Chapter 54: Chapter 48 - Natsuha’s Kiss
The sun shone brightly as Shinomiya Natsuha approached from afar.
Spotting Yoshito standing at the intersection, she picked up her pace and jogged towards him, excitement dancing in her demeanor.
A gentle breeze brushed against her, making her skirt sway lightly. Her fair, shapely thighs peeked out from under her JK uniform, revealing glimpses of her beauty as she ran.
Sunlight streamed through the treetops, bathing her in a soft, ethereal glow that made her seem almost otherworldly.
Cherry blossoms danced in the air, settling softly onto her hair and clothing.
Yoshito watched Shinomiya Natsuha run towards him with the sunlight framing her figure, and he walked toward her as well.
The boy and girl rushed toward each other in the cherry blossom rain, as if they were in the midst of a beautiful painting.
Natsuha resembled a blooming hydrangea, exuding a faint fragrance that drew Yoshito's gaze.
Their eyes met in the air, and Natsuha leaned closer to Yoshito, smiling brightly.
"Yoshito, good morning."
Her voice was crisp and melodious, akin to a refreshing spring breeze that lifted one's spirits.
"Good morning, Natsuha."
"hehe... Why are you so early today?"
Shinomiya Natsuha smiled sweetly, thinking Yoshito had come early to apologize for upsetting her yesterday.
Well, that was indeed partially true...
"Because…"
Yoshito reached into his backpack and pulled out a pink gift box.
This was a hairpin he had bought for Natsuha while out in town with his friends, a token of gratitude for the hat she had given him and also an apology.
And it was also recommended by Tsushima Rina!
"I'm sorry for making you unhappy yesterday, Princess Natsuha. I specially came to apologize."
Taking her soft hand in his, Yoshito presented the gift box to her.
Natsuha accepted the pink box and carefully opened it to reveal a delicate cherry blossom-shaped hairpin inside.
She smiled slightly, gazing at Yoshito with her wine-red eyes, sparkling like fine wine, filled with warmth and charm.
"Hmph," Natsuha playfully pouted, shooting him a teasing glare, her smile lingering on her lips.
"Yoshito just knows how to win a girl's heart!"
Gently, she took the hairpin out and placed it in Yoshito's hands.
"Yoshito, help me put it on…"
She looked at him quietly, her eyes shimmering with affection unreservedly displayed.
Yoshito took the hairpin and carefully arranged Natsuha's hair, securing the exquisite cherry blossom clip in place.
Their eyes intertwined in the air, and as Shinomiya Natsuha leaned closer, her cheeks flushed, her lips curling into a sweet smile.
"Yoshito…"
Her voice dripped with sweetness as she drew near, her warm body pressed tightly against his, sending a thrilling rush through him.
Yoshito lowered his gaze to find Natsuha looking up at him, her eyes sparkling, lips slightly parted as she sweetly called his name, her graceful neck tilting expectantly.
Understanding her intent immediately...
"Mm…❤️"
However, being right next to the road, Yoshito restrained himself from making any bold moves.
"Phew—"
After several heated moments, their lips finally parted, and Natsuha gasped for breath, her mind feeling foggy and her entire body tingling with energy.
"Yoshito…"
She opened her glistening eyes, filled with affection, and looked up at him.
"Yoshito, I like you…"
"Ah… these young people these days, right out in public… tsk tsk…"
Just then, an elderly man out for his morning exercise unexpectedly interrupted their intimate moment, leaving them both feeling embarrassed.
Quickly stepping back, Natsuha created some distance from Yoshito, her cheeks flushed red, making her even more adorable.
"…"
"Let's go, Natsuha. We need to get to school."
Sensing the awkward tension between them, Yoshito promptly attempted to change the subject.
"Okay!"
Natsuha nodded, shyly, like a little hamster.
They walked side by side along the cherry blossom path,
'What a pity... that perfect moment was the best opportunity to confess...'
Natsuha lamented silently, glancing at Yoshito from the corner of her eye, 'But... there's no rush. At least Yoshito knows my feelings now!'
'Next, I'll look for opportunities to confess and truly become Yoshito's girlfriend, so I can fend off that wicked woman, Tsushima, from getting close to him! And her spicy friend too...'
———
"Ding ding…"
As the class bell rang, a striking beauty in a blue OL uniform entered the gym class.
"Click, click," Tsukishima Kyouko walked gracefully to the podium, her long black legs accentuated by high heels. Scanning the room, her gaze finally landed on Yoshito, locking eyes with him.
Yoshito blinked and returned her gaze, a hint of mischief glimmering in his eyes.
Their eyes clashed in the air, igniting sparks.
Tsukishima Kyouko quickly averted her gaze, maintaining an outward composure while inwardly feeling a bit flustered by Yoshito's boldness.
'What if someone notices?!'
"Class is in session."
Although Tsukishima Kyouko's lesson was somewhat dull, Yoshito listened intently, occasionally glancing at her elegantly long legs.
