Dream World

At some point, a sweet, fragrant aroma filled the room. It was Nino's scent.

Women are different from men.

For some reason, although men and women might use the same brand and series of body wash and shampoo, after men bathe, the scent on their bodies fades quickly. If you don't smell carefully, you won't notice it at all.

But it's different with women.

Their fragrance not only lasts longer, but it also smells lovely.

Just like Nino beneath him.

Only minutes after entering the room, a pleasant aroma began to fill the air.

And under the blanket, with every breath Haruto took, he was surrounded by Nino's refreshing scent, making his heart race.

"Uh~ Idiot, you're too heavy; please get up~"

"Sorry, I can't move."

"Hmm~"

"Hey~ Nino, you're a magical steed."

Nino's face flushed as she felt embarrassed and annoyed, pinching him slightly.

But it was inevitable. She couldn't resist at all when she came here.

From the moment she arrived, she'd already been mentally prepared.

Although they hadn't known each other long, hadn't gone through much together, and hadn't made any eternal vows, the small moments in their daily life had turned into beautiful memories.

When was it?

Perhaps from the moment she first saw him, she started caring about him.

She had seen him fighting some thugs on the way to school, looking so strong.

Initially, those thugs looked fierce, but Haruto was even fiercer.

Later, after asking around, Nino found out that he'd beaten nearly every thug in Sobu High and even throughout Chiba City.

What was this?

A tall, handsome guy who was tougher than the bad guys.

Isn't that her type? Although after getting to know each other, she was often annoyed and teased by him, except for the time she thought he was bullying Miku, Nino was never truly mad.

Then, she noticed Miku starting to care about Haruto and growing close to him.

Miku was her little sister—the shy one who had the hardest time socializing and was the most worrying of her sisters. This was a good start at a new school.

However, Nino didn't know when she began caring about Haruto. Then, she couldn't hold back any longer, competing with Miku, actively pursuing him.

Until now.

Nino tilted her head, her eyes misty with shyness and nervousness.

'How dare you play with me like this. If you dare leave me in the future, I'll go with you!'

❀❀❀

It was unclear how long, but the room grew silent.

After a while, Nino gave him a soft pinch. "Pervert, you really have something like that. You must've prepared for this!"

"I said it was an accident, do you believe me?"

Haruto lifted his hand to gently brush aside Nino's messy hair clinging to her face.

Nino was, of course, referring to the Okamoto.

Unexpectedly, the items Kamiya Saki had prepared came in handy, quite satisfying!

Nino opened her beautiful, shining eyes and looked at him intently. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Haruto, am I the first?"

Haruto's face darkened.

Putting on a serious expression, he said, "I've rested enough. This time, I promise to hit the target accurately!"

"Wait, no~"

Seeing him approaching, Nino panicked. She was now so exhausted she didn't even want to lift a finger, her body weak as if recovering from a severe illness.

Not in a compromising situation at all!

Nino could only plead for mercy.

Seeing this, Haruto let her go.

Nino sighed in relief, a slight smile appearing on her lips as she hugged him contentedly.

She didn't know why, but she felt happy.

If this continued, how could she lose?

Of course, this was a completely sneak attack.

Furthermore, once this guy decided on something, he wouldn't allow anyone the chance to resist, and he was incredibly strong.

In his hands, Nino was at his mercy!

This was all Haruto's fault!

Soon, a wave of drowsiness overcame her, and with a hint of fatigue on her face, Nino closed her eyes and murmured, "Pervert, I'm sleepy. Good night~"

"Good night."

Haruto replied and tucked Nino in.

But he didn't sleep. It wasn't that he didn't feel tired, but there was still something he needed to do.

Haruto slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, he was in a place both familiar and unfamiliar.

A hospital.

Haruto stood in the corridor. On one side were patient rooms, and the air was filled with the distinct disinfectant smell of a hospital.

He looked around. Nakano Rena's last moments had been spent in a hospital.

So, was this her dream?

At the same time, just as Haruto was looking around, a small girl suddenly ran out of a room. Unaware of his sudden presence, she bumped straight into him.

"Woo~"

A soft, weak cry sounded.

Haruto came to his senses, turned around, looked down, and was momentarily taken aback.

On the ground was an adorable little girl with long pink hair, who'd fallen and was covering her nose with teary eyes, looking pitiful.

But that wasn't the main point.

The main point was that this little girl was clearly one of the Nakano family in her childhood!

"Yotsuba, are you okay?"

At that moment, another little girl ran out and quickly stood protectively in front of the crying Yotsuba on the ground.

Standing guard over Yotsuba, she raised her face, clenched her teeth, and looked at Haruto with sharp eyes.

Haruto: "😐"

'I didn't bully little Yotsuba. Don't look at me like I'm some big villain!'

"Ichika, Yotsuba, are you okay?"

Just then, three identical little girls came out.

"I'm fine, but Yotsuba fell."

"Hey! You bullied Yotsuba. How could you bully a child?"

One of the three little girls who had just come out put her hands on her hips, gritted her teeth, and stared at Haruto.

Though clearly a bit scared, she tried to look fierce.

Just like a wounded animal intimidating anyone who dared to approach.