Senya had thought about it thoroughly.
After returning from the beach trip, Toka, in stark contrast to the hesitant, almost teasing demeanor she had shown when he first confessed, began to act distant. She avoided spending time alone with him unless necessary—and the root cause of this was Saeko.
That night at the hotel, she had been caught off guard by his sudden confession, leaving her mind in turmoil. There had been no capacity for rational thought at that moment.
And once she had calmed down, she realized her own position in relation to Saeko was inappropriate—perhaps even a little shameful—which prevented her from being as open and straightforward as she had been initially.
Now, with things laid bare, Senya had explained everything and revealed Saeko's attitude to her. It was all clear.
Although Toka still maintained a certain reserve, holding back in more intimate matters, Senya was more than satisfied with the current state of their relationship.
The most crucial step had already been taken: they both knew each other's feelings, and the hidden anxiety in Toka's heart had been completely dispelled.
With that done, time would allow them to grow closer naturally—there was no rush.
"I should get going."
After a brief, tender moment holding Toka in his room, it was already past five in the afternoon. Thinking of Saeko waiting for him to return for dinner, Senya knew it was time to leave.
"Wait!" Toka grabbed the luggage he was about to lift. "We're fine…where are you going?"
Senya understood she had misunderstood.
Yet he was delighted to see Toka slowly shedding her guarded layers, revealing her true self before him.
The confident older sister figure, now showing vulnerability and worry—hesitation and reluctant attachment—it was irresistible.
He liked it immensely—perfect score!
Surely, in the future, her need for him would only grow, expanding endlessly, much like his own past feelings.
Countless nights, waking suddenly from dreams—no guessing needed.
He wondered if, had he held back and not crossed that final line, Toka might have, like Saeko before her, acted on the desire she couldn't suppress and come to him on her own…
Hmm…perhaps he was overthinking; after all, it had only been a few days since they had confirmed their relationship.
"Don't worry, keep your heart tucked inside."
"…"
"What's wrong?"
"…When you speak, you don't need to make gestures like this."
He had her in his arms again, one hand over her heart.
"I'm just trying to soothe you," he said.
"Get to the point. What's going on?"
"I've had some work…" Senya paused. Now that everything was out in the open between them, and she knew about Saeko, there was no reason to hide anything further. "…Saeko hasn't been feeling well these past couple of days. You know her father's often away, and I couldn't leave her alone. I need to stay at her place overnight to take care of her. Once she recovers, I'll be back."
"Oh…" Toka slid his hand down from her chest to rest lightly on her lower abdomen, fingers tracing his broad hand. She seemed contemplative. Suddenly, she remembered: "…So yesterday when you told Rokka you were working late, it was also because of Saeko?"
"Exactly," Senya smiled and nodded.
"I understand. Alright, for Rokka and Mom, to prevent them from worrying, just say you're working outside as usual."
Toka didn't overthink it; her heart was calm.
Though a twinge of jealousy flared at Senya taking care of another girl, seeing how generous and understanding Saeko had been immediately put that fleeting emotion in check.
She didn't even have the standing to be upset…
"Mm."
Senya lowered his head, clearly aiming for a farewell kiss.
Just like a father at the front door before leaving on a business trip.
Though the emotional knot had been untied, Toka's naturally modest nature made her shy to respond outright.
But Senya's mastery at setting the mood—playful nudges of forehead and nose, combined with his impossibly handsome features and dazzling smile—made it hard to resist…
Wait…a smile?
Toka, cheeks flushed, had a sudden flash of clarity. She held up her hand, blocking Senya's advancing lips.
Her voice cut through sharply:
"Saeko isn't feeling well. Why do you look so happy?"
The question caught Senya off guard.
Toka observed his composure waver into awkwardness and her suspicions solidified.
Her hand slowly pushed his face away.
The small trace of jealousy she had suppressed now returned in full force.
"Ahem…to put it simply, Saeko's condition is partly my fault."
Senya confessed openly; there was no need to hide it.
Originally, he had planned to reveal it later, once their relationship had deepened. But now that she had noticed, honesty was the natural choice.
After all, she would want the truth, even if it wasn't pleasant.
"Is that so." Toka sounded calm, but it was only a surface demeanor.
She reminded herself internally that she was older, the mature sister figure, and needed to display composure.
And as the later-comer compared to Saeko, she had no grounds for anger.
Senya watched her carefully, speaking gently: "Toka…are you alright?"
Toka pushed him away, adjusting a strand of hair at her ear, arms crossed naturally. "What could be wrong? I just noticed something off with you and asked. It was surprising, yes, but in today's world, a boy your age having this kind of situation isn't so rare. Just make sure you don't take shortcuts. As a man, use what you learned in health class wisely—protect Saeko. Understood?"
