It was June, the time of year when the weather was gradually getting warmer, with the summer season just around the corner.
Almost a month had passed since that day at Satsukis house, and some things had changed for Ryuichi.
Good morning, Ryuichi-kun.
Hey. Morning, Shizuna.
Entering the month of June usually meant a change of outfit, but since it was still a little chilly at times, Shizuna was still wearing her jacket. As for Ryuichi, he was no longer wearing a jacket and was completely in his summer wear.
Your muscles are just so amazing.
Im pretty sure you said the same thing yesterday, didnt you?
Yup, that I did. Could I have some kind of muscle fetish?
Ryuichi chuckled as she began to seriously worry about that in the middle of the road. It was understandable that she would like his musclesor rather, his entire body. She always liked being embraced by his arms or having his face in her breasts, after all.
Cmon, Shizuna, snap out of it and lets get going.
Alright.
He tapped her on the shoulder, not wanting her to space out and bump into something as she had done in the past, and started walking.
It had become common for him and Shizuna to go to and from school together since the start of May, and it was only natural that this would become known to those around them to some extent.
Yaaawn.
Yaaawn
.
Are you sleepy? It must be your part-time job, isnt it?
Yep. Got off pretty late yesterday.
Ryuichi let out a big yawn as he recalled last night. One of the recent changes in his life was that he had started a part-time job. It was at that club, the place where he had met Satsuki and a place Ryuichi himself had frequented many times.
I dont know when theyre gonna stop sending me money. So I gotta earn some money for myself.
Ryuichi-kun.
As a matter of fact, after that days incident, Sakie and Shizuna had talked about many things with him. They had suggested that he move out of his current apartment and move in with them, at Shizunas house.
What do you think, Ryuichi-kun?
I have quite a steady income. You wouldnt have to worry about money and the like.
It was a very tempting offer for Ryuichi. However, he had no intention of being such a burden to them, so he turned them down. Incidentally, Satsuki had also made a similar proposal to him since then, but he had turned that down as well.
I appreciate the offer you made, but I want to work hard at many things, too. Im used to you treating me to meals and all that, but I cant have you take care of everything for me.
Hmph, I wouldnt really mind it that way, though. But you do have a point. Plus, its not like I can force you to think that its actuallytotallyfine.
Hmph, I wouldnt really mind it that way, though. But you do have a point. Plus, its not like I can force you to think that its actually
totally
fine.
Nevertheless, Shizuna had a quiteno, she had a very caring nature to her. It was something hed come to know very well after getting close with her.
Whenever she came to his house on the holidays, she would cook for him as a matter of course, and she would even do the cleaning without saying a word.
Naturally, he also helped out, but she worked so quickly that there ended up being not very much for him to do, which was quite the luxurious problem.
Of course, Ill be heading to your place again this week. Or do you want to come to my place this time?
Hmm~
And with Shizunas question, a delightful dilemma was planted in Ryuichis mind. As they talked like this, they arrived at school and entered their class, which already had a number of people in it.
Ah, me too.
Makoto and Kaname left to go to the restroom. As soon as they were gone, Shizuna stood behind Ryuichi and started massaging his shoulders, as if she had planned it.
Whats wrong?
Nothing, I just wanted to help you relax a bit.
Rub, rub. Rub, rubShe was very skilled in her massage, and the way she varied her massaging strength from strong to weak at times felt so good that if he wasnt careful, he might leak some strange noises.
Rub, rub. Rub, rub
She was very skilled in her massage, and the way she varied her massaging strength from strong to weak at times felt so good that if he wasnt careful, he might leak some strange noises.
These days, Ryuichi had the feeling that Shizuna was controlling him not only through his stomach, but with things like these as well.
Ahh This feels so good.
Fufu. You seem to be in pretty bad shape here, sir.
With a hint of mischievousness, Shizuna continued to massage his shoulders. In the midst of this, his expression changed to a serious one without her noticing. He was thinking about his grandfather.
I havent heard from him at all since That said, though, hes still been sending me moneyjust that hes stopped calling me whenever he does it.
Though hed had that exchange with him, seeing him still sending him money like this made him wonder if he really may have gone overboard that day.
Well, theyarewell in their years. Plus, I aint got nothing to say to them anymore.
Well, they
are
well in their years. Plus, I aint got nothing to say to them anymore.
He still hated his grandfather and grandmother, but he had since decided not to say too much to them. If they continued to keep their relationship to a minimum with each other, neither Ryuichi nor his grandparents would have to deal with any unnecessary stress.
Ive been feeling so happy lately.
Why?
Because the class is starting to see that you have a kind and caring side to you.
I dont think Ive really changed the way I treat them, though.
Your air and atmosphere dont lie. If you think youre doing things as usual and people are gathering around you, that must mean youve changed.
Is that how it is?
Yup.
Well, it wasnt that people were gathering around Ryuichi, it was just that he was being talked to a little more often. He had even, to a certain extent, grown less distant from his teachers now too, but that was probably due in large part to Someyas reassessment of Ryuichi.
Its a teachers duty to believe in their students. I never thought Id be reminded of that.
Though, if I had to say, youd definitely be more of a bad student than a good one.
The state of a persons mind and heart could change the way they were perceived by others. Ryuichi himself didnt feel like anything in particular had changed about him, nothing that he was aware of. However, those around him were gradually beginning to accept the change in his atmosphere.
It was definitely not a bad thing, but a sign that things were moving in the right direction.
Is this like some kind of calm before the storm, or a sign of the bad things to come?
Cmon, dont say something so ominous.
My bad. Well, I probably got nothing to worry about, anyways.
Because Ive got a goddess by my side whos going to blow all my bad omens away.
When Ryuichi said this, Shizunas eyes widened in amazement before she immediately giggled and nodded.
Yes. If misfortune befalls you, Ill just ward it off.
Today again, Shizuna was smiling by Ryuichis side, delightfully and happily.