With the interview done. Shio and I talked for a while before I left. And our topic instantly went to my parents arrival. I told her how I called them before entering the Administration Building.

Like the previous times when that was brought up, Shio couldnt help but show anxiousness with the thought of meeting them.

Thats a natural reaction. Most, if not all, of my girls, definitely feel the same.

I mean, its only a month or more into our relationship. To meet their boyfriends parents this early is definitely unusual. Even more so when theyre in this complicated relationship with me.

I know I asked them if they wanted to and most of them answered positively. But that doesnt mean they cannot back out.

I expressly told them about that.

In Shios case, however, whats making her more anxious was the fact that shes the only adult aside from Miwa-nee. Compared to the girls close to my age who had a more justified reason to enter a relationship with me, shes worrying over what my parents would think about her. Shes my teacher and on top of that, my classs advisor.

Shes actually criticizing herself that instead of guiding me, our relationship also evolved to something deeper. It even led to her divorce from her husband.

Apart from that, she also looked back on how she seduced me for satisfying her fantasy. She thought that if that didnt happen, we wouldnt be what we are today.

Shio went on and on with more complications about our relationship. And that just continued to add up in her anxiousness.

At that point, I just held her and told her to calm down. Most of what she said was something we already tackled before anyway. It just got brought up again because of her anxiousness to meet them.

Thats why I told her that she could hold off on meeting them. Its not like there wouldnt be a second chance. And with a simple nod, she told me shed think about it before the day ends.

Theres no need to mull over how she had been racked with anxiousness. In fact, I was glad that I got to talk to her about it. It would be bad if all of those thoughts burst out right in the middle of meeting them.

I guess before bringing them there, I should talk to all of them one by one. Who knows? Some of my girls might be thinking the same.

For you to pick this room... Is there a special reason?

There is... You told him about our relationship here. This is also where I opened my eyes that... Im never going to be more than a childhood friend with him. Hina walked towards the middle of the clubroom and stared down at her usual spot in this room. The same spot where I sat down with her last week.

At the moment, were inside the Student Support Clubs clubroom. After meeting up with her outside the School Building, Hina brought me here.

As I watched her rather lonesome back staring at it before scanning the whole room that looked so empty compared to when theyre all here, I found myself moving towards her before eventually hugging her from behind.

R-ruki. A bit surprised by what I did, Hina slightly turned her head towards me.

I said to myself that Im going to cheer you up but here you are, looking so lonely in this room.

Ah... Do I look lonely?

Mhm. Thats what I felt when looking at your back. Youre still affected by Ogawa.

... Youre aware of that, arent you?

Naturally, if its about my girls, I can somehow feel it. Especially when were together or alone like this.

Just the fact that she wanted to get back at him, thats already a sign that despite everything, he still lingered in her mind. Unlike Nami who just wanted to salvage their circle from crumbling, Hina held some kind of grudge against him.

Although that sounded negative, its still a fact that hes still in her mind.

Dont worry. I am on my way to moving on from that past where I continuously chase after him. Enough is enough. Besides, I have you now.

Mhm... I believe you on that part. These past few days proved that. By the way, can I do something to cheer you up?

Were not here to discuss that coward. Better steer our topic away from him. And looking at the expression written on her face that seemed to contort whenever Ogawa would be brought, Hina clearly didnt want to discuss him as well. That guy not only ignored her feelings but also hurt her when he couldnt even give her a straight answer from a yes or no question.

Do I still look gloomy to you? Hina turned around and returned my hug. She then raised her chin a bit to stare into my eyes before stifling a laugh.

I have to confess... being gloomy is just a scheme for you to notice me... She continued. Seeing Nami blooming beautifully today and her weird way of walking, I admit that I cant help but feel a little jealous. I mean, I spent years competing against her for the attention of Kazuo. Now that were both into you, I once again lost the race.

Hinas lips contorted to a wry smile. However, seconds later, she buried her face in my chest as her arms tightened completely. Since were already here, I sat us down on the chair to make her rest her leg.

I could guess that this girl stood outside the School Building longer than she told me when I met up with her there. Its evident with her slightly trembling knees after she transferred her body weight to me, holding her up like that.

In any case, the possibility of her only acting surely passed my mind but given how considerate I am over my girls, I scrapped it and just believed that shes gloomy and I wanted to cheer her up. But I still have to give her the merit of being able to make me fall through her scheme.

I dont know what kind of race you are talking about... I both love you, and equally at that. It might not seem like it on the surface but... thats how I am...

Idiot Ruki. No matter how you make it seem equal, we will still see it differently. Its just a matter of us compromising towards the situation. Anyway, lets drop this topic before you worry again... I... I just really want to spend time with you.

Thats true in a way. Even if my perception was that I am treating them equally, theyd be seeing it differently. And to not make me worry about it, they would never talk about it in front of me and just... make sure that their time with me would be worthwhile.

Mhm... Lets do that then. We still have a little more than five minutes. Let me pamper my Hina.

Id like a kiss with that, Ruki.

You got it.

I smiled and raised her chin slightly. As I slowly lowered my lips to hers, Hina eventually closed her eyes. Looking at her peacefully beautiful face, its hard to find the schemer that shes claiming to be. Shes more like the quiet girl who always smiles at the protagonist no matter the time and place whenever their eyes meet.

In any case, I experienced her schemes first-hand so... that description was off.

After slightly shaking my head to erase those thoughts, leaving only the thought of how pretty she is, my lips overlapped hers. Its a long and sweet kiss wherein we only moved minimally, just savoring the sensation of our lips pressed against each other.

A minute later, our lips separated contrary to how the distance between us became nonexistent.

Thats sweet... With her eyes still closed, Hina savored the aftertaste of my lips left on hers. And once shes done, her twinkling eyes stared at me, determination filling it. Hey, Ruki. How can I help you?

What help are we talking about here?

Anything, I dont want to be the girl who can only wait for you to give me your attention. Im good at scheming but... I dont want to always trick you like this.

This girl... Shes definitely now one of my girls with that kind of statement. Helping me and not wanting to only rely on me.