(Words: 2474)
The midterm exams, serving as an assessment of students' learning outcomes over more than half the semester, were taken very seriously by the school.
Students from each class were shuffled, organized by grade level, and randomly assigned exam numbers that placed them in different testing venues.
Seated in the exam room for Class 2-G in Building No. 2, Sasaki lowered his head to work on the modern literature test in front of him.
Compared to the knowledge he studied in high school in his previous life, subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry weren't particularly difficult for him.
Although some details differed, the overall knowledge was similar, at most, some calculation methods varied.
Even if he hadn't enhanced these skills in this life, these shared knowledge points could easily earn him a passing grade with just a bit of review and practice.
For him, the real challenges were subjects like classical literature and contemporary society....topics he had never encountered before.
However, under the enhancement of what could be called "photographic memory," rote memorization wasn't a struggle for him.
Combined with his inherent understanding of these subjects, this moderately difficult exam, acknowledged as such by all students, wasn't as hard for him as one might think.
Whether basic questions from the textbooks or more obscure, difficult problems, he could figure out the solution at a glance.
Still, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Sasaki didn't aim for a perfect score.
Instead, he intentionally stopped at the threshold of a passing grade.
For someone who had taken half a year off from school, scoring a passing grade was already quite impressive.
Doing any better might seem suspicious.
Since his goal was just to pass, Sasaki finished the exam fairly quickly.
After reviewing it once to ensure that even a strict grading teacher wouldn't mark him below the passing line, Sasaki capped his pen, raised his hand, and signaled that he wanted to submit his paper early.
Their school allowed early submission; students didn't have to wait in the classroom until the exam time was over.
To submit early, one simply needed to raise their hand and signal.
However, most students don't do this… because everyone hopes for a higher exam score.
Rather than wandering aimlessly around the school after turning in the paper early, it's better to double-check the test.
So, those who submit early at this point are either top students extremely confident in their results or slackers who don't care about their grades.
And with Sasaki's appearance and calm, composed demeanor, he certainly couldn't be labeled a slacker.
Thus, as he passed by other exam rooms and headed toward the stairs, many eyes turned toward him.
Clearly, they were surprised that he had submitted his paper so early, after all, the exam was quite challenging.
However, Sasaki didn't pay any attention to the others' gazes, and left the building, walking toward the vending machines behind it.
Scanning the shelves inside the machine, just as he was debating between cola and black tea, a soft, familiar voice called out to him from nearby.
"Fu… Fuyumi~"
Hearing the sound, his hand, poised to insert a coin, paused as turned his head toward the source.
What met his eyes was a voluptuous young girl, beaming with a radiant smile.
Her bangs, dark as ebony, swept over her forehead, with strands on either side brushed toward the outer corners of her eyes, revealing delicate, graceful eyebrows and large brown eyes that widened with joy.
Her overly long bangs gave her a somewhat subdued appearance.
But the faintly flushed, delicate skin of her face and her refined features perfectly showcased the cuteness of her tender, lovely countenance.
Her figure, too, possessed a fullness and softness rarely seen among her peers.
Long, black hair cascaded behind her, falling over the tight-fitting white long-sleeved shirt she wore and resting just above the noticeably stretched, outward-flaring red pleated skirt.
As she jogged toward him, her flawless, slender legs, clad in pure white pantyhose, carried her forward in soft indoor shoes that tapped rhythmically with each step.
Once she stopped, it was easy to notice the slight trembling of the soft flesh on her thighs and the heaving of her chest, as if two small watermelons had been tucked inside her blouse.
Faced with her unabashed approach, Sasaki smiled and bought an extra drink, handing it to the blushing girl.
"Chifuyu, you look really happy. Did something good happen?"
Taking the drink, Tsukimi Chifuyu shyly covered her mouth with one hand.
"Is… is that so? Do I look happy?"
Happy… could she say it was because she saw him that she felt so happy?
Her partner had cheated… yet here she was, expressing delight because another boy confessed to her.
Wasn't that a bit inappropriate?
Would Fuyumi think she was fickle?
Though she had come to understand her own feelings, she didn't dare voice them openly.
Thinking about it, the faint smile on Tsukimi Chifuyu's face gradually gave way to unease.
