Chapter 1297 Lovely Itou

“N-no. Not like this.”

As if brought back from her fantasy through my question, Itou visibly shuddered as she hurriedly turned her head to the side, stopping what she intended to do. Eventually, she placed her head on my shoulder as her hurried breathing started tickling me.

In any case, the girl was slow enough to cover up her rosy cheeks. I captured it with my eyes completely. That further fueled my desire to get more of her adorable reactions.

Itou acting like that was too fresh for me. Just recently, I was the recipient of her hateful glares and sometimes unreasonable ire. Though I also adore her whenever she would suddenly turn bashful, completing her tsundere antics, I hoped to see her pure being bashful once in a while.

Obviously, I wouldn’t demand it from her. It’s a lot better to wait for it to come naturally like this.

"Mhm. This is great too. But Itou, I wonder what we are here for. I can understand Misaki wanting to be spoiled by me… What about you? You followed us instead of stopping her."

Right. There was no other reason why the innocent girl dragged me here.

Somehow, supplementing Misaki's knowledge regarding relationships turned her into a complete cinnamon roll. Furthermore, because I never took advantage of her innocence, it became another factor for her to be more attached to me.

Although I told her to make sure about her feelings for me first, the girl simply couldn't help herself whenever I got caught in her vision.

As for Itou… well, there’s a possibility that she had the same reason. However, I should know by now that our standing was still a little complicated even after her confession and my acceptance.

Even though we had that promise to play her game together, this girl has yet to seek me out. Not even once.

Our few recent interactions were born from coincidences. For example, the last time I ran into her was when she stormed out of their clubroom after getting criticized for the board she created. If not for me running into her, I probably wouldn’t hear the extent of that issue.

There was online messaging. However, she's more restrained there. It's like the girl was very careful in bringing up a topic we could talk about. Or if not that, she just didn’t want a senseless conversation.

Nonetheless, more often than not, she’s always there whenever I would contact Himeko. Especially if it was a video call. Even if she didn’t show herself completely, I could spy her from the corner or Himeko would give it away by her gestures.

Really, Itou was kind of incomprehensible at times.

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As much as I wanted to know her more and deepen our bond, she was the one preventing it.

But I guess I was also a part of the problem. I had little time to spend with her. Moreover, ever since that day, I also didn’t actively seek her because of piled-up schedules. All I could do was continue being in contact with her. That should change, right?

Now that Misaki created this opportunity for us… I guess I had to make use of this moment to its fullest; while also accommodating my innocent ‘friend’.

“I have no idea. My feet moved by themselves and followed you two. Knowing a pervert like you, I’m worried about her.”

“Is that the truth?”

Her worry wasn’t unfounded but it was too clear that the second part was just an excuse. As the one that somehow became another integral part of my friendship with Misaki, she’s widely aware of how I was refraining from tainting the girl’s precious innocence.

It’s something that shouldn’t be taken advantage of, after all.

“… I’m jealous, okay? I also want to be with you but I can’t be as forward as her.”

“Hmm? Now that's music to my ears.”

Although that’s within my expectation, it’s really too great to hear. I would always appreciate her honesty.

“Don’t tease me.”

“I won’t. But let me say this… Just be yourself, you don’t need to change because the nature of our relationship has already transformed into this. My interest in you is born because of who you are, not of what you can become.”

It’s impossible to see her expression because of her current position but the way her voice faltered a bit conveyed it all. In one way or another, she’s considering changing her approach. Or to do it the same way as Misaki.

In my opinion though, she doesn’t need to change or open up like my other girls. She’s already fine as she was. Rather than that, I should aim to be the one that would lighten her load.

Playing games was her original stress reliever from her training as the successor of her father. But now that she accepted me to stand with her, I should be able to do that much for her.

And to not make it look like a one-sided affair, seeing her and Himeko continue getting along with each other was enough for me.

Obviously, I also wouldn’t mind her being this close to me whenever possible.

Anyway, the girl didn’t respond instantly, instead, she took her time digesting it all. Because she was pressing too close, I could feel her rising heartbeat, her warm breath as well as the way her arms gradually slip from my side and back, hugging me.

Well, with Misaki still being comfortably snuggled to my chest, the girl partly obstructed Itou from fully enclosing her arms around my waist. But I guess that’s enough for her. She eventually gripped a part of my clothes before her soft voice carrying her words reached my ears again.

“Ruki… this must be why I can’t peel myself off of you despite the hate that I initially felt for you. You’re too eloquent… I can’t believe my heart raced just from hearing all that…”

“Believe it. You’ll be hearing more from me. Also, you should prepare yourself when we get our alone time together. I’ll continue whispering sweet nothings in your ears.”

“Geez. Is that how you’re going to spoil me?”

“Maybe?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Sure…” As I said this, my hand traveled from her back to her nape. As I brushed her hair with her fingers, the girl gradually lifted her head again.

With our faces so close to each other, we could see each other’s reflections through our eyes.

As though time slowed down, Itou and I remained to stare at one another. Soon enough, she lowered her gaze to my lips and so did I.

Earlier, she stopped herself from going through with this and I also teased her about it. However, this time, a mutual understanding washed over us.

As Itou gradually closed her eyes to wait for it, my head moved forward and captured her sweet, virgin lips.

Somehow, the thought of having Misaki this close to us already flew off our minds. With my experience at the forefront, I naturally made sure that this wouldn’t be an ordinary first kiss for the girl.

At first, it’s just a simple press of our lips. It’s already romantic as it was but… it would be a fleeting experience. And so, I pressed in further, partly sucking in her lower lip to give it a taste.

Itou followed my lead, copying me.

Then, I pulled my head back which gave the girl the chance to check it. Seeing the part that she sucked in glistening slightly, Itou closed her eyes again, anticipating another round.

Unfortunately, before I could dig into that, Misaki who was just silently enjoying my chest raised her head and innocently brought up questions for us.

“Ruki, how is your heart beating this quickly? And Maaya-sama, why are your eyes closed?”