note rang out that Chisato raised his hands, offering her a round of applause as the sole audience member.

Only then did Kazusa finally realize that someone else had entered the piano room.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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