Chapter 117: The Devoted Summer Vacation

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Translator: Soafp

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Day One of Summer Break.

In Sora's living room, cooled by air conditioning, the two of them sat close together, heads bent over their work. Spread out across the table were their summer homework assignments. A metal wind chime hanging in the room gently rang in the breeze from the A/C, adding a soothing background sound.

“…”

“…Chira.”

Sora actually said “chira” out loud as she peeked over. When Ginji glanced at her, she had her hand under her chin and was grinning mischievously.

“What is it?”

“Oh, nothing. Just felt like it.”

“…You're weird.”

Ginji turned back to his workbook, but Sora kept watching him. Then she reached her toes toward his legs, playfully brushing her chilly toes against him. It tickled slightly.

“Oi.”

“What?”

“…Geez.”

Sighing at her obvious craving for attention, Ginji put down his pen and moved to sit beside her.

As soon as he dropped down roughly next to her, Sora immediately leaned in with a smile. She smelled faintly of citrus.

“You're the one who said we should finish our homework quickly so we could enjoy summer break, remember?”

Ginji replied while ruffling Sora's hair with both hands.

“I've already finished most of mine.”

He glanced down and, sure enough, the workbook Sora was working on was nearly complete.

“Let me guess, you started yesterday.”

“Yup, though it's just the workbook. I only skimmed the English homework.”

“I didn't really know what to expect from high school summer homework, but it feels easier than middle school.”

“Right? No growing morning glories or anything.”

“That's elementary school. Still, it's mostly just workbooks, so it's actually manageable.”

“There's still the essay and book report that'll take time. That's why I'm focusing on the workbook now.”

“…And who's the one interrupting that focus?”

When Ginji asked, Sora stretched her arms up and clasped her hands behind her head.

“It's the first day of summer break, and it's been so long since I did homework with someone. I just felt so happy being with you, Ginji, I couldn't help but play around a bit.”

“I don't really mind. Honestly, getting any studying done on the first day is already an achievement for me.”

“Ahaha. That just makes me want to pamper you even more.”

Sora turned to face him and gently pressed her lips against his neck before suddenly standing up.

“I'm gonna go make us some iced herbal tea!”

The dazzling look on her face as she said that left Ginji momentarily dazed.

“O-Okay…”

Left alone, Ginji buried his face in the couch cushion behind him.

“…She's too cute.”

Getting used to her? No chance. Sora kept becoming more charming by the day. A girl in love is a force to be reckoned with, and worse still—Sora did it all completely naturally. Ginji could feel his rational mind slipping for a second.

“What're you doing?”

Now it was Sora's turn to ask. She held a glass of slightly purple-blue herbal tea that looked cool and summery. On the tray were small plates with almonds and lemon.

“Just… thinking. That tea—never seen one that color before.”

“Isn't it neat? This one's made with a herb called mallow blue, and it does something interesting. When you're halfway done drinking it, pause and add lemon.”

“What, flavor change?”

“Hehe, just wait and see. The almonds are your snack. I roasted them fresh this morning, so the flavor should be perfect. Aaaah~n.”

She pushed the workbook aside and set the fragrant plate down, then offered him an almond.

“This is good… Sweet, too.”

“Roasting brings out the sweetness, right? Here, aaah~n.”

“I'll feed you too. Here.”

“Ahm…”

Then the two sipped their tea together. It had a light floral aroma, and the honey's sweetness spread softly in their mouths.

“There's honey in this? For that color, I expected a stronger herbal taste.”

“Yeah, that's why it's usually blended with other teas. And when you add lemon…”

Sora dropped the lemon slice in, and the tea changed from blue to a bright pink.

“Whoa! What the heck!?”

“Cool, right? It's kind of like those litmus tests in science class.”

“It actually tastes good too, which is crazy.”

Ginji's eyes widened like a child's.

“The online description said even adding something like Calpis makes it change, so I'll try that next time.”

Looking pleased with herself, Sora tilted her head and said, “Pet me,” so Ginji obliged.

“Once we finish this, we'll hit the books again.”

“Yup! I've got lots more stuff planned.”

“…We should be doing homework.”

“I finished almost everything yesterday just to pamper you today. I've even prepped lunch.”

“…So you left just a little bit of homework unfinished to have an excuse to do it together?”

“Hmm, maybe~?”

With a wink and a finger to her lips, Sora was clearly already deep into planning her full-course pampering day.