The room was dark, save for the faint silver glow of the early morning moonlight seeping through the curtains. I stirred awake, feeling the warmth of Aisha's soft body nestled against mine. Her face was so close, our breaths mingling as her chest rose and fell in a slow, peaceful rhythm.
The clock on the wall blinked 4:30 AM. It was still early, but sleep no longer held me. Slowly, I opened my eyes, the lingering haze of dreams dissipating as I adjusted to the dimness. Aisha's arms were wrapped around me, and one of her slender legs was draped lazily over mine. Her long black hair cascaded across the pillow, strands framing her delicate face. Even in sleep, she was breathtaking.
Under the warmth of the blanket, we were bare — the remnants of last night's passion still clinging to the air. My hand instinctively traced along her smooth skin, recalling the way she had cried out my name. The memory brought a rush of heat to my chest. I pulled the blanket down ever so slightly, revealing a teasing glimpse of her curves. Her soft breasts, marked by my touch, rose and fell with each breath. A blush crept up my face, but I couldn't look away.
*Last night,*I thought, *was unforgettable.*
I leaned in, unable to resist the temptation. My lips brushed softly against hers, savoring the warmth. Even in her sleep, she responded, a faint hum escaping her lips as she kissed me back instinctively. My heart swelled. She looked so happy, so content.
But I couldn't stay. I had something to do.
Carefully, I untangled myself from her embrace, mindful not to wake her. The sudden absence of my warmth made her shift, her body rolling to the other side. In her sleep, she murmured softly.
"Ito… I love you," her voice, delicate and sweet, drifted through the silence.
I froze, my heart tightening.
"I love you too," I whispered, brushing my fingers through her hair.
Then, my gaze shifted to the other side of the bed.
There she was. Akemi.
She lay curled up like a cat, her pink hair fanned across the pillow. Last night had left her just as exhausted. Her cheeks still had a faint flush, and a slight pout rested on her lips. My smile faltered as I recalled how she had gotten a bit… overboard. A nervous chuckle escaped me.
*Akemi, you really are something else,* I thought.
Wanting to avoid waking them, I reached for a notepad on the bedside table. Scribbling a quick note for Aisha, leaving it next to her on the night stand, making sure she'd see it the moment she opened her eyes.
---
30 Minutes Later
The chilly morning air bit against my skin as I stepped out of the apartment, a thick fog clinging to the streets. I pulled a small cart behind me, its wheels creaking softly. It was loaded with all the decorative supplies I'd need to transform our clubroom. Banners, posters, lights — everything we'd picked out.
My breath fogged the air as I trudged along the silent street. The world was still asleep, except for the occasional rustling of leaves. The tranquility of it all felt strangely calming.
But then —
"Ito… What are you doing?"
I froze. The voice echoed softly from behind me.
Turning around, I saw Akemi. She was floating just above the cart, her ghostly form glowing faintly against the gray morning mist. Her hair swayed as though touched by an unseen breeze. I blinked, surprise etched across my face.
"Akemi? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," she teased.
She floated closer, her pink eyes locked onto mine. Without a word, she leaned in, her soft lips capturing mine in a lingering kiss.
As we pulled apart, she whispered, "I saw you when you woke up. You wrote that letter and left in a hurry."
A teasing smile curled on my lips.
Before she could react, I intertwined my fingers with hers, our hands fitting together perfectly. She flinched slightly, but I didn't let go. Instead, my other arm slipped around her waist, drawing her closer. The warmth of her body pressed against mine.
Leaning down, I smirked. "You're not getting away that easily."
I claimed her lips once more. She gasped, her eyes widening in surprise, but soon her resistance melted. She responded with a needy whimper, her hands clutching at my shirt.
My tongue traced along her lips before slipping into her mouth. Our tongues entwined, a passionate dance of longing and desire. She tasted sweet, intoxicating, leaving me craving more.
When we finally parted, her breaths came in soft, uneven pants. A flush painted her cheeks, the contrast against her pale skin only making her more captivating.
She pouted, her lips trembling slightly as I kept her firmly in my arms.
I leaned forward, our foreheads touching, our noses brushing against each other.
When we finally parted, she was breathless. Her cheeks were dusted pink, and her crimson eyes gleamed.
"You… You're such a dork," Akemi whispered, her forehead resting against mine.
I chuckled, my fingers brushing along her cheek.
"You hate that or something?" I teased.
"I… I didn't say that," she muttered, avoiding my gaze.
"Then what did you say?"
She bit her lip, struggling to hold back a smile. But after a moment, her confidence flickered back. She leaned in, pressing her lips to mine once again. This time, she lingered, savoring the kiss. I held her tightly, our bodies molding together.
When we parted, her voice was barely a whisper.
"I said… I love you."
My heart pounded.
"That's more like it."
After reaching the clubroom...
Akemi floated beside me, her hands resting on her hips. "So, are we really decorating this place today?" she asked, her lips curling into a half-smile.
I grinned, already imagining how the room would look. "Hmm... Just thinking about your happy faces once it's done makes me—"
Before I could finish, I felt a warm trickle at the corner of my mouth.
