Chapter 22: The Pool, Changing Clothes

Ryoka Chikawa felt a sense of trepidation.

If things followed yesterday's script, she would have to contribute another kiss today... as Kitahara put it, an equivalent exchange.

Ten thousand yen for one kiss; no matter how you looked at it, it was a good deal. One had to remember that the women in Okubo Park only charged twenty to thirty thousand for a session...

Yet, she still felt a sense of dejection in her heart. After all, when it truly came down to selling oneself, there was a feeling of dignity being lost. It wasn't that she was unwilling. It was an equivalent exchange: Kitahara paid the money, and she provided the service...

But her dignity as a young girl was subtly stirring, constantly gnawing at her. She gritted her teeth, deciding to pick up an extra part-time job in the evening, thinking that perhaps this way, she could pay Kitahara back sooner.

After lunch, the two strolled through the garden. It was a place for young couples to date. Since this was Kitahara’s first time here, he looked around, genuinely curious.

"Stop looking..." Seeing a couple nearby, Ryoka Chikawa tugged at Kitahara, blushing as she said, "They're kissing."

"Oh." Kitahara turned back. "Are you shy?"

"N-no, I'm used to it." Ryoka Chikawa spoke stubbornly; she was trying hard to maintain her persona—a "delinquent" girl who knew all about the affairs between men and women and had dated several boyfriends.

"Then shall we try it later?" Kitahara suggested. "You haven't given me today's kiss yet, anyway."

Ryoka Chikawa’s face froze. Her soft lips parted slightly, and she didn't know what to say. She had given Kitahara her first kiss yesterday. Although the experience hadn't been long, it was indelible—that soft sensation, the scent of the boy at close range, and the dizzying intoxication of the kiss all made her face burn with heat.

It was fine; she wasn't opposed to it... but was it too bold to kiss in this garden? If Kitahara had suggested it in a deserted place, she might have agreed. Her skin, however, simply couldn't handle kissing in public.

So, she hesitated and said, against her better judgment, "I’ve been smoking; my breath might smell a bit. Do you really want to kiss?"

"Smoking? Forget it, then." Kitahara shook his head. He personally didn't like smoking much. Of course, he could understand that people who smoked often did so under stress, and having one was normal. "Where did you learn to smoke? It’s not a good habit; you’d better quit..." Kitahara reminded her.

Ryoka Chikawa hadn't expected Kitahara to press the issue. She hesitated and said, "I had a boyfriend before who liked to smoke, so I picked it up."

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had made a mistake. Although she had never actually dated, she knew that mentioning an "ex-boyfriend" in front of a "current boyfriend" was a great way to lose favor... But it seemed to fit her "gyaru" image, and she felt she had to say it. She looked at Kitahara with dejection, thinking that he must surely harbor resentment toward her now.

However, Kitahara never played by the rules.

"Oh." He nodded. "Well, I don't like it. You should quit from now on."

"..."

Ryoka Chikawa was stunned. He wasn't even angry? His temperament was excessively good... If this weren't her, but some bad woman, she would have probably swindled him out of all his money by now, wouldn't she? Ryoka looked at Kitahara in surprise, a flicker of pity appearing in her eyes.

"By the way."

"Hmm?"

Ryoka looked down to see a Fukuzawa Yukichi bill appearing before her eyes. She was startled for a moment, then looked up into Kitahara’s sincere gaze.

"Tomorrow's girlfriend fee, ten thousand yen."

"Actually, you don't have to."

"Take it. I won't feel at ease if you don't..." Kitahara said earnestly.

Ryoka Chikawa’s expression was complex. This boyfriend seemed almost pitifully innocent. Had he never been loved before? Why was he so humble?

She looked left and right; there was no one around, so she lowered her head and took the money. "What do you want me to do?"

Take the money, do the job. It was a natural enough logic. She knew Kitahara liked her, and she knew the specific things he might like about her... but those aspects were still in a state of naive shyness and not really suitable for public display. As long as it wasn't a physical transaction, she could accept it. Even if it were, Ryoka had no reason to refuse. After all, she was still using Kitahara's money. This money was for saving her life...

