Chapter 37: Reunited with Mai Sakurajima

"Haha, you're right."

After listening to Sumireko Sanshokuin's explanation, Renji Kamisaka realized he had misunderstood the bench's origin. A faint smile touched his lips. He then sat next to Sumireko, opened his lunchbox, and began to eat. A comfortable silence enveloped them, broken only by the gentle clinking of cutlery against the container. There was little verbal communication, they simply enjoyed their midday meal, yet an inexplicable warmth flowed between them.

Sumireko Sanshokuin occasionally glanced at Renji from the corner of her eye, and the smile on her lips grew clearer, a soft light emanating from behind her glasses. It seems this man truly sees through my disguise. He doesn't despise this moment with me. It's better than the men who are infatuated with my true beauty and figure, and constantly want to confess their love and date me, isn't it?

After finishing his lunch, Renji Kamisaka was about to close his eyes and rest, enjoying the gentle breeze that caressed him. After eating, sleep. Life is truly comfortable, he thought, letting his eyelids droop shut.

Suddenly, a weight settled on his shoulder. A sweet and charming scent, a blend of hair and subtle perfume, wafted through the air. It was Sumireko Sanshokuin! She had actually rested her head on Renji's shoulder. Renji Kamisaka knew that Sumireko was incredibly beautiful, even in her simple disguise. So, she rested her head on him, what did it mean? The charming feminine fragrance left him with nowhere to put his hands. He was confused, should he still hold her waist?

Alright. His hand moved on its own, true to his impulse.

"Hmm!" As her slender waist was embraced, Sumireko Sanshokuin unconsciously let out a soft groan, and a faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks. She opened her eyes, looking at Renji with an amused smile.

"Ahem, um... my hand suddenly cramped," Renji stammered, trying to suppress his embarrassment, "and I needed Sanshokuin-san's waist to cure it."

"Pfft, that's a weak excuse," the girl couldn't help but laugh, her voice like a sweet melody. Then she closed her eyes again, as if resigned to the man's embrace, enjoying the sudden comfort.

When she felt a slight disturbance, Sumireko spoke again in a light, almost whispered voice. "Don't move." There was a brief pause, her breath warm on Renji's shoulder. "I like the sense of security Renji gives me." Her voice sounded sincere, free of ulterior motives. "But if you do anything bad, I'll feel guilty."

Renji Kamisaka was helpless. He could only politely place his hand on her waist, without moving further. "But you've already misunderstood me, Sanshokuin..."

"Call me Sumireko," she emphasized, her voice a little firmer, yet still soft.

"Alright, Sumireko. I mean, you've already misunderstood me."

"Sumireko?" The girl chuckled, seemingly satisfied.

Good job. Hearing her regular breathing, Renji Kamisaka was also confused. This girl fell asleep. Should he say she was careless or that she trusted him too much? Renji Kamisaka no longer had any intention of doing anything bad. He also closed his eyes and enjoyed the gentle sea breeze blowing from the rooftop in the afternoon, feeling a peace he rarely found.

The Unexpected Presence of Saki Kawasaki

In the back corner behind them, hidden behind a small chimney and lush potted plants, a girl with a high silver ponytail sat silently. It was Saki Kawasaki. Clearly, she had been here first, looking for a quiet place to enjoy her lunch, just like Renji. However, these two had a bench and were cuddling, openly displaying their affection. She was too embarrassed to come out. Saki Kawasaki could only sigh, a light, almost inaudible puff of air.

At the same time, she was also a little curious. Everyone in class thought that Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mahiru had a good relationship and might be secretly dating. But now... Renji Kamisaka was actually having a romantic relationship with an inconspicuous girl here? Her eyes observed Sumireko, who looked so ordinary with her glasses, yet exuded a different aura beside Renji. Is it because his vision is too unique? Or, what's different about this girl?

Lost in thought, Saki Kawasaki shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel the thoughts that shouldn't be bothering her. Apparently, this is not something I need to care about. Never mind. She decided to wait until the two left before coming out. She didn't want to catch Renji Kamisaka canoodling with the girl. This was a problem for her.

An Encounter with Mai Sakurajima

An hour passed. Renji Kamisaka felt his sleep had been quite comfortable. After all, I had a beautiful girl in my arms. Although he didn't understand why Sumireko was willing to be so close to him, there was a sense of satisfaction he couldn't deny. But that's a good thing. After all, she was the heroine and had saved him. Now he went to the library to accompany her every day.

When he opened his eyes, he found Sumireko Sanshokuin had woken up and was looking at him with her beautiful eyes, filled with curiosity and a slight redness. As their eyes met, Renji Kamisaka's mind moved quickly, and he suddenly said:

"Sumireko, can I see you without your glasses?"

"I can't," Sumireko replied curtly, her expression turning a little stiff, yet there was a touch of shyness there.

"Ah? Why? You let me hug you," Renji asked, a slight, unintentional note of disappointment escaping him.

"Let's just say. I'm not ready yet, okay?" Sumireko's tone softened, a clear plea in it.

"Yes, of course!" Renji conceded. It should be permissible, he wouldn't force her. There was still a long time. No need to lose the big picture for a momentary rush.

"Hehe, thank you for acknowledging my resolve." After receiving his answer, Sumireko Sanshokuin couldn't help but reach out and hug his arm, resting her head comfortably again. The girl's brows relaxed and a sweet smile appeared on her face.

Renji Kamisaka smiled slightly. "Actually, I think you're quite cute in your current appearance."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Sumireko Sanshokuin smiled and released his arm, radiating a cheerful aura. "Thank you for letting me lean on your shoulder today. Renji, class is about to start. We should head back now."

"Then this bench..."

"Leave it here for now."

After the two left and their voices gradually faded, Saki Kawasaki finally emerged from her hiding spot. She had been subjected to affection all afternoon and had also eaten the most "dog food" she had ever experienced. Speechless. She just wanted to come to the rooftop for a quiet lunch, but she encountered something like this.

After Renji Kamisaka and Sumireko Sanshokuin parted ways, they walked towards their own classrooms. As they passed through the corridor, the afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patterns on the floor.

Suddenly, a beautiful girl dressed as a Bunny Girl walked towards him. Her long hair flowed freely, falling beautifully down her back, and she had a beautiful face full of coldness and a hint of arrogance. However, that arrogance turned into surprise when she saw Renji. She stopped right in front of Renji Kamisaka, placed one hand on her waist, and her slender figure formed a perfect S-shape under the Bunny Girl tights.

Renji Kamisaka's eyes widened and he looked her up and down, as if witnessing an unexpected phenomenon.

"Have you seen enough?" Mai Sakurajima sneered, her lips slightly pouted in open disgust, and the look in her eyes as she stared at Renji was as if he were something dirty.

Although she seemed disgusted, Mai always watched Renji's expression from the corner of her eye. Although she didn't want to admit it, when she knew this person could still see her, she somehow felt a hidden joy.

"I haven't seen enough," Renji Kamisaka said very honestly, without the slightest hint of shame. "I can never tire of someone as beautiful as Senior. Can I keep staring? Front and back, top and bottom, left and right?"

Mai Sakurajima took two steps back, her expression showing surprise. "Are you a pervert?"

"You're the pervert, walking around campus in a Bunny Girl costume," Renji Kamisaka retorted without hesitation, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Mai Sakurajima was a little embarrassed, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, but she quickly pretended to be calm and crossed her arms, saying proudly, "That has nothing to do with you. I'm just conducting an experiment." Her voice sounded cold, but there was a hint of nervousness hidden beneath it.

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