In the bedroom.
Ichika was now sound asleep on the bed.
Just earlier, she had chosen the most daring path between safety and danger—and paid the price. She lost faster than ever before.
After the overwhelming thrill, she quickly fell into a satisfied sleep.
Makoto tucked her in, thinking this entire situation had gone completely off the rails—so much so that it nearly ended in disaster.
Thankfully, he had relied on his instincts and changed location in time.
Otherwise, the bathroom would have been "packed to the brim" by now.
He stepped out of the bedroom fully dressed. From this angle, he could see a figure resting on the sofa.
He thought Hiratsuka Shizuka had fallen asleep there and inwardly admired the self-control of this older single woman.
They were already on the verge of going too far, yet she managed to hold herself back.
What a formidable woman!
Makoto was about to grab a blanket to cover Hiratsuka Shizuka so she wouldn't catch a cold, but when he turned his head, he saw that the guest room door was slightly ajar.
Although the light inside wasn't on, the glow from the living room allowed him to see a vague figure on the bed, the blanket curled up around them.
So Matsukaze-sensei isn't in the bathroom?
Makoto glanced at the bathroom. Sure enough, the door was open, and the light was off.
He thought for a moment, then decided to check on Mayu in the guest room.
What he didn't know was that earlier, after waiting in the bathroom for a while and seeing he didn't come to find her, Mayu had handled things on her own.
Although it hadn't been particularly satisfying, it did help her relax a little.
As the alcohol began to take effect, she left the bathroom and, seeing no one in the living room, intended to rest on the sofa.
But under the influence of alcohol, she eventually dozed off.
From Makoto's angle, the side of the sofa wasn't visible. Since he had seen Hiratsuka Shizuka resting there earlier, he naturally assumed the figure now was still her.
And since the situation in the guest room drew his full attention, he planned to get the blanket for Hiratsuka later and instead walked straight into the half-open guest room.
Just as he stepped in, he heard a low, ragged breathing sound.
It made him feel a little awkward—he had been held up by Ichika earlier, which ended up forcing Mayu to take care of things herself.
He didn't even bother to conceal his footsteps as he approached the bed, yet the person on it didn't react at all.
Clearly, she was still "in the mood"…
But when Makoto bent down to check on "Mayu," the figure suddenly turned toward him.
In that instant, alarms went off in Makoto's mind.
Because when the figure turned, the blanket shifted—and the scent that wafted out was clearly not the perfume Mayu usually wore!
The moment their eyes met, Makoto's suspicions were confirmed.
The person lying on the bed was none other than Hiratsuka Shizuka.
But that wasn't the main point.
What mattered was the look on her face—unnaturally flushed, eyes glazed with allure, her breathing ragged and heavy.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, neck, and face, dampening her hair.
Her women's blazer was nowhere in sight. She was only wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt, which had already ridden up.
Her black slacks lay discarded beside her. The shapely, smooth legs she always kept hidden were now on full display—long and slender, emphasizing the mature curves of her body.
Makoto couldn't help but recall a line often joked about online: "That auntie over there is still very charming, huh."
With Hiratsuka Shizuka's figure, though, "still charming" was an understatement.
It was more like her charm hit you full force.
Realizing his mistake, Makoto was about to back away and try to fix the situation, but Hiratsuka—still dazed—reached out toward him.
The next moment, she grabbed his collar. Who knew where she got the strength, but even in this state, she pulled Makoto toward her.
Granted, Makoto wasn't on guard against her, and he didn't resist, so it was easy for her to pull him.
But the strength in that slender arm did remind Makoto of the infamous phrase: "Shizuka's Iron Fist."
In the blink of an eye, he was enveloped in her intoxicating scent and pulled into her embrace.
Events always took a turn when you least expected it. Just moments ago, everything was fine. Now, things were spiraling.
At this point, the guest room was far more dangerous than the bedroom had been. Makoto couldn't help but call out, "Hiratsuka-sensei—"
But before he could finish his sentence, she wrapped an arm around his waist and kissed him forcefully.
Was this repression?
No, this was repression that had gone on for far too long.
Makoto recalled her repeated failures at matchmaking events—never able to find someone to marry.
This kiss lasted barely two seconds before Hiratsuka seemed to snap out of it and shoved Makoto away.
With the living room light shining in, Makoto saw the horrified look on her face.
"You've sobered up?" he asked calmly.
Though flames still flickered in her eyes, her mind was now half-clear. She stammered, "I… just now…"
"You didn't mean to. I know," Makoto nodded.
Seeing him so composed, she sighed in relief.
But the shame of her wild behavior moments earlier hit her like a tidal wave. She also felt overwhelming guilt.
I'm sorry, Yukino!
In her mind, this young man before her had to be Yukino's boyfriend.
Yet she had done something like that!
As she hung her head in shame, Makoto said, "I understand how you feel, but I think it'd be best if you got dressed first."
Hiratsuka froze.
Only then did she realize that in her emotional outburst, she'd completely forgotten she was barely clothed.
"Turn around… please," she stammered.
Makoto turned away as requested.
But when Hiratsuka reached for the blanket, she touched the damp sheets.
Her face turned an even deeper shade of red.
Makoto stepped off the bed and spoke in his usual calm tone. "Don't worry. I'll keep this to myself."
Hiratsuka's gaze trembled. She curled up under the blanket and whispered, "I'm sorry, I…"
"Don't think about anything else right now," Makoto said. "The guest room is for guests. You came to my house, so you're a guest."
"…Thank you."
Makoto heard the embarrassment in her voice and headed toward the door.
Just as he was about to close it behind him, she called out awkwardly, "Fushimi… about that kiss just now…"
Makoto suddenly turned and replied, "I'll remember it."
Hiratsuka: "???"
No! I want you to forget it!
That was my first kiss!
___
Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!
Don't forget to leave a review too~ Actually, please leave one.
Check out the other translations too
___