What are the things you're supposed to do after starting a relationship?
First, naturally, holding hands.
Although, ideally, that kind of closeness should already be achieved before the confession—but once the relationship is confirmed, it's like unlocking a button. You can grab that soft little hand without hesitation.
That delicate, boneless hand rests in your palm, its smooth, gentle texture clearly conveying the girl's charm.
And after holding hands?
Asakusa Toru thought about it and figured it would be hugging—or rather, closing the distance.
There are clear boundaries between people.
The safe distance between strangers.
Between acquaintances.
Between friends.
Once you cross that boundary, your body instinctively feels uneasy.
But once a relationship is established—
That distance becomes zero.
Skin contact is allowed.
And naturally, the next step would be a kiss. Lips touching, breath mingling.
Exchanging each other's presence, satisfying the emotions that arise within.
And then—
Further still.
Exploration. Discovery.
Unfamiliar sensations and shapes, gradually outlined in the mind through clumsy, searching touches.
Waist. Hips. Chest.
Numbers on paper could never truly convey them—only hands could measure and understand.
And at that point, Asakusa could only think—
…Yeah, no exaggeration there.
He liked it.
Small had its charm. Big had its charm.
But something just right—
Was the most captivating of all.
"Mmm…"
Like adjusting a mouse's sensitivity to change how fast the cursor moves, there was also something like a "response speed."
When his fingers pressed against something soft, something that resisted just slightly—
The response came naturally.
Her breathing would grow uneven.
Her body would tremble faintly.
Her gaze would become sticky, clinging.
And so—
The things in the way would be removed.
Every girl had her own kind of beauty.
Kushida Kikyo had a perfectly balanced figure—nothing outstanding to the extreme, but nothing lacking either. From top to bottom, everything was above average.
Sakura Airi, on the other hand, had a softness that embraced everything—generous curves, full and prominent.
And compared to them—
Shiranami Chihiro leaned closer to Kushida's type.
But the difference between them wasn't just physical.
The real difference—
Was in their reactions.
Shyness. Embarrassment. Boldness. Natural acceptance. Courage.
That was what truly defined them.
That was what made them special.
And as Asakusa continued his "exploration,"
He found himself craving carbs.
After all—
Exercise required energy.
Especially something like "mountain climbing," which demanded endurance.
Compared to snacks, carbs were far more satisfying.
Big buns. Small buns.
He took a bite.
…Delicious.
But too many carbs could make you feel a little dizzy afterward.
Just like now.
Standing on the balcony, with the night breeze brushing past him—
And Ichinose Honami hugging him tightly from behind, whispering those words—
He felt a little dazed.
Not physically.
But mentally.
Because the aftertaste lingered.
Especially under such overwhelming guilt and thrill.
Chihiro wasn't the only one who felt that "forbidden" excitement.
He did too.
He liked Chihiro.
But he also liked Ichinose.
Her gentleness.
Her kindness.
Her sweetness.
She truly was—
An angel.
And because of that,
The act of tainting something so pure made his heart race even more.
…Yeah.
He was beyond saving.
But that didn't matter.
He had already accepted that.
What he hadn't expected—
Was this.
"If you're going to write in that diary… write about me."
"…Write about me."
"…Me."
"…Me."
"…!"
He froze.
That—
That completely caught him off guard.
Three months into school, this was the first thing that truly exceeded his expectations.
It should've been terrifying.
Unsettling.
But—
The one who said it was Ichinose.
And she said it like a plea.
So instead of fear—
He felt something else.
If someone like Horikita Suzune had exposed him, it would've been shocking.
If it were Sakayanagi Arisu, surprising.
If it were Shiina Hiyori, somewhat expected.
If it were Kushida—
…Well, he probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed for a while.
But Ichinose?
Somehow—
It didn't feel that threatening.
Still—
She had figured it out instantly.
And now—
The real question was—
How should he respond?
She had hugged him.
Confessed it.
Even exposed him.
What was he supposed to do?
Her chest pressed against his back.
Her legs wrapped around his.
Her arms locked around his neck.
If he let instinct take over—
He might've turned around and pinned her down right then.
But that would be too much.
Not with Chihiro still inside.
Not without answering her.
So—
He gently turned around.
Reversing their positions, pressing her lightly against the railing.
Looking straight into her eyes—
"Congratulations," he said softly.
"You've won the only victory in this hide-and-seek game."
It was awkward.
But it was the best he could come up with.
He couldn't grant her request.
That would be impossible.
"I want my reward," she said.
Looking straight at him.
"The winner's prize."
"…Give it to me."
"…I don't have one," he thought.
So he tried offering alternatives.
"Information about the special exam?"
"I don't want it."
"Embarrassing stories about Kanzaki?"
"…I don't want that either."
"Sakayanagi, Horikita, Ryuen, Ayanokoji…"
"I'm not interested."
Everything—
Rejected.
"…Then what about points?"
She paused.
Then—
"Are you trying to keep me?"
Her blue eyes shimmered.
He looked at her for a long moment.
"…Yeah."
"Do you want to be my lover?"
Not a girlfriend.
Not something pure.
Just—
A lover.
He didn't even try to hide it anymore.
But—
She smiled.
"I don't want it."
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