Chapter 12: Blame Me For Being Too Charming
"What did you say?"
"...Eh? Now? So soon?"
"No, no, you misunderstood, it's just..."
"...Understood, I will prepare immediately."
The footsteps gradually faded away, and the room returned to calm.
After a few minutes.
"Squeak..."
The locker door opened slightly, revealing a hint of purple.
The spring sun streamed through the window, casting dappled light and shadows on the floor.
The chatter of customers, the beeping of the scanner, the opening and closing of the cash register...
All these sounds mingled together, continuing as usual from the front hall.
The small gap gradually widened until the door was fully open, then shut with a clatter.
The heels of her small leather shoes tapped crisply on the floor as Takada Shiori stumbled out, her entire body as if drenched, her clothes wrinkled and clinging together, her face flushed unnaturally.
She folded her arms across her chest, then crouched on the ground, her ample chest heaving as her body trembled slightly.
Sweat dampened her hair, and a strand of golden hair stuck in her mouth glistened under the sunlight, wet with what might be a mix of sweat and saliva.
Yusuke Kato also emerged from the locker, looking down at Shiori Takada crouching on the floor, and after a moment of silence, asked,
"Are you okay?"
As he spoke, he draped his uniform jacket over Shiori Takada.
The sound of fingertips brushing through fabric filled the air, followed by a wave of warmth from the jacket on her shoulders, carrying a faint scent of mint.
Shiori Takada shivered slightly, lowered her head, and refused to look back at Yusuke Kato. She struggled to stand up and then staggered out.
Da-da-da-da—
Footsteps echoed from outside the door, heading toward the women's locker room.
Yusuke Kato scratched his head helplessly and let out a long sigh.
...
Rewinding a few minutes.
"Damn, what's so good about that kid?"
"Boom—"
With Fangmura's frustrated kick, the locker door rattled loudly.
Shiori Takada, pressing her ear against the door, felt a powerful impact from the sound waves surge into her eardrums, causing her to whimper softly.
"...what."
Fortunately, Yusuke Kato quickly covered her mouth, but even this stirred Fangmura's suspicions.
Fangmura, who had been muttering to himself, suddenly fell silent, and the two inside the cabinet could clearly hear his footsteps approaching.
tah... tah... tah...
They stopped abruptly in front of the locker.
The sound of fabric rustling was heard as the locker door was pulled open to a sliver, and sunlight refracted through the gap, revealing two anxious young faces.
"don't want..."
Shiori Takada murmured faintly, her body tensing instantly. Even through his clothes, Yusuke Kato could feel her heart pounding.
Plop, plop, plop, plop—
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, across the tip of his nose, and finally onto his chest, falling rapidly.
The suspense seemed to stretch time, and Shiori Takada watched as the gap in the locker door slowly widened, then—
"Ring, ring, ring, ring..."
A sharp ringtone shattered the tension, and someone spoke into the phone receiver.
...
Two minutes later.
Fangmura left the room.
The locker door gently closed again, and Shiori Takada breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a wave of weakness, and she slumped back into a warm embrace.
She looked up into a pair of bright eyes.
His nose was sharp, his lips moderately full, and his jawline well-defined.
Her gaze slid down to his prominent Adam's apple.
Shiori Takada turned her face sideways, resting her head on Yusuke Kato's shoulder, their gazes level.
The warm breath brushed her face, fluttering the hair on her forehead, and the scent of mint lingered.
Yusuke Kato's throat bobbed as he swallowed.
Perhaps it was the charged atmosphere, the relief of having dodged danger, or the lingering closeness.
Shiori Takada lightly touched his Adam's apple with a finger.
"What are you doing?"
Yusuke Kato retracted his neck and asked as he grabbed her hand.
With a mysterious look in her eyes, Shiori Takada turned to him and whispered, "...because it looks very kissable."
She pulled her hand from Yusuke Kato's grip and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Kiss me..."
Her violet eyes glistened, her lips parted to reveal her teeth, and her sweet breath washed over his face.
History tends to repeat itself. Facing the approaching Shiori Takada, Yusuke Kato felt a déjà vu.
Coldly, he stated clearly,
"You're dreaming."
Shiori Takada's pupils dilated in shock.
Yusuke Kato remained composed, secretly relieved.
He had nearly been swept up in the moment.
Looking down at Shiori Takada, he cleared his throat.
"We should get going... umm—!?"
His words were cut off by a kiss from Shiori Takada.
In the cramped space, Yusuke Kato, unable to dodge or even straighten his arms, hunched slightly to make room.
Fortunately, Shiori Takada's frame was petite, though close contact was unavoidable.
Thus, they remained, her in his arms, acutely aware of each other's responses.
Until now.
Perhaps irritated by his earlier rebuke, Shiori Takada tugged at his collar, her body radiating heat and her face flushed, yet she refused to let go.
Her mood was clearly agitated. To avoid hurting her, Yusuke Kato let her have her way while internally sighing.
The moonlight is beautiful tonight; I'm just too charming, he thought.
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