1. "I'm Eiko Takamori! Nice to meet you!!"

1. "Ah... I..."

1. Anyway, I fell in love with this girl who laughed so carefree. 2. Was it because it was my first love, or because it was her, that I was able to so easily accept the idea of a girl falling for another girl? 3. During the year from when I transferred in the 6th grade due to my parents' work until graduation, I gradually became attracted to her, as she treated even an outsider like me no differently than anyone else.

1. Upon entering middle school, we enrolled in different schools. 2. Even though we were only a few stations apart, for some reason, it felt too far to go see her. 3. In proportion to the days I couldn't see her, my feelings for her grew stronger day by day. 4. No matter how well I did in my studies, 5. no matter how much the students around me relied on me, 6. I couldn't cut off my feelings for her. 7. That's why...

1. "Good morning, Miwa-chan!"

1. "Yes. Good morning, Eiko."

1. Her name is Miu Hanamura. 2. She is a second-year student at Shiroyama Central High School, and a student who holds the top position in her grade as she pleases. 3. On top of that, her appearance is such that she could be mistaken for an actress, 4. and with terms like 'beautiful,' 'gifted,' and 'perfect,' there is no end to the words used to praise her.

1. "Ding-dong"

1. "...Well then"

1. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Eiko. Shall we head out soon to buy that thing we talked about?" 2. "Ah, Miwa-chan! About that, I have a favor to ask..."

1. The talented girl, the pride of such a school, was in love with another girl. 2. The object of her affection was a girl who had been in the same class for just one year in elementary school. Although they were separated during middle school, she used every means possible when entering high school to track down her crush's path and succeeded in getting into the same school. 3. Thanks to those efforts, she is now leading a satisfying and brilliant school life. 4. If there is just one problem...

1. "If I recall correctly, you're Himuro-san from 1-C, right? My name is Eiko Takamori, nice to meet you!"

1. My first impression was, "Ah, I'm not going to get along with this person." 2. Since childhood, I've been the type of person who likes to keep their distance from others. 3. I also thought that if I just brushed them off with a frown like I did with everyone else, they'd eventually disappear from my sight.

1. "Eh, Himuro-san, is that all you're eating for lunch!?" 2. "I'll share some of my bento with you!"

1. "Go for it!!" 2. "Do your best, Chiryo-chan!!"

1. ""I did it. ......I'm going to the same high school as Chiryo......!""

1. Looking back, how naive those expectations were. In the three-plus years since we met, they've been barging into my inner world with muddy boots. 2. Indifference turned to caution. Caution turned to annoyance. Annoyance turned to comfort. Comfort turned to friendship. 3. And just when was it that friendship turned into love...? I can't remember anymore, and there's no need to.

1. "Yo! Good morning, Chiryo!!"

1. "............"

1. "Good morning, Uta." 2. "Yay, good morning!"

1. Her name is Chiaki Himuro. 2. She is a second-year student at Shiroyama Chuo High School. 3. Chiaki was academically gifted, athletic, and so beautiful that everyone in school spoke of her in the same breath. 4. Her well-defined features, long eyelashes, and the tomboyish personality that occasionally peeked through gave her an air of nobility and unapproachability. 5. However, there was one person who didn't care about Chiaki's aura at all.

1. "Chiryo~! Today for sure, we're going to buy summer clothes~!"

1. ""...I'm fine. I've still got the clothes I bought last year, right?""

1. "No way! Chiaki, are you really a high school girl!?" 2. "Hmm. For now, yeah."

1. This is the girl who was in the same class as him in middle school. 2. They are now in the same high school, and have been in the same class since their first year. 3. He tells those around him they're just "stuck with each other," but Chiryo was in love with her. 4. That said, it was still a faint feeling, one whose shape hadn't even begun to form. 5. Even if it's still vague or unrequited, he could just nurture it slowly from now on. 6. However, in reality, there is one circumstance that makes that impossible. And that is—

1. "Miu-chan and I are going shopping at the mall after this. It's perfect timing, so let's go together~!"

