Vol 1 Chapter 8 (2/2)

A possibility came to my mind

Could it be—

It was just a guess, but could it be for Keisuke? Once the suspicion appeared in ht away

shi+nono for Keisuke, As such, she would do anything to close the gap between her and an older Keisuke — that explains the sudden actions taken by shi+nonome

I know very well it was all just my paranoia, but I can never shake away the inferiority complex I hold towards Keisuke, so there was no way I could avoid thinking the way I did

Before long, shi+nono up pace

”Does Arumi-san visit Minami-kun's house often?”

”Ah, yeah She has been coh school It's been five years, I think”

”So thatout with your brother ever since then?”

”Yeah Makes reat about ”

I blurted s accidentally shi+nonome tilted her head when she heard that

”Really? Your elder brother is an exceptional person I think they are a great pair”

Sigh

I triedup my nearly-e inside, but there's no way I could hide the frustration withinto do

I don't want to listen to words like that

I don't want to admit the fact that Keisuke is 'exceptional'

”I wish I can become someone like Arumi-san”

Murmured shi+nonome softly

There was a loud 'thud' when I rested the cup onto the setter

”Ah, sorry”

I apologized to shi+nono, it seehtened by the sudden sound

Soht to myself

So she likes Keisuke that much, huh?

Despite us shopping for shi+nono exactly like how a pair of lovers would - it just see A hich I couldn't overcome, no matter what actions I take No matter how hard I tried to scale up the wall, shi+nonome's words would always be there on the other side to shove me down

”Urm”

shi+nonoetic voice,

”I a on a scene in the novel As such, there is a place where I would like to visit, so do youme?”

” Sure, no proble out' in the first place, right?”

Given the way she made her request, there was no way I could reject her That has always been the sort of relationshi+p between shi+nonome and I I'm just shi+nonome's pretend boyfriend for the sake of her novel — that fact was yet again forced onto me

shi+nono That hen I realized how long we had been out

”Let's go”

Said shi+nonome as she stood up

”Right now?”

I asked It's already too late for us to head soo out with shi+nonome several times before this, but most of the tiht lasts slightly longer since it's summer time, but it would be better if we save this for another day, right?

”Now is the perfect time”

The tone of that sentence eird, considering it ca me, so I stood up as well

shi+nono next

I followed shi+nono towards the alleys; it looked like shi+nonome wanted to move away from the hustle of the city I just couldn't see any place nearby we could visit There are no gardens, no cinemas, much less a theme park There were only stores with flashy billboards or drinks pavilions with hanging red lanterns

”Where are we going?”

I asked, unable to hold back any longer shi+nonome stopped and turn around to look at me

”It's just right ahead”

Replied shi+nono at the path before ht be heading to

I followed shi+nonome in silence as shi+nonome resumed her steps For some weird reason, I recalled the fantasy scene I read in a novel yesterday — I orried about getting thrown into so it

Looking up, the cloudy sky was dyed red by the setting sun It probably was justto rain, is it? Co news predicted a light shower in the evening I didn't pay it much attention back then as I had expected us to part by dinner time

shi+nono lohile alking, but I decided to look up just then I failed to realize this earlier, but ere surrounded by buildings which even I could tell were those so called 'love hotels' As it was still relatively early, the neon lights weren't lit up just yet, but you can be sure their colourful flashes will pop out all over soon enough

Just as I ondering how on earth did we end up walking to a place as aard as this, shi+nonome suddenly stopped in her tracks

”Well”

As she turned her head around, her expression was one which I had never seen fros, with a touch of melancholy and shyness

”Urm, well”

shi+nonome scanned the 'love hotels' around us

”I would like to visit one of these”

It took ister her words

” Eh?”

I understood what she est it

” What, did you just say?”

I asked in reflex shi+nonome lowered her head and repeated her sentence

”I would like to visit one of these”

”Here”

I took another look at our surroundings in an attempt to find out if there was any other place that shi+nonome could have meant with her words However, no s that were around us were 'hotels' And they were no ordinary hotels

” We can't?”

shi+nonohtly

”No, it's not like we can't”

”I-I have never entered any of these places, but I a to knohat's inside so”

True I had never stepped into one either Though I understood what sort of place it is

”But urm really?”

”I honestly just wanted to take a look inside but I can't go in alone so”

”No no no, that's not what I meant”

I knew very hat shi+nono' Shethe cafe, so it's not that strange if she wanted to see this place with her very own eyes, especially if we're talking about shi+nonome

Still, this isn't really the right thing to do, isn't it?

”Let's forget about this if you don't like it”

”It's not a proble it or not”

”If it's aboutfor it”

”That's not the issue either”

shi+nonorabbed my hand just as it was about to scratch htly clammy

”Just a quick look at what's inside, then we'll leave”

shi+nonome walked determinedly towards the 'hotel' With my hand in hers, I followed her footstepsin custo at us with enthusias

There was a old soap opera I watched where a scene was about a wo the man's invitation to stay at a hotel Shouldn't that be how things usually go? What we have here though is the total opposite That's probably the reason why they were looking at us with laughter in their eyes, right?

