For the next twenty minutes, Shiina and I stayed on that balcony, silently gazing into the horizon or at each other. At times, we’d bring up a topic to talk about but we ultimately skirted away from discussing the current state of our relationship.

Well, she did confess. Or we could take that one as a confession and I accepted it. I got to hear her side and the reason why she felt that way. However, that doesn't mean she’s going to become one of my girls right away.

While it’s true that I’m also becoming interested in her, it’s not to the point of falling in love with her. Besides, even if I didn’t say it explicitly, Shiina understood it. That’s why she said that I shouldn’t feel pressured about giving her an answer.

She’s even planning on looking for me at school if given the chance. And honestly, I’m looking forward to that. Sounds like I’ll be getting courted again, no?

Although she didn’t really need to do that, I could somehow understand her reasoning for it. After this camp, the chances of us meeting coincidentally would be lower than her oversleeping during the morning. Unless we voluntarily looked for each other, it’d be near impossible. Furthermore, knowing that I’m involved with the other girls, it’s not wrong for her to assume that my day would always be busy with them.

Due to that, if she wants to get my attention, she has to be proactive.

That’s a rather understandable point. Just that, she has no idea that if I feel like it, I can also go and look for her. As long as we maintained communication after this camp through our phones, I would probably not neglect her messages as much as I did Sachi’s.

Well, enough about that. The most important part of this moment with her was the fact that I didn’t push her away even after hearing everything from her. Likewise, she didn’t pull away despite admitting to understanding my character.

During those twenty minutes, I held her as close as possible and she did the same.

Not gonna lie, I was tempted to tease her ear again but Shiina sensed it. When I was about to touch it with my hand, the woman grabbed my arm and wrapped it around her, locking it on top of her navel. Lowering my head to nibble on it also became impossible. Her defense? She’d raise her head to look at me with a pitiable gaze as though she was going to cry if I followed through with what I was planning to do.

Thanks to that, I removed any notion to tease her. Maybe I should attempt it the next time we’re together?

Anyway, upon returning inside the cabin, we spent a few minutes there sharing a drink along with a snack. She brought out a thermos flask containing brewed tea and her handmade chocolate chip cookies she baked for her best friend, Sara.

When I asked her why we were eating it, she impishly grinned while saying Sara wouldn’t be mad if she found out I’d eaten it.

I felt a little bad so I held back and left behind two pieces for the girl. Uh. I could’ve left more but the cookies were surprisingly great.

Looks like Shiina’s hobby was also baking pastries. Nao would be enlivened if I introduced them to each other. Imagine the desserts they would make for us.

Soon after we finished our cups, we started preparing to leave. She estimated that the residents of this place would soon be back. We had to leave soon or we’d truly be caught by them.

“So, what is your plan, Onoda-kun? Are you returning to your camp?” Shiina asked as we stepped out of their cabin.

Return, huh? Of course, I won’t. I have all this free time that Sawano graciously handed over. I’d make the most of it.

“Nope, I’m hoping to sneak inside the girls’ area again. You know... to spend time with them”

“Pfft. As I expected, you won’t miss this chance?”

“Shiina-san, aren’t you the one who told me the ideal time to visit? I’m following your advice.”

For sure, those suggestions she made earlier hadn’t accounted for her eventual interest in me tipping over. She probably thought it’d be interesting to use me again to spice up their camp.

“Y-yeah. I did that. Ugh... Should I have been more aggressive with my approach? I should’ve asked you for a kiss while we were out there on the balcony. I’m the one who lost an opportunity. Being in your embrace is so comforting.”

“Well, we’re still going to be together, aren’t we? You still have the chance to be aggressive.” I put on a teasing smile which immediately responded by pushing her hand on my cheek.

Following that, the woman gloomily lowered her head, hiding her expression from me.

“Hearing you say that is more frustrating, Onoda-kun... I may act boldly but I don’t want to look desperate in your eyes... Ugh... Let’s go. Forget I said anything.”

This girl... she’s really becoming more likable. I get the ‘not wanting to look desperate’ but if she truly asked for it, I doubt I’ll reject her. The temptation is still there and she already made her mark on my head. She’s not just some other girl anymore.

But thinking about it, it would be truly frustrating for a girl to demand something like that, especially if we have yet to be that intimate before this.

As she started walking away, I quickly followed after her, matching her steps.

Then, while she still had her head lowered, I reached for her dangling hand, clasping it tightly.

“What about this, Shiina-san? Do I look desperate if I hold your hand like this?”

“Geez... Look at you being assertive. I take it that I’m starting to grow on you.” Shiina looked at the connection of our hands and chuckled in delight. Her previous gloominess cast off right away.

“Mhm. You are. I can’t have you feeling gloomy because of me. Besides... you’re going to bring me to my girls. I feel bad about that.”

“I like this side of you, Onoda-kun.” Shiina stared at me meaningfully. She also understood it. Nevertheless, she’s still going to help me regardless of what we both feel in this situation.

A few seconds later, she closed in on me again, repeating what she did earlier; hugging my arm tightly.

Seeing how she was attempting to shake off the negative thoughts in her head by doing this, my body moved on its own... I moved in front of her and held her chin up.

Before confusion set in her clear eyes, I lowered my head, dropping my lips at the side of her lips. It’s the same kind of kiss that I first did with Marika.

As I pulled away, my thumb caressed the part I kissed before whispering, “I also like this side of you, Shiina-san. Thank you for understanding me.”

Perhaps it was too much for her, Shiina’s face instantly turned crimson as her mouth opened and closed. A moment later, she grabbed onto my shirt before pushing her head to my chest. Her face was naturally buried in it once again.

Soon, I could feel her warm breath seeping through my clothes as her muffled voice reached my ears, “... Onoda-kun, you’re unfair. You didn’t give me a warning. Can’t you let me prepare for that?”

I put my hand on her head, combing it gently. I didn’t say anything else and simply caressed her while holding her close to me.

Not long after this, instead of being guided by her, I took the lead on walking us out of this cabin area.

Right after we emerged to that open space, I caught sight of the group of professors coming from the path that leads to the hill.

If we were a minute late in leaving, we’d surely run into them.

However, that’s not all. As we were about to turn to the path leading to the girls’ area, someone popped out from the other path.

“Shiina? Onoda?”

Standing there, Sawano stared at us in surprise with his eyes gradually locking onto our joined hands.