The correct answer to such a question should be a firm denial—immediately asserting that no one could compare to her uniqueness, that his feelings for her could never be the same as for anyone else.

Yet, sensing the girl in his arms growing quiet, Kaoru hesitated before finally speaking.

"If it were the same, I wouldn't have given Honami the ring before. If it were different, I wouldn't be here with you now."

It seemed like an affirmation of his feelings for Ichinose Honami, but she understood the implication.

He wouldn't let go of her, nor would he let go of others because of her.

If he had done that, the two of them wouldn't be together now—because the opportunity that brought them together would never have existed.

"Like a scumbag," Ichinose murmured, her voice tinged with something between resignation and sorrow, as if she had expected this answer all along.

"Then, would Honami allow this scumbag to ask you one question in return?"

"No."

"What if he genuinely believes he likes you very much right now?"

"...Probably just a physical kind of liking."

Ichinose kept her expression stern.

She could feel Kaoru holding her without any restraint—the slightest movement from her elicited a reaction from him.

Though she wasn't deliberately provoking him, the sensation was unbearably embarrassing, as if she had already become some shameless woman.

For an inexperienced girl, this was too much.

She had only meant to kindly cook a meal for him, yet he had taken it as an opportunity to harbor improper thoughts—even calling her "Would make a great mom" earlier.

"Should I pretend not to like you when I do?" Kaoru said matter-of-factly.

"Liking someone can't be hidden. Whether it's their soul or their appearance—do I really need a reason?"

Ichinose wanted to cover her face.

How could someone be so shameless? Who would say things like this while teasing a girl?

"Honami, liking has never been about reasons—it's a feeling. Being with you feels comfortable, and I want to keep being with you. It's this feeling that lets me say I like you now. I could never have been this honest before."

"I-I get it!" Ichinose stammered, her voice barely audible as she lowered her head.

"Anyway, let go of me already. You're always like this... it's embarrassing."

"Fine. Shall we go take a bath together now?" Kaoru hadn't forgotten the earlier topic.

"You go ahead first. I'll join you right after I finish cooking." Ichinose Honami felt him release her and breathed a sigh of relief, though she soon grew ashamed of her own reaction—she'd already become accustomed to such things, feeling no trace of aversion.

But in the end, was there really no other way?

The girl concealed her expression, not letting him see, as she continued preparing the lavish dinner for the evening.

Seeing she still had work to do, Kaoru returned to the living room, picked up his phone, and sent a few messages—one to inform Karuizawa Kei that tonight's tutoring session was canceled, another to check updates from Kiriyama Ikuyo and the others.

Ah, right—he'd nearly forgotten about Kushida Kikyo.

If that woman dared to use phone calls as an excuse to check up on him again, he'd have to teach her a lesson next time.

After handling these matters, Kaoru deliberately didn't bring a change of clothes.

He stripped off his day's attire in the bathroom, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped into the bath.

The bathroom was classic Japanese in style—no matter how small the space, a bathtub was essential.

However, this compact tub would be a tight squeeze for two.

Kaoru rarely used it himself, though Karuizawa had taken a few baths here recently.

It didn't seem so bad now.

Filling it with hot water made it worth looking forward to.

After a short wait, Ichinose's voice came from outside.

"Kaoru, should I come in now?"

Kaoru sat upright.

Though this wasn't his first time in such a situation, it was his first with her, and he couldn't help feeling nervous.

"Come in."

The moment he spoke, Kaoru froze.

The girl carefully pushed open the bathroom door.

The apron that had been tied around her waist was gone, revealing a pair of smooth, fair legs—even her stockings had disappeared.

Her bare feet padded softly against the damp floor as she stepped inside, her face completely flushed, though she forced a calm expression as she slowly approached Kaoru.

But this alone wasn't what stunned him into silence.

It was because she was still fully dressed—only her stockings had been removed.

"Couldn't find the spare towel?" Kaoru asked, unable to hide his disappointment.

Seeing his reaction, Ichinose knew she'd guessed right and couldn't help but smile mischievously while blinking.

"Does Kaoru's room actually have extra towels lying around?"

Kaoru suddenly realized he'd made a tactical error.

His room shouldn't have more than one towel—who kept spares ready in their bedroom?

"There is a spare, but it probably hasn't dried yet," he explained calmly, swiftly changing the subject.

"Wearing clothes in here will just get them wet. Wouldn't it be better to take them off?"

"I'm not the one taking a bath. I'm just here to scrub your back—I never agreed to join you." Ichinose flashed a triumphant, devilish grin, having already noticed the bathtub filled with hot water.

This guy was definitely plotting something.

"Fine, I won't look then. And didn't we just agree on this?" Kaoru made a last-ditch effort, "Actually, I wanted to help Honami wash your back too."

"Didn't hear that." Ichinose Honami said sternly, pressing her hands on his shoulders to turn him around.

The guy had a good physique—the muscle lines on his shoulders and abdomen were clearly visible, and his back faintly revealed a robust outline.

Not overly exaggerated muscles, but with a lean touch that wouldn't scare girls; instead, it would make them particularly excited.

Just touching him lightly with her fingertips made the girl's heartbeat drum so loudly she immediately withdrew, feeling her whole body burning up.

She had just thought of something particularly naughty.

"No turning around, no peeking, no talking, no moving..."

Listening to the endless list of prohibitions, Kaoru's lips twitched slightly.

How could there possibly be so many rules in this world?

"As you command. I won't do anything."

"I'll trust you for now."

Ichinose Honami picked up the showerhead, tested the water temperature, and, finding it suitable, crouched behind him.

Warm water instantly soaked his back.

Soon after, slender, smooth hands touched his back, tracing the lines of his muscles and spine.

The gentle movements of her fingertips felt ticklish yet pleasant.

When the water stopped, Kaoru could feel her picking up a towel to wipe his back.

Her hands brushed over his shoulders, moving downward, hesitating briefly at his waist before finally returning to the ribs beneath his arms.

Though Ichinose Honami tried her best to avoid intimate contact, her full chest occasionally brushed against his back—like a dragonfly skimming the water—suddenly grazing past, only making his nerves tense further.

"Can you wipe the front too?"

For a moment, Ichinose Honami's movements froze.

"Didn't we agree I'd only wash your back?"

"What's the harm? I want to see Honami's face."

"Shameless."

Considering she was still in her uniform, Ichinose Honami hesitated but eventually agreed to his request.

However, the girl had underestimated the risks in the bathroom.