Chapter 361: A Threesome with Haruka and Airi
March 21st, the day before the final special exam.
The setting sun filtered through the window, casting a glow over Sakura Airi's dormitory. Hasabe Haruka was sitting there, immersed in revision alongside Airi. Suddenly, the phone on the edge of the desk rang.
It was a call from Kushida Kikyo. Haruka answered immediately.
"Haruka, the exam is tomorrow! How are you and Airi doing with the Japanese prep?" Kikyo's voice chirped through the speaker.
Haruka glanced at the Japanese exercise books spread across the table, patted her chest lightly, and replied, "No problem! We've been studying at least three hours a day lately."
For this exam, Kikyo was in charge of countering Class A's Japanese subject, and Haruka and Airi had joined her group.
"That's good! I've sent you both a set of mock questions. If you're free now, do them and send me your answers directly. Remember, no peeking at the answer key," Kikyo said with a hint of a smile.
"Got it, send them over," Haruka replied confidently.
About forty minutes later, the two completed the exercises and sent their answers to Kikyo. Ten minutes later, Kikyo replied with the results.
"Haruka 86, Airi 83. Very good! You've really made a lot of progress."
"Success!" Haruka and Airi smiled at each other.
Though they hadn't broken the 90-point mark and were still behind the class's top students, this was a visible improvement compared to the roughly 75 points they scored in the previous test.
"Well done! If Akira-kun knew, he'd definitely be happy too," Kikyo added.
"Mmm, that's one of the things driving me to work hard," Haruka admitted.
"Me too... I don't want Akira-kun to be expelled."
Haruka and Airi weren't particularly keen on class contributions. Their dedication this time was entirely due to the fact that Shimizu Akira had become the class Commander.
"So... you've worked so hard, do you want a reward?" Kikyo asked playfully on the other end. To motivate these two girls who weren't naturally fond of studying, Kushida Kikyo would occasionally prepare rewards.
Haruka's eyes darted around as she suddenly remembered a thought she and Airi hadn't been able to realize last time.
She spoke up boldly: "Airi and I... want to go to Akira-kun's place tonight. Is that okay?"
Beside her, Airi's eyes widened in surprise, but an irrepressible look of anticipation flickered across her face, her chest rising and falling with her quickened breath.
"Hmm..." Kikyo let out a soft chuckle.
"Sure. Since the special exam is tomorrow and you've worked hard for so long, you should relax. Akira-kun's nerves have been frayed for too long as well."
Before they could celebrate, she added with a teasing tone: "However, remember to take protective measures. The vending machine at the dorm entrance sells 'small umbrellas.' Akira-kun is used to size 001. When you go over tonight, remember to buy 4 packs... no, better buy 8 packs, just to be safe."
Haruka's face turned beet red instantly.
"K-Kikyo-chan! What are you talking about!"
She was both embarrassed and flustered, her eyes instinctively darting to Airi, who was equally flushed and practically curling into a ball.
Kikyo laughed softly.
"I'm just telling the truth. It's always right to be prepared. Anyway, have a good time relaxing. Remember to review your mistakes on the mock exam one more time. I'll hang up now, see you tomorrow."
"G-Got it! See you tomorrow!" Haruka practically slammed the end-call button. A delicate silence fell over the dorm.
The last of the sunset had faded, leaving only a desk lamp to cast a warm yellow halo over the two girls.
Airi covered her face with her hands.
"H-Haruka... are we... really going? And... we have to buy... that..."
Haruka took a deep breath, forcing down the heat in her face and trying to maintain her usual carefree attitude.
"O-Of course we're going! We asked for the reward, and Kikyo approved it! Why not!
Besides... Akira-kun has been really tired lately. It'll be good to visit him."
She remembered the short but reassuring message Akira had sent a few days ago: Don't get too tired. Her heart softened. She wanted to see him, even if it was just to stay by his side quietly for a while.
"Ah... but..." Airi was still too shy to look up. "8 packs... isn't that... too many?" Just saying the number made her feel like steam was going to vent from the top of her head.
Haruka was also choked by the number, but she immediately puffed out her chest with false bravado.
"Kikyo's just talking nonsense! Who—who would really buy that many! 4 packs for backup is enough!"
Her voice grew smaller.
"Even for Akira-kun... facing two people, his stamina shouldn't be that..."
Before she could finish, she choked on her own words. Certain images flashed uncontrollably through her mind, making her shake her head violently.
