Kuroha Akira couldn't control his eyes—they were drawn to her like moths to a flame—but he could still control his hands.
He raised his hand, found the wall switch, and turned off the lights, plunging the entire room back into darkness.
Blind myself, he thought. Problem solved.
But Shinomiya seemed to have anticipated his move. She produced Kuroha Akira's phone—which she had conveniently prepared earlier—and turned on the camera flash.
Like the LED display lights in a jewelry showcase, it projected a close-range point light source from below, doing its best to highlight the 'features' of the 'exhibit.' The strong contrast of light and shadow created a dramatic, three-dimensional effect that was even more captivating than when the room had been fully lit.
Even the originally rustic braided hairstyle, under this special atmosphere, took on an alluring, almost forbidden aura.
You are not allowed not to look.
You can only look at me.
She was using every ounce of her charm to control Kuroha Akira's gaze. If this were a visual novel game, the word 'Charmed' would already be floating above his head with sparkly effects.
The intense visual impact overloaded his mental circuits. He pointed at Shinomiya like an idiot and asked,
"Your… clothes?"
"Washed."
"You have spare clothes, right…?"
"No. All washed."
"…"
That perfunctory answer made Kuroha Akira feel like an absolute fool for asking. Which, ironically, sobered him up a bit and helped him regain some rationality.
At this moment, trying to reason with Shinomiya was the most unreasonable thing he could do.
After all, last time, she had burst in while he was showering—without a towel—and even squeezed into the same bathtub, playing in the water like a pair of lovebirds. Although in the end, it really had just been a proper back rub, that was only because he had later promised her the 'request' of treating him like a body pillow. Shinomiya, having tasted the sweetness of that arrangement, had decided to temporarily hold back.
Otherwise, that day's bathtub might truly have been stained with blood… though the one bleeding wouldn't have been Kuroha Akira, but Shinomiya.
But even so, anyone could clearly see that she had completely thrown caution to the wind. When they were alone in private, Shinomiya Shion expressed her affection for Kuroha Akira without reservation, sparing no effort to tempt him, making him unable to resist wanting to actively break his own carefully constructed bottom line.
"Come quickly, Akira-kun. What are you waiting for?" Shinomiya urged again, her smile alluring.
"…"
That enchanting smile was like a femme fatale inside a door saying, "Come play, master~" or like a queen commanding her favored retainer, "Come into my embrace."
Even though she was inexperienced and should have been terribly shy, she now displayed the calm demeanor of a seasoned veteran.
This was definitely an act.
It's just that Kuroha Akira's eyes could no longer see through her performance. Shinomiya's acting had broken through to a new stage, reaching LV2, allowing her to perform effortlessly when playing a 'familiar role.'
Ultimately, she was just expressing her affection for Kuroha Akira, wanting to fully display her most beautiful side in front of him. It was typecasting—the role she was born to play. That was why she could suppress her inner shyness and appear so captivating.
The woman was fully prepared, having discarded her shyness. But what about the man?
After all, this time wasn't like last time in the bathroom. Kuroha Akira was still properly dressed, so he should have been calmer than before.
But the atmosphere now was too ambiguous.
This was probably the most intense ambiguous atmosphere between him and Shinomiya—to the point where the 'window paper' was right in front of them, practically begging to be torn down.
Originally, when they slept in bunk beds, they could barely be considered roommates. But when Shinomiya occupied his lower bunk under the guise of being a body pillow, the physical distance between them in the room vanished.
As long as he walked over… Kuroha Akira could only think of one possible outcome for what would happen next.
Shinomiya was probably anticipating that exact development.
The choice was still in Kuroha Akira's hands. He could still run—the door wasn't locked.
But showing panic, blushing furiously, and then running out the door like a flustered protagonist from a rom-com… that was an act of evasion only a young virgin would pull.
Although Kuroha Akira was also a virgin, he wasn't young anymore! He was an experienced (in fantasy) old virgin! He had read enough isekai novels and played enough visual novels to know how this scene usually played out.
So at this moment, he chose not to retreat, but to walk toward Shinomiya's blanket trap.
That blanket was like a mimic chest from an RPG—hiding the most beautiful treasure inside, but once trapped, he would be completely swallowed, leaving no bones behind…
So what, then?
