Chapter 2077: A New Journey

Humiliation. That's what Ichihara Jun tasted this time. It might not be painful like a fist to his stomach, those who watched him getting clowned around by me and then ending it with Marika showing up as though she was waiting for me was enough humiliation that could last a lifetime before people who witnessed it forget.

Without waiting for them to react and get in our way, I brought Marika away and began our journey to our school.

"Will your legs be fine?" I asked knowing how far the station was from here. I might be courageous to snatch her away from them who have cars to conveniently eliminate the need for her to exert herself but I have nothing to use as an alternative.

I counted the steps that I took and it was more than a thousand. It sounded small when it comes to how many steps a person takes each day but Marika always has the convenience to only walk a shorter distance like from classroom to classroom or from the School Building to where her escort's car will be waiting.

"Rest your worry, Ruki-kun. I can handle that much." Sounding a little too sure of herself, a proud grin popped out from her lips.

Well, if it happens that tiredness comes to her, I can just carry her on my back.

Or I can abandon the thought of commuting via train.

Right. It might also be too early for her to squeeze in the train cars.

"Alright. Change of plans then."

"Oh? What do you mean? Do you not trust me, Ruki-kun?"

"It's not that. I just thought there's an alternate mode of transportation for us to take." Marika's eyes elatedly shone as she started imagining what's waiting for us in this journey. Ah. It's not like she'll be new when it comes to public transportation. For example, she probably took the bus with her classmates when she watched the Interhigh last week.

With that decided, I soon led her to the nearest bus stop.

Well, since they're in a subdivision. We still had to leave through the gates and enter the public road.

It's still a considerable distance and time taken.

I thought Ichihara Jun would still be able to gather his wits and chase us via his car but no one actually showed up.

He might've been too devastated or his guardian prohibited him to invite more humiliation. It could also be that Marika's guards advised them not to do so.

Whichever the case, that gave us the freedom to move without being interrupted.

Even in this simple walk, Marika's smile bloomed beautifully.

For her, it's still a new experience. Because all this time, except school or anything related to

it, she couldn't really go somewhere without being accompanied by her guards.

Though our destination was still school, this short journey towards it was considered a different experience altogether.

"Here it is."

A few minutes later, we arrived at the nearest bus stop.

With excitement still being radiated from her whole body, we quickened our pace to reach the small waiting shed for it.

It's devoid of people at the moment so we gotta take the whole place for ourselves.

"Oh! This is amazing. I haven't taken a bus on my own yet. Tanaka and the others sometimes just guided me in."

As we sat down on the bench, laid her head on my shoulder as she sighed in wonder.

I wouldn't take it against them to do that, actually. They're there to protect her, after all.

But now, it's my turn to do that and since I could also protect her on my own, I could give her some leeway and teach her about a simple task like paying for the bus fare.

Since there's a few minutes before the next bus arrived, I had her take out her phone to download the wallet app the bus companies used.

And instead of letting her top up credits on her own, I sent the funds directly from my account.

After that, I taught her what to do when the bus arrived.

"How wonderful, Ruki-kun. I'm being enlightened."

"Don't exaggerate it. Next time I'll take you to do more mundane things and expand your experience."

"Pfft. Why does it sound like I'm a clueless girl visiting a foreign land?"

"Not a clueless girl. But a Princess visiting her realm."

Marika blinked her beautiful eyes in wonder before realization hit her.

With puffed up cheeks, she protested, "You only made it sound flowery, Ruki-kun!"

I laughed and didn't deny it. Marika sulkily lowered her head and then used my chest to vent by breathing heavily on it.

Feeling the warmth of her breath, I moved my arms from her back to her lush golden hair, letting my fingertips run down her smooth locks.

Little by little, Marika eventually calmed down. And as the shadow of the bus appeared on the horizon, she lifted her head with her lips seductively inviting me to take it.

"I demand a kiss, Ruki-kun."

"You don't have to demand it. I'm already tempted enough to do it."

As we conversed from the urgings of our heart like that, our lips soon collided as we shared

that sweet sensation before the bus stopped and opened its door in front of us.

"Let's go." I said, taking her hand on mine and locking our fingers together.

Marika cheerfully nodded and followed me up.

A few steps up the stairs of the bus, I stopped and took out my phone to scan code on it through the app and pay for the fare to our destination.

Once I was done, Marika enthusiastically copied me as she also paid for her own.

Taking the small receipt that was printed, Marika showed a look of accomplishment as we

continued inside the bus, taking a seat further in the back.

"So, that's how it was! But Ruki-kun. Where did I get my fare? Will it be charged on my card? I

haven't put in my details yet!"

Marika exclaimed as she sat on the window seat through my guidance.

Should I tell her?

Well, I promised not to lie to her so...

"That's from me. I'll teach you again how to enter your details. Treat it as my small gift for

this accomplishment."

Upon saying that, I pointed at the receipt she clasped on her hand.

Although various thoughts possibly flashed in her mind, Marika eventually smiled and

nodded, "Okay! Thank you, Ruki-kun!"

"I think I prefer a kiss rather than a 'thank you'."

"Oh, you... C-come and sit. How can I give you a kiss if you keep standing there?"

Blushing as she were, Marika pulled on my hand, bringing me to the seat next to her.

Looking around, the passengers could be counted on one hand, including us. Since this bus was going in a different direction than the other nearby schools, no other students have boarded yet. Furthermore, we'd probably only see someone from the same school as us

halfway through our journey there.

Clearing my head, I put on my genuine smile before whispering thoughtfully, "I love you,

Marika."

Marika paused momentarily before her beautiful smile blossomed once more, "Me too. I love

you, Ruki-kun."

Exchanging those magical words, the kiss we shared this time became more intimate as the

bus started moving.

Mhm. I'm glad I decided to come and pick her up. Otherwise, I'll miss this chance to deepen

our bond further.