As they say, all good things must come to an end. Right. Eventually, we had to separate. However, before that happened, I made sure to get the best out of our situation.
Of course, not in a perverted way.
I simply returned the favor, showing her that if she could spoil me, I could do the same for her. I reversed our situation by letting her lean on me while I brushed her hair gently. Also, I failed to resist not touching her ear. I traced my finger around it before fixing the crumples of her hair that, in some way, got tangled on the arm of her glasses. She got tickled by it but not enough to push me away.
Luckily, I held off on leaning down to nibble on it or else, I'd draw her ire.
I mean, I did ask for her permission whether I could do it or not. She vehemently said no. Furthermore, she lifted her hand to cover it, giving me no other choice but to give up.
In any case, when she removed it after some time passed, I saw how it was as red as her cheek. Either the thought of having me nibble on her ear made her embarrassed or she imagined it happening for real. Whichever the case, it no doubt made her even more charming in my eyes…
Really, it's taking all my mental capacity to resist her overflowing charm that could make everyone swoon at her.
And that's just the first half of my turn to spoil her. Perhaps to escape from thinking about my request of nibbling her ear, Nakanishi-senpai raised this bright idea of hers, challenging me to make her feel the same way as I did earlier. To make her feel like she's in paradise.
As someone who's also rather competitive when it comes to challenges, I took her up on that.
However, it ultimately led to failure.
I mean, it's impossible. The best I could do was to make her feel safe and comfortable while I carefully doted on her through non-sexual caresses on her head and back. Kissing her was also off the table but I sneakily brought down my lips on top of her head while she was savoring the comfort of my embrace.
Well, there existed a possibility that she just couldn't admit it. Who knows?
And so, that made her head a little bigger as she gleefully pinched my cheeks to celebrate her first-ever victory against me.
By the end of her celebration, Nakanishi-senpai once again pampered me, letting me enjoy my paradise one more time before we both decided to continue our tour.
Along with everything that happened as well as what we built up during our short but meaningful conversation earlier, this little moment also stacked up on it, bringing us closer physically and emotionally.
"You know, cheeky brat… I'd like it if you start calling me by my name and I… I'll do the same to you, Ruki."
And that was the icing on the cake. Even before I could bring it up, Nakanishi-senpai… No, Reira-senpai suggested that we switch to a first-name basis. I accepted, of course. I'll be an idiot if I don't.
I unknowingly reached for her hand which Nakanishi-senpai welcomed wholeheartedly. Even entwining her fingers with mine.
Nonetheless, that didn't last for long. Once we stepped out of the room, we started walking side by side once again as though nothing happened between us in that room.
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Continuing on our tour, I avoid going to crowded places such as the area where male athletic clubs gather.
I still remember the first time I walked alongside her. Even if Enomoto's halo of protection was in effect, it wouldn't stop the boys to ogle at her or be taken in by her irresistible charm.
That's the thing I wanted to minimize. I brought her out to make her enjoy her day, not to make her continuously uncomfortable or get put into an unpleasant situation. While avoidance wasn't really the solution, at least for today, it reduced the times that she had to put on her mask of indifference.
Apart from that, I also maximized my presence to intimidate anyone crossing our path. Even before her irresistible charm worked its spell, they got frightened enough to swerve to the side, avoiding us completely.
Obviously, when she noticed that, Reira-senpai scolded me for scaring the poor boys. However, she also couldn't hide her joy from it. It made her feel safer to walk alongside me without needing to mind the sticky gazes thrown at her.
I thought of continuing our tour to the School Building but upon second thought, I scrapped it.
I decided not to involve her anymore.
Letting her see my conflict with Ogawa is enough. I can't have her be dragged into my issues with other people or students.
If she already acted concerned even though we're not friends yet back during that ambush, there's no way she would be unbothered if she keeps seeing me entangled with other issues. Whether it be good or bad.
Furthermore, I had a feeling that… someone was following us ever since we left the Club Building. Whoever sent that one, I had no idea. I'd spare Enomoto out of suspicion here so… it's probably Ichihara Jun's goon or that Takashima dude. Either way, the one tailing us was great at concealing his or her presence.
Even after many attempts of catching them in their act, I failed to catch even a shadow of it.
Someone could argue that I was just being paranoid but with the years of experience under my belt, I wouldn't dismiss my gut feeling so easily.
More often than not, it's saving me from bad situations.
"Mhm. Thank you for accompanying me, Reira-senpai. I'll visit again soon." As soon as we reached the door of the Alchemy Research Club, I said my parting words.
Since I already intruded into Enomoto's territory earlier, I'd spare him the headache of dealing with me one more time. This way, he'd also feel less threatened by me or understand that I am only interested in Reira-senpai and not in his childhood friend.
"Look at this brat. I should be the one thanking you. I had a wonderful time. Make sure not to get in too much trouble, okay?" The bespectacled senior nodded and reminded me.
"Oh. Have you forgotten? Trouble finds me. But I'll keep that in mind."
Well, I appreciate her concern but really, there's no way around it. Even if I can admit my guilt for starting the trouble sometimes, it's more often that I get dragged into it.
"… Right. As much as you are a chick magnet, you're also a trouble magnet. I'm no good at dealing with problems but if you want a place of comfort… your paradise is always open." She looked at her left and right first to make sure that there was no one around before pointing at her chest and squeezing it between her hands.
If I wasn't already familiar with her, I'd fall into believing that she was seducing me with that gesture.
"That's a tempting offer. If I take that up, you'll find me seeking that paradise every day, senpai."
Matching her playfulness, I made sure to look down at her huge assets to earn my desired reaction from her.
And sure enough, five seconds later, I heard her clicking her tongue. She then stepped forward and lifted my chin.
"I knew you'd say that, you brat…"
Sliding her hand to my cheek and eventually locking my ear in between her fingers, Reira-senpai leaned closer as she sweetly whispered to my ear,
"… But I don't mind… I also find my place of comfort next to you. So, you better not forget about visiting me again, Ruki."
I thought she'd be waiting for my response. However, as if a streak of lightning, the girl disappeared behind the door, leaving me alone.
A second later, I heard the faint voices of Enomoto and Nikka-senpai expressing their surprise at her return.
It didn't sound like Reira disturbed them with whatever they were doing. It's more like, they couldn't believe their eyes witnessing the girl fleeting with joy and embarrassment at the same time.
Really, I wish I could see what they're seeing… Next time, I guess?
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