Chapter 146: Rapid Escalation of Feelings

Early spring evening, the forest was filled with a refreshing scent. The sun slowly dipped westward, casting slanting rays of twilight that illuminated the entire mountain range. The sky gradually took on a faint crimson hue, harmonizing beautifully with the lush green trees.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, while the silhouettes of several people gathered around a campfire stretched long and slender.

"Well then..."
Sawaki Amemiya spoke up. Seeing everyone turn to look at her, she raised her cup filled with juice and continued, "To celebrate the new home, and to welcome Keiko into our group, let’s toast!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Saori Amemiya, who had been eagerly waiting, lifted her own cup and cheered loudly.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Yasuto and Eri Tachibana followed suit, mimicking the gesture with enthusiasm.

The cups clinked together, juice splashing forth. Watching this, Chie Hoshino’s eyes welled up with tears. In all her life, this was the first time she had felt so valued.

Suppressing the tears threatening to spill, Chie sniffled and smiled brilliantly.

The forest at night was unsafe, so after roasting some skewers and eating a bit, everyone prepared to return.

Genji Hirotsuru, the imposing middle-aged man, waited at the foot of the mountain as before. However, the van from earlier had been replaced by a stretched SUV.

Once inside the vehicle, Yasuto took the front passenger seat, while the other women settled in the back of the van, sipping drinks provided in the car and whispering among themselves.

About ten minutes later, the car arrived at Yasuto’s house.

After a brief conversation with the driver, Sawaki Amemiya led the group as they disembarked in turn.

Back at the villa, Sawaki went upstairs to fetch a change of clothes, then entered the bathroom with Eri Tachibana.

Saori Amemiya lay sprawled on the sofa without a care for her image, propping her chin with one hand and clutching the remote with the other. Her gaze was fixed on the screen before her, while her slender, snow-white feet, wrapped in sheer stockings, swung rhythmically in the air, drawing attention.

Meanwhile, Chie Hoshino had made her way to the kitchen.

Since Sawaki Amemiya was on her period these past two days, Yasuto planned to prepare some nourishing chicken soup for her.

Glancing at Saori on the sofa and then at Chie busy in the kitchen, Yasuto decisively chose the latter.

In the kitchen, under the warm light, the girl’s figure was clear and delicate. Through the thin white T-shirt, the slender curve of her waist was faintly visible.

If Sawaki Amemiya was the classic hourglass figure, then Chie Hoshino was more like an inverted gourd shape.

Just a moment of watching from the doorway made Yasuto’s heart burn with warmth.

He glanced back at the living room, noticing Saori was oblivious to this side, and so he stepped into the kitchen, locking the door behind him.

Startled by the noise, Chie turned around and blushed deeply upon seeing Yasuto. Stammering, she asked,
"Yasuto... do you need something?"

"Of course," he replied with a smile. "After that outrageous behavior this afternoon, now that I have a chance, why not get some revenge?"

He approached her as he spoke.

Seeing this, Chie panicked and tried to back away, but her rear was pressed against the counter.

With no escape, she begged repeatedly. Before she could even say “I’m sorry,” her soft lips were suddenly sealed by his.

Her eyes widened as muffled sounds escaped her mouth.

She struggled, but Yasuto firmly held both her hands, rendering her immobile.

Seconds passed like this. Feeling the heat of the young man’s breath close to her, Chie finally surrendered, closing her eyes and ceasing resistance. Eventually, she sat on the counter, her long, snow-white legs winding around Yasuto’s waist, her hands gripping his neck tightly.

After a while, they parted.

Under the light, a shimmering thread of silk was split in two.

Looking at the girl blushing deeply, eyes misted and breathing ragged, Yasuto chuckled teasingly,
"Still want to resist?"

"Idiot..."
She spat softly, resting her chin on his shoulder. Their faces pressed close as she listened to his heartbeat, eyes closed, savoring that brief, strange encounter.

Seeing her silent, Yasuto didn’t mind. He slipped his hand beneath her shirt and gently stroked her smooth, tender back like petting a cat.

They held each other until the soup pot on the stove began to hiss, signaling it was ready.

To Yasuto’s surprise, Chie showed no intention of leaving his embrace.

Curious, he looked down at her, only to see her face flushed and shyly lowered.

In a barely audible voice, she asked,
"Can... can we try again?"

Huh? Was she addicted?

Yasuto laughed inwardly and didn’t refuse. He leaned down and sealed her lips once more.

This time, Chie cooperated fully, though the second attempt was somewhat clumsy.

Several minutes later, they separated.

Chie loosened her legs from around Yasuto, who, seeing her flushed face, couldn’t resist planting a firm kiss on her cheek.

After calming down, they began to cook the chicken soup together.

Considering Sawaki Amemiya’s condition, Yasuto thoughtfully added some red dates.

He also brewed a cup for himself.

Though his physical health was already strong, proper care was necessary.

The red dates swirled continuously in the steaming broth.

Once the soup was ready, Yasuto carried a large bowl to the living room.

After over an hour, Sawaki Amemiya and Eri Tachibana had finished bathing and were seated on the sofa watching cartoons. Saori Amemiya was nowhere to be seen.

Sounds of running water indicated she was still in the bathroom.

Placing the biggest bowl of soup before Sawaki, Yasuto sat down beside her, pulling Chie, who was about to sit on the adjacent sofa, into his lap.

Thus, with Yasuto’s left arm around Sawaki’s slender waist and his right hand holding Chie’s small hand, the three watched television silently.

After a while, Saori Amemiya came out of the bathroom wrapped in a robe, towel-drying her wet hair.

Seeing the three sitting side by side on the sofa, her expression stiffened. She pouted and stared at Yasuto with a look of quiet grievance.

