My love index is at its maximum.

Tsukasa Tazaki nodded: "She is indeed very cute."

Hoshino Hanami licked her lips: "I'll buy a few tonight to try."

"……it is good."

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the branches overhead, dappling the densely packed drawing paper. Tazaki Tsukasa, who was pondering what to draw, suddenly turned his gaze to Hoshino Hanami.

Today she wore a pure white cardigan dress, the hem of which only reached her knees, revealing two calves that cleverly blended strength and beauty. On her feet were a pair of wedge high-heeled sandals with straps, showing off her fair and rounded ankles and ten cute light pink toes.

So beautiful!

I want to be stepped on by her feet.

Before he knew it, Tsukasa Tazaki's paintbrush was already moving, drawing her feet, her shoes. He drew once, wasn't satisfied, erased it, and drew a second, a third...

In the summer sunshine, the breeze, and the chirping of cicadas, the Border Collie tirelessly sniffs the scents emanating from the grass in a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere.

Hoshino Shikami is a silly and cute girl with little artistic talent. She had only drawn half of the scene in front of her when she ran into the grass to play hide-and-seek with the "navy".

[Drawing skill experience +1]

Current skill level: Beginner (100/100)

[Drawing (Beginner) → Drawing (Advanced)]

Current skill level: Proficient (0/1000)

A system notification popped up, and Tsukasa Tazaki looked up from his drawing board and greeted the dog: "Navy, come here."

The Border Collie turned its head away from its young owner, its dark eyes fixed on him, while it wagged its tail happily a couple of times.

"Here's some food, come here quickly," Tsukasa Tazaki urged again.

The dog immediately ran to his side and stretched out its tongue to lick his palm.

Hoshino Shika, seeing his head emerge from the reeds, shouted angrily, "Navy, come back!"

"Woof!" The dog looked back at its little master hesitantly, its tail wagging unsure of what to do.

Tazaki Tsukasa took out the dog food he had prepared for the Border Collie from the snack basket, held it in his palm and fed it a little. After patting the dog's head a few times, he resumed drawing with satisfaction.

The Border Collie wagged its tail and ran back to its little owner. Hoshino Shika, still angry, grabbed the dog's head and rubbed it hard for a while.

Around noon, the three of them finished their paintings, spread out a tablecloth under the shade of a tree, and enjoyed their food while admiring each other's artwork.

Floating clouds like quicksand drifted across the sky, and the summer grasses grew neat and lush. In the refreshing mountain breeze, Tsukasa Tazaki used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Hanami Hoshino's forehead and picked up her painting.

The portrait drawn on the white paper is a work of art titled "Knights Going to War," based on the image of Tsukasa Tazaki riding a horse yesterday.

The young man on horseback wore a silver Western-style armor, exuding a noble and handsome air. His posture, holding a sword, was exceptionally upright and dignified. His gaze, fixed on the distance, was both brave and resolute, yet also carried a hint of tender affection.

Hoshino Hanami, munching on a grilled meat sandwich, puffed out her cheeks: "The handsome young knight, to protect his beloved hometown and the beautiful princess, dons thick armor, raises a sharp sword, and bravely and fearlessly steps onto the cruel battlefield. Such a scene is so exciting and so romantic."

"The teacher actually has such a girlish heart?" Tsukasa Tazaki opened the beverage cooler, took out a can of iced cola, and drank it. The cool and refreshing feeling slowly moved from his throat to his stomach, and quickly spread throughout his body.

“Hmm… yes.” Hoshino Hanami nodded as she ate. “I’ve always loved those romantic stories about young heroes overcoming numerous obstacles and constantly striving for their dreams. The reason I was so good to you in the beginning was because I hoped you could become the male protagonist I imagined, living a beautiful life for the world to see.”

Tazaki Tsukasa put down the painting, put his left arm around Hoshino Hanami's waist, gently stroked her cheek with his right hand, and gazed at her delicate face that was slightly upturned: "I will always be your leading man."

Hoshino Hanami swallowed the sandwich in her mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck: "But don't just say it."

"Of course, it's not just talk. Every day, I become better than yesterday."