Perhaps due to Yoshito's brazen gaze, Tsukishima Kyouko became acutely aware, her body instinctively heating up.
Suppressing the effects of his intense stare, she pretended as if nothing had happened and continued her lesson.
"Ito, what are you daydreaming about during class? Come to the student guidance room during lunch!"
"Yes, Tsukishima-sensei!"
"Ding ding…"
"Class dismissed."
As the sound of her heels echoed away, the classroom gradually morphed into a cacophony of chatter, discussions erupting all around.
Shinomiya Natsuha sat at her desk, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed out the window, pondering how to create a good opportunity...
"Natsuha, Natsuha."
At that moment, a melodious voice broke the trance, bringing Shinomiya Natsuha back to the present.
"Ah?"
She looked up to find her friend, Tamawara Aiko, waving at her.
"Natsuha, why were you zoning out again? You've been spacing out and giggling by yourself a lot lately. Are you okay?"
Tamawara Aiko reached out, concerned, and touched Natsuha's forehead.
"Hey!"
Natsuha lightly brushed Aiko's hand away with annoyance.
"I was just thinking; it's not like I'm losing my mind."
"Hehe!"
"What's up?"
"Um… speaking of which, aren't we good friends? Shouldn't I check on you if there's nothing wrong?"
Natsuha didn't respond, only rolling her eyes.
"Well, actually, I have some juicy gossip to share."
Tamawara Aiko leaned in with a bright smile, glancing around to see if Yoshito was in the classroom before whispering excitedly, "Natsuha, I have to tell you about that Ito Yoshito you often chat with."
"He's nothing but a notorious playboy!"
"Ah? What do you mean?"
Natsuha, who had been indifferent, became alert at hearing Yoshito's name, her full attention now directed at Aiko.
"Hmph! Just last week, he was flirting with that spicy girl from our class as soon as he got to school, while also chatting you up. I knew he couldn't be a good guy."
"Sure enough, yesterday many people saw him with his arms around multiple girls! And he even managed to charm that famous first-year spicy queen, Kurashiki Reina!"
"What a complete scoundrel!" Tamawara Aiko pulled out her phone and handed it to Natsuha. "Look, here's a photo from the school forum."
Shinomiya Natsuha took the phone, and the image displayed three figures from behind.
A handsome boy wearing a Ousei Academy uniform had his right arm wrapped around an alluring, flirty blonde girl while his left hand was linked to a fiery red-haired girl with a ponytail.
Her heart racing and her breath quickening, Shinomiya Natsuha felt as if she was suffocating.
The relaxed attitude she had this morning about getting closer to Yoshito vanished in an instant.
'Wicked woman...'
"Hey, Natsuha?"
Tamawara Aiko nudged her shoulder, concern evident in her voice.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing."
Shinomiya Natsuha returned the phone to Tamawara Aiko, forcing a smile.
"Aiko, class is starting. You should go back."
"Alright, but if something's bothering you, you have to tell me!"
Tamawara Aiko, sensing something was off despite Natsuha's cheerful demeanor, reminded her with concern.
"Okay."
As Aiko returned to her seat, the smile on Shinomiya Natsuha's face quickly faded.
Expressionless, she opened the forum again, finding not just that photo, but several similar ones as well.
'Yoshito…'
------
It was noon, and the sun hung high in the bright blue sky, radiating warmth and light.
The sun shone through the school's windows, casting a warm glow over the spacious and airy corridors, filling the entire space with a sense of comfort and vitality.
In the corridors, students flowed in and out, laughing and chatting with each other as they made their way to the lecture halls for their afternoon break.
Ito Yoshito walked against the crowd, heading towards the staff room on the upper floors. Unlike the other students, he wasn't nervous about being summoned to the staff room by Tsukishima Kyouko, but rather seemed slightly excited.
Inside the staff room, only Tsukishima Kyouko and Shirakawa Miwa remained.
"Tsukishima, what's new with you? Your skin looks so smooth and radiant lately," Shirakawa Miwa said.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Tsukishima Kyouko touched her cheek.
"You have such delicate hands and skin like silk," Shirakawa Miwa said with a smile.
"Thanks," Tsukishima Kyouko smiled sincerely and thanked her.
Shirakawa Miwa gazed at Tsukishima Kyouko's smiling face, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Ahahah," she laughed softly.
The sound of the door opening signaled Ito Yoshito's arrival.
"Tsukishima, Shirakawa," he called out.
"Ah, come on in," Tsukishima Kyouko said, immediately sensing that Ito Yoshito had come to see her.
She pushed open the door and stepped inside with Ito Yoshito.
"Let's go."
Shirakawa Miwa watched as Tsukishima Kyouko walked out of the staff room with Ito Yoshito, her expression still stern and aloof.
"Ito-kun, it seems like you've done something wrong," she whispered to herself.
"I hope Tsukishima will be lenient with him."
Shirakawa Miwa had always had a soft spot for Ito Yoshito, who had protected her in the library.