Shiina Taki didn't know how to take the initiative.
Other than Takamatsu Tomori and Wakaba Mutsumi, she had been among the very first to confirm her relationship with Haru. And yet, ti and ti again, hesitation and lack of resolve held her back, leaving her constantly overtaken by the others.
Standing still was the sa as falling behind.
Every girlfriend by Haru's side had her own strengths, her own special talents. Each one's determination and patience was enough to impress anyone, and when it ca to cunning, every single one of them could produce an "unexpected surprise."
Taki was fully aware of this.
Deep down, she knew exactly what she needed in order to deepen her relationship with Haru. Nagasaki Soyo and Chihaya Anon had already given her the answer long ago, an answer that was practically absolute.
That answer was: shalessness.
All she needed to do was be more shaless than any other girlfriend. Seize every chance to be alone with him, then strike directly, without hesitation. That was the most effective way to deal with him.
"…"
Taki tugged her crimson scarf tighter around her neck, her long lashes seeming to catch tiny crystals of frost.
Her glossy lips, tinted pink with gloss, pressed together as she shyly glanced at the handso black-haired boy beside her. The two of them were seated at a quiet corner of Shimokitazawa Park, the grassy ground long since buried under a thick, pure blanket of snow.
"The weather's a little cold today. Isn't a park kind of… empty this ti of year?"
Haru's voice carried to her ears. Flustered, she stole a glance at the scarf wrapped around her neck, he had carefully bundled it around her dark hair and even tucked it so snugly it covered half her face.
His hand clasped hers firmly, their fingers interlaced, leaving no room for the winter chill.
Beside her, Haru felt like a small sun: warm, moving, speaking. That cozy heat seeped into her until she unconsciously leaned her head against his chest without even realizing it.
"I was originally thinking of taking you sowhere indoors, like a movie theater. But since it's Christmas, every place is packed. So I figured a quiet spot might be better. Still, I didn't expect you'd suggest a park yourself."
"Anyway, let's have so sweet red bean soup with mochi to warm up first."
At tis like this, no one ca to the park, making it the perfect place for an honest talk.
And besides, Taki wasn't good with crowded places like theaters. She always got even more self-conscious in those situations. Haru knew this well, that's why he brought her to a park he was familiar with.
"…It's fine. Actually, I think it's nice."
Her face pink, Taki shook her head and murmured her reply.
Snowflakes clung to the collar of Haru's black coat, his sharp jawline faintly visible through his warm breath. With a soft sound, he opened the thermos of red bean soup, his long pianist's fingers handling the spoon with practiced ease.
"Wanna try?"
The faint sweetness of red beans spread through the steam. Before she could answer, he had already scooped a spoonful, gently blew on it, and held it to her lips.
"I-I can feed myself…"
"Are you sure you don't need help?"
"…"
Her lips parted, but no words ca. When she saw the playful gleam in his eyes, she swallowed her protest. Turning her flushed face away, she finally gave the smallest nod.
Not now. This wasn't the ti to be shy.
This rare chance to be alone with him was sothing her friends had helped secure for her. Before the Christmas party, this might be her one and only mont that belonged entirely to her. Who knew when the next one would co?
Even if Umiri and the others teased her all the ti, their support was genuine. Even the girls who had disbanded from her band were helping her. How could she keep hiding behind her timidity and pride?
This ti, she had to act.
Chomp.
Face burning, Taki opened her mouth and took the spoon. The soft, chewy mochi and the sweet red bean paste lted instantly, spreading warmth through her chest until her whole face felt like it was on fire.
"Well? Pretty good? I told you this shop was worth it, right? So good you're speechless, huh?"
Haru's smug grin lingered on her blushing face. His teasing tone made her brow twitch, but then her sharp gaze softened. In a small, steady voice, she whispered:
"…One more."
Classic. Like she hadn't tasted it properly.
Haru only chuckled and repeated the gesture, lifting another spoonful to her lips. Just as he expected, Taki leaned forward and accepted it.
Right, this was familiar.
Now she'd probably say sothing like, "It's nothing special, just average," right?