"A-Anyway! Let's pack up, finish reviewing the mistakes, and head out!"
"Mmm..." Airi gave a soft response, finally lifting her moist eyes from between her fingers.
The two sat back down at the desk, spreading out the mock papers, trying to focus on their errors. But an intangible restlessness permeated their minds. Content that usually took twenty minutes to review took twice as long today, and even then, they were distracted.
"That's... about enough, right?" Haruka was the first to close her notebook.
"Mmm... yeah." Airi nodded hurriedly.
Next was a somewhat frantic packing session. Haruka tidied her hair in a small mirror and checked her pajamas (a relatively conservative short-sleeved nightgown). Airi changed into light pink cotton pajamas and hugged her pillow like a small animal preparing to migrate.
Before leaving, they stood stiffly at the dorm entrance for a moment. Once they reached the first floor, the vending machine at the end of the hallway glowed with a cold white light.
"L-Let's go." Haruka, feigning composure, took Airi's hand. She felt Airi's palm was just like hers—slightly damp with sweat.
They trudged toward the machine. The screen displayed various drinks and snacks. On the bottom row were several inconspicuous options, including the "001" Kikyo had mentioned. While "002" and "003" showed plenty of stock, the "001" stock was significantly depleted.
'Wait... is the sales volume that high?!'
This discovery made her already burning cheeks go up several degrees. What she couldn't understand was why the school management would sell these safety tools in a student dorm vending machine.
What were they thinking!
Airi didn't have as many complex thoughts; she just felt the hallway was so quiet she could hear her own heartbeat.
"I-I'll do it." Haruka steeled her heart and stepped forward. Her fingers moved rapidly over the buttons—she didn't choose 4 packs, or 2. As if her fingers were acting of their own accord, she pressed "8."
With a soft beep, the products dropped. Haruka bent down quickly, grabbed the eight small square packages without daring to look closely, and stuffed them all into her pajama pocket. The thin packaging pressed against her leg through the fabric, feeling like a weak electric current.
After a moment of hesitation, she pulled out several and stuffed them into Airi's hand without a word. Airi had her head down the whole time, pretending to focus on a drink advertisement, but she jumped slightly when the small squares were thrust into her palm. She hurriedly gripped them tight and shoved them into her own pajama pocket.
"A-Alright! Let's go!" Haruka practically dragged Airi away from the machine, walking fast toward Akira's dorm.
As they neared the familiar door, their pace slowed involuntarily. Haruka looked at Airi, and Airi looked back; their eyes reflected each other's flushed faces. Taking a deep breath, Haruka raised her hand and knocked gently.
A few seconds later, a familiar, steady voice came from inside: "Coming."
The sound of the doorknob turning followed. The door opened.
Shimizu Akira stood there in simple dark loungewear, his hair slightly messy and a trace of lingering thought on his face, as if he had just stepped away from his desk. When he saw Haruka and Airi standing side-by-side with crimson cheeks and shifting gazes, he froze for a second.
"...Haruka? Airi?" His gaze swept over their huddled bodies, the pillows they held, and their unnatural blush. He seemed to realize something.
"Are you here to stay the night?!"
"K-Kikyo said we could come!" Haruka spoke first with a bluffing sense of righteousness.
"She said we worked hard on revision and needed a reward... and you're tired too, you need... to relax! Yes! We're here to help you relax."
Airi hid completely behind Haruka, showing only half of her reddened face, and nodded gently with a mosquito-like "Mmm."
Akira looked at them and remained silent for two seconds. That silence made the girls' hearts pound against their ribs. Then, he stepped aside to clear the doorway.
"Come in." Their boyfriend was as steady as ever.
The two felt a massive sense of relief mixed with a strange nervousness as they squeezed through the door one after the other. Only a desk lamp was on, its dim glow covering a desk piled with materials.
Haruka scanned the desk, seeing the dense arrangements for tomorrow's exam: Class A intelligence, opponent analysis, and counter-strategies meticulously recorded on sheet after sheet. He had been bearing so much alone...
The shyness and tension in Haruka's heart turned into deep heartache. No wonder Kikyo had sent them over, saying "Akira-kun needs to relax." It seemed making him truly relax was indeed the most important mission tonight.
Sakura Airi closed the door behind them with a soft click, sealing out the silence of the hallway.
"Take a seat, on the bed or the chair." Akira walked to the desk and casually tidied the scattered documents.
"Want something to drink? I have tea and water."
