Chapter 11 | Moderate Expressions of Affection

When I looked at the returned answer sheet, I found a surprising score.

I had a feeling that it would be better than usual, but I did not expect it to be this high.

The score was much higher than my previous average, around 90%.

Although it was not as good as Rinka’s score, which is always close to 100%, she was probably in the top position not only in the class but also in the grade level.

Unfortunately, we won’t find out the grade level rankings until about a week after the answer sheets are returned.

When students enter the school, they are required to download a study application, and their rankings will be announced in the application.

Now, let’s wait and look forward to it.

“How did you rank?”

It has been about a week since the answers were returned.

Rinka, who was sitting next to me on the train after school, asked me as we rode together on a date. She was operating the smartphone in her hand and opening a study application.

-apparently, the rankings have already been announced.

I took out the smartphone in my bag and opened the study app just as she did.

…What? What is this ranking?

It’s right below where it says “Grade Rank”. In other words, the place where the rank is displayed. There was the number 2 there.

I rubbed my eyes, but the number didn’t change, and Rinka, perhaps wondering why I was so doubtful, stood up a little taller and looked at the screen of my smartphone.

“What, second place?”

She was so surprised that she covered her open mouth with both hands.

Every gesture was so cute that I wanted to hug her, but this was a public place.

I had to be patient.

“You did it! That’s what I expected from Ikki!”

He was even happier than I was, and his loud voice made everyone around him turn around to see what was going on. The loud voice didn’t end there, he hugged me with the same force.

It was indeed embarrassing, but…

I pulled away from her hugging me very, very, very regrettably.

As expected, she was not happy with this response without a word.

Moo.”

I could see her eyes looking up her face slightly raised in disapproval and resentment.

She looks very dissatisfied.

Hugging, kissing, and such excessive expressions of affection are not possible here. Because she is Japanese. It’s not that I’m shy or a lazy person, you know? I’m not.

It’s just that this was probably not the way I should have treated my girlfriend, who was so happy to see me as if she were my own.

It was the only expression of affection I could show her. That, of course, is.

Stroking.

Gently stroking her beautiful, silky hair.

This would not be a problem or something that would attract much attention in Japan.

She squints her eyes pleasantly and sticks her head out further as if asking me to do more.

If you think this is just her wanting to be pampered, stroking her head will not be enough. If I do any more, she will want to ask for more.

With that in mind, I gently remove my hand from her head. But then, I realized that I had to do more than just pat her head.

“…more.”

“It’s not enough,” she said, and my heart squeaked in my chest. I felt suffocation as if my throat was being constricted, and yet I felt somewhat happy.

After this, we changed our plans.

I had actually planned to hang out with her at the shopping mall.

“Well, what are we going to do?”

“We’re going to my place.”

I took Rinka’s hand and quickly got off the train.

“Eh, wait!”

I pulled Rinka’s confused and surprised hand a little too forcefully.

I immediately changed to a train going in the opposite direction.

The destination is, of course, my house.

“What are we going to do…?”

“Aren’t you pampered enough?”

“Yes, but…”

Even though she had been pampered so much just a little while ago? She seemed a little unconvinced.

“If we were in a public place, there’s a limit. Not in my house, right?”

“Ummm, yes, but… I’m not ready…”

She turned her head down, red to the ears, and muttered in embarrassment.

“That’s not what I meant!”

“You’re not going to do it?”

“I don’t think it’s time for that yet.”

I was so embarrassed that I turned my face down. I mean, what a bombshell. I don’t think it’s something a girl of her age would say.

I don’t even know why I’m using honorifics.

“What? You hug me all the time, don’t you?”

When I look up, I see her smiling while looking at me with a sly grin.

I’ve been set up.

“That’s really not fair.”

“I’m sorry, but I really want to.”

“You’re teasing me again!”

“I’m not teasing you.”

“…Eh, ?”

I blurted out in a bare voice.

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