Chapter 1900 Before setting off
Upon leaving their cabin, the moon was already visible at the slowly fading orange tint at the horizon. Up above, it actually looked like a beautiful purple that somehow made us stare at it longer than we should be.
Although things smoothened out with Setsuna-nee maturely acting back there, it’s still a little awkward. I mean, she couldn’t look me straight in the eye after she calmed down. What she witnessed possibly kept replaying in her head.
And because of that, when we talked about splitting into two groups, she immediately grabbed onto her little sister, partly pleading and partly coercing her to not let them push her into accompanying me again.
Luckily for her, that’s actually their original plan. Picking me up and delaying their arrival was the opportunity they gave us to talk. This time, Juri wouldn’t hand me over to any of the sisters again.
She’s been acting too considerate since earlier, it’s about time for her to also have her moment with me.
“Alright. Setsu and Satsuki-chan will be patrolling the other hill first while Ruki and I will patrol here. Is that clear?”
Before we set off and separate, Juri brought that up which immediately got our agreement.
“Idiot, don’t cause trouble for Juri-nee.”
“That’s right! Reel in your shamelessness, Onoda-kun. Satsu-chan and I will punish you if you trouble Juri.”
“I understand. I don’t mind being punished though. Especially since it’s going to come from the two of you.”
“Ugh. Are you not listening? I said don’t be shameless!” Setsuna-nee immediately flared up. If not for Satsuki hugging her arm, she’d probably run to me and hit my head with her fist – even if she had to jump to do so.
“Nee-san, he’s intentionally provoking you. Don’t fall for it.” Satsuki reminded her sister but secretly, she’s just as amused at this.
Setsuna-nee frowned and looked like she couldn’t let it go at first but understanding her words would amount to nothing at this point in time, she just turned to her best friend, reminding her.
“I know... But I can’t just... Whatever. Juri, don’t fall for his tricks.”
“Hmm? Leave him to me, Setsu. If it’s Onoda-kun, he’s aware of my focus on propriety. He won’t act recklessly inappropriate with me. If he did so, I can also punish him. Am I right?”
Responding to Setsuna-nee, Juri once again brought up her propriety which she always throws out of the window when it comes to me. Then, she linked arms with me, acting like she was forcing me to agree with her.
Naturally, I played along to satisfy them both.
“Yes. I’ll be at Juri's mercy. Setsuna-nee-san, take care of my Satsuki.”
“You don’t have to remind me, shameless guy! We’ll meet up at the bridge before dinner. Is that clear?”
“Roger. You should also take care, Setsuna-nee-san. If someone troubled you... just shout for my name, who knows, I might hear it from here.”
“What are you? A superhero? Don’t worry. We can protect ourselves. And... we’ll call for you if it’s troublesome. Happy?”
“Mhm.”
Hearing that last exchange between me and Setsuna-nee, both Satsuki and Juri just watched on in silence. It was probably entertaining for them to see Setsuna-nee acting like this around me.
Shortly after that, the Maemura sisters took off and soon disappeared from our sight.
Juri and I intentionally didn’t move from the entrance, watching their backs.
For what reason?
Of course... To get our own golden opportunity together.
“Ruki... Shall we also set off or...?” Starting it with a question that didn’t even need to be completed, Juri’s hand dropped on mine, entwining our fingers together.
I could sense the elation contained within her. She waited for almost half a day for this moment. There’s no way she’d just pass on the chance to spend a meaningful time with me.
And that’s why in response to her, I unhesitatingly pulled her to me, opening this up with a kiss under the moonlight.
“Or what? Shall we also take a shower first?”
“You’ve just taken one, Ruki. As much as I’d like to do that, it’s a little inappropriate. You could catch a cold.”
“I see. You’re right. I guess I was beholden by the idea of also standing under that shower with you. I’m being a pervert again.”
“Pfft... You’re not to blame, you silly. I brought up that idea first.” Juri amusedly giggled before pinching my cheek. And this time, she’s the one who initiated our second kiss for tonight.
Slowly, we moved out of the open area and into the side near the woods and outside the illumination of the lamp posts.
Spending a few minutes there while only savoring each other’s lips and tongue, Juri and I somehow made up for the few times we could only resort to sneakily holding each other’s hands.
And while we were in that state, I listened to her own experience during the day. Like how they went to observe the second-year girls’ activity and she was noticed by both Shizu and Haruko.
While those two girls are aware of her from me, Juri isn’t. I mean, she’s still refusing to let me tell her everything. She’s more comfortable learning about me using her own eyes. And due to that, she was confused at first.
According to her, the two were at least polite with her when Setsuna-nee was around but as soon as they separated, Shizu and Haruko put her on a hot seat as they tried to understand her and her growing affection for me.
“They’re quite scary for girls a few years my junior. But it’s fine. I know they’re good girls who put your well-being as their priority. They love you that much.” Juri said as she tried to recall more of her conversation with the two.
Also, she somehow put on a bitter smile at the end of it. Most likely, she was comparing herself to them. Or rather, the level of their devotion to me.
“Yeah. They’re both scary. Haruko was a former Student Council President. She just didn’t want to take up the same position nowadays and focused more on getting back together with me. As for Shizu... She's like Setsuna-nee when it comes to protecting those close to her. And now that she’s with me, that trait also extends to me.”
Since one meeting would probably not provide her a perfect insight regarding the two girls, I filled her in on some details about them.
Juri nodded in understanding. “Un. As I expected from you. Everyone must have been being taken care of by you. You’re not just collecting these girls, you’re also putting all the effort into understanding them. In return, they’re also doing that for you. This must be one of the answers to the mystery of why they’re not fighting each other when it comes to you.”
“It’s not really a mystery but I guess you’re not wrong with that. Just like with you, I love them just as much and I never played favorites. Although it might be seen differently by the others. That’s why... I cannot just stop in place and let them do all the work to maintain our complex relationship.”
“I see. It doesn’t matter that much to me. I know my feelings for you and I don’t see any reason to deny them to be with you. We’re just girls who fell for your charms so... keep on taking care of us, okay? Satsuki-chan too.”
“Mhm. I will.” There’s no need for more fancy words. I’ll just let my actions convey that to her and all of my girls.
Even at this point, we’re still starting so there’s not much of a challenge but maybe a year from now, we’re going to solve that one by one, together.
After another minute where we just savor the sweetness of each other’s lips, the two of us soon set off to accomplish the task given to us.
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