"No thanks!" Haruka waved her hands hurriedly and sat down on the edge of the bed with Airi. The soft mattress dipped slightly; they sat so close they could feel each other's body heat and slight trembling. This was actually the first time either of them had been inside Akira's room.
Akira pulled the desk chair over and sat opposite them, a small distance away.
"The mock questions—you did well," he said.
"Kikyo told me."
"Of course!" Haruka straightened her back slightly.
"We worked really hard!"
"Mmm," Akira nodded, his gaze landing on Airi. "Airi too. Great progress."
Airi trembled at the mention of her name, her head dropping lower. "It... it was all Haruka helping me..."
"It was the result of your own hard work," Akira interrupted, validating her efforts in a straightforward tone.
After the simple dialogue, the room fell quiet again. The hidden presence in their pockets and the ambiguous atmosphere of being in the same room late at night made Haruka's palms sweat again. She stole a glance at Akira and found him looking back at them with a soft gaze—similar to how he usually looked at them, but... with something more.
"Um..." Airi suddenly gathered her courage, lifting her moist eyes. "Akira-kun... lately, it's been hard, hasn't it?"
Akira seemed taken aback by the question. He froze for a moment then relaxed against the back of his chair. "It's fine. The plans are set; the rest depends on tomorrow's performance."
"But... you look a bit tired," Haruka added, her eyes lingering on the slight dark circles under his eyes.
Akira didn't deny it. "There is some pressure." His gaze slowly swept over the two girls' nervous yet concerned faces. "But seeing you two working so hard makes me feel pretty good."
Haruka and Airi's eyes met, reflecting the same soft affection. Perhaps it was the rare honesty between lovers, or the rising temperature in the enclosed space, or perhaps it was the eight silent yet distinct little squares in their pockets.
As if empowered by the atmosphere, Haruka suddenly leaned forward, closed her eyes, and proactively pressed her lips against his.
Akira was stunned, but didn't hesitate for a second. He responded to the kiss almost immediately. It began as a gentle touch, a somewhat clumsy yet burning sincerity. But soon, Akira took the lead. One hand supported the back of Haruka's neck, while the other—at some unknown point—had wrapped around Airi's shoulder, gently bringing her into the intimacy.
It deepened. It was no longer a simple touch, but one of demand and exploration. Haruka let out a faint whimper, her body softening involuntarily. Her hands, originally on her knees, gripped the fabric of Akira's shirt.
Airi, being held, was pressed tight against Haruka's arm. She could feel Haruka's trembling and the heat and pressure coming from Akira. She was so shy she almost wanted to curl up, yet she was enticed by this never-before-experienced feeling of being enveloped by two people simultaneously. Her heart beat like a drum, and her breathing grew ragged.
After a dozen seconds, Akira pulled back slightly, his forehead against Haruka's, his breathing shallow. He turned his gaze toward Airi, who was practically melting in his arm. The emotion in his eyes made Airi burn up with just one look.
"Airi..." he whispered her name.
Airi couldn't speak. She just tilted her face up, looking at him with misty eyes like a submissive little animal waiting for instructions. Akira lowered his head and kissed Airi's lips. Compared to Haruka's proactive response, this kiss began more gently and with more guidance, as if soothing her extreme nerves.
Airi froze completely, then slowly relaxed into the gentle, sustained touch, responding awkwardly and cautiously. Although it wasn't her first kiss, she still felt like her entire soul was floating away.
Haruka watched from the side, her cheeks flushed and her chest heaving. Seeing Akira kiss Airi so tenderly, she felt no jealousy; instead, a strange, burning resonance surged within her. They were together; at this moment, they were sharing the same person, the same intimacy.
Akira ended the kiss with Airi but didn't let either of them go. His gaze shifted between their flushed cheeks and moistened lips.
"Is it okay?" he asked.
Haruka and Airi both understood what he was asking. They looked at each other and saw the same shyness, tension, and deeper, ignited desire.
Haruka was the first to nod. Her movements were stiff but firm. Then, as if remembering something, she frantically pulled the hot little squares from her pajama pocket and looked at Airi. Airi also blushed and slowly reached into her pocket to pull out the others.
The small square packages scattered onto the dark bedsheets—a silent, definitive signal of permission.
Akira's gaze fell on the packaging, his Adam's apple bobbing once. He said nothing, simply reaching out to gently brush a lock of sweat-damp hair from Haruka's cheek before stroking Airi's burning face.
