Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 248, Section 23: "Please! Masumi-sensei, I want to graduate!"

Leaving the warm shopping mall, the chill felt like frost covering my body; I really missed the heating and air conditioning.

Therefore, people often only appreciate the happiness they take for granted after they have lost it.

Masumi doesn't want to live such a pathetic life.

In that case, the first thing to do is to install the purchased kotatsu table.

Stand the assembled square table upright and secure the heater.

The surface of this heater is flocked, so it won't get hot to the touch.

Lay out a purple quilt with a light blue cartoon jellyfish pattern, then place the tabletop on top, and you're all done.

Mami and Kaizuki, who were waiting nearby, couldn't wait any longer and crawled under the table, rolling around...

"Uh, the table legs are blocking it, so it can't roll around."

"So warm..."

Although the heater had a fan, it wasn't very noisy. The warm air spread out, making the two girls feel comfortable, and they closed their eyes contentedly.

"...You fell asleep so quickly."

The two of them tucked their necks and below under the kotatsu table and lay side by side. After a while, they heard even breathing. Masumi was stunned.

"Hey, Mami, Kaizuki, wake up! You'll catch a cold if you keep doing that!"

Both of them had a warm and happy expression on their faces. Seeing their peaceful sleeping faces, Masumi sighed quietly, her hand, which was halfway out in mid-air, stopped.

Let's wake them up in an hour.

Anyway, idiots won't catch a cold.

Sitting idly in a daze is not in his nature. Masumi is used to always finding something to do, even if it's just scrolling through his phone, so that he doesn't feel lonely.

As I unfolded the used laptop on the table, I heard the sound of a door opening behind me.

Mio walked in carrying a plate of oranges and placed it on the table.

"Have some oranges, Masumi."

"Oh, thank you."

Sitting around a kotatsu table eating oranges, it really feels like the New Year, even though it's only November.

Masumi then leisurely began peeling an orange while waiting for the computer to boot up.

It is said that this second-hand laptop makes a slight vibration sound when it is cooling down, which is almost comparable to the fan of an electric heater.

When Mami and Haizuki were writing novels on the computer, they would usually play games or chat with other girls nearby, so they were not very aware of the noise.

However, when they finally quieted down, the sound became impossible to ignore.

"The atmosphere is so nice, it feels so quiet today."

Mio placed her hand on her chin and slowly began to speak.

"Mio meant peace, right?"

"Hmm... almost."

A quiet smile bloomed on her lips as she swayed her body from side to side, looking very happy, like a puppy wagging its tail.

"On a day off with nothing to do, Rinne, who is usually a nuisance, went out to buy things, Mami and Jellyfish are fast asleep, and Chiai is not here either... The whole coffee shop is quiet."

"Right."

Masumi's back straightened as if she had suddenly sprung up, facing Mio, her body swaying slightly as if under pressure.

Although tucking your lower body under the kotatsu table may warm you up, you may not actually need the heating at all.

The warmth in Mio's eyes was similar to the heat emanating from the heater under the table; they had probably both lost the capacity to feel the cold.

Then, as expected, she moved her body towards Masumi.

Masumi seemed to give up, sighed, and then moved to her right to make room.

Mio smiled and climbed closer to him. Because she was sitting on a cushion, which was a little higher up, she looked like a loyal dog as she wagged her tail, and she was almost pressed against Masumi.

While still leaning forward, she placed one hand on top of Masumi's hand, which was resting on the table, and her fair face moved closer to Masumi's.

This angle made Masumi wonder if she would just kiss him directly.

"Um, Mio, Mami and Kaizuki are still here."

Although Mio's vision is so narrow that it only includes Masumi, she shouldn't be the kind of person who would completely disregard everything when she's excited.

"What does it matter? They're already asleep."

She said it in a very serious tone.

"That being said, with the two of them sleeping next to me, there are still limits to what I can do with Masumi."

"I...that's what I meant." Masumi's voice broke as she struggled to speak.

"but--"

Mio's lips curled up slightly in a seductive way.

"It's really interesting to feel like you're about to be discovered but haven't been discovered yet, that feeling of being on the verge of being discovered."

Her tone was so gentle, as if she were touching on a memory.

"That's how I was when I first started learning piano. I wanted to test the limits of my efforts. Masumi also found it very exciting, right?"

"No, that's too much! Is Mio the type who likes excitement?"

