Chapter 194

Involving students in the school's operations is something the Advanced Nurturing school administration implicitly accepted from the beginning; Student Council Member would use their positions to help their classes—so what's there to be polite about!

However, Manabu Horikita has his own principles, which can't be considered wrong, since both the Advanced Nurturing teachers and students acknowledge each other's title as "the most outstanding Student Council President in history."

However, with the responsibility of managing the Student Council on one hand and taking on the leadership of Class A of the Third Year on the other, he seemed to be in a bit of a bind, making it difficult to do well in both areas and leaving many loopholes.

Hmm~ I'm talking about Miyabi Nagumo and Class 3-B.

The former's propositions contradict those of the Student Council, and it has even begun to extend its reach to the Third Year; the latter, with just one Sports Festival, is showing signs of catching up.

This shows that Manabu Horikita's prestige was not as high as one might imagine, whether in the Student Council or in his Third Year.

On the other hand, there are probably not many outstanding talents in Class A of the Third Year. It's like a high-end version of Katsuragi Kohei, dragging a group of ordinary Class A students with good overall abilities but not outstanding ones forward.

Although this had little to do with Aragaki Shun, the girl in front of him, Tachibana Akane, was also a member of Class A of the Third Year. Seeing the worry in her eyes, the boy couldn't help but gently scratch the girl's palm a few times with his fingers.

Tachibana Akane blushed slightly, looking at the junior next to her with some confusion.

"Today is our first date, so don't be secretly frowning."

Cupping the secretary's face in his hands, Aragaki Shun earnestly instructed, "I've already suppressed Miyabi Nagumo's side. Past experience has proven that without the support of the second-year students, Class 3-B alone has no strength to fight against your Class A of the Third Year."

"Even if something unexpected happens again, I'm still here. Even if it's just for my lovely Tachibana Akane- senpai, I won't stand by and watch her die."

Both in terms of time and remaining savings, there was indeed no way to make money in the Third Year, so Aragaki Shun had no reason to unite those graduating students.

But what can I do? I am ill.

To make the dessert he was about to eat even more delicious, Aragaki Shun didn't mind putting in his own effort at the crucial moment, completely crushing the ambitions of Class 3-B.

Anyway, this kind of person who needs Miyabi Nagumo's support to make Manabu Horikita look bad can be dealt with with a flick of the finger, it doesn't take much effort at all.

"For... for me..."

Hearing such a direct statement, Tachibana Akane felt dizzy. Despite never having drunk alcohol before, she naturally fell into a state of intoxication due to the flutter in her heart.

She never imagined that she would hold such importance in another boy's eyes.

Isn't that a foul?

"That's right, it has nothing to do with the situation in the Third Year, it's just for the sake of Tachibana Akane- senpai in front of me, nothing more."

Gently patting the girl's soft, warm cheeks, Aragaki Shun frankly stated his position.

"So you'd better make it up to me today, put aside all those trivial matters, and wholeheartedly devote yourself to this date."

"I... I understand..."

Faced with her junior's assertive declaration, the girl showed no resistance whatsoever; on the contrary, her eyes were practically overflowing with affection.

"Even if something unexpected happens again, I'll still be here for you!"

No other reason was needed; just hearing that sentence, Tachibana Akane knew she simply couldn't refuse the person in front of her.

Although she was two years ahead of her, she knew that she had never had her own opinions since she was a child and was always confused about how to move forward.

Therefore, the girl wanted someone to rely on. If the person she liked could make decisions for her, she would not feel wronged at all, but would feel relaxed all over.

Aragaki-kun wants her to put aside all other trivial matters and focus solely on the date in front of her, then she is naturally capable of doing so.

As for the fact that class competition is actually very important and not a trivial matter... Aragaki-kun has already promised to help her, so what is there to worry about?

Yes! My Aragaki, needs me! I absolutely cannot let him down!

"So... where should we go now?"

Her purple eyes darted away, unable to meet the boy's burning gaze. Tachibana Akane's body went weak, completely abandoning the idea she had fantasized about last night—taking the lead in this date—and leaving all the decisions to him.

