Yuigahama-mama's absence really wasn't Yui's fault.
She had deliberately chosen not to speak in the group at all and, noticing Yui didn't realize her presence there, she just kept it to herself.
That was because she felt guilty deep down.
From back when she and Yui had swapped bodies, she still couldn't get past what had happened with Rei Ao. It remained a thorn in her heart, making her feel she'd wronged Yui. So even when the group was planning a party, she never mentioned it. Now, she sat alone in her room, gloomily downcast.
She did want to mingle with everyone. Hanging around the chat group, how could she not be fascinated by those friends sharing bold, carefree banter? Who wouldn't wish to be a part of that?
"Sigh… Yui and her friends must be having a blast right now,"
Yuigahama-mama murmured enviously.
"If you envy them, why not go join them?"
She reflexively tried to answer.
But then she realized something was off: why would a man's voice be here at home?
Startled, she looked up—only to freeze on the spot. Standing before her, arms crossed and eyes amused, was Rei Ao.
"R-Rei Ao-kun, how…how are you here? Aren't you…"
…supposed to be at the party?
She had no idea how any of this made sense.
"Yes. The party we organized has technically already started. But we found one member missing, so it's been delayed."
Rei Ao's tone feigned regret.
That made Yuigahama-mama's heart jolt. She instantly realized they must be talking about her.
"That's so terrible! You shouldn't delay on my account—I really don't deserve to go!"
If Yui and the others were excited about the party, it was far too big a burden on her conscience for it to be pushed back because of her.
Yet Rei Ao just stepped forward until he was right in front of her.
"And why do you think you shouldn't attend? Aren't you part of the group, too?"
"N-no, that's not it, I only…only…"
Confronted by his closeness, Yuigahama-mama's thoughts scattered. After all, this was the man she'd inadvertently ended up thinking or dreaming about so much lately.
He clasped her face so she couldn't avoid his gaze. "Don't tell me we aren't close enough? Did you forget what happened between us back in Yui's room?"
He called out exactly the reason she'd been dodging him—and why she'd been reluctant to face Yui.
And it was also what she most secretly longed to remember.
She trembled, eyes awash with emotion. She couldn't deny it:
That day's events were imprinted deep in her mind, something she absolutely couldn't erase.
"That—that was only because I was in Yui's body!!!"
She tried using that as an excuse to reject her innermost feelings.
But Rei Ao gave her no chance. He was a seasoned pro at reading the turmoil in her expression—and that was all he needed.
"But I know perfectly well who was inside that body at the time. The one I made love to was you, not Yui. Right?"
She looked astonished by the idea. Before she could say anything else, Rei Ao blocked her lips with his own.
In the blink of an eye, her regrets and shame melted away, replaced by a fervent, passionate response. She gave in to that kiss in under three seconds. That was the truth within her heart.
They parted from a long, lingering kiss, and Yuigahama-mama's legs felt like jelly. Rei Ao supported her as she still savored that taste and, apologetic, he smiled:
"Sorry. This was my fault."
"Why is it your fault?" she asked hastily. Plainly, it was her "impure" mindset, her betrayal of Yui, that she considered truly wrong.
"No, it is my fault,"
Rei Ao softly encircled her waist, his expression gentle.
"I didn't make my attitude and feelings clear to you earlier. That left you conflicted, racked with guilt."
"Now, let me tell you, Yuigahama-san—I like you. I want you to be mine, just like Yui, and join my family."
He spoke these words, and Yuigahama-mama looked up at him blankly.
It was her first time realizing how Rei Ao felt. So I, too, am being regarded as a woman. Her messy, knotted thoughts all converged into one. She knew her own mind at last.
Wrapping her arms around his sturdy frame, she buried her face in that warm chest:
"Rei Ao-kun…you won't think I'm just some weak-willed, unchaste woman who's only good at wallowing in self-pity?"
She used the harshest words to describe herself, which drew a rebuke from Rei Ao:
"Yui's mom, that makes me mad."
"I won't let anyone belittle a woman I love—not even if that someone is herself."
Even scolded like that, she felt only joy and comfort in his answer. Slowly, she lifted her head, parted her lips:
"Rei Ao-kun…I like you, too. Please let me stay by your side. Let me feel even more and more of this 'liking.'"
"Mhm, that's a given."
Rei Ao bent down and kissed her once more…
"Yay, Mom, you finally made it!"
Seeing Rei Ao arrive with her mother in tow, Yui sighed in relief. Then she clung to Yuigahama-mama's arm, complaining:
"Mom, you were in the group all along—why not tell me?!"
"Sorry, Yui, I—I kinda forgot."
A flimsy excuse spilled from her lips. She truly wasn't very good at lying, so quite a few folks overheard how forced that sounded. But Yui, in her usual naive way, believed it wholeheartedly:
"All right, next time, please don't forget! Our group does all sorts of stuff, so you have to join us."
Yuigahama-mama replied, awkwardness in her voice. She was happy, but also uneasy.
She realized she still had a secret to keep from Yui—what she and Rei Ao had done. Even now, she planned to hide that for the time being to spare Yui any shock, hoping to find a better opportunity to explain.
"All right, everyone, let's sit."
Over at the table laden with dishes, Kanna-chan's stomach was growling.
"We're starving Kanna here. Everyone, dig in—eat and drink as you like!"
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