"Then what are you waiting for? Kiss me."

Hoshino Hanami slowly closed her eyes.

The exceptionally bright summer sun cast dappled shadows of tree branches onto her face, and her cool lips soon felt a soft, warm touch, followed by her boyfriend's sweet breath filling her mouth.

She clung tightly to his body, soft and warm, like a roaring fire in a fireplace on a winter's day.

Hoshino Shika, who was just about to run up from below the dam to have lunch with her sister, suddenly twitched her eye, stumbled, and fell into the grass, rolling all the way to the lakeside. Luckily, "Navy" held onto her clothes tightly, otherwise the sister-in-law might have rolled directly into the water.

Kuriyama Sakura glanced at the two of them silently, then lowered her head to eat her sandwich.

The sandwich tasted good; the vegetables were light and refreshing, the meat slices were tender and juicy, and the salad dressing was just right. The only problem was that it was too filling; after only a few bites, Kuriyama Sakura felt a bit full.

As their lips parted, a thin thread remained between them, glistening in the sunlight.

Kuriyama Sakura, sipping her iced tea, protested vehemently: "Could you two please consider the feelings of a third party?"

"Next time for sure..." Hoshino Hanami pursed her slightly swollen lips, slowly calming her rapid breathing.

"What did you draw?" Tsukasa Tazaki reached out and took Sakura Kuriyama's drawing, spreading it out in front of the three of them.

The background is the seaside, a long sandy beach, with a few cat-shaped clouds floating above.

A boy with his head tilted to the side, wearing a white sun hat with a low brim that obscured the upper half of his face, sat on a canvas chair, his elbows resting on the armrests. The angle of his pursed lips revealed a faint air of melancholy and sorrow.

Lying on the sand beneath the deck chair was a girl; judging from her smooth back and long legs, she was definitely a beautiful girl.

Tazaki Tsukasa suddenly remembered what Shimamoto Kana had told him. On the day he spent the night in the Literature Club, Shimamoto Kana said that whenever she saw him walking with Kuriyama Sakura, she would think of bright sunshine, cool sea, a boy lying lazily on the hot sand, with a beautiful girl lying next to him.

It's quite similar to the mood of this painting...

Tazaki Tsukasa took out his phone, snapped a picture, and quietly sent it to Shimamoto Kana. Then he took a can of iced black tea from the cooler, opened it, and handed it to Hoshino Hanami: "Have some cold drinks to cool off."

"Hmm...okay." Hoshino Hanami swallowed the last bite of her sandwich with the red tea, then stared curiously at Kuriyama Sakura: "Sakura's drawing is so beautiful, tell me quickly, who is the model for this guy?"

"Just a scribble." Kuriyama Sakura shrugged, the summer breeze carrying the scent of fresh grass blowing, causing the strands of hair by her ears to sway slightly.

"Impossible! Sakura, I know your personality best. You must be thinking of someone to unconsciously want to draw this. Tell your sister quickly..."

Kuriyama Sakura changed the subject with a headache: "Tazaki-san, where's your drawing?"

"Oh, right." Hoshino Hanami suddenly turned to look at Tazaki Tsukasa. "Don't think I didn't know you were staring at me while I was drawing. If this painting isn't of me, I'll deal with you later."

She escaped unscathed, but... Kuriyama Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, but was also secretly worried that she would be unexpectedly stuffed with a mouthful of dog food again.

"Of course it's a painting of you." Tazaki Tsukasa spread the painting out in front of Hoshino Hanami as if presenting a treasure.

On a slope covered in white camellias, a beautiful woman walks against the wind, her knee-length white dress swaying gently. Her steps are light and quick, and the wedge shoes on her feet are painted with remarkable realism. She is not only beautiful in every way, but also blends seamlessly into the surrounding scenery. Or perhaps, her very existence is simply to be the most beautiful part of this landscape.

"It's so beautiful~!" Hoshino Hanami immediately threw herself onto him, nuzzling her head against his chest. Tazaki Tsukasa pressed her back with both hands, keeping her close to him.

Even though the heat was unbearable, the two wanted to snuggle together.

"My penguin and my knight, tell me why you are so lovable?"