Perhaps, even if Aragaki Shun took Tachibana Akane to a hotel right now, the girl would only bow her head and submit, feigning reluctance.

Of course, he wasn't so clueless about romance that he had planned some date activities before coming to meet her.

"This school isn't that big, and there aren't many facilities to play on. We still have time today, so we can try out all the ones that are suitable."

Aragaki Shun chuckled softly, then took her other hand in his, palm to palm, exchanging warmth.

Perhaps because the air conditioning in the shopping mall was set too low, Tachibana Akane's hands seemed a little stiff. The girl let the assertive junior lead her forward, only secretly tightening the small shawl on her shoulders a few more times.

"Should we watch a movie first or go shopping first?"

"Let's... let's watch a movie first," she answered softly, her eyes glued to a cream-colored hairband in the shop window.

Aragaki Shun followed her gaze, a smile playing on his lips. "Then let's buy a hairband first, then go see a movie."

Tachibana Akane wanted to say something, but the boy had already pushed the door open and gone inside.

The shop assistant handed the headband to her palm; its velvety surface was soft to the touch. As she pinned it on in front of the mirror, her fingertips trembled—it was the first time she had received a date gift from the boy she liked.

"It looks really good!"

Aragaki Shun stood behind the girl, gently stroking her soft, shoulder-length purple hair. In the mirror, one could see his intensely focused gaze, which made the secretary even more timid and shy.

How useless! The date has only just begun, and I've already lost all will to resist.

Now, the younger student is really going to take advantage of me...

Due to the Advanced Nurturing audience restrictions, the cinema didn't offer students many choices. When he and Tachibana Akane came to buy tickets, they could only pick out a relatively obscure art film from a few inexplicably bad movies.

There weren't many people in the hall; they were scattered around. After all, the Sports Festival had just ended, and not many people were in the mood to come out and have fun.

But this can be considered a good thing. Aragaki Shun and Tachibana Akane sat in a corner at the back, where there was no one else around, which made it convenient for the couple to have some small interactions.

The lights dimmed, and Miss Secretary, clutching popcorn, had no idea what the story was about—because Aragaki Shun's fingertips were lightly brushing against the back of her hand, like playing a silent piano.

The girl pretended to be nonchalant as she looked at the big screen, but in reality, every touch felt like static electricity crackling and exploding at her nerve endings.

Halfway through the movie, she finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered in the boy's ear, "Aragaki-kun... aren't you going to look ahead?"

"Who goes to the movies with their partner just to watch something boring?" His voice chuckled in the darkness. "Not to mention, it's not like they're showing any classic films today."

After a few lighthearted banter, the next second, Aragaki Shun brazenly grabbed Tachibana Akane's fingers, their fingers intertwined.

Feeling the secretary's heart pounding so hard it seemed about to burst out, the boy laughed even harder.

"See? Even my senior can't concentrate. I'm clearly more interesting than the movie, right?"

That's so mean!

Seeing her junior's somewhat childishly proud demeanor, Tachibana Akane was both amused and exasperated.

But it must be admitted that the other party does have reason to be proud.

"Um..."

After the movie ended, the two went to the arcade for a while, and soon it was afternoon.

Seeing that the girl looked a little thirsty, Aragaki Shun led his senior to the coffee shop on the street corner.

The iced Americano and strawberry daifuku were served, with a mint leaf stuck on top of the cream.

Tachibana Akane took a small bite, and a little white foam clung to the corner of her lips.

Aragaki Shun pulled out a tissue to wipe her face, his movements slow and deliberate. The secretary stiffened for a moment, and the tips of her ears turned rosy again.

Staring blankly at the man before her, the girl suddenly mustered her courage, held her breath, and asked softly:

"Aragaki-kun... what is our relationship now?"

"We've come this far, why are you still asking this kind of question?" Aragaki Shun was somewhat amused and exasperated. He extended his right hand, placed his palm on the cool back of her hand, and intertwined their fingers.

"The escape option has expired."

He leaned down and gently touched her cherry lips, stealing her first kiss. "How do you feel now? You should know where you're headed, right? Or do you think you can still escape from me?"

"... I won't run away." Tachibana Akane's eyes suddenly felt a little hot, and she subconsciously touched her lips with her fingertips, as if she could feel an invisible seal on them.

