Chapter 230 Experience

Chapter 230: Chapter 230 Experience

"Why are you here alone? Where’s your mother?" Shuichi reached out and stroked her small head. Reiko squinted her eyes, as quiet and obedient as a kitten.

"She’s having a massage," Reiko whispered. Her voice was so tiny that even with Shuichi’s sharp hearing, he had to listen intently.

"I see. Does she know you’re out?" Shuichi glanced back at the beauty salon, feeling that Yurika Fujiwara wouldn’t normally let this child out alone. Perhaps she had gotten so comfortable during the massage that she hadn’t noticed for a moment?

He couldn’t very well go inside to look for her, as the salon was currently filled with female customers. Instead, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to Fumika to let them know, preventing them from worrying.

"Do you like flowers? Want to go in and see?" After sending the message, Shuichi knelt down and asked with a smile.

"Can I?" Reiko asked timidly.

"Sure. You don’t have a pollen allergy, do you?" Shuichi suddenly remembered to ask, as there were quite a lot of people with allergies in this town. Reiko immediately shook her head.

"Then it’s no problem." Shuichi said, taking her small hand and pushing open the flower shop door.

Ichika wasn’t on the first floor today either, so Shuichi led Reiko through the shop, letting her admire the blooms. Reiko was very polite; she didn’t reach out to touch them. When she saw a flower she liked, she simply brought her tiny nose close to sniff it, her small face lighting up with a happy expression.

"Do you like it here?" Shuichi watched from the side, feeling like he was watching a newborn fawn curiously observing the world—innocent and pure.

"Mhm..." Reiko nodded. "It’s very comfortable here..."

"Then you can come often in the future," Shuichi smiled.

"I can only come on Wednesdays..." The light in Reiko’s eyes dimmed slightly.

"I see." Shuichi felt there must be a reason behind this, but it wasn’t his place to ask. "Then I’ll give you a potted plant to take home and raise. That way, you can look at it at home."

"Can I?" Reiko instinctively wanted to confirm with her mother, but remembered she wasn’t there.

"Yes, you can." Before Shuichi could speak, Ichika’s voice came from behind them.

She had heard someone enter and assumed it was Shuichi returning. After waiting on the second floor for a long time without him appearing, she finally couldn’t help but come down to investigate, only to find him looking after a young girl.

Reiko looked timidly at Ichika, her small face momentarily stunned. "So beautiful..."

"Ichika-san’s charm really is terrifying. Even children can’t escape it," Shuichi joked.

Ichika smiled at the remark and turned to help Reiko pick out a plant. "But didn’t Shuichi-kun escape it?"

As they were talking, a figure appeared at the shop entrance. Yurika pushed the door open hurriedly and stepped inside. Seeing her daughter safe and sound, she let out a long sigh of relief. She tidied her slightly disheveled hair and immediately bowed to Shuichi in gratitude.

"Thank you so much for looking after her, Chiba-kun. I was a bit careless just now; I didn’t expect Reiko to run out alone."

"Don’t mention it, Fujiwara-san. I’m the manager of the shopping street; I couldn’t just ignore her."

Shuichi replied while inconspicuously shifting his gaze toward Reiko to avoid being rude. Yurika had come in such a hurry that she had only thrown on a thin robe. When she bowed, Reiko’s cafeteria was revealed in its entirety without any reservation.

Just as Shuichi was thinking this, Reiko ran over and hugged Yurika, pulling at her collar and trying to burrow into her embrace. "Mom, I’m hungry..."

"Be a good girl, Reiko. Just a moment, Mom will feed you in a bit, okay?" Yurika stroked her small head and comforted her gently before straightening up.

???

Shuichi wondered if he was overthinking things. Surely she meant going to the ramen shop next door to eat?

However, in the next second, he saw a small patch on Yurika’s robe suddenly turn a darker shade. Realizing this, Yurika quickly raised her arm to cover it.

"..."

