If Utaha's first plan had been countered, leaving her frustrated and helpless, then the second time around, she was definitely acting with some intention.
Even though she knew her plan had been exposed, her stubborn pride wouldn't let her back down.
It was like losing several rounds in a game but still choosing to play one more.
Makoto saw through her during their little tug-of-war—and said, "You're the one who started it."
Under normal circumstances, those words meant nothing.
But right now, they struck her hard.
It wasn't the excitement of a secret date.
It was that her conflicted heart had been swayed by that stimulation—and chosen to give in.
After all, she hadn't been satisfied with that first kiss.
She hadn't even had time to savor it before a certain someone hit pause and left her a mess inside.
When she said she wanted to "reinforce that feeling," was she trying to relive her first kiss—or was she teasing Makoto on purpose?
No one knew for sure.
What was clear, though, was that Makoto had her in his arms again, and she was completely immersed in their second kiss.
Utaha had always been an attractive girl.
Even without deliberate dressing up, just wearing a school uniform was enough to give her an irresistible allure.
The well-tailored uniform clung to her figure, her mature curves far beyond that of a typical schoolgirl—more like a fully-grown woman.
And those black stocking-wrapped legs…
Now, with her face flushed red, eyes closed in response, and her tall, supple body pressing tightly into Makoto's embrace—combined with her slim, delicate waist—it was almost impossible not to want to wrap her up.
After a moment, Makoto finally let go of the black-stockinged upperclassman in his arms—and she nearly collapsed, her legs going weak.
Fortunately, Makoto still had his arm around her slender waist, sparing her the embarrassment of falling over.
"You did that on purpose."
Utaha panted softly, biting her lip as she pointed out the truth.
But at this moment, she truly had no strength left, which even she found surprising and strange.
She had clearly prepared herself this time, thinking that since they had just kissed earlier, doing it again would help satisfy the burning desire in her heart.
Yet when she was actually kissed, she found herself dazed and completely immersed in it.
Only when Makoto let go of her did she realize her legs had gone weak—that was when she finally snapped out of it.
"Since you understand now, senpai, why didn't you refuse me earlier?" Makoto asked deliberately with a smile.
Utaha averted her eyes, her cheeks flushed red.
That question was hard to answer.
If she told the truth, she'd feel embarrassed.
If she lied, she was sure Makoto, who knew her well, would instantly see through it.
So she chose not to answer.
As long as she stayed silent and pretended not to hear it, she wouldn't be forced into a more passive position.
Makoto didn't press the topic. His gaze dropped to her long, beautiful legs as he asked seriously, "Senpai, you seem to really like wearing black stockings?"
Utaha perked up at that, as if she had found an opening to strike back. Her tone turned playful as she replied, "That question reminds me of something."
"Oh? What is it?"
"If my observation is correct, I believe you've secretly stared at my legs before."
"That wasn't 'secretly.'"
"Oh? Still denying it now? I've thought it over carefully. Whether it's Ichika, Yukinoshita, or Yumiko, they all seem to have very beautiful legs."
Regaining her composure, Utaha elegantly tilted her head back, a hint of queenly pride in her expression. "Fushimi, you really like girls' legs, don't you?"
"I won't deny that," Makoto admitted.
Utaha exerted a little strength and stepped out of his arms, leisurely returning to sit in her chair.
This time, instead of sitting properly with her legs together, she crossed them and lifted her chin slightly with a composed expression.
The posture only made her look more regal.
Makoto watched her movements and teased, "Your current aura reminds me of something I read online."
"What is it?"
"Can you step on me with your feet?"
"...?"
Utaha froze for a moment, then quickly put on a charming smile. "So you like that kind of play? If you really need it, I might just agree."
As she spoke, she deliberately kicked off her slippers and raised her black-stockinged feet.
Only then did Makoto notice that she wasn't just wearing black stockings—she had socks underneath them as well.
Thinking about it, that made sense.
Wearing a pair of thin socks underneath could improve breathability and absorb sweat better, something female classmates at school had discussed before.
While Makoto was lost in thought, Utaha noticed his attention was clearly on her legs and couldn't help but comment, "You're not even pretending anymore?"
"Sorry, I got distracted for a moment," Makoto replied.
Utaha didn't buy it.
Distracted while staring at her gorgeous legs in black stockings? What was he even pretending to think about?
