Chapter 011: Going to a Love Hotel with Honami, So-Called Roleplay
I didn't do it.
The Special Exam ended just like that.
Reflecting on it afterward, Shimizu Akira felt like he hadn't contributed much this time. It was mainly Ayanokouji Kiyotaka who had completely outmaneuvered Housen and Amasawa.
In a sense, he had experienced what it was like to "carry" a win.
However, he specifically asked Kikyo and a few others about Yagami Takuya, the person who had been keeping him on edge. As it turned out, aside from applying to join the Student Council, the other party hadn't made any extra moves at all.
Of course, Akira didn't feel safe because of this. One could only say that for Yagami, now was not yet the time to act.
According to the school, a maximum of two special exams are held per semester. Since this cross-grade partner exam was over, there should be one final exam remaining. During the "VIP" special exam last year, Horikita Manabu had called him from the ship, mentioning that their year had also held an uninhabited island project and that Nagumo Miyabi had participated in it back then. Looking at it this way, the next special exam was very likely to be another uninhabited island.
However, it was only early May, and there were still two months until the July summer vacation. Akira wasn't in much of a hurry.
.
.
.
May. The weather had completely warmed up.
The fresh greenery was lush, and the sky was clear for miles. The vast majority of students had already changed into short sleeves. For the girls, the long stockings on their lower halves had all been replaced with short socks. Akira always felt that since these girls wore short socks in the winter too, he couldn't see any difference at all.
Speaking of which, ever since Chabashira-sensei announced the final results of the Special Exam yesterday, the school welcomed its first long break since the start of the term. A total of five days of vacation.
Japan also has a consecutive holiday called Golden Week. Specifically, Greenery Day, Constitution Memorial Day, and Children's Day are all linked together to form this holiday.
Logically, one should go traveling during a long break like Golden Week! Unfortunately, these students couldn't leave the campus at all. Fortunately, the school didn't stay idle; the forums
and Keyaki Mall posted a large number of activities, and more than a dozen new shops opened just in time for the holiday. Especially the day after tomorrow, on Greenery Day itself, all the gardens and the aquarium on campus would be open for free. The botanical garden even launched a free planting experience activity for students to promote environmental protection.
Akira was quite interested at first glance. Last year during Golden Week, he was too busy dealing with the special exam right after the start of school to enjoy it. This year, he would take this opportunity to relax properly.
At 8:00 AM, today's "Intel" refreshed on time.
Shiina Hiyori from Class 2-C is also very interested in environmental protection and planting. Amasawa Ichika from Class 1-A noticed that Akira has no location tracking and is pondering how to create a "chance encounter" during this holiday. Ichinose Honami from Class 2-D is feeling a bit down because she only took third place in this exam and wants to get close to Akira to regain her energy.
Hmm? Shiina is interested in the environment?
That works out perfectly.
On Greenery Day, I can try inviting her and Ibuki Mio to go out for a stroll. As for the second point, what is Amasawa Ichika up to again? Still trying to "bump into" me?
She is someone from the White Room, after all. Akira immediately raised his guard. If I see her, I'd better stay far away.
And the last one. Honami is in a bad mood? As expected.
Wait, what does "get close to recover my mood" mean?!
Akira's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
It really wasn't an illusion; Honami's desire for intimacy was indeed significantly stronger than that of an average person. The progress between the two of them was also visibly fast.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to "take her down" directly last time she stayed over. But as a healthy high school boy, to be honest, it seemed impossible to resist such things by nature.
Since today was a holiday, Akira thought about it and dialed Honami's number directly.
"Honami, are you free today? Shall we go on a date?"
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a surprised voice: "Eh?! A date? Of course!"
"Um, then how about we meet at Keyaki Mall at eleven o'clock? I'll take you to see a few newly opened shops, Akira-kun."
"Sure, see you then."
"Mm, see you later."
Hanging up the phone, Akira began to prepare his clothes for going out. The weather wasn't too hot, so he picked a thin blue shirt and paired it with jeans.
