Reward

--The sun was already setting when I realized that it was late.

We had to leave soon, or Shiho would be late for her curfew. But she didn't seem to have any intention of leaving and kept hugging me.

"Nyufufu. It's been a long time since I've felt like I've had Kotaro-kun all to myself. I feel like I'm monopolizing Kotaro-kun for the first time in a long time... I want to hold you like this all the time... Oh, that's right. How about using Kotaro-kun as a bed pillow? I want to wrap you up in a cloth and put you on my bed."

...The idea is scary, as usual.

Shiho is completely back to normal. Perhaps it was thanks to Mary's exit.

“Come to think of it, how long have you been watching...?"

She was talking earlier as if she had been watching all along, however.

I'm not sure that's actually true. At least, she wasn't at the back of the school building. If she had been there, Shiho would have jumped out when I was slapped.

My guess that she might have seen us as early as Ryuzaki's confession, or as late as when he left, was about right.

"Just about the time Kotaro-kun got kabedoned, I think. I was in the classroom waiting for you to come home when I heard a loud noise coming from an empty classroom. I came to check on you and found Kotaro-kun and Mary-chan."

A loud noise, I guess when Ryuzaki kicked the desk.

“I don't know the details, and I don't ask tactless questions like, "What happened?" I just know that you were trying to protect ... me. That's enough."

With that said, she now reached for my cheek.

Just where Kirari had slapped me.

"But you didn't have to work so hard to get hurt... Look, it's swollen, okay? I won't ask you what happened, but do you understand that it hurts me to know that you're hurting?"

"...Yeah. I'm sorry."

I sincerely apologized. Then she smiled and nodded.

"It's great that you can apologize properly. Yes, of course I forgive you... Oh, that's right. Kotaro-kun, do you want to bend down a bit?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah."

What happened all of a sudden?

I don't know what she's going to do to me, but I did as I was told and bent down.

I try to lower my eyes a little lower than Shiho.

Then she suddenly crunched my head.

"All right♪ ... You did a great job this time. I'm going to reward you for your efforts."

... Apparently, Shiho is willing to work hard for me.

I thought she was just going to lean in closer to me, but then she put her lips on mine.

"…"

The unexpected event made my mind go blank.

On the contrary, Shiho's face was as red as a ripe apple.

"This is ... your reward, okay? I'm not in a hurry because Mary-chan is going to take away Kotaro-kun's first time, alright? I kissed you because I love you, don't get me wrong!"

I don't know where the tsun tsun is coming from, but ... I bit down hard on that reward.

――I'm glad I did my best.

I felt that way from the bottom of my heart.

I was inexperienced and pathetic, so there were probably many things that I did not deserve.

But Shiho watched over me. She recognized my effort. She praised me afterwards.

That alone made me feel rewarded.

I felt from the bottom of my heart that I had done my best.

(I will definitely make this girl happy...!)

I firmly vowed in my heart.

I will never do anything to make Shiho unhappy.

I will always try to protect ... her from now on.

And I want to be happy with her.

I prayed to the night sky for such a wish.

The second part of the story comes to a close...