64 A Date That Feels Like

"No need, I brought my own~" Kato gently shook her head, jiggling her white shoulder bag.

"It's sunny out. Why not use it?"

"Taking out a parasol and shading myself while visiting someone's estate, in front of the host? Even the boldest girl wouldn't dare…"

"Really?" Kagura extended a hand, smiling leisurely. "What's Kato's parasol like? May I see it?"

"Hm…" Kato brushed back her bangs, tilted her head, and said, "Nothing special, just a simple, lightweight parasol."

"Let me have a look."

"Well… since Sawamura-san insists…"

Kato rummaged through her bag, pulling out a plain, pale-cyan folding parasol without lace or frills, and handed it to Kagura.

Her fingertips brushed his, but neither reacted much—they'd held hands before. Taking the parasol, Kagura thought, Look at Kato's composure. Yukino freaks out over a fingertip graze. Last time he handed Yukino a phone, their fingers touched, and she glared for ages.

Normally, Yukino wouldn't care, but her "unique condition" made her instantly aroused by Kagura's touch, so she avoided it at all costs. "See? Told you it's nothing special~" Kato clasped her hands behind her, tiptoeing toward him.

"It's ordinary, sure, but it works just as well as fancy ones, doesn't it? And it's plenty cute."

Kagura unfastened the strap, opened the parasol, and held it over Kato's head with his left hand. His words about the parasol carried a double meaning, and both knew it. "Thank you, surprisingly perceptive Lord Earl." Kato, satisfied, swayed her bangs and curtsied slightly. "Oh, come on, drop that title!"

"Eh… the setting's different, isn't it?"

"How? We're still in Japan!"

"But look around—no hint of Japan. The villa's Western, the courtyard and flowerbeds have no trace of wafu style. Only the sea breeze feels Japanese. For a girl visiting first-time, mistaking this for England is natural, right?" Kato gazed at him, her expression utterly "natural."

Kagura adjusted the parasol to shade her properly. Their skin tones were equally fair, but Kato's was far smoother, thanks to estrogen's magic. "Well… most high school girls do prefer Western things these days," he said, scratching his head understandingly, then nodded forward. "Let's walk and talk." Kato nodded, joining him toward the flowerbeds.

"Don't you like Western stuff, Sawamura-san?"

"Not that I dislike it—just that each has its merits."

"Ooh, I'd love to travel to England or France~"

"Speaking of, you're going to Hokkaido with family tomorrow, right?"

This year's Golden Week began tomorrow, April 27, Saturday, lasting eight days until the following Monday. Normal life resumed Tuesday, with Kagura's club meeting set for the fifth day, Wednesday afternoon. "Oh… you remembered that?" Kato said.

"What's with that 'I'm shocked' tone? Am I that forgetful?"

"It's odd you'd ask that, considering you forgot who I was after one weekend."

Kato's gaze held a hint of resentment, her sidelong glance making Kagura squirm. "Ahem… can we not bring that up?"

"Well…" Kato extended her left hand to a pink rose blooming in the sunlight, her fingertip tracing its soft petal's curve, gently rubbing it. "Do you often return to your homeland, Sawamura-san?"

"Usually for a week or two during winter and summer breaks, mostly for business. Free time's about half-half. I'm not big on wandering England. Have you been?"

"My footprints haven't left Japan. For an ordinary girl, traveling abroad on pocket money is a bit much… though I do have a passport…" Kato subtly shifted her bag to her left shoulder.

"Not everything abroad's great. Take England—rowdy, streaking football hooligans and that godawful British cuisine. Damn fish and chips—I'd kick its inventor's arse with my father's boots. Replace it all with Turkish food!" But without fish and chips, England's cookbook would shrink by a third.

"Even so…" Kato covered her lips, stifling a laugh, then turned aside, murmuring, "It's not all bad, is it? I'm starting to think you don't love your homeland."

"It's complicated."

"True… love or hate isn't so clear-cut."

"Also, I was born in Japan, so this is my homeland, technically." Though my past life's homeland was elsewhere. "We might see 'homeland' differently."

They strolled toward a wooded path encircling the villa, where tasty mushrooms abounded, though poisonous ones were rare. But pesky mosquitoes buzzed, so they tacitly turned back toward the villa's rear.

"By the way…" Kato twirled her right-side hair, glancing up at him.

"What?"

"You're awfully skilled at holding parasols for girls…"

"Oh? Trying to say—" I've done this for tons of girls? "Not at all~ I mean, etiquette training makes a difference."

"Ugh, don't remind me of those days."

"Was it tough?"

"Let's just say I'd rather practice piano till I puke than take another etiquette lesson."

"Sounds rough… but the results are impressive," Kato nodded, smiling. "No girl would be unhappy with such treatment."

"Glad you approve."

