She could already imagine the scene.
When Anna opened the door and saw her standing with Keita, what kind of surprised expression would be on her face?
What kind of posture should she use to greet Anna?
Should she pretend nothing was wrong, or apologize awkwardly?
Just thinking about it made her want to sink into the floor...
But if she didn't go...
A man and a woman alone in a room.
Given Keita's personality and Anna's obedience to him...
They would definitely do it a lot!
This kind of plot appeared too much in TV dramas...
Thinking about it, as soon as that kind of thing happened, the scene would transition directly to the next morning with the two of them snuggling together and eating breakfast...
Ah! I don't want that kind of thing to happen...
At least not while I know about it...
The more Shioyaki Lemon thought, the more bitter and angry she felt...
Bastard playboy!
"If I don't go today, what will happen? What about you and Anna? Will you... have sex?"
Imaizumi Keita fell silent for a moment before answering, "I'd have to find a formal reason to convince Anna, but I feel like I'd inevitably have to comfort her."
Comfort?
In what way... would he comfort her?
Shioyaki Lemon immediately understood Imaizumi Keita's euphemism.
So.
Did her backing down mean personally pushing the man she liked onto another woman's bed?
She didn't want that...
"Of course I'm going..."
Shioyaki Lemon turned her face away, looking stubborn and defiant. "I'm not going to push you onto Anna's bed..."
"And I want to question Anna properly to see what the true face of a playboy like you is really like..."
Listening to Lemon's explanation, Imaizumi Keita felt that the middle sentence was what she cared about most.
However, it was a good thing that Lemon agreed to go home with him.
Imaizumi Keita knew how to be satisfied.
...
After the two of them came out of the Indoor Amusement Park, Lemon was a bit restless, and she ate her lunch distractedly.
Imaizumi Keita didn't say anything more.
Although he knew this three-way meeting wouldn't turn into a mess and that Anna would probably control herself, Lemon's thoughts wouldn't change just because of his comfort.
Therefore, he could only accompany Lemon in silence, giving her enough time for mental preparation.
Back at the Apartment building.
When Imaizumi Keita took out his keys to open the unit door, Shioyaki Lemon looked around curiously.
So this is where Kin-chan lives... This was her first time here...
"Welcome to my place, Lemon."
Shioyaki Lemon nodded and followed Imaizumi Keita into the Apartment.
The Apartment was as tidy as ever.
Shioyaki Lemon awkwardly changed into slippers at the entrance, then looked at the women's slippers on the other side and turned to Imaizumi Keita.
"Oh, those are Anna's slippers. I'll prepare a pair for you after today, Lemon."
Imaizumi Keita explained to Lemon, apologizing with an embarrassed look.
Shioyaki Lemon felt like stomping her feet; who asked you to apologize for that...
Once Lemon reached the living room, her gaze began to wander aimlessly, and she didn't know where to put her hands.
The sofa, the coffee table, the TV...
Looking at these familiar objects, she began to wonder if there were any elements related to Anna...
"Make yourself at home. It should be a while before Anna comes over."
Imaizumi Keita's voice came from the kitchen; he was taking drinks out of the fridge. "What would you like to drink? Cola or Barley tea?"
"...Barley tea is fine."
Shioyaki Lemon answered softly, then walked to the sofa and sat down stiffly.
Imaizumi Keita walked over carrying two glasses of Barley tea, handed one to Lemon, and then sat down beside her.
"Lemon."
"...Yeah?"
"Relax a bit. Anna... she knows about us. So, she won't get hysterical, let alone slap someone on the spot and run out crying."
"I... I know." Shioyaki Lemon's voice was still very low, and she looked down at her knees. "But knowing is one thing, and seeing it with my own eyes... is another, right? I... I don't know how to face her."
"You don't need to do anything specifically." Imaizumi Keita looked at her. "No matter what's wrong, it's all my fault."
"I will take responsibility."
Imaizumi Keita's demeanor actually calmed Shioyaki Lemon down slightly.
Seeing that Lemon had indeed settled down, Imaizumi Keita picked up the remote and turned on the TV.
"Let's watch some TV; variety shows or anime are both fine." He stuffed the remote into her hand. "Stop thinking about all that messy stuff."
Shioyaki Lemon took the remote and tuned the channel to a station broadcasting an Afternoon Drama.
Then, she hugged a sofa cushion, buried her face in it, and pretended to watch TV intently.
Although she didn't take in a single word, her body was no longer as stiff and tense as before.
About half an hour passed.
*Click.*
The sound of a key inserting into the lock and turning came from the entrance.
Shioyaki Lemon's body froze, her pupils lost focus, and she was paralyzed on the sofa.
She's here.
Anna is here.
How should I greet Anna...
Imaizumi Keita, on the other hand, was unexpectedly calm. He stood up from the sofa and walked toward the entrance.
The door was pushed open by Yanami Anna.
"Keita! I'm here! Where are you? Aren't you going to come out and welcome me!"
Yanami Anna hummed an out-of-tune pop song as she familiarly bent over, preparing to take her slippers out of the shoe cabinet.
Just as she looked down, she saw a pair of women's leather shoes sitting on the floor.
Yanami Anna couldn't help but frown. She looked up at the expressionless Imaizumi Keita, a bit unsure of what he was up to.
She didn't start questioning Imaizumi Keita because of this. After changing into her slippers, she walked over to him and nudged him with her elbow.
"I say, Keita, what did you call me here for?"
As Yanami Anna spoke, she walked toward the living room with Imaizumi Keita. "And what's with those shoes at the entrance? Don't tell me there's another woman in the house..."
Just as she finished speaking, she saw a familiar figure sitting on the sofa in Imaizumi Keita's living room.
Shioyaki Lemon sat on the sofa with a face flushed crimson. She stood up reflexively and waved at Yanami Anna in greeting.
"Ya-ho, Anna... Wh-what a coincidence... Y-you're here too..."
"..."
Yanami Anna suddenly had the urge to turn around and leave.
What is with this silly child Lemon's behavior...
She clearly should have been angry, but seeing this silly look, all her thoughts vanished...
She turned to look at Imaizumi Keita, who looked calm and ready to face reality. She sighed and asked, knowing the answer full well.
"It seems I didn't come at the right time..."
Imaizumi Keita wasn't too surprised by Yanami Anna's reaction. He took her hand and pulled her toward Shioyaki Lemon.
"No, you came at exactly the right time."
Yanami Anna tried to pull her hand away from Imaizumi Keita's grip a few times but failed, so she smiled at Shioyaki Lemon. "Good afternoon, Lemon-chan."
The three of them sat on the sofa and fell into a brief silence.
For a moment, no one knew who should speak first.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"