Hiyori arrived at the library. This was the place where she and Ryunosuke had promised to meet, and he had been waiting there for some time.
Hiyori, who usually walked with a calm grace, broke into a small run the moment she spotted Ryunosuke's figure. She sat across from him impatiently, clutching her books to her chest with a wide, radiant smile.
"Long time no see, Ryunosuke-kun. I missed you very much."
Faced with such blunt honesty, Ryunosuke felt a bit shy. He pulled out the first volume of the six books he had written specifically for her. He knew Hiyori loved to read; he always kept that in mind.
Hiyori accepted the six books, but she didn't show the excitement Ryunosuke had expected. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on her man. Compared to her desire for books, Hiyori clearly craved Ryunosuke's affection more. She tightened her grip on the volumes—she had found something far more precious than mere reading material.
The two began to chat casually. Hiyori cherished every second of their time together; she only wished time would slow down so she could keep him by her side longer. She liked him to the point where she couldn't look away; by the time she realized it, she was already beyond saving.
Having not met for just one month, her heart felt as if it were being pricked by needles—it was almost unbearable. Her urge to see Ryunosuke grew stronger with every passing second.
Time ticked away, minute by minute.
Feeling that enough time had passed, Ryunosuke prepared to stand up and leave. Seeing this, the look of disappointment in Hiyori's eyes was impossible to hide.
Ryunosuke noticed she wasn't taking it well, but he had little choice. Suzune, who had replaced him as the Student Council President, was incredibly busy; he had to go help her. Even though he was no longer the president, he felt responsible for dumping such a heavy burden on her.
Ryunosuke stroked Hiyori's beautiful white hair and comforted her with a few words.
"Next time, I'll stay with you longer. I promise I'll make it up to you."
Seeing his sincerity, Hiyori stopped insisting. She held Ryunosuke's hand as it stroked her head; her cheeks flushed red, and her large, watery eyes gazed at him with deep longing.
Ryunosuke knew what she wanted. With a resigned sigh, he picked up a book beside him, held it in front of Hiyori's lips as a barrier, and explained in a low voice.
"Ai said I shouldn't act recklessly at school. We are forbidden from physical contact beyond holding hands. But like this, it should be fine, right?"
Ryunosuke kissed one side of the book, and Hiyori did the same on her side. The two shared a kiss through the barrier of a book. Though there was no direct lip contact, the act triggered an even deeper sense of imagination.
Hiyori touched her own lips and smiled broadly, clearly satisfied. Because of that, she let him go—especially since she had something planned that she didn't want her man to see.
After Ryunosuke left and his shadow disappeared, Hiyori slowly pressed the side of the book Ryunosuke had kissed against her own lips and kissed it again.
The soft sound of lips meeting the book's surface echoed in the quiet space. Hiyori's face felt burning hot; if Ryunosuke ever saw this sight, she would probably be so embarrassed she'd want to die.
On the other side, Ryunosuke turned a corner only to run into Arisu, who had clearly been waiting for a long time.
Arisu was still wearing her signature garter stockings, leaning on her cane; it was obvious she had been standing there for a while.
Ryunosuke worried about her health. He decided to postpone helping Suzune for a moment to accompany Arisu.
As usual, Arisu reached out her small, delicate hand, signaling for Ryunosuke to lead her.
Ryunosuke took her hand, and they sat together on a park bench, enjoying the scenery. Arisu slowly folded her telescopic cane and placed it between her thighs.
Noticing the inefficiency of her gear, Ryunosuke offered a suggestion. "How about I buy you a new telescopic cane? One that you can fit into your pocket after use."
Arisu's movements froze. She spoke with a hint of displeasure, "Are you looking down on me because my legs are difficult to move?"
Ryunosuke panicked instantly and rushed to explain. "That's not what I meant..."
Arisu reached out to cover Ryunosuke's mouth, wearing the smile of a little devil. "Then what did you mean, Ryunosuke-kun?~"
Her body slowly leaned toward him. Ryunosuke held her back for a moment so she wouldn't get too close—otherwise, he might lose control. Arisu, seeing his reaction, knew her goal was achieved and stopped her teasing.
She couldn't help it; her physical condition made it impossible to do "those" things with Ryunosuke, leaving her in a very passive position. If she didn't use her charms to tease him occasionally, she would feel very insecure. After all, her only weapon against her love rivals was her brain. Physically, she trailed behind the other women, especially since she couldn't engage in adult activities yet.
Therefore, Arisu was the one who feared most that Ryunosuke might be snatched away. She sat in his lap, acting spoiled as usual. Ryunosuke pampered her and didn't mind at all.
Whether she did it on purpose or not, Arisu eventually fell asleep in Ryunosuke's arms. Before long, it was late at night. Feeling the tiny body in his arms and her faint heartbeat, Ryunosuke reaffirmed his resolve to cure her heart condition.
Ryunosuke lifted Arisu in a standard princess carry. He walked with extreme caution, afraid of disturbing the beautiful girl's sleep.
He arrived at Arisu's dormitory. Why not his own? He was afraid of running into Suzune; if that happened, it would be a long night. Even though they were all in a relationship with him, meetings between love rivals were always dangerous. Ryunosuke wouldn't know whose side to take if they fought, because he loved them all...
After arriving at Arisu's dorm, Ryunosuke woke her up.
Arisu, who turned out to be only pretending to sleep, slowly climbed down from Ryunosuke's arms and limped toward her room. She looked back at him: "Don't want to stop by for a bit?"
Just as Ryunosuke was about to refuse, Arisu's small hand already pulled him in, forcing him into her room. Ryunosuke could only resignedly follow her lead.
That night, they slept together again. Please don't misunderstand; they didn't do anything—it was purely sleeping side-by-side. Given Arisu's condition, she couldn't handle anything more. Ryunosuke held her until she fell into a deep sleep.
It wasn't until the next morning that Ryunosuke had the chance to leave. Arisu had hugged him so tightly he couldn't break free. He could only depart after they both woke up. This, too, was her intentional design.
After all, after a month apart, Arisu felt she had to collect a little "interest on the loan." Watching Ryunosuke's retreating back, she—wearing purple pajamas and a Christmas hat—rolled around on the bed, inhaling his lingering scent. She felt that these sheets shouldn't be washed for a while~
Ryunosuke's charm was truly that great. It wasn't just his attractive face, but his personality. Such a thing is hard to explain; it can only be felt with the heart. With his debts of love piling up, one wonders if he can truly divide his time for everyone.