"Take me to the swimming pool for a walk. I've been here for a year, and other than attending classes, I've barely been there," Kitahara said.

"Okay."

Should she change? Ryoka Chikawa thought this naturally. It was early spring; the pool had no heated water, so it was obviously not suitable for exercise. Even the members of the swim team went home to train at this hour... except for her, no one would freeze in the icy water. Still, she could satisfy this request... However, Ryoka felt a little shy, wondering if he would push for more...

When they arrived at the pool, Kitahara looked around. "Where do I sign up for the club?"

"For the club, you have to find the president. During freshman orientation, she usually sits near the school gate..." Seeing him holding her hand, Ryoka shrank back slightly, feeling it was a bit too hot. After a while, when he didn't let go, she reminded him in a low voice, "I need to go change..."

"Why do you need to change?" Kitahara asked, puzzled.

"Huh?"

*No, you...* Ryoka Chikawa soon realized she had misunderstood Kitahara’s intentions, and her face flushed. "No, no, it’s nothing."

"Changing clothes is fine, too." Kitahara realized her intent and couldn't help but smile. "Since you want to show off, I can give you that opportunity."

"..."

Ryoka Chikawa bit her lip, regretting that she had opened her mouth. Would it have killed her to stay silent just now? She sighed and walked toward the changing room. Kitahara followed.

He only allowed himself to see his little girlfriend's photos... After all, he had spent ten thousand yen; why should he share her with anyone else?

"Men aren't allowed in the women's changing room..." Ryoka Chikawa glanced at him, acting cautious.

"I'll just stand at the door. Is there anyone else here?"

"In the spring, very few people train. It’s fine if you stand outside."

As long as he didn't come in, everything was fine. Ryoka Chikawa placed her hands on her neck, feeling nervous. This was something that would make even girls stare, and she didn't think Kitahara would be able to resist. Especially since he liked her. If he were to let his animal instincts take over in the changing room, wouldn't that be...

Ryoka Chikawa felt restless.

"Alright, hurry up and go in. We don't have much time for lunch break." Kitahara urged her.

"Changing takes time."

Ryoka lowered her head and walked into the changing room. She looked back; Kitahara was standing at the entrance, occasionally glancing around. She sighed and found her locker.

There were three swimsuits inside. The competition one was still brand new; she only used it for critical moments. The one she used for daily training was a bit old, but wearable. And then...

Ryoka stared at the last one, a two-piece swimsuit. She only wore it when going out, and she hadn't bought it long ago. It had bright yellow lace and featured cutouts—not too many, but still a bit daring if she were to show it to someone... Ryoka hesitated for a moment, then chose that set. With a rustling sound, the girl stripped off her clothes.

...

Kitahara stood at the door for a while, glancing at the pool. From the perspective of exercise, swimming was similar to running, but the former was more comfortable... Compared to running under the scorching sun, dripping with sour, foul sweat, versus gliding through the pool and occasionally looking at a girl in a swimsuit, anyone would know how to choose.

"Hey..."

While he was lost in thought, a faint call came from behind him.

Kitahara turned around. Ryoka was standing behind the changing room door, extending one hand and waving it gently.

"There's no one outside." He walked over.

"It’s a bit cold..."

Ryoka huddled her body, whispering, "I won't go out. If you want to look, look from here."

It was mid-April, and the temperature was indeed a bit chilly. Kitahara handed her a jacket, but Ryoka shook her head. With one hand pressing down her dark hair, she slowly stepped out from behind the door.

Her long black hair hung down to her waist, and the bright yellow swimsuit set off her snow-white skin. The girl’s heroic spirit was vibrant, and her bright, lovely face held a few traces of shyness that made one freeze in their tracks.

Her melons were ripe, swaying gently with the breeze.

He was tall, and looking down from above, he could clearly see the snowy whiteness pushing against the fabric, and the bottomless cleavage between the two smooth, white snowy peaks, which stood in sharp contrast to the bright yellow color. Her ivory-white legs were slender and graceful; at this moment, she kept them pressed together, hiding every detail from his view.

Kitahara couldn't help but look a few more times. His little girlfriend was truly adorable.

However