Outside the Cinema — 6:07 PM
The evening air carried the last warmth of the day as Sakurai Saki and Hayasaka Ai emerged from the theater, blinking against the fading light.
Their itinerary had been simple: afternoon tea, a movie, perhaps a walk.
If we were further along, Saki's thoughts ran clinically, the natural endpoint would be someone's home or a love hotel.
We are not further along.
Half a month of dating. Some couples at this stage haven't even held hands yet.
Rushing toward the physical would send the wrong message—that I'm interested only in her body. That the relationship has no spiritual foundation.
Love requires depth. Anything else is temporary.
His mind drifted, unbidden, to a conversation from weeks ago:
Flashback — Gaming Session with Ishigami Yu
"—and that's the essence of NTR hentai!" Ishigami's voice had carried the passionate conviction of a true believer. "Building up the purity first, establishing the genuine love between the couple—THAT'S what makes the breaking so powerful! The purer the foundation, the more heartbreaking the collapse! Resist shoddy work!"
Saki had stared at him.
"I don't understand," he'd said finally. "Why would anyone seek out that experience? Is their life too perfect? Do they crave suffering?"
"Sakurai-senpai…" Ishigami's expression had been strangely pitying. "You just don't get it."
No, Saki thought now, I really don't.
Present — The Mall
They browsed shops. Sampled food. Bought small accessories—a hair clip for her, a keychain for him. Normal couple things.
Saki checked his phone.
"8 PM. Ai-chan, I'll take you home."
Hayasaka's expression flickered—just for an instant, barely visible.
"…"
I can't exactly say "I live at the Shinomiya estate."
I can't explain the maid uniform. The duties. The surveillance.
I can't—
She'd need to rent an apartment. Soon. Somewhere near Setagaya Ward—she'd researched his address, knew it was close to Shirogane's house. That area would work.
But is renting an entire apartment just for dating purposes—
Is that excessive?
Is that normal?
What even IS normal for us?
"You want to take me home?" She summoned a smile, bright and warm. "I'm so happy!"
Saki saw the flicker beneath the surface.
Said nothing.
She has secrets. I have secrets. That's fine.
If I can't trust my own girlfriend, what kind of man am I?
The Walk
They left the mall together, hand in hand.
Hayasaka's eyes scanned surroundings with trained precision, cataloging exits, observing foot traffic—and, incidentally, memorizing every highly-rated love hotel they passed.
Good for future reference.
Not that we'll need it yet.
But if we DO—
Her shorthand was excellent. A close attendant's skills. Learning ability far beyond Kaguya's, honed by years of service, supplemented by hacking capabilities that would make cybersecurity professionals weep.
"Ai-chan."
Saki's voice pulled her from calculations.
"You live… here?"
The neon had shifted. Pinker. More ambient. The couples around them walked with a particular kind of closeness—the intimacy of people with a destination in mind.
"Why here?" Hayasaka's voice was light, teasing. "Haven't you already guessed?"
Saki looked at the buildings lining the street. Love hotels. One after another. Their windows glowed with soft, suggestive light.
Ah.
This is—
We're—
She's—
He looked at her.
She looked at him, smile unreadable.
Behind that smile, a different conversation played:
I can't tell you the truth.
I can't explain why I can't go home.
I can't let you near the Shinomiya family.
But I can—
Maybe I can—
Just for tonight—
Pretend we're normal.
Elsewhere — The Nakano Sisters
Nino walked home in a daze, her lips still tingling from a kiss that shouldn't have happened.
Itsuki complained about dinner restrictions.
Miku ignored everyone through her headphones.
Yotsuba reenacted the movie's climax with dramatic flair.
Ichika watched Nino with knowing eyes but said nothing.
Some secrets, she thought, keep themselves.
The Love Hotel — First Moments
First date. First love hotel. First—
Saki's thoughts raced as they walked through the door.
Is Ai-chan really this bold?
