Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Harumi
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"Was it good?"
"Yeah... It was delicious."
We'd only had a simple meal together, but still, this left way too much empty time.
It was barely 3:40. Dragging her into a love hotel right now would be a bit much...
That Saki girl has no sense. If she was gonna set up a date, why not make it for dusk?
Anyway, maybe we should get some dessert.
"Feeling full, Ren?"
"Huh? Oh, um... Yeah."
She didn't look stuffed to the brim. She was probably just saying that because admitting she wasn't full right after eating might make her seem like a glutton. I'd love it if Ren ate a ton, though. That plump lower belly, padded for womb protection? It's got its own special appeal.
"Let's go grab some dessert. We missed the crepes earlier... How about ice cream or something?"
The moment I said "ice cream," Ren's eyes sparkled like stars. Guess that saying about a separate stomach for dessert holds true.
"Sure!"
Her voice was more lively than ever.
She might hold back around others, but at least in front of me, she was shedding her reservations and showing more and more girlish charm.
Everything was progressing perfectly.
Just hitting Relationship Level 3 with Ren didn’t mean I’d finished winning her over.
The final stage of relationship rank: "Love."
That one's genuinely tough to achieve.
You have to make her body and soul completely fall head over heels for you.
And there were those rumors floating around the community too. A hidden rank beyond Love...
"Oh, that place looks tasty."
Ren was pointing at a stylish cafe. The glass window had a pamphlet for a new pistachio ice cream flavor. It looked like it hit her tastes dead-on.
"Got your order. We'll bring it right out."
"Thanks."
We ordered quickly and sat by the window. Sunlight poured in behind Ren like a halo as she sank into the plush seat. She looked just like an angel.
I kept grinning, and Ren tilted her head.
"Why... are you smiling like that?"
"'Cause you're cute..."
Anything wrong can be forgiven if it's cute.
Hmm. Yeah, cuteness is the best.
"D-Don't say stuff like that. People might hear."
She glanced around nervously.
Right on cue, the server brought the ice cream.
"Here you go~ Order up."
"Eek...?"
Ren covered her mouth in surprise.
I'd ordered a quart size with two spoons.
"This is..."
"Oops~ Sorry, Ren. I must've messed up. Should I cancel and reorder—"
"Ahem, no. We don't want to trouble the server. Let's just eat it like this."
Her ears were bright red.
Time to cool her down with some ice cream.
"Here, ahh~"
"!?"
"Come on... Ahhn~~"
I scooped some ice cream and held the spoon to her lips. Ren jumped in shock.
"I-I'm fine, I can eat it myself..."
"Ow, my hand hurts~! Not fully healed yet? Ugh, my arm's killing me!"
She shot me a glare—anyone could see my whining was ridiculous—but she resignedly opened her mouth and took the bite.
*Nom nom*
Like last time, feeding the heroine... This content might be as good as sex.
...Not that I've tried it yet.
As we polished off the ice cream, Ren pulled out a tissue and held it out.
"Sanghyeon-oppa, you've got some on your mouth."
I must've looked funny with ice cream smeared on my face. She smiled faintly as she offered it.
"Can't see it. You wipe it for me, Ren."
She shook her head with a sigh, like she'd decided to play along with my teasing, and gently wiped my mouth. Ever since that bathroom service, she'd been taking better care of me. Like the seeds of service talent had been planted.
I glanced at the cafe clock. Still only 4:00.
I wanted to shift to a smooth, natural mood.
But glancing at myself, I realized I was getting too impatient.
Can't do that.
Rushing to unlock the H status was important, but bulldozing things wouldn't work.
Heroines are precious to me above all else.
Confess before sex, preserve premarital purity... Nah, I had zero plans for pure, selfless love like that. But dragging her to a love hotel in broad daylight with zero mood? That's too much. Even a skeevy villain with a worn-out meat toilet wouldn't stoop that low.
"Sanghyeon-oppa...?"
My serious face worried her.
I flashed an easy smile and shook my head.
"It's nothing. Next time, wanna do dinner together? Around 7 or 8."
Don't rush it.
"...That okay?"
Ren couldn't hide her smile, her lips curving up slyly.
Her habit of keeping a cool face clashed with her good mood, making her look a bit silly.
But since the original was so pretty, even that was adorable.
