Today's training was just about wrapped up. As Shirase was about to leave, Isshiki Iroha hurried over to him.
Thinking she wanted to walk home together again, he slowed—but instead found her looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "Have you heard about the cultural festival next month?"
"Haven't heard a thing," Shirase said honestly. He rarely kept track of that kind of event.
"As expected. You only ever focus on your books." Isshiki wore a look that clearly said, I knew it.
Falling in beside him, her eyes shone with anticipation. "I only found out because people were chatting about it in our class group."
Walking side by side, Shirase said casually, "Usually there are plenty of students who like planning this stuff. Realistically, even if I don't get involved, it shouldn't matter."
"You really think so?" Isshiki smiled sweetly, blinking up at him.
"Absolutely," Shirase replied, confident.
"Liar!"
She stuck out her tongue, giggling. "With how popular you are, there's no way everyone will just let you off. Plus, Kirisu-sensei is bound to talk to you about it sooner or later."
Shirase had no comeback—because she was right.
Seeing his expression, Isshiki switched to a mock-elder tone. "So you'd better start brainstorming what your class is going to do."
"How about a sumo café?" Shirase offered.
Isshiki's smile froze. "What kind of joke is that?"
"Then a boxing café?"
"What is that combination? If the girls in your class who like you heard that, wouldn't they start wondering, 'Did I fall for the wrong guy?'"
"There's another possibility." Shirase lifted a finger, meeting her curious gaze. "Maybe they'll take it as motivation, train hard, and our class will end up producing a whole squad of female boxers."
Isshiki took a deep breath. "Shirase-kun, is this how you normally talk to the girls in your class?"
He gave it some thought. "Maybe. Though after I coldly turned down someone who asked for my contact info early in the term, not many girls dare talk to me anymore."
"I get it now," Isshiki said blankly. "If you actually announce your 'Female Boxer Training Program' a few days before the festival, I guarantee you'll be famous."
"Unfortunately, I'm already quite famous," Shirase said without a hint of modesty.
"I meant famous in a different way," Isshiki sighed.
"You don't think they'd take my words as inspiration? Chase their boxing dreams?"
"What kind of idiot would take that seriously?! And even if they did and got good at it, you'd be the first one they'd punch."
"They couldn't beat me anyway."
"…You sound oddly proud of that."
"I'm not even standing with my hands on my hips yet, so only moderately."
Just as Isshiki was about to lose it, Hayama Hayato caught up with a shoulder bag. "What are you two chatting about so happily?"
Isshiki turned with a blank stare. "Do I look happy to you?"
"Ah—my mistake," Hayama laughed.
"We're debating whether the girls in our class might become boxers," Shirase explained helpfully.
"Huh?" Hayama looked completely lost.
"Shirase-kun is an idiot," Isshiki said weakly. "Please ignore his nonsense."
"You just called me an idiot?" Shirase arched a brow.
"No, I didn't."
"You definitely did! I clearly heard you."
"Did I really say 'idiot'?"
"Absolutely. I'm famous for my sharp ears."
Hayama watched the back-and-forth with a warm smile. The soccer club really did have a friendly, easy vibe.
Since the three of them didn't share a route home, they split up halfway.
After changing his shoes and stepping into the living room, Shirase saw Kojima Kana on the sofa reading a magazine. She looked up suddenly, eyes bright on him.
Instantly wary, he asked, "What's with that look?"
Kana's eyes were shy but openly expectant. "Dinner first? Then I'll run your bath."
Shirase's mood dipped. "So it's come to this. You've made up your mind."
Kana rolled her eyes playfully. "Didn't I already talk to you about it? Besides, you seemed pretty interested last time."
"Watch your mouth. Even if we're close, if you slander me I can sue, you know."
After dinner, Shirase refused her offer to prep his bath. "How about we talk first?"
Kana paused, seeming to guess where this was going. She nodded, picked up her clothes, and went into the bathroom.
Shirase sat in the living room, thinking.
Only recently had he realized why Kana's gaze had turned strange after their last tutoring session—and why she'd been gradually more intimate since. Women were emotional by nature; now that she felt their relationship had deepened, going further seemed only natural to her.
But some things needed to be said clearly.
He had time today, and the timing felt right.
At exactly 7:15 p.m., Kojima Kana stepped out of the bathroom in a black silk nightdress, steam curling behind her. Her cheeks were softly flushed—whether from the heat or something else.
A pink ribbon dangled loosely at her waist, leaving the silk gown airy. Even in the warm light, Shirase could make out the delicate line of her small waist.
She walked toward him barefoot. Her feet were porcelain white, the curves clean and graceful; her ankles slim with a gentle roundness, arches lightly raised, no veins or bones showing through that smooth skin. Each toe was plump and pearly, nails left natural with a faint, petal-pink sheen.
"What did you want to talk about?"
Standing before him, eyes gentle and warm, she smiled.
Before he could speak, she added playfully, "If you're planning to say something that'll upset me, I refuse to hear it."
Shirase let out a helpless laugh.
So this was her way of striking first.
He shook his head. "Actually, what I wanted to say is… seeing you like this right now, Kana-nee, I suddenly realized—your figure could go toe-to-toe with anyone in Tokyo."
---
T/N: 4 chaps meeting this weeks quota, i was toooo lazy and slept allllllllll week sorgee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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