The four-week summer break was down to its final week. Next year I’d be an exam student, so I obviously couldn’t keep playing the way I had this year.
Was I really going to be a college student? Thinking about that, I was wandering around a shopping mall alone.
There was a reason for my unusual solo expedition. Tomorrow, August 21, was Reona and Riona’s birthday.
To buy their gifts in secret and present them tomorrow, I had told the lie that I was visiting a relative today, and pulled solo time. To minimize the chance of being caught, I’d traveled to a far shopping mall where Reona and Riona would never be.
“Hmm — what should I even get…”
Being friendless, I’d never bought a gift for anyone except Mio. I had no instinct for the right answer.
I’d gotten advice from Mio in advance, but the final call had to be mine and I was deadlocked.
”…A break first.”
I’d been hunting for two hours and had stalled. I needed to reset. I sat down in the food court, plugged in earbuds, put on music, and started farming a dungeon in my gacha game.
The swimsuit gacha required gems, which dropped from dungeon clears, which required grinding. I was on autopilot when someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I looked up. Reona and Riona, wearing dark smiles, were standing there. How. This was not a coincidence-distance encounter. I had been surveilled.
“Ryouya-kun’s supposed to be at a relative’s house — what are you doing here?”
“Th-the plan was the afternoon…”
“Yesterday you said morning.”
“Plans changed last-minute.”
“Really? I’m having a little trouble believing Ryouya-kun.”
I was floundering and they were leaning in.
“If you tell us the truth right now, Ryouya-kun, we might forgive you.”
“If you keep lying, you get the harshest punishment yet.”
“Sorry — today’s plan was a lie.”
Hiding it further was clearly not going to help. I confessed. They sat down across from me. Interrogation begins.
“So why was Ryouya-kun lying to us? Take your time, walk us through it.”
“False reports will not be tolerated.”
”…Look. Tomorrow is your birthday, right? I was trying to get you a surprise gift. Although — since I’m explaining it right now, it’s not a surprise anymore.”
“Oh — that’s what it was.”
“That’s grounds for amnesty.”
Their mood pivoted in a single beat. Apparently I was off the hook.
“So what were you going to get us, Ryouya-kun?”
“Honestly haven’t decided. Been struggling.”
“Picking gifts is hard.”
“What do you guys want? Within my price range.”
I gave up on surprise and asked directly. Going off their own request would be reliable.
“Then I’d like a daughter.”
“If Nee-chan says daughter, I want a son.”
“How am I supposed to procure those?!”
I yelped. Unexpected requests don’t usually involve children. Please do not order me to abduct one.
“That was a joke.”
“Still early.”
“Reona and Riona can pick any partner they want, you’ll definitely have a kid or two someday.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Our (kids) will definitely be cute.”
Sure, with Reona-or-Riona genes in the mix, any kid produced was going to be beautiful. Whoever ended up marrying them was going to luck out. I had no idea who.