But instead, she lifted her brows, suddenly slipped her arm around his neck, and before he could react, pressed her lips against his. Her refined features, usually so composed, were flushed with a rare, unguarded allure.
The warmth of the mochi and the sweetness of the red beans mingled on her tongue. Haru's eyes widened in disbelief. Unable to fight it, he had no choice but to swallow the shared mouthful.
"…I think it tastes… really good."
Her voice, soft in a way he had never heard before, drifted faintly into the air as she drew back, her ears glowing red.
But almost at once, she found her courage again, forcing the words out past her pounding heart.
"What about you? What do you think?"
She didn't dare et his eyes directly. Instead, her gaze flicked upward from beneath lowered lashes, watching his cheek. It was a habit of hers, one that only showed when she was with soone she loved.
She actually did it.
Taki could hardly believe she had acted on her own. Passive closeness she could handle, but this, taking the lead, was an entirely different weight.
She had known being shaless was the key. But now that she had actually done it, the sheer intensity of her embarrassnt was overwhelming. Her head felt like it was about to explode.
"…Sweet."
Haru's breath ca unsteady as he gave the only answer he could.
He had eaten this sa red bean soup countless tis. But none had ever been sweeter, softer, more fragrant than this. One taste today, and he knew it was unforgettable.
"…I-I see."
Her snow-bright face shied away, glowing pink beneath a crystalline shimr, joy and nervous excitent flooding her heart until she couldn't help inching closer again.
"Then… how about—"
"…one more ti?"
Her dazzling features turned back to him, the tiny beauty mark at her eye gleaming like a pearl, her gaze carrying a warmth and tenderness he had never seen from her before.
Until now, Taki had never revealed this side of herself.
But here, with her shyness cast aside, she seed to have broken her chains. From resting against his shoulder to settling across his lap, she repeated her boldness without restraint.
No one knew how long it lasted.
The snow lted against their burning cheeks, their fingers ward despite the winter air. The serious, solemn Taki was gone. Here, she was nothing more than a girl, radiant in her feelings.
"…So in the end, Taki, your intentions aren't exactly pure, are they?"
Haru's suggestive words made Taki's gaze dart away. But soon, her violet eyes widened, flashing with mischief. Almost like payback, she leaned in and bit lightly at his neck with her white teeth.
Her muffled words spilled past her lips.
"I just… want to be closer with my boyfriend. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"Taki, you know I could sue you for copyright, right?"
Haru hadn't expected her to throw his own excuse back at him so quickly, especially not Taki of all people, the one who never played tricks or cut corners.
"I was surprised you ca out to help today. Doesn't really suit your… subtle personality." He tilted his head slightly, then added after a short pause, "So I was right. Umiri was the one who pushed you, wasn't she?"
"What do you an by subtle personality!"
Taki's face flushed as she glared at him. After all that boldness just now, her shyness had already lted away. And now, hearing him "slander" her like that, she didn't hesitate to silence him with her lips.
"Actually, Umiri told the sa thing. To take the initiative and ask you out. She even said I should just use force to get you, and that if necessary she'd co up with so trick to drag you over herself."
"Huh?"
Taki stared in disbelief, embarrassnt and anger rising all at once. Sitting sideways in Haru's lap, the tips of her pale ears burned pink, as if touched by drifting petals.
"That girl Umiri…"
She had thought Umiri only confided in her. Who knew she was a double agent? Which ant all those private conversations they'd had might have ended up in Haru's ears.
Just the thought made her head feel like it was burning to ash.
"But I should thank her. Otherwise I wouldn't have known you could be so… daring."
"Ah!"
Haru's arms circled her slender waist, holding her close as if to fuse her with him. The Taki who had been on the offensive only monts ago now found herself completely overwheld in an instant.
So she could make cute noises after all.
As Haru teased her silently in his mind, Taki went limp in his arms, a rosy flush spreading from her eyes to the tips of her ears, like rose petals kissed by morning dew.
She cast him a faint glare, but her eyes had lost their sharp edge. All that remained was a blend of maidenly charm and shy allure, like a pouty scolding full of hidden sweetness.
Haru drew in a sharp breath. Since that last confession, he hadn't seen her look like this. And now, her expression was even more devastating than before.
