Shuichi drifted for a moment, finally realizing that he wasn't as resistant as he had imagined.
"Alright, if we keep going, I really won't be able to stop myself. Shuichi-kun's taste..."
Haruka licked her lips again, but this time, she wasn't licking her own.
"It's too delicious."
A tremor ran through Shuichi's heart. This teasing seductiveness was far too tempting!
"I almost couldn't hold back either. Your charm, Haruka-san, is truly hard to resist," Shuichi said, shaking his head.
"By the way, is there anything else you need my help with? Please, don't be polite. I'm already planning to have you make my clothes for a lifetime, so a little more won't hurt."
"Thank you for the kind offer, Shuichi-kun, but there's nothing else," Haruka replied, shaking her head.
"What about your family? For instance, your mother's health, or your father's career? You should know by now, Haruka-san, that many problems aren't actually that troublesome for me to handle," Shuichi suggested.
Haruka couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest and hesitated. She could handle whatever came her way, but if she could make life better for her parents...
"That really is an offer that's hard to refuse. I want to say yes, but I don't know how I could ever repay you."
Shuichi smiled. "Just seeing you every day is repayment enough."
This was absolute truth. As long as Haruka was here, he could receive a constant supply of tea. Considering tomorrow was Friday, he was about to run out of stock.
"Rich, mysterious background, generous, young, handsome, and knows how to sweet-talk..." Haruka studied him with a smile. "No wonder you can enchant so many beautiful women, Shuichi-kun. Even I'm starting to get enchanted."
"What a coincidence. I'm also about to be enchanted by you, Haruka-san." Shuichi's eyes roamed over the various curves of her body.
"Alright, stop looking. You're making me feel all hot and bothered, making me want it even more." Haruka gave a light laugh, placed her hands on his shoulders, and led him toward the door. "Go on back for now. If you stay any longer, I really might eat you up."
Since she didn't mention the previous topic again, it was a polite decline for now. Shuichi didn't rush her; he just casually added:
"If you ever need anything in the future, just ask for my help. Don't be a stranger."
"Alright, I'll remember that. Thank you, Shuichi-kun." Haruka stood at the door, watching him leave.
By the time Sumire, clutching her souvenirs, rushed to the shopping district, it was nearly five o'clock. Yesterday she had been in such a rush and her mind was so clouded that she had gone up to the sacred second floor of the flower shop without even showering. She had even given Ichika a lap-pillow while still smelling of sweat—it was absolutely terrible.
So today, she planned to shower at Shuichi's place before heading over. However... after a phone call, Shuichi made a suggestion that was impossible for her to refuse!
Gulping repeatedly, Sumire quickly reached the flower shop's second floor. She stripped off her clothes and tiptoed into the living room.
As soon as she entered, she saw Shuichi sitting right in the middle of Ichika's "heart"!
"You're here? Wait a moment. There's water on the coffee table; have a few sips," Shuichi said, acting like the master of the house on behalf of Ichika.
He had no choice; Ichika was currently occupied and couldn't speak, so he had to play the host.
Sumire approached tremblingly and saw everything clearly. Ichika was using both hands to assist him, giving her heart and soul to the task. Meanwhile, Shuichi was roughly clutching her "heart."
"Sit down, Sensei. Aren't your legs tired from standing?"
Sumire set her souvenirs on the coffee table and watched with wide eyes, licking her soft, pink lips. "I'm not tired... I've been sweating today, I'll get the sofa dirty if I sit."
"If it gets dirty, we'll just clean it," Shuichi said, straightening his back and retorting.
"How could that be okay? These are all Ichika's things... and you... can you stop 'hitting back' so much?" Sumire felt a bit distressed.
Ichika's things, and Ichika herself, had to be cherished. How could he treat her so roughly?
"???" Shuichi was momentarily stunned. "If you're so bored, Sensei, why don't you go check if the bathwater is ready in the bathroom?"
"Then I won't talk anymore. Can I go in a little later?" Sumire swallowed again, moistening her dry throat, her voice weakening. After all, she was still counting on the thing Shuichi had promised her. If he wanted to "hit back"... then let him.
After a short while, Shuichi finally released Ichika's soft heart. He stood up to stretch, picked up the glass on the coffee table, and gulped down two mouthfuls.
"Aren't you drinking, Sensei? Though there's only this one cup; Ichika-san usually uses this." Shuichi shook the cup after finishing.
Sumire immediately snatched it from him and drained the remaining water in one go.
Shuichi gave a light laugh at the sight. "Since Sensei is here, why don't you lend a hand? Ichika-san was just tending to the stems and roots of her flowers, and she got a bit dirty. Help her clean up a bit before we all go to the bathroom to shower."
"Oh, oh, okay..." Sumire grew excited. Shuichi is reliable after all; he really thinks of me when there's something good!
Wiping Ichika's back?
Filled with excited anticipation, she went over to help Ichika, who was lying on the sofa.
A few minutes later, the three of them entered the bathroom. Ichika had spent the whole day tending to her flowers—pruning, handling stems, and loosening soil. She was indeed a bit exhausted.
