29-83

EP.83 The Snack Shop Lady and Secret Play 

Even as I walked down the mountain holding little Yuu’s hand, the shocking scene I’d witnessed at the shrine wouldn’t leave my mind. 

‘Fumika-nee, really… She must have been so lonely to do something like that, even with a kid around…’ 

We’d seen everything together since we were little, but that was still a shock. In my mind, she was always upright and pure. She must have felt so empty after her husband left. She really needs to meet a good man, but none of the guys in this village are any good. 

‘This time I ran away, but next time I should talk to her about it. Maybe she’s a better conversation partner than I thought, at least about those things. I know a lot about romance, if nothing else.’ 

‘She always seemed down, but today she looked better. Did something good happen?’ 

“Did something fun happen, sis?” 

Yuu’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see his small head shining in the sunlight as he trotted alongside me. 

“Huh?” 

“You’ve been smiling for a while.” 

I must have been smiling to myself without realizing it. 

“…It’s nothing. So, what did you do with Fumika-nee?” 

“Hm? Just… played with her.” 

“‘Just’ isn’t an answer. What did you do, specifically?” 

“Um… We went for walks, played hide and seek… Oh, and exercised!” 

“Sounds boring.” 

Well, what else could you do at a shrine in the mountains? Fumika probably doesn’t know the kind of games kids play these days. For a second, I wondered if Yuu was the reason Fumika seemed brighter, but that’s probably a stretch. 

“I’m heading back to the shop. Are you going straight home, kid?” 

“Hmm. Maybe?” 

“What’s with that vague answer? Didn’t you come with me to go home?” 

“I just followed you because you were going.” 

His answer was so simple it made me feel tired. 

“You’re so carefree… Well, that’s how kids are.” 

Is that innocence, or just not thinking at all? 

Then I got curious. 

“Hey, kid Yuu.” 

“Do you have to call me ‘kid’ every time, sis?” 

“Why, does it bother you? Got some pride as a man?” 

“…Ugh.” 

He glared at me, cheeks puffed out, but it was more cute than scary. 

“Oh, I’m so scared~. Fine, I’ll stop teasing. Anyway, what’s it like being a kid again?” 

“…What do you mean?” 

He tilted his head, not really getting it. 

“Is it fun, exciting? How does it feel?” 

“Hmm. At first it was really scary… but now I like it! Akari, you, and Fumika-nee are all really nice to me.” 

Come to think of it, he said he only remembered his childhood, right? So he lost all his memories after that. Doesn’t sound so great. 

“Sounds like all you care about is the big sisters. You’re already a little playboy.” 

Well, maybe not ‘already’ since he’s a kid again. Ugh, my head hurts. 

“Why do you ask? Do you want to be a kid again too?” 

“Huh? Not really… Sometimes I just want to play without thinking, forget about responsibilities. Don’t you ever feel that way?” 

“Not really.” 

“Heh. I guess a kid wouldn’t understand how adults feel.” 

Boring. 

Every day is the same in this village. Even the pervy old men who drop by are predictable. Even masturbation is getting boring. 

I needed something new, something exciting. 

‘Something new…’ 

My gaze drifted to Yuu beside me. 

‘A kid who turned back into his childhood self after making a wish at the shrine. In a way, there’s nothing more mysterious in this world than him.’ 

“Hey, Yuu.” 

I tapped his shoulder and he stopped to look at me. 

“What, sis?” 

“If you don’t have plans, wanna come hang out at my place today?” 

“At your place?” 

“Yeah. We can have snacks and play games. I even have a new game console.” 

“Hmm…” 

Not the reaction I expected. Most kids would go nuts at the mention of a new console. 

“Not into games?” 

“It’s just… I was told not to follow strangers who offer snacks…” 

His innocent answer made me laugh. 

“Pfft. Am I a stranger? I’m the most trustworthy person you know. And I really do have snacks.” 

“Really? Then I’ll come, sis!” 

He smiled brightly and grabbed my hand. Kids are kids, after all. 

“Okay~. It’s settled.” 

If what Fumika said is true, I won’t have much time left with him like this. I should have some fun before then. 

Just as I led Yuu around the corner  

“Honoka-nee! Found you!!” 

“Huh?” 

A loud shout and a shadow darted out from the alley. Suddenly, something soft and wet flew at my face. 

Before I realized it was a water balloon, I instinctively raised my arms to protect myself. 

Splash! Sploosh! 

“Ugh!?” 

Cold, wet sensation soaked me from head to toe. Yuu beside me was drenched too, looking like a drowned rat. 

Who threw that…? 

“Haha! I finally got you, Honoka-nee! I win this time!” 

I turned and, of course, it was Kenta the neighborhood troublemaker always pulling pranks on me. 

“Hehe! You let your guard down! Hey, your shirt’s all see-through! I can see your nipples~! Nyah nyah!” 

