She couldn't help it—the words hidden in her heart for so long just spilled out.
Especially holding his hand, this skin-to-skin confession filled Hōjō Shione with immense satisfaction right now. People are always greedy. She couldn't stop herself from pressing Shiratori Seiya's hand tightly against her chest. It seemed no medicine could make her happier than the warmth radiating from his palm.
Greed is always bottomless. Having already possessed so much, one still craves more.
That sentence perfectly described the burning desire in Hōjō Shione's heart at this moment—like a shonen villain who'd already won but still wanted to destroy the world.
Her breathing grew deeper, hotter, more sticky. Her cheeks instinctively drifted closer to Shiratori Seiya's.
But when her gaze met his unconsciously furrowed brow, it was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head.
Hōjō Shione sobered up immediately. She released his hand as if shocked by a tsundere's electric defense, suppressed the wild fire in her heart, and said helplessly:
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I…"
Looking at her holding her hands in front of her chest, her beautiful eyes filled with panic, Shiratori Seiya sighed inwardly.
Honestly, he wasn't sure anymore whether Shione was genuinely scared or just putting on a show for him.
But after a moment's hesitation, he felt the latter was unlikely.
If this was all an act, then Mio's acting skills would be nothing compared to hers. He should just train Shione to become a movie queen instead.
Seeing her timid appearance, Shiratori Seiya thought for a moment. Then he grasped her palm, turned his hand, interlaced his fingers with hers, and held them tightly—palm to palm.
Massaging the girl's soft, boneless hand, his fingers repeatedly caressing her smooth, fair skin, Shiratori Seiya looked into her eyes and said seriously:
"I don't know what you're so afraid of."
"If this level of contact—holding hands, hugging—is enough to make you happy, then it's no big deal."
"After all, Shione, your figure and your beauty are among the best I've ever seen. So intimate contact with you? That's clearly me taking advantage. I'd love to do this every day if I could…"
Hōjō Shione was startled. She hadn't expected him to suddenly praise her like that. After processing it, she carefully turned his words over in her mind—and a joyous expression bloomed on her face and in her eyes.
From childhood to adulthood, at least a thousand people had praised her. Whether it was people assisting her work, leaders of partner production companies, neighbors, teachers, or friends—they all marveled at her beauty and talent. They lamented how unfair fate was, not only not closing the door but opening a French window, and finally even a skylight.
But no matter how many times she heard those words, she'd only return a polite smile and never take them to heart.
If asked why… probably because she genuinely felt it was normal.
But Shiratori Seiya was different.
Every time she heard him praise her—even a simple "you're beautiful"—it made her heart blossom like a shoujo manga flower garden. She felt that no matter how sad things got, hearing his praise would make all gloomy emotions vanish.
Just like now. After not hearing it for so long, she was so happy she could cry.
What could be better than being praised by the person you deeply loved?
Hōjō Shione lowered her face, her lips pressed tightly together, a charming allure blooming between her brows. She didn't dare look at Shiratori Seiya's face. Knowing he liked her demure and graceful appearance, she tried her best to act gentle.
But their clasped hands betrayed her. Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened, as if wanting to lock him inside her palm forever.
Seeing her expression gradually ease from panic, Shiratori Seiya breathed a small sigh of relief. Then he continued:
"I'll be direct. I really like Shione. I like your talent. I like your face. I like your body. I'm also a man, and driven by physical desire, I want to be with you."
Hearing these words, Hōjō Shione instinctively straightened her back, suppressed the urge to pull him down onto the sofa, and bit her lip hard.
Her pretty face flushed an even deeper red. The desire in her eyes intensified—almost to the point of overflowing, like a yandere about to snap.
But the next moment, Shiratori Seiya's voice suddenly grew cold.
"But there are some things I think need to be made clear."
"Shione, are you truly ready to take our relationship a step further?"
Upon hearing this, Hōjō Shione's heart skipped a beat. She looked up, her smile frozen on her face, staring at him blankly.
Her reaction was within Shiratori Seiya's expectations. He said calmly:
"The current me cannot give you any promises."
"Even setting aside the agreement with Saori for now… I will not abandon Mio. So I currently cannot give you a proper status."
"…"
Scumbag.
Looking at Shiratori Seiya's face, that word was the first to pop into Hōjō Shione's mind.
She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. She turned her head away from him.
The heart that had just been enveloped in sweetness twisted again.
Isn't having me enough?
Why bother with other women? Am I inferior to them somehow?
Whatever they can do, I can do too. Laundry, cooking… even having five children isn't impossible…
Hōjō Shione suppressed these words. She remained silent for a moment, then turned her head, smiled, and softly asked the young man in front of her:
"So… did I come too late?"
As if feeling her question was a bit unclear, she added:
"Is it because you're already dating Takahashi, so you can't let her go?"
Shiratori Seiya paused. He didn't mention that Mio was currently his only source of income. He just nodded silently.
Seeing him agree, a flame of jealousy surged in Hōjō Shione's heart.
So why could you break up with me so decisively back then, but you can't do it with her?
What right do you have…?
The hand Shiratori Seiya was holding lost its strength and gradually loosened. Hōjō Shione's mood inexplicably calmed down at that moment.
She smiled serenely, withdrew her hand, and sighed helplessly:
"Alright, Seiya. You're right. I haven't really thought all these things through…"
"However…"
She paused, glancing at Shiratori Seiya's left arm.
Then her soft, full body leaned forward. Her arm wrapped around his waist. Her red lips opened—and she bit down hard on his shoulder.
Shiratori Seiya felt a slippery warmth across his skin, followed by a sharp sting. Feeling the soreness, he guessed it was probably bleeding.
He sighed inwardly but didn't push Shione away.
A moment later, she released his shoulder. Her pink tongue gently licked the tooth marks, and she softly murmured:
"Scumbag."
Then she lifted her chin, looked at the bright red bite mark, and asked with a pained expression:
"Does it hurt?"
"It's fine."
"I love you…"
Hearing her sudden confession, Shiratori Seiya said nothing. He slowly wrapped his arm around the girl's slender waist.
Hōjō Shione narrowed her elongated eyes, greedily inhaling his scent. Then, after a moment, she forcefully broke free from his embrace, took a deep breath, and looked at Shiratori Seiya.
"Seiya, I have one more question. Can you answer me?"
"What?"
"Did you and Hasegawa do it?"
Hearing her suddenly ask that, Shiratori Seiya was startled. Then he realized she was probably referring to Saori's underwear drying on the balcony…
Looking into Hōjō Shione's eyes, he shook his head.
"No."
Even as he said it, he didn't expect her to believe him. The evidence was practically conclusive.
But Hōjō Shione's face broke into a bright smile. She gracefully picked up Shiratori Seiya's soiled clothes and stood up.
"I believe you."