At exactly eleven o'clock, Akira arrived at the entrance of Keyaki Mall. As expected, he saw Ichinose Honami waiting by the bench. Today, she wore a creamy-white knit sweater with the sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing a slender wrist. On her lower half was a pleated skirt that showed off her pale legs, and she wore canvas shoes on her feet. The laces were tied loosely, giving off a sort of casual cuteness.
She sat on the bench with her legs together and tilted slightly to one side, occasionally tucking a stray lock of hair. Sensing someone approaching, Honami looked up. Those signature large blue eyes instantly curved into crescents upon seeing him.
"Akira-kun!"
As Akira stepped closer, he noticed she was wearing light makeup today. Her lip color was slightly pinker than usual, giving him an inexplicable urge to kiss her.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived not long ago." Honami shook her head with a smile, then lowered her head a bit shyly, "So... how do I look today?"
Akira couldn't help but look a few more times. "You look great. I like it a lot."
Honami blinked, then smiled with satisfaction.
"Really? That's great!" She reached out and grabbed Akira's sleeve. "Then let's go, let's go! I'll take you to a new crepe shop first! I heard their seasonal limited editions are super delicious."
The two walked into Keyaki Mall side by side. The mall during the holiday was much livelier than usual, with student couples in casual clothes or groups of friends seen everywhere. Honami walked by Akira's side, her hand still lightly tugging at his cuff as if to confirm he wouldn't run away. She was just that insecure.
Akira thought about it and simply took her hand in his. This was the first time the two of them held hands while out on a date. Ichinose Honami froze for a moment, then carefully squeezed back.
"Is it okay?"
"Hmm? You mean holding hands? Of course it's okay."
"But... if we are seen by other classmates, will your reputation get worse?" Honami said with some concern.
If you think about it, the two had been dating for half a year. Honami herself didn't care about making the relationship public, but her boyfriend's situation was special. Having a "harem" would definitely get him labeled as a scumbag if it got out. What she was actually worried about was Akira.
"It's fine." Akira gripped her hand tightly. "People are already discussing it on the forums; I don't care that much about my reputation. I'm actually more worried about yours."
This was a closed school. Every weekend, Akira would go shopping with a different girlfriend. There is no wall that doesn't leak. Many sharp-eyed students had already noticed he frequently changed female companions, and some even asked him what was going on. Akira had never given a straight answer.
After all, Kikyo and Honami knew too many people in this school and cared about others' opinions. If it were exposed directly, it would be a devastating blow to their reputations.
But thinking about it carefully, always hiding like this made dating really awkward. Akira had also been thinking lately: is there a way to go public without worrying about affecting their reputations? If that problem could be solved, a lot of future worries would be avoided.
Honami suddenly showed a gentle smile. "I see... Actually, I personally don't mind the relationship being exposed. You don't have to worry too much about me, Akira-kun."
Akira didn't know what to say for a moment. Ever since Honami "exploded" her own dark past, she really didn't seem to care about her so-called reputation anymore. This girlfriend of his was truly supporting him with everything she had.
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While talking, the two arrived at the new crepe shop. The shop wasn't large, with a fresh log-style decor. There was a small line of seven or eight people in front of the counter, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of cream and toasted crust.
"Ah, luckily there aren't many people!" Honami pulled Akira to the end of the line, still not letting go of his hand. She stood on her tiptoes to look forward at the menu board on the counter. "Hmm... the seasonal limited ones are strawberry cream, matcha red bean, and mango yogurt... what does Akira-kun want to eat?"
"You choose. Anything is fine with me."
"Then I'll pick one I think is tasty for you!" Honami laughed and began to study the menu seriously, occasionally mumbling to herself, "This one looks good too."
"Ah, right!" Honami suddenly turned around. "Did Akira-kun know? Hiyori seems to really like sweets. I bumped into her at the convenience store last time, and she spent a long time picking in front of the freezer by herself."
"Is that so? I thought with her constitution, she wouldn't dare touch cold things."
"Mm... most girls like ice cream! Akira-kun, you don't understand this, do you?" Honami covered her mouth and laughed. "Hiyori is no exception, of course."
