Masumi Kamuro Finds Love

(Evening)

Star Color took out a tissue and got ready to pick a suitable nukige on his [laptop].

([Laptop] is short for notebook computer.)

A knock sounded at the dormitory door.

Who'd be knocking so late at night? Tamiya? Or Kaneda? That seemed unlikely... If it were either of them, they'd have messaged him in advance.

Star Color hurriedly hid his computer, then opened the door.

"Huh? Kamuro... It's so late—"

Masumi Kamuro stood outside in casual clothes. She wore light blue skinny jeans and a summer jacket in contrasting black and purple. She certainly had a fashionable sense of style.

"What's wrong? Don't you want me here?"

Masumi Kamuro cut off Star Color's pointless opening line.

Star Color didn't remember telling her his room number. How had she found out? Yikes, that was a little creepy. Were you a pervert, Version 3?

"I get cold easily. Could I come in, if that's okay?"

Masumi Kamuro stood outside the door. Her voice was still icy, but there seemed to be a hint of excitement in it? Star Color figured he must have imagined it.

"I've already opened the door. Make yourself at home, Kamuro."

She could have just come in, but instead she'd gone to the trouble of coming up with an excuse. The nights in April weren't that cold, were they? At least Star Color thought it was pleasant... But the girls' uniforms were all short skirts like that, so it was only natural that she'd feel chilly in the evening breeze. Though, Kamuro, you're not wearing your school uniform...

"The room has a nice atmosphere. The little decorations are just a bit childish."

Star Color had assembled Gundam models on display in his room, along with small, poseable S.H.Figuarts figures from Tokusatsu Heroes and Monsters.

"Don't just criticize things in front of the person who owns the room! That's so rude!"

"Do you have anything to drink?"

Masumi Kamuro stood in the room without the slightest hesitation, looking around.

"Yeah, there's plain boiled water and some drinks."

Star Color opened the fridge and rummaged around.

"Would you like Ramune or Wasabi Cola, Kamuro?"

Masumi Kamuro frowned at the strange-sounding drink Wasabi Cola.

"Don't you have anything more normal...? I want hot cocoa."

"I don't have any."

"Remember to get some next time."

Star Color's mouth twitched.

Last time, he'd had to ask Teacher Majima to buy the hot cocoa. Star Color didn't like that stuff himself.

"Okay."

Luckily, Star Color wasn't going to make a fuss over something so trivial. What could he say? She was a beautiful girl, so he'd forgive her.

Masumi Kamuro treated the place like her own dorm room and sat right down on Star Color's bed.

"Kamuro, have you showered? Don't sit on the bed if you haven't washed properly. That's basic common sense!"

Star Color's germophobia flared up. He leaned toward her, glaring at Masumi Kamuro.

"I have."

As Star Color slowly drew closer, Masumi Kamuro's heart began to race. She seemed a little flustered...

"I knew it. I can smell a faint hint of body wash."

Star Color had only leaned in to sniff a few times. Masumi Kamuro thought Star Color had the habits of a cat: cute on the outside, but mischievous underneath, with another charming side that appeared when he got serious... Or rather, both sides were appealing.

"You said you'd accept me and fulfill my [needs]. Since I've taken that step and apologized, you'd better take proper responsibility."

Star Color broke out in a cold sweat. It was a good thing they were only in the dorm. He couldn't even imagine how much damage those words could do if she said them in public.

"Don't say things that are guaranteed to give people the wrong idea! Could you choose your words more carefully?"

Star Color patted his forehead and shook his head. It seemed Kamuro had gone from a girl with psychological issues to a girl with strange issues... Did he really need to work on his teaching methods?

A need to be needed by others? Star Color had a strange idea.

"Kehehehehehe."

A cute voice let out a laugh that was wildly out of place. Grinning mischievously, Star Color leaned toward Masumi Kamuro once again.

A blush crept across Masumi Kamuro's cool, aloof face. As if she'd packed away a little anticipation in a plastic bag, she stared blankly at Star Color as he grinned and moved closer, step by step.

"Ow... Don't press so hard... Kamuro..."

"Guhhh... That's the spot—don't stop."

"Ah... Oh~..."

Star Color let out small-animal-like gasps, unable to tell whether they were from pleasure or pain.

Masumi Kamuro had no idea what she was doing... standing on the bed and stepping on Otonashi Seishiki's back?

But somehow, it didn't feel bad at all. If anything, she wanted to hear Otonashi Seishiki make more and more of those strange noises.

"You're such a geezer. You actually want me to walk on your back?"

Though she was embarrassed inside, that was how a tsundere was: she had to put on a proper front.

Star Color stretched his back and relaxed all over.

"Kamuro, you're really good at this~."

Star Color held one hand beneath his lips and raised his head to meet Masumi Kamuro's gaze. Her bright, violet eyes shimmered as if with a magical light. They made him feel comfortable and at ease. Her eyes narrowed slightly...

"Is this really your first time, Kamuro? You made me feel so... good."

"You're such a nasty guy!"

Kamuro gave Star Color a light kick in the chest. He didn't resist, letting himself fall onto the bed under the force of her foot.

"Well, consider it payback for earlier."

Star Color didn't show any fear or resistance. If anything, he'd been guiding Masumi Kamuro the whole time.

Masumi Kamuro felt the [urge] to teach Star Color a lesson. Just like when they'd first met...

Star Color seemed to sense the [urge] deep inside Masumi Kamuro and gave a quiet laugh.

"Kamuro, as long as you don't go too far with me... I don't mind."

That frightening capacity for acceptance swept through Masumi Kamuro's heart.

"If my heart beats too fast, I get a nosebleed. So be gentle..."

Masumi Kamuro, who had once acted so high and mighty, pursed her lips. Slowly, she brought her ear close to Star Color's chest.

Masumi Kamuro listened to his heartbeat. Slow, gentle, fragile... It didn't have the vigor a boy or girl should have. It simply beat and danced so that he could keep living.

Star Color's natural scent, mixed with a faint hint of jasmine, played on her nerves.

Star Color gently laid a hand on her head.

"Is that enough for you?"

"I don't know..."

Even Masumi Kamuro herself didn't know why such strange feelings had risen inside her. The emotions welling up in her were purer and more fulfilling than mere [thrills].

Masumi Kamuro had always longed for [love], yet she'd realized she couldn't even love herself. In that moment, her whole worldview had collapsed. But now she'd met the right person, someone who had guided her back to the path called [love]... Her understanding of "love" had changed. Maybe she was enjoying love precisely because she didn't know what she was doing.

"Then you can lean on me a little longer, Kamuro."