"Ito..." Akemi's voice was flat, her face unreadable. "You're drooling."
My hand shot up to wipe it away, a sheepish laugh escaping me. "Oh yeah. Sorry about that."
She rolled her eyes, though a hint of amusement flashed across her face. But then, she hesitated. A blush crept across her pale cheeks as she averted her gaze, fidgeting with her sleeves.
"So..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
I tilted my head. "Yes?"
Her eyes flicked back to mine, filled with uncertainty. "How long... were you doing it with her?"
I blinked. "Doing it?"
She flushed deeper, puffing out her cheeks in frustration. "You know what I mean!"
A teasing smirk tugged at my lips. "What? You jealous?"
Her teeth clenched, the faintest growl escaping her.
"What if I am?" she snapped, glaring at me.
I froze. I hadn't expected her to say it so directly. Her boldness caught me off guard, but it also made my heart pound.
"About... two or three days," I admitted, my voice low.
Her eyes narrowed. "And... without protection?"
"Yes," I answered simply, bracing myself for the inevitable scolding.
"What if she gets pregnant?" she shot back, her brows furrowing in concern.
I met her gaze, this time with unwavering sincerity. "We talked about it. She's fine with it, and so am I."
Her shoulders tensed, her expression conflicted. Then, without warning, the sadness in her eyes deepened. The frustration faded, leaving only a painful longing.
"Akemi?" I whispered, stepping closer.
She didn't move. She just stared at me, her crimson eyes shimmering.
"Your other girlfriends are so lucky," she murmured, her voice trembling. "They can have a baby with you. But... I'll never be able to do that. Not again."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My chest tightened. The pain in her voice was unbearable.
"Akemi..."
I reached out, cupping her face gently. Her skin was cold, yet it still felt so soft beneath my fingertips. She leaned into my touch, but the sorrow in her gaze remained.
System, is there anything you can do for her? I asked desperately, hoping against hope.
---
[THIS REQUEST CAN'T BE ACCEPTED.]
---
I clenched my jaw. Of course.
But I didn't let my disappointment show. Instead, I stroked her cheek with my thumb, my voice steady.
"Akemi, no matter how many children I have... No matter what happens... I will always love you."
Her lips quivered. "Y-You promise?"
"With my life."
Tears welled in her eyes, but this time, they weren't from sadness. She nodded, clutching my wrist tightly as though afraid I'd disappear.
We stayed like that for a while, savoring the warmth of each other's presence.
Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she pulled back, her face lighting up with a mischievous grin.
"Alright then!" she declared, her voice filled with determination. "Let's get this room set up!"
I blinked. "Huh? What's with the mood shift?"
She cackled like a villain, her ghostly aura flaring dramatically. "You'll see, Ito. Today, we're making this room unforgettable!"
A chill ran down my spine.
---
The clubroom had never looked this grand before. Akemi and I had spent the entire morning arranging every piece of furniture with purpose, laughter echoing as we debated the perfect angle for the green velvet couch. Now, it all stood proudly beneath the golden glow of the chandelier — a room reborn.
The walls were clad in rich mahogany panels, polished to a sheen that caught the afternoon sunlight spilling through the large windows. Heavy emerald curtains, drawn to the sides, framed the view of the campus grounds. The floor was covered in a crimson carpet so plush it silenced even the softest footsteps. The matching green sofas sat invitingly, their cushions plump and ready to cradle the weight of exhausted students. A small wooden coffee table stood between them, its polished surface gleaming.
Along one wall, a massive television hung proudly above a row of dark wooden cabinets. Picture frames and vases with fresh flowers adorned the shelves, adding a splash of warmth to the otherwise stately decor. I could still feel Akemi's presence as she had fussed over the placement of each photograph, making sure every smiling face stood out just right. She had that eye for detail — a gift I admired as much as the girl herself.
The centerpiece of the room, though, was the large oak desk positioned by the window. Sunlight poured over its surface, highlighting the golden frame of the small lamp that stood at its corner. My fingers brushed over the smooth wood as I settled into the leather chair behind it, the faint scent of polish lingering. But it wasn't the elegant design or the view of the swaying treetops that caught my gaze. No, it was the five photo frames that I had carefully lined up, like a gallery of memories meant just for me.
Aisha's cheerful grin, Mei's steady presence, Hana's radiant smile, Aoi's shy glance, and Akemi's own playful smirk — each picture was a fragment of the happiness we'd shared. I could almost hear their laughter, the echoes of stolen moments and carefree days. The silver frames gleamed under the light, their delicate patterns adding a touch of elegance. It was a simple gesture, yet it stirred something deep within me — a sense of gratitude, of belonging.
"I think this room suits us now," Akemi said, stepping beside me, her hand brushing against the desk. Her eyes flickered to the photographs, a soft smile curling her lips. "Our clubroom."
I nodded, letting my fingers trace the edge of the nearest frame. "Yeah. It's perfect."
And with that, the clubroom stood as a reflection of us — grand, warm, and filled with stories yet to be written.
---
Mei: Oi... Why does it look like the room from Kagiyu-Saamaama?
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END OF CHAPTER : 35 : CLUB ROOM!
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