So, Shuichi had no choice but to help her lather up.
Sumire's eyes were burning with envy. Just moments ago, she thought Shuichi was a great person, but now it turned out he had no intention of handing this job over to her!
How wicked! I got my hopes up for nothing!
"What are you looking at, Sensei? Get moving. Help with the lathering on the other side," Shuichi urged irritably when he saw her standing there dazed.
"Eh? I can too?" Sumire's heart suddenly soared into the clouds; the whole world seemed to brighten in an instant!
Shuichi rolled his eyes and didn't answer, focusing on the task at hand. He worked the body wash into a rich, fluffy foam and applied it to Ichika's long neck. Her wet, rounded shoulders still had droplets of water on them, looking like dew on flower petals, making one instinctively imagine how crisp and delicious they would be.
Shuichi took Ichika's hand, stroking every detail from her neck to her shoulder and down her arm, applying the foam evenly. Then he interlaced his fingers with hers, carefully coating every gap between her fingers in the slippery foam.
"Are you ticklish, Ichika-san?" Shuichi asked suddenly.
"I don't think so," Ichika replied with a slight hesitation. She hadn't been when she was a child, but in recent years, she hadn't had any intimate contact with anyone. Shuichi hadn't deliberately tried to tickle her yet, so she wasn't entirely sure.
"Does this tickle?" Shuichi asked, applying foam to her smooth armpit and side, lightly scratching her.
"Not at all. Are you really hoping to see me squirm, Shuichi-kun?" Ichika laughed. "Unfortunately, I'm a bit dull in that regard."
"That's not being 'dull'! That's being calm and elegant!"
Sumire held one of Ichika's arms, applying foam even more earnestly than Shuichi, as if she were handling a priceless piece of porcelain.
"Sumire-chan always loves to overpraise me like that," Ichika gave a helpless smile.
"Sumire-sensei is obviously a fanatic fan. I bet her whole reason for living is you, Ichika-san," Shuichi said. He suddenly stood up, lifted Ichika's arm, and then let it drop so it was pressed against her side. Then... he changed his method of "tickling" her—the same method he used on the President's soles.
"Exactly! People live for Ichika!" Sumire nodded heavily. No matter the cost, it was worth it!
However, while she was seriously lathering up that arm, she suddenly noticed Ichika's body swaying, rocking back and forth. She looked up in confusion and was immediately stunned. Wait, we agreed to help Ichika lather up; what on earth are you doing?!!!
Yet Ichika, who was being "tickled," looked perfectly natural, not finding anything amiss. She simply felt a bit helpless—it seemed Sumire's worldview was quite difficult to change. But since it didn't affect their friendship, she could only let her keep thinking that way.
"This doesn't tickle either?" Shuichi asked, one hand pressing on Ichika's left shoulder and the other pressing against the outside of her arm.
"No," Ichika turned her head to look at her arm, her eyes full of curiosity. "Does... tickling like this also feel interesting? I don't quite understand."
"Just look at Sumire-sensei's expression, and you'll know if it's interesting or not," Shuichi said with a chuckle.
Ichika turned her head toward Sumire and saw that she was staring blankly, her face flushed an abnormal shade of red as she unconsciously swallowed.
"It seems it really is something interesting, though I can't quite feel it myself."
"Does it feel uncomfortable?" Shuichi lightly bumped her slender, fair shoulder.
"No. As long as Shuichi-kun likes it, I don't mind. It's just that it seems you were hoping for more of a reaction? Should I act like I'm ticklish?" Ichika tilted her head back, deep in thought.
Looking down at her serene expression and flawless face, Shuichi felt a surge of energy. "There's no need to force it. There's a different kind of pleasure in this."
"Alright then," Ichika nodded thoughtfully.
"Sensei, stop dazed and get to work," Shuichi called out to Sumire as he stopped his "tickling."
Sumire came to her senses, feeling a bit lost. But Shuichi didn't bother with her much; he was now focused on "struggling with the predicament," his expression serious. He squatted down, pushing the foam from her side toward Ichika's heart, while his other hand moved down her smooth, beautiful back.
Ichika's heart was so hard to capture; every time he tried, it would slip from his hands due to its slippery nature and soft, changeable quality. How on earth could he completely grasp her heart so she wouldn't run away?
"By the way, Ogawa-san from the beauty shop took some petals from the shop and has already made the essential oil. She even sent me a small bottle. Want to try it later?"
Ichika looked down at his futile meddling and gave a small smile.
"It's already finished?" Shuichi looked at the slippery... foam overflowing between his fingers. He had almost forgotten about it, mainly because he had been too busy lately to care.
"Yes... it seems she used some sort of faster method. Then Ogawa-san tried it herself first, and only sent it to me once she was sure it was fine," Ichika explained slowly.
"What's your impression of Fumika-san, Ichika-san?" Shuichi asked curiously.
Ichika pondered for a moment. "A very gentle person, I think. But she seems a bit shy."
"I see," Shuichi said thoughtfully, beginning to lather her legs.
