Chapter 39 Flirty Lap Pillow After School

Flirty Lap Pillow After School

After school, I was studying with Kanade in the quiet, old tea ceremony club room at school. While I was trying to focus on a math workbook, Kanade sat next to me, much closer than usual. Her shoulder was almost touching mine.

“Aren’t you sitting a little too close?”

“Not at all. More importantly, how do I solve this problem?”

Kanade pointed to a math problem and asked. As the distance between us naturally decreased, I felt a bit flustered, unsure of how to respond, but I turned my attention to the problem in front of me.

Her scent and the occasional sound of her breathing distracted me, but I tried my best to concentrate and answer her question. Even so, studying this close to her made my heart race uncontrollably.

“…What’s wrong, Sou-kun?”

“It’s just… hard not to notice certain things.”

Like her chest brushing against my arm.

“We’re dating, so isn’t this normal? Besides, there aren’t many places where we can flirt like this.”

“That’s true… We can barely even go on dates.”

Kanade was a popular idol, and if someone as dazzling as her went out in public, she’d likely be recognized immediately. There was one time when we went out with Amane-san, but we had been carefully disguised then.

“I don’t mind going on dates. I actually want to.”

“It’d be a huge problem if we got found out. Like, ‘Breaking: Romance Scandal! Major Backlash!’ or something.”

A date with just the two of us would leave no room for excuses.

“If you’re willing to take responsibility, I wouldn’t mind.”

“Re-Responsibility?!”

“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Should I commit seppuku or something? No, that wouldn’t actually take responsibility. Does this mean marriage is the only option?

A married life with Kanade… gulp.

For some reason, I could easily imagine what life with Kanade as my wife would be like.

Waking up together every morning, having breakfast, sharing a goodbye kiss before leaving for work… Coming home to Kanade greeting me with a warm smile. On weekends, we’d go out together, maybe even take trips occasionally.

“Sou-kun, what’s on your mind?”

What am I even thinking about?

Kanade’s voice pulled me back to reality, and I shook my head hurriedly.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Just as I brushed it off, it happened.

“Eeei!”

Kanade suddenly hugged me. Her weight pressed into me all at once, almost making me lose balance. Startled, I put my hands on the floor, and Kanade buried her face into my chest.

“What’s wrong?”

“I got tired of studying. I’m recharging~.”

Kanade was smaller than me, but she clung tightly. My hands instinctively went to her back, and I felt her warmth as I hesitated, unsure of how to react.

Her scent was intoxicating, and her soft touch was impossible to ignore.

Doesn’t she worry about me suddenly doing something inappropriate?

Even though it’s school, we’re in a secluded room where no one could see us…

Or does she think I’m too timid to act?

Well, if she called me a coward, I wouldn’t be able to argue.

Positively speaking, I guess I’m just being rational.

While pondering such trivial matters, Kanade seemed satisfied and lifted her face from my chest.

“Phew, thanks, Sou-kun. As thanks, I’ll do whatever you want.”

“W-Whatever?!”

She’s definitely just teasing me.

Or maybe she’s waiting for me to overcome my timid nature?

Saying “I’ll do whatever you want” so casually isn’t something to be taken lightly.

Still, I’m not foolish enough to take her words literally.

Asking for something unreasonable would probably make her disgusted. The key is to request something that doesn’t make her uncomfortable while maximizing my benefit.

After much deliberation, I came to a conclusion.

“Then, could you give me a lap pillow?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Kanade sat on the floor and patted her lap invitingly. Feeling slightly embarrassed but bound by my request, I hesitantly lowered my head onto her lap.

“…How is it?”

“It feels… pretty nice.”

Kanade’s lap was surprisingly comfortable. Her thighs were soft, and the sensation put me at ease. She gently stroked my hair, her touch so soothing that I instinctively closed my eyes. After a while, I opened them slightly to look at her face, but her chest blocked most of my view. I shifted my head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of her expression.

“By the way, Kanade, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Are you close with Hoshikawa-san?”

Kanade and Hoshikawa-san are the same age and joined Luminous Stars at the same time as second-generation members. While their positions as idols are similar, I was genuinely curious about the kind of interactions they had.

“We’re on good terms, but… Why do you ask?”

“I was just wondering. Being idols, I figured there might be some competition between you two.”

“Well, I do feel like Kurumi-chan sees me as a rival. She’s probably aiming to become the center.”

“The center… Does she have a specific reason?”

“I’m not sure. But it doesn’t feel like it’s just about wanting attention or recognition. That’s just my guess, though.”

“I see…”

If there’s an unusual reason, I’d like to hear it.

Maybe I’ll try asking her casually next time.

Though she probably won’t tell me.

After all, I’m not that close to Hoshikawa-san.