Rei Ao's face took on a slightly odd expression.
"Because she got tired from studying?"
Hearing Kominami Asumi's explanation, Fujimiya Sumika felt surprised.
"Um…yeah."
Kominami Asumi sighed openly.
"In the end, it's my own choice."
She straightforwardly shared her situation:
Her family ran a clinic bearing their surna, with her father the only doctor there. Because her science scores hadn't been ideal, she hadn't passed the entrance exam for the national dical university she wanted. Determined to try again next year, she chose to repeat a grade, hoping to one day take over her father's clinic.
But sadly, her confidence in her grades still wasn't great, so she'd been staying up nights studying—leading to her current predicant.
"I see,"
Sumika said.
"But don't push yourself until you collapse. Your health cos first."
"Sumika's right,"
Rei Ao agreed.
"Haha."
Kominami Asumi shook her head.
"It's all right. I'm fine now—just need to be more careful, that's all. Don't worry about ; you two should do your own thing."
She stood and headed back into the restaurant, not wanting to disrupt their date.
"You think she'll be okay?"
Sumika asked, still a bit concerned.
"She'll be fine,"
Rei Ao answered confidently, sure her health would recover. But if she kept this up, she'd face trouble in the future.
"Let's finish our al."
"Right."
…
After that little interlude, the warm, flirty atmosphere they'd had was largely gone. They soon finished lunch, paid the bill, and prepared to leave. Once again, Kominami Asumi appeared. She hurried over to Rei Ao, slipped sothing into his pocket, and gave him a knowing wink before saying, "Hope you'll co again!"
…
As they left the restaurant, Sumika couldn't help asking,
"What did Kominami just give you?"
"Nothing important."
Rei Ao's hand went to his pocket, feeling the item. He didn't elaborate, though, instead changing the subject:
"So, where to next?"
"Oh, right, the aquarium!"
…
That afternoon, they followed Sawae's plan. At the aquarium, their little monts of "ambiguous intimacy" went more smoothly now that Sumika had so experience. Rei Ao, having already seen through everything, not only accepted her hints but upped the ante with teasing of his own, leaving Sumika's face burning.
Then ca dinner, a stroll around the area, a movie, a late-night snack… By the ti they felt tired, it was already past nine p.m. Streetlights cast a warm glow over them as they walked side by side in a quiet neighborhood. Occasionally their arms brushed, and neither of them pulled away.
"Did you… have fun today?"
Sumika asked softly, absently twirling the hem of her skirt.
Rei Ao halted, turning to face her. Under the streetlight, his features were highlighted in gentle relief.
"I did. It was great,"
he said softly.
"Mostly because I got to spend it with a lovely girl like you, Sumika."
She looked up at him, finding his gaze warm. A night breeze stirred the space between them, carrying away that last bit of distance. Rei Ao slowly reached out and took her hand.
"Maybe next ti…"
"Can I be the one to invite you?"
"!!!"
Sumika felt her heart lurch as if it might leap out of her chest. She nodded blankly, returning his grip. Sohow, their fingers were already entwined, so naturally that she barely noticed it happening.
"Sure. I'd like that."
She smiled, not stamring this ti. But the thought of soon parting made her look reluctant. Right then,
"Ding-dong!"
Her phone chid. Sumika guessed it was from Sawae.
"Sorry, let just check this."
She apologized, pulling out her phone with her free hand.
Sawae: "How's it going? Have you kissed yet? Hugged? Held hands?"
"???"
K-kissed?!
Sumika's cheeks went hot.
Sumika: "Th-there was no kissing, okay?!"
Sawae: "Huh? With my super-ambiguous plan, getting to a kiss should be easy."
Sumika: "…We didn't! Not at all!"
Sawae: "Tsk, must be you being too shy. Well, at least a hug, right?"
Sumika typed nothing for a mont.
Sumika: "…We just…held hands just now."
Glancing at their interlaced fingers, then following his arm to Rei Ao's face—he was politely not looking over, giving her so privacy. Her ears went hot.
Sawae: "Ohh, so you're holding hands. Guess it's not all bad."
Sawae: "Maybe my final technique is still an option."
She paused. Next ssage:
Sawae: "But I have to ask you one last ti: You really do like Rei Ao, and you want to stay together with him, right?"
This question felt so serious that Sumika's mind flashed with possibilities—like marrying Rei Ao, having kids. The feelings weren't fear or re embarrassnt, but joy and anticipation. That clarified how she truly felt.
Sumika: "Yes, I'm sure I like Rei Ao-kun and want to keep going with him."
Sawae: "Okay, so you have your answer. Then I'll tell you the final move."
Sumika read on:
Sawae: "Get a room!"
"…"
Seeing that, she froze, face instantly flustered. Get…a room?
Sawae: "I know, it probably shocked you. But this is the fastest way to break through and get closer to Rei Ao. It's fine if you don't do anything, but it's your choice—I won't push you."
Sumika stared at her phone, brain going haywire. Staying overnight with him…that was way too bold! She had zero experience.
"What's wrong?"
Rei Ao suddenly asked.
"N-nothing!"
Sumika quickly dismissed him, thinking Sawae, you're kidding —I can't do that!!!
~~~
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