Unlike Otome, whom he often teased..well, maybe on a daily basis, giving Serizawa some time to react only made her more nervous.
Those lips, usually soft and sweet like cotton candy, were now tightly sealed like a clam, protecting the soft pink lilac they had nurtured for seventeen years.
Knowing that she wasn't rejecting him but was simply nervous, Sasaki didn't lose his composure when he couldn't find an entry.
Although there wasn't much time left for him.
But he didn't want to leave any bad memories for her because of his rough movements and eager attitude.
And it wasn't like he was just planning to use and discard her, so he had enough patience to make her his.
Since knocking on the door wasn't working, Sasaki decided to change tactics.
He intertwined his fingers with her small, soft hand, and his right hand, which had been holding her chin, also followed the smooth lines of her jaw and gently caressed her smooth, delicate cheek.
As for more intimate actions, if he had succeeded in stealing a kiss earlier, he might have considered it, but seeing her so tense that she couldn't even open the door of her lips, he decided not to push her too far.
Instead, Sasaki simply pressed his face gently against hers, his thumb softly stroking the corner of her eye marked by a tiny tear mole.
Perhaps it was his gentle, soothing actions that made this nervous girl finally lower her guard.
Just as he was about to pull back to give her a moment to breathe, her lashes fluttered like tiny brushes, and she slowly opened her eyes just a fraction.
He hadn't yet figured out why she had suddenly opened her eyes when he noticed that her lips, which had been tightly pressed together, began to respond to him gently.
Though clumsy like a fish blowing bubbles, it was undoubtedly a sign of her trying to be close to him.
Encouraged by this, Sasaki's initial thought of pulling back vanished completely.
So, while being careful not to overwhelm her, he kept their lips connected and released their intertwined hands, slowly reaching around to her waist.
Yukiha Serizawa, who had wide-open eyes, also followed the same example, stretching out her arms awkwardly, and hugging his waist tightly.
Feeling her embrace, showing no hesitation in their mutual affection, Sasaki's hand on her cheek slid along her silky hair to rest behind her ear.
"Mm~?"
Listening to the soft nudge ringing in his ears and her jerky but eager-to-learn response, Sasaki also devoted himself to teaching her before she became powerless..
Time passed unknowingly, and as he heard someone approaching, he was the first to break off their intense kiss.
Facing Serizawa's misty, moist and soft eyes, Sasaki pursed his lips and reached out to wipe her moist and shiny lips.
"Someone is here. It should be my classmate who is here to tutor her boyfriend."
To preempt the girl's sixth sense from kicking in, Sasaki gave her a heads-up.
Whether she fully absorbed his words was unclear.
But upon hearing that someone was coming, Serizawa Yukiha's dreamy, half-closed eyes snapped wide open, and she quickly sat up straight, pretending to read seriously.
Seeing her delicate, rosy face, as beautiful and fragile as peach blossoms in March, Sasaki, still feeling the heat of their moment, leaned in and kissed her tender cheek.
"Muah~"
Feeling the lingering wet mark on her cheek, Serizawa, both embarrassed and flustered, instinctively wanted to wipe her face.
But as she raised her hand, the boy caught it.
While she was happy that Fuyumi was so close to her and desired her so much, her shyness made it difficult to act affectionately in front of others.
However, when Sasaki held her right hand, even though she was shy and anxious, she didn't try to wipe her cheek with her left hand.
After all, she didn't dislike playing around with Fuyumi from the bottom of her heart.
Though she felt embarrassed in front of others, if he wanted to be affectionate, she wouldn't refuse too forcefully.
Thinking of this, Serizawa, who felt both shy and joyful, pursed her lips shyly and called out softly.
"Fuyu, Fuyumi~"
Hearing that soft, gentle call, Sasaki's internal heat flared even more as he estimated the time.
He exhaled a warm breath and leaned close to the girl's cherry-red earlobe:
"Yukiha, can you help me out a bit later?"
Serizawa Yukiha's eyes fluttered, her heart guessing at his meaning as she cautiously glanced at him, and murmured nervously:
"Help, help you?"