"I think Masumi would like it, so I want to accept this and gradually get used to it."

"What's wrong with this? I don't think I like it at all."

"When Masumi was camping in Onuma, wasn't she pushing her limits like this?"

Her lips softly changed shape, pouting as if in a sullen mood.

"Camping...pushing your limits..."

Masumi chewed over the words she was given.

"Yes."

Mio looked down at Masumi, her honey-gold hair cascading down her body.

"Miss Mami and Umizuki are hiding in the sleeping bag, and Rinne is hiding under the makeshift kotatsu table. And she's rubbing against you in that shameless way with her back arched and her butt sticking out... I don't believe Masumi feels nothing at all!"

Her voice grew lower and lower as she spoke, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

Masumi's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"...It's not like I only feel that way."

After saying that, he watched as Mio's eyes became even more vacant, a dark aura emanating from her, and she spoke in a cold voice:
“Hey, Masumi…”

"Yes, yes~~"

Masumi responded in a soft voice, then immediately leaned back.

“I’m not a demon, so I’ve never asked Masumi not to have contact with any other girls besides me.”

Masumi nodded vigorously.

"I know that. Mio is a gentle person. I've always thought so."

"But what does it mean to have so many girls? What's wrong with Masumi's views on love? Masumi is only 22 years old, and she already has five... no, six girls with whom she has ambiguous relationships. If this continues, will she have twelve girls by the time she's 44? She could form her own baseball team by the time she's 88! Is Masumi planning to build her own Ooku in the modern era?"

Her emotions were conveyed directly, and Masumi seemed to be swallowed up by the turbid current of love, almost unable to breathe.

"Well, I didn't think that way. At least I won't have any inappropriate interactions with girls other than you..."

After this explanation, Mio suddenly tightened her grip on Masumi's hand, creating a situation where Masumi's hand was trapped between the cold tabletop and her warm palm.

"Mio?"

When Masumi recovered from her fear, she realized that not only their hands, but many parts of their bodies were intertwined.

His legs and Mio's soft thighs were intertwined; or rather, it was Mio's legs that reached out on their own initiative.

The angle of her body was so tilted that Masumi felt like she might turn into a big golden retriever, pounce on her, and devour her.

...Kurokawa Inu, speaking of which, does such a breed even exist?
Masumi had only heard of a scenic spot called "Kurokawa Onsen" in Kumamoto, Kyushu, where mineral-rich hot springs provide therapeutic spa treatments for the body and mind.

Just like Mio's warm, close body against hers right now. She reached out and pulled Masumi's chin up forcefully, then quickly closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to Masumi's lips.

The sensation was fleeting, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Masumi opened her eyes slightly in surprise, her vision blurred, and saw a pair of clear eyes that resembled those of a predator, with fragments of desire flickering in their depths.

Then Mio slowly moved her cheek away, extended her slender fingertips, and stroked her lips with a lingering expression, before sighing as if dissatisfied.

"Thinking back on it, Masumi finally took the initiative last time, but that philandering cat interfered. How annoying!"

"I'm sorry about that."

"In that case, Masumi, please be a little more affectionate with me!"

After she finished speaking, she quietly closed her eyes.

Her rosy lips, coated with lip gloss, were slightly pouting, like a fledgling bird begging for food.

The meaning couldn't be more obvious.

...At a time like this, as a boy, Masumi certainly couldn't back down.

So their lips met, but it wasn't a fleeting contact.

kiss.

Although it wasn't a deep, passionate kiss, it was enough to convey his feelings.

The soft touch from her lips and the sweet fragrance emanating from her blonde hair made Masumi feel somewhat intoxicated by the sensation.

After their lips met for about a minute, Masumi moved her lips away and saw that Mio's originally dark and dull eyes were now wet with moisture.

She held Masumi's hand in hers, her fingertips frequently stroking the back of Masumi's hand, and her ears were flushed with a maple-leaf-like blush.

Mio seems quite satisfied.

Masumi and Mio stood frozen in place, becoming like statues.

Huh? Did I go too far? Why is Mio's reaction even more exaggerated than during our first kiss?

Her ears looked as if they were bleeding, the red stain gradually spreading to her fair cheeks, slender neck, and delicate collarbone.

It definitely looks like it's harmful to the body.

Just as Masumi was worried that Mio might break down because of this, she suddenly heard her speak.