He grabbed her leg by the ankle and straightened it, pushing the foam all the way down from the thigh, enjoying the wonderful touch of her soft, slippery skin. Then he cradled her foot, which was arched at the instep, coated it in foam, and began to play with it carefully.
"As for the essential oil, I don't mind trying it, but Sumire-sensei probably isn't looking forward to it."
As Shuichi spoke, his foam-covered palm met her sole, his fingers forcibly spreading her toes and sliding between them.
"Mmm..." Ichika couldn't help but let out a soul-stirring hum. "Why wouldn't Sumire-chan be looking forward to it? Does she not like essential oil baths?"
"Exactly! Why wouldn't I like it? I'd be more than happy to bathe with Ichika; wouldn't it be even better with the scent of essential oils?" Sumire was also confused, thinking Shuichi was talking nonsense.
Shuichi just let the corner of his mouth curl up. "Sensei, come here. I'll tell you something, then you tell me if you're looking forward to it."
"What?" Sumire grew uncertain. Seeing him so confident, there was likely a reason.
Ichika was also curious, but she didn't ask, simply watching as Sumire leaned her ear in.
Shuichi narrowed his eyes slightly and whispered, "You can't drink essential oil."
Can't drink essential oil?
So what? I know that.
Sumire was even more confused until a bolt of lightning struck her mind, and she suddenly understood what he was talking about!
Shuichi released Ichika's foot with a half-smile and stood up. "Are you still looking forward to it now, Sensei? The essential oil bath and all."
"I... I don't know," Sumire glanced at Ichika, looking troubled.
"Is it something you can't tell me? You two whispering like that."
The foam on Ichika's body was like a light veil, her beautiful physique partially visible, giving her an even more captivating charm than usual. At this moment, she rested her chin on one hand, asking with a smile. Her tone was unhurried, yet it made one genuinely not want to hide anything or lie to her.
"It's not that, it's just..." Sumire was conflicted, giving Shuichi a reproachful look. Mentioning it now, won't it scare Ichika?
Shuichi's resistance was much higher. Looking at this artistic scene, he merely marveled in his heart before replying with a laugh, "I just told her that you can't drink essential oil."
"???" Ichika was completely baffled. She stood up to give her small stool to Sumire and asked, "What does that mean?"
"You probably go online too, Ichika-san, but maybe you haven't seen this kind of news? There are some internet idols who sell their own bathwater for a hundred thousand yen a bottle. They say you can drink it or add a bit to your own bath, so it feels like you're bathing with your favorite idol."
As Shuichi spoke, he pressed Sumire onto the stool and began pushing foam onto her cold, fair skin. The latter looked like she was being tortured. It wasn't the pain of Shuichi applying foam, but the torture of being "executed" in front of her idol!
Ichika will definitely think I'm weird, or even find me repulsive!
Ichika was indeed stunned. She looked at Sumire, whose toes were curled as she hugged her knees, looking lost. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. This friend of hers... was truly beyond her imagination. Even weirder than her own eccentricities... and even harder to understand.
"I don't quite understand, but if Sumire-chan likes it, I don't mind if you take some back to add to your bathwater. It's just... drinking it seems a bit unhealthy, doesn't it?"
Sumire's eyes widened. "Really? I can take some back?!"
"Yes, if you truly like it. But wouldn't it be better to just come and bathe with me?" Ichika's expression showed a rare hint of conflict.
"That's different, Ichika-san. You don't need to ask; Sumire-sensei probably doesn't even know what her own psychology is."
Shuichi stepped in to save her, sharing half the foam with Ichika, and the two began helping Sumire lather up. Ichika didn't find anything strange about it—first two people helped her, now she was helping Sumire-chan, and in a bit, she and Sumire-chan would help Shuichi-kun...
"Exactly, exactly! I don't even know why I'd look forward to something like that, but... Ichika, I'm so glad you don't find me repulsive!" Sumire felt a sense of relief, as if she had just survived a disaster.
"Don't I also not find you repulsive, Sumire-chan?" Ichika smiled gently, lightly scrubbing her back. "Next time, you can just tell me things directly. It's fine."
Sumire was about to speak, but Shuichi beat her to it. "That's perfect then. Ichika-san, how are you feeling? Have you prepared yourself mentally?"
Ichika was taken aback for a moment before she understood his meaning. "I think I should be ready. But is it really okay, Shuichi-kun?"
Shuichi shook his head, scrubbing her like she was a washboard, not being gentle at all.
"It's fine. The President is just like Sumire-sensei. One would rather take the bathwater home than bathe together directly, and the other prefers being at the back of the line rather than snatching the lead."
"In that case... I'll be in your care, Shuichi-kun." Ichika pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Eh?" Sumire was dumbfounded. Is it what I think it is? Why was such a major decision settled so casually? Shouldn't it be more romantic, with a buildup of atmosphere, and then letting things happen naturally? Why does it feel like they're just making an appointment? And Ichika, why are you the one saying 'I'll be in your care'!!! He's clearly the one getting the better deal, right?
"It's my pleasure. If you still need more mental preparation, Ichika-san, there's no rush," Shuichi said as he lifted Sumire's long legs.
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