"Mm~ I mean..." Sasaki whispered softly beside her flushed ear, his eyes sparkling with a hint of expectation as he continued, "I know this request is a bit rude, but you're so beautiful, I just can't help it~."
As he spoke the simplest yet most effective sweet talk, he couldn't help but gently squeeze her hand.
"This..."
Glancing down at her chest, Serizawa Yukiha bit her lip, about to say something, when the sound of the door opening interrupted.
"Tsukimi-san, I didn't mean to break our date. Someone from the club texted me, saying I needed to go check something out."
Hearing the apologetic male voice, both Sasaki and Serizawa turned their heads.
In the doorway stood a girl in a white shirt and red plaid pleated skirt, her figure full and her face delicately pretty.
Behind her was a taller boy, bowing his head in apology.
As the two entered the library and saw the intimate pair sitting together, their expressions shifted slightly.
Carrying her bag, Tsukimi Chifuyu's initially puffed-up, angry cheeks deflated into a pouty, pitiful look the moment she saw Sasaki.
Meanwhile, Kenta Takagi behind her straightened his slightly hunched back, scratching his head awkwardly.
He didn't know Serizawa or Sasaki, and his embarrassment stemmed only from a man's pride, which wouldn't allow him to appear subservient in front of strangers.
Unaware of her boyfriend's awkwardness, Tsukimi Chifuyu, who wanted to comfort him, was about to quicken her pace when she noticed Sasaki's calm expression.
Remembering their agreement, her pitiful expression quickly vanished, and she walked over to them.
Knowing that the person sitting next to Sasaki was a senior who had arrived earlier, Tsukimi nodded politely to her:
"Sorry for the disturbance."
After speaking, Tsukimi Chifuyu, who had originally planned to leave, couldn't help but glance at Sasaki.
Sitting beside the boy and facing this overly adorable girl, Serizawa Yukiha smiled and nodded in response, but she noticed the girl's gaze directed at Sasaki.
Despite the boy who seemed to have a close relationship with this girl sitting right next to her, Serizawa Yukiha instinctively tightened her grip on Sasaki's hand after seeing the girl's look.
It wasn't that she lacked confidence in herself, but the girl in front of her was almost unfairly cute.
Her delicate, fair face, combined with her innocent and shy expression was extremely appealing to boys.
If it were just that, it might have been fine, as she had some confidence in her own figure.
Otherwise, Fuyumi wouldn't have made that earlier request.
However, the girl in front of her was equally impressive in terms of figure.
Even though she wasn't Sasaki's girlfriend yet, Serizawa Yukiha felt a tremendous sense of crisis looming over her.
Before she could further compare their differences, Tsukimi Chifuyu, knowing she couldn't stay there long, moved towards the study room after glancing at Sasaki one last time.
Her boyfriend, Takagi Kenta, followed her with a dejected expression, occasionally glancing out the window, completely oblivious to his girlfriend's gaze at someone else.
Pursing her lips, Serizawa Yukiha, who was a little worried about gains and losses, pulled the palms of the two people who were still holding each other:
"Fuyumi, do you know the girl just now? She is so cute~"
Her tone was casual, with an envious compliment, and judging from her expression, it seemed that she simply wanted Sasaki to agree with her words.
But the boy knew that the real concern was in the first part of her question.
If he simply nodded and agreed, his plan to win both of their affections would fall apart.
Putting his arm around Serizawa Yukiha's slender waist, which felt soft even through her clothes, he replied with a questioning tone, looking at her:
"Yukiha, didn't I mention before? My classmate was bringing her boyfriend here for tutoring."
Hearing this familiar phrase, the girl nodded and understood why the girl had looked at Fuyumi before leaving.
So they were classmates.
It was normal for her to glance at a classmate sitting there...
Although she felt a bit relieved that she didn't have to compete with such a formidable rival, but the incident just now made the girl realize that she needed to take action before her relationship with Fuyumi was solidified.
Recalling Fuyumi's earlier request, her initial hesitation now gave way to determination.
Biting her lip, she waited a moment, and when he didn't bring it up again, she mustered the courage to ask, her voice trembling with embarrassment:
"Fuyumi... are you still feeling uncomfortable?"