My love index is at its maximum.

Tazaki Tsukasa stood there, stunned, feeling a sudden dryness in his mouth.

She just changed her clothes.

It feels like she's become a completely different person.

Don't you like it?

The light sound of high heels clattering on the wooden floor drew closer, and Shimamoto Kana, with a completely different lazy and alluring smile on her face, began to walk towards him on her own.

As a fragrance wafted over, she tiptoed and pressed her soft, delicate lips against his.

Tsukasa Tazaki was still in a daze.

However, there's no need to snap out of it at times like this; just hold her tight.

The delicate feel of the high-end stockings, the softness against his chest, the warm and soft waist—the sensations on his hands traveled through his nerves to his brain, stimulating his emotions.

Their lips parted only when they reached their limit of breath.

Kana Shimamoto's oval face, free of makeup, appeared exceptionally beautiful due to the blush on her cheeks. As she lightly licked her lower lip with the tip of her tongue, her warm, smooth hands wrapped around his neck, and she murmured softly and seductively, "Carry me to the sofa."

"Hmm... a sofa?"

"My legs went weak..."

Tazaki Tsukasa lowered his head and looked at her flushed face: "Even adults have their moments of being sweet and affectionate."

"Who told you to be so skilled?" Shimamoto Kana glared resentfully, her eyes clear yet dreamy.

Then, their lips met again.

Feeling the other's slightly rapid breathing on her cheek, Shimamoto Kana wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down, pressing their lips even closer together.

Tsukasa Tazaki supported her waist.

Even through the fabric, the delicate and soft sensation filled him with joy; the exquisite beauty in his arms belonged entirely to him!

The two kissed as they moved to the sofa and lay down heavily.

Release your grip and gasp for breath.

Looking into her beautiful, watery eyes, Tazaki Tsukasa's already limited rationality was teetering on the edge of a minefield.

He managed to suppress his desire to go any further, and simply held her without doing anything else.

Kana Shimamoto leaned against his chest, slightly raised her head, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at the boy's face with her beautiful and captivating eyes: "Have you been unhappy lately?"

Her emotional, husky, and charming voice failed to evoke any romantic thoughts.

"No."

Tazaki Tsukasa's voice was somewhat low, and Shimamoto Kana didn't speak either, but just gazed at him gently, as if trying to see through his confused expression to understand his inner thoughts.

In this staring contest, Tsukasa Tazaki was clearly no match.

The boy, who quickly gave up, said with a bitter expression, "I can't see the road ahead."

Kana Shimamoto placed her right hand on his chest and smiled slightly: "Tell your senior what's on your mind."

Her smile was still the same gentle smile as before, but Tsukasa Tazaki could no longer read the ripples of emotion in her heart at this moment.

"Is the root of your troubles Hoshino Hanami?" she asked.

"correct."

"What specifically? For example, do you feel guilty for betraying her?"

“Yes.” Tsukasa Tazaki considered for a moment. “I want to distance myself from other women, but it’s much harder than I imagined.”

Of course.

Kana Shimamoto gently cupped his lips with her left hand, the warmth transferring to her hand.

“It’s easy to maintain distance, say one meter or two meters. You’ll find it after a few tries. But in reality, what’s a suitable distance for you may be too long or too short for another person—that’s unavoidable.”

Before Tsukasa Tazaki could speak, she continued, "To solve this problem, we must first understand its root cause. The root cause can be divided into two parts: one, the gentleness hidden in your heart; two, the greed you display. Now, clear your mind, and let's start with the first one."

Tsukasa Tazaki nodded: "It's up to you."

Bunny Girl pulled him to sit up straight on the sofa, a gentle smile on her charming face. Then, she lightly stood up and swayed her alluring body behind Tsukasa Tazaki.

Those smooth arms wrapped around his body, embraced his neck, and let him rest his head on their body.

Tsukasa Tazaki shrank his neck slightly.

In this peaceful, soft, and comforting warmth, I slowly close my eyes.

His body relaxed, and he gently rubbed against Shimamoto Kana. The delicate fragrance lingered around his nose, making him feel as if he had sunk to the bottom of the pool once again. His anxiety of the past few days had finally calmed down a little.

"Thank you, Shimamoto-senpai..."

"You're welcome." Shimamoto Kana rested her chin on the top of his head, a gentle smile on her face, her fingers lightly pressing his temples. "Treating things up will only make them worse. Why not harden your heart and go back to being the same Tsukasa Tazaki you were at the beginning, and solve this problem that way? Anyway, these are all things that fate has imposed on you, you don't have to bear them all by yourself, and you don't have to let yourself sink into an endless swamp just for their happiness."

"And the second question?" Tsukasa Tazaki asked with his eyes closed.

Kana Shimamoto kissed the tip of his nose: "Since I am the source of your greed, then take a nap. After you are satisfied, please let me leave your world."

Tsukasa Tazaki opened his eyes, staring blankly out the window.

In the height of summer, the beech trees were covered with dense, green leaves. He recalled the warm sunlight, the scent of the lush green lawn, and the gentle sea breeze. Behind the trees was a hillside, the ground covered with fresh grass, and pine trees scattered irregularly throughout.

