When Hanamaru Hanabi came home from working at the shrine, just as she entered the living room, a pair of hands suddenly embraced her from behind.
She was startled, but then she recognized the familiar scent and felt at ease.
"Darling, you smell so nice." Uesugi Sakura said, holding her, his hands resting on her slender wrists.
"Sakura... right now... not yet..."
Hanamaru Hanabi was holding the groceries she bought this afternoon. She was virtuous, beautiful, considerate, and warm—a wonderful girl whom Uesugi Sakura wanted to snuggle into.
"What did you do today?"
"Dance practice, cleaning the shrine, purifying the pilgrims, and preparing a gift for you for the day after tomorrow’s fireworks festival." Hanamaru Hanabi tried to recall.
After helping her place the groceries on the countertop of the open kitchen, Uesugi Sakura pushed her onto the sofa in the living room.
Hanamaru Hanabi looked up at his smiling face above her with some timidity.
"Aei and Chiaei are out playing now. Do you know what a boy would do when alone with a fragrant girl?"
Hanamaru Hanabi shook her head, but as he leaned in, her hands unconsciously moved to her collar.
"Sakura, did you win today’s match? Hanabi couldn’t go to cheer for you. You wouldn’t be mad, right?"
"Are you changing the subject?"
Uesugi Sakura smiled but chose not to discuss it. His silent response made Hanamaru Hanabi’s soft pink lips apprehensive, pressing against the sofa’s cushion.
"You were working; how could I be mad?"
He moved closer and even gently pulled away the small hands placed at her neckline.
Uesugi Sakura noticed Hanamaru Hanabi’s fair collarbone looked quite enticing.
There was also the fresh fragrance of a young girl from her.
Uesugi Sakura felt an impulse to nibble all over her, but doing so would only scare her, and he was reluctant to do that now.
She was right in front of him, small and with little resistance. If he were a bit more assertive, she might close her eyes and shyly accept.
Even now, she was already starting to blush.
"Hana-chan, you’re so beautiful."
"Even if, even if Sakura says so, Hanabi wouldn’t be happy..."
"That’s wrong. Hana-chan, now you should be very happy. Do you want a kiss?"
Hanamaru Hanabi dared not look at his handsome face, bashfully turning her head away.
"Princess." Uesugi Sakura whispered lingeringly by her ear.
Like a startled kitten, Hanamaru Hanabi suddenly reacted, using force to push Uesugi Sakura off herself.
"Didn’t expect the princess to have quite a bit of strength."
Uesugi Sakura grasped her tiny wrist, pressing her body back down.
"Princess, how about letting me have a kiss? After the match today, I’m exhausted and need the energy from the princess’ soft lips."
Hanamaru Hanabi blushed: "Sakura, you do intend to be mischievous after all..."
Hanamaru Hanabi didn’t respond, nor did she nod or shake her head; she just turned her adorably flushed face away.
Uesugi Sakura understood this as her silent agreement.
He gently leaned in, tilting his head, and took a bite of the little cake.
Hanamaru Hanabi let out a soft whimper, lifting her fair neck involuntarily.
"Don’t you think Sakura is very handsome?"
"Hana-chan, the most important thing for a girl is not to say one thing and mean another," Uesugi Sakura smiled at her small face, "For instance, after being kissed, the princess’ eyes become so bright and sparkly."
Uesugi Sakura held onto her slender waist, even through the layer of clothing, the soft sensation was clearly conveyed to his hands.
"It’s been a long time since you went running with me. How about a night run today?"
"Hanabi’s stamina... might not last too long." Hanamaru Hanabi said softly.
"No worries, I’ll wait for you, and if you really can’t run anymore, I can carry you."
Hanamaru Hanabi was persuaded.
"Then let’s go change clothes first; wearing a little dress isn’t good for running."
—————— ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N()velFire.net
The two left the house.
The sunlight was soft, clouds layered, and a tram occasionally passed over the overpass by the residential area. Tracks shimmered red under the sun, and the utility poles followed the street, stretching into the distance.
Uesugi Sakura ran ahead, his footsteps confidently striking the hard ground.
They ran to an uphill slope. Compared to him, the girl in the sports outfit appeared very tired, her forehead glistening with pink perspiration.
"Come on, I’m waiting for you up ahead."
By dusk, the blazing sun quickly retreated and became a sunset, dyeing the clouds on the horizon red and adding a thin layer of purple to the evening sky.
They traversed all the way, stopping and walking intermittently, along Arakawa, until they reached Yanagiya Chisao Park.
The place wasn’t big but was full of flowers.
"So fragrant, what kind of flowers are these?"
"Rosemary!" Uesugi Sakura said, bending down next to her.
"It seems like I haven’t seen you tending to flowers recently."
"Well, this is a temporary rental, difficult to maintain. Once we buy that house, I’ll plant some on the balcony."
"What does Sakura want to plant?"
"Anything, but lilies are a must."
Uesugi Sakura strolled alongside her, along the path by this little floral sea.
"Sakura... do you still remember when Hanabi was little, and she killed a white lily with chili?"
"Of course I remember, little Hanabi was astonishingly silly back then, how could I not remember."
"Then you mustn’t despise her when she grows up."
"Despise? Then little Hanabi just doesn’t understand me. For the one and only, my beautiful Princess, I’m too busy cherishing you."