Kitahara Ayano's Soothing Finger Technique

If Kiyoharu were to judge by his own aesthetic standards, Kitahara Ayano's beauty today was no less than Airi's.

The forest-themed fairy dress perfectly accentuated her delicate figure, with two strands of slightly curled long hair falling from the sides. Her lively, light makeup was like an apple glistening with dew, making one want to take a big bite.

She appeared to be an elegant lady easily bullied, but her inner malice was no less than Airi's!

After activating Time Stop, Ayano's face quickly flushed with excitement, as if she had grown accustomed to using her superpowers to do outrageous things, forming a sort of conditioned reflex.

She approached Kiyoharu and gently stroked his face with her fingers.

"Refusing so coldly, yet unable to hide your inner panic... it's truly wonderful, Kiyoharu-kun. You're simply the most interesting thing I've ever encountered in my life, and to think you're Airi's husband. Ah, the more I think about it, the more marvelous it becomes..."

So, what kind of grudge do you and the young lady hold against each other?

Kiyoharu was very curious, even more curious than about "what Kitamura Hitomi would look like after her image makeover."

However, his curiosity quickly turned to dread, because Ayano then lifted the hem of her skirt, which reached to her mid-calves, revealing a pair of legs encased in white thigh-high socks.

She wasn't as tall as Airi, but her proportions were frighteningly good, with exquisite, flawless curves wrapped in delicate, sheer white stockings.

Ayano lifted a foot, kicked off her heeled shoes, and planted the sole of her foot on Kiyoharu.

"I recall Airi complaining that Kiyoharu always likes to stare at her feet. Hmm... considering their relationship, what's so strange about that? So they must be husband and wife in name only. In that case, I, your elder sister, will satisfy you, poor Kiyoharu-kun~"

To be honest.

Kiyoharu truly liked pretty feet.

In his past, indulgent life, during breaks from intense battles, Kiyoharu always enjoyed playing with a certain girlfriend's feet.

Ayano's sudden attack caught Kiyoharu off guard. Although her methods were quite clumsy, they were highly effective.

"Ah, your body is quite honest. Hmm... look, Kiyoharu-kun seems to be enjoying it. You must have spent every night for the past three years enduring emptiness. Oh dear, within the time limit of Time Stop, can I bring Kiyoharu-kun enough happiness?"

Ayano had always liked talking to herself since she was little—provided she was alone and undisturbed. If any elders were around, they would scold her severely.

So she had learned to pretend early on, and now it was time to release her true nature.

Kiyoharu had no choice but to hold his breath and endure with all his might.

He didn't know the upper limit of Ayano's Time Stop, but he knew that if he lost this struggle, it would be a socially fatal outcome!

While this was indeed Airi's private VIP suite, she and Kitamura Hitomi were only getting their hair washed in the next room, separated by a wall.

However, the more he thought about it, the more uncontrollably excited Kiyoharu felt.

Under Ayano's mischievous gaze and overwhelming charm, even the calming technique of reciting legal statutes was useless.

After a long period of endurance, Kiyoharu suddenly felt the pressure ease. The next moment, he regained control of his body.

Before he could even catch his breath, Ayano's villainous voice rang out.

"Eh? What's this?"

"..."

"Kiyoharu-kun, can you perform that again?" Ayano mimicked Kiyoharu's tone, "I will always be loyal to Chihaya Airi. You may coerce me, but you can never tempt me... Pfft pfft! Kiyoharu-kun, whose fingers weren't even touched, developed wicked thoughts just because the lights were dimmed. And you still have the nerve to talk about loyalty."

Loyalty is for my big head, what does it have to do with my little head?

Even though he felt righteous internally, it was too embarrassing to say such a crude remark.

Kiyoharu didn't forget to act. He looked down in shock before sighing helplessly, "Although I don't know what happened... I'm sorry, Miss Ayano. If this has caused any misunderstanding, please don't overthink it. I really..."

"Kiyoharu-kun, open your eyes and look at reality," Ayano interrupted, her tone suddenly becoming serious. "Airi treats you like a dog. Even if you have reasons to be a dog, there's no need to remain loyal to her. After all, love between men and women is consensual. What's the problem?"

"But that's immoral."

"I don't believe you're the kind of person who cares about worldly morals, Kiyoharu-kun."

Saying this, Ayano stepped closer, bending her left leg and kneeling in front of Kiyoharu, her thigh pressing against him, causing Kiyoharu to instinctively lean back. Ayano's hands then pressed against the sofa backrests on either side of Kiyoharu's head.

This created a scenario where Kiyoharu was being "sofa-bombed" by Ayano.

"You can receive warmth that you can't get from Airi, I promise."

To Kiyoharu's surprise, Ayano didn't make any more outrageous, lewd moves. Instead, she reached out and gently rubbed Kiyoharu's head, then softly caressed his ear down to his chin.

At this moment, Kiyoharu actually felt a maternal glow from Ayano!

"Kiyoharu-kun wanted a treatment earlier, but Airi refused. It's okay, I'll help you~"

Ayano pulled Kiyoharu to lie down horizontally on the sofa. He struggled a few times before being warned, "If you want your fiancée to hear any commotion, please continue to refuse."

"...You win."

Kiyoharu gave up resisting, lying back like a beached fish.

Ayano observed him with satisfaction, rubbing Kiyoharu's cheeks and even starting a head massage.

Unlike the professional therapeutic massage Kiyoharu gave Airi, Ayano's hands were very light, but the stroking sensation was as comfortable as flowing water.

This, was this the legendary Soothing Finger Technique?

"Since I was seven, my mother began teaching me finger massage techniques, practicing on her own head. She said it would make my future husband very satisfied... including allowing me to study painting, which was also because she valued the artistic temperament that could increase her daughter's value in the eyes of her future in-laws."

Ayano spoke to herself, seemingly unconcerned whether Kiyoharu was listening attentively.

Her exquisite hand skills had already formed muscle memory, gently gathering, slowly twisting, rubbing, and picking.

Kiyoharu couldn't help but let out a comfortable hum, praising, "Your skill is excellent."

"Right? Kiyoharu-kun likes it too."

"Your parents are concerned about your marriage?"

"I'm their only daughter, so of course they want to secure the greatest benefits for me."

"But didn't they want you to manage the gallery?"

"You don't actually believe Airi's claims, thinking the gallery is the Kitahara family's most important business? That's just her comfort... no, it should be pity, or perhaps she thinks my abilities are only good enough to manage a gallery." Kitahara Ayano chuckled helplessly. "It's just a facade in the art world. The real foundation, the trading center, has already been planned for my younger brother to inherit."

"Wait, when did you get a brother?" Kiyoharu asked, puzzled. "If I recall correctly, Miss Kitahara is an only child."

"An illegitimate son. A child born from my father and another woman."

The dimly lit lounge fell into a brief silence. Through the curtains, the faint sounds of spring insects chirping could be heard, while on the other side, Airi's cheerful conversation with Shimaura Hitomi drifted in along the short L-shaped corridor.

Her fingers caressed Kiyoharu's ear, stimulating his nerves with a rhythmic touch.

As one set of finger strokes finished, Kiyoharu opened his mouth to say something, but Ayano beat him to it.

"I don't blame my father, because this kind of thing is really thrilling, isn't it?" Ayano curled her index finger and tapped Kiyoharu's forehead. "Even a special man like Kiyoharu-kun can't refuse it, can he?"