Hmm?

Oh?

It was after school. Ryuichi was walking down the streets with Shizuna when they spotted an old woman up ahead whod dropped her groceriessome apples and orangeson the ground.

She was slowly picking up the fruits, but of course, being an elderly person, there was no way she could pick them all up right away.

Ill be back in a bit.

Without waiting for Shizunas response, Ryuichi headed for the old lady. Shizuna looked at his back with a smile, and quickly followed suit.

Oh, hello there, kids.

Sup, granny. Looks like youre in a pinch.

Fufu, let us help you.

With the addition of Ryuichi and Shizuna, the fruits dropped by the old lady were quickly picked up. Naturally, they were the only ones who tried to help the old lady; the other passersby only spared a glance at them and left without doing anything.

Thank you, you two.

The old lady had a laid-back tone and a somewhat soft atmosphere about her that made her seem like shed be well-liked if she had grandchildren. She seemed to be on her way to a nearby bus stop, so Ryuichi and Shizuna decided to accompany her.

Putting you aside, young girl, you dont look like the kind person who would be helping others, young man.

Yeah, well, I do look like a delinquent.

Oh, are you saying youre different on the inside?

Nope, Im a total delinquent on the inside too.

Hahaha, I see, I see. Youre one kind delinquent, arentcha?

The old lady beckoned Ryuichi toward her. He cocked his head in confusion, but nonetheless made his way toward her. Once he got close, the old lady told him to sit next to her. He did as he was told and sat down, and the old lady started patting him on the head.

Good boy, good boy.

Im not at the age for these kinds of things anymore, yknow.

Fufu.

Ryuichi didnt have the heart to tell off an old lady and force her to stop, so he let her do as she pleased. Shizuna looked at him and muttered how cute he was. The old lady then took out her wallet and offered him a 1,000 yen bill as a token of gratitude.

This is my thanks for you.

The old lady mustve offered him the money with good intentions. However, he had no intention of accepting it from her, so he returned it and asked her to keep it for herself. Otherwise, the scene would have been a little bad.

Seen from a distance, an old lady offering money to Ryuichi would look a whole lot like extortion.

Alright, granny, take care on your way home.

Take care, maam.

Thank you, you two. Oh, right, are you two lovers perhaps?

Ryuichi and Shizuna looked at each other. They had a sexual relationship with each other, but that was clearly distinct from being lovers, and the most appropriate term at the moment that could be used to describe their relationship was sex friends.

But there was no way they could straight up say that to the old lady, so they both shook their heads no.

Thats a shame. I think you two suit each other very well. Well, if you do become lovers, make sure to let this old granny know.

And with that, the old lady got onto the bus. As she sat down and the bus started moving, the old lady waved her hand at Ryuichi and Shizuna. They waved back in response, and soon, the bus disappeared from sight.

Even if she tells us to let her know, I dont think well be seeing her ever again.

Alright. See you later, Shizuna-chan.

Thus, the two of them parted with Natsume. As Shizuna and Natsume talked, he could sense an aura of not wanting to get too involved with Ryuichi from Natsume, but that was normal. Ryuichi started walking again with Shizuna, but he no longer thought anything of Natsume.

Oh, yeah. Im gonna be going to Satsukis place this weekend. Wanna come too, Shizuna?

Is it okay? Ive never really met Satsuki-san, though

Nah, I think its totally fine. Satsukis been talking about how she wants to meet you for a while now; plus, Chisa doesnt mind having you over, either.

I see. Alright, Ill come with you.

Thus, it was decided that Shizuna would be participating as well. Ryuichi immediately contacted Satsuki, who replied that she would love to have her come.

Chisa would also be happy to know that Shizuna was coming, but he put his phone away, deciding that he would make it as a surprise for her on that day.

You know what, I think Ill have a nice helping of you and Sakie today.

Kyaa Oh, you.

Shizuna shrewdly made a troubled yet happy face when he hugged her shoulders a little tightly. Whenever she was touched by Ryuichi, her body would react by seeking him out. She would end up releasing pheromones that even wafted to those around her.

Beautiful as she was, she would attract many gazes, and when her eyes became like they were now, that meant she could only see Ryuichi and Ryuichi alone.

Ryuichi-kun, can we try out something new today?

Something new?

Yes.

What she meant by new was something he would find out when he arrived at her house. He had been leisurely relaxing with Shizuna until Sakie came home. That was when she abruptly asked him to take a bath at their house today.

He found it a hassle to heat up the water whenever he got home to shower, so he readily assentedhowever, he wasnt the only one who would be in the bathroom.

Fufu, taking a bath together with Ryuichi-kun is a new experience, isnt it?

Indeed it is. His body is so muscular. No matter how many times I gaze upon it, I find my heart beating furiously.

Shizuna and Sakie were with him, naked, with him right in the middle of the two. It seemed that the new thing Shizuna was referring to was her entering the bath together with Ryuichi.

Also, Sakie had been there when Shizuna made the proposal, so they ended up taking a bath along with her since she said she didnt want to be left out.

Of course, it went without saying that it wasimpossiblenothing would happen between them when they were like thisand it would be some time until the three eventually left the bath.

Of course, it went without saying that it was

impossible

nothing would happen between them when they were like thisand it would be some time until the three eventually left the bath.

Ryuichi-kun, did something happen between you and Shizuna?

Huh? Whyre you asking that so suddenly?

Sakie asked Ryuichi this question after they got out of the bath. However, even if he was asked that, he could only say that nothing special happened between them.

I feel like the way youre looking at Shizuna today is kinder than usual. I cant really describe it well, but I just feel like its different.

So thats why I got curious to know if something happened between you two.

Again, he couldnt think of anything special, or so he thought, but what came back to his mind was the memory of the incident that took place during lunch break at school.

Especially if its a person I care about.

His heart raced as he recalled Shizunas words. He cocked his head at the unusual feeling that had been plaguing him ever since said lunch break. He was still unable to clearly recognize the feeling, but the time when he would was steadily growing closer.