CH. 94 - Love Sickness?
After a long day of playing, the group settles down for a bit by hanging out in a mostly vacant pool and hot tub area. Chizuru, Touma, Alice, Lucy and Ryuji share the hot tub as the others hang out by or play in the larger pool next to them.
“Ahh~ that’s what I’m talking about.” Lucy says, letting out a sigh of relaxation as she lowers into the warm water. Ryuji nods in agreement as Chizuru wiggles about with a look as if holding in a thought. Lucy notices immediately, opening one eye at her. “Chizuru? You look like you have something to say.” Lucy says. Chizuru is surprised by Lucy’s statement before deflecting and looking away.
“What? Nooo, definitely not! I definitely didn’t just learn some very valuable information.” Chizuru says nervously. Lucy and Ryuji look at each other before looking back at Chizuru. Alice leans over to look at her past Touma with an unimpressed face.
“Even I could tell that’s a lie.” Alice says blankly.
“You know you can tell us anything.” Ryuji says.
“Yeah, we’ve been bestfriends since we were kids. Spit it out.” Lucy says, a little huffy. Chizuru shakes her head back and forth quickly.
“Nuh uh! I said I wouldn’t talk about the crush!” Chizuru says. They get surprised looks, noting her words.
“Crush, huh?” Lucy says. Chizuru looks shocked and embarrassed by her own actions as she tries to keep her lips shut. Lucy looks at Ryuji before smirking. “Speaking of crushes…” Lucy puts her hands behind her head and leans back. “Hey Chizuru, I was wondering. Do you eat a specific diet to get boobs that big or are you just lucky?” Lucy asks with a mischievous look as Touma blushes intensely at the question. Chizuru looks surprised before looking down at her chest in the water. She pokes one of her boobs, giving it a little squish.
“No, I don’t think I eat anything in particular. Maybe it’s all the sweets?” Chizuru says plainly. Touma suddenly slaps himself in the face, startling the others.
“S-sorry! There was a bug.” Touma says nervously as an intense blush sits across his face and his nose bleeds a bit.
“Stop messing with them. You’re so mean.” Ryuji says to Lucy with his eyes closed, looking away.
“You let me do it.” Lucy says cutely to him before nuzzling their foreheads and noses together just a bit. Alice bumps Touma on the arm a bit.
“Listen, you can think anything you want is hot, big boobs or whatever, but you’re seriously missing out.” Alice says, then turns and stares adoringly at Shiori and Hikigaya sitting on the edge of the pool with their feet in the water, talking happily. “Them right there is what I like. Ah~ they’re so hot..” She sighs with a blush on her face as she watches them.
“You’re weird, main.” Ryuji says plainly. Alice gets an angry look.
“I can like who I want, okay?!” she shouts as Chizuru also looks at Shiori and Hikigaya laughing. She smiles before getting up and out of the hot tub.
“I’m gonna go talk to Shiori. Be right back!” Chizuru says excitedly.
“Don’t bother them too much, Chizu.” Lucy says.
“I won’t!” Chizuru says back with a giggle before approaching Shiori and Hikigaya. “Hey Shiori, can I tell you something?” Chizuru says with a smile. They look at her surprised.
“Sure.” Shiori says. Chizuru sits down next to Shiori and motions for her to lean in close so they can whisper. They begin talking in secret for a moment as Hikigaya looks away but leans a little closer and grows his ear in an attempt to hear what they’re saying. Sugawara notices and gets a shocked look.
“Hey!” Sugawara shouts and grabs Hikigaya by the wrist, pulling him into the water with him and Haru. Hikigaya surfaces quickly and looks at Sugawara in shock before Sugawara gets close to his face with a finger pointed at him scoldingly. “No listening in on secrets!” Sugawara says.
“That’s right! Besides, it’s go time!” Haru says before tackling Hikigaya and dragging him under water as he did to Haru earlier with Ryuji. Back on the edge of the pool, Chizuru talks to Shiori.
“I promise you, now would be as good a time as any to tell him!..” Chizuru says.
“But… I just can’t… I’m so scared. What if he says no?.. and things have been… kinda weird between us the past few days…” Shiori says anxiously.