Anyway, he rationalized, once the blanket is pulled up, nothing will be visible.
Kuroha Akira calmly walked over, picked up the phone in front of Shinomiya, turned off the flash, then lay down on the bed. He took the edge of the blanket from Shinomiya's hand and pulled it over both of them.
"Let's sleep."
A silky smooth combo that completely destroyed the ambiguous atmosphere.
This was all within Shinomiya's expectations. She knew that merely 'watching' wouldn't break Kuroha Akira's guard. So the next part was crucial, and she still had the right to continue her offensive.
Moreover, she was different now—she wasn't wearing any gear. Her defense was zero, but her attacks would have penetrating attributes, dealing true spiritual damage to Kuroha Akira's resistance.
However, just as she was about to activate 'Entanglement' and continue her assault, Kuroha Akira preemptively triggered his 'Negotiation' skill.
What was Kuroha Akira best at?
Negotiating. Talking his way out of things. As long as his mouth wasn't covered, he still had room to counterattack.
"Shion, while I agreed to be your body pillow, I don't recall agreeing that you could get into bed in this state, did I?"
"Nobody stipulates that you have to be 'fully clothed' when hugging a body pillow," Shinomiya countered smoothly. "I just heard that sleeping naked can improve sleep quality and also improve skin condition…"
"Does your sleep quality still need improving? I see you sleep very soundly every day! And your skin—there's no need to even mention it. Even Kurenai said your skin was so good she couldn't bear to put heavy makeup on it. It really doesn't need improving, does it?"
"Skin care needs to be done every day. Before, I was too casual with my body. Akira-kun, you also told me to take myself more seriously, didn't you?" She tilted her head innocently. "This is me starting to take myself seriously, you know?"
During her time with Kuroha Akira, Shinomiya's eloquence had significantly improved. She could now engage in back-and-forth banter with him—and just like before, she continued to use his own words as a boomerang counter, making it impossible for him to refute.
Then, she launched a new offensive strategy.
"I've noticed Akira-kun hasn't been sleeping well lately… Why don't you try sleeping naked too? It's very relaxing, you know…"
Wouldn't that make it even harder to sleep!
Unless he was so tired he passed out—and even then, the bedsheets and blanket would probably need washing the next day.
Kuroha Akira sighed and said, "I think I'll sleep on the top bunk…"
"No!"
Seeing Kuroha Akira about to get up, Shinomiya became anxious and immediately rolled over, pressing her body onto Kuroha Akira's stomach. He felt his belly button was perfectly covered—just the right size.
Fortunately, he thought frantically, I washed thoroughly during my shower, so there shouldn't be any smell…
Wait! Why was he the one being acted upon, and caring about the smell?!
Shinomiya, of course, wouldn't let Kuroha Akira escape to the top bunk. So she started bringing up past grievances.
"Lately, Akira-kun, you've been going to sleep on the top bunk after I fall asleep, haven't you!"
"Yes, you're asleep. Body pillow time is over. Where I sleep is my freedom, isn't it?"
Kuroha Akira relied on switching beds to ensure his basic sleep time. Otherwise, staying in a constantly aroused state would genuinely make it difficult to get any rest.
"Mm…"
Shinomiya couldn't think of a rebuttal. This was indeed Kuroha Akira's freedom; she had no right to stop him.
So she simply abandoned reason and chose to activate a woman's exclusive ultimate move: 'Crocodile tears.'
"But if I wake up in the morning and find my body pillow isn't in my arms, I'll feel empty inside… Does Akira-kun want to see me cry?"
A woman's tears, a man's weakness. Many men are helpless against crying women, and Kuroha Akira fell for it too.
"Hah… fine…" He sighed in defeat. "But you're not allowed to rub against me, and you're not allowed to grind on me…"
"Mmm… But, if I don't 'relieve' myself properly… I won't sleep well tonight…"
"You need to relieve yourself to relax every night? You're addicted, aren't you?"
There was a syndrome called: Emotional Cross-Leg Rubbing Syndrome. Its main manifestations included: repeated forceful closing of legs, wiggling of the hips, sweating all over, tense expressions, flushed face, rapid breathing, exhaling hot air… Kuroha Akira had already 'diagnosed' her with all of the above symptoms.