"Why did you suddenly bring her up?"
"Hmm... because Hiyori has been talking about you a lot in our chats lately! I thought I'd tell you more about her preferences; maybe it'll come in handy."
"Well, I do plan to ask her out on Greenery Day, though Ibuki will be coming along too."
"I think what Hiyori is looking forward to is a solo date with you, right? It's not quite right for you two to take Ibuki-san along." Honami blinked.
Akira didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Having his girlfriend help him "conquer" another girl—this scene was subtle no matter how you looked at it. But Honami really didn't seem to mind and was even thinking about it seriously.
"Speaking of which... the botanical garden has a free planting activity on Greenery Day. Hiyori should like that kind of hands-on project. But she doesn't talk much to people she's not familiar with, so Akira-kun might need to talk more..."
"You're quite good at arranging things."
"Hehe, because I want Akira-kun to be happy." She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The line moved forward a few steps. Honami suddenly gave their joined hands a gentle swing. "And also, I think Hiyori is a very good person. She's quiet, smart, and very polite to others. If she could become a... uh, partner, I would be very welcoming."
Partner. Akira chewed on that word. Honami used "partner" instead of "competitor" or anything else. She was truly accepting all of this with a strange degree of tolerance.
"We're here! Have you decided, Akira-kun? Or should I choose for you?" Honami's attention was now completely captured by the colorful crepe samples in the counter.
"...You choose for me."
"Got it! Then I'll have one strawberry cream and one mango yogurt. The mango yogurt is for Akira-kun!" She placed the order skillfully and took her phone out of her bag to pay. Akira pressed his hand down on her wrist.
"My treat."
"Eh? But I said I was going to treat you..."
"You can treat next time." As Akira spoke, he had already scanned the code and paid. Honami froze for a moment, then her eyes curved into a smile.
"Then it's a promise. We'll come out together again next time!"
The clerk handed over two crepes. Honami took them with both hands and carefully handed the mango yogurt one to Akira. "Here! Try it!"
She herself held the strawberry cream one, took a bite, and got cream on the tip of her nose. "Mmm! Delicious!"
Seeing her satisfied expression, Akira couldn't help but reach out and gently wipe the bit of cream off her nose. Honami froze, her cheeks turning bright red. "Akira-kun... that's so unfair!"
"Hmm? What's unfair?" Akira said naturally. "If we weren't in front of so many people, I would have wanted to kiss you directly."
That was the truth.
"...." Honami seemed to be frozen in place. Afterward, they finished their crepes and walked out of the shop hand in hand.
"Akira-kun, I want to get intimate with you." Just after stepping out, Honami leaned into his ear and whispered a sentence.
Akira couldn't help but laugh. His Honami was just this proactive. "Sure, then how about my dorm?" He followed up smoothly.
Just as Honami was about to say something, her gaze inadvertently swept across the street corner not far away. A newly opened love hotel happened to catch her eye. Akira followed her gaze and was also a bit surprised. In his memory, there was no such facility in the school last year.
"Wait, there's actually a place like this in this school?" He couldn't help but complain.
"The school actually authorized building this kind of thing?" No matter how you thought about it, such a facility didn't seem to have much to do with high schoolers.
"Mm..." Honami's cheeks flushed slightly. "The few couples I know seem to have visited this shop recently."
Akira looked at the sign of the shop and then at Honami beside him with her red cheeks. A thought suddenly popped into his head. Could it be that what she meant by "getting close" just now was this?
"So," he began tentatively, "the place you want to go isn't my dorm, but..."
Before he could finish, Honami waved her hands frantically. "No, no! I didn't mean that! I just happened to see it and mentioned it!" She explained, her face getting redder.
Seeing her like this, Akira became interested instead. "Is that so? Then what were you implying when you said the couples you know have all been there?"
"No implication! Really, no implication!" Honami started shaking her head violently again. "I just... I just think it's quite amazing that the school would allow such a shop to open, that's all."
