I Won't Be a Loser

Previously, when talking with Saionji Yoko, Kiyoura Mai had mentioned that she preferred younger boys. However, that didn't mean she completely disliked mature men.

Now, looking at the boy beside her—Haruto—she could see both youth and a sense of maturity beginning to take shape. The thought of witnessing his gradual growth filled her heart with anticipation and joy, her eyes shimmering with expectation.

But after Haruto explained why he had submitted his manuscript to a magazine, he couldn't help but notice that Mai's gaze toward him seemed somewhat off. At first, she was surprised, but that quickly turned into something else—something like admiration and delight. He had no idea what she was thinking.

Turning his gaze to the girl sitting across from him, Setsuna, he had initially assumed that she might find his reasoning shallow or unimpressive. However, to his surprise, she too was looking at him with eyes sparkling with excitement.

Wasn't this reaction a bit over the top?

"Haruto."

"Hm?"

"I will always support you."

"Huh…?"

Setsuna, looking at him with unwavering determination, gave him her promise.

At first, when she heard his reason for submitting a manuscript, she had been caught off guard. She hadn't expected his motivation to be so simple and honest. But then she remembered the conversation they had shared in her room not long ago—

"A big house where my whole family can live together."

Even though he had started submitting manuscripts before they began dating, that detail no longer mattered. Hajime must have already been thinking about the future, which was why he had been working so hard.

Even if back then they hadn't been in a relationship, from the moment they got together, Haruto was no longer striving just for himself—he was working toward a future that included both of them.

Her gaze softened, filled with even more affection and gratitude.

Haruto, unaware of the impression he had left on the mother and daughter, stared at Setsuna in silence. Seeing her determined expression and the warmth in her eyes, he opened his mouth—then decided against saying anything.

—Later that evening.

After dinner, neither Mai nor Setsuna seemed in a hurry to go home.

On most nights, mother and daughter barely had much to talk about. After dinner, they would take turns bathing, watch a bit of television, or read a book in their rooms before heading to bed early.

But tonight was different. With Haruto there, the atmosphere had changed. Sitting in his apartment, the three of them chatted about all sorts of things.

Neither Mai nor Setsuna seemed eager to end the night.

"Haruto, have you received any love letters at school?" Mai asked suddenly. "It's been a while since the semester started, so surely some girls must have confessed to you by now?"

As she looked at the boy's handsome, refined features, she didn't hesitate to ask the question, even with her daughter present. It was a topic that, while slightly sensitive for Setsuna, also piqued her interest.

Normally not one for casual conversation, Setsuna had been quietly listening to her mother and Haruto chat, occasionally signaling her interest through her gaze. However, the moment Mai's words fell, she straightened her posture slightly, her eyes locking onto Haruto —clearly invested in his answer.

"Love letters?" Haruto echoed, slightly surprised by the topic. Feeling the weight of Setsuna's stare, he answered honestly, "No, I haven't received any."

"Not yet? So you do think you'll receive some eventually?"

Mai leaned in closer, pressing slightly against him as if scrutinizing his reaction—or perhaps just teasing him.

Haruto glanced at Setsuna, then turned his gaze back to Mai. Showing no hint of embarrassment, he nodded.

"Well, if a girl as cute as Setsuna could fall for me, then it's only natural that other girls might as well, right?"

Hearing his response, Setsuna's cheeks flushed red. Lowering her gaze, she gripped the teacup in front of her and took a small sip of tea, as if to hide her reaction.

Mai, on the other hand, hadn't expected such a confident answer. She was momentarily taken aback, but then Haruto gave her a playful wink, making her pause in surprise.

Glancing at her daughter, who was now sipping tea with her head lowered, Mai then turned back to Haruto. Feeling her face grow slightly warm, she quietly returned to her seat, her heart fluttering at his unexpected boldness.

—An hour later.

After lingering for quite some time, Mai finally led Setsuna home.

Setsuna had initially planned to stay the night at Hajime's place, but under Mai's persuasion, she reluctantly let go of the idea and followed her mother out of the apartment.

Haruto walked them to the door, waving as they left. He watched as they crossed the street and headed toward their own apartment building.

When they reached the entrance, Setsuna turned back to glance at him one last time. He smiled and waved again. She gave him a small wave in return before disappearing inside.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Haruto stepped back into his apartment.

He absentmindedly picked up the magazine from his desk, flipped through a few pages, then tossed it aside. Just as he was about to sit down at his desk, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Reaching for his school bag, he rummaged inside and pulled out something that had been sitting there all day—a small, soft bundle of pink fabric.

Holding it between his fingers, he gently shook it out. As the material unfolded, the delicate lace-trimmed edges became visible.

A pair of pink, lacy panties.

Haruto stared at the undergarment in silence for a moment. The design was actually quite tasteful—something that aligned with his own preferences. But the circumstances of how he had come to possess them were... questionable.

"If I keep this and Setsuna finds it, she's definitely going to suspect me of having certain tendencies…"

The best course of action would be to destroy it—cut it into pieces and toss it in the trash.

If it had been misplaced or belonged to someone who had mistaken his desk for theirs, he might have to apologize. But if this had been intentional, then disposing of it would be the safest option.

