Chapter : 27 : She Is Adorable... Isn't She?

Aoi fidgeted, her hands tightly grasping the hem of her skirt as she stood before my girlfriends. Her face was bright red, her wide, nervous eyes darting between them.

Her lips parted hesitantly. Then, in the softest, most flustered voice imaginable, she spoke—

"N-Nice to meet you all. My name is Aoi... Ayase Aoi. T-Thank you for w-welcoming me into the f-family."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she bowed so quickly and deeply that I thought she might fall over.

Her voice was so small, so hesitant—so incredibly, impossibly adorable.

I smiled warmly, standing beside her in the nurse's office, where Aisha worked.

Aisha let out a small giggle. "It's all right, Aoi-Chan. Ito loves you, so of course, we love you too."

Aoi's hands twitched at her sides. "L-Love...?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the word itself was too overwhelming for her.

Aisha nodded, stepping closer and placing a gentle hand on Aoi's head. "Yes. Love. You're one of us now."

Aoi's blush deepened. Her eyes flickered up to meet Aisha's for a split second before she quickly looked down again, her fingers now gripping her skirt even tighter.

Before she could stutter out another response, Mei scoffed from the side. She had her arms crossed and her head turned away as if she wasn't even interested in the conversation.

"Hmph. Whatever," she muttered. "Ito is still mine."

Hana smiled teasingly. "Mei-Chan is just saying she's happy you're here."

"Wha—NO, I'M NOT!" Mei immediately shot back, turning to glare at Hana, her face burning red.

Aoi flinched slightly at the sudden outburst, her body tensing again.

I stepped behind her, wrapping my arms gently around her waist.

She let out the cutest, tiniest squeak.

Before she could react, I leaned down and rested my chin on her shoulder.

Aoi was so small, her head barely reaching my shoulder.

Her entire body stiffened as she processed what was happening.

Then—

"E-EHHHHH?!"

Her voice came out in a high-pitched yelp, her entire body trembling in my hold.

Her hands hesitantly moved up, grasping at my arms as if trying to pry them off—but she had no strength to do so.

I chuckled softly, tightening my embrace.

"She is adorable... isn't she?" I murmured with a warm smile.

Aisha giggled. "Yep... too much."

Hana nodded, giggling. "Way too much."

Mei huffed. "Hmph. Whatever..." But her voice betrayed her as she mumbled under her breath, "...I guess she's a little cute."

Aoi's ears were completely red at this point.

Her tiny hands were still on my arms, but instead of pushing me away, she just clutched onto me weakly, completely overwhelmed.

Her entire body was shaking.

I leaned down further, my lips right next to her ear.

"I love you," I whispered.

Aoi's breath hitched.

Her ears perked up as she tightened her grip on my hands, her fingers trembling.

Then—

"I-I love you too... K-Kage-Senpai," she whispered back.

Her voice was so small, so impossibly flustered, I felt my heart squeeze in my chest.

At that moment, Aisha suddenly stepped forward.

Her index finger waved toward herself, beckoning me.

I sighed but smiled, reluctantly releasing Aoi and walking toward her.

"Yes?" I asked.

Aisha closed her eyes and lifted her chin slightly.

"Kiss me," she demanded.

Without hesitation, I leaned in and kissed her deeply.

Aoi gasped, immediately covering her face with her hands, but I could see her peeking through her fingers.

The kiss was slow, passionate. Aisha pressed herself against me, her hands cradling my face, completely melting into me.

As we parted, a small string of saliva connected our lips before breaking.

Aoi let out a tiny squeal behind her hands, her eyes so wide they looked like they might pop out.

Hana suddenly stepped forward. "I want a kiss too," she said, her voice laced with anticipation.

She walked toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck before pulling me into a deep, longing kiss.

Her lips moved slowly, savoring every second.

She cradled my face as she leaned in closer, her body pressing against mine.

Aoi let out another squeak.

She peeked through her fingers, her entire face the color of a ripe tomato.

As Hana and I parted, Mei—who had been watching silently—finally snapped.

"ME TOO!" she cried out, her voice filled with frustration.

She immediately turned away, her arms crossed tightly.

Hana giggled. "Aww, Mei-Chan, you sound so desperate~"

"I-I AM NOT!" Mei shot back.

I smirked, stepping toward her.

Then, without warning, I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her impossibly close.

"W-WHAT?!" Mei yelped, her voice cracking.

Her face was now directly in front of mine, our lips mere inches apart.

Her eyes widened in panic.

"I-I wasn't asking f-for a kiss! I just—"

I silenced her by crashing my lips against hers.

Mei let out a muffled gasp, her hands instinctively moving up to push me away—

But instead, her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me even closer.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, deepening the kiss.

Mei whimpered against my lips, her entire body trembling.

As we finally parted, Mei stumbled slightly, panting.

Her lips were swollen, her eyes hazy.

"Y-You... I-I wasn't ready..." she stammered.

Hana giggled. "Liar. You loved it."

Mei turned even redder. "SH-SHUT UP!"

I chuckled before turning my gaze toward Aoi.

She was still peeking through her fingers, her eyes wide with shock.

I stepped toward her.

She startled, her body tensing again.

Reaching her, I cupped her cheeks gently.

