Chapter 1959: Unfurled Thoughts

"Time's up. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

As I stared at Setsuna-nee's troubled expression, a smirk naturally formed on my face.

Then, while she was still in the midst of processing it, I lightly pinched her cheek and tugged at her lower lip with my thumb. Shortly after, her eyebrows clashed while her eyes slowly narrowed.

Even without her uttering a word, I could already extract the words from her head. 'This shameless guy, why do I feel like I'm dancing on his palm?'

I wouldn't claim to be certain but it should be similar or close to that. She's aggrieved that she couldn't come up with an answer to me and more importantly, it was pissing her off that I was letting that go as if it's entirely irrelevant to our current situation. Unfortunately, she still couldn't find words to rebuke me.

Another minute later, Setsuna-nee, while gnashing her teeth, scowled at me. However, contrary to what her face was showing, her body was doing something else.

I felt her grip loosened from my shirt which eventually followed by her arms enclosing around me. Her feet also moved a bit, squeezing herself further. What little distance we had earlier was already nonexistent. And with my arms also tightly holding her, I could probably lift her completely and her legs would latch on me.

But well, let's not do that yet... As much as I enjoyed this situation with her, I couldn't simply burst her bubble or it would affect her tremendously. It's better that she slowly come to terms with everything, that way, she'll also be totally certain of herself and her future decisions.

After staring at my smirking face for a long while, Setsuna-nee eventually recovered as she upsettingly remarked, "... You're a hateful bastard. Tell me. Why can't I get you out of my head?"

"Hmm? Are you sure you want me to answer that?" I swiftly replied.

Setsuna-nee gaped as though she just choked on her words. And a second later, with a flustered look, she frantically shook her head.

"No! I'll find an answer to that myself!"

"Alright. Suit yourself." I nodded and pinched her cheek once. The urge to tease her was growing exponentially but too bad, I couldn't act on it right away. I'd save that for later.

In any case, I soon took my hand off her face when she started scowling again. She's still beautiful but it didn't really suit her.

Eventually, the lines on her face eased up as she released two types of sighs. One was a relieved one while the other was filled with satisfaction.

Perhaps noticing my current amused expression, she used the chance to bury her face on my neck before slowly sliding down to my chest, enjoying the comfort of it.

At this point, what was happening outside had probably flown out of her head already. As for whether this was an indication that she had fallen for me or not, I had no idea. But there's one thing I am certain of...

Setsuna-nee successfully reached a consensus with herself on how she was going to act around me. Maybe, she's still going to be unreasonable at times but other than that she won't mind me getting close to her or better yet, spending time with her.

And in light of that, I will be able to hear more of her undisguised thoughts...

"... Satsu-chan is really lucky to find someone like you."

"Now that's a surprise, am I being praised right now?"

Yep. That's one. Although her voice was muffled, her minute bodily gestures supported that. She squirmed to have my arms hold her tighter and moved her head to get me to start caressing her hair and back.

Really, Sakuma would be kneeling on the ground while crying if he ever found her like this. He wouldn't happen to magically appear here, right? Well, let's not jinx it.

Since he just recently found his backbone, it's quite cruel to think of breaking that again. It's up to him to create his own chances now but with how things are progressing here... he'll have to do ten times the work.

Anyway, Setsuna-nee grumpily put her hand on my mouth before she began voicing out more of her repressed thoughts.

"Shut up and just listen... You heard the story from Satsu-chan. And I already told you this before... I stopped trusting guys ever since that day. But you... why do you have to exist?"

This woman... Does she prefer me to stop existing then? Nah... This was just her trying to deflect it.

"...I kept Ryou as an exception... However, because of what I did back then, I couldn't bring myself to fully commit to him." Setsuna-nee continued.

With the mention of Sakuma, I saw her looking saddened. It's as if she's lamenting about what could've happened if she didn't kiss him back then.

That created a rift between her and Satsuki. And more than that, she probably stopped trusting herself as well. Or rather, she didn't want to make another horrible decision.

Her boyfriend back then was a scum but she also shouldered some of the responsibility. And perhaps even until now, she's still carrying it.

"You know, you don't have to keep blaming yourself. It's not wrong to fall in love with someone. Sometimes, you really have to fight for it."

"Is that what you think?"

"Mhm... I can only use us as an example. Satsuki... isn't she in love with Sakuma? But regardless of that, I fought for her - not entirely fair though."

"... I don't know. It must've worked for you but for me... Haa... I even dragged Juri with me. Those guys who chased after us. They're nothing but idiots who think it's a challenge to take me or Juri out on a date. Even the nicest one is wearing a mask but his intention is so easy to tell. But you... I don't know... How can you be so straightforward and honest?"

"Uhm. Is that a question I can answer?"

"This shameless idiot. Yes! Answer it! I'm curious."

"Let's see. That's an illusion. I'm not straightforward nor honest."

"Huh?"

Yep. That's an expected reaction.

"You don't have to be confused, it's the truth. I'm only following my conviction. If it's not going to bother me, why lie or go at it in a roundabout way? That makes things a lot easier."

"... I don't get it."

"Well, you'll understand it soon enough. Don't you think you've only seen what I am on the surface? What about my inner self?"

"That... Are you saying you're not being honest to me right now?"

"Maybe? You be the judge, Setsuna-nee-san. Am I deceiving you?"

"Ugh. You're making my head hurt." Perhaps it's too much for her, Setsuna-nee bumped me with her forehead again. But as seconds passed, the strength in her movements gradually declined. "I don't get it... Do Satsu-chan and I have the same taste in men?"

"Alright. That's something I won't answer but Setsuna-nee... I think there's no one out there anymore... Although we can stay here longer if you want."

Even if I answered that, I doubt she'd accept it. Besides, like I said, the activity outside had already died down, or at least, they should've returned already.

As I waited for her answer, I couldn't help but continue caressing her head and enjoying her embrace. And likewise, she's probably the same.

However, what she said next somehow stumped me.

"Date."

"Hmm?"

"When are you going to take me out on a date?"

This... Is she talking about the promised date that Juri arranged after the scouting trip? Well, that's the only mention of the date between us so it should be it...

"When it's already convenient for you," I answered vaguely. I also had no idea when, after all.

Besides, there's still Juri who's waiting for it...

"Okay..." A short reply and after that she stopped talking. Since she never made any indication that she wanted to leave this place, I didn't bring up the question again.

I let her hug me and in turn, I dote on her as much as I could. This was probably the first time she became this tame and upon taking a glance at her satisfied expression, I could only be glad that she was enjoying this.

Soon, thirty minutes passed by and the air inside started to become suffocating.

Without saying anything else, I opened the door and I got out of the small toolshed along with her.

Once we were out, the red-faced woman took a step back and turned around.

"Shameless guy, remember not to tell anyone what happened here! Not even Satsu-chan! If possible... I'm going to tell her about this myself."

And with that as her last words, Setsuna-nee who was just comfortably clinging to me earlier sprinted away without looking back at me. I could still feel her heat and smell her scent on me but looking at her departing back as though she was keen on getting away as soon as possible, I found myself laughing inwardly.

"Yep. She can also be adorable like that."

For sure, even if those chasing after us earlier saw her, they'd all be ignored by her. As for me, I guess, I'll wait for a while before returning.