"Perhaps I am a little addicted…" Shinomiya admitted without shame. "After all, it's hard for people to resist the emotional influence of hormones. And holding back is actually bad for the body, isn't it?"
You're right, Kuroha Akira thought miserably, so I really want to relax completely too…
But Kuroha Akira knew he couldn't. If he also completely abandoned his principles like Shinomiya, then it would truly turn into a hentai plot. It would go from watching each other perform, slowly turning into mutually assisting each other's performance, then progressing to using props, and finally becoming a dual performance…
The so-called bottom line would gradually erode until it no longer existed.
Once that option appeared in one's mind, it was very difficult not to choose the path that made one feel 'good.'
Kuroha Akira was not a saint or a tough guy. His endurance was also limited. The reason he had endured until now was not because his mental strength was so powerful, but because he knew that humans were creatures that constantly self-persuade.
Just like those who were addicted to pursuing doctorates, or those addicted to meticulous reading—when the addiction struck, they really would do anything. And sex was ranked alongside those things; it was clear that once you got hooked, you couldn't quit. There was only a first time and countless times—that saying was truly not a joke.
So only by not crossing the line from the very beginning could the bottom line be maintained…
However, Shinomiya was constantly testing his bottom line.
"Akira-kun, you can also… just like I'm using you as a body pillow… use me as your body pillow, too?"
"…"
And so, Kuroha Akira's mind began to self-persuade again.
Given this, why not?
And with such a beautiful woman like Shinomiya being so proactive in offering herself, if I don't take the opportunity now, I might not get it again later…
A feeling of regret gathered in Kuroha Akira's abdomen. Combined with Shinomiya's soft pressure, his string of rationality was on the verge of snapping. If he didn't find an outlet soon, he would definitely make a mistake…
Mistake? Is this even a mistake?
It's not my fault… She made the first move…
I'm just… going along with her wishes…
If I compromise, she'll be happy too.
This is… the outcome she wants.
Attributing all the reasons to the other party, attempting to place himself in the position of a 'victim' to legitimize his subsequent actions. The despicable adult was already looking for an excuse that could persuade himself and comfort his inner self for the coming indulgence.
Finally, Kuroha Akira made his move. He pressed on Shinomiya Shion's shoulders.
Throwing all excuses aside, he spoke like a man.
"Shion, I like you too."
"…!!!"
Shinomiya Shion's eyes widened, her body trembling slightly, as if an invisible wind had swept through her. Her incredulous expression froze in place, allowing one to clearly feel the turmoil within her heart. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the sudden shock choked off her words.
A confession… Is it real?
No! Wait! It could also be a friendly kind of liking—I mustn't misunderstand!
Akira-kun is always like this, saying things that make people misunderstand. When we first met, he also said something like 'share half of your life with me,' but it turned out to have a completely different meaning.
Kuroha Akira's words never carried any emotional meaning. Shinomiya had already assumed this.
However, this time was different. Kuroha Akira chose to vent through words to restrain his own actions. It was filled with his selfish desire to possess Shinomiya Shion.
"Not the kind of liking between friends, but a man's liking for a woman. I have to admit… I'm truly infatuated with you, Shinomiya Shion."
"Akira-kun…!"
Receiving such a clear confession, Shinomiya's expression instantly brightened immensely. A radiant smile bloomed on her face, her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her voice was filled with joy and exhilaration. She was immersed in this sudden joy, as if the whole world had become more beautiful and full of hope.
She finally got… the man she loved most…
Akira-kun?
Her eyes, now accustomed to the darkness, allowed her to see Kuroha Akira's expression.
It was a mix of disappointment and bitterness.
That was not the expression a man who had successfully confessed should have.
She suddenly felt her heart clench, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe. She unconsciously bit her lower lip, trying hard to control her inner panic. An indescribable tension and unease spread through her mind.
She didn't know what would happen next, but this unknown fear made her body tremble even more violently.
Why… why would he show such an expression?
Did he think the confession would fail?
Impossible! Because before that, she had already clearly expressed her feelings to Akira-kun!
And he said, 'I like you too'—which means he knows about her feelings for him!
They were mutually in love!
So… don't show that expression as if they couldn't be together…!
Subsequently, Kuroha Akira began his 'confession' to Shinomiya Shion.