Times up. You dont have to answer if you dont want to.

As I stared at Setsuna-nees troubled expression, a smirk naturally formed on my face.

Then, while she was still in the midst of processing it, I lightly pinched her cheek and tugged at her lower lip with my thumb. Shortly after, her eyebrows clashed while her eyes slowly narrowed.

Even without her uttering a word, I could already extract the words from her head. This shameless guy, why do I feel like Im dancing on his palm?

I wouldnt claim to be certain but it should be similar or close to that. Shes aggrieved that she couldnt come up with an answer to me and more importantly, it was pissing her off that I was letting that go as if its entirely irrelevant to our current situation. Unfortunately, she still couldnt find words to rebuke me.

Another minute later, Setsuna-nee, while gnashing her teeth, scowled at me. However, contrary to what her face was showing, her body was doing something else.

I felt her grip loosened from my shirt which eventually followed by her arms enclosing around me. Her feet also moved a bit, squeezing herself further. What little distance we had earlier was already nonexistent. And with my arms also tightly holding her, I could probably lift her completely and her legs would latch on me.

But well, lets not do that yet... As much as I enjoyed this situation with her, I couldnt simply burst her bubble or it would affect her tremendously. Its better that she slowly come to terms with everything, that way, shell also be totally certain of herself and her future decisions.

After staring at my smirking face for a long while, Setsuna-nee eventually recovered as she upsettingly remarked, ... Youre a hateful bastard. Tell me. Why cant I get you out of my head?

Hmm? Are you sure you want me to answer that? I swiftly replied.

Setsuna-nee gaped as though she just choked on her words. And a second later, with a flustered look, she frantically shook her head.

No! Ill find an answer to that myself!

Alright. Suit yourself. I nodded and pinched her cheek once. The urge to tease her was growing exponentially but too bad, I couldnt act on it right away. Id save that for later.

In any case, I soon took my hand off her face when she started scowling again. Shes still beautiful but it didnt really suit her.

Eventually, the lines on her face eased up as she released two types of sighs. One was a relieved one while the other was filled with satisfaction.

Perhaps noticing my current amused expression, she used the chance to bury her face on my neck before slowly sliding down to my chest, enjoying the comfort of it.

At this point, what was happening outside had probably flown out of her head already. As for whether this was an indication that she had fallen for me or not, I had no idea. But theres one thing I am certain of...

Setsuna-nee successfully reached a consensus with herself on how she was going to act around me. Maybe, shes still going to be unreasonable at times but other than that she wont mind me getting close to her or better yet, spending time with her.

And in light of that, I will be able to hear more of her undisguised thoughts...

... Satsu-chan is really lucky to find someone like you.

Now thats a surprise, am I being praised right now?

Yep. Thats one. Although her voice was muffled, her minute bodily gestures supported that. She squirmed to have my arms hold her tighter and moved her head to get me to start caressing her hair and back.

Really, Sakuma would be kneeling on the ground while crying if he ever found her like this. He wouldnt happen to magically appear here, right? Well, lets not jinx it.

Since he just recently found his backbone, its quite cruel to think of breaking that again. Its up to him to create his own chances now but with how things are progressing here... hell have to do ten times the work.

Anyway, Setsuna-nee grumpily put her hand on my mouth before she began voicing out more of her repressed thoughts.

Shut up and just listen... You heard the story from Satsu-chan. And I already told you this before... I stopped trusting guys ever since that day. But you... why do you have to exist?

This woman... Does she prefer me to stop existing then? Nah... This was just her trying to deflect it.

...I kept Ryou as an exception... However, because of what I did back then, I couldnt bring myself to fully commit to him. Setsuna-nee continued.

With the mention of Sakuma, I saw her looking saddened. Its as if shes lamenting about what couldve happened if she didnt kiss him back then.

That created a rift between her and Satsuki. And more than that, she probably stopped trusting herself as well. Or rather, she didnt want to make another horrible decision.

Her boyfriend back then was a scum but she also shouldered some of the responsibility. And perhaps even until now, shes still carrying it.

You know, you dont have to keep blaming yourself. Its not wrong to fall in love with someone. Sometimes, you really have to fight for it.

Is that what you think?

Mhm... I can only use us as an example. Satsuki... isnt she in love with Sakuma? But regardless of that, I fought for her not entirely fair though.

... I dont know. It mustve worked for you but for me... Haa... I even dragged Juri with me. Those guys who chased after us. Theyre nothing but idiots who think its a challenge to take me or Juri out on a date. Even the nicest one is wearing a mask but his intention is so easy to tell. But you... I dont know... How can you be so straightforward and honest?

Uhm. Is that a question I can answer?

This shameless idiot. Yes! Answer it! Im curious.

Lets see. Thats an illusion. Im not straightforward nor honest.

Huh?

Yep. Thats an expected reaction.

You dont have to be confused, its the truth. Im only following my conviction. If its not going to bother me, why lie or go at it in a roundabout way? That makes things a lot easier.

... I dont get it.

Well, youll understand it soon enough. Dont you think youve only seen what I am on the surface? What about my inner self?

That... Are you saying youre not being honest to me right now?

Maybe? You be the judge, Setsuna-nee-san. Am I deceiving you?

Ugh. Youre making my head hurt. Perhaps its too much for her, Setsuna-nee bumped me with her forehead again. But as seconds passed, the strength in her movements gradually declined. I dont get it... Do Satsu-chan and I have the same taste in men?

Alright. Thats something I wont answer but Setsuna-nee... I think theres no one out there anymore... Although we can stay here longer if you want.

Even if I answered that, I doubt shed accept it. Besides, like I said, the activity outside had already died down, or at least, they shouldve returned already.

As I waited for her answer, I couldnt help but continue caressing her head and enjoying her embrace. And likewise, shes probably the same.

However, what she said next somehow stumped me.

Date.

Hmm?

When are you going to take me out on a date?

This... Is she talking about the promised date that Juri arranged after the scouting trip? Well, thats the only mention of the date between us so it should be it...

When its already convenient for you, I answered vaguely. I also had no idea when, after all.

Besides, theres still Juri whos waiting for it...

Okay... A short reply and after that she stopped talking. Since she never made any indication that she wanted to leave this place, I didnt bring up the question again.

I let her hug me and in turn, I dote on her as much as I could. This was probably the first time she became this tame and upon taking a glance at her satisfied expression, I could only be glad that she was enjoying this.

Soon, thirty minutes passed by and the air inside started to become suffocating.

Without saying anything else, I opened the door and I got out of the small toolshed along with her.

Once we were out, the red-faced woman took a step back and turned around.

Shameless guy, remember not to tell anyone what happened here! Not even Satsu-chan! If possible... Im going to tell her about this myself.

And with that as her last words, Setsuna-nee who was just comfortably clinging to me earlier sprinted away without looking back at me. I could still feel her heat and smell her scent on me but looking at her departing back as though she was keen on getting away as soon as possible, I found myself laughing inwardly.

Yep. She can also be adorable like that.

For sure, even if those chasing after us earlier saw her, theyd all be ignored by her. As for me, I guess, Ill wait for a while before returning.