"If by weird you mean you're two attractive people who want each other physically, then shut up." Chizuru says playfully as Shiori stares at her with an uncertain look. Chizuru exhales softly as she smiles at her. “Shiori, I understand you’re scared, but I promise on my soul that he won’t say no. Just trust me, okay?” Chizuru says with a subtly pushy tone but still very supportive. Shiori sweats nervously while looking at Chizuru. Her eyes convey truth and support as Shiori sighs and nods softly. Chizuru smiles widely and excitedly before hugging her. “This is gonna be so exciting! Okay, I’ll leave you to it!” Chizuru quickly gets up and walks away before noticing Haru and Sugawara messing with Hikigaya.
“Haru, Sugawara!” She says sharply, causing them to stop and look at her. She gives them a serious look before motioning her hand sharply across her neck, signaling them to stop immediately or else... They sweat nervously before letting him go. Hikigaya pants before swimming over to the edge where Shiori is sitting.
“Main, those guys play rough, haha!” Hikigaya says with a smile as Shiori looks nervous. She smiles back nervously as she sweats.
“Haha yeah, they can get pretty crazy..” Shiori says softly. She looks down at him a bit as he floats in the water, holding onto the edge by putting his arms up next to her on the stone ground. She opens her mouth slightly as if to speak but hesitates for a moment.
“H-hey, Hikigaya?” she stutters softly. He looks up at her in response as the others watch from the hot tub in anticipation. “Do.. do you maybe…” She starts out nervously before quickly jumping to her feet with a playful and determined look on her face. “Do you think you can beat me in a breath holding contest?!” she shouts as Chizuru facepalms. Hikigaya looks surprised for a moment before getting a determined smile.
“Without a doubt!” Hikigaya says.
“Oh? Real confident, are you?” Shiori asks with a taunting smile.
“Duh. Out of all the fights we’ve had, who has more endurance and stamina?”
“Probably me.” Shiori says plainly. A vein pops on Hikigaya’s head at her words.
“Just jump in the water already!” Hikigaya says through gritted teeth. She smirks at him before doing as she was told and jumping in the pool with him. They float a bit away from the edges of the pool and stare at each other with determined and excited looks. “Let’s make a bet. Just to make it more exciting.” Hikigaya proposes.
“You’re on. If I win, you have to sleep on the floor for the rest of the trip, like the Watchdog you are.” Shiori says smugly. They both blush a little as they speak.
“Oh really? Then if I win, you have to sleep on the floor instead.” Hikigaya says, smirking back.
“Like that’ll happen.” Shiori teases. They smile before preparing to go under. They start the countdown together.
“1… 2… 3!”
They shout before dropping under the water. They both float under the water with their eyes closed, but after a moment, Shiori begins to open her eyes. She stares softly at Hikigaya, whose closed eyes and focused face causes Shiori to blush. She stares at him for a moment before she gently lifts her hands and lightly places them on his cheeks. He opens his eyes in surprise and stares at her as she slowly pulls in closer to him. In a single moment, everything else seems to go away. It doesn’t matter that they’re underwater, it doesn’t matter that they’re playing a game. In that single moment, Shiori looks at him so softly as they get closer, only for Shiori to close her eyes and place a kiss on his lips. Hikigaya’s eyes widen as they kiss for a moment until Shiori pulls back. They both blush intensely under the water as they stare into each other’s eyes.
“Shi-”
Hikigaya opens his mouth and lets out a muffled tone before quickly closing his mouth again, remembering he’s still underwater. In that moment, Shiori quickly surfaces before swimming to the edge of the pool and rushing out of it. Hikigaya quickly tries to follow her, but by the time he surfaces and takes in a deep breath, Shiori has already picked up her towel and rushed to Lucy.
“Come with me.” Shiori says quickly before grabbing Lucy by the hand and dragging her along. Lucy smiles in excitement and confusion before running off with Shiori, who has an embarrassed and flustered look on her face. Hikigaya floats in the water while staring at her as she leaves.
“Shiori..?” Hikigaya says softly.
“Hikigaya.” Suddenly, Chizuru calls his name while wrapping her towel around herself. “You better not have ruined it again.” She says with a warm smile before following Lucy and Shiori. Hikigaya stares with a mix of confusion and fluster. Ryuji and Touma stand in the hot tub as Ryuji puts his hands on his hips.
“I guess it’s time to go back.” Ryuji says. Touma nods in agreement when suddenly Suiyoubi steps in front of them with a panicked look.
“Has anyone seen Mormo!?” she asks frantically. Cuts to a shot of Mormo floating lifelessly face down in the pool on the far side from the group.
“I guess he does float.” Kitaro says with a smirk as Alice quickly jumps in after him.
