"That's not the issue..."
Though Murakami Yuu said this, his gaze somewhat uncontrollably looked over.
"I'll be very happy if this is done to me. Murakami-kun doesn't need to have any concerns."
Anna Kinomiya unbuttoned the second button of her top.
The ravine of the snowy mountains was bottomless, looking like it could bury an entire palm.
"I told you that's not the issue!"
Murakami Yuu grabbed her hand, stopping her movement.
Even the most self-controlled person has limits.
"Why? Murakami-kun clearly looks like he really wants it?"
"Some things can't be done just because you want to. Do you understand?"
"Not really?"
"For example, President you..."
"Call me Anna."
"...For example, you Anna, go shopping at a mall and see a product you really like. You like it very much and can't wait to take it home, but unfortunately you didn't bring your wallet. At that time, can you still just take that product and leave directly?"
Murakami Yuu made a not-so-apt analogy, hoping Anna Kinomiya would understand his meaning.
"How much does it cost?"
"Hm?"
"How much money does it cost for Murakami-kun to come home with me?"
As Anna Kinomiya spoke, her face flushed red again. She once again couldn't resist the temptation of the product called "Murakami Yuu." This time she directly lifted his shirt, pressed her face against him, and explained softly:
"This is a free sample, so it's okay..."
"This isn't about money!"
Murakami Yuu pressed her shoulders and had to use considerable force to push her away. God knows why the seemingly delicate Anna Kinomiya had such great strength.
"Listen carefully, Anna. Between two people... wait! Don't come close again! Let me finish talking!"
Once again blocking Anna Kinomiya's advance, Murakami Yuu felt physically and mentally exhausted.
"Relationships between people can't be measured by money. Can you understand what I mean?"
"Then what do I need to do to make my relationship with Murakami-kun better?"
"Our relationship is already very good, but that doesn't mean we necessarily have to do these things."
Looking at the serious Murakami Yuu, Anna Kinomiya suppressed her desires, gripped the skirt at her thighs, and very seriously added:
"Previously, Murakami-kun told me that when I had that reaction, every woman would have the same reaction as me. It's normal, and I shouldn't find it strange.
After that, following your suggestion, I read books about physiological knowledge. There was a lot of content I had never understood before.
It said that you should view the intimate process correctly. It's a necessity for every man and woman. It's not only the intertwining of desires, but also a way to express love to the other party.
You should love your own body, but also understand the other's body. This will be beneficial in your future interactions, making it easier to please yourself and please the other, thus making the relationship between you more intimate..."
Murakami Yuu's head was getting big from what she was saying. He wanted to correct her, but thinking carefully, her logic was clear and what she said seemed all correct. The physiological books did indeed write it that way.
But, but...
Isn't your understanding way too strange? Stripping off clothes and touching me all over is what's called understanding my body?
This isn't a reason for you to become a nymphomaniac!
"Stop for a moment, Anna..."
Murakami Yuu raised his hand to stop her from continuing, let out a long breath and fell silent for a moment. It was because of him that Anna Kinomiya had gone astray in strange places, so at least he should bring her back to the right path.
"The content in the book isn't wrong, but your understanding has deviated somewhat. Your direct display of intimate gestures toward others - people who are close to you might be very happy, but people whose relationship isn't that good will only feel troubled."
"Murakami-kun feels troubled?"
"Yes."
A straightforward answer.
Anna Kinomiya fell silent.
Seeing her disappointed, frowning appearance, Murakami Yuu couldn't bear it and added:
"I'm not troubled by Anna as a person, but... but troubled by some of your behaviors."
He gave another example:
"Whether it's academic performance or how you conduct yourself, you're a very excellent person. I think there shouldn't be anyone who would dislike you, including myself.
However, before taking action on some things, if Anna could maintain the most basic calmness, it would be better - expressing your emotions in a more reserved, more tactful way.
I think that would be much better and much easier for people to accept."
"More reserved, more tactful..."
Anna Kinomiya seemed to understand something and slowly nodded.
"I understand. From now on I'll do as Murakami-kun said."
"Do you really understand?"
"Please rest assured, there won't be any more of those rude behaviors."
She finally left Murakami Yuu's lap and stood up.
Murakami Yuu breathed a sigh of relief.
"I won't do those things that trouble Murakami-kun anymore. I'll slowly, gradually try more opportunities to deepen feelings with you, until Murakami-kun is willing to have physical contact with me."
Anna Kinomiya reached up to brush her hair, but several strands still slid down the side of her face. The setting sun refracted through the window, shining across between the two, dyeing the room with a light red atmospheric color.
This alternative confession declaration from the girl greatly moved Murakami Yuu, but this wasn't what he wanted.
The relationship between Eriri and Kiso Yukina was still unclear, not to mention there was Tachibana Rui who had returned to the countryside to visit elders that he didn't want to give up either. His own matters were piled up in a big heap unsolved - he really didn't have the energy to additionally develop another one.
Murakami Yuu was a greedy man, but he wasn't a brainless man.
"Listen carefully, Anna. I told you about this before, but perhaps you didn't pay attention, or thought I was joking, so I'll repeat it now."
Murakami Yuu gave Anna Kinomiya an apologetic look of 'sorry I can't respond to you.'
"The Murakami-kun in your eyes isn't that perfect and flawless. He has girls he likes, more than one. He greedily wants to live happily together with them. For this, he's working hard to change the relationships between those girls, hoping they can coexist peacefully to achieve his own goal.
This approach might be acceptable in ancient times, but in modern society, this behavior is absolutely that of a scumbag, the most despicable kind. Do you understand?"
After hearing these words, Anna Kinomiya didn't show the shrinking expression he expected. On the contrary, her eyes sparkled with radiance.
"I don't care."
Three simple words carried an unstoppable momentum as they crashed into Murakami Yuu's ears.
"Just like me, Murakami-kun is just doing what he wants to do. There's nothing wrong with working hard for your ideals."
Anna Kinomiya felt this was a matter of course.
The determination he had made after going through so much was so simply and instantly accepted by her?
Murakami Yuu took a deep breath, his brow full of wavering. He wanted to say something, but just silently observed Anna Kinomiya before him, as if getting to know her for the first time.
"I'm very happy to know Murakami-kun's goal. I won't obstruct your matters, nor will I make you specially worry. I can even help Murakami-kun when necessary.
So don't shut me out from the start. Please, with your eyes, look at me properly."
Anna Kinomiya knelt on the floor, her body tilted, her head pillowed on Murakami Yuu's lap. Her long skirt spread in a circle on the floor, covering her feet.
Murakami Yuu's hand rested on her head, his lips moved slightly.
"Is this okay?"
"This is okay."
The obedient answer showed she had returned to her usually courteous and dignified state as Anna Kinomiya.
The slight annoyance that had arisen from her previous actions was now completely swept away, dissipating into nothing.
"Just like how I call you by name, Anna can also just call me by my name from now on."
Anna Kinomiya looked up, her heart also pounding.
Murakami Yuu's hand slowly approached, his fingertips arranging her hair strands, then came to her nose bridge and lightly traced down, chuckling softly.
"The answer is?"
"Yes~"
...