Taki's cheeks flared again as she seed to notice sothing.
Her lip gloss was completely gone, leaving her to glance at him with flustered uncertainty. But after a few seconds of hesitation, she lifted her head and pressed her cherry-soft lips to his ear.
"Haru…"
"What… what should we do now?"
She paused on purpose for two seconds, her voice trembling with nervous excitent. "There's still so ti before the lunch gathering. Until then… should we maybe find a place to rest?"
I see your intentions are anything but pure!
Haru's breathing turned unsteady. He hadn't imagined that a completely unrestrained Taki could be like this. The contrast from her usual self was too overwhelming, almost too much for him to handle.
Still, he forced himself to hold on to a shred of reason.
"No. Where did you even learn that line?"
"…Umiri."
That nearly broke him. He had been looking for an excuse to deal with Umiri, and now she had handed him one on a silver platter. She was definitely in for it later.
But when he saw the dim look in Taki's eyes, that hint of hurt and disappointnt, he couldn't help but laugh under his breath. With a sigh, he teased:
"Taki, I wasn't finished yet."
He extended his hand, bent his index finger, and tapped her forehead three tis. The strange gesture left her completely puzzled.
"What does that an?"
"I'll call you over to my room in the middle of the night. Then I'll teach you the seventy-two transformations."
It took a second, but she caught on. Her violet eyes rippled like clear mountain water, wave after wave spreading outward. Sweetness welled up inside her until she ducked her head shyly.
"Then… for now, should we go pick up the cake?"
"Spending this long alone with you, I'm already satisfied. If we're late, Nijika and the others might suspect sothing. If it cos to that, I honestly don't know how I'd explain it."
Haru shrugged and cupped her face gently.
"In your dreams."
"Huh? Then what else are we supposed to do?"
For a mont, Taki couldn't figure it out, her blunt and adorable expression gradually giving way to her usual sternness, her brows twitching like she might scold him any second.
"Did you forget what you just did?"
"…?"
Seeing her confusion, Haru explained with a aningful look. "That bowl of tomato soup earlier, you were pretty forceful feeding it all to , weren't you?"
Sure, Taki had thoroughly enjoyed herself. But he still needed his revenge.
Now realizing how bold she had been, Taki lowered her head in embarrassnt. To make up for it, she tried to offer timidly:
"Then what should I do?"
"You fed so much, I should get to feed you back, right?"
Haru rolled his eyes.
Taki seed to realize what he ant. Her face flushed bright red, but before she could speak, Haru had already taken her hand. Overco with shyness, she still gave a small, obedient nod.
…
"Cheers! Happy birthday!"
The clear clink of glasses rang out as the Shimokitazawa angel rose to her feet. Golden hair glead beneath her red Santa hat, her light steps sending her ponytail swaying in a lively arc.
"Thank you all for coming to my sister's birthday party. And since it's Christmas, too, let's not hold back! Everyone, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
The mont she finished, the drinker at the table was already gulping down an entire bottle of beer. Just as quickly, she threw an arm around Ijichi Seika in the center and laughed loudly:
"Senpai, today's a happy day! Have another drink!"
"You really leave no choice."
The normally strict Seika was surprisingly relaxed tonight. Maybe it was the "Happy Birthday" hat on her head, or maybe being surrounded by so many people made it impossible to keep her usual stern air.
"…"
Seated beside Ryo, Taki couldn't help but watch Hiroi Kikuri with so surprise. She knew Sick Hack's bassist and vocalist was on the wild side, but she hadn't expected her to be just as reckless off stage.
Perhaps noticing Taki's stare, Kikuri suddenly turned and laughed, patting her shoulder.
"Taki, do you want a drink too? Hahaha, but you're still a kid! Until you're of age, just stick to milk, okay?"
"N-no… I'd rather not…"
Blushing, Taki waved her hand. She darted a glance at Haru sitting across the way, then quickly looked down again.
But even that tiny, secretive glance didn't escape Ryo beside her. Raising her brows in amusent, Ryo casually picked up a turkey leg and said in her cool, dry tone:
"Looks like soone already sneaked a little extra before the party even started."
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