'But, rather than do nothing, I'd rather make a mistake.'
"This is everything a girl named Miura Yumiko feels for you," The girl clasped her hands behind her back, a faint blush covering her porcelain-white cheeks. But still, she tried her best to smile, her charming eyes more dazzling than ever.
"Kurumizaka-kun, what's your answer?"
Kaito was unusually silent.
How did he feel about Yumiko?
Honestly, even he wasn't sure. Maybe he liked her. Maybe he only saw her as a friend.
But there was one thing he could be certain of, at the very least, he didn't dislike her.
And often, not disliking was enough.
After a long, almost suffocating silence, Kaito looked up and met her eyes, "To be honest, you're an excellent girl. Beautiful, great figure, nice personality."
He paused, then added, "I don't know if I really like you, but I can give it a try."
"So you're sayingyou're saying yes?"
Yumiko had kept her eyes tightly shut like a prisoner waiting for sentencing.
Upon hearing this, the girl opened her eyes, filled with surprise and joy.
She hadn't held too much hope. After all, this was so rushed, and there hadn't been time to develop their feelings more.
It was a decision made in the heat of the moment, yet she really got a happy ending?
The emotions she had desperately held back suddenly burst like a dam breaking.
She no longer held back, nor needed to. Her lovely face full of joy, she dove into Kaito's arms.
Yumiko looked up, her emerald eyes blinking, and her slightly parted red lips seemed to be expecting something.
Kaito said nothing. He gently wrapped his arms around the girl's slender waist and lowered his head.
For a long time, until Yumiko was a little out of breath, they slowly pulled apart.
Very sweet.
Her soft lips carried the pleasant scent of oranges, leaving a taste that lingered.
It even stirred up a stronger desireto want more, to claim more. [T/N: Insert Grinch Grin GIF]
Kaito took a deep breath and suppressed the urge, lowering his head to look at the girl in his arms.
Yumiko still looked a bit dazed.
Maybe it was due to a lack of oxygen, her porcelain-white cheeks were tinged with rouge, and her rosy lips still looked slightly moist, like morning flower petals kissed by dew.
It was a first for both of them, and their movements were very awkward.
But Yumiko was very satisfied, 'So this is what a kiss feels like the taste really is wonderful.'
Her only regret was that she had been too nervous just now and forgot to use her tongue
She really wanted to try again, but was afraid it would make her seem too indecent, like some kind of super thirsty girl.
'Fine, cards on the table. I am a thirsty girl.'
'I crave Kaito-kun's body, I'm being honest!'
Seeing that some passersby had already been attracted by the commotion and were pointing fingers, Yumiko felt a little embarrassed to stay in his arms, but still clung tightly to Kaito's arm.
"It feels like a dream", She couldn't help but sigh.
"Is it really that exaggerated?", Kaito looked at her dazed expression, both helpless and amused.
"Of course it is!", Yumiko rolled her charming eyes at him and huffed, "Back on the first day of school, I came to strike up a conversation with you, but you said you didn't have a LINE account At least come up with a better excuse! That really hurt my self-esteem!"
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Chapter 36: Only Then Can It Be Called Healthy
"Actually, I really didn't have a LINE account at that time."
Kaito coughed, "After all, I came to study abroad from the abroad, and I had never used LINE before. I should be thanking you for reminding me back then."
"S-So that's how it was"
Yumiko looked a little embarrassed. She had secretly remembered for a long time how she had been politely refused when she asked for his contact info, 'So it was all just a misunderstanding?'
She quickly changed the topic, "By the way, President, about what happened today, can we not tell Bocchi for now?"
"What happened today?", Kaito thought for a moment, a bit surprised, "You mean us dating?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Yumiko nodded hard, shyly twirling a strand of hair beside her ear around her fingertips, then sighed.
"Because, with Bocchi-chan's personality, if she finds out that the only other two members in the club started dating behind her back, she'll definitely hold back her tears, smile through it like a little abandoned animal, and say something like 'I wish you happiness,' then go home at night and cry her eyes out, wailing in grief..."