"Hey, Masumi, the atmosphere seems really good."

Her tone was languid, with a slight nasal quality, like the murmurs of lovers slightly tipsy.

"Yes, yes."

Judging by the atmosphere between lovers, it is indeed excellent.

"I was just thinking, is this my lucky list of potential partners being blessed by fate?"

"Huh? My destiny is extraordinary..."

Masumi paused for a moment, then realized that this was a deity enshrined at Ikaho Shrine, effective for marriage, childbirth, and money.

Mio specially bought an ema (votive plaque) with the inscription "Kaiyunko Shou" (meaning "good fortune bestowed"), and filled it with what was more of a wish list than a prayer.

Just as Masumi was recalling the contents of the list, Mio had already crossed her arms and taken off her turtleneck sweater.

Then she pressed herself against him, her eyes glazed, and whispered in his ear in a seductive voice:
"Please, Masumi, I want to graduate..."

Wow~ Making such a request right after a kiss is practically cheating!
"Huh? Mio has already graduated from music university! Does Mio plan to pursue higher education?! If so, I will definitely support Mio wholeheartedly."

"...Using the word 'education' is not wrong, but I want to receive a different kind of education."

A meaningful smile appeared on Mio's lips.

"I'm not a teacher, I can't do it."

"No, only Masumi can do it."

Her attitude was extremely stubborn, which was frankly a very bad sign! If this continued, the wishes she wrote on the ema (votive plaque) would be fulfilled one by one in order.

Just as Masumi was filled with apprehension, she suddenly heard a soft voice coming from above her head.

"If it makes me happy, I might be lenient about Masumi's affairs with other girls."

"Huh? This is real..."

Masumi was taken aback by what she heard. She looked up and met those dark eyes, and instinctively shivered.

No! This is clearly a trap!
This was bait to test his true thoughts.

To use an example from a visual novel—if you answer incorrectly here, you might end up in a bad ending where you're imprisoned by Mio in a dark, sunless basement.

Is this for real? It's a deal!

No, I am not Yamata no Orochi; there is only Mio in my heart.

Masumi came up with two possible answers on the spot.

That won't work at all.

Clearly, none of these are the best options for achieving a perfect, true ending.

If we follow our emotions and indulge in unrestrained desires, it will likely still lead to a bad ending.

In this case……

"Mio."

Masumi spoke as if testing the waters.

"Hmm? Masumi's figured it out... Hmm!"

The desire that had filled Mio's eyes was replaced by surprise, and a faint sound escaped her lips.

This kiss was like savoring everything in her mouth; it was intense and powerful enough to make one lose their mind.

In an instant, everything else was forgotten by Mio, and she focused on enjoying what was in front of her.

only……

How long should this last? Masumi's brain raced. Should she kiss those two guys under the kotatsu table until they woke up?

But seeing how soundly Mami and Kaigetsu are sleeping, even if they were given two more hours, they probably wouldn't wake up naturally.

You all seem very happy.

Someone suddenly spoke up beside her, startling Masumi, who was concentrating on her thoughts. Her shoulders and waist jumped violently, and her head spun around, bumping into Mio.

"Well."

Mio seemed to have cut her lip because of this, and while covering her mouth and saying "Ouch~", she frowned and turned her face away.

Back at the shop, Rinne smiled slightly as soon as she opened the door and saw the two of them lying together.

However, deep within that seemingly gentle and charming smile were eyes as clear and piercing as polar ice.

"Scumbag"

Her lips moved, clearly outlining those words.

The way the heir was looking at him now was exactly the same way Susanoo looked at Orochi in the picture book.

Given her background in a priestly family, Rinne might actually possess some kind of spell to combat scumbag men.

Aren't Kifune Shrine and Toyokawa Inari Shrine famous shrines for cursing scumbags and severing ties?
Masumi guiltily tried to distance himself from Mio, but couldn't leave her hand because Mio's hand was firmly in his.

Rinne casually crawled onto the kotatsu table, picked up an orange from the plate, and slowly peeled it.

Mio silently put on the turtleneck sweater she had taken off, as if nothing had happened. How can you be so calm?

"that……"

Masumi tentatively spoke.

The only response he received were the soft breathing of Haiyue and Mami.

what happened?

Why is this room suddenly so cold? Has the kotatsu (heated table) I just bought recently already broken?

(End of this chapter)