The sudden touch made her heart skip a beat.

"A-Aoi," I murmured. "I can call you that, right?"

Aoi's breath hitched.

Then, slowly, she nodded.

"H-Hearing my name on your lips... m-makes me happy," she whispered shyly.

I smiled. "Aoi..."

Her breath hitched again.

"You want a kiss too?" I asked softly.

Aoi's face exploded in color.

Her entire body froze.

"I-I... U-Um... W-Well..."

Her fingers clutched at the hem of her skirt again, her entire body trembling.

She hesitated for a long moment—

Then, in the quietest, most impossibly adorable voice—

"Y-Yes, I want to," she whispered.

A smile tugged at my lips.

Aoi looked so incredibly flustered, it was almost unbearable.

I leaned down, closing the distance between us.

She hesitated, her lips parting slightly, her body frozen in place.

Then, at the last second—

She stood on her tiptoes, her tiny hands clutching at my shirt.

And our lips met.

The kiss was soft, delicate, hesitant—

Yet filled with all the love I felt for her.

Aoi whimpered softly against my lips, her body trembling in my hold.

As we finally parted, she stumbled slightly, her breathing uneven.

She stared up at me, dazed.

Her fingers touched her lips.

Then—

"I-I just... I-I just k-kissed K-Kage-Senpai..." she whispered, completely overwhelmed.

I chuckled, wrapping my arms around her once more.

"Yeah," I whispered. "You did."

Aoi buried her face in my chest, too flustered to handle it.

Aoi was still breathless from our kiss, her small hands clutching my shirt as she leaned against me for support. Her cheeks were impossibly red, and her big, round eyes shimmered with dazed emotions.

The room was silent for a moment.

Then—

"AWWWWWW!" Aisha suddenly squealed, clasping her hands together. "She's so cute! I can't take it!"

Mei crossed her arms, looking away with a slight huff. "Hmph. It's not like I think she's cute or anything…"

Hana giggled, nudging her sister. "Mei-Chan, just admit it. You love Aoi-Chan already."

"I-I do NOT!" Mei turned even redder.

Meanwhile, Aoi was still struggling to process everything, her fingers twitching as she gripped the hem of my uniform.

I smiled at her and gently patted her head. "You did great, Aoi."

Aoi whimpered at the sudden touch, her lips quivering. "T-thank you, Kage-Senpai…"

Aisha suddenly stepped forward with a teasing smirk. "Nee, Aoi-Chan~"

Aoi flinched. "Y-Yes?"

Aisha leaned in close, her golden eyes sparkling mischievously. "You know… Ito and I share something extra special."

Aoi blinked, confused. "S-special…?"

Aisha's smirk widened as she twirled a lock of her hair. "Mmmhmm~ We've already done it."

Aoi tilted her head. "D-done… what?"

Aisha giggled. "We made love~"

Silence.

Aoi's brain completely short-circuited.

Her eyes widened like saucers. Her entire face turned crimson. She made a tiny squeaking noise—before violently jerking away from me.

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"

Aisha placed a finger on her lips, pretending to be deep in thought. "Let's see… we did it twice already. Two times. In two days."

Aoi's mouth opened and closed like a fish.

Hana covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh.

Mei, on the other hand, clenched her fists. "H-Hey! You don't have to say it like that, you know?! It's not like I care or anything! B-Baka!"

Aoi, however, was beyond help.

Her knees buckled as she covered her burning face with both hands. "T-t-t-twice? T-two times? W-w-with Kage-Senpai?"

Aisha nodded proudly. "Yup~"

Aoi whimpered. "T-that's too… too…"

I sighed, pinching Aisha's cheek lightly. "Aisha, stop bullying her."

"But she's soooo cute when she gets all flustered!" Aisha pouted, rubbing her cheek.

Aoi peeked at me through her fingers, her expression torn between shock, embarrassment, and… something else.

I gently touched her hands, lowering them from her face so I could see her properly. "Aoi, it's okay. You don't have to feel pressured about anything."

Aoi's lips trembled. "B-but… you and Aisha… d-did that…"

I chuckled softly. "Yes, but that doesn't change how I feel about you. You're special to me, Aoi."

Aoi stared at me with wide eyes. Her heart was pounding so hard I could almost hear it.

Aisha grinned. "Besides, Aoi-Chan~ Don't you want to get closer to Ito, too?"

Aoi made a small eep sound.

Hana giggled. "Hey, stop teasing her. She's too innocent for this!"

Aoi nodded frantically, gripping my sleeve again as she buried her face against my chest, hiding from the world.

"I-I can't…! I-it's too embarrassing…!" she whimpered.

I smiled warmly, wrapping my arms around her protectively. "It's okay, Aoi. Take your time."

Aoi peeked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "…You won't rush me?"

"Never."

Aoi exhaled shakily, then nuzzled closer to me.

Aisha sighed dramatically. "Ugh, fine. I'll stop teasing her—for now."

Mei huffed. "Good! Not that I care or anything… B-baka."

Hana just giggled again.

I tightened my hold on Aoi, feeling her relax in my arms.

She really was too innocent for this.

And I loved that about her.

END OF CHAPTER : 27 : SHE IS ADORABLE... ISN'T SHE?