Just like how many bands forbid their members from dating each other, this kind of thing doesn't just affect the band's development. But, if it gets serious, it could even lead to the band breaking up completely.
Bands disbanding because of romantic entanglements isn't even news anymore.
Yumiko was greedy.
She wanted love, and she wanted friendship too. Only then could it be called healthy.
But Kaito didn't agree with this idea, "If the truth brings pain, lies will only make things worse."
Paper can't wrap fire, this is a basic truth.
Yet Yumiko stubbornly insisted on this belief. Kaito didn't want to argue further and simply nodded in agreement.
Only then was the girl satisfied, gripping Kaito's hand tightly and interlocking fingers with his.
The two continued strolling down the street. As it was late April, the cherry blossoms along the roadside were in full bloom. When the wind blew, countless petals danced in the air, like enchanting pink butterflies fluttering up and down, never stopping.
They walked in silence for a while. Perhaps feeling the mood was a bit too cold, Yumiko couldn't help breaking it.
"By the way, what do you think of Bocchi-chan, President?"
'What do I think?', Kaito fell into thought.
"Though she is a bit shy and socially anxious, Bocchi is still a very good girl overall, never causing trouble for anyone."
"Not to mention, she is also pretty cute. Just has bad fashion sense."
Who would hate someone like that?
At least Kaito didn't.
Not to mention, Bocchi was the first girl he invited. And who agreed to join the club.
A man always holds special feelings for the girl who took his "first."
This kind of half-hearted answer made Yumiko puff up her cheeks, like an angry little pufferfish.
"I knew it! You treat Bocchi-chan differently!"
'You go out of your way to care about her feelings, worry she'll be left out, and even chat with her.'
'Back at the Gotou house, you even hugged her right in front of me!'
'If you guys dare hug when I'm around, I don't even want to imagine how bold you get in private!'
The more she thought, the angrier she got. Yumiko ground her silver teeth, her gaze scanning over Kaito's shoulder and arm, as if searching for the best place to bite.
"What are you thinking?", Kaito lightly knocked her on the head, annoyed. How did he not notice she was such a jealous little vinegar jar? Jealous over something that didn't even happen.
Yumiko was indeed a bit jealous, but she had no intention of cutting off a potential rival in love.
The reason was simple: she couldn't do it, and it wasn't realistic.
It had been mentioned before, the gender ratio in this world was extremely imbalanced, about one to four.
Outstanding men were usually pursued by several, even dozens, of passionate women.
Because of that, the laws surrounding marriage were very open, polygamy wasn't prohibited. As long as you had the ability, you could marry as many as you wanted.
Of course, there were women who disliked harems, but people had already grown used to it.
For Yumiko, since she had already claimed first place and was eating her fill of meat, it was still within acceptable limits to let others have some soup.
"I have only one request," Yumiko seriously raised a slender index finger, "Even if something really happens between you and Bocchi, I don't mind. But don't keep it from me."
Though Kaito felt things between him and Bocchi were completely pure, he still nodded after a moment of thought.
After that, the two didn't part right away.
After all, they had just started dating, it was the time when they couldn't get enough of each other.
Yumiko had never dated before, but she'd heard her friends share their own experiences.
So she dragged Kaito to go shopping, to her favorite dessert shop for milk tea, feeding each other sweets.
In the afternoon, they watched a movie she had wanted to see for a long time, sharing a bucket of popcorn.
When they came out of the theater, it was already dark.
'U-Usually after watching a movie, the next step is the hotel, right?', Yumiko was a little tempted. Coincidentally, a love hotel lit with neon signs was just a few steps away
'No, no! No matter how you look at it, doing that kind of thing on the first day of dating is way too fast!'
'At least a month No, half a month No, at least a week, right?'
Besides, she really wasn't prepared. She hadn't even worn the "final battle" lingerie she bought in secret.
"I'll walk you home," Kaito, on the other hand, wasn't thinking about any of that, and naturally spoke.
It was worth mentioning, Yumiko wasn't living in the same apartment he had visited last time.
After the haunted incident, she had lingering fears and quickly contacted her parents.
Of course, she didn't mention the evil spirit, just used the excuse of being unaccustomed to the environment and wanting to move.
