Adorable Umi

“Mhm. That’s exactly it,” I said as I tilted my head to meet Umi’s gaze. “No pretenses, no expectations. Just us, however we want to be. You’re part of that now, you know. This place is yours too.”

Once again, her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head, her hair falling forward to curtain her face. “M-me? I… I don’t know if I’m ready for that, senpai. I mean, this is your space, with your… your girls. I’m just…”

“Umi, you’re my adorable junior. You’re also special to me,” I finished for her as I caressed her arm gently. “And that’s more than enough. You don’t have to be anything other than yourself here. No pressure, no comparisons. Just you, sitting here with me, stealing my heart with that shy smile of yours.”

Her head snapped up. Her eyes filled with embarrassment and something warmer, deeper. “S-senpai! You can’t just… say stuff like that! My heart’s gonna explode!”