I'm already taken!

The only regret was that the first kiss seemed a little too light; it was over before I could even react.

"... Could we... do it one more time?"

Faced with this request, and seeing his senior's trembling eyelashes and expectant look as she obediently closed her eyes, Aragaki Shun naturally wouldn't disappoint the beauty's heart.

The next second, Tachibana Akane heard was the rustling of the fabric as the boy approached, and she felt his warm breath on her nose.

Then, her lips were covered.

This time, it's not just a fleeting glance.

The gentle touch deepened, their breaths mingled, and even the passage of time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Tachibana Akane's back pressed against the chair back, her fingertips unconsciously clenching the hem of the boy's shirt.

Her heart pounded as if it would burst from her throat, but the boy's other hand held her waist firmly, pressing their bodies together.

It's wonderful; I truly feel loved and pampered by him.

After a long while, Aragaki Shun slightly pulled away, but their noses were still touching.

Is that enough? If not, continue.

Tachibana Akane opened her eyes, her pupils misty with tears, her lips a vibrant red from the kiss, more delicious than strawberries.

She subconsciously licked her lips before realizing what she had done, and her face instantly turned ashen.

But faced with her beloved's teasing, the girl still instinctively muttered a reply.

"If you still want to..."

"Hehe~ I'm not so easily satisfied."

Aragaki Shun smiled nonchalantly. Tachibana Akane seemed to really enjoy the feeling of being needed by her lover and being embraced by him, so naturally he would do everything he could to satisfy her.

After leaving the coffee shop, the two continued to explore other suitable dating spots on campus, and before they knew it, the sun had set.

His physical strength was still unfathomable, but for a girl like Tachibana Akane, walking through so many places from morning till night, no matter how excited she was, her body was indeed starting to feel the strain.

So the two of them simply sat on a bench by the street, letting the setting sun cast long shadows of each other.

An unknown floral scent wafted on the wind. Tachibana Akane nestled her head against Aragaki Shun's shoulder and suddenly began to talk about her past, "Actually... there was a time when I really admired the student council president. I was even sulking when you arranged for her sister to take my place."

"Hmm?" Aragaki Shun turned his head, looking at the somewhat nervous girl with a puzzled expression, and asked, "Why are we talking about this now?"

"It's about... the student council president single-handedly carrying the class forward, so everyone in the class aspires to be like her." She mustered her courage, "Would you mind?"

"What if I said yes?"

"Then I'll definitely cry!"

"Then I don't mind," Aragaki Shun said with a gentle chuckle under Tachibana Akane's tender gaze, poking the girl's cheek. "Longing is the emotion furthest from understanding; only those who can't catch the light dare to look up."

He paused, his voice almost seductively gentle, "And I will not only respond to you, but I will also pull you into the light. So—"

He leaned down, forehead to forehead, and said, "Only when we're embracing each other are we truly lovers."

That said, given Manabu Horikita Suzune, would those two really consider romantic relationships during high school?

Of course, this kind of thing is actually unimportant.

If anyone is truly jealous, it's someone else who's jealous of Aragaki Shun.

When did it become the victor's place to fuss over such absurd things?

269. Community of Destiny +1; Manabu Horikita has embarrassed himself again.

Liking something can be complex in some ways, and simple in others.

Aragaki Shun stated that he never suffers from mental exhaustion; the soft, delicate body in his arms is the key thing he needs to focus on right now.

Taking advantage of Tachibana Akane's emotional state, he took the increasingly docile girl back to his apartment.

As soon as the door closed, the senior student's petite body was pressed onto the sofa.

Aragaki Shun's kiss moved from his hair to behind his ear, his voice unusually heavy. "Your hair clip is crooked."

The girl's fingertips trembled, yet she proactively hooked her arms around his neck, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "Junior... could you help me take it off?"

Isn't this process developing a little too fast?

Today was supposed to be their first date, their first kiss, and the day they exchanged feelings and officially became a couple... but in just one day, her junior dragged her to his room, where she was about to make her love blossom in front of him.

I've heard people say that Mingming should be a little more reserved in situations like this.