"Hmm... I think the answer to this question lies with the teacher."

"On my body?"

"Yes, teacher, you are so beautiful, it's as if you are favored by God. No one is worthy of you. This can't go on... After much thought, God had no choice but to let me come into this world so that I could accompany you through this long life."

"You're getting better and better at sweet-talking people."

"I call this a genuine expression of emotion, okay?"

"What a genuine expression of emotion! It makes me feel so good to hear it, I want to hug you and roll around in your arms."

"I want to hug my teacher and roll around on a slope covered with camellias, just like the little bear in spring that Haruki Murakami described."

"Excellent!"

The wind had stopped at some point, and the camellias, bathed in the June sun, remained motionless, as if quietly listening to the sweet words of lovers.

Under the gaze of the grass and flowers, Tsukasa Tazaki pressed his lips to Hanami Hoshino's face and slowly slid them down.

Kuriyama Sakura turned around resignedly, took out a book from her bag, and leaned against the tree trunk, kneeling down to read.

A few adorable wisps of cloud floated in the sky, distinct and simple. Everything within sight was illuminated clearly and brightly.

The surroundings were quiet, so quiet that you could almost hear the grass breathing in the sunlight (actually, it was the panting of the adulterous couple).

After a long time, the two parted ways.

Kuriyama Sakura took a piece of paper out of her bag and handed it to Hoshino Hanami: "Here, this is your boyfriend's observation report."

An alarm blared in Tsukasa Tazaki's ears.

Hoshino Hanami took the paper with a smile, pulled her skirt up a little to reveal her fair and smooth thighs, and then said to Tazaki Tsukasa, "Lie down, this is your lap pillow as a reward."

"Um... Teacher, how about we go for a walk?"

"I'll go after I finish watching it."

"There's nothing interesting about this, and what Kuriyama wrote might not be accurate."

"Why are you talking so much?" Hoshino Hanami pinched his ear in annoyance. "Lie down obediently, so you can explain to me promptly if there are any problems."

"..." Tazaki Tsukasa rested his face on her unguarded lap.

The cheek and the beautiful legs made intimate contact, conveying the supreme feeling of happiness.

"Teacher, it smells so good," Tazaki Tsukasa said ingratiatingly. Hoshino Hanami smiled and reached out to pinch his nose, then focused her attention on the observation report.

Unable to stop her from watching, Tazaki Tsukasa could only secretly shift his gaze to Kuriyama Sakura, asking with his eyes, "Did you say anything bad about me?"

Kuriyama Sakura crossed her arms, gazing at the vast sky, ignoring his gaze.

"You actually thought about marrying Yui Sugawa when you graduated from junior high school?" Hoshino Hanami held a piece of paper in one hand and placed the other hand on Tsukasa Tazaki's head, gently rubbing his hair.

Tsukasa Tazaki quickly clarified, "That was just youthful ignorance, it wasn't love at all!"

"Hmm, that makes sense." Hoshino Hanami nodded and continued reading.

"I want to marry Hoshino Hanami after graduating from high school. Although Sakura added this herself, I'm very satisfied with it."

"So you like beautiful legs, huh? Haha, I have so many stockings in my closet, I'll wear them all for you to see, okay?"

"May cucumbers... You really like Osamu Dazai?"

"Wet sneakers? Why do you hate such strange things?"

Upon seeing the last message, Hoshino Hanami put down the paper, a faint smile blooming on her lips. It was a cute, charming, and slightly mischievous smile that was 100% captivating.

Generally speaking, witnessing such a smile is definitely a great blessing in life.

But Tsukasa Tazaki suddenly shuddered, sensing something was wrong.

“My dear Tasaki-kun…” Hoshino Hanami gently pinched the tip of his nose, lowered her head and asked, “Can you explain why, besides me, Shimamoto Kana’s name is listed in the ‘People You Like’ column?”

"Ha...haha...how is that possible..."

Tazaki Tsukasa chuckled dryly. Despite being in the sweltering heat of Tokyo in the middle of summer, he felt as if he'd been thrown into Hokkaido in winter, his whole body chilled to the bone.