"You two, isn't it bad to show off your romance in public like this?"
Rokusuke Koenji adjusted his forehead, rather dissatisfied with the scene before him. Did these two lovebirds treat him as non-existent, freely acting all lovey-dovey right here?
Ayanokoji also looked at the two with deadpan eyes, seemingly harboring great resentment.
Hearing the voice, Hiyori trembled violently, hurriedly withdrawing herself from Ken Kaneki's warm embrace.
A blush quickly crept up her cheeks, spreading all the way to the roots of her ears. She lowered her head, fixing her gaze on her toes, her fingers nervously twisting together.
After stepping back half a step, Hiyori felt reluctant again. She extended her fair little hand, taking the initiative to grab Ken Kaneki's large hand, their ten fingers tightly interlocked.
Rokusuke Koenji and Ayanokoji were truly quite stuffed; this dog food was simply impossible to guard against anywhere.
Ken Kaneki gripped Hiyori's hand, turned to look at the two of them, and gave a dry cough to mask the previous awkward atmosphere as he spoke in gratitude.
"The timing for the fireworks and firecrackers just now was very precise. Kids, thanks a lot."
Hiyori also raised her head, nodding repeatedly along. "Thank you, Ayanokoji, thank you, Koenji."
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji casually tossed the empty firecracker tube into a nearby trash can and waved a hand.
"A small matter. The main work was all done by Koenji; I was only responsible for pulling the firecracker tube at the right time."
Rokusuke Koenji chuckled softly, not putting on airs as he openly admitted it.
"This young master's taste has always been flawless. This level of romantic arrangement is merely something to be accomplished effortlessly. However, the progress of your two's relationship is indeed a bit faster than I anticipated; I still thought we had to wait a little longer."
Ken Kaneki looked at these two adopted sons of his, feeling quite pleased.
Although they usually lacked seriousness and would start fights over claiming the title of adoptive father at the drop of a hat, they were truly reliable in critical moments.
These two guys were extremely troublesome entities in the original work, yet now they were willing to come and do heavy labor for his confession. This made Ken Kaneki feel all warm inside.
"When you guys find partners in the future, I'll help you arrange a confession of the exact same scale."
Hiyori nodded like a chick pecking at rice, echoing Ken Kaneki's words.
"Mm-mm, Ken will definitely help. When the time comes, I'll come help set things up too."
Ayanokoji's eyes flickered. He was quite curious about the feeling of romance and had always maintained an inquisitive mindset. Hearing Ken Kaneki's words at the moment, he showed no intention of refuting.
Rokusuke Koenji smiled faintly, touching his own blonde hair as he grew somewhat embarrassed.
Only after getting along for a long time did he realize that Beautiful Guy was actually very easy to get along with. The fact that he used to act like the last American in Sakura Country at the drop of a hat was simply because they weren't familiar with each other yet.
Ayanokoji and the other exchanged a glance, neither refusing the proposal before them.
The night breeze blew across the artificial lake, bringing with it traces of coolness.
Seeing Ken Kaneki and Hiyori tightly holding hands and acting affectionately with eyes only for each other, Ayanokoji and Rokusuke Koenji were both very tactful.
"It's getting late. I still need to return to the dorm to process the backend data for the Micro Bank. Tomorrow, many new students will still come to borrow credit, and the system needs maintenance as well," Kiyotaka Ayanokoji said in farewell.
"This young master must also go perform my pre-sleep maintenance. I wish you a beautiful night," Rokusuke Koenji waved his hand.
The two turned around, preparing to step away.
Hiyori looked at their backs, suddenly poking her head out to tease them.
"Are you two really leaving this time? You won't end up hiding in some corner watching secretly again a moment later, will you?"
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's footsteps paused mid-air, and the smile on Rokusuke Koenji's face also stiffened for an instant.
The two wore sheepish expressions. Without turning back, they quickened their pace and headed straight for the tree-lined path, quickly disappearing into the night.
The surroundings returned to tranquility once more, the surface of the artificial lake shimmering with ripples under the moonlight.
After they walked far away, Ken Kaneki turned around and pulled Hiyori back into his embrace.
Hiyori obediently leaned against his chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat.
Ken Kaneki lowered his head, pinched Hiyori's exquisite chin, and kissed her again.
This kiss was deeper than the previous one. Hiyori closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Ken Kaneki's neck, and responded passionately.
