"Very nice! Perfect!"
After evaluating, Aoba gave his own extremely high praise.
"Don't say weird things like that!"
Ino scolded angrily, only feeling her cheeks burning hot, head lowered, not daring to look at him.
"Alright, the gift is yours, so I should get going."
Aoba smiled and patted her head, his hands holding her waist, intending to lift her off him.
"You're leaving?", Ino's face, which had just been flushed red from shyness, instantly calmed down.
Her hands pressed against Aoba's shoulders, then she sat back down with force, refusing to get up no matter what.
"Tsk! But the flower shop can't stay closed forever, right? Didn't Auntie go deliver flowers? She should be back soon, right?", In Aoba's heart, he couldn't help but sweat nervously. Luckily, he adjusted his words at the last second.
Otherwise it would have turned into a tragedy.
Hearing this, Ino also froze for a moment. If the shop stayed closed, when her mother came back she'd definitely scold her.
"Then… then just stay with me a bit longer. Mom should still be gone for a while."
"Alright then," Seeing Ino's eyes, Aoba agreed. But inwardly, he was already thinking about going to find Anko later and giving her a good thrashing.
Judging by her behavior, that woman definitely knew the meaning of gifting a kimono, yet deliberately kept it from him.
But anyway, Anko had plenty of free time, so later would be fine.
Hearing this, Ino also took the initiative to hop off of Aoba.
"In that case, come! Follow me inside!"
"Huh?"
Aoba was completely confused.
But Ino already had one hand pulling him, the other holding the kimono as she went upstairs.
———
Splash!
Drip!
The sound of water flowing now and then from the bathroom, along with the ticking of the clock in the room, kept drifting into Aoba's ears.
Sitting on the sofa, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease.
Just now, Ino had dragged him into the living room, then ran into the bathroom herself.
Although he was already used to hearing Yugao and the others bathing at home, sometimes even unlocking a special bathroom CG, here at Ino's house, it still made him feel a little restless.
It was a completely different feeling, hazy, like a veil covering it.
The atmosphere was getting kind of ambiguous.
The fire he had just barely pressed down seemed to be stirring again.
Aoba suddenly stood up from the sofa, heading toward the window.
"You… you're leaving?", Ino's voice suddenly came from the bathroom, the sound of rushing water still audible through the door.
"No, it's just a bit stuffy in the room, I'm opening the window," Aoba instinctively replied.
"Then you're not allowed to leave!"
"Got it!"
Aoba helplessly responded, then walked to the window, pulling the curtains open to let sunlight in.
The greenery on the windowsill looked lush and pleasing to the eye. When he opened the window, a breeze carrying a faint fragrance drifted in.
The whole living room was filled with a subtle floral scent.
Outside, the sun was bright, the breeze easing much of the restlessness in his heart.
Aoba glanced at the balcony, then at the bathroom's direction.
Finally, he sat back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Click!
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The sound of the door opening, followed immediately by crisp footsteps on the wooden floor.
The fragrance of body wash reached his nose.
Aoba's eyes suddenly opened, meeting Ino's gaze as she bent down, wrapped only in a bath towel. Her wet hair hung down, a droplet of water falling onto his cheek.
"Ah!"
Ino jumped in fright, stepping back, "I… I thought you'd fallen asleep."
Aoba didn't answer, just stared blankly at Ino.
'That bath towel really suits her.'
At this moment, Ino was wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her soft, delicate skin was fully exposed under the light, her thighs smooth and tender.
Her pretty face was flushed from the bath's heat, glowing like a blooming flower.
Aoba suddenly realized, 'In truth, Ino is even cuter than I imagined.'
And she had definitely picked up some terrifying tricks.
"Does it look good?", Ino's face carried thick shyness, but she still couldn't help but ask.
"Looks good!", Aoba almost answered instantly.
At this moment, his eyes couldn't move away from her body.
What is half-hidden is always the most captivating.
Her face slightly red, biting her lip, gaze timid, and yet using clumsy tricks.
Ino, standing with her hands behind her back, didn't even dare lift her head anymore. She had only wanted to play a little trick.
But noticing Aoba's burning gaze, her breathing quickened, and all her boldness vanished instantly.
"I… I'll go change into clothes!", With that, Ino immediately dashed back to her bedroom.
Aoba also let out a long breath.
———
[Inside the Bedroom]
Ino panted in small breaths, then with a soft "mmph," she collapsed onto her bed, burying her scarlet face into the blankets.
Recalling Aoba's unwavering stare just now, she instantly felt a part of her heart deeply satisfied.
Although her technique had been clumsy, the effect was unexpectedly good.
After calming down for a while, Ino took out the kimono Aoba had given her, then clumsily dressed herself in it.
Since it was Aoba's gift, she wanted him to be the first to see her wearing it.
———
Ino walked out of her bedroom wearing the kimono.
The golden cosmos flower pattern blended perfectly with her golden, shoulder-length hair.
Her chest swelled gently, the waist was a slightly fitted cut.
But Aoba suspected she had added something.
Ino lightly lifted the hem of the kimono, revealing her jade-like leg. Yet it wasn't bare, instead pale stockings extended inside beneath the kimono.
Matched with her shy expression, she looked just like a bride about to be wed.
Aoba's eyes nearly popped out. Then he clasped his hands together, bowed, and thanked her.
"Thanks for the treat."
"Don't say weird things like that again!", Ino's pretty face flushed red.
"That's right!", As if remembering something, she ran back into her room again, but this time quickly came out.
Standing before Aoba, she spread out the things in her hands, asking, "Which one do you like?"
What she held were socks, of all kinds. Cotton socks, silk socks, stockings.
Styles ranging from knee-high socks to fishnet stockings to pantyhose, everything imaginable.
"Are you planning to stop selling flowers and switch to selling socks?", Aoba asked.
"As if!"
"I'm asking which one you like. I'll wear it for you, and tomorrow when I go out with you, I'll wear that."
Ino glared at him, her face blushing as she spoke. In truth, she was secretly hinting at Aoba to come find her again tomorrow.
"This…", Aoba carefully studied the socks in Ino's hands, his face showing a conflicted expression.
"What should I do? If it's Ino, I like them all."
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