As the only daughter of the Miura couple, Yumiko was very doted on, so she easily received a generous moving allowance.
Her empty little savings jar also got a boost. At least she didn't need to work part-time anymore.
Standing below her apartment building, the two were about to part.
Though it had only been one night, Yumiko was reluctant, holding onto his arm and not wanting to let go.
After some hesitation, the girl threw her shyness away and said hesitantly, "Kaito-kun, w-would you like to come up for a cup of tea?"
A man and a woman, alone, late at night.
This kind of invitation needed no translation.
Kaito coughed, "Wouldn't I be bothering your parents?"
Yumiko lowered her head, not daring to look at him. Her face felt burning hot.
She whispered, "Stupid President, did you forget I live alone? Mom and Dad are abroad, they won't be back until next month."
'Things has already gotten to this point, if I refuse her brave invitation, it will hurt her, right?"
Kaito quickly made up his mind, "Then I'll take you up on that."
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Chapter 37: Weak but Loves to Play
"No, no more!"
"Let me rest a bit just a bit! Five minutes!"
"Uuu Healing magic, that's cheating"
.
.
.
.
[3 A.M.]
A few hours ago, the arrogant blonde girl who had loudly proclaimed to drain him dry was now deeply asleep. Traces of sweat still lingered faintly on her forehead, and a few strands of messy hair stuck to her lips, silently speaking of how fierce the battle had been.
Kaito let out a light sigh.
'The path of man. Finally, I have opened the door to a new realm.'
Unfortunately, the gap between the two was too great. And with the girl experiencing this for the first time, it was like a farmer holding a shotgun encountering Raditz who had just arrived on Earth. The result was obvious.
And this was even with him using spiritual power to help the girl recover her strength.
Looking at the exhausted sleeping face of Yumiko in his arms, Kaito smiled silently and closed his eyes as well.
.
.
.
.
'Ugh'
'The sunlight is so bright'
Miura Yumiko was awakened by the scorching afternoon sunlight.
She opened her eyes in a bit of a daze, the lingering fatigue wouldn't go away, making her want to sleep a bit more.
Her jade-like arm, completely bare, unconsciously groped around, but found nothing.
'Eh?'
'Where's my big boyfriend?'
Yumiko instantly became a lot more awake.
After giving away the most precious thing she had, girls would usually feel more insecure, craving the company and affection of their lover.
If at this moment, they encountered a cold-hearted scumbag who just pulled out and left, it wouldn't be surprising if they swore off love and sealed their heart in concrete.
But Kaito was clearly not that kind of person.
Click!
The door opened, and a familiar figure appeared in her vision.
The handsome boy, picturesque as ever, walked in carrying freshly cooked porridge. A light pink apron tied around his waist added a touch of everyday warmth to his beauty.
"How was your sleep?"
"It it was fine", Yumiko's small face flushed slightly. She instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around herself, covering the large expanse of fair skin exposed.
Even though they were already intimately familiar, small things like this still made her shy.
Kaito didn't mind. He placed the red date porridge in front of her, "Try it. How does it taste?"
Red dates nourish and replenish blood, very suitable for Yumiko, who had lost a lot of blood last night.
The porridge was cooked just right, the rice grains soft and sticky. One mouthful, and her whole stomach felt warm.
Yumiko was deeply satisfied. Her previously weak body slowly began to warm up, like drinking ginger tea on a freezing day. Her spirits were lifted.
Even though she had said she didn't mind Kaito and Bocchi doing something, if they had really gotten together, Yumiko would've still felt sour inside.
But now, that thought was gone.
There was no helping it. The firepower she endured daily was just too strong. One person simply couldn't handle it. Absolutely couldn't.
For the sake of her physical and mental health, she could only let Bocchi suffer. She'd take the blame and curses herself.
[Monday]
Today was the day of their first test since enrollment.
Stepping into the classroom, the usually noisy and chatty classmates were unusually silent. Everywhere she looked, students were clutching textbooks in a last-minute cram session.
Feeling the much more solemn atmosphere compared to usual, Togawa Sakiko was, for once, a little relaxed.