She didn't say this out loud though, because she already understood—she wasn't on the same level as Makoto, especially not when it came to verbal sparring...
"By the way, you haven't answered my earlier question. Why hasn't Ichika been clinging to you lately?" She changed the subject.
Makoto replied, "She's been quite busy lately. If you really want to see her, you'll probably have to wait a while."
As soon as he finished speaking, his phone—casually placed on the bed—suddenly rang.
They both looked over. The caller ID on the screen showed Ichika.
Utaha's lips curved upward. "She's busy, huh?"
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Makoto hadn't expected the timing of Ichika's call to be so precise. He said, "I wasn't lying—she has been busy polishing her acting skills."
After all, she was currently auditioning for a horror film.
Makoto answered the call, and Ichika's sweet voice came through immediately: "Makoto-kun, is it okay if I stop by your place tonight?"
Her voice was loud—possibly out of excitement.
Given the silence in the room and Utaha's proximity, it was hard not to hear it.
Utaha didn't interrupt the call but shot a mocking glance his way.
Makoto pretended not to see it.
Ichika didn't talk long. Once she confirmed that he'd be home that evening, she hung up.
Right before she ended the call, Makoto heard noise in the background—it seemed like she was still at the audition venue.
Utaha watched him put down the phone without saying a word, her expression half-smiling as her confidence returned.
Makoto walked over and looked at the computer screen. "So… should we continue the stockings topic, or move on to serious business?"
Utaha couldn't help but laugh. "So this is how you act when you're embarrassed—pretending to be busy. Interesting."
It was all just for show, letting her save face.
Makoto's expression didn't change.
Utaha basked in her own amusement for a moment, then looked at the screen. "Let's drop the stockings topic. I came here today with a few questions to ask you."
Makoto sighed inwardly. What a shame—he had actually wanted to keep talking about stockings.
How did that saying go again?
Love rises with the stockings; once off, the heart still trembles.
Once Utaha shifted to serious matters, Makoto also dropped the jokes.
A while later, Utaha looked at the notes in the document with satisfaction and stretched lazily.
"Thanks, I've learned a lot again today—though it's not quite the same as that day."
Makoto knew what she meant, but still played along. "What feeling?"
Utaha's eyes took on a nostalgic look as she said a bit wistfully, "Like a burst of inspiration. After talking with you that day, I couldn't stop writing."
Got it—you're here for the creative "buff" again.
"By the way, I need to go out again. I meant to just drop by to talk, but I forgot I also needed to buy a charging cable," Utaha said as she stood up.
Makoto said, "I'll go with you. I need to buy some food anyway—something for a late-night snack."
Utaha paused mid-step, thinking that maybe Makoto assumed she wanted to stay over again.
Which reminded her of that night in the guest room.
Honestly, it was rather comfortable.
Back then, she was half-asleep when everything happened, and in hindsight, she felt both ashamed and… a little regretful.
Her face reddened and she quickened her pace, not wanting Makoto to notice her awkwardness.
As for staying the night?
She hadn't decided yet.
If she was still feeling good later, she wouldn't mind staying.
Her parents trusted her completely, supporting whatever she chose to do.
After they left, Utaha—perhaps in a good mood—started chatting with Makoto about amusing things at school.
"You know Sawamura-san, right? I happened to find out she's been asking around about you. After I purposely talked to her a few times, my impression of her changed quite a bit."
"She's been asking about me?"
"Yeah. Probably because your short film's gotten so popular. Pretty much everyone at school is watching it. It's natural she'd be curious."
Makoto didn't agree with Utaha's reasoning.
He leaned more toward the idea that after Yukinoshita's mother started interacting closely with Sayuri Sawamura, Eriri must have heard something from her mom.
Given how helpful Yukinoshita's mother had been toward him, she'd surely spoken positively about him.
Add to that the novelty of a high schooler making a short film—it wasn't surprising if Sayuri mentioned it to Eriri.
Utaha didn't notice his distraction.
She continued in a strange tone, "I haven't talked much with Sawamura-san, but my intuition says she's not the gentle young lady everyone thinks she is."
You two are already getting along?
He hadn't played matchmaker or tried to connect them—and yet, somehow, they still got to know each other.
Makoto found it amusing and asked, "So what do you think her true personality is?"
Utaha said slowly, "I think… she's an idiot."
"That's a bit rude," Makoto replied.
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Both of you are an idiot
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