"Mmm, I did, Onoda-shi," Kushii answered in a soft voice, very careful not to wake up the girl on my other side. She nestled closer as her damp hair landed on my shoulder, "But, like, I figured I'd let my body dry like this. Towels are comfy, y'know? Plus… Maybe I wanted to see how you'd react."
She tilted her head before fully settling it on my shoulder. Her boldness had taken over again, making her do this.
Or maybe it was the fact that she found another opportunity to get this close to .
I raised an eyebrow and shrugged before helping her get comfortable by my side, "I see. So, what do you think? Is my reaction to your liking?"
"It's passable, Onoda-shi. Like Chizuru said, you do know how to handle any situation."
"Any? Oh, she's exaggerating. I'm also full of flaws. It just so happened that, I tend to be too soft when it cos to beautiful friendships."
"Pfft. Beautiful? Yeah. Right. That's, like, the last thing you've ever said, Onoda-shi. But… I'll let it slide. I think I get what you're trying to convey. Plus. You're kinda cute when you're trying to play it cool."
"Trying? I'm the coolest guy in this room, Kushii. Don't make prove it." I replied with a smirk before my arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.
The girl giggled again as she gradually beca more comfortable resting on my side. I could tell she didn't really want to do sothing sneaky with Chii here. And the reason she went back here with just a towel was to get back at teasing .
Unfortunately for her, I wasn't so easily flustered. After all, I'm already too used to seeing my girls in their nakedness. Why I could get turned on in her alluring figure, my lower body would react more before my face could even reflect it.
For the next ten or so minutes, the teasing mode between us gradually subsided. The girl simply enjoyed the comfort my shoulder provided as we talked about each other.
The girl would ask questions. Things she was curious about, especially her piled up question this past few days since joining us in the preparation for our festival booth. She had seen a lot of girls around . And only soone blind or innocent would not be able to pick up the signs about our closeness.
In exchange, I also asked her to tell more about herself. Things I didn't know yet because of how I tend to focus more on what's happening with my girls than anything else.
She talked about An-rin. Then Chii. And eventually, . Or rather, why she got so conscious of after that day I repeated my declaration back at the snack shop of wanting to 'fall in love with all of them'.
According to her, with how I shalessly turned the situation around on her, she couldn't find the words to refute it. And so, she spend the next few days just thinking about whether I was serious or not.
That's why she kept getting flustered upon seeing after that day. But then, the camping trip happened and she ended up confessing her interest in . While she's not hoping for to reciprocate it, she felt lighter upon doing so.
"I see. Does it not feel like you've just been forced into the situation?" I asked.
Kushii gently shook her head, "No. Not at all. It's all my decision. I decided to accept Chizuru's invitation and take that opportunity… to… taste you."
Those last few words were said in a breathy whisper as if she might erupt from extre embarrassnt.
I chuckled and patted her head gently, my fingers brushing through her damp hair.
"Taste , huh? You're making it sound like I'm so kind of dessert, Kushii."
Her cheeks flared red, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned further into my touch while donning a shy smile. "W-well, maybe you are! Like… a super annoying, flirty dessert that's, like, way too tempting!"
Ending that with a giggle, the girl squird slightly before eventually wrapping her around as she pressed even closer.
I glanced down at her where the towel was still clinging to her fra. The way she looked at , eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and sincerity, made it clear she was testing the waters, seeing how far she could push this newfound boldness. But there was also a warmth there, a quiet trust that hadn't been so obvious before tonight.
"Kushii," I started with my voice carrying my earnest concern. "You don't have to force yourself to keep up with Chii or An-rin, y'know. You're you, and that's more than enough. What you did earlier… that was bold, but I don't want you feeling like you have to jump into anything to prove sothing."
Her eyes widened slightly and blinked a few tis. She looked like she was about to protest but then her expression softened, and she nodded, "I know, Onoda-shi. It's just… I wanted to. I an, I've been thinking about you a lot, and tonight… it felt like the right mont to, like, try sothing new. With you. And Chizuru. And even An-rin, I guess."
She laughed nervously as she continued. "It's kinda crazy, right? But it felt… good. Especially when you let lie on your chest after…"
I gave her a reassuring smile, my hand resting lightly on her shoulder now, as I was careful not to push too far with Chii still snoring softly against my other side.
"Crazy's one way to put it. But I'm glad you felt good about it. Just… let know if it ever feels like too much, okay? I don't want you or An-rin getting swept up in sothing you're not ready for."
Kushii's lips curved into a small, genuine smile, and she nodded again, her eyes flickering with sothing like gratitude. "Thanks, Onoda-shi. You're, like, way sweeter than you let on. No wonder Chizuru's so hooked on you."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sweet, huh? Don't let An-rin hear that. She'll accuse of scheming again."
"Oh, she'll accuse you with or without hearing that." The girl's laughter was now clearer. And when she stopped, she raised her head, looking up at , her eyes conveying her growing affection.
I matched the intensity of her gaze and slowly, I lowered my head.
Understanding what was about to happen, Kushii closed her eyes as her lips parted slightly, her breath slowing down in anticipation.
The air around us suddenly ward up, like a quiet mont where the playful teasing gave way to sothing softer, more intimate.
I leaned in, my lips capturing hers in a gentle, unhurried kiss. It wasn't rushed or heated like the earlier chaos. Instead, it was tender, a silent acknowledgnt of the trust she was placing in .
Kushii's lips were soft and warm, carrying that faint vanilla scent that clung to her skin. She let out a small, surprised squeak at first, but then she lted into it, her hand resting lightly on my chest, fingers curling into my shirt.
The kiss lingered for a mont before I pulled back, giving her space to breathe and process it.
When her eyes fluttered open, it was wide and sparkling with a mix of nervousness and delight.
Her cheeks beca flushed again, but this ti, she made no attempt to hide it, "O-Onoda-shi… That was… like, wow."
I grinned, keeping my tone light to not make her nervous. "Wow, huh? High praise from you, Kushii. Guess I'm not such a bad dessert after all."
She swatted my arm playfully, "You're, like, totally unfair. How am I supposed to stay cool when you do stuff like that?"
"Cool? You're already cooler than , Kushii. Don't sell yourself short." I winked as my arm moved from her waist to her arm, rubbing her exposed skin.
She bit her lip then put on a shy but genuine smile as she nestled back against my shoulder. Her towel shifted slightly but still holding in place. Looking at her was still making a little excited about the prospect.
In any case, the quiet settled over us again, only broken by Chii's soft snores and the distant hum of the shower from the bathroom where An-rin was now.
I glanced down at Chii, her face peaceful in sleep, her lips slightly parted. The way she trusted enough to drift off like this, even after everything, ward sothing in my chest. And now, with Kushii tucked against my other side with her warmth seeping into , I felt that sa sense of responsibility again. Not just to keep things from getting ssy, but to make sure they all felt safe, and cared for.
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