Yurika, being a mother in her thirties, didn’t seem embarrassed by the awkward situation. She simply smiled and explained.

"She had a bit of an incident when she was little, so she hasn’t been weaned yet. Normally, she only eats fruit properly; she can rarely handle solid meals. Thankfully, Fumika introduced us to the ramen shop here. Akiyama-san’s cooking skills are truly amazing; Reiko can finally eat normally."

Being mentioned in public like this made Reiko a bit embarrassed. She hid behind Yurika, clutching her leg. Shuichi found it a bit funny—there was nothing to be shy about.

"I see. That must be very hard for you, Fujiwara-san. But if you can only come on Wednesdays, does that mean she still can’t eat normally most of the time?"

"Mhm..." Yurika didn’t elaborate on that point, clearly having some difficulties she found hard to discuss.

Shuichi looked at Reiko’s obedient yet frail appearance and thought for a moment. "If you need, I can talk to Akiyama-san and see if she can prepare bento for Reiko every day. You could send someone to pick them up, or I can find someone to deliver them?"

Since they were rare friends of Fumika and Sayuki, he figured he should look after them if he could.

"Thank you for your kindness, Chiba-kun, but... that won’t work for Reiko." Yurika shook her head and sighed softly.

"Please don’t feel pressured, Fujiwara-san. It was just an offhand suggestion." Shuichi didn’t push further, sensing she had many concerns she couldn’t voice.

Ichika walked over carrying a small plastic pot containing a succulent. "This one is easy to care for; even a child can look after it. I just hope she likes it."

Reiko’s eyes brightened instantly. She looked up expectantly at her mother. Yurika stroked her head. "If you like it, then accept it."

"Mhm. Thank you, Big Sister~" Reiko happily took the small pot.

Yurika didn’t realize it was a gift from both of them and moved to pay, only to realize she hadn’t brought her handbag. Shuichi quickly explained, putting her mind at ease. After another round of thanks, she led Reiko away.

"Do you like children, Shuichi-kun?" Ichika asked, turning as the shop door closed.

"Well-behaved ones are fine. I’ll pass on the troublemakers." Shuichi shook his head, his gaze then instinctively falling on Ichika’s chest. Although he couldn’t see anything through her clothes, he suspected that given her particular tastes, there was likely nothing underneath.

More than the child herself, he was interested in the cafeteria. If Fumika ever had a child, they certainly wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry. Sumire, on the other hand...

"Is Shuichi-kun hungry too?" Ichika quirked the corner of her mouth, offering a rare bit of teasing.

"Uh... actually, yes." Shuichi admitted frankly, then stepped forward to wrap his arm around her waist. "Then would Ichika-san be so kind as to feed me?"

Ichika smiled. "Let’s go to the second floor."

Shuichi held her as they climbed the wooden stairs. Once there, they shed their clothes with practiced ease and sat side-by-side on the sofa in honest nakedness.

"Does it really smell that good? Shuichi-kun always seems to love doing this." Ichika stretched her long neck, allowing him to nuzzle against her and sniff.

"Of course it does. It has an indescribable fragrance." Shuichi began to plant light kisses, his hand finding its way to her thigh, tracing it gently. The smooth, slightly cool sensation was as refreshing as dipping into a clear spring on a hot summer day.

"Is it just Shuichi-kun today? Are Sumire-chan and Tsuki-chan not coming?"

As Ichika felt the increasingly intense and dangerous aura radiating from him, her heart began to feel that familiar tightening sensation once more. Her breathing quickened slightly, and her hand moved to Shuichi’s thigh, feeling the burning heat that felt like it might scorch her.

"Nagase sensei will be here, but she isn’t off work yet. She has to finish a meeting first."

Shuichi chuckled as he remembered Sumire’s miserable expression. She had worked so hard to please him in the morning, only to be dragged into a meeting by the long-winded principal at the last minute. She was probably dying to give him another kick—and likely regretting that her last one had been so light.

