Kasumigaoka Shiyu lay in Minamoto Senya's arms, breathless, drenched in sweat, as if she had just been pulled out of water.
She had stayed in this position quietly for almost ten minutes, yet she still couldn't shake the lingering aftereffects of what had just happened.
The room gradually cooled, and the two remained silently entwined.
Suddenly, Senya let out a sharp hiss.
In contrast, Shiyu, whose face had been buried against his chest, let her lips curve into a secretive smile.
She lifted her head and saw his slightly pained expression, and felt an overwhelming thrill in her heart. Her laughter grew louder, unrestrained, revealing her perfectly aligned teeth.
Senya glanced down at his chest. There was only a small mark left by her bite, which would fade shortly.
It wasn't meant to draw blood—it carried more of a teasing, affectionate vibe, just as he had done to her moments ago.
"Serves you right." After catching her breath and regaining some energy, Shiyu spoke mockingly with a feigned severity. "You completely ignored me just now—this is your punishment!"
At this moment, after the storm had passed, her alluring curves, her languid expression, and the slight huskiness in her voice all combined into a uniquely feminine charm. Every part of her radiated the beauty of a young woman evolving from adolescence.
"I don't think this is my fault at all. Shiyu, you're just too cute—so cute I couldn't help myself. I didn't want to stop, not even for a moment."
Senya tightened his embrace.
He didn't just want to satisfy his eyes—he wanted to feel her as well.
"Se-Senya… don't… I'm really a little tired." Shiyu, now clearly aware of the shift in the situation, no longer carried the same composed confidence as before. Panic flickered across her expression.
This wasn't playful pretense—she was genuinely afraid.
The situation had upended everything she thought she knew.
Although she had never been in a relationship with a boy before, she lived in the twenty-first century, where information was everywhere. Even if you weren't looking for it, you'd inevitably pick up something.
For example… isn't it common knowledge that men usually enter a long cooldown period after satisfaction?
But the reality?
Experience proves that theory is only as good as practice. No matter what information she received in the future, she would treat it with suspicion and never take it at face value.
"Relax. I just want to hold you, that's all."
"Then don't move too much…"
"I liked the defiant look you had earlier. Why don't you go back to that…? Hiss! Again?"
"…You asked for it yourself."
"You bit me first, and now you act all innocent while touching me nonstop."
"Anyway, it'll just hurt a little. No real harm done."
"…"
"Angry?"
"Not at all." Senya buried his head against her.
"Heh." Shiyu stroked his head and chuckled. "You're like a little baby."
"Don't go home tonight." Senya suggested quietly.
Shiyu tensed. "What do you mean?"
"I have no ulterior motive. I just want to hold you while you sleep tonight. And seeing you like this now, I'm worried and want to take care of you."
Take care of me…
Even this simple phrase softened Shiyu's heart.
She buried her fingers in his hair, stroking gently. "Senya… do you love me?"
"Of course. Want me to prove it again?"
"Your proof… only shows you love my body, doesn't it?"
"At first, yes. I was completely captivated by your… seductive body."
Shiyu didn't feel offended. After all, her body was a part of her. She asked curiously, "Then what about later?"
"Later… when you started trying black stockings, I couldn't help stealing glances more often."
"So, from the start, our relationship has been built on desire?"
Senya glanced at her, a faint smile on his face. Seeing she wasn't angry, he relaxed.
"What's wrong with desire? Shiyu, you like my body too."
"More than my body, I care about your face, Senya…"
"Seems like your reasoning isn't much better than mine…"
The two of them cuddled lazily, chatting idly, when the door was knocked.
At the same time, Shiyu's phone rang—a familiar ringtone to her ears.
"Shiyu, your phone has been ringing a lot. The caller ID says 'Mom.'"
"Ah… okay! I… I know! Just… wait a moment." Shiyu replied, flustered.
Senya quickly grabbed the thin blanket at the foot of the bed and draped it over her, while he hurriedly pulled on his pants and shirt.
"All set, Saeko."
Saeko, holding the ringing phone, stepped inside.
Seeing several crumpled tissues on the floor, smelling the familiar scent in the room, and spotting Shiyu wrapped tightly in a blanket without even showing her face, she couldn't help but smile.
She didn't say anything further.
She handed the phone to Senya and quietly left, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Her casual demeanor made Senya slightly embarrassed.
He sat on the bed, poking Shiyu's head.
"Little turtle, come out of your shell."
Shiyu cautiously peeked her head out. Seeing Saeko had left, she exhaled in slight relief.
