Shinrabansho: Myriad Souls

Riko stared at Aoi, then slumped back with theatrical despair.

“Fine. I’ll just starve then.”

“You literally brought your own food, Riko-chan…” I muttered.

Yuna’s chopsticks rose smoothly.

Before Aoi-chan could react, Yuna had already slipped a bite of her bento into my mouth… clean, quick and gentle. And she did it like she’d done it a hundred times before.

There was no aggression in it. No challenge.

Maybe that was why it got through.

I froze, my cheeks burning.

Indirect kiss!!!

Aoi-chan made a sound low in her throat, halfway between a cough and a growl.

Yuna turned to her, beaming serenely.

“See? Feeding each other is totally normal between friends.”

Aoi-chan’s eyes narrowed into slits.

Riko stared like she’d just watched someone bypass a max security safe door with just the edge of a business card.

I swallowed in shock. “Yuna…”

“Did I do something wrong?” Yuna asked softly, wide-eyed and innocent.

Aoi-chan’s chopsticks snapped toward Yuna’s wrist, seizing it, not fast enough to undo what had already happened, but fast enough to make the message clear.

Yuna didn’t flinch. She didn’t pull away.

Riko leaned closer to me, her voice dropping.

“You’re really popular today, aren’t you?”

“I… guess so,” I whispered.

I looked at Yuna’s expression, still calm, still unreadable.

Was she teasing? Claiming me in her own way? Or genuinely treating this like nothing more than friendship?

I couldn’t tell.

Riko’s gaze slid back to Aoi-chan.

“You know,” she said lightly, “maybe you should’ve been the prince. The role fits you best.” Her smile sharpened. “That serious attitude… But your lips aren’t the ones I’m after.”

DOKI—DOKI… BADUMP

Heat flooded my face.

Aoi-chan’s gaze sharpened. She looked focused and dangerous, and very much unamused.

Riko smiled sweetly, like she hadn’t just thrown a knife.

Yuna tilted her head. “So… does everyone have weekend plans?”

The question nudged the atmosphere sideways… just enough to let everyone breathe again.

Riko leaned back, stretching her legs out casually. “Just a baseball game on TV. That’s it, pretty much.”

Yuna nodded. “I’ll probably use the time to study.” Then she paused. Her eyes flicked briefly but deliberately straight to me.

“But maybe…” she added lightly, “I’d be open to doing something fun… if I’m invited.”

My face flushed instantly.

What is she asking? From just me… or from all of us?

She looked at me.

I hesitated, my gaze slipping away.

Aoi-chan had been too quiet in class. And here, on the rooftop, she’d bristled at every word Riko said, every inch of space Yuna occupied. I could feel how tightly she was holding herself together.

I stared at the end of Aoi-chan’s ponytail as it stirred in the breeze.

The ribbon!

And I had the whole weekend to spend however I wanted.

Well, almost. I still had to take care of my little brother this weekend. But between making meals… just maybe—

Ahhh!

My cheeks burned as a grin broke loose before I could stop it.

I knew what I wanted to do.

Everyone looked at me as my expression shifted.

I hesitated for half a beat, then said, “My parents are going on a trip this weekend.”

Aoi-chan turned her head toward me immediately. “They are?”

I nodded. “Yeah… kind of spontaneously. They’ve been talking about it since we got back from Shirasuna. I guess they finally decided to do it.”

Riko’s eyes widened. Then narrowed, just slightly.

“So you’ll be alone at home?”

Yuna tilted her head, thoughtful.

“Not entirely,” I said quickly. “My little brother, Haru, will be there. I have to cook for him and take care of things if he needs it. He’s in middle school, so it’s mostly just cooking food, really.” I gestured vaguely. “Breakfast, dinner… and probably bento for lunch. I can fix most of it ahead of time.”

Riko blinked. “You can cook, Sumire-chan?” Her interest sharpened. “I’d like to taste your cooking sometime.”

“Agreed.” Yuna nodded once, decisively.

“Me too.” Aoi-chan added, looking straight at me, more surprised than either of them.

Heat crept up my neck. My mouth twisted into a sheepish smile. “Yeah… Mom taught me a few things.”

Yuna’s face lit up, like I’d just said the perfect thing. “That’s adorable. Is that modesty I hear?”

Riko leaned forward, her eyes bright. “I just got a great idea! I’ll come over and help.” She clasped her hands together. “Just us, taking care of your little brother. I’d love to see your bedroom too!”

My face went scarlet.

Riko just would not stop today.

What is wrong with her?!

Yuna nodded immediately. “Great idea! We get to hang out with Sumire-chan at her house.”

Aoi-chan went still.

Riko scowled at Yuna.

They weren’t angry. Not exactly.

But both of their gazes sharpened on Yuna… and she didn’t seem to feel the weight of their eyes at all.

I felt the mood shift, subtle but unmistakable, like a cloud sliding over the sun.

Riko pressed on, her voice bright. “Okay, fine… then how about a sleepover. Both days.” She clasped her hands together. “That way we can make sure Sumire-chan’s brother is properly taken care of.”

Aoi-chan didn’t respond.

She looked between Yuna and Riko, but the weight of her attention stayed fixed on Riko.