But soon, as if struck by an idea, her eyes brightened, and without glancing at Yasuto again, she muttered that she was sleepy and hurried upstairs.

Watching her retreating figure, Yasuto felt she was scheming something but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he resumed playing with Chie’s palm with his fingertips.

...

At ten o’clock that night, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

Yasuto had planned to continue sleeping in Sawaki Amemiya’s room.

Though not intending to be affectionate to an extreme, some closeness—kisses, embraces—was better than sleeping alone.

Once everyone was asleep and the hallway lights were off, Yasuto made his way confidently to Sawaki’s room and pushed the door open.

In the dim bedroom, he could just make out a lump on the bed.

He approached, lifted the covers, and slipped in.

Wrapping his arms around the girl beneath the blanket, he leaned in to nibble gently on her ear, just as he was about to go further, a soft voice stopped him.

“Uhn~”

It was a gentle female voice, but not Sawaki’s.

Hurriedly, Yasuto turned her over.

Bathed in the faint moonlight filtering through the window, he could discern the girl’s features.

Her elegant brows slightly furrowed, her large, clear eyes shimmering with a hint of moisture fluttered their lashes. Alongside her delicate nose and rosy lips, she looked adorably vulnerable.

“Chie?!”
Yasuto was surprised. He hadn’t expected Chie Hoshino to be lying in Sawaki Amemiya’s bed.

As if reading his confusion, Chie pursed her lips and awkwardly explained,
“Sawaki said this would help us build feelings faster.”

At this, Yasuto twitched his mouth in amusement but thought, well, this was just like Sawaki, and let it go.

Curious, he asked,
“Where’s Sawaki then?”

“She said she’d sleep in your room tonight.”

“So... does that mean it’s just the two of us here?”

Yasuto’s heart skipped a beat.

Noticing his expression change, Chie blushed deeply and quickly pulled back, waving her hands,
“Even though it’s just us, you still can’t... can’t do anything with me!”

Her voice dropped shyly, but fearing a misunderstanding, she hurried to explain,
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I just don’t want to give myself away so soon. I’m not mentally ready for that kind of thing yet. If you... uhn uhn uhn!”

Before she could finish, Yasuto covered her mouth again.

After a few muffled sounds, she stopped struggling, closed her eyes, and wrapped her arms around his neck, beginning to respond eagerly.

...

Meanwhile, in Yasuto’s bedroom.

Hearing the door open, Saori Amemiya, half-dozing, suddenly woke up and shook her head, looking toward the entrance.

In the darkness, the outline of a pair of legs entered and headed straight for the bed.

When the person reached the bed and removed their shoes, Saori felt it sink beneath the weight.

Clearly, someone had climbed in.

Her heart inexplicably fluttered. She quickly covered her pounding chest, trying to steady her breathing.

Several minutes passed.

The room filled with the steady, soft breathing of the other person.

“The time has come!”
Saori’s eyes lit up. She scrambled out from under the bed.

Standing at the foot of the bed, she looked at the slight mound beneath the covers and felt a surge of pride.

“Hmph, saying I’m too young or whatever—that’s just an excuse because you think my chest isn’t as big as my sister’s or Chie’s!”

Muttering to herself, she quickly stripped off her clothes.

Hugging her nonexistent chest with one hand, she eagerly pounced onto the bed, grinning fiercely, yanking the blankets aside.

“Once the rice is cooked, no more excuses!”

She aimed a kiss but was abruptly stopped by a hand.

“What are you doing?”
A cold female voice sounded.

Saori froze, stunned.

“Sis... sister?”
She ventured tentatively.

The figure beneath her, Sawaki Amemiya, didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she sat up and switched on a nearby lamp.

Because she had been sitting on her waist earlier, Saori was inevitably toppled onto the bed. Yet, she paid no mind, instead staring in shock at the delicate face illuminated by the lamp.

“What do you think you’re doing?”
Sawaki squinted, glancing at the saliva on her palm.

If not for her quick reflexes, Yasuto would have been cuckolded that day.

Growing angrier, Sawaki grabbed Saori’s ankle and pulled her closer, then without a word, began tickling her.

Laughter and pleas for mercy echoed throughout the room.

Meanwhile, in Sawaki’s bedroom.

Pulling his attention away from the deep mountain valley in his mind, Yasuto listened to the voice narrating in his head.

[“Stealing a chicken only to lose the rice, perhaps from now on, you’ll never enjoy Saori Amemiya’s nighttime visits. Thinking this, your heart aches, anger surges. Even the way you look at the girl beneath you turns fierce: since this all started because of her, she will bear the consequences. Fortunately, Saori’s laughter is loud enough that even if Chie screams, no one will notice. You can boldly do whatever you want…”]

The narration continued, but Yasuto paid no heed.

Just moments ago, Chie had once again pinned him atop the valley’s peak, and he responded in kind, each handling one of her lips.

The next morning.

Yasuto and Chie emerged from Sawaki Amemiya’s room, refreshed and clear-headed.

Their faces bore faint dark circles, but in truth, Yasuto hadn’t crossed any boundaries the night before.

Chie wasn’t ready to give herself away so soon, and Yasuto understood.

Of course, aside from the final two steps, they had done everything else.

The other two rooms remained closed, and Yasuto didn’t wake anyone, instead accompanying Chie to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Seeing it was still early, Yasuto suggested they go for a run, to which Chie happily agreed.

On this early spring morning, sunlight filtered gently through the mist, casting soft light on the ground.

Outside the villa, Yasuto and Chie ran slowly along the path toward the mountain summit.

This time, however, they held hands, fingers intertwined.

(The End of This Chapter)