The relationship between the two had changed from a normal acquaintance and friendship to that of a couple.
If it were a marriage, Tobe wouldn't dare give an answer right away, but it was different with a date.
"...you are okay with it?"
"Yes."
"Why? Do you love me?"
Facing Yukinoshita's answer, Tobe said helplessly, "That should be my question, right? Why did you confess to me so suddenly?"
"I..." Yukinoshita knew that it was unfair if she didn't say that, but she was still nervous. "...I am a bit afraid to tell you the truth."
"It will be fine. I won't laugh."
"But your impression of me might change."
"It might be or it might not, but do you not trust me?"
Yukinoshita's eyes widened, then she looked at his hands, which she subconsciously grasped tightly. "I-I might be afraid..."
"Afraid?"
"Um... you are pretty popular, and I am afraid that someone might steal you from me, so... I want to make you mine by making our relationship exclusive."
"I see... It's like that limited edition item that you book, right?"
"...that's a rude comparison, but while it is similar, and while I don't really know what love is... I don't hate to be with you, and... I think it will be fun to stay with you all the time."
While her feelings might be selfish, Yukinoshita held a good feeling toward him, and probably, while she wasn't sure, this feeling of hers might grow even stronger if they were together.
"I can't say that it will be happy all the time, though."
"...I never thought that you were such a pragmatic, Tobe-kun."
His answer stunned her since this was her first time seeing this side of him.
"I'm not being pragmatic, I'm being realistic. Don't be deluded by my exterior since my inside is quite different, and frankly, I am not even sure whether I can make you happy all the time, but..."
"But..."
His words were something that she had never expected from his lips, yet his voice was so calm, gentle, and probably a little weak, expressing his worry, yet instead of hating it, she kept staring at him, listening to his words carefully and probably liked him more for worrying about that problem since she knew well that he didn't just agree with her confession with playful feelings.
"As you have confessed and I accepted it, then I will try to make sure that your feelings aren't wasted on me, so please take care of me and let me take care of you, Yukinoshita-san."
Love couldn't be nurtured by just a single person.
Both people had to show their efforts.
Still, what if a man had more than a few lovers?
If that was the case, they had to use a different method to compensate for their unfair feelings, he thought.
Regardless, Tobe knew that Yukinoshita had feelings for him, and this was why she confessed to him. Frankly, if it were before, he might have thought to reject her, waiting till her feelings were firm, but when he thought of his father, and how he had decided to support his father's remarriage, while he still had many worries about this relationship, he decided to try it.
"Me too. Please take care of me and let me take care of you, too, Tobe-kun."
Her words were sincere, and she looked at him without looking away.
"Now, when I look closer, you have beautiful eyes, Yukinoshita-san."
Those eyes were clear, yet slightly timid as she was comfortable in this lone space, where no one interrupted her, but as he came, he messed with her heart, and could no longer be satisfied without his presence.
Still, his words made her shy, looking away slightly as her ears reddened cutely and her long eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly, which made him move closer and kiss her cheek softly.
"...you kiss me?"
His kiss stunned her, yet she didn't hate it and enjoyed it.
"I want to kiss your lips, but I think that it is a little too far, though. Do you hate it?"
"N-No... It's kind of nice, though."
"Can I have a kiss, too, then?"
Shameless!
Yet, watching his usual teasing smile, Yukinoshita, who was shy, kissed his cheek softly.
Wet, warm, and soft.
Her lips gave an incredible feeling on his cheek, yet at the same time, Tobe had to say that his girlfriend was just too damn cute!
Somehow, he couldn't help but imagine her shy expression when she got naked as she covered her small breasts, telling him that they were small and she was embarrassed by them, to which he comforted her, and sucked her beautiful pinkies, which made him almost have a reaction that he shouldn't have.
"H-How is it?"
"Can I ask more? I can't tell you how it feels."
"Don't get ahead of yourselves!"
"Yes~!"
Yukinoshita was a little helpless and shy, so she decided to move on to something else. "How about we study now?"
"Okay, but what about lunch?"
"Hmm... I am not that hungry, but if you are hungry, you can eat."
"Then, I will open my bento."
"Bento? Did your mother make it?"
"No, I made it myself."
"R-Really?"
"Yup." Tobe looked at Yukinoshita and asked, "Do you want to taste it?"
"Um."
Only when Yukinoshita tasted it, she remained in silence as a flavor bomb exploded within her mouth, which made her look at his bento with quite greedy eyes.
"...you want more?"
"Can I?"
Still, while the two were happy, many were worried, especially those who were close to Tobe.
Even though it was only a short moment after Yukinoshita came to pick Tobe out, and everyone saw the two walk together, no one could stop talking about it, especially when no one expected that Yukinoshita would become so close to Tobe.
Tobe... despite his quite so-so popularity, his flaws were the ones that made him quite famous, but then again, many girls also had to admit that he was handsome, so it wasn't like they didn't understand Yukinoshita's heart.
Still, those who knew him were the ones who conflicted the most, especially Saki Ayase and Maaya Narasaka. When the two heard that Tobe was seen and close with Yukinoshita, they lost their usual calmness, and tried to contact him, but unfortunately, they received no reply from him, which made them quite desperate and checked on his class, but unfortunately, they couldn't see him there.
Similarly, a certain teacher was also in a daze when she heard how close Tobe and Yukinoshita had become. Even though she was the one who proposed that they get closer, she had never expected that they would become so close so fast, and probably became even more intimate, yet it had only been two days, so nothing would happen, right?
Yet, if it happened, then wouldn't it be good?
She knew well that Tobe wasn't that rowdy, and player; instead, he was a man who could be honest with his feelings, and could be trusted; meanwhile, she knew herself what kind of a girl Yukinoshita was.
Instead of her, wouldn't it be better for Tobe to be with Yukinoshita?
'That way...'
Yet, strangely enough, Hiratsuka felt uncomfortable with it.
Smoking her cigarette as usual, the calmness and relief feeling that came from nicotine wasn't as strong as usual, and made her think that she needed to talk with Tobe.
---
Their relationship might be a little fast, but somehow, I think that it is normal since Yukinoshita is quite easy.
Also, it might be just my experience, and some people are different, but most, especially those who hardly have any interactions with others, will find it easy to fall in love with others, especially when that person matches your preference, and those who are lonely and lack care.
Still, even if they are easy, you shouldn't play around, okay? Treasure the one who has entrusted their hearts to you rather than hurting them.