The light of the lamp grew more yellow and ambiguous, casting three overlapping shadows onto the wall.
Reward time had officially begun.
On this special night, all tension, pressure, and unease would be temporarily replaced by a more primal and intimate heat.
-
-
-
At five in the morning, the sky outside was a deep, somber indigo. The air in the room was permeated with an indescribable, intimate scent. The messy sheets, scattered clothes, and the empty, discarded foil wrappers on the nightstand spoke silently of last night's unrest.
Shimizu Akira was the first to wake. His long-term disciplined routine allowed him to regain consciousness on time even after exhaustion. He opened his eyes, first feeling an unusual weight and temperature on his arms and chest.
Haruka was lying on her side pressed against him, one leg hooked over his waist, her cheek buried in his shoulder, sleeping deeply with even breaths. Her usually sharp features were completely relaxed, her lips curved in a satisfied, childish arc.
Airi was curled up on his other side like a kitten seeking shelter, her whole body practically tucked into his embrace. Her soft hair brushed against his chin, and one hand unconsciously gripped his pajamas at his chest.
The two had treated him like a giant body pillow, squeezing him so he couldn't move. Akira lay still for a while, not moving immediately. His body retained a moderate fatigue and a post-satisfaction relaxation, while his heart felt a filled-up peace. Looking at the two sleeping faces—Haruka's slightly parted lips and Airi's trembling eyelashes—he couldn't help but smile.
The two hadn't messaged him at all before coming, but this unplanned intimacy was actually quite nice. He tried to gently move his pinned arm to pull it out. This slight movement disturbed Airi's light sleep.
Her lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes blearily. Her gaze was blank at first, but as it focused on Akira's face inches away, last night's memories came rushing back.
"Uuuu..." A shameful whimper escaped her throat. Her entire face turned beet red instantly. She instinctively tried to hide but found herself pressed against his chest with nowhere to go. She didn't dare meet Akira's eyes, yet her body honestly didn't move away.
Her movement also woke Haruka. Haruka let out a dissatisfied moan, hugged her "pillow" tighter, rubbed her cheek, and slowly opened her groggy eyes. Her face also turned red, but unlike Airi, she was better at putting up a front.
"What... what are you looking at!"
Seeing Akira's awake gaze and Airi looking like she was about to smoke from embarrassment, Haruka froze for a second before last night's events flooded back. Because of her lingering sleepiness and shyness, she looked somewhat endearing. She muttered and glared at Akira on purpose, but the look held no power; instead, it made her look quite cute.
Akira said nothing, simply using his free hand to gently ruffle Haruka's hair before moving down to stroke Airi's tense back reassuringly. The simple gesture quieted them both.
"What time is it?" Haruka asked muffledly.
"Five," Akira replied.
"The exam starts at nine..." Airi calculated softly.
"We can lie here for a little longer..."
That was the plan, but after last night, a closeness and a subtle awkwardness—unlike anything before—flowed between the three of them. Their bodies were pressed tight, the temperature at the points of skin contact a clear testament to their deep union.
Haruka felt the posture was too embarrassing. She moved, trying to take her leg off Akira's waist, but accidentally bumped something. Her body stiffened as she looked up at Akira, meeting his gaze which held a trace of morning-specific lethargy and a certain suggestion.
"...Akira-kun! It's early morning... don't!" Haruka's face turned even redder. She tried to shrink back but found the space limited.
Akira just looked at her, then at Airi, who had buried her face deeper after sensing the change in atmosphere. He let out an involuntary chuckle.
"It's still early," he said honestly. "Besides... last night, it seemed someone doubted my stamina?"
Haruka was instantly silenced, remembering her defiant comment at the vending machine. She was struck with both shame and indignation.
"I—I did not! That was Kikyo talking nonsense!"
Airi also remembered the decisive eight packs and defended softly: "It... it was Haruka who bought them..."
"Hey! Airi!" Haruka protested.
Akira watched them bicker softly, his arm exerting slight pressure to pull them tighter into his embrace. Last night's experience had been quite excellent. Haruka's outward boldness and Airi's inward shyness created a wonderful harmony and an indescribable contrast. When he leaned slightly toward one, the other would instinctively show a competitive intimacy, starting a silent, submissive race.
This feeling of being surrounded by two distinct forms of beauty was indeed... quite easy to get addicted to.
He understood Koenji Rokusuke a bit now.
Read ahead (160 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting