Upon arriving in front of the Harada household, the front gate opened revealing Chii's mother standing there, smiling warmly as she welcod her daughter ho.
Her eyes then quickly shifted to , within it was a curious gleam. "Kii-kun, it's been a while. Hasn't it? We haven't seen you around much lately. Is my daughter troubling you?"
Her tone was gentle, but the subtle undertone of curiosity didn't escape my notice. Much like Auntie Kasumi, she seed to wonder why I hadn't been visiting or escorting Chii these days.
I exchanged a quick glance with Chii, and we smoothly fell into our usual excuse. "Yeah. I apologize Auntie. I've been pretty tied up with my duties as part of the Student Council," I explained, rubbing the back of my neck, acting embarrassed. "It's been keeping busier than I expected."
Chii nodded in agreent, backing up effortlessly, "That's right, Mom. Kii has been busy with council work. But don't worry, he'll make it up soon."
Her mother gave us both a knowing smile. She wouldn't pry too deeply, she's simply curious.
"Ah, I see. Well, school does co first, after all. But still, I believe my Chizuru misses having you around, Kii-kun. She can't stop talking about you, you know? So, don't be a stranger, alright?"
Upon hearing that, Chii's face turned red from embarrassnt. And at my side, Hana was subduing her laughter.
Right. Hana was also with us but sohow, Auntie didn't mind her presence. Chii had already reintroduced the girl as her friend.
Before heading inside with Chii, her mother paused midway and turned back to .
"Oh, right. Next ti, you should join us for dinner, Kii-kun." She said, her invitation laced with warmth. "We'd love to have you over. And make sure to escort Hana-chan ho safely too, understood?"
I rembered the last ti I escorted Chii ho. Her mother had ntioned wanting to hear more about how different Chii was outside their ho, asking to visit again soti. Yet, I hadn't fulfilled that promise. Until now.
Hana and I exchanged glances and the girl nudged my side, prompting to answer.
With a silly smile, I nodded at Chii's mother, "Yes. I'd be happy to. Thank you for the invitation, Auntie. And don't worry. I'll ensure Hana's safe arrival ho too."
"Great. Chizuru, you can kiss him now before he leaves," Her mother suddenly teased, her tone light but playful.
"Mama!" Chii's face turned even redder, looking flustered.
Her mother grinned mischievously. "What? You don't want to?"
"I do!" Chii practically squeaked in reply, embarrassed but determined.
And with that, Chii hurriedly ran back to the gate, jumping into my arms in a clumsy fashion where she almost tripped in her haste.
Luckily, I caught her before she could stumble.
Despite her mother - and her little sister, who had now poked her head out of the front door - watching us, Chii sought out my lips, sealing this night with a kiss that brimd with passion.
Naturally, I didn't hold back either, giving my girl the affection she was seeking from . There was no point in getting embarrassed, especially with her family around. Sooner or later, I'd be dining with them, and when that ti ca, I'd gladly tell them how lovely their fake gyaru truly was.
The kiss stretched on for what felt like minutes, but eventually, Chii reluctantly pulled back, her cheeks flushed. She looked both embarrassed and satisfied as she stared up at , her lips slightly parted.
I gently wiped away the last traces of our kiss from her lips with my thumb before urging her to go back inside.
With a final wave, Chii and her mother disappeared into the house, leaving standing at the gate, the night air cool against my skin.
After that, Hana and I shared a brief look, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the evening - as well as the anticipation that followed.
"Looks like you're in demand, huh?" Hana teased lightly, nudging playfully. "Everyone wants a piece of you. I can't slack off in my plan to steal you.
11
I chuckled, shaking my head in amusent, "There you go again. You know I'll do the sa if your parents are ho, right? Or maybe I should take up your Aunt's invitation to eat with you."
"Psh. Forget about that for now. I'll invite you myself when I finish my training." Hana mused with a grin. "Anyhow, you do have a way of making people feel special. I guess it's no surprise all of us want you around more... And I'm so foolish to think I can take you away from them."