"Also…" Kato pointed at an arched window. "Mr. Hasaka's an impeccable butler. Thanks for today." Inside, Nao leaned against the wall, watching Hikigaya train under Tina. "No worries, it's his job."

"So young, yet not in school. Fascinating."

"His status is tricky, and I prefer him here."

"Is this the legendary 'hiding a beauty in a golden house'?" Kato's teasing hit its mark, and she giggled uncontrollably.

"You're naughty, Kato." Kagura raised his hand to playfully flick her forehead.

Flinching, Kato shut her eyes, tilting her head left. Sighing, he lowered his hand. "Can't do it. Never mind."

"Ugh… I only asked because the vibe between you and Hasaka felt odd, and Nao said something similar…"

"England's the land of BL, sure, but I've always liked soft, sweet girls…"

"No surprise there."

"You were just doubting me!" Kato smirked, "Guilty, sorry."

They reached the villa's back, where an irregular, egg-shaped outdoor pool lay, large but empty this month, littered with leaves, unmaintained.

With only Kagura and his rarely-home father as men, privacy wasn't an issue. Swimwear's meant to be seen, after all. "A pool back here? Unexpected," Kato said, wandering its edge, sitting on a wooden chair under a large parasol.

"Come swim in summer. It's not huge, but fun."

"More than enough for play…" Kato shook her head regretfully. "Sadly, I can't swim…"

"Easy fix. I can teach you."

"Oh…"

"Since we're here, want to meet my sister and Qiong?"

"Won't that bother them?"

"Nah, I gave them a heads-up. Come on." Kagura led her inside, folding and returning her parasol.

Ascending, Kato's gaze lingered on second-floor portraits of Kagura's ancestors—Marlborough dukes. His father's wasn't displayed; he felt it belonged posthumously. "Seeing medieval-to-modern fashion changes feels like time travel," Kato said, eyes returning to Kagura.

"Maybe I'll go wild, wear a caveman outfit for my portrait, leave a quirky painting."

"Oh, you're into that kind of mischief?"

"Kidding. Come on, third floor, their rooms."

"An ordinary commoner like me entering noble ladies' rooms—won't I be hanged?"

"What century is this? And stop saying grim stuff with that calm face!"

"So something will happen next second…"

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Kagura grinned, eyeing her mischievously.

"Hm?" Kato glanced right, feigning innocence. "What's Sawamura-san talking about? I've no clue~"

"Fine, you win."

"Also…" Kato stepped onto the third floor, dusting her skirt, checking her outfit, then looking up. "Hm?"

"Before we go…" Kato met his eyes, touching her chest. "You're introducing me to your sister and Kasugano, right?"

"Yup."

"Okay… how will you describe our relationship? One-day girlfriend?"

"One-day girlfriend sounds odd," Kagura nearly said "classmate," then smiled, hand on hip. "Friends. That okay?"

"Perfect~" Kato closed her eyes, relieved, shaking her head. "Since we're friends, our names feel too formal. I'll call you 'Sawamura-kun' from now on, okay?"

"Sure, then I'll call you… Kato?"

"That's great!" Kato nodded, satisfied, scanning the corridor. "My room's there, Eriri's on the right."

"And Kasugano's?"

"Inside Eriri's, a suite, since she's her personal maid. This way." Kagura turned right, beckoning. "Eh…" Kato glanced back at his room, hesitating, then blushed, asking, "So… you and Hasaka live together too?"

"Nah, you're overthinking. Hasaka's on the first floor." Temporarily.

"Oh… don't get me wrong, I think two guys sharing a room is fine."

"Your tone totally says otherwise!"

"Does it?" Kato tilted her head, playing dumb.

At Eriri's ivory-white door, Kagura knocked twice. "It's me, open up."

Qiong clicked the door open, dressed in the estate's maid uniform: a black fitted vest over a tailored white shirt, a ruffled scarf adorned with an emerald matching her eyes—real, not a trinket. Her plain apron reached mid-calf, aligning with her boots, elegant, not a risqué cosplay.

"Hello…" Qiong nodded casually at Kagura, then gestured to Kato, who avoided staring. "You're Miss Kato? Come in. You too, Kagura."

Inside, Eriri, in a snowy flared-sleeve princess dress, sipped tea at a window-side table, glaring silently. An opposite seat held Qiong's half-drunk tea, now occupied by a black rabbit plush. "Welcome…" Eriri stood, teeth gritted, feigning politeness, leaving Kato unsure how to respond.

Qiong motioned them in, head bowed, and Kato whispered to Kagura, "You and Kasugano must be close, right?"

"Decent, I'd say." Qiong never used honorifics, always just "Kagura."

Qiong served tea, then hugged her plush, retreating to her room. "Call if you need me, Eriri. Enjoy, you three."

"Okay~" Eriri waved lazily.