He knew her disguises—the gyaru at school, the taciturn maid in private, the sharp-tongued attendant. Beneath all of them lived a girl who was timid, who cried easily, who wanted to be spoiled.
That girl is somewhere inside her right now. Probably terrified.
And so am I.
Ten Minutes Earlier — The Front Desk
"Hello, a couple's room…"
Hayasaka's voice had been steady. Composed. The voice of someone who definitely did this regularly and was not at all nervous.
The girl at the front desk handed over a key card, her eyes lingering on them with mild surprise.
Where did this artist couple come from? her expression seemed to ask.
Neither Saki nor Hayasaka noticed. They were too busy not looking at each other.
The Room
The door clicked shut behind them.
"We're in." Hayasaka's whisper barely reached his ears.
First time at a love hotel with my boyfriend.
First time EVER at a love hotel.
First time—
"Mm." Saki inhaled deeply.
His eyes swept the room. Normal enough. No strange accessories. A bed. Appropriate furnishings.
This is… happening.
This is really happening.
The Silence
They sat on the enormous bed, hands still loosely clasped.
Neither spoke.
The room absorbed sound like cotton. Every breath was audible. Every shift of weight on the mattress. Every heartbeat.
From somewhere—the adjacent room, probably—muffled sounds drifted through the walls. A couple. Already past the awkward stage.
Both their faces burned.
Saki swallowed. Dry-mouthed.
Hayasaka tucked hair behind her ear, bangs falling to hide her expression.
"…I want to shower first."
I've heard it hurts the first time.
I'm scared.
I need a minute.
I need—
Saki nodded. Numbly.
The Wait
Cloth rustled. Water ran. Time became meaningless—minutes or hours, he couldn't tell.
Then the water stopped.
Footsteps.
Tap tap.
He looked up.
She stood in the bathroom doorway, golden hair damp and loose, bath towel wrapped with the desperation of a shipwreck survivor clutching debris. Her calves trembled—tiny, unconscious movements.
She's scared.
Of course she's scared.
This is probably her first time too.
"We don't have to rush."
She sat beside him slowly. Nodded.
"Mm."
Minutes passed.
Or seconds.
Saki turned. Reached out.
His fingers touched her shoulder—
She flinched.
But didn't refuse.
He continued, awkwardly, his fingertips tracing the curve of her back. Her skin was impossibly smooth, still warm from the shower, faintly pink and utterly alluring.
Hayasaka's eyes squeezed shut.
Her hands clutched the towel—her last defense, her only armor.
…
Saki's hand stopped.
He tried, gently, to pull the towel down.
"…Don't~"
Her voice trembled. Her body tensed. Fear radiated from every inch of her.
Saki withdrew his hand.
I'm not that kind of man.
If she's unwilling, I won't push.
He pulled the blanket up, covering her exposed skin.
"I'll get you some clothes."
He stood. Walked to the bathroom. Closed the door.
Alone
Hayasaka sat on the bed's edge, head bowed.
I wanted this.
I wanted to go further.
But when it came—
I couldn't.
Not because of the pain.
Because—
What if he doesn't cherish me afterward?
What if giving him this changes everything?
What if—
She hated herself.
Hated this cowardice.
She'd confessed. They were dating. She should trust him completely.
But trust was hard when you'd spent your whole life wearing masks.
Her eyes burned.
Tears fell—silent, helpless, unstoppable.
I want to be the dashing maid again.
The one in control.
The one who doesn't cry.
But that girl wasn't here right now.
Only Ai-chan remained. Scared. Vulnerable. Human.
In the Bathroom
Saki leaned against the counter, listening to the silence beyond the door.
I did the right thing.
I know I did.
But—
Does she think I'm angry?
Does she think I only wanted—
He ran water over his hands. Watched it drain.
I'll wait.
However long she needs.
I'll wait.
A few seconds passed.
Hayasaka Ai rubbed her eyes—quick, furtive motions, wiping away evidence of weakness.
He can't see me like this.
He can't know how scared I was.
