Ichinose Honami didn't think she was being foolish.
On the contrary, she believed she should have done this long ago.
After experiencing certain things, even the most naive girl would grow up.
If she had already gone so far, why should she care anymore? Besides, she had her own little schemes.
"A date is fine, but I remember telling you about the risks, right?" Kaoru Mitoma said.
"If someone finds out and it spreads to your class, it could be troublesome."
Ichinose Honami blinked, having anticipated this, and replied.
"As long as I don't admit it, there won't be a problem. Besides, the one who's always worried about trouble is you, isn't it?"
Kaoru Mitoma changed the subject, "How do you want to go on this date? Take a stroll on a cruise ship?"
This question was indeed important.
Ichinose Honami frowned.
Her understanding of romance mostly came from movies and TV shows and occasionally from overhearing her friends talk about relationships.
However, back then, romance had seemed so distant to her.
"First, we'll take a walk outside, then go watch a movie and finally, we'll do a spa together" Ichinose Honami thought for a moment, then shyly lowered her head.
"If you want to see... see me in a swimsuit, we can sneak into the pool at night and look at the stars."
Kaoru Mitoma suspected she had planned this all along and shook his head.
"Actually, we're already on a date right now."
Ichinose Honami insisted "This doesn't count."
"Why doesn't it count?" Kaoru Mitoma retorted. "As long as two people go out together, isn't that a date?"
It seemed to make sense and Ichinose Honami brain momentarily froze.
"So, can I touch your breast now?" Kaoru Mitoma glanced at the girl chest.
Ichinose Honami instinctively covered her chest, then realized her reaction was a bit over the top.
"No, you haven't agreed to my request yet."
She wasn't foolish at all, how could she let Kaoru Mitoma take advantage of her for nothing?
At the very least, he should fulfill her request first.
"Alright," Kaoru Mitoma nodded in agreement.
Ichinose Honami felt a bit excited again.
She patted the spot beside her and said with a smile.
"Come sit here quickly."
"You're not planning to take a photo, are you?" Kaoru Mitoma hesitated.
"Don't couples always take photos together as a keepsake?" Ichinose Honami touched her cheek and tilted her head.
Since she put it that way, Kaoru Mitoma had no reason to refuse and simply sat down beside her.
This might have been the first time Ichinose Honami was so close to a boy.
She nervously took out her phone, fumbling stiffly with the camera function.
"Let me help you" Kaoru Mitoma reached around her, embracing her from behind, his hands gripping her wrists.
"Hold it steady, don't shake, manage your expression and we'll start counting down for the photo."
His breath brushed against her ear, slowly spreading to her neck, making even her chest feel sensitive, gradually turning red.
"Look at the camera."
At his words, Ichinose Honami mechanically pressed the shutter for the selfie.
Only when Kaoru Mitoma withdrew his hand did she regain her senses.
Seeing the photo of herself and Kaoru Mitoma on the phone screen, her face turned even redder.
"Shall we take another one?" Kaoru Mitoma asked.
Ichinose Honami shook her head, cradling the phone to her chest as if to treasure it, masking the sound of her heartbeat.
This feeling seemed different from last time, leaving her confused and bewildered.
"This is enough."
"Not planning to share it?"
"Although I'd like to, I won't" Ichinose Honami calmed down.
"I've checked, this is part of the dating process and everyone does it."
For couples on a date, taking photos was essential, so she wanted to do it too.
Kaoru Mitoma wondered if she might get too immersed in this act later, but it was too early to bring that up now.
The weather outside was lovely.
The dry deck still carried a hint of coolness and the sunlight, clinging to the clouds, cast a rosy hue over the azure sea.
As they stepped out onto the top deck, which was equipped with a swimming pool, Kaoru Mitoma soon noticed many students in swimsuits playing around.
It seemed that the tense atmosphere of the uninhabited island exam had mostly dissipated.
The most striking presence was undoubtedly Koenji Rokusuke, with his muscles and a handsome face exuding a carefree smile.
He particularly didn't mind showing off his impressive physique, which made some of the girls blush.
"Let's sneak out and play tonight" Ichinose Honami whispered, tugging at Kaoru Mitoma sleeve as if sharing a secret.
"Why not now?" Kaoru Mitoma suggested. "You can call a few friends, and I'll just happen to run into you. Then it'll be natural for us to hang out together."
"Don't think I don't know what this is called—being a third wheel," Ichinose Honami retorted, slightly annoyed.
"Sometimes it's called a smokescreen. Otherwise, wouldn't it be awkward for just the two of us?" Kaoru Mitoma denied.
As they walked along the deck, students occasionally greeted Ichinose Honami, while also casting curious glances at Kaoru Mitoma.
"No one's suspicious and is it really that troublesome to be with me?" Ichinose Honami wasn't planning to return indoors anytime soon, in fact, this was her intention all along.
Kaoru Mitoma smiled and then extended his hand to her.
"For some reason, I suddenly feel unwell. Could you take me to the infirmary?"
Ichinose Honami stared at him in confusion, not yet understanding what he meant, when he suddenly grabbed her hand—not her wrist, but her palm.
In an instant, the girl heart raced and a faint blush crept up her neck.
Meeting his half-smile, she couldn't help but glare back in a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, though she wasn't sure why she felt this way.
Perhaps it was her first time holding hands with someone of the opposite sex and her inexperience made her feel incredibly awkward, even guilty, as she glanced around nervously.
"You're the one who's embarrassed, aren't you?"
"N-no, I'm not bothered at all."
"Don't be nervous. I'm just having trouble walking and you're only accompanying me to the infirmary."
Hearing this, Ichinose Honami suddenly found it amusing.
Who would hold hands with someone of the opposite sex to go to the infirmary?
That excuse was just too lame.
Was he trying to see who would get embarrassed first?
"Hehe, you better not underestimate me," Ichinose Honami said, intertwining her fingers with Kaoru Mitoma.
"I may not have been in a relationship before, but holding hands isn't a big deal."
The girl was full of confidence, but after just a few steps, someone noticed them.
"Honami-chan?"
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