"Wait, Qiong," Kagura patted Kato's shoulder, introducing, "This is Kato Megumi, my friend. Kato, this is Kasugano Qiong, Eriri's maid."

"Kato Megumi, pleased to meet you."

"Kasugano Qiong…" Qiong stated her name, shutting her door.

"She doesn't seem keen on knowing me…" Kato said awkwardly, tiptoeing toward Qiong's door.

"Ignore her, she's just like that," Eriri said haughtily, pointing to two empty chairs. "Sit, Kato. Jerk-bro, sit or don't."

"Thanks—huh?" Kato froze mid-sentence, half-seated, eyes darting between Eriri and Kagura.

"What? Told you to sit, and you won't?" Eriri leaned forward, elbows on the table, her glare turning hostile.

"Uh… well…" Kato's eyelids twitched, uneasy, asking Kagura, "Your sister seems like a different person from school. Split personality?"

"Split your head!" Eriri snapped. "This is the real Sawamura Spencer Eriri. You'll get used to it, Kato. Sit." Kagura pressed her shoulder, seating her.

Eriri leaned closer, scrutinizing Kato's face with a menacing "Hmph?", then scanned her neck to chest, sneering.

"Um…" Kato glanced at her reflection in the fresh tea Qiong brewed, meeting Eriri's gaze casually. "Sawamura Eriri-san, have I ever offended you?"

"Offended? I didn't even know you existed, some roadside weed. How could you?"

"Eh…" Kato, more confused, turned to Kagura, blinking innocently. "Then why does your sister keep glaring at me like I'm the enemy? My imagination?"

"Nope, just get used to it, Kato. Forget the poised, polite school lady and burn this real Eriri into your brain!" Kagura's words grew fervent, earning a glare and a thud—Eriri's kick under the table.

"Mind your own business! Annoying!"

"Wearing an elegant princess dress and shoes just to kick me?"

"So what?" Another kick. Kagura retaliated with thud-thud kicks.

"Uh… excuse me…" Kato raised a hand, flustered. "Could you two stop? I've got a mountain of questions…"

"Oh? Ask away!" Eriri halted, crossing her legs casually.

"First," Kato bowed slightly to Eriri, "Kato Megumi, Sawamura-kun's friend and front-desk classmate. Pleased to meet you…?"

"So what?" Eriri glared, pointing at her, whining to Kagura, "Her? Second heroine? She's got zero heroine vibes!" Even Mom would be better!

"Uh… second heroine? What's that…?" Kato blinked, piecing it together, eyes darting between them.

She'd heard "heroine" from Kagura, and Eriri's mention confirmed it: the gal game project, with her as a heroine. But "second heroine"? Who's the main heroine? "Right, let me formally reintroduce…"

"You didn't introduce her since we got here, Sawamura-kun," Kato said, shooting him a pointed glance.

"Ahem, fine, a grand introduction," Kagura chuckled, gesturing to Eriri. "Our gal game club's artist, Sawamura Spencer Eriri, pen name Kashiwagi Eri."

"Pleased to meet you…" Eriri muttered, reluctant, mumbling, "I'll never accept you as second heroine."

"I haven't fully agreed to join either…" Kato added, frowning. "So, Sawamura-kun, who's in this club?"

"Me as producer and music, Eriri as artist, main heroine Nao from Class J, you as second heroine, Eriri again as artist, and scriptwriter Kasumigaoka Utaha-senpai," Kagura rattled off.

"Kasumigaoka Utaha-senpai? The top third-year prodigy?" Even calm Kato's eyes widened. "Hmph, all people I'd rather not work with!" Eriri turned to the window, sulking.

Main heroine's a doll, second's a nobody, and the script's by Kasumi Shiko. This stinking world—explode! "Don't wanna work? Leave," Kagura snapped.

"You're making a big gal game and excluding your gal game-loving, artist sister? How cruel!"

"You said you didn't want to work!"

"Sometimes you do what you don't want! You gotta pee even if you're cozy in bed. Lived seventeen years and only grew taller, not smarter?"

"Hey, you—"

"What?" Eriri stood, hands on the table, leaning close, mocking, "Jerk-bro picking a fight? Think your height and muscles scare me?" I'd snap Gilgamesh in half!

She'd never won childhood fights, always spanked to tears by Kagura. His glance caught her bra through her neckline—plain white with red ribbon trim, a stark contrast to her secret hardcore doujins. If she leaned lower, her nipples might show. "Well, this Eriri's quite a sight," Kato said, sipping tea, gazing out.

"Look at you, can't act like Kato? Embarrassing!" Kagura averted his eyes, nudging Eriri's shoulder.

"Tch…" Eriri sat back, crossing legs, elbow on the armrest, propping her face, huffing at the garden. "Playing goody-two-shoes." Oh, jerk-bro saw my bra? You can blush too!

