Chapter 56: I won’t give him to anyone else.

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Translator: Soafp

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After crying her heart out, Sora finally calmed down and began to change clothes. While she did, Ginji decided to cook something using whatever was in the fridge. Come to think of it, this was the first time he'd ever cooked alone in Sora's house. He started making a simple pot-au-feu, just cutting up some vegetables and meat and tossing them into a pressure cooker.

Sora, now changed into a comfy outfit—a short-sleeved hoodie and shorts—tried to help, but Ginji made her sit down in a chair instead. Before long, the pot-au-feu was ready, and he carried it to the table.

“This is kind of an unusual dish for you, Ginji.”

“Figured something easy on the stomach wouldn't hurt once in a while.”

Instead of using spoons, Ginji brought out those big soup spoons used for ramen—lazy but thoughtful in his own way. Sora giggled.

“You're so half-assed.”

“It's easier, right? Easier to eat.”

“…Ahh—n.”

Sora opened her mouth. Ginji hesitated, flustered to be the one feeding her for once, but he blew on the spoonful of stew and brought it to her lips.

“You're really gonna let me be spoiled?”

Blushing more from embarrassment than when being fed, Sora lowered her eyes.

“Just in moderation.”

“Just in moderation, huh.”

The vague line between them felt like a reflection of their relationship—ambiguous, warm, and filled with mutual understanding. They kept feeding each other until the pot-au-feu was gone.

Usually, after dinner and cleanup, Ginji would head home. But this time, he casually took a seat on the couch. Before long, Sora sat down right beside him.

“Wanna play a game?”

“You got something?”

“They're all RPGs… but I've got some online versus games too.”

“There's only one controller.”

“…I'm a loner, okay?”

Ginji gave her a light punch on the shoulder.

“Not anymore, right? I'll bring another controller next time.”

“Okay. Then… wanna watch a movie? I've got a streaming subscription.”

“Nice. Let's watch something before I go.”

Sora picked up the remote and started flipping through titles.

“…Wanna watch Interstellr?”

“That'll take us to midnight.”

Ginji immediately shot down the nearly three-hour movie.

“Can I be honest with you?”

Sora's eyes, still a little red from crying, looked up at him. She slowly leaned closer.

“Y-yeah? I mean, I did say we should talk openly.”

“Wannt you to stay the night?”

“Idiot.”

He karate-chopped her head. Staying the night at a girl's place? Yeah, no way.

“But… I just don't want you to leave yet.”

“Calm down, Sora. You've been through a lot today. Your emotions are all over the place.”

“It's your fault. You said Hazuki-san was cute and stuff. You really didn't kiss her, right?”

Seeming to have recovered a bit, Sora puffed her cheeks and leaned her head against Ginji's arm.

She buried her face between his arm and the couch, so he couldn't see her expression—but her ears were bright red. She was clearly embarrassed, but even so, she wanted to let her feelings out, even just a little.

“I didn't. And I doubt she had any intention of kissing me either.”

“…But you still said she was cute.”

At that point, even Ginji could tell what Sora wanted to hear.

“You're cute too, Sora.”

She twitched in response. Ginji smirked, finding her reaction amusing.

“You're really cute.”

Twitch twitch.

“Super cute. You're small, a great cook, easy to talk to, and you work really hard.”

Sora clung to his arm tightly. Her toes curled as she tried to endure the embarrassment.

“You're thoughtful, your massages are great too… and what else…”

Ginji trailed off. Sora, who had been hiding her face, finally looked up. Her expression was dazed, like she was drunk on the moment.

“What else?”

She kneeled on the couch and leaned in, her face just inches from his. Her hazel eyes shimmered at close range.

Her long lashes, soft lips, and elegant nose stood out on her translucent skin, now tinged with a warm flush.

“…That's enough.”

Ginji placed a hand gently on her head, stopping her. He gave her hair a reluctant pat, then gently pushed her back.

“Muu… Ginji, you idiot.”

Her directness made Ginji chuckle awkwardly.

“You're gonna show me your drawings this weekend, right? Once I really get to know you… then we'll see.”

“…Okay.”

He didn't want things to just sweep them away. He wanted to take one step at a time—together. That was how Ginji felt.

Sora walked Ginji to the front door on the first floor.

“Well, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. See you then.”

Before Ginji could turn around, Sora reached out, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him in.

She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“Mmh.”

Then she bolted up the stairs in a dash. Outside, Ginji held his head in his hands.

“What happened to taking things slow? Damn it, how am I supposed to not be conscious of this…”

The night breeze carried the warmth of the asphalt, hinting at the arrival of summer.

Back in her room, Sora—

“Ha, hweh, wh-what did I just do?! I mean—if I don't do something, someone else might take Ginji! Ughhh, but still, still… Waaahhhh I'm such an idiot!!!”

She dove onto the couch, kicking her legs wildly in a full-on meltdown.