Chapter 764: Subdue  

Watching the hatching process of the turtle eggs, everyone had an indescribable feeling inside their hearts. However, one thing was for sure, they felt satisfied. Even though not all the eggs were able to hatch, and some even died inside, there was nothing that they could do since it was the law of nature. Sometimes, there was something that they couldn't help at all.

Shishio didn't stay any longer and thanked the professor associate that had been kindly explaining many things to them.

"If you have time, please visit us anytime."

"Yes, if we visit Okinawa again, we will be sure to visit you."

As for whether he would really visit her or not, he wasn't sure, but he still needed to be polite. Yumiko also followed and thanked the professor associate too. She was also so polite, and no one thought she was such a strong girl who often used her glare and loud voice to take down her opponent. He glanced at her and thought maybe her education in this area wouldn't lose to Yukinoshita.

If Yukinoshita had elegance and grace in every one of her demeanors, then Yumiko had this pureness and loveliness in her demeanor.

Yumiko truly enjoyed watching the hatching process of the sea turtle eggs, and she was grateful to the professor associate for explaining many things to them. More importantly, she was glad to know her since it was rare to know a female professor, especially in the area where the men were the majority. With that said, even if she somewhat admired the professor, she knew what she had to do.

Watching how the baby sea turtle desperately ran toward the sea to start their new life without knowing what kind of future they held, yet there was no hesitation in their movement, made her heart unable to calm down.

Her heart was stimulated by a certain thought.

She was clear about her feelings, and she wanted to tell him now.

Why now?

It was because she felt this was the only time.

If she didn't confess, then when could she be?

To be honest, this might be unexpected, especially when she had always buried her feelings toward Hayama for a year or more, yet, she couldn't control her feelings toward him.

However, the intensity which she felt toward him and Hayama was different.

Hayama was kind, that's all.

Yet, Shishio knew how to provoke her heart. He knew how to excite, tease, and anger, and he caused many reactions to her emotions.

While she might not be different from a plaything in his eyes, she thought differently.

She felt that it was love.

And this trip cleared her heart.

As they walked to their motorcycle, she hesitated, wondering whether they could stop somewhere since she knew if they returned to the hotel like this, there wouldn't be any chances for her to convey her feelings.

However, she was a coward.

While she might be loud and brave in certain situations, she was also timid.

Hesitating, doubting, wondering, and as she kept thinking, her mind was in a daze, and she didn't wake up until a helmet was put on her head.

"Senpai, can you even put on a helmet by yourself?"

Shishio was helpless as he put the helmet on Yumiko's head with care.

Her heart was beating so fast, and her face was so red as she stared into his profile. She could feel his rugged fingers touching against her chin, causing her to feel like electricity shook her entire body.

Suddenly, she thought of a cat.

She had been curious why a cat purred happily as it was being caressed, but now, she understood.

"Come on. Let's go back."

"...ah, um."

Unfortunately, the words that she wanted to convey wouldn't come out of her mouth.

Her courage wasn't as strong as those baby sea turtles.

As she fell into a deep loathing, the cold wind cooled her face. She had been lowering her head, but now, she looked up. She looked at her surroundings, watching the dazzling starry night filled with the Milky Way and the beautiful sea with the reflection of the moon. Everything was so clear. It was a scenery that was impossible to see in Tokyo.

As she watched all of this, she hugged him tighter.

The shame of hugging him had long disappeared.

As of now, she wants to move to the higher stage.

"Shishio."

"Hmm?"

"Can we stop by the beach?"

"You want to walk there?"

"Un." Somehow, her brain was moving at a speed at which she was even surprised by herself. "I have wanted to try to walk at the beach at night... with someone." Unfortunately, she was still unable to say the last few words clearly and only uttered them in a mutter.

"Sure." Shishio nodded. "Anyway, even if we return now or later, we will be punished, so it doesn't matter."

"......" Yumiko.

Leaving the punishment aside, Yumiko had made up her mind.

With that decision, they looked at their sides before they stopped at one of the beaches.

On Okinawa, there were many beaches, especially when it was a small island surrounded by the sea, and each of them had unique beauties. This time, they chose this beach. As for why they chose this beach, there was no particular reason. If there was, it was because it was quiet, and it was the first one they saw. The beach was clear, and there was no trash; the waves were moving quietly, like they sang a romantic song for them.

He stopped his Super Cub before he helped her to take off her helmet.

"There."

He tidied her hair slightly and touched the rolls shaped of hair at the tip of her hair.

Those rolls were Yumiko's trademark, and this was why she was fitted with such a haughty exterior.

However, such an expression didn't appear on her face currently.

Her face was bright red as she felt his fingers touch her cheeks. Unexpectedly, she felt that his fingers were so cold, and she quickly realized that he had been wearing a T-shirt since she took her jacket. She fell into self-blame again, and when he was about to leave, she held his hands tightly.

"What's wrong?"

"...your hands are cold."

"It's okay. This is my constitution."

"You should wear your jacket."

She thought that he was lying and was about to take off his jacket, but he stopped her.

"The wind at night is quite chilly. I am fine, but you are not." He shook his head. "I have always worked out my body. Look." He lifted his t-shirt and showed off his abs.

"...d-don't do something so shameless so suddenly!"

She stuttered as she looked at his abs. Her breathing was heavy, and she couldn't look away.

Were Ebina, Saki, and Yui touching his abs all the time?

Somehow, she felt quite jealous.

No! No! No!

She shook her head before his voice awoke her.

"Come on. Let's remove our shoes and feel the sand with our feet."

She agreed since it seemed fun.

As they walked into the beach, they took off their shoes. Unlike the chilly wind at night, the sand was warm.

"It's warm." Yumiko was surprised.

"It's normal. The sand has been absorbing the heat from the sun since noon."

"Eh? Really?"

As they talked, they walked around and talked about many random things. Their conversation definitely had nothing to do with the sea turtles, sand, or even Okinawa, but somehow it was about the foods they had eaten before. The Okinawa cuisine was without a doubt unique, especially the bitter gourd, which they had eaten before. They also ate spam musubi and many others, which was fun and delicious.

"I am afraid to get fat..." Yumiko sighed.

Shishio only chuckled, which made her fume. "Why are you laughing?"

"You have such a cute worry, after all. How can I not laugh?"

"It's not a cute problem! It's a big problem for us girls!"

"Yes, yes."

She pouted, but she kept staring at him. "Hey."

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you cold?"

"Well... now that you mention it, I feel a little colder now."

"Then..." She was about to take off his jacket, but he stopped.

"You know, there is a method that can make us warm together?"

"Really? How?" She was curious.

"Come here."

He held her hand and pulled her as he sat on the white sand before he patted the space between his legs. "Sit here."

"......."

She struggled for a moment before she let out a long sigh and followed him obediently since she couldn't deny the desire in her heart. When she sat down, she felt that his jacket, which she wore, was taken before she looked at him, wrapping his jacket around him and her. The smooth operation dumbfounded her, but her face became redder and redder as she quickly looked away, feeling afraid that her expression was being seen by him. He smiled before he put his hands on her slender waist. Her body was tense but slowly relaxed as she felt so warm staying by his side.

"Senpai."

"Hmm?"

"Your hair smells nice."

"...pervert." However, she moved even closer to him, even letting him sniff the scent of her hair. As his hands wrapped around her waist, she put her hands on top of them, feeling relief from his touch.

As they watched the sea, the sky, and the moon, they fell into a comfortable silence.

Neither of them said anything and just enjoyed each other's presence.

'I hope that time will stop.'

Somehow, this was her wish since she wanted to stay with him as long as possible. She could feel his chin on the top of her head before she moved her head slightly to peek a glance at his profile. She couldn't look away and just stared at his face until his eyes were locked into hers.

*Gulp!*

Neither might say anything, but the ambiguous atmosphere and the desire which was transmitted from his eyes were clear. It might seem sudden, but he moved closer unhurriedly, clearly telling her his intent to kiss her lips. She blushed and felt shy. Her body was slightly tense, but even so, she didn't move away. As he was moving closer, she closed her eyes, anticipating her first kiss. When he confirmed her reaction, he smiled and calmly took her chaste lips.

"Hmm~!"

Her lips were soft, and they tasted like just slightly ripened fruit. They were sweet with a slight hint of greenness.

As for his impression, he loved them.

Yumiko also hugged his neck as she wanted to move even closer to him.

They stayed in this position until they lost their breath before they parted their lips.

Their sight was blurred, and they couldn't fully see the scenery around them, but they were clear of the person in front of them.

"I love you." Yumiko blurted those words.

"How cute."

"......"

"What's your answer?!" She was furious but also worried since his answer was different from the script.

"Isn't it obvious?" He put his forehead against her. "I love you too, Yumiko."

Her face was so red, and her eyes were dodging for a moment because of the extreme shyness from his direct confession, but she glanced at him shyly and showed a bright, happy smile.

"I love you, Shishio."

Such a happy confession should be finished with another chaste kiss, but she realized he had never followed the script, and her lips were ravaged by him while she could only be dominated, tamed, and subdued by him.

"Hmn~!"