But right now, Shiginomiya Shion could only tuck that newly awakened feeling of love deep away again, not daring to let even a trace show.
Because she knew—Kuroba Akira didn't like her.
He wasn't working with her because he'd fallen for her. He hadn't even been drawn in by her looks—he'd simply recognized her talent… though even that alone was enough to make Shiginomiya silly-smile with happiness.
But she knew, very clearly, that there was no romance in it.
To put it more bluntly, the relationship between Kuroba Akira and Shiginomiya Shion was simply a mutually beneficial, money-based arrangement.
She'd already received so much—if she asked for more, she might end up losing even what she had now…
Confessing on her own would only trouble him. It might even mean they couldn't stay friends.
And if things soured between them, she might not even be able to keep living at the Kobayashi household.
It had only been a week, but she'd already come to genuinely like this place. Life was a little tight, yes—but she didn't have to worry about much. It was free, relaxed, unrestrained—she could do what she wanted.
Back when she'd moved into her stepfather's house, her material conditions had improved greatly, but she hadn't been happy there—her mother had been constantly on guard around her.
Now, she could understand her mother… not as a child understanding a parent, but as a woman understanding another woman's actions.
Mom must have been terrified…
Terrified her lover would be stolen away by her own daughter.
Because her second father—that scum—had only married her mother out of an ulterior motive toward herself. That man didn't love her mother at all; he just wanted to use her… and use me.
But her mother had stopped him. Once she'd seen through that man's true intent, she'd decisively divorced him… Even though her mother was such a love-brain she couldn't live without a man, she'd still given up her scumbag husband to protect her daughter.
So Shiginomiya didn't resent her mother.
Her mom just wasn't good at showing gentleness—she had never actually harmed her.
It was just that, in the end, mother and daughter had to separate. That left her with regret and loss… If she hadn't been born with this face, maybe she and her mom could have been a truly close mother-daughter pair.
I hope Mom can find happiness with her current dad.
And I… will work hard to pursue my own happiness too.
While Shiginomiya was organizing her thoughts, Akira was still patting her head.
He was… kind of getting addicted.
The sensation was nothing like touching stocking-clad feet—it was a completely different kind of novelty.
Running his fingers through her long hair, from the roots down to the ends, without a single snag—silky strands sliding through his fingers like the smoothest thread.
That flowing feeling could smooth away every bit of irritation in his mind, bringing him a calm, tranquil ease.
Kind of like a pair of earphone wires that absolutely never tangle—no matter how they're balled up, they just unravel instantly… you know that really satisfying feeling?
Then lightly taking a lock of her hair, rubbing it between his palms until it spread apart—each strand so fine it amazed him, a faint coolness against his fingertips, but carrying a warm pulse of life.
Squeeze just slightly, and her long hair would bounce back, like living threads dancing in his hands…
Alright, to put it less poetically—Akira kind of wanted to get wrapped up in this black hair, take in its scent to his heart's content, then feel it with his tongue.
Seemed like another weird XP was awakening… Was Shiginomiya's whole body hiding secrets, each part able to awaken some new kink?
He'd imagined what it might feel like before, when he'd first seen that sleek, straight black hair—but he hadn't expected her hair quality to be this top-tier.
Almost enough to put stockings to shame.
After breast-fetish came hair-fetish, a new challenger threatening the reigning champion—his foot-fetish… ggh, can't lose!
Then Akira suddenly thought of a certain witch who could weave her hair into clothing.
If Shiginomiya's hair wrapped around her feet to form black stockings… wouldn't that be double the bliss?
Too bad her hair wasn't long enough—even curling up, she could barely wrap it around her knees and calves, and the pose would be awkward.
Truth be told, hair that reached the waist was already very long. Any longer would get in the way of daily life—like being a pain when going to the bathroom, or just a nightmare to manage and wash.
Ah, so black-hair-stockings beauty would have to remain in the realm of fantasy…
Akira sighed, but still couldn't get enough of the sensation. He was reluctant to stop, and Shiginomiya was fully immersed in enjoying the touch from someone she liked—so the "reward time" ended up lasting a long while.
It wasn't until around five in the afternoon that Tashiro Benika came down the stairs and saw the scene—her face curling into a playful smile.
Oya… looks like it's intimate-time right now?
She knew the two of them weren't that kind of relationship—Shiginomiya had already explained her background before—but no matter how you looked at it, this scene was exactly like a model couple showing off their affection.
And as for their so-called "contract partnership," Benika found it pretty amusing—it had a very youth-romance-drama feel to it.
If it were anyone else who'd brought a current JK home, Benika might have suspected them of having impure thoughts. But for Akira to bring home such a pretty little beauty—she believed he genuinely wanted to train her talent.
After all, Akira had once confided in her that he had the special ability to see a person's talents.
As far as she knew, he hadn't told anyone else about it—not even Kobayashi-obaasan.
The fact that he'd shared this kind of secret with her first meant he was extending trust to her—and that was why Benika had been willing to share her own past-life story with him.
…There was still one thing she hadn't told him, though. Not out of caution—just because she wasn't ready yet.
Akira noticed Benika first as she came downstairs. He tore himself away from the magic of the long, straight black hair, lifted the hand that had been on Shiginomiya's head, and waved.
"Good morning, Benika-san."
He called her by name—something Benika herself had asked for. She'd said using surnames felt too distant, and she'd been used to first names in her previous life anyway—surnames just made it hard to tell people apart.
"Sorry, sorry, did I interrupt you two?"
"Not really—Shion's just made a lot of progress, so I was giving her a little reward."
"Hehe… I see."
Benika narrowed her eyes and licked her lips slightly. As a fellow woman, she understood a young girl's thoughts all too well.
If the man wasn't someone you cared about, you wouldn't let him pat your head.
And she'd also noticed Shiginomiya's expression just now—that was exactly the look of a girl in love, melting in bliss.
I wonder if Akira noticed? Or is he pretending not to know?
Because Benika knew—psychologically, Akira still saw Shiginomiya as just a "little girl." Making a move on a JK was… not something he could accept.
"Ah, Benika-san… you're up early today."
Shiginomiya came back to herself too—the head-pat reward had been cut short, leaving her feeling regretful, but she still smiled and greeted Benika.
After these past few days, Shiginomiya didn't reject Benika as much—she'd realized Benika wasn't giving special treatment only to Akira, but was kind to everyone.
And the way she treated Akira was more like an older sister looking after a younger brother… so, not an "enemy."
Right! I can borrow pants from her!
And also… sanitary pads. Even when it's not my period, I should start wearing them in my underwear!
With her recent experiences, Shiginomiya now understood her own body's quirks—so to avoid staining both her inner and outer pants again, she needed to keep pads on hand.
Absolutely no more embarrassing herself in front of Akira-kun!
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl