Asakusa Tōru began to wonder if he had some kind of special ability.
Otherwise, maybe this rooftop had some strange charm that actively attracted beautiful girls.
Why was it that every time he opened the door, there was a girl standing behind it?
To be fair, he could understand why someone would want to use this rooftop.
It looked nice, after all. And that heavy electronic door gave off a strong sense of security.
But still… it somehow felt like he had set up a trap here, waiting for girls to walk right into it.
And looking closer—
Wasn't that Sakura Airi?
Wasn't she usually taking photos behind the school building? Why was she here on the rooftop?
"…"
Almost the moment he recognized her, Asakusa Tōru instinctively pulled out his terminal.
—Click.
A crisp shutter sound rang out, capturing the girl exactly as she was—before she had even put on her "mask."
"…"
Only then did Sakura Airi snap back to her senses.
In an instant, she turned completely red—like steam was about to burst out of her.
Without thinking, she rushed straight toward him, one hand covering herself while the other reached for his terminal.
She had to delete that photo!
"—Uwah!"
Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes, sparkling under the midday sun.
She hopped up and down in front of him, desperately trying to grab the terminal.
Meanwhile, Asakusa Tōru simply raised his hand higher, holding it out of reach, his expression faintly puzzled.
…Why did this feel like teasing a cat with a toy?
Looking down at Sakura Airi—who was practically begging to be bullied—he blinked and said:
"Why don't you just… continue?"
As he spoke, he stepped slightly to the side, letting the door he had been blocking swing shut again.
Normally no one came here, but still—if someone saw them now, it'd be hard to explain.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
Jumping around like that had clearly taken its toll.
Especially since Sakura Airi was… well, carrying quite a bit.
After several failed attempts, she finally gave up, lowering her head while clutching her body, breathing heavily.
Continue… continue what?!
Everything's already been seen!!
What do I do, what do I do, what do I do…
Panic spread through her mind, her thoughts buzzing as if her brain might shut down entirely.
Sakura Airi had never been particularly good at thinking under pressure.
Her head was always full of messy thoughts.
She overthought everything.
But she never said anything out loud. Never acted on those thoughts.
Everything she thought about just turned into regret later—why didn't she act back then?
Her "judgment," according to her school file, was rated D.
Making the right decision quickly… was incredibly hard for her.
So she didn't aim to make the right decision.
She just wanted to make the simplest one.
The one that required the least hesitation.
The one that followed her instincts.
—Finish changing first.
"Sakura Airi" couldn't handle this situation.
"Sakura Airi" absolutely couldn't deal with this.
So she needed "Shizuku" to come out.
But even knowing that, she hesitantly lifted her gaze, sneaking a glance at Asakusa Tōru.
He was the one who would decide whether she could change.
Uu…
Why now of all times…?
Why come here during lunch instead of eating or going back to the dorm…?
And how did he even open that door?!
Is he going to use the photo to threaten me…?
"Uu…"
The hand covering her chest tightened slightly, making the already noticeable curves beneath her collarbone even more pronounced.
Timidly—so quietly it was barely audible—she asked:
"C-can I… continue changing?"
Asakusa Tōru: "…"
…Do you really need my permission for that?
"…Go ahead," he said with a sigh, waving his hand.
"O-okay!"
Nodding quickly, she hurried back to where she had been, her bare feet lightly tapping against the rough ground.
But just as she was about to change—
She hesitated, then turned back.
"Um… c-could you turn around?" she asked nervously. "I… I'm not used to changing while someone's watching…"
Even though he had already seen everything he shouldn't have—
Even though most of it had been exposed when she jumped around earlier—
Changing clothes in front of someone was still far too embarrassing.
"No."
Asakusa Tōru refused without hesitation.
"Eh—?!"
The unexpected answer made Sakura Airi let out a small cry.
W-why would you refuse…?!
Isn't this the part where you realize you've been staring too much, apologize, and turn around?!
Her understanding of the world was crumbling.
But there was nothing she could do.
She couldn't exactly cover his eyes herself.
And staying like this was even more embarrassing.
…Just finish changing quickly.
"…"
The wind rustled her clothes as she hurriedly pulled her skirt on faster than she ever had before.
At the same time, she couldn't help but sneak glances toward him.
His face showed no particular expression.
But his gaze—
Never moved.
Not even for a second.
It stayed fixed on her.
This feeling… is so strange!
Even when she worked as a gravure idol, no one had ever stared at her so directly while she changed!
Back then, at least she had her clothes on in front of the camera.
And that was work—it felt completely different from this!
Uu…
Under that burning gaze, she finished changing quickly.
But just when "Shizuku" was supposed to take over—
Her weak, timid self returned instead.
She couldn't convince herself.
W-what should she do…?
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