I looked down and, sure enough, my wet shirt clung to my chest, making everything visible. Gross. 

That kid’s pranks are getting more and more like harassment lately. Where does he learn this stuff? 

“Hey, kid Yuu, you okay?” 

I wiped the water from my face and checked on Yuu. He’d taken the brunt of it and could barely see. 

“Y-yeah… Just surprised. Are you okay, Honoka-nee?” 

“Of course I am. Who’s worrying about who here?” 

Why does my chest feel tight all of a sudden? 

“Who’s that kid? Never seen him before,” Kenta said, showing off. 

His attitude annoyed me for some reason. 

“Hey, idiot Kenta~?” 

“Huh?” 

He shrank back at my low voice. 

“Even if it’s just a water balloon, you shouldn’t throw it at people. What if you’d hit Yuu instead of me? He could’ve gotten hurt.” 

I blurted it out, then felt odd. Usually I’d just prank him back or smack him. Why was I so mad? Just because Yuu got wet? Or was it the way Kenta talked to him? 

It wasn’t like me. 

“Sis, I’m okay…” 

Yuu tugged at my hand, and my head cooled off. 

Looking back, Kenta was now sniffling, clutching his pants. 

“I was just playing around…! Stupid boob monster!!” 

“Who are you calling a boob monster!” 

He yelled and ran off around the corner. 

I thought about chasing him, but realized it wasn’t the time. 

Kids forget stuff like this quickly. But why did I feel so unsettled? 

“Achoo!” 

Right, now’s not the time. I turned to Yuu, who was shivering. 

We’ll both catch a cold at this rate. “Let’s go to my place and dry off, okay?” 

“Yeah…” 

I grabbed his hand and hurried home, squeezing a little tighter than I meant to. 

As soon as we got back, I took Yuu straight to my room and we wiped each other down with towels. 

“Man, this place is a mess. Sorry, just put up with it for now.” 

After drying off, I fetched some dry towels and a basket for the wet clothes. 

‘Might as well wash these.’ 

“Hey, sis, what’s this?” 

As I was taking off my wet shirt, I turned to see Yuu holding up a dildo I’d left under the bed after playing with it last night. 

Why did he have to find that now?! 

“Oh, that? It’s for massages. When your shoulders or back hurt, you use that and it feels great.” 

“Hmm. Looks like a giant penis.” 

That stung, but I tried to play it cool. 

“Yeah, it’s a weird design. That’s how massage tools are these days.” 

“Hmm, I see.” 

He kept examining it curiously. 

Whew, good thing he’s just a kid. 

“Alright, take off all your wet clothes and put them here. I’ll get you something dry.” 

He started taking off his clothes, revealing his thin, pale body. Just a normal kid’s body, but for some reason, it made me feel weird. 

‘Am I getting heatstroke or something?’ 

I snapped out of it and went to the dresser, but noticed he was hesitating with his underwear. 

“Why aren’t you taking those off? They’re wet too. You’ll catch a cold.” 

“Um… sis…” 

“Huh?” 

Then I saw it. 

His wet underwear was bulging in a very obvious way. 

That was definitely a boy’s most important part. 

“Heh ” 

A sly smile crept onto my face, and my heart started racing. 

So he’s not as innocent as I thought… 

Maybe I should tease him a little. 

“Did you get excited seeing my wet boobs earlier, kid?” 

“Ugh…!” 

I pressed my arms together, emphasizing my chest, and Yuu’s face turned bright red. 

So honest. 

This is why teasing kids is so fun. 

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Boys are like that. You don’t have to be embarrassed it’s actually cute.” 

“R-really?” 

“Of course. Now take off the rest. I think I still have some shorts from when I was little… maybe?” 

He hesitated, then, encouraged by my words, carefully pulled off his last piece of underwear. 

Well, he’s still just a kid… 

“…Huh?” 

But then I saw it. 

There, standing tall and flushed, was something impossibly huge for a child. 

Is that… is that real? 

It’s almost as big as my forearm! 

I thought only toys could be that size. 

My eyes traced every vein, and my mind spun out dozens, hundreds of dirty fantasies. 

“Sis…?” 

Yuu noticed my gaze and called out nervously. 

But I couldn’t answer. 

‘If I put that inside me… what would it feel like? If that thing stirred me up… would I even survive?’ 

Just imagining it made my belly ache. 

Gulp. 

No, no! Honoka, get a grip! He’s just a kid! 

There are lines you can cross and lines you can’t! 

But… how can I ignore something like that right in front of me? 

And besides, he only looks like a kid he’s really an adult, right? 

So maybe it’s not a problem? 

“…Yuu.” 

I called his name in a low, almost trembling voice. 

“Why are you looking at me like that, sis? You’re scaring me…” 

“How about we play a very, very fun ‘game’ together? A secret game, just for the two of us.” 

I probably had a dangerous smile on my lips. 

But what can you do? Human curiosity always pushes us toward danger.