Panic instantly became written all over Marikas face. However, not knowing where to grab hold, she inadvertently circled her arms around my neck.

As I felt her round buttocks settling on my lap for the second time, Marika involuntarily pushed her head to my neck, clinging to me in a rather daring manner. I was a little tempted to grab those again but without the surprise factor from yesterday, I could completely reel my desire, letting my hand remain wrapped around her waist

A few seconds later, I heard Marikas muffled voice. Even though she said that in a very low volume, it got delivered clearly due to how close she was.

Junior-kun, must you grab me like this? This isnt what Im expecting. Is there even a need to demonstrate it? You can use words

With her voice teetering between disbelief and embarrassment, the girl couldnt even look up or realize the situation we were in.

Even if I lowered my head to check on her, all I could see was her lush golden hair on the crown of her head.

I believe its necessary, senpai. Otherwise, you wont get it completely.

Thats bullshit, of course. Just like with Kanzaki, I couldve just tried to advise her. Tell her what she needed to do to make their relationship work. But am I that generous?

Not really. Since they dragged me into their affair, I wouldnt stand it if I failed to benefit in one way or another. Well, theres also that small sentiment about this girl deserving more than that punk.

But Junior-kun. This is too much.

Too much, how? Arent you okay with being this close to me yesterday?

That was!

Frantic, the girl tried to reason out but stopped midway. If I had to guess, she was going to say that yesterdays affair was different. As for why she stopped, thats what I couldnt understand.

Alright then. If senpai doesnt want this, I can only accede to that. Im only here to check on you anyway, Ill leave before you get upset with me. I said while sounding dismayed. I also heaved a sigh as I let my arms fall to my sides, unlocking her from my hold.

With this, she now had a chance to stand up and leave.

However, seconds passed and she remained there. Apart from moving her head to glance at where I was holding her earlier and looking up to check my expression, the girl only pursed her lips before gradually settling her head down to the same position as earlier.

I said Im not expecting this. Not I dont like this.

But senpai, you also said that this is too much. And I agree to that.

I placed my hand on her cheek and slowly raised her head to face me again. I smiled apologetically before moving my head indicating that it was fine.

However, perhaps misunderstanding what I tried to convey, the girl closed her eyes and relaxed her lips.

My smile grew wider from that and let my thumb trace her pink lips before saying in a teasing tone, Senpai, look at me.

And as though influenced by a hypnotizing spell, the girl followed my words, her eyes fluttered open. Theres a dreamy look in her eyes that fully captured my reflection.

Mhm. I admire your resolve, senpai. But you dont have to worry, by demonstration, I meant this.

Lowering my gaze on my thumb thats pressing on her soft lips, Marika followed it. She blinked a few times before puckering her lips and kissing my thumb.

Then she tilted her head in puzzlement as though saying This?.

Yes. That must be what Ichihara-senpai wants. A taste of your sweet lips.

Pressing her lips further on my thumb, the girl voluntarily closed her eyes again. It appeared as if her imagination started working.

Nonetheless, whatever scene she imagined in her head, its probably unpleasant for her. Because not even a second later, she knitted her eyebrows and turned her face to the side.

Junior-kun Upon getting out of that state, she called upon me again and opened her eyes. Im not ready to give it to him.

Because youre not married yet?

That and I thought she was going to say more but Marika left that hanging there. Furthermore, she once again buried her face in my neck. Its like a giveaway that shes escaping from it.

Well, whatever it was looks like her resolve from yesterday had already gotten shaken. I gave her the avenue to retreat but she didnt take it. And when I also let her understand something that a nave girl like her cannot comprehend, the girl turned it down right away.

If anything, I could confidently say that what happened yesterday had made such a big impact on her mind.

I see. Then we have to think of another method. But first, if I will be helping senpai, I have a question. How mad is he at you and you at him?

As I dropped that question, I put my hand on the back of her head and candidly caressed her hair.

She didnt answer right away but with every stroke of my hand, the girls body gradually relaxed to the point that I started to suspect that she was about to doze off.

Luckily, thats not the case. A minute later, she raised her head again and answered, Hes mad enough to declare that she doesnt want me anymore. And I Im mad at him for a lot of things.

Alright. Thats different from what Im expecting. Is that guy the type who doesnt want her girls soiled by other men? If hes any smarter, hed definitely be able to guess that the photo was a farce. Something thats intentionally taken to irk him. However, that seems to be not the case.

As for Marikas side, its too simplified to understand just how upset she was. A lot of things.

It could be that shes aware of his shenanigans and just kept on trying to turn a blind eye to it.

Anyway, I have to continue to dig this up.

Thats low, considering hes the one who started all of this. I gave my opinion. But senpai, are you certain that youre going to marry him in the future?

Junior-kun. I have no freedom on that. Thats why I came here to try and cultivate our feelings so it wont just be a wedding of convenience.

At this point, I couldnt help but see Marika as a pitiful fellow. She had no choice so she tried to at least cultivate a harmonious relationship with the guy before they stood on the altar. Unfortunately, Ichihara had other plans. And the idiot being a spoiled brat was also not helping.

I see. Youre in your last year, senpai. If youre not going to be happy, should I take you away from them? To ease the gloom that was about to settle on her face, I jokingly said that.

However, while the gloom visibly disappeared, it got replaced by a hint of red, slowly occupying her unblemished face.

You cant joke like that, Junior-kun. Its irresponsible.

Is it? A smirk rose on my lips as I grasped her head and gave it a push.

Seeing how our faces had begun to close their distance, I expected the girl to pull away or turn her head in another direction. However, Marika simply closed her eyes and clumsily sucked in her lips, unconsciously wetting them. When it reappeared, its now glistening beautifully.

Well, Im not planning on kissing her but I sure made her think I will. Although that reaction was obviously akin to giving me permission, I couldnt simply take that. If this happened at the same time as my attempt to steal Satsuki, I mightve gone for it without holding back. But today, the circumstances had already changed. There are a lot of things to consider.

But then again, what happened with Mutsumi-senpai earlier ignored those considerations.

I was probably contradicting myself here. Anyways I decided not to. Not just yet.

Stopping right before our noses would touch, I continued, Well, yes. Im joking, senpai. You probably wont like it with me as well.

Huh? What does that mean?

Marika blinked her pretty eyes a few times. She looked like she was about to speak more.

However, that failed to happen because all of a sudden, the room was disturbed by a loud knocking on the door.

Moments later a voice could be heard from behind it.

Marika? Open this! I know youre in there with a guy!

Yep. Thats Ichihara Jun. And as I expected, hell be showing up here.