1. "............"

1. "Yeah, I'll come along after all."

1. "Really? Yay!"

1. ""Sorry for interrupting, Hanamura-san?""

1. "...Not at all. You're more than welcome, Himuro-san."

1. Miu and Chiryo had a powerful love rival.

1. "Alright! Well then, let's go!"

1. "Zzz..."

1. It was during their first year of high school that the three of them—Miu, Chiryo, and Eiko—met for the first time. 2. Miu and Chiryo immediately realized that the other liked the same girl they did. 3. This was because Miu had always been the center of attention, while Chiryo had always lived her life being mindful of the gazes of those around her. 4. They were able to clearly grasp the meaning behind the looks the other directed at Eiko Takamori, as well as the looks directed at themselves. 5. "This woman will be my greatest enemy—"

1. To Miwa, Chiaki Himuro was her natural enemy. 2. She was the only one in school with popularity and influence comparable to her own. 3. And Miwa believed that Chiaki possessed not only academic ability, but also a "cleverness" that couldn't be measured by numbers.

1. And what's more serious is that Chiaki and Eiko have had a continuous relationship for three years since they met, right in the middle of their youth as middle school students. 2. In comparison, I once walked a different path from Eiko, and there is a blank period. 3. The fact that it was 'once interrupted' versus the fact that it is 'continuous'. 4. Miu was certain that if this love triangle continued, since their abilities were equal, this difference would become decisive and weigh heavily on her.

1. To Chiryo, Miu Hanamura was her natural enemy. 2. Academics, sports, appearance, sociability. In every aspect, Miu appeared to be the perfect woman. 3. Moreover, unlike the common "good at studying" types, Chiryo recognized that Miu possessed genuine substance and resilience.

1. I have no intention of losing. 2. I pride myself on having spent more time and having more memories with Eiko. 3. But if this relationship continues, those advantages will gradually diminish. 4. If that happens, what will ultimately matter is... 5. "Who met her first." 6. This alone was a handicap for Chiryo that could not be helped now.

1. In short, both Miu and Chiryo thought that if this love triangle dragged on, it would be to their disadvantage. 2. However, neither could deliver a decisive blow, and they were doing their best just to make sure the other didn't get ahead of them. 3. This situation had been going on for a year. 4. This conflict, like slowly measuring the distance between each other, would suddenly begin to move rapidly due to an unexpected turn of events.

1. "Eiko...!" 2. "Uta...!"

1. "(Ha)"

1. "(Wh...)"

1. "(Yo!)"

1. A sudden tug-of-war began. However, unlike the old tale, there was no magistrate present, and the person being pulled continued to sleep soundly, not feeling a single bit of pain.

1. "(You're the one!)" 2. "(What do you think you're doing!?)"

1. (You...!)

1. "(You're so persistent!)"

1. (...!?)

1. "What are you doing?!"

1. (...!?)

1. "That hurts!" 2. "You're the one who started it!"

1. "(Worry about Eiko's body!)" 2. "(Then why don't you just let go!?)"

1. "(Don't mess with me, you're the one who started this fight!)" 2. "(Huh!? Look who's talking!?)"

1. Miu and Chiryo dig their nails into each other's hands. 2. They clash, giving clear form to the hostility they had previously only hinted at. 3. If they let up even a little, they'll be crushed by the other's hostility. 4. So they charge straight ahead, heedless of appearances. 5. However, at the same time, it also means their field of vision is narrowing.

1. The emergency brakes will be applied. Please be careful.

1. For example, one might become unable to react even to a train's sudden braking.

4. "Oww~~~!?" 5. "Ouch...!!"

1. "Zzz... mmm..."

1. "Ah...!"

1. ""Sorry, did I fall asleep!?""

1. "...Eiko. I'm going to get off at the next station for a bit." 2. "Huh?"

3. "Himuro-san, you're getting off with me too, right?"

7. "...................."

7. "Yes. I'll follow you, Hanamura-san."

1. ......?

1. "...Ah, I see! Peeing together."

1. "Gah!"