The more she spoke, the more it sounded like she was trying to distance herself from the idea. Akira couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore." He took Honami's hand again. "Let's go, to my dorm. Didn't you say you wanted to get close?"
Honami followed him obediently for a few steps but couldn't help but look back at that love hotel. Akira noticed her gaze. "It seems you really want to go?"
"I don't!" Honami denied immediately, but she denied so quickly it made her look guilty. She walked with her head down for a while, then suddenly mumbled in a low voice. "But... I heard it's quite beautiful inside."
Akira paused his steps. He looked sideways at Honami; she was pretending to focus on the roadside shop windows, but her hand gripping his clearly tightened a bit.
"Honami."
"Hmm?"
"You're not actually really curious, are you?"
Honami didn't speak. But her silence was the answer itself. Akira suddenly felt it was a bit funny. She was already his, and yet she was still curious about that kind of place. He stopped walking. Honami stopped as well and looked at him blankly.
"Akira-kun?"
"Want to go see?" he asked.
Honami blinked and didn't speak. But her hand gently shook his finger. "Just for a little bit?"
Akira was completely defeated. "Fine, then let's go have a look."
Honami's eyes lit up instantly. "Um, I'm just curious about the decor! Really just curious!"
"Mm, just curious." Akira went along with her words.
The two walked back to the entrance of the love hotel. The decor was a simple modern style, with several potted plants at the door. it looked more like a boutique cafe, completely unlike the suggestive atmosphere one would imagine. Standing at the door, Honami hesitated again. "Um... are we really going in?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to see?"
"That's true..." She gripped Akira's hand tightly and mumbled, "What if we meet someone we know?"
Akira looked at her and felt she was quite cute. "Weren't you quite curious just now?"
"Curiosity is one thing; actually going in is another!" Honami's gaze shifted back and forth between the entrance and Akira.
Just then, the automatic door suddenly opened. A service woman who looked like an adult came out. Seeing the two standing at the door, she showed a standard professional smile. "Welcome... is it for two?"
Honami froze completely. "Um, we, no, we're just passing by..." Honami explained incoherently.
The server looked at her and then at Akira, her smile gaining a bit more understanding. "It's alright. Everyone is a little nervous the first time. Our environment is very quiet, and privacy protection is well-done. No need to worry about being seen by others." She stepped aside to clear the doorway and made a gesture to enter.
Honami looked at Akira, her eyes full of "save me." Akira was calm: "Didn't you say you wanted to see the decor? Since we're here, let's go in and look."
"Akira-kun, you bad man." Honami mumbled, but ultimately she took a deep breath, gripped his hand, and stepped inside.
Entering the lobby, Honami was still very tense. The front desk was designed like a high-end hotel, with a soft scent of incense drifting in the air, and the background music was a soothing piano piece. Honami pressed close to Akira, her eyes darting around as if both curious and afraid of bumping into acquaintances.
"Please show your student IDs." The staff at the front desk had a proper smile and a tone as calm as a convenience store cashier. Honami's hand was shaking slightly as she handed over her ID. After confirming their identities, the staff handed out a small booklet. "This is the room introduction and peripheral service guide. You two can choose a theme first."
Honami took the stack of leaflets and looked down. There were Ocean, Forest, Japanese, and European Palace styles. The introductions for various themed rooms were illustrated. Just by looking at the pictures, one could feel the atmosphere of being in another space.
"The decor is indeed quite focused and nice. You were right, Honami." Akira called it as he saw it.
Honami flushed and gave him a light punch. "Th-there are so many... can you give me a brief introduction?" She looked at the server for help.
"Yes, our shop has various sub-themes in addition to historical styles, such as trains, prisons, hospitals, workplaces, etc."
After hearing that, Honami felt not so good. She was not, after all, an inexperienced girl. The train theme was clearly pursuing a sense of... exposure? In the case of a prison, would there be handcuffs and whips? A hospital would be a bit better. And what did "workplace" mean? Was it expecting students to dress up as salarymen? It actually seems quite stimulating.
The server probably saw her embarrassment and kindly added: "If it's your first time, I recommend the hospital or workplace; they are closer to daily life. After you are familiar, you can try other styles."
