"The president of the Student Council isn't as strict as the rumors suggest!"
The sun hung low in the afternoon sky, casting a warm glow on the scattering cherry blossom petals. A gentle breeze brushed against the girl's skirt, infusing the air with a sense of warmth, but as the fabric fluttered, a faint chill crept in.
She instinctively pressed her delicate hands against her skirt, as if trying to transfer the warmth from her hands to the fabric.
"Hmm. Shinomiya, I'm planning to leave now. Are you going back to join the club activities?"
Ito Yoshito had initially intended to go for an interview at Seika Academy for Women, but after a chat with the president last night, Sumeragi Rikka, he was asked to send a few revealing photos (just his underwear) and prepare a detailed family background report to be sent to the mail of Ousei Academy, which shifted his plans for Friday afternoon.
"No, I don't think so."
"Not going? Is something bothering you?"
Hearing her response, Ito Yoshito looked at Shinomiya Natsuha with concern, his eyes brimming with care.
"Hehe, a girl's privacy shouldn't be pried into."
Feeling Yoshito's worry, a warmth rippled within Shinomiya Natsuha, causing a subtle flush of pink to grace her cheeks as she laughed lightly.
"Privacy? I seem to recall your cycle isn't…"
"Alright, let's not discuss this topic anymore."
Shinomiya Natsuha cut him off, playfully punching his arm.
Ito Yoshito's eyes darted around as he thought of a way to tease Natsuha.
He clutched his shoulder and pretended to be in pain, moaning dramatically, "Ouch, ouch! Shinomiya, you're using too much strength! It feels like my arm is about to break. Woe is me!"
Shinomiya Natsuha shot him an exasperated look.
How could he not know how much force she used?
And with such exaggerated acting from Ito Yoshito, it would be hard for anyone to take it seriously.
Still…
Natsuha Shinomiya stepped closer to Ito Yoshito and gently stroked his strong arm, tracing the muscular lines as a warm fire ignited within her heart.
The heat coursed through her body, making her fair cheeks blush like the cherry blossoms in spring, adding a touch of allure to her bright features.
Her enchanting crimson eyes were filled with swirling emotions.
With a sweet, soft voice, she mused, "How about I blow on it for you? A little blow can make the pain disappear! Don't think too much of it!"
Her captivating warmth set Yoshito's heart ablaze, emotions roaring like a volcano ready to erupt.
"Well then, I'd appreciate it," he replied, his breath growing deeper and more rapid.
Each inhale felt as if he were fueling the flames of passion, and every exhale barely concealed the heat radiating from him.
His heart raced, pounding like drums against his chest.
"Ha—huff—let the pain fly away…"
Her soft breath, like a gentle spring breeze, accompanied by her dulcet voice, lightly caressed Yoshito's arm.
It felt almost electric against his sensitive skin, spreading warmth and tingling sensations.
The passionate warmth from Yoshito's breath washed over Shinomiya Natsuha's delicate neck, sapping her strength.
The fervent light in his eyes seemed to caress her skin like a predator savoring its prey.
"Ha—"
A soft sigh escaped Natsuha's lips involuntarily, the delightful thrill enveloping her entire being.
'This way, Yoshito won't be easily tempted by bad women…'
"Shinomiya…"
"Hmm…"
"Your clothes are a bit messy. Let me help you straighten them out…"
"Okay…"
Without realizing it, Yoshito's muscles tightened, focused and tense as if a hunter locked onto its prey.
His lips parted slightly, a barely perceptible tremor lacing his breath. His broad hand gently stroked her smooth shoulder, slowly smoothing out the wrinkles in her clothes.
"Your waist is a bit messy too…"
After tenderly feeling his way, his hand glided down her delicate arm, over her curves, landing on her slender waist.
From a distance, to an observer, they would appear as a pair of intimate lovers:
The girl shyly leaning in for a kiss while the boy wrapped his arms around her waist, responding with affectionate tenderness.
———
From the fragrant earth to the solid asphalt, Yuta Yamano embarked on a journey from the countryside to the bustling city.
As he walked, the ripples of his thoughts were stirred by the vibrant life surrounding him, marveling at the city's thriving energy.
"Wow—so this is where Natsuha studies? It's really lively here."
Stepping off the bus, Yuta took in the transformation from rural fields to towering skyscrapers, his eyes wide with awe at the chaos and energy of the busy street.
Yuta was an old childhood friend of Shinomiya Natsuha, a year younger than her.
When she moved to the city for school during her third year of middle school because of family reasons, they had to part ways, having been inseparable since childhood.
Although he often visited, he couldn't recapture their old closeness, which left him feeling regretful.
Consequently, he planned to enroll in the same school as Natsuha.
This year, Natsuha got accepted into Ousei Academy, and Yuta had originally intended to explore the school together with her to strengthen their bond.
However, he had been so busy over the past month that he couldn't find the time to visit her.
"Although I couldn't share the experience of exploring the school with Natsuha, having her lovely voice introducing me to it will still be amazing."
A month after school started, Yuta finally had time.
They had planned to visit the school together on the weekend, but he was too eager to see Natsuha, so he arrived early, hoping to surprise her.
"Let me check the directions. Ousei Academy should be that way."
Yuta followed the navigation instructions as he walked.
In the dimly lit, narrow alley across the bus stop, a pair of keen eyes glinted ominously from the shadows, watching Yuta's departing figure with ill intent.
"Girls, what do you think? He's the one, right?"
A deep voice echoed through the mist in the alley.
A group of scantily clad girls lounged together, some standing, some sitting, casually leaning against the walls.
"He seems like a fresh one; looks like he's come from the countryside. People like him are easiest to manipulate."
"He's definitely to my taste, hehe…"
"Then it's settled. Let's follow him."