After a few minutes of Shizus venting the bad air that built up inside her, she left my lips alone and gently tapped my shoulder to let her down while sporting a full blush on.

Perhaps embarrassed for the others to see her face after that outburst, she buried it on my chest while trying to recover from what happened.

Naturally, I held her tight and comforted her until she calmed down.

... Ill go in. Shizu silently muttered after she stabilized her breath. She still had her head down but her hold onto me already softened.

Un. Ill see you tomorrow.

...Mhm. After that silent acknowledgment, Shizu hurriedly moved to their gates, entered it and in less than a minute, she already disappeared inside their house.

The girl was extremely embarrassed so its understandable. Considering she successfully released whats pulling her face down, thats just her real self finding it hard to look me or the other two girls in the eye after everything that transpired.

I waited for a minute just staring at their front door before deciding to leave. And right at that moment, I saw a light turned on inside a room on the second floor of their house. A few moments later, a window opened slightly and Shizus beautiful face thats still sporting a red color peek out.

When our eyes met, she smiled beautifully before waving her hand.

I smiled in return and waved back before continuing on my steps to rejoin Hina and Saki.

Theres no need for words now. We both understood each others feelings anyway.

In any case, saying it and listening to it will still be soothing. There were just times like these that we already understood what we both felt for each other. So instead of saying it, were showing it in our actions.

When we resumed our steps, the two also remained silent. They were still somewhat shaken by how Shizu acted given that theyre both tightly holding onto me.

To give them a sense of safety, we stopped by in a rather secluded place and I hugged them both tightly, comforting them.

Letting them feel safe in my arms is worth more than repeated comforting words.

After spending a few minutes there and making sure that they both calmed down, we resumed our walk.

As soon as we reached their street, I followed what Hina requested earlier. Saki, understanding the situation, put a bit of distance between us.

And just like this, we began our steps to Hinas house while no one would mistake us for only being friends and not lovers.

Compared to the street where Nami and Shizus houses were located, this street was kind of active despite the time of the night.

Just by the entrance of the street, a middle-aged man inside their backyard already called out to Hina, recognizing her.

And naturally, given how I was holding her closely, he asked who I am.

From the tone of his voice and the way he even mentioned Ogawa, its probably well-known that Hina was chasing after Ogawa.

Although somewhat meddlesome, Hina unhesitatingly answered that I am her boyfriend, leaving that middle-aged man speechless.

According to Hina, their neighborhood was kind of active, they often have barbeque parties during summer vacation and sometimes they get together when theres a special occasion.

Due to that, most of the people we had run into recognized her and greeted her like a close acquaintance.

By the time we reached the front of their house, the question of who I am to her was already asked more than five times.

Although theres a chance for those in the older generation to spread gossip to their children that were attending the same school, none of them actually tried to look at my face clearly.

They would only be aware that Hina got herself a boyfriend.

With all these eyes... Do you want to...? I asked vaguely.

She understood what I meant though. Her head instantly scanned our surroundings until it rested on the house left of theirs.

Its easier to guess that it was the Ogawa household. Compared to Hinas house that had a slightly modern design, the Ogawa household was more like those houses commonly seen in anime.

That coward completed that nave protagonist profile of a harem anime with that kind of house.

The lights were on in their living room and a room located on the second floor. But theres no annoying face of Ogawa outside.

If I had to guess, hes in his room, mulling over his idiotic choices.

Kazuo is in his room. After staring at it for a while, Hina said.

I followed her eyes and shes looking at that room on the 2nd floor with its lights on.

It was a room at the side wherein its small balcony was close to Hinas house. And as expected, theres a window there.

And if I had to guess... It was Hinas room. From there, they could talk to each other or rather, Hina could take a glimpse of him from there.

If I recall correctly, Nami also told me that Tadanos room was just in front of her room. And they sometimes talk to each other through their side windows.

Typical childhood friends.

In any case, the time they were talking to each other through their windows was already reduced to a point that... the longest conversation they had was a greeting.

Perhaps when the time comes to visit her room, that guy will be in his room, wondering whats happening beyond Namis curtain.

And thats also what will happen here with Ogawa. Just that... that guy wouldnt even think of Hina.

I see... We will not be able to show off to him then.

Mhm... It doesnt matter. There are still more chances to do that, right?

She knew that even if we showed our relationship to Ogawa, that guy wouldnt have any reaction. Hes numb that way. Nonetheless, its Hinas wish. Now that he was about to lose everything... that guy would surely be affected if he saw us more intimate than before.

And... even though I already inflicted a lot of damage in his mind... I somehow wanted to see him in despair...

Wait... Nami will be hurt if she finds out about this thought of mine... Then Ill just do it for the sake of Hina. He deserved it anyway.

Naturally, I will walk you home whenever I can.

Thats enough... Uhmm... Ill go in then.

Hina awkwardly tried to turn around to enter their house but I stopped her by stretching my arm to the wall behind her, barring her path.

And soon after that, I raised her chin. No goodnight kiss?

Idiot, dont make me blush here.

Contrary to her words, shes already blushing.

What? We already announced that I am your boyfriend. Tomorrow they will surely tease you about it.

Ugh... Thats right. Hina facepalmed but the slight smile on her lips was clearly captured by me.

Its as if shes not just expecting it, shes looking forward to it.

Will you be fine? Pretending I didnt notice her smile, I acted concerned.

Ive been teased by you more times that I am probably already numbed to it.

Then a kiss is fine.

This pervert...

And like earlier, her words were contrary to her action, shes already caressing my face, waiting for me to cover her lips with mine.

Its not as lewd as what we did on the bus, you know?

Reminding her of what happened earlier, the crimson streak on her face deepened.

Really a big pervert.

After saying that, Hina initiated the kiss herself. This time theres no more reservation in her movements. Just like with Shizu earlier, Hina hooked her arms to the back of my neck, locking us in a passionate exchange of kisses.

We were in this kind of situation when the sound of the opening gate reached our ears. Following that, a figure covered the light from the streetlamp nearby.

Hmm, Hina-chan? Thats bold of you. Kissing a guy right in front of your house...

Upon hearing that voice, Hina broke away from our kiss and opened her eyes wide.

Slowly, her head turned to the source of the voice. And likewise, I curiously followed her gaze to check who it was.

However, because the figure was covering the light coming from the streetlamp, I couldnt see the figures face well but one thing was for sure... It's a woman.

A few seconds later, her identity was silently muttered by Hina. Kazuha-nee.