Having openly admitted to her that he was in a relationship withmultiple people, Sasaki didn't have the courage to ask over text if she would be his girlfriend… so last night, he only confessed his feelings without pushing her for an answer.
Partly because asking over text didn't feel appropriate.
And partly because it might seem rushed—she had just broken up, after all, so, pressuring her for a response wouldn't be right.
Though given the atmosphere at the time, the odds of Idiot Chifuyu refusing weren't high… but "not high" didn't mean impossible.
If by chance she said no or asked for time to think, the next time they met would be awkward.
To avoid that, Sasaki never once asked, "Can we be together?"
But seeing how happily Chifuyu reacted to him now, it seemed he had worried for nothing.
Noticing her restless, shifting gaze, the boy reached out and gently patted her warm head, just as he always did before.
"What's wrong? Now you're making that face again. Are you unhappy about being told you look happy?"
Before she could reply, Sasaki tilted his head as if remembering something. "Hmm? Do you feel that since you broke up with Takagi, you should look sad now?"
Placing the black tea in his hand against the soft swell of Chifuyu's chest, he reached out and gently pinched the smooth flesh on both sides of her cheeks.
"Whenever you see me, you should be happy. Don't be sad over Takagi, come on, smile~"
Genuinely delighted by his intimate gesture toward her, Tsukimi Chifuyu's round, adorable eyes curved like crescent moons as she let out a silly, breathy giggle.
Seeing her dazed, foolish expression, Sasaki relaxed his pinching fingers and slowly cupped her small face in his hands.
Sensing the shift in his actions, the girl opened her eyes with a dawning awareness, her gaze wavering as she looked at the boy she cared for, caught between leaning closer and hesitating.
Even though he had other partners, he wasn't a bad person who played with girls' feelings, after all, he would've easily concealed the fact that he was in a relationship with multiple girls, behaving like a scumbag...with his looks, he wouldn't lack girls, but he decided to be honest
Besides, he was the only boy who never made her feel like her personality was lacking.
From the very beginning, he had looked out for her, helping her in every way.
Once Tsukimi Chifuyu understood her own feelings, she naturally wanted to be with him.
Now, all she needed was to take a small step forward… and she could…
After making a decision, the girl's breathing grew rapid, grew warm as rose onto her tiptoes and, following his gentle caress on her cheek, lifted her face slightly.
Sasaki rubbed his thumb over the delicate corner of her eye, where her eyelashes fluttered, and held her gaze, watching her shimmering, misty eyes.
Seeing her shy, charming expression, her eyes full of him alone, he slowly closed the distance until their breaths mingled.
His broad hand moved from her tender cheek to the gentle curve of her back, and as he savored the sweet, clove-like taste of her lips, he softly stroked the smooth ends of her hair.
The two lips touched and overlapped, enjoying the sensation of each other as they kissed for a while.
Only when Chifuyu's breathing grew increasingly ragged and uneven did Sasaki finally straighten up, licking his lips.
He took the black tea that had been pressed between them, lowered his head, and kissed her flushed, burning cheek. "Was that your first kiss, Chifuyu?"
"Mmm~"
Knowing her performance just now hadn't been the best, Tsukimi Chifuyu responded softly, her voice muffled.
However, hearing her answer, the boy held her slender waist even tighter, lowered his head and began planting light, intermittent kisses along her delicate, pale neck.
"I'm so happy~"
Hearing no teasing or criticism, only being cherished like this, Tsukimi Chifuyu curved her eyes in delight, timidly tilting her neck to let him continue kissing her:
"M-me too…"
To be honest, Sasaki originally planned to just steal a light kiss and leave it at that.
After all, they had only just officially gotten together.
If he clung to her too much, kissing her nonstop and doing somethings to her melons he always wanted to do, he'd come across like some overly eager, lust-driven monkey.
But the surroundings were quiet and deserted due to the exams, and in his arms was a lovely, charming girlfriend.
Sasaki felt that not doing something would be a waste of this heaven-sent opportunity.
Still, he couldn't go too far and give her a bad impression.
So, harboring these slightly mischievous thoughts in his heart, he continued planting little "love bites" on Chifuyu's fair, delicate neck, distracting her with casual conversation. "Shouldn't you still be taking your exam, Chifuyu? Why did you come out so early? The exam time is barely half over."
