"Come lie down. I just learned this recently and need to practice on you~"
Inside Ichika's room, it was clear she had cleaned and prepped everything ahead of time. Unlike her usual mess, the room was tidy, well-ventilated, with spotless furniture and floors.
She sat on the bed, beckoning Makoto with her left hand holding an ear-cleaning kit.
"You're the first person I've seen use someone else as a test subject and still sound so justified."
Makoto joked as he walked over, removed his shoes, and laid his head on Ichika's lap.
Even through the pajamas, he could feel the soft springiness of her thighs.
"Test subject is not accurate~ I practiced this for a long time privately. Even Nino and the others haven't gotten to experience it yet."
Ichika smiled as she opened the box, clearly fishing for praise with a "you're the first, see how good I am to you" attitude.
"So that means I'm the luckiest guy today?"
"Exactly."
Bending down, Ichika began carefully cleaning his ears and boasted, "Honestly, I should've come to you sooner, but Nino was being a brat and refused to sleep, blocking me all night."
Makoto chuckled. "I was wondering if that's what happened. So Nino really pulled that off?"
"Yup. Nino's getting worse and worse. What kind of little sister stays up all night just to block her big sister?"
Ichika sighed dramatically.
Before Makoto could respond, she smiled again. "But in the end, I still won."
Makoto thought: Not necessarily. Nino already took the first step to invading my heart.
He closed his eyes, enjoying Ichika's "reward."
The fragrance of her hair and skin enveloped him.
Since his head was resting on her lap, her chest naturally pressed against his head as she leaned forward to clean his ears.
He had to admit, Ichika really knew how to stir things up.
Even if Yukino had once said her "level" wasn't that high, she definitely had some serious technique.
"There's no shoot scheduled for me today, so I get to stay home all day," Ichika said with a cheerful glint in her eyes.
It sounded casual, but Makoto knew she was hinting that she could spend the whole day with him.
No filming meant she could relax and not worry about lines or performance.
He responded, "Not just today. Your scenes are mostly done. Once we wrap those two supporting scenes, we'll just shoot a few inserts for you and head into post-production."
Ichika's eyes lit up, mixed with nervousness and anticipation. "What do you think the reaction will be when the short film airs?"
"Mostly positive reviews."
"You sound confident."
"It's not about me—it's about all of you. I've seen how hard you've worked. If a project with this much effort doesn't succeed, then the world's just not fair."
"Hehe, I know you're trying to flatter me, but I'm still really happy."
Makoto stretched lazily, and as he did, his hand brushed against something soft.
He awkwardly muttered, "Sorry."
Ichika blushed faintly, but leaned down even further—closer than before.
Now Makoto's face was completely buried.
She looked into his eyes, her cheeks tinged with color, adding a touch of seductiveness. "With this atmosphere… what do you think we should be doing?"
Makoto replied, "Didn't you say earlier that you wanted private coaching? Since we're both awake, how about we start now?"
Ichika giggled. "Sure, that's what you said, remember."
She thought he was joking, so she played along.
But then he continued, "With the quality of this short film, I'm pretty sure once Aunt Yukinoshita sees it, she'll help promote it. If all goes well, this could be your big break."
Ichika froze.
Wait—he's seriously talking business?
But my head's full of non-business thoughts!
Makoto, seemingly unaware, continued, "Once the short airs, even if your acting isn't quite at film level yet, production crews will still want to cast you. Popularity is valuable."
Ichika thought for a moment. "So I really have a shot?"
"Yeah. The chance to get famous is here. With your personality and skill, you can totally make it.
But be prepared—your age might draw jealousy from peers. Just keep your mindset strong. If anyone gives you a hard time, come find me."
He patted her thigh casually—so soft.
Ichika looked at him, eyes sparkling. "You'd stand up for me?"
"What else would I do?"
"I get it now. I'll listen to you."
Ichika subconsciously set down the ear-cleaning tools and gently began massaging Makoto's head.
She didn't really know much about massage techniques, but she made up for it with tenderness and care.
Makoto kept his eyes closed and continued thinking aloud:
"Although I think your age might spark jealousy among your peers, as long as they're not stupid, they shouldn't target you openly."
Ichika gazed at him, her tone full of undisguised admiration: "So Miku was right—since early on, you've already been paving the way for me."
"Impressive, right? That's what you call foresight, prophecy—mmph."
Just as Makoto was about to joke further, she suddenly leaned down and kissed him.
A light peck, quick and fleeting.
Makoto opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Ichika's charming, radiant face.
Before he could speak, she gave him a dazzling smile and said, "There was something on your face just now."
Makoto replied, "You think I'm buying that?"
Ichika smiled slyly, brushed a finger across his lips, and showed him the lipstick on her fingertip: "See? Told you there was something."
She had applied lipstick beforehand.
Even someone who knew her inside and out like Makoto couldn't help but think, Damn, she actually got me with that move.
She really knew how to push the right buttons.
Makoto seized the moment and teased, "I just gave you such a thorough analysis, and all I get is one kiss?"
Ichika let go of him and closed her eyes.
She didn't kiss him again.
But her meaning was clear: I'm yours to do with as you like.
Who could resist that?
Makoto immediately sat up and gently pulled her soft body into his embrace.
Instead of going straight in, he started playing a familiar game—the one they had done once before.
His hand moved to unbutton her sleepwear.
At the same time, he deliberately lowered his voice and said, "It's going to hurt."
To his surprise, Ichika opened her eyes with a smile as radiant as blooming peach blossoms: "I'm not afraid."
Makoto froze for a second.
He had said the same line last time.
Back then, Ichika had reacted with flustered shyness—it was adorable.
That's why he had tried the same move again, hoping to tease her.
But he didn't expect her to respond with a bold counterattack this time.
He was completely caught off guard.
When he finally undid the buttons of her sleepwear, her eyes trembled slightly—perhaps from embarrassment, perhaps from seduction—and then gently closed again.
"Remember what I said earlier? I can stay with you all the way until the afternoon, before you head to the set."
Her voice was clearly nervous but also surprisingly resolute. Word by word, she said, "Which means I have plenty of time… Makoto."
Makoto, holding her waist, felt the fire already burning in his heart, though he kept his tone steady: "Are you ready?"
"Mhm."
She softly hummed in affirmation.
In the next second, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her breath warm against his lips: "I don't like how Nino tried to sneak in, and I don't think she can beat me."
The victor… would always be Ichika.
As she spoke, even her ears and neck flushed a tender pink—sensual and delicate.
This was a side of Ichika that Makoto had never seen.
And without a doubt, it was the most captivating version of her.
The phrase "One flower, one world" was originally meant to suggest that a single flower could reflect an entire universe.
But right now, as this ever-changing girl revealed her seductive side, it felt like a world that belonged solely to her.
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