Chapter 190 - 189 : Ice Cream and You

Chapter 190: Chapter 189 : Ice Cream and You

The final period bell rang like a distant gunshot, echoing through the school corridors and making every head turn. The sky outside was already darkening, the sun sinking low and blood-red behind the heavy clouds, painting the entire school ground in long, dramatic shadows. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint smell of wet grass and distant rain. Students filed out of classrooms in noisy waves, uniforms slightly rumpled, shoes clacking on the tiled floors. Laughter and excited chatter filled the hallways as they headed toward the courtyard for the special announcement.

Haruto moved with them, his steps slow and heavy.

The entire final-year class was gathered on the wide expanse of the school ground. The grass had been freshly cut, but the evening chill made it feel damp under their shoes. Students stood in a long, orderly line — boys and girls shoulder to shoulder, uniforms neatly aligned, faces glowing with excitement under the fading sunlight. The sun was dipping lower, turning everything golden and orange, casting long shadows that stretched across the asphalt path leading to the stage. The stage itself was simple — a raised wooden platform with a large, heavy wooden box placed in the center. The box was painted dark brown, about three meters tall, with a small slot at the top. Inside, thousands of cards were visible through the open side — each card glowing faintly under the last rays of sun. The box sat on a small table, surrounded by microphones and a single chair for the principal.

The air was thick with anticipation. Girls whispered excitedly, twirling their hair. Boys stood straight, trying to look cool. Phones were already out, cameras ready. The wind picked up, rustling the trees at the edge of the courtyard and making the grass sway. The smell of fresh-cut grass mixed with the faint scent of body spray and perfume.

One by one, students walked up the steps of the stage, their names announced over the speakers. Each one approached the box, reached inside with a trembling hand, pulled out a single card, and unfolded it in front of the microphone. Gasps and cheers erupted after each draw. Haruto waited in line, heart hammering. He stood near the end, the last few spots taken by the more outgoing students. When his turn finally came, his legs felt like jelly. He climbed the steps slowly, every footstep echoing. The line behind him was silent now, eyes following him. He reached the table, hesitated for half a second, then thrust his hand deep into the box.

The cards were cool and rough against his fingers. He felt them sliding, sliding... then his fingers closed around one thick, heavy card. He pulled it out quickly and unfolded it.

"Bingo"

The word stared back at him in big, bold black letters — simple, strange, and completely unexpected.

Haruto blinked. His mind went blank. Bingo?Why bingo? He didn’t understand. No one had drawn bingo. He felt the entire line staring at him, the sun suddenly too bright, the air suddenly too thin.

The principal’s voice crackled over the speakers.

"Someone has drawn the ’Bingo’ card! Is there a Bingo in the line?"

Haruto’s hand shot up without thinking. He didn’t say anything — just raised his hand like a guilty child. The whole class turned toward him. Whispers exploded. Phones flashed.

Principal Tanaka cleared his throat and stepped up to the microphone, smiling warmly.

"Haruto Yamazaki! You’re the only one who drew Bingo today. Please come up to the stage, son."

The entire school ground fell silent for a split second. Then the crowd erupted in stunned applause and excited chatter. Students turned to stare at Haruto as he walked down the line — hundreds of eyes on him, some jealous, some curious, some openly smiling. He felt every gaze like a spotlight. His legs felt unsteady as he climbed the stage steps again. The wind tugged at his blazer. The sun dipped even lower, painting the stage in warm orange light.

Principal Tanaka shook his hand firmly, smiling like a proud father.

"Congratulations, Haruto! You have been chosen. You are the winner from High School. You alone have been selected to participate in the Private Research Company’s exclusive program. You will be flown to their headquarters for a two-week special visit and hands-on learning experience. This is not just a trip — this is your future. We are all so proud of you."

Haruto stood frozen on the stage, heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. His mouth opened, but no words came out. The words "Private Research Company" and "two-week visit" kept echoing in his head. He had no idea his luck was that good. He felt dizzy, stunned, completely overwhelmed. The entire school was watching him now, the stage suddenly feeling too small, the sky too bright.

After the announcement, Haruto walked straight home — no detours, no shopping, just the familiar route through the empty side streets. The sun was fully down now, the sky deep purple and gray, the streetlights flickering on one by one. His shoes echoed on the pavement as he headed toward the old wooden house.

Suddenly, two soft arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

"Haruto! Congratulations!"

Aira hugged him tight, her soft breasts pressing against his back, her hair swinging as she jumped up and down with excitement. Her uniform skirt fluttered in the evening wind. She buried her face in his shoulder, giggling softly.

Haruto smiled despite everything. He turned around and hugged her back, feeling her warmth through the thin fabric of her blouse. They stood there for a moment, the empty street quiet around them, the distant sound of cicadas filling the air.

They walked home together, her hand linked with his, both of them talking excitedly.

"The trip is total fourteen days," Aira said, her voice bright and sparkling. "After the summer exams, and then after summer vacation, the trip will start. So Haruto you has plenty of time to spend with all your girls. I, Yor, Ayame, Miyu, Ayaka. It’s going to be so much fun!"