“Not again!” she says before splashing in the water. Alice holds Mormo on the inside of her arm to her body as she swims back to the others. Mormo coughs and cries as he drips water with blank eyes.
“I’m seriously gonna kill you guys one day…” Mormo grumbles. The day eventually comes to an end as the group makes their way back to the beach house.
After the sun has gone down and a starlit sky begins to shine, the group hangs out in the living room except for Shiori and Lucy. Haru rummages through the fridge for a moment before stepping back with a look of disappointment.
“Who was it that wanted to cook tonight?” Haru asks openly.
“I think Shiori said she would.” Hisana answers from the couch.
“I don’t think that’s gonna happen.” Lucy says while coming out of Shiori and Hikigaya’s room. The group looks at her with surprise and slight concern at Lucy’s words.
“What’s wrong? Is she okay?” Suiyoubi asks.
“Yeah, yeah. She’s fine, but she suddenly got all red and hot. Maybe a fever, but I don’t think anything would set in this quickly. Other than that, she said she was fine and just needed to be alone for a bit.” Lucy explains.
“That’s a relief.” Sugawara says, letting out a sigh of relief. Chizuru makes her way to Lucy and leans in close.
“So what happened?.. Did she say what went on?..” Chizuru whispers as Lucy smiles a bit.
“I’ll fill you in later.” Lucy says back.
“Well, I’m starving! And if she ain’t cooking, I say we go out to eat!” Haru announces happily, and most of the group seems to agree.
“Sounds good to me.” Kitaro says.
“But what about Shiori? We can’t leave her behind.” Alice says, concerned. Haru thinks for a moment with his hand on his chin.
“True. Hm... I guess we’ll order to go!” Haru says.
“And some of us will stay.” Ryuji adds. Chizuru raises her hand excitedly.
“Touma and I can stay! We’ll make sure nothing bad happens to Shiori!” she says happily as Touma blushes a bit at her words.
“W-wait, I’m staying?..” he asks softly.
“Great! That works perfectly! We’ll need the hands to help carry the food back, haha! Now to just get Shiori’s order.” Haru says, beginning to march to her room before Hikigaya speaks up.
“Wherever you go, she’ll take macaroni and cheese, ideally with chicken if they have it. If not, I'll check for her second favorite.” Hikigaya says quickly as he bounces his leg repeatedly in his seat. He’s blushing intensely as he sweats. The group looks at him in confusion as he notices the looks and gets embarrassed. “It’s her favorite comfort food.. That way you don’t have to bother her..” He says as he looks down, red in the face and his leg bouncing as he sits on the couch.
“You okay, dude?” Lucy asks.
“Yeah, yeah. Just a little.. Warm at the moment.” Hikigaya says. Lucy and Chizuru exchange sharp glares in an instant before looking normal again.
“Oh, well, maybe you should stay behind with Touma and I then.” Chizuru proposes.
“Yeah, maybe you can check on Shiori in a bit too.” Lucy adds. Hikigaya smiles nervously and nods as he sweats and blushes, not even trying to argue.
“Alright then, let’s get moving! We gotta find a place to get some grub!” Haru cheers as he heads to the door. The group gathers and makes their way out, leaving behind Chizuru, Touma, Hikigaya and Shiori. Hikigaya stares blankly as he sits on the couch for a moment before Chizuru approaches him.
“I think you should go check on Shiori. Just in case she’s really sick.” Chizuru says with a smile. Hikigaya looks at their room door for a moment before nodding.
“R-right.” He gets up and leaves the room, leaving just Chizuru and Touma behind, sitting on the couch. Chizuru turns and looks at Touma as he blushes intensely in response and looks away. In Shiori and Hikigaya’s room, his hand trembles over the door handle. He sweats and blushes intensely as he stares at it.
‘What’s going on with me?.. My body feels so sensitive… and I… I feel so…’ he thinks.
In the room, Shiori sits on the bed, dressed in comfy clothes for the night. She pants and sweats with her face all red, holding a pillow close to her chest. She breathes heavily as she holds her hand between her legs.
‘It’s happening again... Why does this keep happening?.. What even is happening?.. I get so flustered and hot, it’s like my body is in overdrive and I can only think about one thing...’ Shiori thinks as she twitches before throwing her head back and pressing it against the headboard of the bed. “Ahh... Hikigaya..!” she moans out as her hand moves a little. She groans a little when suddenly the door to the room opens.
