With the choice in front of her, Saki was put in a bit of a dilemma. From what I could see in her eyes, she definitely wanted to do what I suggested. There was even a look of anticipation in it.

Introducing me to her parents was probably one of the things she wished she could do as well. There’s a reason why she couldn’t suggest it openly. If I added what she just told me about them being aware that she already got herself a boyfriend and they’re not welcome of that though, she’s probably afraid that bringing me in front of them would result in a negative outcome.

Her confidence that her parents would accept our relationship was low. What's more, she also has to lie to them about the true nature of our complex relationship. Even if we can hide it initially, there will come a time when we will have to come clean in front of them.

That’s where her reservation lies. She might be an opportunist who would take every chance she could get to her advantage but when it comes to her parents, she couldn’t leave it to chance. She wanted to be 100% sure that it would be a success before doing something that would impact them.

“Ruki. How did it go for the other girls? Did their parents welcome you with a smile?”

After thinking for a while, Saki eventually brought up that question. She grabbed my hand tighter, imploring me to answer it before she could make a decision.

With this, it showed that she was already halfway through following my suggestion.

“Some of them did. But you see, a welcoming smile doesn’t always mean they will readily accept me. Each of them tested my resolve in one way or another. Because in every parent’s mind, their daughter’s well-being is their number one priority.”

That’s how it is normally. But nowadays, it’s actually rare for someone our age to immediately introduce their partner to their parents. More often than not, relationships don’t last long.

If not that, a lot of them were choosing to hide their relationship status because they find it a pain to explain.

“I see... So, that’s how it is...”

Saki nodded and smiled but the tone of her voice was sullen at best. She hung her head low, leaning her head against my chest. Then little by little, she wrapped her arms around me.

Sensing that she was acting a little unusual, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

Saki moved her head slightly from left to right, “Nothing... I’d like to believe that they also think that way for me. But Ruki, it’s really not good today... I’m sorry.”

Ah. I made a mistake... Instead of cheering her up, the opposite happened. What she told me was probably not all it was. Not welcome to the thought of her dating someone must’ve another meaning.

As for what it is... Only this girl knows at the moment. And seeing her like this, I couldn’t find it in me to dig further into it.

For now, comforting her and turning our mood back around should be my priority. There’s no need to bring up my suggestion again. That would just put her in a more difficult spot if I insist on it.

“It’s fine. I should be the one apologizing to you. I was being insensitive again. Let’s move somewhere and eat this breakfast I prepared for you.”

Lifting her head, I put on a gentle smile in an attempt to cheer her up.

Of course, it’s not that effective but at least, her response was positive. She nodded and also forced a small smile to show on her lips.

Now that’s her being considerate to me as well. Rather than pull our mood further down, the girl also did her part in keeping it afloat.

Understanding that, I found my body moving on its own, lowering my head and catching her lips with mine, doing our first kiss for the day in the middle of the street.

Saki welcomed it wholeheartedly. And ignoring our surroundings, she hooked her arms around my nape to prolong it for as long as our breath could hold.

When our lips separated, a natural sweet-sounding laughter was produced by her and the gloom that was accumulating on her face was swept away like it was never there. “Thank you for cheering me up, Ruki. That’s too effective. I can’t believe I almost ruined our day.”

“Anything for my birthday girl. Besides, I was partly to blame. I’m ready to do anything to cheer you up. I can’t afford to make you sad on your special day.”

“Hmm? Yeah. If it’s you, I can imagine you acting like a clown just to cheer me up... I became a little emotional, huh?”

“Maybe not just a little? There must be a story in it. You can tell me about it when you’re ready. For now... we have a meal on our hands. Or on my hand, rather.”

“Pfft. That’s corny, Ruki. But yes. I will. I promise. I can’t hide you from them forever, right?”

“Or we can sneak in at night again... Jumping from the window when morning comes is something I can do, you know?”

“What are you? A burglar?”

Saki laughed once more and this time, it’s more clear-sounding than the first one.

For the mood around us to shift quickly like this, it’s almost a miracle compared to other relationships.

Anyway, we soon continued walking in the opposite direction of their house, leaving their neighborhood.

The day is just starting. We still have a lot of time for ourselves.

-

-

A few minutes later, we soon arrived at the same park that we stopped at during the first time I walked her home. It’s where she took her chance to be intimate with me before we sneaked into her room.

Upon remembering that, Saki’s face reddened instantly. However, even with that memory brought up, the two of us chose the place for us to eat what I brought.

It was still early so the place was mostly deserted apart from a few people walking past or resting there after a morning jog.

The same as before, we moved to one of the benches away from the playground area for kids and probably the most obscure spot in the park.

Those on the road wouldn’t be able to see us easily and those who were already inside would only see our side frame.

Because of that, we got ourselves some privacy.

Saki sat down at the far-left corner and I took the spot next to her, placing our bags on the remaining space to my left.

As I was opening the packed breakfast that I placed in a three-layer lunch box, the girl excitedly rubbed her palms together as though she couldn’t wait to dig into it.

Since I limited what I ate earlier and I also burned the energy gained from it, I was just like Saki, salivating from the breakfast I prepared for us.

Taking one layer at a time, we shared it evenly and as a service, I took it upon myself to feed her.

At first, she’s embarrassed to do it. However, after a few minutes, her mind eventually changed. She even started rushing me to feed her more.

That’s adorable, in a way. Watching her enjoy something I made was definitely a great feeling. I feel like I could always do it if it would bring a smile to my girls’ faces.

Other than that, Saki also took it upon herself to reward me in her own unique way…

As for what kind of reward... let’s just say her hands are mostly free. There are a lot of things she could do with it, right? Like feeling me up…

And because of it, as soon as we finished all three layers, Saki’s opportunist trait reared its fang. Satisfying herself with the food was just one thing. She also wanted to satisfy both of us with another.

First, she checked our surroundings in case someone was watching us. When she found it clear, the girl leaned closer and seductively whispered,

“Ruki, the bathroom stalls here are empty most of the time... My hands won’t be enough to contain what you packed in your pants. What do you think?”