He can't—
The bathroom door opened. Saki emerged, clothes in hand, and found her still seated, still bowed.
"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked on the words.
Saki's expression didn't shift.
"Why?"
"I—"
"I like you." He sat beside her, close enough that she could lean on him without asking. "Your appearance is part of it, yes. But I'm not that shallow. You don't need to apologize for being scared."
A pause.
"If you're not ready, I can wait." His voice took on a lighter tone. "Even if it takes ten years. I'll wait."
"…That's too long." The whisper was muffled against his shoulder.
The atmosphere shifted—warmer, softer, safer.
"I just want you to understand something." Saki's arm settled around her, gentle but present. "It's not easy to make me fall for someone. So have confidence in yourself. And in me. Okay?"
"Mm."
She leaned into his chest. Said nothing. Just breathed in his warmth, let his heartbeat steady her own.
Time passed—minutes, maybe more—before they finally pulled apart.
"I'm going to shower."
His voice was gentle, but beneath it, a man's reality: blood rushing where it shouldn't, thoughts wandering where they couldn't follow.
Cold water. Lots of it.
He disappeared into the bathroom.
The Shower
Cold water sluiced down his back, over his head, washing away more than just the day's sweat.
That was close.
Too close.
Today's superpower came with side effects—heightened sensitivity, lowered inhibitions. A dangerous combination.
Good thing I have self-control.
Ten minutes later, he emerged, dried, dressed, and largely composed.
The Decision
"Let's head back for today."
Hayasaka shook her head.
"No more trains."
The words hung in the air, carrying meanings beyond their surface.
Saki understood.
He sat beside her again—this time, leaving deliberate distance. A buffer. A boundary.
She glanced at him. At the light switch.
Then rose, crossed the room, and flicked it off.
Moonlight flooded through the window, painting everything in silver and shadow. In that soft illumination, Saki could see her face clearly—soft but determined, her eyes still red-rimmed from tears she'd tried to hide.
She cried.
She's still scared.
And still here.
She's difficult. Complicated. Guarded.
Just like me.
That's why—
"I'm sorry~" Her whisper barely carried. "I still… don't dare…"
Afraid I'll push again.
Saki chuckled—low, warm, reassuring.
"Then we'll just sleep. Hugging only."
She nodded.
Slipped under the covers. Held them open.
He lay beside her.
His arms wrapped around her small frame, drawing her close. Her scent—something floral, something uniquely her—filled his senses. He looked down, found her already gazing up at him.
"…Kiss me~"
A request, not a demand. Soft. Hopeful.
He obliged.
Time dissolved. When they finally parted, her breathing had gone uneven, her cheeks flushed in the moonlight.
"Mm—~"
Saki looked at her—really looked—and felt any remaining urgency fade.
Not tonight.
Not like this.
"Sleep." He pulled her close again, simply holding her.
She trembled slightly against him. Then, after a long moment, her lips found his ear.
"…Is it okay," she breathed, "if I only use my hands? And… mouth?"
His gaze dropped to her lips—cherry-red, soft, inviting.
I shouldn't—
She's not ready for—
"Maybe we should just—"
"But isn't holding it in bad for you?"
Her hand found his waist. Trembling. Then lower. Slower.
Gentle.
So gentle.
Like handling something precious.
Later
She disappeared under the covers.
Sounds followed—soft, wet, rhythmic. Clumsy at first, then steadier. He closed his eyes, let himself feel without watching, without making it harder for her than it already was.
…
…
Half an hour passed.
She emerged, slipped out of bed, and vanished into the bathroom. Light clicked on. Water ran—longer than necessary. Rinsing. Washing. Brushing.
Strange taste, she thought, rubbing her lower abdomen. Really strange.
And his—
It's quite large.
Glad it didn't get in my hair.
When she returned, clean-faced and slightly shy, he was waiting.
She slipped back into his arms.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Ai-chan."
They held each other. The moonlight watched. And for the first time that night, both of them slept.
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