Haruto’s face turned slightly lustful, but he didn’t say anything. The weight of the morning, the storm, Hina’s secret deal, and now this new life-changing opportunity all crashed down on him at once.

He walked home slowly, hand in hand with Aira, the future suddenly feeling both terrifying and incredibly bright.

The evening air was cool and heavy as Haruto and Aira walked side by side down the familiar side street toward home. The sky had turned a deep, bruised purple, the last rays of the sun bleeding out across the horizon like spilled blood. The world felt quieter now, the distant sounds of cicadas and the faint rustle of leaves the only noises besides their footsteps.

They passed a small, old store that had stood at the corner of the road for as long as anyone could remember. The building was narrow and weathered, wooden walls darkened by decades of rain and time, a faded red lantern still hanging from the eaves even though it was no longer lit. A sign above the door read "Granny’s Corner Store" in shaky handwritten letters, and the glass door was always slightly crooked, held shut by a tired old chain. Inside, the air smelled of instant coffee, packaged snacks, and the faint, sweet scent of rice crackers. The owner was an elderly woman named Mrs. Sato — a tiny, wrinkled granny with kind eyes and silver hair pinned up in a neat bun.

Aira pulled Haruto inside without asking.

"Haruto, let’s get something sweet before we go home!"

They stepped into the dim, cool interior. The bell above the door jingled softly. Mrs. Sato looked up from behind the counter, her face lighting up with genuine delight.

"Oh, Aira-chan! And Haruto-kun too? What a pleasant surprise!"

Haruto smiled politely, his cheeks still warm from the earlier excitement. "Hello, Mrs. Sato. Could I have four strawberry ice creams?" (One is for Yor).

Mrs. Sato nodded cheerfully, her wrinkled hands moving quickly behind the glass counter. She scooped the ice cream into small paper cups — bright pink for strawberry, creamy white for vanilla — and handed them over with a generous portion. Haruto paid with the last of his pocket money, feeling the strange mix of pride and unease in his chest.

"Come on, Haruto-kun! Let’s eat on the way!"

They stepped back out into the cooling evening air. The sky had grown even darker, the clouds parting just enough for the first stars to appear — tiny pinpricks of light scattered across the deep purple expanse like diamonds sewn onto black velvet. The moon was almost full, casting a soft silver glow over the rooftops and turning the empty street into a painting of shadows and light. The distant sound of cicadas grew louder, and the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine drifted from the gardens.

Aira skipped ahead for a few steps, her hair swinging, then suddenly stopped in the middle of the narrow path. She turned to face Haruto, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold and the ice cream, her round glasses slightly fogged at the edges. She took a slow, dramatic sip from her strawberry cup, then licked her lips with exaggerated care, the bright pink ice cream leaving a thin, glossy trail along her lower lip and the corner of her mouth.

"Haruto-kun..." she said, voice sweet and teasing, eyes sparkling behind her glasses with pure mischief. "My lips are full of ice cream... and it’s messy. Clean them for me, okay?"

Haruto’s heart gave a sudden, traitorous lurch. He felt the familiar heat rise in his cheeks — the same heat that had betrayed him every time Aira got too close. He slowly set his own cup down on a low stone wall, then stepped closer. The night air was cool against his skin, the stars above brighter now, the distant lights of the city glowing faintly on the horizon.

He raised both hands gently to her face.

Aira closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly, lips parted, waiting. Her soft lips were indeed covered in the last traces of strawberry ice cream — pink, glossy, and glistening in the moonlight.

Haruto leaned in slowly.

He began with her lower lip first — licking a slow, deliberate stripe from one corner to the other, tasting the sweet strawberry mixed with the faint salt of her skin. The ice cream was cool and smooth, melting slightly under his tongue. Then he moved to her upper lip, carefully cleaning every trace, his breath warm against her face. Aira let out a soft, happy sigh, her lashes fluttering.

When both lips were clean and glistening, Haruto didn’t stop at licking.

He leaned in and kissed her.

It was a slow, gentle kiss at first — lips brushing, soft and warm, the faint strawberry taste still on his tongue. But then Aira sighed again and pressed closer, her hands lightly resting on his chest, and the kiss deepened. His tongue brushed hers, tasting the sweetness of strawberry mixed with the warm, living heat of her mouth. Her glasses fogged slightly against his cheek. The stars above kept shining, the cicadas kept singing, and the empty street stayed quiet around them, as if the whole world had narrowed to just the two of them.

Haruto pulled back only when his lips felt swollen and her breath came faster against his. Aira’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling with mischief and something deeper.

"Thank you, Haruto-kun..." she whispered, voice soft and teasing. "My lips are clean now... but I think I want more later."

She took his hand again, and they walked the rest of the way home in comfortable silence, the stars watching silently above them, the weight of the coming fourteen days and the secret deal with Hina already pressing down on both of them like the cool night air.