"Um, Senpai, maybe I should just take a taxi?"
Shirogane Kei looked at her slightly worn-out bicycle, only now recalling that Rei Ao was also going to her house.
It wouldn't be so appropriate to have him go along while she rode her bicycle, or have her push it as they walked. That just felt awkward.
"No need. There's a bike right here—and it has a rear seat, doesn't it?"
Rei Ao patted the bicycle, seeming rather interested.
"Thinking about it, I haven't ridden a bike in ages."
"Eh? Rei Ao-senpai, you're saying…"
Shirogane Kei thought of a rather unimaginable possibility.
"If you're not afraid, I can ride the bike and take you along. You just show me the way. How about it?"
"N-no way! How could I let Senpai take me along like that!"
Besides, her old bike seemed completely mismatched with the crisp and immaculate image of her Senpai.
"But I can't have a girl carry me, a grown guy, around on a bike."
Speaking thus, Rei Ao got on the bicycle and gestured:
Shirogane Kei couldn't argue further; cheeks flushing, she sat sideways onto the back seat.
As soon as she sat, she realized she didn't feel the bike tilt or jolt at all.
But Rei Ao didn't start pedaling. He turned around and gently reminded her:
"Sitting like that without holding onto anything is pretty dangerous, you know."
Blushing fiercely, Kei's fingers only pinched the corner of Rei Ao's clothes.
Rei Ao, seeing this, could only sigh wryly:
"What's this—worried you'll tear my clothes?"
Saying this, he directly took her hands and guided them around in front of him, so that they clasped at his waist.
"Hold tight, here we go!"
Arms around Rei Ao's waist and abdomen, Shirogane Kei felt three distinct sensations:
1. Embarrassment. This was her first time in such close contact with a boy—especially a Senpai she admired and respected!
2. A strong sense of security. Even riding as a passenger, she didn't feel any bumpiness or swaying. How on earth was Senpai riding so steadily?
3. Such a well-built figure. Even through her arms, she could feel how tight and toned Rei Ao's physique was. It was both solid and pleasant to lean on.
Because of that, while hugging Rei Ao's midsection, Kei couldn't help pressing her fingers inward at his abdomen. There was a…rather irresistible feeling!
Moreover, the two of them traveling together on one bike had a certain romantic vibe.
Shirogane Kei found herself secretly peeking at Rei Ao's side profile.
"Senpai's so cool and handsome."
No wonder so many girls at school liked to talk about him.
She found herself getting rather mesmerized.
Fifteen minutes later.
Rei Ao's reminder finally broke Kei's daydreaming. She looked around and only then noticed that, unknowingly, they had arrived at her house!
Reluctantly, she removed her arms from around Rei Ao and hopped off the back seat.
"Senpai, this is my home…"
Saying that, she dropped her head. The place was not only in a rundown neighborhood—her house itself was an old building in poor shape.
She couldn't help feeling self-conscious.
"…My family's poor…so…"
She worried Rei Ao might look down on such a house.
But Rei Ao was never that kind of person. He reached out and patted her head gently:
"So what? There's no need to feel embarrassed. I'm not the sort to care about that."
Shirogane Kei blinked in gratitude.
Even her brother didn't pat her head so gently!
"Since I'm here already, won't you invite me in?"
"O-of course, Senpai—please follow me!"
"Why so late today? Don't tell me that old bike broke down again?"
A voice came from a young man who was buried in his books—Shirogane Miyuki. He didn't even look up.
"Give me one more week of part-time work and I can buy you another new bicycle."
"See? Your Brother's pretty nice to you, so you shouldn't call him 'Hey' all the time."
"What are you talking about?!" she snapped, instantly vexed.
Then Kei cleared her throat, turned to Rei Ao and announced:
"I've brought Rei Ao-senpai over!"
Hearing that, Shirogane Miyuki jerked up, startled.
He hurriedly turned and saw the older boy behind his sister. His eyes, shadowed with mild exhaustion, lit up with awe.
"You're Rei Ao?! Um, can I ask you…how to raise my grades even further? I've seen your repeated top scores—and I think you're my idol…"
Seeing her brother fawn like a star-struck fan, Kei instantly delivered a swift kick to his shin:
"Hey, don't just babble nonsense! You're making Senpai uncomfortable!"
Shirogane Miyuki, cowed by his sister's fierce glare, realized how overboard he'd acted:
"Er, sorry about that. …Rei Ao-san, thanks for coming."
Then he shuffled over a rickety chair:
"Our house is a bit…uh…simple. I hope you won't mind."
Standing by, Shirogane Kei bit her lip. That chair had been repaired multiple times—definitely not suitable for hosting a guest.
So she tried pulling on Rei Ao's hand:
"Senpai, maybe it'd be better if you come rest in my room. I'll prepare dinner soon—Dad's probably not home yet."
Rei Ao lightly patted Kei's hands away with a smile:
"I can sit anywhere. It's no big deal. Everyone has tough times."
Shirogane Kei felt so grateful for his understanding.
Shirogane Miyuki nodded too. He'd worried about being looked down on. It was a relief Rei Ao was so easygoing.
But his curiosity flared:
"Rei Ao-san, from what you said, maybe you went through a rough childhood as well?"
"Brother, what are you saying?!"
Kei glared at him again.
"Oh—uh, sorry, guess I'm being nosy."
Realizing it might touch a sensitive topic, Miyuki shut his mouth.
But Rei Ao didn't mind:
"It's fine. Everyone faces hardships. I'm an orphan—I used to live in cheap rentals. I was just lucky enough to get where I am."
Kei and Miyuki both fell silent, not expecting him to have such a past.
Sensing he was genuinely unbothered, they chose not to pry further, lest they open old wounds.
200 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
— Currently You can Read 200 Chapters Ahead of Others!