1. "Sorry for making you tag along."

1. "It's fine. If you hadn't said anything, I was just about to invite you myself."

1. "I see. Well then, shall we finish this quickly?" 2. "Yeah. Since we're keeping Uta waiting outside too."

1. "I'll get straight to the point. Could you please give up on Eiko?"

1. "I refuse. You're the one who should give up on Uta."

1. I love Utako Takamori. 2. As a woman, I harbor feelings of love for another woman. 3. And the woman in front of me is also in love with her, just like I am. 4. To confirm those feelings for each other that were already obvious beneath the surface, 5. the two of them crossed a line from which there is no turning back.

1. "Just so you know, I met Eiko back in 6th grade. That's two years before you did."

1. ""I know. That the time we spent together was less than a year until graduation.""

1. ""I'll tell you too, while I'm at it. Uta and I have been together for three years now.""

1. "Yes, I know. We finally met in our second year of middle school, didn't we?"

1. "Don't glare at me with such a scary face. It's as if the school's queen is jealous of me."

1. "Hehe, I can't compete with that look on your face. I almost want to show it to Eiko."

1. The conversation between Miu and Chiryo was reminiscent of poker. 2. The hand she held was the best one imaginable. 3. The only way she could lose was through a direct clash with the woman in front of her. 4. That's why she makes threats and flaunts her superiority. 5. The act of "making the opponent fold," which she knew was mostly futile, indeed seemed destined to end in vain. 6. Having confirmed this with each other, the two stepped forward into the next stage.

1. ""You were trying to get a head start again today, weren't you? You're as underhanded as ever.""

1. "So that's why you were putting on such a show on the train earlier? You're surprisingly indirect and unmanly, despite how you look."

1. ""Well then, let's make it a formal declaration of war. The loser will leave that person's side.""

1. "?" 2. "...Sigh. I'd like to say I'll accept the challenge, but..."

1. ""I have no intention of defeating and eliminating you. It's frustrating, but you're already an essential presence for Eiko.""

1. Yes, Miu Hanamura and Chiryo Himuro had already become inseparable to a woman named Eiko Takamori. 2. Even if one of them were defeated and the love-rival relationship with Eiko was ended peacefully, her personality would be greatly shaken and break. There is a certainty that it would happen. 3. To that extent, the rival in love before her has become irreplaceable to her.

1. For the two of them, who truly put Eiko's happiness first, the person in front of them was someone they couldn't kick down even if they wanted to, and yet, if they showed even a moment's opening, that person would kick them down instead—an incredibly troublesome individual.

1. "...Sigh. If you were just some love-struck girl who happened to be talented and beautiful, how much easier would things have been?"

1. ""You're the one. If you were just a capable woman, I would have 'crushed' you long ago.""

1. "...Even if you say that, Himuro-san."

1. ""Don't you think a 'hierarchy' is necessary between us?""

1. ""...That's right. The order is important, isn't it?""

1. With that one word from Miwa, Chiryo understood the intent behind her statement. 2. It's extremely unpleasant, but it seems her thought process and mental fortitude are the same as this woman's. 3. In short, Miwa's proposal is this. 4. "I'll allow the three of us to continue getting along (on the surface), but let's make it clear who's superior in the hierarchy." 5. And so, she had thrown down the gauntlet.

1. "Hehe, how should we decide? If it's test scores, I might have too much of an advantage." 2. "You're awfully confident for someone who only scored five points higher in total on the last exam."

1. "But it's true, I'd totally crush you at sports." 2. "Oh. You were that happy about getting past me once in basketball class, weren't you?"

1. ""Let's... skip the cooking. The judge might actually die from your food."" 2. ""Then let's skip drawing too. If it's a contest of who can make a bigger fool of themselves, I wouldn't stand a chance against you even if I tried my hardest.""

1. "...Should we just have a fistfight or something?"

1. "I'm not falling for that. You're planning to use even your own wounds as a tool to drag me down, aren't you? You vixen."

1. "I was just saying what you were probably thinking. I'd rather not be called a vixen by another vixen."

