(Words: 2360)
...
Whoosh~
Click—
"Here, take this and wipe yourself off. I'm heading home now."
Under the warm, soft lighting, a beauty lay on the soft bed, with her hand resting on her forehead to shield her eyes from the bright overhead light.
As her auburn hair fanned out across the white sheets like a blooming flower, accentuating the fragrant, pristine bed.
Utterly exhausted,
Her small, rosy lips opened and closed slightly, the barely audible breathing, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest emphasized just how tired she was.
There was no response.
Sasaki paused while buttoning up his shirt and turned to glance at the white bed behind him.
There lay a plump young girl wearing a light grey short-sleeved shirt, lying flat on the wide bed with her legs naturally spread apart.
Seeing how she was too tired to speak, Sasaki finished buttoning his shirt and smiled.
"You should rest here for the night," he said.
"Just remember to get to school on time tomorrow. If the disciplinary committee catches you not wearing your uniform, it could be troublesome."
"Oh, and one more thing..."
Knock, knock—
The sudden knocking interrupted Sasaki's next words.
"That must be them. I'll go check."
Without much surprise at the interruption, he left briefly and returned with several bags of food.
He placed them on the table by the bed and continued where he left off.
"You must be hungry after all that. I brought you some takeout. Make sure you eat."
Putting down the hand that was touching her forehead, the girl turned her head to the side, revealing her rosy and charming face, her voice still a little breathless:. "I'll pay you back tomorrow."
Saying this, she sat up and grabbed the tissues Sasaki had tossed beside her legs earlier, wiping the sweat from the soles of her feet.
Even though she had only been massaging Sasaki's back for ten to twenty minutes, Akane felt more exhausted than after a training session with the swim team.
It was interesting at first, practicing her balance while trying something new.
But after walking on the warm back for a while, it was inevitable that her feet would sweat... Well, she didn't think her own sweat was dirty, but she was afraid that Sasaki would dislike it...
After all, he had already mentioned earlier that he thought she was dirty...
The reason she hadn't responded to Sasaki earlier was out of embarrassment.
After all, she felt ashamed.
Unaware of her thoughts, Sasaki simply assumed she was too exhausted.
So, hearing her mention paying him back so directly, he didn't try to get closer by saying something like "no need to pay me back." Instead, he casually nodded and replied,
"You can either treat me to a meal or transfer the money—your choice."
Grabbing his coat from the other bed and slinging his bag over his shoulder, he gave her a nod and said, "I'm heading out."
"Mm, goodbye,"
After closing the door and leaving the hotel, Sasaki stepped out onto the brightly lit street, filled with neon lights flickering in the evening.
And didn't see any sign of Katase or Tougou waiting there anymore.
'Well, that's a good sign,' Sasaki thought.
It meant that Tougou was likely trying to talk Katase down, to resolve the 'misunderstanding' between them.
After all, letting Katase stand there stewing in anger for too long could easily lead to him making an impulsive decision, like storming into the hotel.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Of course, Tougou would not let Katase stay here for too long.
Satisfied with this outcome, Sasaki took out his cell phone, checked the time, then turned and walked towards the snack street not far from the next commercial street.
He'd told Otome that he was out having dinner with classmates, so it wouldn't make sense to return home without at least some food smells on him.
After wandering around for a bit and picking up some snacks that Otome and Rinka liked, Sasaki finally made his way back home—well, to Otome's home, to be exact.
Sister Yuuka and Sister Koharu were busy writing reports at school, and Aunt Kyouka was working the night shift at her company so, his own house was empty.
Today marked the first day of Otome tutoring him, so he went straight to her place, across the street.
As if she had been waiting for him, just as Sasaki pushed open the gate, Rinka, dressed in light blue floral pajamas, opened the front door.
"Hey~ Brother Fuyumi!" she greeted him.
Knowing that her sister Otome was in her room preparing lessons for him, and that they were alone, she boldly jumped into Sasaki's arms, snuggling against him like a playful puppy.
Holding her soft butt as he carried her inside, Sasaki chuckled at her unreserved affection. "You're getting bolder, Rinka," he teased. "What will you do if Otome catches us?"