"Then... then the hospital one..." Honami lowered her head after speaking.
The server smiled and tapped a few times on a tablet, then handed back the IDs and a room card. "Alright, Hospital Themed Room, 5012. Elevator on the right. Wishing you both a pleasant time."
Honami took the room card. She gripped Akira's hand tightly, as if afraid she would flee at the last second. They were the only two people in the elevator. Honami stared at the changing floor numbers and suddenly mumbled. "Hospital."
"Hmm?"
"Why a hospital?!"
Akira thought about it and answered seriously, "Probably because there's a bed!"
Honami punched him again. "Akira-kun, you're doing it on purpose."
"No, I'm analyzing it seriously."
Honami rolled her eyes at him. The elevator doors opened. The corridor was covered with a soft carpet, and the sound of footsteps was completely absorbed. 5012 was at the end of the hall, with a small Red Cross symbol next to the door number. Swipe card, push door.
The lights were bright but not glaring, with a slightly cool tone of white. In the center of the room was a medical examination bed. It wasn't a normal bed; it was a real medical examination bed with stirrups and an adjustable backrest. It was covered with snow-white sheets. On the bedside table, there was even a simulation medical tray with a plastic stethoscope and a blood pressure monitor.
Against the wall was a row of white cabinets containing folded, unopened hospital gowns, nurse uniforms, doctor uniforms, and sheets. A mock shadowless lamp was installed on the ceiling, currently adjusted to a soft warm light. The massage bathtub in the corner was made to look like a disinfection pool—though it was just the appearance; the inside was a normal warm water bathtub.
Honami stood at the door, completely stunned. "This is too realistic! It really is a hospital!"
Akira walked in, picked up the stethoscope to look at it, put it down, and then opened the cabinet door to rummage. "There are various cosplay costumes here. Want to change?"
"No, for now! Let's look at other things first!" Honami stepped forward quickly and shut the cabinet door. She looked around, her gaze falling on the examination bed, and her face turned red again. "Do people really like this style?"
"Weren't you quite curious just now?"
"I was curious about normal decor! Not this... this kind of thing..." She couldn't go on.
Akira sat on the edge of the bed. The mattress was unexpectedly soft, not the hard feeling of a real medical bed. He patted the spot next to him. "Since we're here, sit for a bit?"
Honami hesitated for a moment but still walked over and sat down next to him. They sat side by side, looking at the white cabinets opposite and the medical charts on the wall. There were even a few human anatomy diagrams hanging, but they were drawn somewhat artistically, so they weren't scary.
A few seconds of silence passed.
"Akira-kun."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think people who choose this theme... really do that?"
Akira looked at her from the side. Honami kept her head down. "Like in the movies... in a hospital..." She trailed off.
Akira thought about it and analyzed seriously, "Since they're here, they probably do something. After all, it's five thousand Private Points an hour. They wouldn't come just to look at the decor."
Honami's face turned a few shades redder. "Then should we..."
"Do you want to try?"
"I didn't mean that!" Honami immediately denied it. "I was just asking! Pure curiosity!"
Akira looked at her panicked profile and couldn't help but laugh. Honami was silent for a while, then suddenly looked up into his eyes.
"Akira-kun, why are you so good to me?"
Akira was stunned for a moment. "This counts as being good?"
"Mm." Honami nodded seriously. "You were willing to come to this kind of place with me and go along with my selfishness. I think that's very good."
Akira looked at her and suddenly reached out to pinch her cheek. "Because you're my girlfriend and I like you. Isn't that enough?"
Honami blinked, then curled the corners of her mouth. "Then can I kiss you?"
"Of course."
Honami smiled and leaned over, giving his lips a light peck. "Alright, finished."
Akira looked at her. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"Then what about the 'getting close' you mentioned earlier?"
"That was the 'earlier me' speaking. The 'current me' hasn't said it." Honami laughed and stood up. She walked to the cabinet and opened it, this time proactively taking out a hospital gown to measure it against herself. "This looks so big. If I wear it, I'll definitely look like a kid stealing an adult's clothes." She turned around and looked at Akira. "Akira-kun, how about you wear this set?"