Ichika couldn’t help but smile too, imagining Sumire’s dejected face.

Shuichi wasn’t in a hurry for her to feed him just yet. Instead, he took hold of her heart and pulled her into a kiss. Once Ichika was breathless, he lay down on her smooth thighs, waiting for her to feed him.

However, he hadn’t been enjoying it for long when his phone vibrated. It was Sumire.

He answered the call. Since he was currently eating, his voice was a bit muffled as he asked, "What now?"

"I... I’ve reached the shopping street. I’m at the management office on the first floor. When are you coming down to take me to Ichika?" Sumire said, out of breath.

"So fast? What about the meeting?" Shuichi was surprised.

"I told the principal I was on my period and in a bad mood, and that if he kept rambling, I’d start hitting people. He ended the meeting pretty quickly after that."

"Seriously?" Shuichi quirked an eyebrow. While it didn’t sound like something the usual Sumire would do, where Ichika was concerned, anything was possible.

"I’m lying. My period isn’t anytime soon."

"Oh?" Shuichi found that interesting. Not anytime soon, huh. "Just come to the second floor of the flower shop yourself. I’m already over here."

"Eh? Go by myself? Well... okay. I understand." Sumire sounded visibly nervous.

After hanging up, Ichika said with a mix of helplessness and amusement, "Sumire-chan needing Shuichi-kun to escort her over to see me... it feels a bit childish, doesn’t it?"

"She’s meeting her idol. It’s only natural to be nervous."

Shuichi let Ichika feed him for a bit longer until he heard a muffled cry of alarm as a panicked Sumire tripped over something. He then lazily left Ichika’s soft embrace and sat up.

Sumire stumbled into the living room, clattering and bumping into things. Even though this was her second time here, she still looked utterly at a loss.

"Just sit down. Stop standing there like a statue." Shuichi really couldn’t bear to watch; she was being so clumsy.

"Oh. Good evening, Ichika. How have you been the last few days?" Sumire asked with concern.

Yesterday, Shuichi had brought Tsuki along! Who knew what kind of things Ichika had been put through... Like this? Or like that?

Racy images began to flood her mind—the kind where every frame could be preserved as a work of art. And Ichika’s fingers...

Sumire couldn’t help but swallow. That strange Student Council President was truly someone to be envied.

"Me? Nothing much has changed for me. Every day is about the same. What about Sumire?" Ichika paused, realizing that things were already quite different from before.

"I..." Sumire was staring distractedly at Shuichi. This guy’s hands were everywhere, constantly feeling up Ichika. It was really...

"The most important thing went smoothly. Everything else... doesn’t matter."

Ichika noticed her gaze, looked down at the hand on her body, and smiled. "Sumire-chan really does love this, doesn’t she? Shuichi-kun, could I trouble you?"

"It’s no trouble at all. I can guess exactly what Nagase sensei wants to see most."

Shuichi chuckled. If he made Ichika do the same things Sumire had done for him that morning right in front of her, Sumire would likely be ecstatic beyond belief. Having more things in common with Ichika—including a shared language—was enough to make her die of happiness.

With that thought, Shuichi placed one hand on Ichika’s shoulder while using the other to gently guide her down. Ichika lay on her side on the sofa, not knowing what he was planning but not resisting either, allowing him to position her.

Shuichi lifted her legs onto the sofa, pressing her thighs together tightly without leaving a single gap—the same position he’d put Fumika in before—then sat down beside her, leaning his body against her.

"Nagase sensei, why don’t you sit over here? Ichika-san isn’t comfortable lying like this. You can give her a lap pillow." Shuichi beckoned her over.

"A lap pillow!!!" Sumire’s eyes lit up instantly. "Is... is that okay?"

"I said come over, so just come over. Stop wasting time." Shuichi urged.

Seeing that Ichika didn’t object, Sumire scurried over like a thief, moving as stealthily as possible before carefully sitting on the sofa, avoiding Ichika’s head.