"You're living such an awkward life."

Kana Shimamoto continued rubbing his temples, saying softly, "From the start of training camp until now, you've been reading alone, swimming alone, and while your relationship with them is getting better and better, you're becoming more and more lost. You hesitate, unsure which direction to take, afraid that every step will be wrong, afraid of hurting them. Really, there's no need to overthink it. Because of this, you've become less strong, less like Tsukasa Tazaki."

Tick.

The scalding, clear liquid fell onto my cheek.

Tsukasa Tazaki turned his gaze back and stared at her blankly.

Those beautiful, cat-like eyes were filled with glistening tears.

"I'm so sorry..." she choked out, "It's all my fault. I was so presumptuous in trying to save your wasted youth, so presumptuously trying to match you with Kuriyama, so self-satisfied in using my body to seduce you, so arrogantly making you the courage for them to face reality. I've pushed you to this point step by step..."

Tears silently streamed down her cheeks, wetting the floating particles of light, which then fell onto the lake on the other side of the world...

Tsukasa Tazaki watched silently.

Her body was so soft and weak, and the air was filled with the salty smell of tears and sorrow.

This was the first time I'd ever seen a beautiful woman crying up close. I must say, the scene had an indescribable poignant beauty, more heartbreaking and itchy than a cucumber in May.

After she finally stopped crying, Tsukasa Tazaki reached out and touched the tear stains on her face, asking, "What do you think I should do?"

Kana Shimamoto sobbed, but a gentle smile returned to her face.

This is an absolutely perfect and serene smile. Every time he faces Shimamoto Kana like this, Tazaki Tsukasa would momentarily lose his own emotions, completely unsure of where he is or which way he is going.

“Go back to Tokyo,” she said gently. “Go back to the people you love.”

"And you?" Tsukasa Tazaki asked.

“I’m fine.” Shimamoto Kana wrapped her arms around his body, snuggling gently against him, her cheek pressed against his. “I’m used to it. It doesn’t matter what’s missing in my empty life anymore. I’ve never liked anyone before, so there’s no need to be afraid of the bitterness of loss. Before I experience the feeling of a full life, please make your decision.”

Tsukasa Tazaki wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her.

Time passed quickly, and the daytime soon came to an end. The warm, gentle sunset shone through the thin clouds onto the ground, and flocks of seagulls flew away from the sea and towards the mountainside.

Kana Shimamoto curled up on the sofa, her sleeping face looking rather cute.

Her full breasts rose and fell slightly with her breath, her buttocks were perky, and further down, her beautiful legs, encased in black pantyhose, were shapely and slender.

The rabbit ears that had fallen to the floor, the scent of her skin, and her voice were all vividly imprinted in my mind.

Tsukasa Tazaki didn't ask her anything, and she didn't press for an answer.

As he stepped out of the room, he stretched and yawned in the sea breeze.

Vast expanses of fiery clouds stretched out before us, the western sky a deep crimson. The eastern sky, however, remained a profound indigo. These two colors stood in stark contrast, and it would be quite some time before they were replaced by complete darkness.

Tsukasa Tazaki walked through the corridor and stopped at the end.

Turning left leads back to your room, while turning right leads back to Tokyo.

This is really giving me a headache...

How about we flip a coin?

Tsukasa Tazaki flicked his finger, tossing a coin into the air, and waited quietly for the answer.

Chapter 197 Happy Birthday

The G-Class exited the Capital Expressway and headed towards the southern coast of Hunan. The lampposts lined the roadside in a long queue, flashing past like a movie camera lens...

After driving slowly along the winding residential street for twenty minutes, turn onto the uphill road.

As dusk fell, the car was parked in the training camp's parking lot.

The sky outside the car window was orange and indigo. Hoshino Hanami climbed from the driver's seat to the back seat and took off her clothes.

After putting on her uniform shirt, ribbon bow, Scottish pleated skirt, black stockings, and flat shoes, she put on a mask and heavy black-rimmed glasses and walked towards the kendo training ground.

Empty-handed, with light steps.

I didn't bring any gifts, nor do I need any, because she herself is the best gift!

Stepping into the spacious backyard, all was quiet. The setting sun cast a deep shadow, creating a harmonious atmosphere. A large beech tree swayed in the breeze outside the yard wall, its form against the summer twilight sky resembling a watercolor painting on a paper screen.

A slight smile appeared on Hoshino Hanami's lips.

She quite liked the somewhat antique living environment and decided to stay there for a few more days.

Her steps unconsciously became lighter, and in the blink of an eye she passed through the corridor and found the sliding door with wind chimes that Tsukasa Tazaki had mentioned. While imagining his surprised look when he saw her, she reached out and gently knocked on the door.

"Splash!"

The heavy wooden sliding door slid open horizontally, and the young boyfriend peeked out.

He paused for a few seconds, stunned.

Then, a relaxed smile slowly spread across his face.

It was like a traveler lost in a snowy forest on a winter night, who saw a farmhouse with a faint light in the distance.

Hoshino Hanami pulled down her mask and took off her glasses, then winked playfully at him: "Happy birthday~!"