"This isn't boldness," Rinka whispered back, wrapping her arms around his neck as she snuggled up to him. "Sister Otome hasn't come out of her room since dinner, and she won't suddenly come out now."
"…"
Just as Sasaki was taking off his shoes, he paused at her words. "Why does it sound like you're hinting at something...?"
With their secret meetings becoming more frequent, Rinka, who had long since lost any initial shyness around Sasaki, didn't flinch at his direct question.
Like a sneaky thief checking if the coast was clear, she glanced back to make sure her sister hadn't heard Sasaki return, then flirtatiously batted her eyes at him.
"Maybe it's you who's hinting at something, Brother Fuyumi," she whispered with a knowing look. "You did pick me up as soon as you walked in… Isn't this what you had in mind?"
Her candid words didn't surprise Sasaki anymore.
"Hm...like holding a cup?"
He bent down, placing a light bite on her soft, warm, and springy cheek gently, as if it were a heated pudding, his voice low and a bit uncertain. "There's not enough time… Otome…"
...
"But you want to, don't you, Brother Fuyumi?" she interrupted, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I can tell… you're already so… eager."
As she spoke, her delicate, slightly pink-tinted feet locked around his waist, and the playful glint in her eyes hinted at her mischievous intent.
"..."
After having his back stepped on by Nanao's soft feet for several minutes, and given her provocative attire, it was impossible for Sasaki not to let his mind wander.
Though he tried to distract himself with conversation, the underlying tension didn't simply dissipate.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have reacted so strongly to Rinka's subtle teasing.
But even though the temptation was strong, he knew better than to act on it here, in such a public space as the entryway.
Understanding his resolve wasn't as strong as it should be, Rinka leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered like a little temptress.
"It's okay; Brother Fuyumi.
Sister Otome doesn't know you're back yet. We just have to be quick."
"I won't make a sound~"
As she spoke, she pulled out a soft gag ball from her pajama pocket, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she pressed closer to him.
"Don't you want to try it?"
"..."
I'm sorry, Otome.
I'm weak... I'm failing you, he thought to himself, filled with guilt.
With a resigned sigh, he placed his bag and the food he brought on the cabinet...
...
Knock, knock—
"Otome, I'm coming in."
Having a glass of warm milk before bed helps with sleep, and after ensuring that Rinka had finished her drink, Sasaku knocked on Otome's door.
"Come in, Fuyumi," she responded, her voice slightly delayed, indicating she was in the middle of tidying up.
Click—
Turning the handle, he opened the door and stepped inside, taking in the familiar simplicity of her room.
It lacked the typical decorations of a young girl's space, closely resembling his own room, save for a few small stuffed animals on the bed.
This wasn't the first time he had been in Otome's room, so he quickly scanned the space before focusing on the girl herself, who was kneeling before a small table in front of the bed.
Unlike Rinka, who was already in her pajamas and ready for bed after her little "reward," Otome was meticulously prepared for tonight's study session.
The most striking aspect was her black-and-white business attire and the round glasses perched on her delicate nose.
The contrast between her usual student appearance and her current professional look was stark.
Although her soft, gentle features were still a bit youthful, the round glasses and mature makeup lent her an air of authority, making it hard to guess her true age.
Otome's figure, while not the most pronounced among the women he knew, was still undeniably appealing.
Though she had room to grow compared to Aunt Tsubaki and Aunt Kyouka, her figure was still impressive compared to most adult women.
Otome maintained a proper posture, her gaze unwavering as she met Fuyumi's eyes.
Without any sense of guilt for being late, the boy sat beside her with a playful grin, his arm slipping around her slender waist.
"You're so serious tonight, Otome. I almost didn't recognize you when I walked in."
"Is this a new outfit you got today?"
Tap—
Lightly tapped his wandering hand with the pen she was holding, the girl adjusted her glasses with an air of seriousness as she replied,
"You're late, Fuyumi."
"You're late, Sasaki-kun."
They had previously agreed on a tutoring session at 9:30 AM.
Sasaki had just arrived home around 9:20 AM, but because he was delayed by Rinka for a while, it was now almost 10:00 AM…
Admitting his mistake with a sincere attitude, he replied:
"I'm sorry, Otome-sensei. I'll focus seriously on the tutoring from now on."
