Wednesday.
The sky was overcast, with gray-white clouds churning and pressing lower and lower, looking as if a torrential downpour could start at any moment.
On the way to school, Rena Hamasaki looked up at the sky, sighing and complaining:
"It's the midterm exam today, and I'm already in a bad mood. Now it's getting windy and rainy. Is this a sign that I'm going to completely bomb the exam?"
Behind the three Hamasaki girls, walking side by side with Rinka Otome, Sasaki heard her sighs and asked with a smile:
"Is Hamasaki-san really afraid of what her parents will say?"
"It doesn't seem like it."
Before Rena Hamasaki could turn around to respond, Ruri Kurumita slowed her pace a bit and said with a cheerful smile:
"Rena's parents aren't home, so even if she flunks, no one will care."
"But the midterm exam is quite formal. If you do too poorly, you'll have to take a make-up exam, and make-up exams take up a lot of extracurricular time. Of course, Rena doesn't want that."
"I see."
Sasaki nodded in understanding.
Then, seeing Rena Hamasaki's worried expression, he asked another question.
Sure, I can use straight double quotes ("") instead of curly quotes (""). Here's the translation of the last section you provided, with straight double quotes and no other changes:
"But the midterm exam is quite formal. If you do too poorly, you'll have to take a make-up exam, and make-up exams take up a lot of extracurricular time. Of course, Rena doesn't want that."
"I see."
Sasaki nodded in understanding.
Then, seeing Rena Hamasaki's worried expression, he asked another question.
"Hamasaki-san, didn't you review? You're this worried? The requirement for a make-up exam, if I remember correctly, is below 30 or 20, right?"
"It's 30." As a struggling student, Rena Hamasaki was quite knowledgeable about this, so she answered promptly.
Based on her past grades, though her scores weren't high, they were still far from needing a make-up exam.
But this time, according to some rumors, the exam was supposed to be much harder than previous ones.
For struggling students, even a slight increase in difficulty could be enough to spell disaster.
At this, Otome Sakuragi also looked at her lover with some concern.
Although her lover had performed well during tutoring, there was still a gap between regular practice and a formal exam.
It wasn't uncommon for people who did well on practice questions to get nervous in the exam room and forget everything.
Noticing Otome's gaze, Sasaki blinked and smiled:
"Don't worry, I've been tutoring for a while now. No matter how bad I do, I won't need a make-up exam."
"But if Otome could give me some rewards, I might be even more motivated."
Rewards...
Hearing that word, Otome Sakuragi instinctively pressed her slender legs, clad in white stockings, together.
The way her knees softly touched... it was clearly a lingering effect from being teased by Sasaki with this excuse multiple times.
Though her reaction was a bit embarrassing, she didn't feel much resistance in her heart.
Even after getting together with Rinka, her lover hadn't grown tired of her and still treated her as affectionately as before. How could she not be willing?
Moreover, out of consideration for her feelings, her lover had never suggested that she and Rinka...
Otome Sakuragi was naturally touched and grateful for her lover's thoughtfulness.
But precisely because she hadn't been with Rinka, she always felt like little Rinka was just skating by on the sidelines... not helping to share the burden at all.
Otherwise, how could she have been feeling more and more overwhelmed lately...
She was practically being worn out by her lover... Otome Sakuragi glanced at Rinka, suddenly thinking that being together with her might not be so bad.
It'd be like taking a bath together.
They used to do that a lot when they were kids.
Having made up her mind, Otome Sakuragi pursed her glossy lips, her voice soft and shy as she responded:
"If Tōmi passes, I'll definitely give Tōmi a satisfying reward~"
"Passing, huh? I'll remember that."
Glancing at the three girls chatting ahead, Sasaki ignored Rinka's gaze and leaned close to Otome's ear, asking:
"Forget the reward after passing for now. Can Otome give me a little pre-exam encouragement right now?"
Encouragement before tutoring, motivation, rewards now, encouragement... he was playing with the word in every way possible.
Knowing he was up to no good... Otome Sakuragi, who was passionate in private, blushed and shyly shook her head:
"This is outside. If someone saw us..."
He loved seeing girls blush with embarrassment.
Sasaki reached out to hold Otome's soft, cool hand, tickling her palm:
"Just a kiss, it won't take long." Otome Sakuragi didn't know or understand other boys... but she definitely wouldn't believe her lover's words.
In the past, when she was busy, he'd always say "just a kiss"... but then that one kiss wouldn't end until he decided to let go.
That was bad enough, but during the kiss, he was never well-behaved, always sneaking his hands under her clothes.
At home, she would let him have his way, but this was outside, so, she couldn't let him act so recklessly.
Holding onto her lover's fidgeting fingers in her palm, the blushing girl, kept her eyes forward, and ignored him.
With nothing to do on the way to school, teasing his girlfriend was quite entertaining, and Sasaki never tired of it.