“Shiori?” Hikigaya calls her name as he enters. Shiori looks up at him sharply, removing her hand from between her legs with a startled look. Her blushing face is filled with surprise and shock as she looks at him.
“You!” Shiori shouts, pointing at him. She scrambles out of the bed and to her feet, pulling the pillow back, prepared to throw it. “Stay away from me!” she says as she sweats and backs away. Hikigaya steps towards her.
“I think we need to talk.” Hikigaya says with a lustful look on his face as he slowly approaches her.
“No! I mean, yes, but.. not right now! I think you need to just stay away for a while!” She backs up until she’s against the wall behind her as Hikigaya approaches still.
“I don’t think I can… Shiori, I…” he says between hot breaths before standing over her. She closes her eyes and looks away as she presses against the wall. Hikigaya places his hands on the wall behind her and leans over her. “Shiori…” he says softly.
“Hikigaya…” she almost moans out, still looking away as he stares at her intently. Hikigaya then lowers himself a little and presses himself into her neck, kissing her gently. Shiori whimpers as she tilts her head back to give him better access. The invitation causes Hikigaya to kiss more before slowly opening his mouth, preparing to give her a loving bite when suddenly Shiori slams the pillow in her arms against his face, shoving him away. She then stumbles back and falls against the bed, looking at him as he grabs the pillow.
“A-are we really gonna... do it?..” Shiori asks nervously. Hikigaya tosses the pillow to the side as he looks at her. He slowly comes closer and presses his fingers against her chest, gently pushing her onto her back on the bed.
“You know the answer to that.” he says softly as he runs his hands down her body and under her shirt. Shiori moans softly as she puts her arms over her eyes, feeling his fingers caress her bare stomach and hips. Hikigaya then carefully pulls her legs apart and gets on his knees before her. He begins kissing her inner thigh when the action causes Shiori to sit up sharply and pull away, crawling back to press herself against the headboard.
“W-w-wait! This isn’t normal, right? Something’s happening to us that’s causing this! Were we poisoned? Is it our powers? Were we poisoned?? Wait, I already said that…” Shiori says as she looks down, flustered and confused. Hikigaya starts crawling towards her.
“I don’t really think it matters.. I know we both want this..” he says softly before again kissing her neck. Shiori sighs before Hikigaya goes up to her lips. She presses her lips together tightly and closes her eyes as if trying to resist the urge as Hikigaya kisses her closed lips. Shiori whines for a moment before shyly turning away.
"Hikigaya… why can't I stop thinking about you?.. Why is this all I want?.. Every time we're home alone… why do I wish you'd do this to me?.." Shiori admits softly as Hikigaya whispers in her ear.
"I've always wanted this…" he whispers before sliding his hand down her stomach and into her waistband of her shorts. She whimpers as he slowly begins sliding her shorts down before Shiori suddenly slaps Hikigaya across the face.
“Y-you’re going too fast!” she shouts embarrassedly as she slaps him but, forgetting she has super strength, the supposed to be cute, timid slap sends Hikigaya flying off the bed and slamming into the wall. The loud thud is heard out into the living room as Chizuru props herself up from the couch, her hair ruffled a bit.
“What was that noise? Was it Shiori and Hiki?” Chizuru asks as she looks over her shoulder. Touma then props himself up on his elbows underneath her with a slightly dazed look.
“M-Maybe we should check on them?” Touma offers, kiss marks all over his face and a confused smile on his lips. Chizuru smirks before turning back to Touma, revealing her to be laying on top of him.
“Nah, they’ll be okay. We’re busy right now.” she says before pushing her lips against his as they lay back down on the couch, kissy noises heard openly. Back in their bedroom, Shiori looks at Hikigaya with a shocked look as she leans on the edge of the bed.
“I-I’m sorry!” Shiori apologizes. Hikigaya gets up, leaning against the wall as he rubs his face.
“It’s totally okay. I get why you did that.” Hikigaya says. Shiori sits back on the bed on her knees as she looks flustered and nervous.
“I’ve never... done anything like this before...” Shiori says softly. Hikigaya giggles a little before responding.
“You think I have?” he says with a giggle before rubbing the back of his head with an awkward smile. “We really don’t have to...” he says as Shiori looks shocked by his words.