She then picked up another nurse uniform and held it in front of her. "I'll wear this! From now on, you're my patient..."
Akira looked at the two sets of clothes in her hands, not knowing what expression to make for a moment. "Do we really have to wear them?"
"The mood struck!" Honami stuffed the hospital gown into his arms. "Go change quickly; it's right behind that curtain." She pointed to the changing area in the corner partitioned by a white curtain, holding the nurse uniform herself with excitement.
Akira looked down at the hospital gown in his hands—blue and white stripes, folded neatly. He looked up at Honami again; she had already taken off her shoes and was standing barefoot on the carpet, her face full of anticipation. "Fine."
He walked behind the curtain. Honami's cheerful voice came from behind: "No peeking!"
"Same to you."
Akira pulled the curtain and began to change. The hospital gown was unexpectedly comfortable. It was cotton and very soft, but the pants were a bit long, dragging on the ground. He rolled them up twice, and they fit reasonably well. The top fit just right, though the collar was a bit large and felt a bit chilly.
"I'm finished!" Honami's voice came from outside the curtain.
Akira pulled the curtain aside and walked out. Then he froze.
Honami stood under the shadowless lamp by the bed, wearing the nurse uniform. It was the classic short-skirt nurse outfit—white, with light pink piping on the collar and cuffs, a row of buttons in front, and a thin belt at the waist. The hem reached just below her knees, revealing her smooth calves. She was holding that plastic stethoscope and looking at him with her head tilted.
The key was that she had put on the nurse cap. The small white hat was pinned in her hair, making her look entirely different. Honami really suited a nurse outfit.
Akira stood in front of the curtain, momentarily speechless. Honami felt a bit embarrassed by his gaze and looked down at herself, then looked back up. "H-how is it? Is it strange?"
"No." Akira stepped closer, his gaze sliding from the nurse cap on her head to the thin belt at her waist, and back to her slightly flushed face. "It suits you very well."
Honami blinked, and then the corners of her mouth curled up into a happy smile. "Really? That's great! This is my first time cosplaying, after all." As she spoke, she raised the stethoscope in her hand and cleared her throat with feigned seriousness. "Ahem. Well then, Mr. Patient, please sit down on the bed. I'm going to give you an examination."
Akira looked at her deadpan expression and wanted to laugh, but he still cooperated and sat on the edge of the bed. "What kind of examination?"
"Hmm..." Honami tilted her head and thought. "Let's take your temperature first."
"Where's the thermometer?"
Honami froze, looked down, and rummaged through the tray on the cabinet. There were syringes (plastic), a blood pressure monitor, and cotton swabs (real), but indeed no thermometer. "Uh... then let's listen to your heartbeat first!"
She walked over with the stethoscope and stood in front of Akira. Then she ran into a problem. Where... should the stethoscope go? She hesitantly extended the round head of the stethoscope toward Akira's chest, measured it, and pulled back. "...Where?"
Akira looked at her bewildered expression and finally couldn't help but laugh. "Aren't you the nurse? You're asking me?"
"I'm a make-believe nurse!" Honami argued with a red face. "It's not like I've actually been a nurse!" She bit her lip and simply pressed the stethoscope against his chest. "Right here! Heartbeat!" Then she stuffed the earpieces into her ears and listened seriously.
Akira looked at her serious profile and spoke: "Can you hear it?"
Honami listened with a frown for a while, then looked up with a confused expression. "It's beating so fast... Akira-kun, are you nervous?"
Akira looked at her in close proximity—the white nurse cap, the pink hair, the collar slightly open because she was leaning over, and those serious yet dazed blue eyes.
"Not nervous."
"Then why is your heart beating so fast?"
"It's a physiological reaction."
Honami froze for a moment, then understood, and her face turned bright red. "I'm still doing an examination! Patients aren't allowed to tease nurses!"
"You teased me first."
"I did not! I'm a proper nurse!"
"A proper nurse who doesn't even know where to put the stethoscope?"