I shrugged, not quite sure how to respond. It was true, to so extent, but I didn't want to inflate my own ego. Instead, I simply smiled at her and said, "I'll take that as a complint. But Hana, now you've got curious. Training, huh?"
Hana's grin widened mischievously, but she waved her hand dismissively. "Don't ask about it until it's finished! Just know that... I'm listening to you. I can't keep living without knowing how to do basic chores. How can I compete with the others with just my beauty?"
Hearing that, I couldn't help but smirk at this update regarding her current circumstances, "Heh... You know it's refreshing to hear you like this. Where's my Hana who's only focused on herself?"
"Shut up," Hana muttered, her cheeks slightly tinged with embarrassnt as she punched playfully in the arm.
Hana's light punch didn't sting. She didn't put any strength to it, after all.
Besides, the softness in her expression afterward spoke volus. She wasn't that sa girl who I stole years ago - the one who only cared about herself and decided to hide behind her angelic persona.
She was changing, slowly but surely, and becoming more attuned to the people around her.
"Shut up," Hana repeated. However, her voice lacked any real heat. The glint in her eyes showed a deeper sincerity, a vulnerable side she didn't often show.
Warmth couldn't help but well up in my chest prompting to grab her hand and pull her
close to .
We're now alone and we have this ti for ourselves.
As we began walking again, heading towards the bus stop, a comfortable silence settled between us. Hana affectionately clung to my arm, not holding back while showing her triumphant smile as if the other girls were watching her.
The streetlights above cast soft, golden hues on the pavent, and the distant sounds of the city humd in the background.
Our next destination was of course the sa bus stop. We could have more privacy there compared to the train.
As we neared the stop, Hana broke the silence, her voice quieter this ti. More emotional, "Ruki, you know I'm really glad I returned to this country to chase after you."
I glanced at her, surprised by the sudden seriousness in her tone. "Yeah? Why's that?"
She took a deep breath, her steps slowing as she thought over her words. "During middle school, I could not connect to anyone. I have to keep putting on that mask that only smiles and never conflicts with the other girls my age. I tried forgetting you but you just couldn't leave my head. Because only with you did I spend ti where I could be myself. Now..." Her voice trailed off, and she turned to look at , her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.
"Now?" I prompted gently.
Hana bit her lip, her gaze faltering for a mont before she continued. "Now, I realize that because of you, I can now also open myself up to others. Chizuru. Hifumi. Nanami... And all the other girls... You made think about things differently. You made want to be better -not just for you, but for myself. And that scares a little."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with aning.
I slowed my pace to match hers, letting the weight of her confession sink in. Hana wasn't soone who admitted things easily, especially not about herself. Hearing her say all this was unexpected, but at the sa ti, it felt like the natural progression of everything we'd
gone through together.
Soon we reached the desolate bus stop. There were still a few minutes before it arrived, so we continued standing next to each other, drawing out these emotions.
"That's not a bad thing, you know?" I said softly. "And I'm glad I'm hearing this now from you. I thought it would take a long ti before I could change your mind. Wanting to be better, for yourself. It shows how much you've grown."
"Grown, huh? I wish I could really say that I've grown that much... But I'm happy. I'm happy
with you. With this setup. I can be honest with my feelings for you without minding the others who feel the sa. And you... you keep giving your 100%... I don't care about being crowned as the friendliest girl anymore. Being my true self with you and the other girls should
be enough."
Upon saying that, Hana turned to face , her hand hooking around my neck.
And just like with Chii earlier, her lips searched for mine. Without making her work for it, I
captured hers and locked us in the sa passionate mont. We only stopped when the bus that had just arrived honked at us.
We climbed up, ignoring the driver who was frowning - maybe envious at the sight and the
other passengers.
After finding a spot for us where we could sit next to each other, the bus wheels started rolling
again.
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