Maybe she hadn't noticed what Sasaki was doing.
Or maybe she had noticed but didn't mind.
Tsukimi Chifuyu didn't show any attempt to stop him.
Instead, hearing his words, she looked up at the gray, overcast sky, her breathing slightly uneven as she answered. "B-because… because I saw you submit your paper early, so I… I just…"
Hm...in the past, he had helped her like a caring friend, comforted her wholeheartedly after her breakup, and even confessed to her to encourage her when she was doubting herself.
So it wasn't really surprising that she would take the initiative to follow him out.
Hearing her words, Sasaki, who was gently sucking on her collarbone, leaving a faint pinkish-red mark, straightened up and met her slightly unfocused gaze.
"Although I'm really happy that you came out like this, please don't do it again in the future."
"I turned in my paper early because I didn't know much, staying inside would just be wasting time. For you to leave so early wasn't necessary."
As he spoke, he leaned down to press his forehead against hers, before once again kissing her slightly swollen lips.
"You definitely didn't finish the paper, did you?"
"Mmm~"
The girl nodded honestly, her face flushed as she voiced her feelings:
"Because I really wanted to be with you, Fuyumi."
"You're so clingy, Chifuyu~"
Sasaki chuckled, then suggested:
"How about we find somewhere to sit for a while? There's still a long time before the exam ends."
"Hm." Like a little lamb being unknowingly led into the wolf's den, Tsukimi Chifuyu let him lead the way, her cute face full of pure anticipation.
Since exams were still in progress, moving around freely inside the school buildings wasn't allowed.
That meant the old art room was off-limits.
But the club building was accessible.
Going there had two advantages: first, they wouldn't be disturbed; second, they could scope the place out in advance, check the rooms, and pick a good one for future club activities.
Having decided on their destination, Sasaki took Chifuyu's small hand and leisurely walked toward the club building.
The weather today wasn't great—overcast with occasional gusts of wind.
It was almost noon, yet the sun remained hidden behind layers of gray-white clouds.
Under this bright but sunless sky, Sasaki and Tsukimi Chifuyu entered the club building.
Sasaki wasn't very familiar with the club building since he wasn't in any clubs.
So, naturally, the job of guiding fell to Tsukimi Chifuyu, who was a member of the yoga club.
Being able to guide her boyfriend around was thrilling for the girl.
Because it meant she could introduce him to and share everything she knew.
For someone who had never experienced anything like this before, it felt incredibly sweet and novel.
Like a chirpy little bird, Chifuyu walked slightly ahead of Sasaki, her round hips swaying as she pointed out which club was where and what they were for.
As he listened to her explanations for a bit, even though Sasaki wasn't particularly interested in the clubs themselves, he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"So where's your club?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly pulled into a tight embrace, feeling his warm breath against her neck, Tsukimi Chifuyu went as limp as noodles dropped into boiling water.
Amused by her reaction, Sasaki tightened his arms around her slender waist and nuzzled her ear gently.
"You're so sensitive, Chifuyu~ Just a little hug and you melt like this.
Tell me, are you thinking naughty thoughts?"
Of course she was.
After all, when he kissed her… it felt so nice.
But she would never admit that out loud.
After all, it was just too embarrassing.
"N-no, I'm not. I'm just really nervous," Tsukimi denied, shaking her head, her tender cheeks tinged with peach pink as her watery eyes blinked rapidly.
However, even though she denied it, Sasaki, who knew her far more than herself, guessed her thoughts... teasing her urther.
"Nervous…? Does that mean you haven't accepted me yet?"
"No, no! I like you, Fuyumi!"
The girl blurted out, her eyes widening in alarm as she rushed to explain.
She knew her change of heart might seem sudden, but her feelings for Sasaki hadn't appeared out of nowhere.
If she hadn't already had some thoughts about him, she wouldn't have let him pat her head or hold her hand—even if she had told herself it was just normal interaction between friends… that had only been an excuse to avoid thinking too deeply about it.
Back then, after all, she had still been Takagi's girlfriend.
Now that Takagi had broken her heart… Sasaki's confession had brought to the surface feelings she had never dared examine closely before.
In a way, if it weren't for Takagi's criticism of her and Sasaki's confession, she might not have realized her own heart so quickly.
.
.
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