"Of course! When should we meet?"
She seemed thrilled just that I wanted to see her again, smiling shyly.
"This weekend... work?"
Her voice trembled a little. Seeing her so introverted and smitten made me want to tease her.
"Whoa~ Ren, you wanna see me more often than I thought? Dating today, same class all week, and straight to the weekend?"
*Flinch*
Realizing she'd let her feelings slip, Ren shrugged and forced a blank expression.
"Ahem! Th-This is just because I still owe you a ton of favors!"
Dishonest little Ren.
I already know.
Ah... So this is all part of romance.
This irreplaceable time where you savor that heart-fluttering tickle.
"Heh heh... I know. No need for excuses. Sunday this week?"
Academy Director's on Saturday, so fine.
"Yeah..."
"And if you're cool with it, wanna catch a movie too?"
A movie.
The classic of classics route.
Meet late evening for dinner.
Quick dessert after, hits 9 PM fast.
Then a movie—11 PM before you know it. Last train's gone. Bit sad to part right away, so izakaya for a drink? Arm-in-arm once buzzed...
*Kyaah.*
Even I have to admit, flawless flow.
Peak natural mood.
"Sounds good... What movies do you like, Sanghyeon-oppa...?"
Movies, huh.
Don't know this world's films well.
Saw an ad on a video site recently... What was it?
"Oh~ That one? Can't recall the title... Something about a fallen noble lady."
"Ah! I've heard of that. Opened yesterday... You okay with melodrama? Guys usually hate romances."
"Nah, I watch anything. No genre bias. You?"
"Good. I like them."
"I like them."
Not said to me, but my heart still raced hearing it.
That day would come soon.
We chatted away, finishing the ice cream.
Sunlight still bright outside, but cafe crowd shifting.
Ren checked her smartphone. Timing the hour.
"Ah, gotta head back soon."
Early still, so she looked apologetic, glancing away. She always hated inconveniencing others.
"Already?"
I feigned mild surprise but didn't push. She hesitated, then nodded faintly.
"Yeah, class rep stuff piled up... Should've finished earlier. Sorry."
"What sorry? It's my fault for making you nurse me."
My easy smile relaxed her.
"Thanks for today, then. Ice cream was great."
"You ate well—loved watching. Crepes next time for sure."
"Yeah, sounds good."
We smiled lightly and stood.
As I reached for my wallet, Ren dashed to the counter with her card.
"You treated lunch."
Of course she'd pay this much.
"You gifted this."
I flapped the t-shirt she gave me. She smiled softly.
"That's not money... Just wear it well from now on."
Where'd she learn such mature, romantic lines?
From all that studying?
As Ren shed her cold shell, I discovered charms I never knew.
"Thanks~ Come again."
"Thanks, it was great."
For some reason, she carefully pocketed the receipt. Afraid it'd crumple in her wallet?
Why keep the receipt like treasure?
"Shall we?"
"Ah, yeah."
We strolled slowly to the gates. No big talk.
We weren't chattering nonstop just 'cause we liked each other. But no awkwardness either.
"Ah..."
At the bus stop, I instinctively smoothed her wind-tossed hair. She looked startled but didn't swat my hand.
Just turned quietly and said goodbye.
"See you next time."
I waved lightly.
"Get home safe. Sunday at the theater."
She smiled once more, bowed slightly, and boarded.
"Whoa, heart's pounding."
My guts were all a-tingle.
This the thrill of the pre-dating phase?
Felt high as a kite.
Strolling in the sunlight, a sweet lemon scent wafted from somewhere.
Like sugar-soaked lemons...
Lemon syrup vendor nearby?
Turning toward the strong fragrance, I realized it wasn't syrup at all.
Tiny frame, maybe 150cm.
Fancy platinum blonde twintails.
Catty, mean-girl vibe.
"Guh."
What the—
Why's she here already?
I froze mid-stride, staring down blankly. She crossed her arms, chin up haughtily.
"Hah? Who're you? Hey, peasant! What's with the rude staring?!"
Kanemochiru Harumi.
This pint-sized girl, body way too small for 22, was Koikan!'s undisputed main heroine.
But Harumi had some circumstance keeping her absent first semester.
Scenario-wise, we weren't supposed to meet till midterms. What the hell...?