Chapter 147: First Bell (Part 1)
On the other side, Kita, having left the bathroom, dried herself in the changing room, blow-dried her hair, changed clothes, and walked out.
She walked to the living room and saw Ishikawa Hayato sitting on the sofa, looking at his phone while waiting for them.
She walked over and sat down, leaving some distance between them.
After a moment of hesitation, she said somewhat helplessly,
"I feel like I owe Gotou-san more and more..."
Although Ishikawa Hayato was one of the causes, she was certain he could help resolve it.
Ishikawa Hayato glanced up at her, seeing her sullen expression, and knew she was serious.
He said, "Then you can be nicer to me, and I'll be nicer to Bocchi on your behalf."
Kita didn't expect Ishikawa Hayato to answer like that and couldn't help but exclaim,
"That's such a terrible way of repaying!"
Ishikawa Hayato suddenly realized this was a rare opportunity to be alone with Kita during this trip.
Without hesitation, he moved over and sat next to her.
Kita watched him warily.
Ishikawa Hayato said, "Then let me put it another way. Aren't we a couple now? Your matters are my matters, and my matters are yours."
"Besides, this is originally a mistake we made together."
Kita knew very well that she was the main culprit who let things develop to this point.
Seeing him take on the responsibility like this, she felt considerably relieved.
However, her gratitude lasted only a moment before she sensed something amiss.
She looked at him with slight disdain, her voice carrying a mix of coquettishness and teasing,
"So, Hayato-kun, is there something you want?"
"I'm running low on Ikuyo energy. I want a hug."
Ishikawa Hayato was blunt.
Kita didn't expect him to actually dare say that.
She glanced back toward the quiet bathroom, lowered her voice, and said angrily,
"That's so awful! Gotou-san is still here!"
Ishikawa Hayato noticed her refusal wasn't firm.
"From the time the bathroom door opens to when someone reaches here, it takes at least six or seven seconds."
Kita hesitated, torn between her diminished guilt and him.
In the end, she lost to her true self.
Moreover, watching Ishikawa Hayato interact with others all the time, she felt quite resentful.
"I feel like you're going to turn me into a terrible person..."
She complained lightly.
Hearing her non-refusal tone, Ishikawa Hayato pulled her over, bringing her into his embrace and letting her sit on his lap.
Just as Kita was about to complain, she heard him say,
"Yesterday, Ikuyo was right in front of me all day, but I couldn't get closer. It was really hard."
Not just him—Kita felt the same way.
Hearing Ishikawa Hayato say this, she felt a flutter of joy, as if they were thinking the same thing.
Seeing that Ishikawa Hayato's hands were relatively well-behaved, she let him hold her, looking at him with a smile in her eyes.
"Aren't we just like the worst couple in a drama right now?"
"Then we can be even worse."
Ishikawa Hayato smiled and puckered his lips.
"No."
Kita reached out and pressed her hand against his lips.
"Your palm is so soft."
Ishikawa Hayato kissed it, and Kita pulled her hand back as if shocked.
"Pervert!"
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment!"
"Ikuyo smells really nice after showering."
"I didn't ask for your compliments right now!"
"And Ikuyo running around happily on the beach earlier was also very cute."
"Stop talking!"
Kita was teased until she was so shy she curled her feet up.
Ishikawa Hayato also stopped teasing and smiled, watching her shy yet somewhat displeased expression.
Noticing Ishikawa Hayato's teasing gaze, Kita turned her face away, not letting him see.
But she quickly turned back, looking toward the door.
Of course, she wasn't sensing someone coming.
She just didn't want to avoid it, yet was too shy to face Ishikawa Hayato's gaze directly.
"Ikuyo, to prevent us from becoming a terrible secret couple, we should still tell..."
"No."
Kita's tone was unusually firm.
Although she was better at socializing, sports, and academics, she had always been the one receiving help from Hitori.
From the very beginning, asking Hitori to perform in her place, to later almost letting Hitori get bullied, to learning the guitar, and many, many other things—she had been causing trouble for Hitori.
Even if Hitori said it was fine, she couldn't in good conscience tell Hitori she was dating Ishikawa Hayato.
And besides...
"What would happen after telling her? Become one of your several girlfriends?"
She tapped her heel against Ishikawa Hayato's leg, complaining with a smile.
"What do you mean several... just four..." Ishikawa Hayato said in a weak tone.
"So you've really planned it out."
Kita retorted.
After saying that, she suddenly fell silent.
She pondered, her turquoise eyes darting rapidly as she stared at the floor.
Ishikawa Hayato watched her quiet seriousness, her adorable posture as she sat on his lap thinking, her small feet dangling yet still not reaching the ground, only the slippers barely hanging on her feet touching the floor. Every movement had an indescribable cuteness.
He didn't disturb her.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally said,
"Let me think about it."
"Ikuyo~~"
Ishikawa Hayato, moved, puckered his lips.
Kita immediately grew wary and glanced toward the hallway, saying,
"No kissing..."
While she hesitated, Ishikawa Hayato said,
"I know."
"Mm."
Kita immediately relaxed.
She knew this person would push his luck, but he wouldn't break a promise.
Just as she thought that, she felt a force around her waist from Ishikawa Hayato's arms, pulling her closer to him.
She looked at Ishikawa Hayato with disdain.
"What are you doing?"
"Shouldn't we be closer?"
Kita struggled lightly, feeling he wasn't using much force, but he still held her shoulders without letting go.
She hesitated, then relaxed her body and whispered,
"Bastard..."
"I'd be happier if you called me Pervert."
"I won't make you happy."
Their voices were extremely close, soft and gentle, as if cooing or sighing lightly.
The low voices made their ears and hearts itch slightly.
He rested his head against her cheek.
Even the girl's hair was soft, her black locks fine and delicate, carrying a faint fragrance.
Even the hair at her temples felt smooth down to the touch, gentle and comfortable.
In their intimate closeness, Ishikawa Hayato felt Kita's breathing slightly quicken.
He could sense she wanted to complain about something, but something was holding her back so she couldn't bring herself to speak up.
As her heartbeat became more and more noticeable, he slowly, gently kissed her cheek.
After that brief kiss, Kita quickly pushed him away and sat silently on Ishikawa Hayato's lap, adjusting her breathing.
Ishikawa Hayato lowered his hands, continuing to gently hold her waist, feeling the happiness of their heartbeats seemingly resonating together.
For a long time, neither said anything until the sound of the bathroom door opening echoed from the hallway.
Kita immediately fled, sitting at the farthest spot on the sofa from Ishikawa Hayato.
...
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