Chapter 33: Qing Lingsang, You're Really Adorable When You're Stubborn

Haruka gently placed the lunchbox on the table, then tiptoed toward her seat. The golden-haired beauty seemed to be searching intently for something important, so focused that she didn’t notice the tall boy standing behind her.

Mirei Kiyosuzu had a figure with perfect proportions and long legs. As she bent over, her raised hips happened to be at Haruka’s thigh level, bumping right into him.

Thud!

“Ouch!”

The sound of her head hitting the desk and her startled yelp rang out.

Haruka didn’t hold back; while Mirei was still stuck with her head under the desk, he lifted her pleated skirt and landed a crisp slap on her smooth, fair bottom. A red handprint blossomed visibly on the pale skin.

Mirei shot upright, one hand cradling her head, the other clutching her skirt. Her cheeks flushed with shame and anger.

“You jerk! How dare you spank me in the classroom!”

Her bright eyes blazed with fury, white teeth clenched so tightly they creaked.

“I should be asking you, Kiyosuzu—what were you doing rummaging in my desk?” Haruka rubbed his right hand on the desk and grinned. “Don’t tell me you have some kind of, ah, collecting hobby? If so, just let me know—I’m sure I can satisfy your needs.”

“Bastard! Go to hell!” Mirei shot a long black-clad leg straight at his waist.

But Haruka seemed prepared. He caught her slender calf in his hand and pulled her into his arms.

Feeling the youthful body in his embrace, his hands—one at her slender waist, the other tracing the fresh handprint—began to wander.

The feisty girl was left breathless, her cherry lips parting slightly. Seeing this, Haruka leaned down and kissed her.

Mirei tried to dodge, but her mind stalled; by the time she reacted, Haruka had already taken control.

Held tightly in his arms, her toes barely touched the ground as she tilted her head back, small hands clutching desperately at the hem of his school jacket.

After a moment, their lips parted. Haruka bent down and whispered in her ear,

“Kiyosuzu, your lips are so sweet.”

In an instant, Mirei’s face flushed red. She shoved Haruka away, took two steps back, crossed her arms, and snorted haughtily, “It was all just me toying with you, you idiot. Don’t you forget it!”

But even her once snow-white neck was now tinged with pink.

“All right, all right,” Haruka waved a hand. For someone as tsundere and jealous as her, he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

“Let’s eat before the ramen gets soggy.”

“Are we having ramen today?” At the mention of food, Mirei’s spirits rose.

Just moments ago she’d been the picture of a haughty queen, but now she quickly straightened her rumpled shirt and skirt, wiped the (not her own) drool from her lips, and her sparkling eyes began scanning the room for the ramen.

After a few glances, she realized her behavior wasn’t very dignified and immediately masked her anticipation. With a disdainful tone, she said, “Hmm, not bad. You remembered that it’s been a while since I’ve had noodles. I’ll reward you for this—maybe even give you another reward later.”

Haruka couldn’t help but laugh at her act.

How could any girl be this adorable?

“Kiyosuzu, you’re truly cute,” Haruka said honestly.

“Idiot! I don’t have time to stoop to your level! Just bring the ramen over!” Mirei pouted, her cheeks rosy.

The higher her affection, the more new sides and expressions of hers he could unlock!

A few days ago, she wouldn’t have shown him any of this—she wouldn’t even have gone through his desk.

“Time to eat!” she declared.

Mirei pressed her hands together in a brief prayer, then began slurping her noodles with an expression of pure contentment—a sight that could make anyone’s appetite rise.

As she ate, she noticed Haruka’s bowl had only vegetables and noodles—no fatty pork. She remembered that he’d only had a salad for breakfast, and after a moment’s hesitation, she picked up her own half-eaten slice of pork and dropped it into his bowl.

Haruka stared, surprised, at the golden-haired beauty across from him.

Mirei haughtily turned her head, pouted, and replied, “What are you looking at? It’s too greasy for me. I’m just giving it to you.”

Haruka felt a sudden warmth in his heart. Grinning, he said, “Hey, is the lady trying to sabotage my diet?”

“I’ll oppose you in everything!” Mirei’s face turned bright red with indignation. “You jerk!”

The weather was clear that day, and the afternoon sun shone down, warm and comforting.

“Kiyosuzu, what do you think love is?”

After their meal, as usual, Haruka brought the little delinquent up to the rooftop of the school building.

Pillowed on her long, black-stockinged legs, shaded by her twin peaks, he began to muse aloud.

“Why don’t you tell me first—where did you put that love letter?” Mirei asked coolly.

Just after lunch, she’d started going through things right in front of Haruka, but she simply couldn’t find it.

“I threw it away.”

What?

“Really, I tossed it, Kiyosuzu. You need to have more confidence in yourself!” Haruka laughed.

He truly had thrown the letter away—he’d already read the contents during class; why keep it any longer?

“Trash can on our floor. Oh, and I made sure to put it in the recycling,” Haruka added lazily, seeing Mirei remain silent.

“Throw it then! Like I care! Even if you wrote her back and met her, it wouldn’t bother me,” Mirei replied with a bell-like voice, more at ease than before.

“You’re so cute when you’re stubborn, Kiyosuzu.”

When the lunch break ended, Haruka returned to his seat and gazed out the window, still savoring the memory of Kiyosuzu’s little feet in black stockings. Nearby, Youji Heisuke and Kazunari Kunita chattered on endlessly.

They seemed to be discussing the new English teacher.

“Hey, hey, I just saw our English teacher at the staff room door—let me tell you, she’s something,” Youji bragged.

“You didn’t invite me?” Kazunari complained enviously. “Aren’t you curious, Haruka?”

“We’ll see her in class soon, won’t we?” Haruka replied calmly. “No need to be impatient, boys.”