As we passed through the entrance of the nearest hotel, which was shrouded by sola e should do next, a couple in suits walked out of the elevator arm in ar to the man, ”Not bad, they look so innocent” I lowered my head in embarrassment

”So, what should we do now”

Asked shi+nonome as she held my hand I had no idea what our next step should be, but since this is a hotel, there should then be a check-in counter somewhere, shouldn't there? I took a look around us and realized there was so located next to the entrance which see for However, there was no one th, and had an opening which sort of looked like a peeping hole

We walked towards the counter Next to the counter was an enormous board; pasted on it were the pictures of the rooms and their respective nuhts behind them, while others were not Next to the pictures were buttons, which were lit up in the same condition as the photos beside them

”Please press the button of the room you are interested in”

A voice boomed suddenly from the back of the counter — it seemed like there was someone on the other side of the wall That hen I understood; at places like this, things can be done without any face-to-face interaction

” W-What now?”

This time round, it was my turn to throw the same question at shi+nonome

The unlit rooms probably indicate that they were 'in use' For the ones which were still lit up, the interiors looked more or less the same — or so it seems from the photos anyway The price were not too different as well

” Minami-kun, you choose”

shi+nonoe with hesitation The light on the board went off, and a piece of paper was dropped to the opening below I picked it up; the room number was printed on it

”Please head straight to your room”

Caain How on earth did he see us — I thought to myself Perhaps there are cameras installed somewhere? In any case, it wouldn't do for us to stand around and do nothing

”L-Let's go”

With my initial resistance outside of the hotel blown out of the water, I pulled shi+nonome by her hand and walked towards the elevator shi+nonorip

Once ere in the elevator, I pressed the button leading to level 3 (since our room number was 307) As the elevator ascended in silence, shi+nonoh and said,

”I am so nervous”

”Me too”

I h — I felt relieved all of the sudden As the lift finally came to a stop, we resumed our way towards the room

We were holding hands the whole time

Led by the flashi+ng lights, we stepped into the room which was located the deepest in We first removed our shoes at what looked to be the entryway before taking a nervous look at the interiors of the room

”It's so ordinary”

I was expecting ainto the actual room, I realized they chose to take on a more simplistic style

”Yeah”

shi+nonome scanned the room and nodded

I noticed I was still holding onto shi+nonoh I wasn't sure if it was due to shi+nonome's perspiration or mine

In the room was an LCD TV of unknown di the TV and a se bed When I saw the two pillows placed on the bed, I directedseemed to be

I sat onto the sofa and looked towards shi+nono around her aimlessly with a hapless expression on her face

”I-In any case why don't you take a seat?”

I suggested, patting the seat next to me shi+nonome walked towards me in silence and did as I said That movement of hers and the way the air flowed in the room caused a faint scent to whiff up my nose Ah, it was the scent of shampoo

My ar on the back of the sofa — my left hand was so close to shi+nonohtest movement

Should I just hold her by her shoulders at a place like this?

Just as I was about to move my hand, shi+nonome reached for the remote which was placed on the table She then pointed it towards the TV and pressed the switch

What was showing on the ridiculously huge screen was a naked couple entwined together Fro a scene froed porn I had no idea why they chose to air the show out of the blue, but one thing's for sure: a rather risque scene was repeating again and again before our very eyes

shi+nono the remote towards the TV

I hurriedly snatched the remote away from shi+nonome's hand and pressed the button frantically to turn the TV off

”That got me the TV turned on and”

I forced a slued to the screen

”Right, since we are here to gather some materials, shouldn't we check out what the bathroom is like? Yeah?”

I stood up from the sofa and walked towards the bathroo on the sofa, but with the way things are right now, it'll be mental torture to have shi+nonome next to me This works just fine with me

Pushi+ng the glass door aside, the bathrooined Just as I was thinking that there was nothing out of the ordinary to be found in the bathroo chair came to viehen I lowered my eyes

”Whoa”

I exclaimed in reflex

It was a really perverted chair I possessed the relevant knowledge since I had seen it in a and on the internet, but I had no idea it actually existed

” Anything wrong?”

A sudden voice catowards the bathroolass door in haste

”N-Nothing It was just an ordinary bathroom Really ordinary”

shi+nonome tilted her head in suspicion, but she pursued the issue no further

Just as I was about to invite shi+nonoan looking around There should be nothing weird around us, so what now? shi+nonome asked,

”Can you hear so?”

”What?”

”A sound”

” A sound?”

My attention was focused to e sounds Thefrom the cable TV located outside our room

”Is there asomewhere?”

