Extra 1: The Dirty Book

"How did it come to this…?"

Towa-chan sat alone, head in her hands, as the rest of us buzzed with excitement before her.

To understand this situation, we have to rewind three hours…

"Let’s go shopping!"

"Someone’s energetic today."

"Nyahaha, that’s just Yui for ya!"

"Yep yep!"

It was the long-awaited Sunday, and we’d gathered at our usual mall—the same one where Yuuki-kun and Towa-chan had their date once.

…I’m kinda jealous.

I could’ve stalked them from the shadows that day, but I held back.

Such restraint! Good job, me!

"Of course I’m hyped! My wallet’s stuffed with allowance and bonus funds today!"

Ah, the struggles of a grade-schooler’s finances. No steady income like high schoolers, no part-time jobs—just monthly allowances and rare windfalls for special occasions.

But at least we never run out of book vouchers. Somehow, we always end up drowning in them. Definitely a universal kid experience.

"Same here! I never worry about buying manga."

"Birthday presents from relatives are usually book vouchers, na."

"Yeah, yeah, enough about that—"

Focus! Swimsuits!

"Whoa! Yuuki, look! They’re selling Mexican salamanders over there!"

"Huh!? Where!? Salamanders!? They sound strong!"

"Nah, ‘Mexican salamanders’ are just axolotls—"

"Not important right now!"

(Okay, I am curious, but—)

"Wait! Over there—naked mole rats for sale too!"

""Seriously!? Where!?""

"Also not important!"

(Extremely curious, but—)

"SWIMSUITS. TODAY’S MISSION IS SWIMSUITS."

I forcefully derailed every tempting detour and herded us toward the swimwear store.

For someone who used to be borderline hikikomori, a beach trip would’ve been my nightmare. But now?

…I’m kinda looking forward to it!

"…Sigh.""…You okay?"

Towa-chan was sighing? And slumped over?

"Nah, it’s nothing, na."

Hmm. Dodgy. Towa-chan’s a scary good liar—like, "has a [Lie Detection] skill in galge" levels of good. Once she lies, no one catches it.

(Fun fact: Yuuki-kun’s the second-best liar in our group. Those two once used their deception skills and insane physical abilities to pull off some crazy stunt, but… I forgot the details.)

"Oh! Over there—Komodo dragon exhibit—"

"SWIM! SUITS! FOCUS!"

…And then, in that store, I encountered true horror.

The terror of… mountainous disparity in growth rates.

After we finished picking out our swimsuits, we headed straight over to Yuuki-kun’s house.

Huh? You’re wondering how our swimsuit shopping turned out?

Ehehe, don’t be silly. Obviously, that’s a story for the next swimsuit episode.

"I'm back."

"""Thanks for having us!"""

"Towa, show them to my room first. I’ll grab some snacks and stuff."

"Oo-kay! Everyone, this way!"

Following Towa-chan’s lead, we made our way toward Yuuki-kun’s room. Honestly, I couldn’t help but glance around nervously as we walked. It’s only natural, right?

I mean, I’ve never been over to a boy’s house in this life—and even in my previous life, it was an extremely rare occurrence.

"Here we are! Well, there’s not much to see, but make yourselves at home!"

"Why are you acting like you own the place?"

"Nyahaha!"

Towa-chan just laughed cutely and plopped herself down on the bed like she owned it.It made me feel a tiny bit jealous.

"It's surprisingly clean in here."

Aimi grabbed a cartoonish stuffed shark from the bed and started flapping its little arms.She had let her hair down, and now it flowed to about her chest.

...Chest—no, forget it, me. Just forget it.

"Ah."

Oh, right. There was something I needed to take care of while Yuuki-kun wasn’t here.I turned to Towa-chan.

"Towa-chan, can you get off the bed for a second?"

"Hm? What's up?"

"Actually—"

I leaned in and whispered the plan to her.

"...Isn't that a little mean? Maybe we should let it go?"

Being a former guy herself, she could probably sympathize, and she raised an objection to my idea.

"I vote we go for it!"

"Two to one! That settles it!"

"We’re going to search the room for any dirty magazines!"

"How did it come to this...?"

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Bonus: Favorite Foods

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Manami: "Towa-chan, what's your favorite food?"

Towa: "Chicken gizzards are the ultimate food. Simple to prepare too—just season lightly with salt and pepper, skewer them, and grill. I know it's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing, but after one juicy bite of gizzard, there’s nothing better than washing it down with a freezing-cold can of Coke. It’s like, Kuuuuuu!" (talking fast)

Yui: "That’s... seriously an old man’s taste. What about you, Aimi?"

Manami: "I’d say honey-pickled Nanko plums. That sweet-and-sour flavor with the distinct honey aroma that lingers when you breathe out... the way your cheeks start to tingle—it’s just irresistible. I haven’t had any yet in this life though... What about you, Yui-san?"

Yui: "Me? Definitely a two-tone soboro rice bowl. I like it when the egg topping isn’t too sweet—nice and clean-tasting—and the chicken soboro is sweet instead. Even if it gets a little heavy, the faint sweetness of the egg refreshes your palate, so I can just keep eating it forever with rice."

Towa & Manami: "...That’s so Yui-chan."