In the hotel room, who else could the person hugging him be but Kita Ikuyo.
Without waiting for Jhin to ask, Kita Ikuyo seemed to know that her movements had woken him, and she spoke first:
"Jhin, thank you for everything you've done for me."
After saying this, Kita Ikuyo buried her entire face into Jhin's broad, reassuringly solid back. An indescribable, wondrous feeling welled up in her heart; she knew only that she just wanted to rely on Jhin right now.
Is this the warmth that Bocchi-chan has always felt? It really is enviable.
Kita Ikuyo thought this as she took a deep breath of the scent on him that fascinated her so much. Because her face was buried against Jhin's back, her voice sounded somewhat muffled:
"You must have learned it from Kazami-san already—that I know about you building a harem."
"Mn..." Jhin didn't know why she wanted to bring this up, but since she had climbed into his bed in the middle of the night, she definitely wanted to confide in him about something. He turned himself into a stone that would only listen, making no other movements.
"Even though I promised Kazami-san that I wouldn't actively reveal anything to Bocchi-chan, in my heart, I feel it's unfair to her, and I also somewhat dislike your actions. However, after spending so much time together, your feelings for her appear so sincere in my eyes—sincere enough to make me feel envious."
"I've thought more than once: if I had this kind of boyfriend, would I have more courage to refute my parents, or even make them support my dream of playing in a band?"
"It's just a pity that the one who became your girlfriend first... was Bocchi-chan, and not me."
Kita Ikuyo applied a little more force to the arms wrapped around Jhin's waist, as if she wanted to squeeze her entire self into his body to absorb his warmth. Even pressed against his back, she could still hear Jhin's steady heartbeat, like a reassuring lullaby.
Memories of her time with Jhin, those moments that made her heart race like a deer in headlights, flashed continuously through her mind.
Being persuaded by him to join Kessoku Band, the encouraging applause during their first performance, him chasing away the guys hitting on her when they went to Enoshima, treating her swollen wrist, his cool way of saving the show during the Cultural Festival, and finding her in the rain today. These scenes melded into a cloud, and the rain falling from it continuously nourished the small sapling named 'Love' in Kita Ikuyo's heart.
She could no longer ignore this tree inside her that had grown into a towering giant. But before she could reach out and touch this great tree personally, there was still a guardrail named 'Friendship' blocking the way. That was the barrier Kita Ikuyo had set up to admonish herself.
She would absolutely never do anything to betray Hitori Gotoh. This was the vow Kita Ikuyo had once made in the bottom of her heart. At this very moment, she still abided by this vow, stopping before the guardrail, even if she would feel sad because of it.
Jhin had not spoken up to this point. Kita Ikuyo was very fortunate; she knew that if Jhin spoke halfway through, and if his words carried even a trace of gentleness, she would be unable to suppress the feelings about to gush from her heart, and she would completely shatter her own vow.
And now, Kita Ikuyo could finally reveal her true feelings to Jhin while guaranteeing she wouldn't make a mistake, because Jhin's silent listening was his most gentle, voiceless comfort.
"Jhin, I like you... but we can't be in that kind of relationship. I cannot do anything that would betray Bocchi-chan."
What does it feel like to like someone but be unable to be with them? Kita Ikuyo had previously only seen such plots in TV dramas and movies, unable to truly understand the meaning within.
Now she felt it viscerally. It was like eating a candy with a sweet shell but a filling made of glass shards and lemons. Her heart ached so much she was on the verge of crying, yet she had to desperately hold back her tears, all while feeling a sensation like being pricked with needles.
"So... tonight, at least for tonight, let me rely on you, okay?"
Jhin still didn't reply; he simply placed his hands gently over Kita Ikuyo's hands, using this action to respond to her.
Feeling Jhin's movement, Kita Ikuyo trembled all over. Surging emotions nearly breached the floodgates named 'Reason' in her mind several times. Fortunately, she gritted her teeth and held on for dear life. for someone like her who valued her friendship with everyone in Kessoku Band so incomparably, falling asleep holding Jhin was already the greatest indulgence she could allow herself.
Kita Ikuyo sniffled gently, keeping the bitter tears within her eyes as she tried to fall asleep quickly. Unfortunately, the intense emotional fluctuations left her without a shred of sleepiness, and the warmth continuously transmitting from Jhin's palms made it increasingly difficult for her to restrain herself.
Jhin quietly hummed a lullaby. He knew Kita Ikuyo hadn't entered the land of dreams yet. Her confession had made him understand her feelings; since Kita Ikuyo had already made her choice, he had no reason to do anything that went against her wishes.
Turns out Jhin hums songs really nicely too.
Kita Ikuyo slowly drifted off to sleep amidst the lullaby, a hint of a smile appearing at the corners of her mouth, perhaps because she was finally able to sleep.
The sound of a phone ringtone woke the two soundly sleeping people. Kita Ikuyo groggily rubbed her eyes, lifted the blanket, walked to the side of her bed, and picked up the phone to turn off the alarm.
Why did my phone alarm ring first? Where is the alarm clock in the room?
Having slept too peacefully last night, her mind was still a bit foggy. She hadn't yet realized that she and Jhin had slept in a hotel for the night, so how could the alarm clock from her room possibly appear here?
"Kita? You're awake."
Jhin sat up in bed, and then he saw a scene so beautiful it was beyond distinct description.
Kita Ikuyo was wearing her white school uniform shirt with her back to him. Her lower half revealed a tight, firm bottom wrapped in pink strawberry-patterned panties. Her ivory-white thighs reflected a dazzling glow in the morning light. A blush rose on the girl's cute face as she shyly looked back at him, seeming to realize that her current state of dress was being fully seen by him.
"J-Jhin! Y-You aren't allowed to look!"
With a whoosh, Kita Ikuyo burrowed into the blanket, wrapping herself up tightly, and glared with wide eyes, trying to put on an angry appearance.
"I'll just turn around."
The rustling sounds of dressing rang out behind him. Only when Kita Ikuyo said, "Done," did Jhin look at her again. The blush on her face still hadn't faded as she glared at him with a pout.
The two finished washing up, and Jhin prepared to accompany her home. Unexpectedly, Kita Ikuyo launched a surprise attack, leaving a fragrant kiss on his cheek.
"If the day comes when Bocchi-chan knows you are building a harem and accepts it just like the others, then I will become your lover."
After saying this, Kita Ikuyo fled the hotel without looking back. She had already obtained enough courage from Jhin; she would resolve the matters at home by herself.
____
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