Although she and Senya had crossed that line, facing Saeko now, she didn't know how to react.
Especially today, she had repeatedly brushed off his advances, and now…
Her words said one thing, her body another.
By the time she hesitated, the phone had stopped ringing.
"What do we do? Should I call back?"
"Of course, but let me put on clothes first. What time is it?"
"10:40 PM."
"!"
Shiyu's eyes widened—how had it gotten so late?
"This might be a problem… all your fault… I told you not to…"
"Yes, you kept saying no while tightening your arms around my neck and making those adorable sounds, tempting me not to leave. Totally irresistible."
"I told you that was unintentional!"
"Stop explaining. Just put on your clothes."
The phone in Senya's hand vibrated again.
This time, it was a video call.
"Quick, bring me some clothes…"
Shiyu started to say, then froze alongside Senya's movement.
Right… after the shower, she was still wearing his clothes. How could she explain that to her mother on video?
"…I was worried sick with your father, why didn't you answer earlier?"
"Mom, I said I was at Saeko's house studying together."
"You still have to answer. You're a girl—we worry, you know."
"Sorry, I was tired after studying. I rested on the couch while Saeko showered, so I didn't hear it."
"You… fine, don't ride the train so late. I'll have your father pick you up."
"No need, Mom. It's late, and Dad works tomorrow. I'll just stay at Saeko's."
"Won't that bother her?"
"We're close. It's fine."
"You sound hoarse. Are you sick?"
"Not sick. Dinner was spicy, and I coughed a lot."
"Then eat slower. Give the phone to Saeko so I can thank her."
"Okay."
In the living room, Shiyu handed the phone to Saeko, who smiled and chatted with her mother.
Senya, out of the camera's view, poured a cup of tea for Shiyu.
Eventually, after changing into her clean school uniform, Shiyu called back. Their builds were similar, so the video didn't betray anything.
"…Thanks… I hope Shiyu can stay with me… Okay, Aunt, go rest early."
After a brief chat, the phone returned to Shiyu. She listened patiently to her mother's final words before hanging up.
The moment the call ended, the awkward, flustered feeling returned.
She and Senya had crossed that line…
At Saeko's house…
It felt almost cruel.
Even as a child reading prince-and-princess stories in kindergarten, imagining her own romance, Shiyu could never have imagined this complexity.
"Sorry, Saeko. Can I use your bathroom? I need a shower…"
Shiyu stood, then almost immediately sat again.
Her thighs felt weak, and her lower abdomen ached painfully, like cramps.
She glared at Senya with slight resentment.
"I'll carry you, then."
Saeko, understanding Shiyu's state, nodded approvingly.
Senya agreed, recalling how he had carried her to the living room after helping her dress.
"No, I can do it myself."
Shiyu refused. In front of Saeko, the official girlfriend, and after what had just happened… she felt embarrassed.
Although they had a private arrangement, she still couldn't feel at ease.
Her pride wouldn't allow it.
Even as she fought through the pain, she trembled in place, struggling to take a step.
Her own strength had been overestimated, Senya's impact underestimated.
Her hands clenched into fists as she forced herself forward, every movement sending sharp, tearing pain through her body.
She froze again, forehead glistening with sweat. Senya quickly helped her.
"You can't walk normally like this. Senya should carry you, and hold you steady, or you might hit your head in the bathroom."
Saeko said with concern.
Senya gave her a subtle look. Saeko had said what he had wanted to say.
Shiyu's state was embarrassing enough.
Even with Saeko, the first time had been rough but not this fragile.
Not to mention… he had held back a third of his strength with Shiyu.
Careful and gentle, like placing a basketball in a hoop, he had restrained himself the entire time.
But for Shiyu's first time, he was considerate.
"Just like Saeko said, don't overdo it." Senya scooped Shiyu up without question.
Her cheeks flushed as she buried her face in his chest.
Saeko smiled softly. "You go wash, I'll warm up dinner."
"Thanks, Saeko."
"No need to be formal."
They headed to the bathroom.
Because their relationship had progressed so quickly, Shiyu still couldn't get over her embarrassment. As Senya helped remove her clothes, she kept her eyes tightly shut.
Only when he set the bathwater and lowered her into it did she slowly open her eyes, relieved.
"Really… we did it…" In the warm water, embraced by the one she loved most, Shiyu murmured, dazed by the lingering scent of him in the air.
"Now you can reach that conclusion." Senya chuckled, brushing her nose.
Shiyu giggled, leaning back. "Hold me tight… even tighter is fine…"