After discussing specific details, Kaoru took his leave from Horikita Manabu.
The moment he left the room, he suddenly recalled various past experiences.
"Actually, I haven't always been like this. It seems like after getting lectured by Honami, I started trying to rein myself in a bit."
If this were a classic story, it felt like there would soon be a soul-searching scene where the protagonist finally understands their feelings after repeated confusion.
However, Kaoru had no such confusion.
Whether in the past or present, he was simply following his true nature.
Having died and been reborn, with a completely new life and rewards beyond reality, based on these premises, he could act as he pleased.
Kaoru walked through the corridor and stood at the elevator door, noticing someone coming downstairs.
This was the third-year dormitory building - he'd have to call everyone senpai, which annoyed him somewhat.
Since he was wearing casual clothes, no one would probably realize he was a stray first-year, so he might as well ignore them.
Ding—
The elevator door opened. Kaoru froze for a moment, and the girl inside did too.
"Wah! You... what are you doing here?!"
Tachibana Akane widened her eyes as if encountering a supernatural event, startling completely.
"I came over because I needed to ask Horikita Senior and Sato Senior for a favor."
Though Kaoru was equally surprised, Tachibana Akane was originally a resident here, so running into her was normal.
"I-Is that so?"
Watching him enter the elevator, Tachibana Akane instinctively retreated slightly, hiding in the corner behind him, before suddenly realizing something.
"Wait, why didn't you come find me too?"
"After 8 PM, boys are strictly prohibited from entering the girls' dormitory, right?"
Kaoru cited the dormitory management rules repeatedly emphasized by the school.
Tachibana Akane stammered, "N-No one would know anyway. Rules like these don't matter as long as you don't get caught."
It seemed she had uttered something quite bold. Despite always forcing herself to follow discipline before, she herself didn't take it seriously.
"Where are you planning to go?"
Kaoru observed the girl's current appearance. Though it wasn't his first time seeing her in casual clothes, this homely style was new to him.
The weather in March was already early spring. The snow and ice outside had long melted, and the temperature was gradually warming.
Thus, Tachibana Akane only wore a coat over her clothes, faintly revealing the long sleeves underneath.
Though there was hardly any exposure, he felt an inexplicable stir—especially when catching the faint fragrance emanating from her, a mix of shower gel and her natural scent, subtly captivating Kaoru.
Perhaps just for a quick outing, she wore shorts below, leaving her slender, smooth legs completely visible.
Her slightly plump thighs even glistened with a dewy sheen, looking so delicate they might redden or hurt with the slightest touch—a unique tenderness of youth.
"I ran out of snacks and wanted to buy some from the convenience store."
Tachibana Akane answered hesitantly.
So it was a spontaneous snack run—no wonder she was dressed like that.
"I'll go with you."
"Huh, why?"
"Senior, you're too cute. I'm afraid someone might not be able to resist."
"D-Don't say things like that so seriously!"
The elevator soon reached the first-floor lobby.
The layout here was mostly similar to the first-year dormitory, with many passersby lingering around and occasional young couples whispering to each other.
Were they getting bolder as graduation approached?
Kaoru averted his gaze from a couple secretly touching each other, followed closely by his junior senior tugging at his sleeve.
"Um, our graduation exam is next week."
March 24th was the graduation ceremony.
Regardless of whether they graduated from Class A or not, all graduates would leave the school this month and embark on their next journey.
In other words, there was less than a month left.
"How long will it last?" Kaoru asked.
"I don't know. Maybe a week, or possibly until the day before the graduation ceremony."
Tachibana Akane whispered, "The point gap between Class B and us is nearly 300 points. It seems like a lot, but they might still overtake us in the graduation exam."
"No wonder you've been so tense lately, rarely replying to my messages."
Kaoru remarked thoughtfully."Not at all! I always reply properly, don't I? It's you who never responds to me! You're always asking me for selfies, saying you want to save them as wallpapers!"
Tachibana Akane glared at him angrily, truly unable to understand how he could be so shameless.
"And you never asked me for photos?"
Kaoru retorted rudely, "One moment you'd tell me to strike this pose, the next you'd tell me to change clothes. After spending hours, you'd finally say 'The first one was still the best. I'm lucky I didn't die of frustration!"
Tachibana Akane immediately flushed red: "I-I don't care! Boys who ask girls for leg photos are the worst!"
"Girls who send leg photos on the condition that you delete all other girls' photos are even worse."
Kaoru didn't hesitate to expose her weakness - this senior was sending him leg photos while forcing him to use only her leg photos as... material.
"Wah!"
Tachibana Akane headbutted him, "Shut up, just shut up! Anyway, it's all your fault!"
After playing around for a while, the two finally arrived at the convenience store.
As soon as they entered, Tachibana Akane immediately abandoned him and happily rushed toward the snack section.
Kaoru followed behind her, watching as she gathered a large pile of snacks like a squirrel preparing to bring food home.
He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Didn't you eat dinner?"
"I did! I had pork cutlet rice, then had sundaes and crepes with Nene and the others."
Tachibana Akane counted on her fingers, "Oh right, I later ran into Honami on the way, so we went to try the new souffle and daifuku."
Kaoru silently watched her back. Her slender, petite figure - from behind, her waist was so thin it could be described as delicate enough to be grasped in one hand, as fragile as a willow branch.
When she crouched down, the curves of her shorts-clad bottom stood out prominently and plumply.
There was no doubt that her feel wouldn't be inferior to Ichinose Honami's.
Aside from small buns, her figure could probably compete evenly with Ichinose Honami's.
However, Kaoru always felt that no matter how much she ate, she probably wouldn't grow a pair of big rabbits, since her adolescent development was coming to an end.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Tachibana Akane suddenly looked at him warily, "Your eyes are so gross. Even though I don't know what you're thinking, it feels really unpleasant."
"Nothing, I was just admiring senior's figure."
Kaoru openly admitted his desire, "Senior really is the cutest."
Tachibana Akane stiffened for a moment, her face turning bright red as she quickly stood up, as if realizing where he had been staring.
"W-well, you are a perverted junior after all, so I won't mind this."
She nodded, pretending to be calm, "If you're willing to get on your knees and beg me, I might actually... Eh!?"
Before she could finish, Kaoru immediately started to kneel.
"Wait a minute! Where's your dignity as a man?! Even if you don't kneel, I'll still show you! I'll satisfy you, really!"
In the end, Kaoru of course didn't kneel.
When dealing with this stubborn, foolish senior, sincerity was always the ultimate weapon.
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