My stomach tightened. “Aoi-chan…” I hesitated, then forced the words out. “Do you… want to come over too?”

This was already far from what I’d planned when I mentioned my parents being gone. I hadn’t expected Riko or Yuna to jump in before Aoi-chan could even speak.

What’s wrong with her too?

Aoi-chan took a slow breath, like she was biting something back.

“It’s really annoying,” she said at last, looking away.

Riko’s brows lifted. “Oh? What’s wrong? That doesn’t sound like you—giving up already.”

Aoi exhaled through her nose. “What really bothers me is that you’re the princess.” Her voice stayed flat, but her eyes were sharp. “I could break every bone in your body before the play… but the role would just go to someone else.”

My entire body went hot in an instant.

So that was it…

“There’s nothing I can do about it,” Aoi-chan continued. “You’re going to kiss her whether I like it or not.” She glanced away again. “And I don’t actually hate you enough to want to hurt you.”

Riko’s smugness returned in full force. “Oh? Is that what you’re upset about?”

I wanted to crawl off the roof and disappear.

Riko leaned toward me, her eyes glittering. “Well then, since she’s decided to step aside, we should get in some practice.” She smiled sweetly. “Just to make sure we get it right on stage.”

She winked.

Yuna gasped.

“No,” I said immediately—fast enough to surprise even myself. “No thanks.”

Aoi-chan stared at me, surprised.

Riko’s face fell into exaggerated heartbreak. “Aww.”

Yuna patted Riko’s shoulder like she was consoling a wounded animal. “Don’t worry.”

I felt guilty. Riko was hurt.

Then Yuna turned to Aoi-chan, her voice gentle but pointed. “Cheer up. They’ll probably keep it chaste… both in practice and on stage. There’s no need to blow a single kiss so out of proportion.”

Aoi-chan exhaled through her nose. “I know. I know.” She looked away, her jaw tight. “There’s nothing I can do at all. I should stop thinking about it.”

But she still looked… off.

And that bothered me more than the play. More than the role. More than the stupid kiss question.

I quickly took her hand.

Aoi-chan stiffened.

Then—slowly—she turned her hand palm-up, letting my fingers lace with hers.

I leaned closer, my voice small. “I love you.” Words only for her ears. I leaned over, breathed on her lips and kissed her… quick and reassuring, but passionate, even with Riko and Yuna sitting right there.

“Let’s go on a date.” I said.

Aoi-chan’s eyes were faintly hazy. She kind of froze for a change.

“Impressive…” Yuna said softly.

Riko stared and sighed.

Aoi-chan blinked, blushing. “What?”

“This Saturday,” I added quickly, before my courage could dissolve. “That’s what I wanted to say this whole time. I… I should have time between things. We can go somewhere together.”

She stared at me like she’d been hit with something soft and unexpected. “What about your brother? Cooking for him is a big responsibility.”

Yuna leaned in, calm as ever. “I can cook. I don’t mind covering lunch.” She turned to Riko. “Want to help, Riko-chan?”

Riko hesitated. Her eyes flicked to me, then to Aoi-chan, then back to me like she hated every possible angle of this.

Yuna leaned closer to her, whispering just loud enough that I caught fragments.

“…reliable… points… what Sumire wants…”

Riko’s jaw clenched.

Then she exhaled sharply. “Fine. I’ll help.”

I looked at Aoi-chan, still holding her hand. “Is that okay?”

She stared at our hands for a second, then nodded once. “As long as you’re not neglecting your brother… sure.”

She looked up. “But what are we going to do?”

That question, so practical, so normal, pulled me out of my spinning head.

Yuna clasped her hands together. “Let’s list ideas and put together the perfect date.”

Riko tried to speak immediately. “We could—”

Aoi-chan cut her off with a look.

Riko’s mouth snapped shut like she’d been muted.

Yuna continued, light and cheerful. Some ideas were dismissed immediately.

“A fancy café?”

“Too crowded,” Aoi-chan said. “And expensive.”

“An amusement park then?”

“Too far,” I frowned. “And it’d take up a whole day.”

“Bowling?”

“Fun,” Aoi-chan admitted. “But that’s more of a group thing.”

Eventually, we landed on something that made my chest warm just thinking about it.

“A movie,” Yuna suggested. “Something romantic or cute.”

Piece by piece, we assembled everything together. Even though Riko clearly hated the situation, she still contributed, and some of her ideas were genuinely good. Every time someone suggested something that clicked, both Aoi-chan and I visibly brightened.

She squeezed my hand.

DOKI

I was excited.

A movie, a walk through a big park, something nice for lunch, going to a bookstore, shopping and karaoke to finish the day, although not necessarily in that order.

Riko watched with a tight smile, like she was swallowing vinegar.

Yuna’s eyes softened, as if she were memorizing the moment.

She confuses me. And scares me a little. Sometimes I think she wants to kiss me… like that indirect kiss earlier, but she’s also completely supportive too. There’s no jealousy in her at all… at least none that I can see.

The chime rang too soon, ending lunch and our planning.

We filed downstairs with the rest of those who went to the rooftop for their lunches. The rooftop wind still clung to my hair.

And anticipation filled me.

I just need to show Aoi-chan that I love her more than anyone else in the world, and everything will be okay.