With Fuyumi holding him by the waist and addressing her so intimately, Sakuragi Otome found it hard to remain stern.
So, she needed to correct his way of addressing her.
"You should call me Sakuragi-sensei. You're being too informal, Sasaki-kun."
"Eh?"
Hearing her words, the boy couldn't help but look at her in surprise.
Then he pulled Otome, who was kneeling on the soft cushion, into his arms, bit her slightly flushed small ear, and asked his question:
"Shouldn't you be calling me Sasaki-sensei?"
"…"
Sakuragi Otome's facade broke under his teasing.
After spending the whole day learning how to be a teacher, a mesmerizing blush gradually spread across her soft, fair cheeks.
As the body that Sasaki held in his arms became as weak and limp as noodles dropped into boiling water.
She noticed that the hem of her shirt, tucked into the waistband of her pencil skirt, was being slowly pulled out.
She knew that Fuyumi wanted to turn the tables and take charge of the tutoring session.
However, with the last bit of her remaining rationality, Sakuragi Otome pressed down on his hands:
"W-wait a minute, Fuyumi, you still have to finish your tutoring."
Her words of resistance were as weak as leaves swept away by the autumn wind.
Before Sasaki could lift up her clothes, Sakuragi Otome voiced the method she had prepared beforehand:
"Fuyumi, if you continue, I won't wear this outfit for your tutoring sessions anymore~"
Hearing this, Sasaki paused his actions, then looked at the red-faced Otome with amusement:
"Does that count as a threat?"
It certainly wasn't a threat.
Sakuragi Otome simply wanted him to finish the test paper and complete today's tutoring task.
Afterward, he could have her wear whatever outfit he desired.
But if he were to tutor her instead, that definitely wouldn't be allowed.
Seeing that Otome genuinely wanted to improve his grades, Sasaki knew he needed to give her some confidence.
Shifting his gaze to the test papers on the small table in front of him, he asked, "Is today's task to complete the test paper?"
Covering up her half-exposed, soft white skin, Sakuragi Otome adjusted her blouse and responded softly:
"Yes."
"Since this is Fuyumi's first tutoring session, I need to gauge your level."
"Only by knowing where Fuyumi's weaknesses lie can I provide targeted tutoring."
"I see."
Sasaki nodded, not particularly interested in that.
And Otome also noticed that Fuyumi was losing interest.
So, she naturally used the ways to boost his enthusiasm she had prepared all day.
Thinking this, Sakuragi Otome leaned forward and slipped into the small space under the table with a rustling sound.
"…"
Guessing her intentions, Sasaki lowered his head and softly called out, "Otome…"
With her delicate face flushed with shyness and a touch of allure,
Sakuragi Otome, lying on the soft carpet, looked up, adjusting her slightly slipped glasses, and in a small, encouraging voice, she said:
"It's just as Fuyumi is thinking~"
"If you want a reward, you'll need to finish the test paper before 10:30~"
As she spoke, Sakuragi Otome reached out and unbuttoned the first button of her white shirt:
"Can you do it?"
Taking a deep breath, Sasaki replied, "In ten minutes, I…"
"You can't just fool me~ If there are too many mistakes, there won't be any rewards!"
Otome had him firmly under control.
But Sasaki enjoyed being controlled like this.
This was exactly the kind of tutoring he imagined.
Having a study session with his lover, without some playful encouragement, how could that be called a study session?
Reaching out, Sasaki gently touched Otome's soft hair, then raised his head and promised:
"I'll make sure Otome is satisfied."
"Mm~"
Although the reward was supposed to be given after she checked the test paper, a promise between lovers wasn't like playing a computer game.
It couldn't be that rigid.
As his childhood sweetheart and now his lover, Otome knew how hard it was to get him to sit still next to her like this.
If she didn't take the initiative to give him a taste of something sweet, how could she ensure his enthusiasm in the future?
So when Fuyumi put down his pen, even before he could speak, Sakuragi Otome leaned in proactively.
"..."
"...?!"
"Gulp gulp~… Mmm~"
"..."
.
.
.
..