Chapter 105: Next Time, I'll Make Sure to Wipe It Off Properly

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Translator: Soafp

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During lunch break, the two of them were in their usual secret room in the club building, opening up the stacked lunch box. Ginji rotated his shoulder with a pained expression.

“Ow… those guys, even if they were just ‘play punching,' they still hit pretty hard…”

After all that, during the break, Ginji had to endure the so-called “shoulder punches” from his jealous friends—half in jest, half in genuine irritation. Sora looked at him with concern.

“Are you okay? I mean, the lip mark was definitely embarrassing, but why were they all so mad about it?”

“…I'm more surprised that you don't get why.”

Ginji sighed at Sora, who seemed genuinely unaware. He averted his gaze, suddenly very conscious of the freshly reapplied lip tint on her lips.

“Today's lunch is hamburger steak. The soup is chilled tomato.”

“Nice, that sounds great.”

The hamburger wasn't rare—it was thoroughly cooked all the way through. A bit firm, but that only made it more satisfying. It paired perfectly with the rice balls at the bottom tier of the lunch box. Since the room was hot even with some breeze coming in, the chilled tomato soup and ice-cold tea were refreshing as Ginji ate.

“You really do eat like it's delicious, Ginji. It makes cooking for you worth it. Want me to make all three meals for you?”

“I like cooking too, so how about we take turns? Or even cook together.”

Looking happy with puffed cheeks full of food, Ginji gave his reply. Sora, picturing the kind of life that would imply, let the words roll around in her mouth for a bit before swallowing them and saying something else.

“…Can I shoulder punch you too?”

“What the hell for?!”

“I'm joking about the punch. But you're definitely getting one more ‘pampering point' added to your tab today. When we get home, I'll make you a snack and give you a massage.”

“I'm a man of my word, but it kind of sucks how you never seem to lose in any of these deals… Anyway, switching topics—Sora, about this morning… Are you really okay with how things ended? With what Shiki did to you… couldn't you just tell your uncle everything?”

Sora poured more tea into Ginji's empty cup and slid her chair closer, sitting beside him.

“It's kind of like what I said before… I don't want to deny the things I did for Aika-chan. And… I don't want to see their parent-child relationship fall apart any more than it already has.”

Ginji recalled the lonely images of Sora's home:

Stacked canvases and sketchbooks in an otherwise empty house.

Dishes placed on shelves far too high for one person.

A large fridge that never seemed to be filled.

“…Damn. I'm such an idiot.”

Hearing the heavy tone of his voice, Sora giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Hmm… maybe you are, maybe you aren't. But I love that part of you, Ginji. It's thanks to you that I could think through everything with Aika-chan. When you're by my side, even Aika-chan isn't so scary. Ginji, you really need to realize just how much I love you.”

In the sweltering room, their contact only made the heat more intense. Before Ginji could say anything in return, Sora got up on her knees on the chair and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. The citrusy scent around her became stronger.

“Sora, you just got in trouble this morning. And besides, doing that here is—”

“It's fine. I won't get anything on your clothes. And this time, I'll make sure to—”

Before she could even finish saying “wipe it off properly,” Sora softly pressed her lips to Ginji's.