His fingers, caught by Otome and unable to move, swayed lightly, making her slender arm swing along:
"Otome~ Come on, okay? Just one, really, trust me, just one, that's all~" Seeing her blush spread to the tips of her ears and still ignoring him, Sasaki was about to lean in and kiss her cheek, when suddenly, Otome tilted her head and stood on her tiptoes.
"Mmm~"
A soft, cool sensation, like jelly but slightly sweeter and stickier, brushed against his lips.
Before Sasaki could savor it, the addictive sensation vanished like a dragonfly skimming the water.
All that remained was a faint cherry blossom scent and the subtle tingling from her hair brushing against his cheek.
Licking his lips, still carrying the lingering fragrance, Sasaki was about to speak when Otome's soft, gentle voice whispered. "I've already given you encouragement~ Fuyumi, you have to do well on the exam."
Sasaki was genuinely happy and satisfied..after all, Otome rarely took the initiative to kiss him outside.
But what he thought in his heart and what he said out loud were, naturally, not the same.
Rubbing Otome's soft, dough-like hand, he interlocked their fingers and swayed them lightly. "What was that? Too half-hearted! No way, I demand a do-over. A sneak attack doesn't count."
"I already gave you the reward. It's your fault for not reacting in time,
it still counts."
The closer they got to school, the more students were around.
How could Otome Sakuragi bear to repeat what she just did?
So she firmly shook her head... but she didn't want to see her lover's disappointed expression... even though she knew he was faking it.
So, as her delicate fingertips brushed against the back of the large hand interlocked with hers, the girl cautiously glanced around, then stood on her tiptoes, pursing her lips, seemingly intending to kiss her lover's cheek as a consolation.
Knowing Otome couldn't stand to see him disappointed, Sasaki grinned and met her wide-open eyes.
"Mmm~"
Their breaths collided, instantly tangling and blending into something warm.
Otome Sakuragi's wide eyes gradually closed with her racing heartbeat... but just before they fully shut, an annoyed voice called out from ahead.
"Hey, you two, you're way too carefree! Can you have some consideration for us?"
"Eek~"
The girl's bright, charming eyes snapped open, and she hurriedly pulled back her tongue, which he had stolen, glaring at her sneaky lover with shy resentment before quickly walking to the front.
Rinka Okino, who had been quietly trailing behind, hurriedly followed her.
After the two passed by, Sasaki shook his head with a sigh and walked over to the three girls.
"Come on, couldn't you give me a bit more time? I hadn't even started yet."
"Ha~"
Somewhat exasperated, Yukina Sasaki covered her forehead and sighed:
"Do you even realize where you are? Show some restraint outside."
"I did it because I know this road has fewer people. Once we hit the main road, there's no chance."
Sasaki showed no sign of admitting fault.
He knew better than anyone whether people were watching.
"You're really..." Yukina Sasaki shook her head, at a loss for how to deal with him.
"Speaking of which, Sasaki-kun really likes Sakuragi-san, doesn't he?
Always teasing her whenever he gets the chance," Ruri said with a playful smile, as if teasing.
"Otome's my girlfriend, so of course I like her. Teasing her... I just can't help myself." Sasaki's smile was soft and genuine.
His gaze, fixed on Otome Sakuragi ahead, was filled with her presence, a sight that left no doubt about his feelings for his girlfriend.
If Ruri hadn't seen him playing "stacking blocks," she might have been fooled.
But...
With one hand in her skirt pocket, the girl rubbed the smooth surface of her phone and asked with a smile. "So, Sasaki-kun only teases Sakuragi-san?"
Hearing her words Sasaki's eyes narrowed slightly, and his smile 'visibly' stiffened as he asked in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean, Kurumizaka-san? Of course, I only..."
However, his attempt to explain was suddenly cut off by the girl, who leaned in close with her soft figure.
Sasaki's slightly panicked and uneasy eyes reflected the girl's mischievous smile. "Kurumizaka-san, what are you..."
Seeing this, Yukina Sasaki and Reina Hamasaki looked at each other with a smile and quickened their pace to walk ahead of the two.
It seemed they wanted to block any potential backward glances from Otome Sakuragi.
Faced with this scene, Sasaki's unease grew even more pronounced.
Before he could ask again, Ruri Kurumizaka hooked her left arm around his, pulling out her phone with her right hand.
The phone silently played a video, its content....uncensored.
Yes... three hands reaching for a meatrod and flashes pounding against each other.
Seeing the scene he had just experienced not long ago, Sasaki glanced 'nervously' at Otome walking far ahead, and confirming that she hadn't noticed, he hurriedly reached for Ruri Kurumizaka's phone in a panic.
However, the girl, who had already anticipated his reaction, calmly dodged his hand and said with a bright smile. "Hey~ This is my phone, Sasaki-kun. You can't just take it."
