But this did not alleviate the overflowing nervousness she felt at the moment.
Yanami Anna stood awkwardly in the center of the room, completely unsure where to rest her gaze.
Imaizumi Keita looked at her like this and found it somewhat amusing.
Just outside, she had been so bold in making such demands of him.
Yet, as soon as they arrived, she immediately reverted to the innocent maiden she was.
It was as if Yanami Anna, who had surprised him two days ago by turning into a glutton to deal with him, wasn't her at all...
Truly... adorably irresistible.
"Anna-chan."
Imaizumi Keita walked towards Yanami Anna.
"I, I, I..."
Yanami Anna's back was already pressed against the cold wall, with nowhere left to retreat.
She looked at Imaizumi Keita's distinctly contoured face under the warm lights, at her own panic-stricken face clearly reflected in his deep eyes, and her heart began to thump uncontrollably.
"Keita... I, I..."
Imaizumi Keita no longer gave her a chance to hesitate.
He reached out, gently caressed her cheek with his thumb, then lowered his head and kissed her.
"Mmgh...!"
It was a long kiss.
When they separated, Yanami Anna's breathing was somewhat erratic, and her cheeks were so red they looked like they could drip water.
She leaned against the wall, her head slightly turned, not daring to look into Imaizumi Keita's eyes.
Imaizumi Keita gazed at her, his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbing, and his eyes deepened accordingly.
She looked at Imaizumi Keita's eyes, which were somewhat dark with emotion, and belatedly remembered what she had promised him earlier.
"Th-that, that..."
She averted her gaze, not daring to look into his eyes anymore, "Keita, you... you go... go wash up first."
Imaizumi Keita nodded, both amused and helpless, then turned and walked into the bathroom.
Hearing the soon-to-be-heard'splash' of water from inside the door, Yanami Anna finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
She leaned against the wall and slowly slid down onto the carpet, covering her burning cheeks with her hands, her mind a mess.
What to do... what to do...
Even though I've already helped Keita before, at a time like this, I still feel... so, so shy...
Imaizumi Keita soon emerged wrapped in a bath towel, water droplets sliding down his sculpted abs, carrying a heart-racing scent of hormones.
He walked straight to the bed and sat down, then, with his back to her, dried his hair with a towel.
Yanami Anna knelt on the carpet, watching his broad and firm back, her heart uncontrollably pounding.
She gave herself a mental pep talk and resolutely stood up from the floor.
First time's new, second time's familiar, third time makes Keita want to run away...
What's there to be afraid of... I'm a girl...
Yanami encouraged herself in this way and awkwardly wrapped her arms around his waist from behind him.
"Keita..."
Her voice was very soft, carrying a trace of imperceptible excitement.
Imaizumi Keita's motion of drying his hair paused.
He didn't turn around, only uttered a slightly hoarse "Mm" from his throat.
Yanami Anna took a deep breath, leaned close to Imaizumi Keita's ear, and spoke the words.
"I... I'm starting..."
...
When the two walked out of the Love Hotel, the sky had already begun to turn westward.
Yanami Anna kept her head down, the blush on her cheeks never completely fading.
Imaizumi Keita walked beside her, a lingering, lazy expression on his face, clearly very pleased with what had just happened.
"Sigh..."
He suddenly let out a long sigh, his voice filled with obvious regret.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Imaizumi Keita turned his head to look at her, "I was just thinking, I really should have just eaten you, Anna-chan, without restraint earlier."
"You—!"
Yanami Anna's face turned even redder, and she glared at him indignantly.
"However," Imaizumi Keita changed the subject, his tone becoming serious again.
"Unfortunately, I'm a good man. Since I promised you that I would only 'eat' you when you willingly agreed, I will definitely keep that promise."
"Huh?"
Yanami Anna couldn't help but roll her eyes and started to complain about Imaizumi Keita.
"What kind of good man is like you, Keita?" she grumbled indignantly, "What kind of good man would tell his girlfriend, with a straight face, that he wants to have two relationships?"
Listening to her words, Imaizumi Keita reached out and stroked Yanami Anna's hair, explaining gently.
"That's because I don't want to lie to you."
He paused, then added, "And, once I really 'eat' you, Anna-chan, I'll make sure you're very comfortable."
"You bastard...!"
Yanami Anna's cheeks uncontrollably flushed red once again.
...
The next day, Imaizumi Keita sent a message to Ayano Mitsuki, asking if he was free today.
Soon, the other party replied, saying he planned to go to the school Library in the afternoon to borrow some reference books.
The two naturally agreed to meet at the school gate in the afternoon.
The weather in the afternoon was perfect. Imaizumi Keita arrived at the school gate early to wait for Ayano Mitsuki, and Ayano Mitsuki arrived shortly after.
After greeting each other at the school gate, the two walked side by side toward the Library. Imaizumi Keita took the initiative to explain his purpose for coming today.
"Speaking of which, Ayano."
"Hmm?"
"I heard from Yakishio that you seem to have... run into a bit of trouble getting along with Asagumo-san lately?"
Imaizumi Keita's tone sounded like casual small talk, but his eyes were inconspicuously observing Ayano Mitsuki's reaction.
Hearing this, a look of slight surprise appeared on Ayano Mitsuki's face, which then turned into a somewhat embarrassed, bitter smile.
"This... Lemon actually told you about this?" He scratched his head somewhat helplessly. "I really didn't expect that."
Imaizumi Keita explained for Shioyaki Lemon, "Because Yakishio herself doesn't understand these things very well, she came to ask me."
"Ayano, you don't need to worry; Yakishio definitely won't go around spreading your business."
"So that's how it is... I've really caused you trouble, Imaizumi... I didn't think Lemon would go around talking about my business..."
Ayano Mitsuki nodded in realization, his face full of sincere apology, and then curiously asked Imaizumi Keita...
"Come to think of it, I didn't expect Lemon to take the initiative to seek help from you. When did the relationship between you two get so good?"
"Haha, it's alright."
Imaizumi Keita smiled, not mentioning that Shioyaki Lemon had actually gone to seek help from Yanami at first.
Ayano Mitsuki looked at his proactive manner and remembered how Shioyaki Lemon had shown admiration and appreciation when mentioning Imaizumi Keita while introducing the Literature Club before.
A clear logical chain slowly formed in his mind.
Lemon didn't know how to help him, and considering the confidentiality of the matter, she went to her good friend Imaizumi, who could keep a secret.
And Imaizumi, this guy who usually kept to himself and didn't care about anything, actually came to help him so proactively because of Shioyaki Lemon's request.
The reason behind this...
A look of realization from a successful deduction flashed in Ayano Mitsuki's eyes.
"You guys usually think I'm like a block of wood when it comes to feelings, but I understood this kind of thing in an instant..."
He turned around and looked at Imaizumi Keita with a certain gaze that suggested he had seen through everything.
In that case, let me show you the amazing sharpness brought about by reading so many mystery novels.
There is only one truth!
"Imaizumi."
"Hmm?"
"I fully understand the truth of the matter now."
Ayano Mitsuki pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, a confident smile appearing on his face.
"You guy, do you like Yakishio?"
Hearing this inexplicable conclusion, Imaizumi Keita only felt a wave of confusion and bewilderment.
What on earth happened? How did Ayano Mitsuki suddenly link it to this...
Looking at Ayano Mitsuki's smug expression, he gave up on the idea of defending himself and sighed.
"Ayano," he shook his head, his tone full of perfunctoriness, "you really... have quite an imagination."
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"