1. ""...I can't seem to find a good solution. I don't intend to keep up this fruitless conflict with you forever, though.""

1. ""There's one way, isn't there? A simple one.""

1. "............"

1. "......Heh. I'd love for you to tell me how you do that."

1. "You're bad at playing dumb. Even though you called me here with that intention from the start." 2. "Are you sure? You won't be able to make any excuses, you know?"

1. "I'm prepared. Unlike you." 2. "I'm prepared too. Far more than you."

1. "Heh. Show me then." 2. "Fine. As you wish."

1. "Mmm...♡"

1. "Mmm... haah...!"

1. "Mmm...♡"

1. "Mmph... mmm...!"

1. "Mmm...♡" 2. "Mmm...♡" 3. "Mmm, mmm...!" 4. "Mmm, hah...!"

1. "Haa..." 2. "Haa..." 3. "Haa..." 4. "Haa..."

1. ""You're making quite a cute voice. If only you were that charming all the time.""

1. "If you're making such a pleasant-sounding voice from just this much, I can already see your limit."

1. "Hehe, how cheeky...♪"

1. "Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment♪" 2. >

1. "Mmm...♡" 2. "Mmm...♡"

1. "Mmm..." 2. "Mmm..."

1. "Mmm...♡" 2. "Mmm...♡ Mm...♡"

1. "Mmm..."

1. "Mmm...♡"

1. "Mgh..." 2. "Mwah... mwah..." 3. "Mmm..."

1. "Haa♡" 2. "Haa!♡" 3. ""Haa, haa... hehe...""

1. "Haa...♡" 2. "Mmph...♡" 3. "...!!"

1. "...!?"

1. "Mmm...♡" 2. "Mmph...♡" 3. "Byukun...!"

1. "Mmm..." 2. "Mmm..."

1. "Mmh...♡" 2. "Mmh...♡" 3. "Mmh...♡" 4. "Mmh...♡" 5. "N-aah... mmh...♡"

1. "Haa...♡" 2. "Haa...♡" 3. "Haa...♡" 4. "Fuuu...♡"

1. "Haa♡" 2. "Haa♡" 3. "Haa♡" 4. "Haa♡" 5. "Haa haa♡"

1. ""...To someone like you...!""

1. "Aaaah!"

1. "...Ugh, you...!"

1. "Ngh..."

1. "I won't... lose...!!"

1. "Haa...♡" 2. "Aun...♡" 3. "Ah" 4. "Haa...♡"

1. "Mmm..." 2. "Mmm..."

1. "Mmm...♡" 2. "Mnh...♡ Mnh...♡" 3. "Mmgh...♡" 4. "Nnh...♡"

1. "Mmh... mm..." 2. "Mm... mm... mm..."

1. "Mmm..." 2. "Mmm..."

1. "Mmm...!!!" 2. "Mmm...!!!"

1. A rough tongue. Hot, heavy breath. A faintly sweet scent tickling my nose. 2. It's all incredibly unpleasant, yet more stimulating than anything I've ever known. With this unknown sensation, the dizziness grows stronger with every passing second. I steel myself against the urge to surrender and drown in it. 3. This is our 'duel'... 4. The moment I tried to shake off the fog in my head and push my face forward.

1. "Hey, you two, the next train is almost here!"

1. "!!" 2. "Huh!?"

1. "...Yeah, I'm coming now." 2. "Thanks for telling me, Uta."

1. "......" 2. "......"

1. ""...You're lucky to be alive, aren't you, Himuro-san?""

1. "Really? I think you're the one who was saved, though?"

1. ""Got it? Make sure you act like we're good friends in front of Eiko."" 2. ""You too. Please don't slip up and give us away.""

1. The conflict between the two girls came to a temporary close in the form of an interruption. 2. However, of course, this is not the end. 3. To make their own love come true. 4. To settle the score with their rival in love. 5. For the happiness of the woman they have long yearned for—. 6. And so, a new lesbian battle began here.

1. To Be Continued...