Honami was stumped and couldn't find a word to refute him. Finally, in her embarrassment and anger, she stuffed the stethoscope into his hand. "No more examining! You be the nurse and I'll be the patient!"
Akira stood up with a smile, gently took the nurse cap off her head, and put it on his own. The hat was too small, barely perched on his head, making him look utterly ridiculous. Honami took one look and burst out laughing. "What an ugly male nurse."
"Are you disliking it? Then wear it yourself."
"No, no, you wear it!" Honami laughed and dodged his hand, then proactively lay down on the examination bed, folding her hands over her lower abdomen and closing her eyes. "Alright, now I'm the patient and you're the nurse. Mr. Nurse, please examine me."
She kept her eyes closed. Akira looked down at her. The white nurse uniform wrapped around her slender body, her long pink hair scattered on the snow-white sheets, and her chest rose and fell gently with her breathing. He suddenly felt that this hospital theme was something they could really visit often in the future.
He picked up the stethoscope and pressed the round head against her chest, imitating her. Honami trembled all over and opened her eyes. "Where are you putting that?!"
"The heartbeat. Didn't you put it there just now?"
"I put it on your chest! You're putting it on..." She couldn't say the word.
Akira looked at her with an innocent face. "I'm just seriously fulfilling my duties."
Honami glared at him, then suddenly reached out and pulled. Caught off guard, Akira fell toward her. He braced himself against the bed in time, not completely pressing down on her, but the distance between the two was now minimal. Honami lay beneath him, looking straight at him. "Now what? Mr. Nurse, how are you going to examine me?"
Akira hovered over her, the distance between them so close they could see each other's pupils. Honami's breath brushed lightly against his face, carrying the sweet scent of the crepe. Although she had been the one to pull him down, she was now so nervous that even her breathing slowed.
"...How do you say I should examine?" Akira asked back in a low voice.
Honami blinked. "I... I'm the patient, and you're the nurse. You should have the final say!"
"Then who just said we should switch roles?"
"I did."
"Then who is the nurse now?"
"You."
"And who is the patient?"
"Me."
"Then the patient should listen to the nurse, right?"
Honami was caught in his logic and nodded dazed. Then she saw Akira smile with satisfaction. "Alright then, now the male nurse is going to perform the examination."
As he spoke, he braced one hand on the bed and used the other to pick up the plastic stethoscope, this time seriously pressing it against her heart. Akira listened for a few seconds and then frowned. "Heartbeat is too fast. At least one hundred and twenty per minute."
"Isn't... isn't that a normal number for people..."
"Normal for a person is sixty to a hundred," he said seriously. "This is clearly exceeding the limit; further inspection is required."
Honami's eyes widened. "Have you actually studied medicine?"
"No, just saying whatever."
Honami was laughed at by him and reached out to hit him, but he took the opportunity to grab her wrist and pin it by the pillow. Honami lay beneath him, both hands pinned above her head. The collar of the nurse uniform had come undone by a button due to the previous tugging, revealing her delicate collarbone.
"Akira-kun..."
"Hmm?"
"...It's okay!"
Akira kissed her briefly and was about to get up. "I'll go find a 'little umbrella.'"
Ichinose Honami, however, gently pulled him back. The next second, she took a familiar package out of her pocket. "I have one here."
Akira was stunned. "..."
He felt like he had been set up. Had Honami intended to come to a love hotel from the very beginning?
"Honami, you're quite proactive about intimate matters."
"Is it not allowed? Or does Akira-kun hate it when I'm like this?"
"How could I hate it? If anything, I like this about you very much."
He lowered his head and kissed her. As a man, having already been pulled into a love hotel with the other party specifically changing into a nurse outfit for him, how could he possibly do nothing?
"Mr. Patient, you can't do this!"
"Miss Nurse, you wouldn't want the fact that you're a fake nurse to be exposed, would you?"
The two almost instantly fell into their respective roles. Although nominally he was still the patient, isn't there a popular "subordinate overpowers superior" trope in Japan? So, he was just following the local customs.