“N-no!” she almost shouts, leaning forward before composing herself, getting nervous again. “I want to... I really want to, it's just...” she then starts rubbing her chest again as she continues. “Remember what we talked about in the closet? It’s that, just so much worse right now... This feeling, my body, I... I crave you. Your touch, your scent, I need you. I desire you to take me and hold me, I.. I-” Shiori says as Hikigaya stares at her, blushing and surprised by her honesty. This reaction, though, causes a different feeling to spike in Shiori’s chest. She gets embarrassed and anxious before quickly getting up and rushing to the door. Hikigaya is shocked and takes chase.
“Shiori, wait! I- I feel the same way!” he shouts as Shiori rushes out into the living room. There, Shiori suddenly stops when she sees Chizuru sitting on Touma’s lap, making out with him. They both suddenly stop, shocked by her appearance, and look at her, sitting up a bit. They stare in silence for a moment as Chizuru awkwardly smiles at her before Hikigaya suddenly tackles Shiori to the ground. He holds himself over her as they both breathe heavily. They stare at each other before Hikigaya lowers himself towards her and whispers in her ear.
“We are going to do it..” he whispers. Shiori’s eyes convey acceptance and pleasure as she whispers back.
“Yes, please...” she moans in his ear, running her arms around his neck and lifting her legs up around him. Chizuru and Touma stare at them on the floor as Hikigaya starts kissing Shiori’s cheek, making his way down to her neck.
“Uh... Does this mean you’re together?..” Chizuru asks confused only to be met by moans from her friends. Suddenly, the door to the beach house opens up as all the friends come back.
“Hey! We’re back!” Haru shouts happily. “We totally realized we could just order delivery.” Haru says.
“More like dork face here forgot to grab a form of payment.” Lucy says when suddenly they all stop. Chizuru points to Shiori and Hikigaya on the ground as Hikigaya starts to slide Shiori’s shorts down.
“Woah! Okay, hang on a second!” Lucy shouts as the group all jumps into action, pulling the two off each other. “What happened?” Lucy asks, holding Shiori with Alice and Hisana. Chizuru gets up as she starts to explain.
“I don’t really know. They were in the room for a while, then Shiori suddenly ran out here. After that, Hikigaya tackled her to the floor, and they started...” Chizuru says. Kitaro then steps next to Touma, sitting on the couch.
“Was she just on top of you?” Kitaro asks as Touma blushes intensely, looking away. Kitaro smirks at his response. As the others talk, Shiori and Hikigaya struggle to free themselves and get back to each other.
“Ngh..! Shiori..!” Hikigaya groans.
“Hikigaya..!” Shiori basically moans out.
“Please.. I need her..” Hikigaya begs. The friends look confused and shocked as they struggle to hold them back.
“What has gotten into them? This is not their usual behavior..” Lucy grunts.
“It’s like they’re under a spell or something..!” Haru says, holding Hikigaya back. His words cause Suiyoubi to light up.
“That’s it!” she says openly. “This must be the work of my love potion those months ago!” Suiyoubi says. The others look surprised by her words.
“Is that how it works?” Alice asks.
“The effect must’ve taken this long to work due to their powers. I wasn’t aware of them at the time I made it, so I didn’t account for it.” Suiyoubi explains.
“So your ‘love potion’ is really just a get really horny potion? How clever.” Kitaro says sarcastically. She looks at him offended.
“Excuse me. My potion simply amplifies the feelings that are already there, hence why I needed confirmation they actually loved each other. If this is how they feel about each other, that’s not my fault. You try making the potion next time.” Suiyoubi says back aggressively.
“Touma.. A little help here?.” Haru calls to him, struggling to keep Hikigaya back. Touma then comes over and stands behind Hikigaya before slamming his big fist onto his head. Hikigaya’s eyes roll back as he goes limp. Shiori whimpers at the sight.
“No..! My Hikigaya...” she cries, reaching for him. Lucy then grabs her face and turns her away as she, Chizuru and Hisana pull her away.
“Come on, lovebird. You’ll see him again soon. Let’s get you in some cold water before you do something you regret.” Lucy says as they walk off to their bathroom. The boys do the same to the unconscious Hikigaya, dragging him to the other bathroom. Suiyoubi huffs as she sees them getting taken away.
“I’ll start working on a cure for the potion’s effects. It shouldn’t take too long.” Suiyoubi says. Touma nods at her as Alice looks at her.
“Hey, do you think you could do that to me and the both of them?..” Alice asks as Suiyoubi walks away.
“No.” she says sharply.
“Hey, yeah, no, it’s cool. I didn’t even care that much. Whatever..” Alice says, sticking her hands in her pockets as she shrugs, tears forming in her eyes.