As she said that, shi+nonome stepped forward I followed suit

Thenext to the bed was hidden by blinds which looked strikingly similar to the walls

Upon opening the blinds, I understood what shi+nonome meant by 'sound' Just to make sure, shi+nonome unlatched theand opened it slowly

It was raining

It was close to precipitating just away heavier than expected Since it's currently in the evening, the rain h However, when I popped my head out of theto look at the sky, I could see the thundering clouds enveloping above us It looks like the rain won't be stopping anytime soon

Both of us didn't bring any u; moreover, the station is of a considerable distance away fro wet should we leave the hotel right now

shi+nonome shut the s and pulled down the blinds

She then turned around to look atall disappointed due to the rain With a tilt of her head, she said,

”It looks like we have no choice but to stay here till the rain stops”

That caused me to draw a deep breath

The rain won't be stopping in just five to ten er if we're not It looks like we don't have much of an option

In other words, shi+nonoether in this room

Alone

shi+nonos of the bed creaked froan bouncing herself on the bed

” This bed is really old”

An innocent smile appeared on her face as she said that The rare childish expression and behavior from shi+nonome made her look incredibly cute

I stood next to theand sed a few gulps while shi+nonoh I finally decided to make my move and stood before shi+nonome At the moment shi+nonome realized my presence and looked at me—

”Ah”

I pressed shi+nonoh I were a blanket The springs of the bed creaked once more

”M-Minami kun?”

There was fear in shi+nonodown on hers, ed

shi+nonorip to stop her froulps ofin an incredible speed The deep thumps continued to reverberate in my body ”shi+ shi+nonome!”

My tongue was tied when I called out her naht now

shi+nono, only to heave painfully twice Fro — was it due to fear or nervousness? I couldn't tell

My ooey like luht? Iout', and isn't this all for the sake of shi+nonome's novel? I don't think shi+nonome will reject me She would probably take it all in silence even if she doesn't like me

Bouts of question and answer sessions were playing incloser and closer to shi+nonos which I have to do? I don't have the slightest clue; the only thing I felt was my desire to kiss shi+nonome

A surprised expression appeared on shi+nonoently As I closed in, she shut her eyes as though she were about to get splashed by an inco bucket of water

So can I or can't I?

I pondered to myself as I remained in a position where my face was only a few millimeters above her lips

Can I? Really? Why? Because she likes me?

We are doing this for our '' — that's what shi+nono about what I think; even if it's so she hates, will she take it just for the sake of 'experience' and her novel?

I stared at shi+nonome Her body was totally stiff and petrified With her eyes closed shut, she looked just like a child as about to cry

I moved my head slowly, pulled my neck to the side and plonked my face past shi+nonome's cheeks onto the bed

Just reject me if you don't like it

I heaved a sigh while thinking that

”Minami-kun”

shi+nonome called out to me next to my ear with a hoarse voice

I didn't answer her Instead, I was rattling on and on ina curse

If you hate it that much; if you're so afraid that you have to bite your lips, if it hurts you to be doing such things with me, you can simply tellif you choose to remain silent? There's no way I can remain in a zen-state e're all alone in this room

With that, I slowly moved my body away from shi+nonome

shi+nonome sat up and looked at h

” Sorry”

I'm fully aware that shi+nonome had no such intentions in mind The reason we came here wasn't because she 'wanted to do that', rather, it was simply out of curiosity The reason she chose me to play pretend couple was simply out of coincidence because I stumbled upon her true identity as an author These were the conclusions I reached no matter how I look at it

”I went overboard with my actions”

I added on with an aard laughter

The reason I went out with shi+nonome wasn't to har' I cannot ruin shi+nonos and desires

The only option was to defuse the aard at manner

”Sorry I won't do it again”

I apologized once again I was unable to look straight at shi+nono I could do was to lowerable to exercise self-control

shi+nonoaze It felt like her gaze was reproachingshi+nonoaze I lowered my head to avoid her

”Let's stop”

That hat shi+nonome finally said

”Thanks to Minami-kun, I went to lots of places so you don't have to force yourself any further I'm sorry”

”I wasn't forcing myself”

”But”

shi+nono of how to phrase her sentence in a hich won't hurt me

”Sigh, whatever With the material on hand, you should be able to coht? I had fun as well, so let's end everything with this, okay?”

I brought up the suggestion faster than shi+nono that could hurt me, so the least I could do was to end the relationshi+p myself

Silence fell between us once more, but I said not a word more

Finally, shi+nonome murmured,

”Mmm I understand Thank you very much for all this time”

We then waited for the rain to stop without saying anything else The rain ended surprisingly quick, as though it were urging us to head home immediately That pissed me off

The fee for the roo the cash into the billing machine located at the side of the entrance, it thanked us with a e”

That pissed me off even more

It felt like it was thanking us for not doing anything and leaving the room in pristine condition

After leaving the hotel, shi+nonoether We then parted and boarded our respective trains without speaking a word

When I reached ho out fro felt unreal

”This is fine”

A scene which sy only me toin pain

</eréndira></nine></eréndira></roana's>