... Fine, Ill stop. You made your choice and... Kana, thats your decision, right? Not his?

It is my decision, Kenji. Ruki is here just because I want him to be here with me to break it to you. Thank you for everything. You didnt mistreat me. I at least need to acknowledge that. Youve been a great guy.

Great guy? Heh. Goto mocked himself as an extremely bitter smile showed on his face. He then pulled a handkerchief and wiped his face off his tears and snot.

Seeing how he even cried, theres no doubt that his affection towards Kana was at least real. Well, not everyone could persevere for a year courting a girl and stay in a relationship with her for another year.

And like Kana said, he didnt mistreat her at all. If being a little possessive was considered mistreatment, then thats just an ignorant belief that relationships were always filled with flowers and butterflies.

Kanas freedom wasnt even restricted. She had friends of her own and she could do what she wanted. I guess if theres a negative one, thats how he didnt want her to leave his side. But considering Kana could meet me alone the first time I made a move with her, its already an indication that he didnt have a tight hold on her.

Anyway, its over.

After saying all those to Goto, Kana returned to my side and opened my arms herself to squeeze her body in my embrace. I put my hand on her head, patting and caressing it gently at the same time as I whispered praises like Good job and You did well in her ears.

Kana stopped looking at him as well as dropped any consideration to him seeing us this close. Although not as extreme as when we made out in front of him, its enough to thoroughly nail the fact that she wouldnt go back to him anymore. No matter what promises he put on the table.

A few minutes later, Goto stood up from his seat and after looking at Kana whos still snuggled to me for a good minute, he sighed and left the room quietly.

Upon seeing that, Ishida-senpai looked at me first before following him out. Most likely, shes going to talk to him. Hes still a friend for her after all. Even though that thing happened to them, she already moved on from that.

If I had to guess, after checking if hes okay, shed ask him about the club. Shes also concerned about his membership on whether hes going to quit or not.

Hes also a 3rd-year student so after summer vacation, hes also going to leave the club even if he chose to stay after the fallout.

In any case, as soon as the two of us were left alone in the room, Kana raised her head and asked me to kiss her. To clear her whatever lingering guilt in her mind.

I naturally gave it to her and more than just a simple kiss. I held her tightly to let her feel the security shes searching for.

A few minutes later, Rae and Otsuka-senpai entered the room, joining us at the table. As for Ishida-senpai, she also returned soon after, her hand on her forehead as if shes lulling a headache.

For the rest of the club hours, we simply checked on some literary works as our club activity without talking too much. None of us also mentioned what just happened. To slightly brighten the atmosphere in the club, Otsuka-senpai returned to her usual antics of being curious about anything.

Thanks to that, Ishida-senpai and Kana also returned to normal soon enough.

By the end of the club hours and before dismissing us for today, Ishida-senpai also announced Gotos quitting.

Well, Id be surprised if he chose to stay. Hes already absent for weeks anyway. Its not like hes Ogawa who wouldnt be able to leave their club.

Kana, Rae, we talked about this yesterday but let me bring this up again... My parents are most likely at home by now. I just realized Im being hasty with introducing all of you to them so... if you think youre still not ready, we can postpone that. Its not like this is the only time theyll return. I opened the conversation between us when Otsuka and Ishida-senpai finally left the clubroom.

Although the latter looked like she wanted to talk to me about something, after seeing how Kana was still clinging to me, she decided against it. Instead, she reminded me to not neglect her message if she sent one.

That girl... maybe if she became more straightforward with her intentions, I might change my mind about her... But I guess this is good too. I admit Im finding it interesting to anticipate what she will say next.

In any case, I have to draw the line for now and focus on whats in front of me.

Are you sure, Ruki? You said you dont know when they will come back. Rae asked.

Yesterday, she already agreed when I talked to them about it so shes kinda baffled that I brought it up again and made her rethink their choice.

Yes, Im sure. You see Without holding anything back, I told them what I realized from my conversation with Shio earlier.

After thinking for a while, Kana responded first, Im curious what they think of us, Ruki. I think I can meet them and introduce myself as your girlfriend.

My Kana is this brave now. I promptly pulled her in my embrace, doting on her completely. Just thinking about the changes that happened to her, its too pleasant. From what she showed earlier, although she gathered her courage first, telling all of that to Goto without even stuttering once was a great leap. I couldnt be more proud of her.

Not brave enough But I know I can gather more courage as long as Im with you She smiled and like earlier, returned to snuggling with me.

Mhm Im glad I can help my Kana What about you, Rae?

I think Ill pass for today, Ruki I dont know. I decided to meet them yesterday but now that you talked about what Shiori-sensei felt, I spiraled into negative thoughts. Even my knowledge is somewhat useless on this topic Rae answered softly as she lowered her head to hide her expression.

Kana also noticed that. The girl lightly nodded in understanding as she gently separated from me, giving me the chance to approach Rae.

I grabbed Raes shoulder and instantly felt how shes cold from nervousness. Even though shes still here and she hasn't met them yet, shes already this nervous.

No worries. Theres always a next time, Rae. Truthfully, Im also feeling the same when it comes to meeting your parents. They knew about us and I had no idea what they thought of me at this moment. Perhaps were feeling the same at the moment.

I still had no idea how much they knew but its certainly clear that when the time to meet them comes, I would be under much scrutiny on whether I deserved to be with this girl or not.

Rae didnt respond to me with words but instead, she hugged me tight and rested her head on my left chest, probably trying to hear my heartbeat.

Like Kana, she also changed a lot from her previous knowledge-relying persona. Shes now thinking for herself and weighing her choices. And through it, shes now having a cold feet about meeting my parents.

Ill walk you to the station now. We can also talk along the way I suggested and she answered almost instantly.

Yes, please.

Since Kana was just next to us, the girl understood the situation. She assured me that shell wait in this club room for the others before sending us off to go on our way.

Apart from Aya and Satsuki, Nami and the others from the same club will also gather there. Thats what we agreed earlier after all.

However, Shizu, Himeko and Chii wont come.

Shizu was still stubbornly holding onto the thought that she could be my only one. So, she chose to not meet them along with the other girls.

Its impossible for Himeko to just ditch the chauffeur waiting for them to bring them home. She did want to meet them, however, with her situation in her family still not resolved, we could only rely on Itou to sneak her out during weekends or meet her here at school during weekdays.

And as for Chii, shes still deliberating about our relationship She wanted to first come to terms with our abnormal situation before saying yes and meeting them

Furthermore, our last alone time was when I sent her home. These past few days, I couldnt find the chance to spend time with her.

Uh Theres still a lot on my plate.