"What are you standing around for? You’ve never given a lap pillow before? Haven’t you seen one? Put Ichika-san’s head on your lap." Shuichi was speechless. Did he really have to teach her everything step-by-step?

"Oh, right." Sumire swallowed hard. She could hardly believe it! She was actually going to give Ichika a lap pillow!

She reached out with trembling hands, gently cupping Ichika’s head as if she were holding a priceless prize, afraid it might shatter. When Ichika’s slightly cool cheek pressed against her lap, Sumire shuddered. She looked down at Ichika’s exquisite profile and couldn’t help but wonder if she was dreaming again. She instinctively reached out to lightly touch her cheek.

Just as she was about to make contact, she felt Ichika’s shoulder, which was pressed down below, bump against her. Sumire froze instantly, looking like a child who had made a mistake and was afraid of being abandoned. Her face went pale with fright.

Did I do something wrong? Did I make Ichika angry, so she bumped me as a warning? Or... wait! I rushed over here in such a hurry! I entered this sacred second floor without even taking a bath! I’m even giving Ichika a lap pillow while smelling of sweat!

Ah... this is terrible. How could I be so stupid! What was I thinking!

"What are you spacing out for? You two should talk. You’re best friends, aren’t you? Talk about some private girl things."

Shuichi leaned over, one hand on Ichika’s hip, kneading the flesh at will, while his other hand pinched the dazed Sumire’s cheek.

The sting of the pinch finally brought Sumire back to her senses. It was only then that she realized Ichika had bumped her several more times. She looked up at Shuichi and finally understood what was happening.

She had been scared to death for nothing.

"Um... Ichika, do I... smell bad? Maybe I should go take a bath and then come back?" Sumire asked carefully, pressing her legs together tightly.

"That’s not the case at all. Just relax, Sumire-chan." Ichika comforted her gently, taking Sumire’s hand and pressing it against her own face.

"Oh..."

Sumire felt a surge of pure, unadulterated joy. Ichika is holding my hand and pressing it to her face. How can things be this wonderful? Is this really not a dream?

However, looking at Shuichi over there, she still felt like she fell far short. But she was content. What Ichika was currently experiencing was exactly what she had experienced in the Student Council office that morning.

This feeling... it was so strange, so exciting! It was a thrill and a soul-shaking pleasure that she hadn’t felt even while sharing "breakfast" with the Student Council President.

"What are you thinking about that’s making you so happy?" Ichika asked, turning her head with some effort to look up at Sumire. Seeing her only friend so happy, she couldn’t help but break into a smile.

Sumire snapped out of it, a trace of almost broken, ecstatic pleasure still lingering on her face. "It’s just that this situation... it far exceeds my expectations. I can’t believe I can be this happy."

"I don’t know what I did to deserve this from you, Sumire-chan. But as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters." Ichika placed a hand on Sumire’s knee, stroking it gently in comfort.

That simple gesture was enough to make Sumire feel like a fan-girl who had just been hugged by her idol at a concert—she felt like she might faint from happiness.

"Nagase sensei, could you show a bit of spine?" Shuichi toyed with Ichika’s thigh while reaching out his other hand to press his finger against Sumire’s lips.

Sumire froze, then tentatively opened her mouth and bit down on his finger.

No spine? He’d said that before. Was he planning to help her go even further? To be fair, Shuichi has been very reliable lately. She wondered if she’d eventually be able to be like those "super close" best friends with Ichika—sleeping in the same bed and talking all through the night.

With that hope, Sumire’s heart couldn’t help but throb.

While teasing Sumire, Shuichi leaned down and planted a light kiss on Ichika’s rounded, white shoulder.

The sight made Sumire’s eyes burn with anticipation. Every bit of intimacy Shuichi shared with

Ichika now meant that she would have that much more to experience once they left the flower shop later.

For some reason, the thought of that thrilled her even more than giving Ichika a lap pillow.

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