As Shin sat across from Airi, his gaze lingering on her graceful form, he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. Her statuesque figure exuded an air of confidence and allure, drawing his attention like a moth to a flame. With every subtle movement, she seemed to command the room, her presence filling the space with an undeniable magnetism.
Lost in the moment, Shin found himself smiling softly, his heart swelling with affection for the woman before him. Airi's radiant smile in return only served to deepen his admiration, her warmth washing over him like a gentle tide.
As they settled in for dinner, Airi broke the silence with a question, her voice soft and melodic. "How have you been faring at school?" she inquired, her genuine interest evident in her words.
Shin's smile widened at the opportunity to share his recent achievements with Airi. "Exceptionally well," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "I have achieved a perfect score in the recent tests as well."
Airi's eyes sparkled with pride as she listened to Shin's accomplishments. "You're truly commendable," she remarked, her admiration evident. "Attaining perfect scores consistently is no easy accomplishment."
Encouraged by Airi's praise, Shin hesitated for a moment before summoning the courage to voice his request. "I... have a request for you," he began, his tone earnest yet tentative. "Although, it may not be what you're expecting."
Airi's expression softened, her curiosity piqued by Shin's words. "Of course, Shin," she replied, her voice gentle and reassuring. "You know you can always come to me with anything. What is it that you need?"
Shin took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "I... I've been thinking a lot lately," he admitted, his words tumbling out in a rush. "About us, about our relationship... I know we've always been like family, but... there's something more I want to say."
Airi listened intently, her gaze unwavering as Shin poured out his heart. Despite the uncertainty gnawing at him, he knew he had to express his feelings, no matter the outcome.
"I... I care for you deeply, Airi," Shin confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "More than just as a mentor or a friend. I... I think I might be in love with you."
The confession hung heavy in the air, the weight of Shin's words palpable between them. He held his breath, waiting for Airi's response, his heart pounding in his chest with anticipation.
As Airi's words sank in, Shin felt a rush of euphoria flood through him, his heart soaring with joy at her unexpected confession. He couldn't believe his luck; the woman he had admired and adored for so long reciprocated his feelings.
"Oh my, that is truly surprising..." Airi began, her voice soft and warm. "But it doesn't matter. Shin, you're an intriguing person."
The weight of her words lifted from Shin's shoulders, replaced by a newfound sense of elation. He couldn't contain the grin that spread across his face as he gazed at Airi with adoration.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Shin asked eagerly, his voice trembling with anticipation.
"Yes. I love you too, Shin," Airi replied, her eyes shining with affection.
"REALLY?" Shin exclaimed, hardly daring to believe his ears.
"Really," Airi affirmed, her smile widening as she reached out to take his hand in hers.
But Shin's mind was already racing ahead, thoughts of their newfound love filling him with a sense of urgency. "What about a kiss?" he blurted out before he could stop himself, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Airi chuckled softly, her laughter like music to his ears. "You're moving quite swiftly, but I'll indulge you," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Shin's heart pounded in his chest as Airi stood up from her seat and walked toward him, her graceful movements captivating him completely. He felt a rush of nervous excitement coursing through him as she drew closer, anticipation building with each step she took.
As Airi wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, Shin's breath caught in his throat, his senses overwhelmed by the intoxicating scent of her perfume. And then, as their lips met in a tender kiss, all his fears and doubts melted away, replaced by a sense of pure bliss.
In that moment, as they shared their first kiss, Shin knew that he had found his soulmate in Airi, and he vowed to cherish her for eternity. With her by his side, he felt invincible, ready to face whatever challenges life threw their way.
And as they continued to kiss passionately, lost in the depths of their love for each other, Shin knew that their bond was unbreakable, destined to stand the test of time.
As Airi's lips parted from Shin's, their faces still inches apart, she gazed into his eyes with a playful twinkle. "How did it feel?" she asked, her voice soft and melodic.
Shin's heart raced with exhilaration as he searched for the right words to describe the euphoria coursing through him. "That was... insanely good!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement.
Airi chuckled softly at his enthusiastic response, a radiant smile gracing her lips. "I'm delighted to know your desires were fulfilled," she said, her eyes sparkling with affection.
"They absolutely were," Shin replied, a contented sigh escaping his lips as he savored the lingering warmth of their kiss.
Airi's expression softened, her gaze turning thoughtful as she broached a more serious topic. "Do you still remember the promise?" she asked, her tone tinged with nostalgia.
"Of course," Shin replied without hesitation, his mind immediately conjuring memories of their heartfelt conversation. "You accepted the promise that I asked you back then... How could I ever forget it?"
But Airi shook her head, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes on a gentle breeze. "Not that, silly..." she teased, her eyes dancing with mischief. "The one I'm talking about is—"
In the present moment, as Ayame's lethal blow hurtled toward Shin with terrifying speed, his body stood frozen in place, paralyzed by the impending danger. With every fiber of his being, Shin willed himself to move, to dodge, to do anything to evade Ayame's attack. But his limbs refused to obey, leaving him defenseless against the impending strike.
Just as Ayame's hand was mere inches from his chest, poised to tear through his flesh and end his life in an instant, Shin's body seemed to vanish into thin air, disappearing from view in the blink of an eye.
Caught off guard by his sudden disappearance, Ayame's eyes narrowed in frustration as she scanned the area for any sign of his presence. "Tsk," she muttered under her breath, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice. "A new appearance..."