As the kind and gentle protagonist of a romantic comedy, keeping this could lead to some interesting developments. However, looking back on his own life—filled more with melancholy than laughter—Haruto knew he was far from a rom-com lead.

Grabbing a box cutter, he slowly extended the blade, eyes fixed on the undergarment.

"…Sorry."

But before he could cut it—

That night, Haruto had a dream.

In his dream, the owner of the pink panties appeared outside his classroom door. With a soft, sweet voice, she confessed that she had fallen for him at first sight. That's why she had acted impulsively, hoping he would remember her.

From the doorway, her slender silhouette was visible against the light. Haruto's heart stirred as he stepped forward, reaching for the door to finally see her face—

Then, his eyes snapped open.

Bolting upright in bed, he looked around his familiar room. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow inside.

"…It was just a dream."

Haruto ran a hand over his face, took a deep breath, and sighed as he stared up at the white ceiling.

"That was… a nightmare."

Because what he had seen wasn't a delicate, beautiful girl.

It was a muscular man dressed in a frilly pink outfit, his tanned skin glistening with sweat, smiling at him with a rough stubble-covered face. The image was disturbingly vivid, as if welcoming him to Okinawa.

"Ugh—"

Covering his mouth with one hand, Haruto felt a wave of nausea hit him.

Lifting his blanket, he scrambled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.

"BLERGH—!"

He couldn't hold it in.

That dream was disgusting.

As someone with the soul of a middle-aged man, Haruto's tolerance for certain things was much lower than that of a typical teenager.

If this had been his younger self, he might have been merely shocked or surprised by the bizarre nature of the dream. But now? His mental endurance was far too fragile to handle something so horrifying.

Silently, he emerged from the bathroom, his face still slightly pale.

After wiping his hands and face with a towel, he poured himself a cup of tea, sipping it to settle his stomach. He sat quietly in his room for a while, unmoving.

It took nearly ten minutes before he finally started to feel normal again.

Walking over to the window, he pulled back the curtain and glanced at the Kiyoura family's apartment across from his. The door remained shut.

Had they already left?

Checking his alarm clock, he realized he had woken up earlier than usual.

Turning away from the window, Haruto decided to prepare a light breakfast.

At the same time, in the Kiyoura household—

The doorbell rang just as Mai was waking up.

Yawning, she stepped into the quiet living room and glanced toward Setsuna's room. Her daughter was still asleep.

She headed toward the kitchen, planning to start breakfast.

Ding-dong.

The sudden chime of the doorbell made her stop in her tracks.

"…Who is it?"

Mai didn't recall subscribing to a newspaper or milk delivery. And even if she had, they would usually just leave it outside the apartment door.

Slowly making her way to the entrance, she wondered if it might be Saionji Sekai coming to visit Setsuna.

But she never came this early—it was always later in the morning.

With mild curiosity, Mai opened the door—

Only to be met with Haruto's slightly pale, fatigued face, looking unlike his usual self.

"Haruto?"

He glanced inside the apartment but didn't see Setsuna.

Then, looking at Mai, who was still dressed in her pajamas, he stepped closer.

Before she could ask what was wrong—

A soft peck.

Her mind went blank.

Haruto licked his lips slightly, as if savoring the lingering sensation. His dull, exhausted eyes gained a bit of their usual shine.

"Good morning, Mai."

"I-I… G-Good morning…"

Mai stumbled over her words, instinctively glancing at the living room.

Seeing that Setsuna hadn't woken up yet, she let out a small sigh of relief before turning her attention back to Haruto.

"…What was that?"

"I had a nightmare last night. I feel better now," Haruto said plainly, handing her a neatly packed bento box. "I prepared breakfast. I borrowed one of Setsuna's lunchboxes yesterday, so I used it to pack this."

Mai, still dazed, reached out and took the bento box without thinking.

"…Setsuna's still asleep?" Hajime asked.

"Yeah."

"Mind if I come in?"

Mai hesitated for a moment, pressing her lips together. She studied Haruto, who acted as if nothing unusual had just happened.

Finally, she nodded.

"…Alright."

"Then, excuse me."

Haruto stepped inside, casually changing into indoor slippers.

Mai quietly shut the door behind him.

She watched as he placed the bento box on the dining table, then, without hesitation, walked straight toward Setsuna's room.

As she followed him with her gaze, she couldn't help but touch her lips, recalling that fleeting moment at the door.

Her face flushed slightly.

That was… kind of exciting.

Meanwhile, inside Setsuna's room—

Haruto approached the bed where she was still peacefully asleep.

Her delicate features were relaxed, her long, silky hair spread out over the pillow in gentle waves. She looked so defenseless in her slumber.

Leaning down, Haruto studied her face, quietly absorbing the serenity she exuded.

After the nightmare he had endured, her presence alone was soothing.

His anxious eyes softened.

Then, her eyelashes fluttered.

Slowly, Setsuna's clear, sleepy eyes opened.

Still half-asleep, she lazily turned her head, her gaze landing on Haruto.

Blinking a few times, her fingers reached out from beneath the blanket, lightly brushing his cheek.

"…A dream?"

"No. It's morning already, Princess."

Rubbing his face gently, she let out a small hum of realization.

Sitting up, she stretched slightly before reaching out—

And pulled Haruto into bed with her.

In the next instant, she playfully tackled him down.