Arisa, who heard what I said, reached for my shoulder and hit it with a light punch. She’s holding her laughter back, perhaps for the sake of the girl.
Is it that hilarious for her? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I don't often act like this to someone I’m not interested in.
In any case, given Umi’s reaction to it, I expected her to be unable to say anything more. She became too flustered that I found her shrinking even more. I could even feel the urge to hold her and calm her down but for sure, the result would be the opposite of my intention.
And so, I simply waited while listening to the song that Nami was currently singing.
To my surprise, it didn’t take long for Umi to tug at my sleeve and call my attention back to her.
With pursed lips and a rather shaky disposition as though she’s a fragile porcelain that could break even with the tiniest vibration, she thoughtfully muttered, “Uhm. Did I see something I shouldn’t have? Is that why you...?”
Ah. Yeah. Even though her earlier reaction was quite adorable, it was probably just because she was not used to being called like that by someone.
This one, on the other hand, was an appropriate response. No matter who, it would certainly make them question me if I was doing this just because I wanted to silence them.
“Will you believe me if I say that’s not it? I mean what I said. I owe you an explanation. I’m not here to ask you to keep what you witnessed to yourself. I mean, it’s our fault, to begin with.”
Hearing that, Umi still appeared uncertain but with her eyes seemingly trying to poke through and read what was in my head, the girl eventually released a small sigh of relief. It’s like a thorn had been plucked out of her throat.
Moments later, a smile bloomed on her face. And it’s something I couldn’t help but find beautiful. But then, it didn’t last long enough because embarrassment soon returned as though she remembered something.
With her hands clasped together indicating how she’s finding it difficult to speak her mind out, the girl softly whispered.
“I understand... I’m ignorant about that kind of thing. It’s... it was my first time seeing it...”
This... She’s curious about it, huh? I had no idea how much she’d seen but even if she only caught sight of those last bits, it’s enough for someone innocent like her to have her mind muddled with the thoughts of it.
Unknowingly, my hand dropped on top of her head, caressing her smooth, unbound hair. Although she was not expecting it, the girl reflexively hummed from the sensation brought by it.
“I see. It must’ve made you uncomfortable. But it is what it is. I’ve been taken care of by them.”
She wouldn’t be so innocent forever and she’s a different kind of innocent from Misaki. That girl would take anything I say on a positive note but this girl... I could expect her to inquire more just to clear her head of it.
“H-how does it feel?”
“I’d say it’s great. It brought me immense pleasure. If I have to make a comparison, it’s somewhat close to the sensation you’ll get when you hold back peeing and then relieve yourself an hour later. But in this case, it’s more pleasurable especially if someone you love did it for you.”
I know. It sucks for an explanation but I can’t think of a much better comparison at the moment, my head is also muddled by how I can satisfy Umi’s curiosity.
Umi’s eyes which were fixed on my face gradually lowered. Without a doubt, her gaze landed on my groin. Even if it was an unconscious action or not, I couldn’t help but berate myself for corrupting the girl’s head.
Fortunately, she’s the timid type. She wouldn’t reach for it no matter how curious she was. It’s something that would need more than curiosity for her.
And so, silence once again reigned between us. I continued caressing her head, partly doting on her and partly waiting if she was going to ask more questions.
It took at least a few minutes before she opened her mouth again and this time, her question wasn’t about what she witnessed anymore. Instead, it concerned her known fact about my relationship.
“Uhm. Onoda-senpai, I know this isn’t my place but does Chii-chan-senpai know?”
“About what happened here? Not yet. About my relationship with them, yes.”
That’s too simplified but the girl seems smart enough to understand it. Besides, I’m glad that she asked me about this. I thought she was going to let it pass because she was scared of how I will react. Behind her supposed timidity, she’s braver than I thought. That sets her apart from her stalker cousin who will only open his mouth when threatened.
“... I see.”
“You won’t ask me to explain it?”
“I... I want to but it’s not my place, senpai.”
Mhm. This girl is really something else. She’s not afraid to speak her mind but at the same time, she knows where to stand.
“I appreciate that thought. I’m growing fond of you, Umi-chan.”
“Eh? What does that mean?”
“It means I’m finding you more precious than you already are,” I said before moving my hand down to her face. I cupped her crimson cheek which completely covered up her porcelain white complexion. My thumb moved to caress it before tracing her slightly pale lips.
Umi was clearly surprised at how touchy I became. However, the girl didn’t even flinch or find it uncomfortable. Without pursing it, she allowed me to feel up her soft lips.
Furthermore, the black of her eyes shrunk as she focused all her attention on me.
Perhaps, if I tried feeling her pulse at the moment, I could imagine it racing as though she was running a marathon.
In one way or another, this was fully welcomed by her.
To stop myself from being tempted to kiss her, I quickly stopped and instead pulled her into my embrace. Then to continue what we were discussing, I whispered my honest thoughts to her, “Don’t worry. If it’s Umi, I will honestly answer your questions. And if it results in the changing of your impression of me, I won’t take it the wrong way.”
Before the girl answered, her hands gripped onto my clothes as she slowly reciprocated my embrace, “... Yes.”
Whatever she meant by that one-word answer, I had no idea. But for the rest of my time next to her, our distance remained that close.
Obviously, everyone in the room had some kind of reaction to that sight. My girls were obviously smirking at the sight of me hugging another girl. At this point, rather than be jealous, they’re more interested in whether Umi would be the same as them or not.
As for the others, only Nina’s reaction somehow piqued my interest. The girl curled her eyebrows as her inquiring eyes fixated on me. She’s probably still holding the suspicion that I’m a vampire and I am controlling everyone’s mind. And now, Umi became another victim.
Well, I’ll let her hold onto that thought. It’s hilarious, after all.
Time then quickly passed without any other significant happening in the room. Ten minutes before our time was up, the counter downstairs called us inquiring whether we’d extend our time or not.
Of course, there’s no need to do that anymore. And so, after two more songs, one of which I sang with Umi, we started tidying up in preparation to leave.
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