Her warning came too late; last night's "grand slam" sessions had already occurred. All the cream in the puff had spilled…
With Senya's freakish stamina, those bursts of desire were merely the opening act.
But considering Saeko, he had stopped in time. Otherwise, she wouldn't be recovering so quickly today.
There was no need to explain the details to Toka; she would experience them eventually.
Still, seeing Toka—so caring yet composed in her older-sister role—made Senya's heart flutter.
He recalled that his initial attraction to her had stemmed from precisely this.
A nurturing older sister—truly remarkable.
"I understand," Senya said obediently, secretly enjoying the moment of being scolded by his elder sister figure.
"Alright, go ahead. Saeko is probably still waiting for you."
"Mm, then…"
Toka distanced herself gracefully when Senya tried to move closer. As he reached, she executed a backward roll to the door, locking the safety latch, and gestured "please"—a crystal-clear way of sending him off.
Senya inwardly clicked his tongue: former rhythmic gymnastics athlete, full marks for agility.
"Toka's body is really flexible," he murmured with hidden meaning.
Toka looked away, cheeks still flushed. "I don't need you to tell me that."
Senya walked downstairs, Toka trailing slightly behind, seeing him off to the front entrance.
After warning him to be careful, she hesitated, then added:
"Let me know ahead of time when you're coming back. I'll make something you like to eat."
"Sure~"
"And…take good care of Saeko. Don't do anything that'll make her condition worse."
"Mm~"
Once outside, Senya's steps were light, full of purpose.
One of his greatest concerns had been resolved. A promising start.
According to his life plan: continue producing literature, become a renowned author, practice kendo and piano, participate in competitions, become a genius across fields, generate fame and revenue, invest, eventually transition from center stage to behind-the-scenes, living a worry-free, fulfilling life.
A beautiful vision, but one requiring relentless effort…
Lost in thought, Senya arrived at the Tojima residence.
No need to knock; he already had the entry code.
After checking the living room and bedroom, Saeko wasn't there. He passed through the garden to the kendo room—there she was, practicing sword swings.
Initially, she greeted him enthusiastically.
But noticing the disapproval on his face, she grew slightly nervous.
"I told you to rest when you left yesterday. You promised, didn't you?"
"I thought it'd be fine. Sword swings don't require much lower-body movement—just minimal footwork. My arms do most of the work."
"That's still no excuse. My gentleness with you last night wasn't to give you energy for this."
"Sorry…"
Saeko looked at him with puppy-like eyes, guilty yet sweet.
Being cared for this way brought back memories of her mother, long deceased, who had been thoughtful and gentle in everyday life. Her father, though caring, could never match her mother's meticulousness.
Now, Senya filled that void.
"No need for formal apologies. I'm not angry; I'm just concerned for your health." Senya took the wooden sword from her hands, placing it on the rack, then picked her up, heading back to the main hall.
She didn't protest; she enjoyed being carried.
Her only concern was her weight, but seeing Senya so relaxed, it seemed fine.
Senya commented casually: "If you can train here, that means basic mobility is fine, right?"
"Yes, as long as I move slowly, it's fine."
"Then let's go out for dinner tonight."
"No need for anything fancy," she replied.
For Saeko, being with Senya was enough.
"I realized since we got together, we haven't gone on a proper date. I thought—since we both have free time—this would be a good chance. But if you…"
"I want to go!"
Saeko's sudden decisiveness surprised him.
Looking at his smiling gaze, she blushed but remained resolute.
Because this was a date with Senya…
"Before we go, I need to shower and change."
Even a light practice in summer left her sticky.
"No rush. Take your time. Need help?"
"I'd want help, but it'd only delay us more. Better to handle it myself."
She wasn't afraid of him; she feared herself.
"Alright, I'll wait in the living room."
"Mm."
Saeko quickly changed, appearing before Senya in a white T-shirt and light-wash blue jeans. The rolled-up cuffs revealed her ankles, giving her a mix of tomboy charm and feminine grace.
"I'm not great at dressing…" she said, hands behind her back.
True—her mother had handled this before passing, and her father could never match. She had relied on uniforms for convenience and aesthetics.
Senya gently took her hands. "I don't think that's true. Comfort and neatness matter most. You're already beautiful—anything you wear looks great. Right now, you have that city-summer fashion vibe."
The faint mark on her neck didn't matter—it was proof of their love.
Her nerves calmed. Hand in hand, they went to change shoes.
Outside, he noticed: "You're wearing a bracelet today."
"Yes. Pretty, isn't it?"
"When did you get it?"
"Poem gave it to me earlier."
"I see…"
It reminded Senya he would soon need to figure out how to be honest with Umi about their situation.
…
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