Ken Kaneki's hands didn't behave themselves either. Now that the two were officially in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, he cast aside his previous restraint.
His large hand slowly traveled upward along Hiyori's slender waist, feeling the curves and temperature of her body through her pure white dress.
Hiyori's body trembled slightly. She did not refuse, leaving herself entirely at Ken Kaneki's mercy.
To her, Ken Kaneki was already her only reliance and the person she loved most in this school; there was no reason to refuse.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Hiyori leaned in Ken Kaneki's embrace, breathing heavily. Her gaze turned intoxicated, her eyes sparkling with watery sheen, and her entire body clung limply to Ken Kaneki.
Ken Kaneki looked down at the girl in his arms, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"It's getting late. Let's go to the hotel."
Hiyori missed a beat in her heartbeat. She raised her head, meeting Ken Kaneki's burning gaze. Without any hesitation, she nodded firmly.
"Okay."
In fact, before keeping the appointment today, she had made complete psychological preparations; she knew Ken Kaneki's feelings for her.
She had already intended to give herself completely to him after Ken Kaneki's confession.
Ken Kaneki took Hiyori's hand, and the two left the artificial lake side by side.
They avoided the main road of the student dormitory area. Today was the first day points were zeroed out, and many students from Class 1-D and even other classes were worrying about survival; anxious emotions still permeated the campus at this time.
Ken Kaneki and Hiyori walked along the secluded path, holding hands, forming a sharp contrast with the anxiety in the surrounding environment.
The two walked all the way to the star-rated hotel attached to Keyaki Mall. This hotel was rarely frequented by students on ordinary days, as the exorbitant accommodation fees made the vast majority of people flinch.
Ken Kaneki walked to the front desk and handed over his Student Terminal.
"Open a luxury suite."
The front desk staff scanned the terminal and smiled politely.
"Very well, sir. Your room is room 1801 on the top floor. This is your room key."
Ken Kaneki accepted the room key and led Hiyori toward the elevator.
The elevator doors closed, the numbers kept ticking upward, and in the cramped space, the sound of their breathing was clearly audible. Hiyori gripped Ken Kaneki's hand tightly, her palms sweating slightly.
With a "ding," the elevator reached the eighteenth floor. Ken Kaneki swiped his card and pushed open the door to room 1801.
The room was luxuriously decorated, and the night view of the entire campus could be overlooked outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
As soon as the door closed, Ken Kaneki couldn't wait to turn around, pinning Hiyori against the door panel as he lowered his head to kiss her lips.
Hiyori stood on tiptoe, hooking her arms around Ken Kaneki's neck.
The two kissed passionately behind the door. Earlier for the evening date, both had already bathed in their respective dormitories.
Hiyori carried the faint scent of cherry blossom body wash, while Ken Kaneki emitted a crisp, refreshing aura; neither intended to wash up again.
Ken Kaneki bent down, slipped his hands under the bends of Hiyori's legs, and scooped her up in a bridal carry.
Hiyori let out a soft exclamation, instinctively wrapping her arms around Ken Kaneki's neck.
Ken Kaneki strode into the bedroom, gently placing Hiyori onto the wide and soft large bed.
Hiyori sank into the soft bedding, her pure white waist-cinched dress spreading out.
She looked up at Ken Kaneki standing by the bedside, her eyes devoid of any fear, filled only with overflowing love.
Ken Kaneki leaned down, his hands unzipping the zipper on the back of Hiyori's dress, and the garment slid down her smooth shoulders.
Ken Kaneki moved gently, shedding his own outer jacket as well.
The moment their skin touched, Hiyori closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
The temperature inside the room continued to rise, and the moonlight spilled onto the carpet through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the clothing scattered all over the floor.
Ken Kaneki lowered his head, kissing away the few teardrops welling up at the corners of Hiyori's eyes.
He made no rough movements, granting Hiyori the utmost gentleness and patience. Hiyori tightly grasped the bedsheets with both hands, biting her lower lip as she endured Ken Kaneki's affection.
After the pain came the ultimate blending of emotions.
On this night, Ken Kaneki took the final step, completely claiming her body.
The two embraced tightly on the wide bed, body and mind completely in sync. Hiyori leaned in the crook of Ken Kaneki's arm, listening to his heartbeat as she fell into a deep sleep.
In her dream, unsure what she thought of, a satisfied smile hung on the corners of Hiyori's mouth.
Before you continue