As the extravagance faded and spring affairs came to an end, the faint chirping of dawn light seeped through the half-drawn curtains outside the window, like fine sand slipping through an hourglass—soft and fleeting.
Kaoru glanced at Karuizawa lying beside him.
She was curled slightly on her side, her smooth, delicate shoulder exposed above the blankets.
Her skin was taut yet tender to the touch with faint rosy marks still visible here and there.
Her cute nose, slightly pursed lips, and steady breathing showed she remained deep in slumber—though one slender, snow-white arm was draped over Kaoru's body as she pressed close, as if clinging to him in sleep.
Recalling last night's events, Kaoru wasn't sure what expression to wear.
The girl's resolve had been far firmer than his own, her understanding far more piercing.
Karuizawa Kei's reasoning had been simple: since things had already come this far, she might as well shut her eyes and charge ahead into the darkness.
She'd staked all her hopes and future upon Kaoru.
For a girl who'd endured bullying, any future was acceptable—so long as it wasn't a return to the past.
And so, it was Kaoru who'd ended up pinned beneath her instead.
Gently shifting Kei's arm aside, Kaoru began rising from the bed—only for her to blink drowsily awake moments later.
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
At his voice, Kei seemed to freeze momentarily.
Slowly, a blush spread across her lovely face as last night's memories clearly flooded back.
The girl's sense of shame was practically exploding.
"Don't look...!"
Kaoru couldn't help but chuckle as she buried her face in the blankets, cocooning herself completely like an ostrich.
This from the girl who'd ridden him so boldly hours earlier.
"Take the day off," Kaoru said, dressing as he rose.
"It'd feel weird sending you to class like this. And you're sore besides."
A small head peeked from the blankets, cheeks still flushed.
"Are you leaving?"
Having tasted forbidden fruit for the first time, the girl now clung to her partner with fresh dependency and reluctance.
Her mind overflowed with him—with anxious thoughts.
'Does he think I'm too bold?'
'That Ichinose Honami would've been better? That I've already grown boring? That I looked ugly?'
Countless worries flashed through Kei's mind as she gazed imploringly at Kaoru, willing him not to go—and certainly not to think poorly of her.
"This is my room. Where would I go?" Kaoru gave her an exasperated look.
"I can't very well let you go hungry, can I? I've got ingredients from yesterday—might as well make you breakfast."
Kei grinned foolishly before asking, "Will you still go to class?"
"Not today. With you here, my head's not in the right space for lectures anyway. I'll work on assignments here instead." After a pause, he added.
"You can get your absence excused, right?"
"Hehe, I'll just say I caught a cold." Kei's voice turned syrupy sweet. "I'm staying until evening—Nene and the others won't be back till then."
Even if she hadn't fallen head over heels before, the girl was now past all hope of recovery.
After all, she and Kaoru had crossed the most critical threshold together.
Especially knowing she'd been first—that even Ichinose Honami hadn't reached this stage with him.
After some thought, it seemed like she had gone from being a backup girlfriend to the official one—her status had completely reversed.
Karuizawa Kei shyly covered her face to prevent Kaoru from noticing the mischievous thoughts running through her mind.
Kaoru spotted the towel on the bed and expressionlessly picked it up.
Though he didn't have a collecting habit, it did save him the trouble of washing the sheets.
When he went to the kitchen, Kei secretly peeked at his retreating figure, inhaling the lingering scent in the blanket.
The passion from last night had long faded, leaving only a faint trace—as if she were still wrapped in his embrace.
Feeling lightheaded, she rolled around on the bed a few times.
She had actually done it—what now? What now?
Should she confess to the others?
Her face burned with embarrassment.
Her actions felt so underhanded, like a sneaky cat stealing a taste.
But could she really be blamed?
If they were going to hesitate, wasn't it only natural for her to take the first step?
At this thought, she subconsciously raised her left hand, where a small ring glimmered brilliantly on her middle finger.
They said this finger symbolized engagement—she was his fiancée.
Along with her shyness, a hint of doubt arose.
She suspected Kaoru had prepared this in advance—otherwise, how could he have just happened to have this ring ready?
Surely, no one in the world would pull out a ring after the fact, right?
It was too strange.
Kei decided not to dwell on it.
She wouldn't wear the ring in public—it was too flashy, and she wasn't ready to expose her "misconduct" just yet.
"Kaoru, I want to take a bath."
The name that had once been difficult to say now rolled off her tongue effortlessly, even carrying a hint of coquettishness.
"I'll run the water for you. Wear my clothes for now—I'll wash yours and dry them before you change," Kaoru's voice came from the kitchen.
Kei felt a surge of happiness before stealthily slipping out from under the blanket, her slender, fair legs stretching out as her delicate feet touched the floor—as if worried he might turn around.
"After last night, you're still afraid I'll peek?" Kaoru spoke as if he had eyes on the back of his head.
"W-Well, any girl would be shy at a time like this!" Kei's cheeks flushed slightly as she covered her chest, where deep red marks still lingered.
"Even if… even if last night happened… it doesn't mean I'm that kind of person…"
With that, the girl dashed into the bathroom, giving Kaoru no chance to sneak a glance.
Not that a mere bathroom door could stop him if he really wanted to look—after all, this was his room.
But Kaoru wasn't the type to do something so tasteless.
Listening to the sound of running water, his thoughts grew tangled.
Maybe he should have been a little more forceful.
Before long, Kei emerged from the bathroom wearing Kaoru's shirt, her snow-white legs bare as she stood there, radiant.
The shirt was slightly loose on the girl, completely concealing her delicate form within its folds.
Only a few strands of glistening, water-kissed hair rested against her chest, like a lotus emerging from water.
The girl was pristine from head to toe, her fair skin glowing under the morning sunlight without a single blemish, embodying an elegant and exquisite beauty.
Yet, her bare legs exposed beneath added a touch of sensuality, as if lifting the hem would reveal even more alluring sights.
Especially with Karuizawa Kei's slightly flushed face, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the shirt's hem, and the occasional faint protrusions visible against her chest—it was abundantly clear the girl currently wore nothing beneath.
Kaoru took a deep breath, needing to restrain himself.
Otherwise, Karuizawa Kei would completely have him wrapped around her finger.
[Kay boys Karuizawa is the winner!]