Chapter 122: Stronger Than a Choker

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Translator: Soafp

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Seeing the choker being offered to him, Ginji broke into a cold sweat. He wanted to brush it off as just another one of Sora's wild ideas—but then their eyes met. Sora's hazel eyes shimmered with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. Letting out a deep sigh, Ginji took the choker in hand.

“…Haa. Go get changed. I'll put it on after that.”

“Really? Got it!”

Sora jumped up and dashed back to the bathroom. As he listened to the thumping sounds of her steps, Ginji shook away the lingering mental image of her bare skin and instead focused on the emotions he saw in her eyes.

Before long, Sora returned wearing an oversized shirt and shorts, and quickly sat in front of Ginji, kneeling properly.

“Here I am!”

She swept back her slightly longer hair and lifted her hands to the back of her head, offering up her pale neck. The sides of her shirt gaped slightly, revealing her underwear, but she didn't seem to notice or care.

“…Before I put this on, can I ask one thing?”

“What is it? Oh, that choker—I got it when I went shopping with Suzu—”

Before she could finish, she was pulled into a hug. The scent of Ginji's sweat hit her, and her heart pounded wildly.

He held her gently, protectively, pulling her close. The only sounds in the room were the hum of the air conditioner and the soft clinking of melting ice in their glasses. Finally, Ginji spoke.

“…I might be wrong, and it's embarrassing, so just shut up and listen. I'll always be by your side. So don't worry.”

“…!”

The feelings bubbled up in an instant and became tears. He told her to stay silent—so the lonely girl pressed a kiss to his lips to keep herself from speaking. When she finally ran out of breath, she pulled away.

“Puhah—”

Both of them, flushed red from the lack of air, looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“Man, it's hot.”

“Ahaha, yeah. I'll go get us more tea.”

She brought back the tea, and they gulped it down together in one go.

“So, what should we do about this?”

Ginji asked, holding the choker between two fingers and letting it dangle.

“…I still want you to put it on.”

Fidgeting with her fingers, Sora glanced sideways at the choker.

“You really want this, huh? Kinda embarrassing thinking back on what just happened…”

As Ginji teased her, Sora scooted closer with a determined look.

“Honestly, what you said was right. But that's that—and this is this. Just to be clear, it's not like I want Aika-chan to put a collar on me or anything. I only want you to do it.”

“…Well, I did say I'd put it on. Alright, give me your neck.”

“Okay~”

Ginji couldn't help feeling embarrassed over the emotional rollercoaster from a moment ago, but Sora looked delighted as she offered up her neck again. With clumsy fingers, Ginji fastened the choker around her neck. When he finished, Sora brought over a handheld mirror to check.

“Ooh, it's lined with fabric inside, so it doesn't hurt… Can I keep it on for the rest of the day?”

“Sure, why not… Man, I'm exhausted now.”

After that, the two spent the rest of the afternoon writing their summer essays and chatting about their plans for the beach.

That night, in her room, Sora carefully took off the choker and placed it on her desk, staring at it tenderly.

“He wasn't wrong, but… I don't know if it's exactly right either.”

What Ginji had said wasn't wrong. Her mother had abandoned her, and her cousin had left her behind. She had grown used to being alone, pretending she preferred it—but the truth was, happiness scared her.

She was terrified it might all slip through her fingers someday. That fear made her crave something tangible. But Ginji hadn't tried to bind her with symbols or objects. Instead, he offered that gentle embrace that seemed like it could disappear if she rejected it—even so, it made her feel deeply connected.

She couldn't imagine the fear going away—but he made her believe that as long as they were together, she'd be okay.

“If he's doing all this on purpose… he's a real lady-killer.”

She poked the choker with a fingertip. Just how many times was that guy going to make her fall for him all over again? Even she thought she was a bit of a handful, but Ginji always met her feelings head-on.

There was only one thing Ginji had misunderstood—she had no interest in being collared by Aika. That desire, to be bound in a sweet, private way, was something entirely new—and something she only felt for Ginji. It might be a little warped, but that's what a “kink” is, she told herself with a shrug.

“Having a boyfriend who takes you seriously when you ask something with your whole heart… is kind of amazing. Ehehe.”

What should she ask for next? Summer vacation had only just begun—there was still so much more ahead. Carefully tucking the choker away, Sora flopped onto her bed, thinking about tomorrow, and quickly fell asleep.