Girls sense eyes on sensitive spots; Eriri caught Kagura's glance. To her, Kato was a scheming opportunist. All women near Kagura were, except her.

"I'm not faking the good girl thing… My house had a curfew until last year," Kato said.

"See—" Eriri pounced, "No curfew this year! So you must've…!"

Slap! Kagura smacked her head. "Your cherry-picking's like Tang Seng asking for escorts the moment he steps off!"

"What's that example? I don't get it!" Eriri thrashed, her twin-tails nearly whipping Kagura's mouth.

"I feel I'm more consistent than you, Eriri-san…"

"Behave. Apologize." Kagura pressed her head, forcing a bow to Kato, then sat. "You're tough on your sister, Sawamura-kun…"

"Exactly! He's a barbarian sometimes! Hmph, grew so tall just to bully me? Give me twenty centimeters, and 'big sis' will protect you!" Eriri blushed, arms crossed, huffing.

Kagura minus 20cm would be ~163cm; Eriri plus 20cm would be 177cm—very "big sis." But she thought, Ugh, head pressed! He'd press harder forcing a blowjob, right?

"What about Kasumigaoka-senpai and Nao? They joined this absurd, playhouse club too?" Kato asked seriously, unfazed by their bickering.

"Not a playhouse!" Eriri slammed the table, declaring, "It's serious… uh, jerk-bro, what's our club called?"

"No name yet, and I'm not exaggerating calling it playhouse…" Kato turned to Kagura. "What's the name, Sawamura-kun?"

"GoldenAppleSoftware," Kagura said without hesitation, translating to "Golden Apple Software," freshly coined.

Golden Apples, perhaps from Greek myths—Zeus and Hera's wedding tree or Eris's "to the fairest" apple sparking the Trojan War. The system's point-redeemable Golden Apples likely followed suit. To the fairest goddess. "Oh, right, Golden Apple Club!" Eriri chimed in, despite no memory, to save face.

Forgot? No… He never mentioned it? But he doesn't seem to be making it up… Weird.

"I won't comment on your obvious 'just remembered' act…" Kato sighed, holding her cup, asking Kagura, "Is this a school club?"

"Nope, a private association, but legal in Japan!" Though yakuza exploited this, they're fading.

"Well… fine, but it's all 'soft, cute girls' per you, Sawamura-kun. Is this a game club or your fiancée candidate pool?"

"Fiancée candidates?" Kagura pointed at Eriri, scoffing, "Her? I wouldn't marry her gift-wrapped."

"Hmph, if you weren't my brother, I wouldn't say a word to you or even look at you!" Eriri leaned on the table, glaring.

"Oh, my bad, forgot," Kato bowed. "You're siblings, so marriage is off. You look so different, I overlooked your blood tie."

"He's adopted," Eriri teased, kicking Kagura under the table.

"Eh…?"

"She's joking. We're twins."

"Really? You don't look alike…"

"Fraternal twins. What did you learn in biology, Kato?" Eriri explained.

"Sorry… but you two get along great~"

"Where's the 'great'!?" They shouted in unison.

"Anyway, Kato, thought about joining Golden Apple?"

"Hm… what does a heroine do?"

"It's…" Kagura and Eriri tilted their heads, pondering. "What is it?" Kato: "…"

"Basically, it seems optional but is essential," Eriri, the gal game expert, pointed at Kato.

"Thanks, but that's clear as mud," Kato said calmly.

"Just say if you're in, Kato."

"Why do I feel like I'm being conned onto a pirate ship?"

"No way!" Eriri, frantic, pointed at Kagura. "We're legit! Lots of girls and jerk-bro as protagonist aside, I'll keep him in check, so join!"

"You didn't want Kato to join earlier. Why so eager now?"

"Ugh, why indeed?" Kato tilted her head, feigning ignorance.

"Not wanting outsiders versus them snubbing our club—which is more humiliating?" Eriri fumed, looking ready to devour Kagura.

"Then don't start with a stink-eye to trick people in!"

"Shut up! I just don't vibe with your heroine pick. Look at yourself first!"

"Uh… I should go… This isn't my scene," Kato said, unnerved by "trick" talk. Is this a vampire manor luring virgin girls?

"Heh, too late, Kato—" Kagura began.

"You're not saying you'll report a bad visit to school if I leave…?"

"Not that…" Kagura snapped his fingers, extending his left hand, smiling. "Since our slope meeting, I've seen a spark in your eyes, unwilling to stay ordinary. Will you pass up this chance for a mundane student life? Don't you want… the spotlight?"

"Wait, slope meeting? Spark? Spill it all!" Eriri bristled, standing, hands on the table.

"Shut it!" Kagura covered her mouth. She whined but sat, blushing.

"I…" Kato eyed his hand, then placed her fingertips on it, nodding. "I don't plan to stay invisible… Can I really count on you? Though I still don't get what I'm doing…"