"Mako?" someone in the group prompted helpfully.
"I know. I won't back out."
Amikura Mako stood up and walked over to Kitagawa Kai. She studied his face for a moment before thanking him in her own way.
A moment later.
She returned to her seat, her ears burning red.
Asahina Nazuna watched her sit down and finally set aside what she was holding.
I was still seriously considering this afternoon whether I was ready to join this big family.
Well, no need to think about it now. Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow.
"Lower your head a little, junior."
Kitagawa Kai leaned closer as instructed. She kissed his cheek, then raised a hand to straighten the collar that had been tugged askew.
"Thank you for your gift. I really like it, too."
Everyone turned to Ibuki Mio.
Ibuki Mio looked around, confirmed that she really was the only one left, and felt her face heat up. She pointed at herself. "Huh? Me, too?"
"Of course not."
Kitagawa Kai smiled and waved a hand at her. "Don't force yourself, Ibuki. I've already received your gift, and I really like it."
Damn it.
Now that he's said that, I feel even more embarrassed!
Everyone else went over without a fuss, but I've been standing here agonizing over it. It feels like I've lost completely.
Ibuki Mio simply walked up to him and pressed her hands onto his shoulders.
"Don't move."
She leaned down and kissed his cheek, then straightened up and insisted, her face red, "There. That was a thank-you."
"Yeah. Thank you, Ibuki."
Once everyone was satisfied, Kitagawa Kai called out, "Come on, let's take a picture together."
"Kai-kun, aren't you going to wipe your face first?"
"Nope. I need to preserve the evidence."
The girls laughed and