Pulling his hand back and taking a deep breath, Sasaki frowned and asked. "Kurumizaka-san, I haven't done anything to offend you, have I? Why..."
The latter, holding the phone in her right hand, wagged her index finger lightly. "That's not how it works, Sasaki-kun."
"If you don't want others to know, you'd better not do it yourself. It was you who wronged Sakuragi-san first, so how can you blame me?
That's really unreasonable."
"..."
Opening his mouth but ultimately saying nothing, Sasaki looked up at Otome, who was chatting and laughing with Rinka, and asked:
"What does Kurumizaka-san want in order to keep my secret?"
"Heh~"
Gently chuckling, the girl linked her arm with Sasaki's and, right in front of him, deleted the video that had just been playing.
Then she placed the phone in his hand:
"We're friends. It's only right for me to keep your secret."
"See? I deleted the video. And there are no backups. So, Sasaki-kun, how should you thank me?"
"..."
After he glanced down at the phone, and confirmed that sure the video was gone, the panic and aversion on Sasaki's face slowly melted away, like snow under the spring sun.
To be honest, he was not a least bit resistant to the beauties...
Not to mention three girls with such beauty.
If one were to ask how to describe a gyaru...they might have a certain image in their mind, but for Sasaki, what others believe was none of his business.
After all, no one would believe that a beauty like Natsuha, who appeared refined on the surface is such a hidden Masochist..
So, only after confirming it himself would he believe something and as far as he knew about the three...he could tell that they were good girls.
He hadn't seen them having any contact with any other guys aside from him and coupled with the fact that they were so beautiful, if they were to throw themsleves into his arms, only a eunuch would refuse.
But if it were to come in the form of blackmail or some sort...well, although he wouldn't mind, but his impression of them would certainly drop.
After all, he didn't lack beautiful girls, and he didn't want his harem to be on fire..
Shifting his gaze to Kurumizaka Ruri's beaming, cheerful face, Sasaki handed the phone back and smiled affectionately. "How would you like me to thank you, Kurumizaka-san?"
Still holding the boy's arm with her left hand, the girl Ruri put away her phone.
Then, with the slender, pale index finger of her right hand, she lightly tapped her soft, moist lips, pondering as she spoke.
"I don't know yet~ I haven't thought about it. Let's save the thanks for later. First, promise me you'll keep your distance from those other girls. Sakuragi-san likes you so much—you can't treat her like this!"
"Alright."
Without giving her much explanation, Sasaki readily agreed as the girl withdrew her arm, not doubting his promise, and nodded with satisfaction. "That's good. Go and keep her company then."
"Mmm."
Responding with a smile, Sasaki was about to take a step when Kurumizaka Ruri reminded him from beside him:
"Oh, right, don't forget about the study session on the day off."
"Okay~"
Facing a good friend who knew and was helping keep his secret, the young man agreed without any hesitation.
After he left, Sasaki Yukina and Hamazaki Reina slowed their pace and walked over to Kurumizaka Ruri's side.
Both girls were quite puzzled by her earlier actions.
Glancing at Sasaki walking toward the pink-haired girl, Reina frowned and asked:
"Ruri, weren't we supposed to threaten him? Why did you delete the video?"
Knowing that her clever friend wouldn't act without reason, Sasaki Yukina raised an eyebrow with a smile.
"Did you come up with something tricky, Ruri? Tell us about it."
Hearing her friend's words, Kurumizaka Ruri chuckled lightly.
"You two, did you really think that just threatening him with the video would let us win over those three girls?"
Sasaki Yukina and Hamazaki Reina glanced at each other but said nothing, quietly listening to their companion's explanation.
"Those three girls have clearly known Sasaki-kun longer than we have, and their relationships are deeper."
"Using a video to threaten him as a shortcut isn't bad, but that would put us on the opposite side from him.
If handled poorly, he might end up disliking us."
"In the end, even if his body stays with us, his heart would still belong to Sakuragi Otome and those three girls...that's not the result we want."
Watching Sasaki speaking with the pink-haired girl up ahead, Kurumizaka Ruri turned her gaze to the two beside her. "Rather than that, wouldn't it be better to delete the video in front of him and win his goodwill?"
"Besides, since we know his secret, anytime we say something or make a request while interacting with him, won't he have to weigh his words before responding?"
"Although this approach isn't as direct as threatening him, it's more sustainable in the long run.
Most importantly, it doesn't damage his relationship with us."
"We earn his goodwill while still having leverage over him, why wouldn't we do it?"
Hearing her explanation, Sasaki Yukina and Hamazaki Reina quietly applauded.
"Amazing, Ruri. No wonder your family runs a major corporation, so clever!"
"Mhmm, Lady Ruri is number one in the world!"
"Hmph~"
.
.
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