Considering the time, Kaoru Mitoma didn't do anything further to Karuizawa Kei just then.

He had only been testing her reaction.

"Responsibility… you mean that kind?" Karuizawa stammered, unconsciously tightening her grip on the soda can, her whole body radiating nervous tension.

"It's probably what you're thinking. I have to pay the corresponding price too. As for what that price entails, that's entirely up to you. You could also interpret it as compensation from a pervert to his victim." Kaoru withdrew his arm from her embrace, then took the can from her hand and took a sip of juice.

The sickly sweet taste spread in his mouth—perhaps mixed with a trace of her own flavor.

Karuizawa looked up at him and suddenly asked, "No matter what it is? You'll really take responsibility? For everything, absolutely everything—are you really okay with that?"

"As Hirata-kun's girlfriend, you're here sneaking around with another man," Kaoru said.

"In a situation like this, it's bound to have negative consequences for you. I can't just stand by and watch, can I?"

"Once the sports festival is over, I'll break up with him," Karuizawa murmured, lowering her head.

In truth, she had only used that status as a cover to get closer to Kaoru that why she was keeping Hirata as her boyfriend—she didn't considered the implications.

As he had said, if anyone found out, things would become extremely troublesome.

"I'm not blaming you. After all, I didn't reject you."

With that, Kaoru glanced toward the gymnasium.

The noise inside had gradually quieted—it was probably almost over.

"Let's head back. Staying here too long will draw attention."

Just as Kaoru was about to leave, Karuizawa suddenly grabbed his sleeve.

"You'll really take responsibility? You're not joking, right? If you're lying, I won't forgive you. Do you understand?"

Even without looking directly at her, Kaoru could hear the unease saturating her voice.

That overwhelming insecurity even dulled the sweetness lingering on his tongue.

"Really. Even if I touch your breasts, I'll take responsibility."

"But… what about your true love?" Karuizawa whispered. "You'll take responsibility for her too, won't you?"

"The same, I'll take responsibility for all of you."

Although fully aware these words made him no different from scum, it was indeed Kaoru's genuine thought—there was no reason to abandon them.

"Can't you just choose one?" Karuizawa desperately tried to stay calm.

"The law doesn't allow polygamy, and this is just too unfair."

Setting aside practical concerns, love itself was about monopolizing one person—how could anyone willingly share their boyfriend?

Karuizawa didn't believe such people existed.

"I can't bear to choose" Kaoru answered bluntly. "Kei is adorable. If I let you go, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."

Karuizawa froze—was this a confession?

"But if I had to say, what I feel now probably isn't love yet. At most, it's just the desire to possess you."

Hearing this, Karuizawa actually felt slightly relieved.

"I don't understand. I've been trying hard to make myself like you—staring at your photo at night, wondering what you're doing during the day, sometimes even thinking about what kind of girl could be your girlfriend."

The girl stood motionless, her eyes tinged with sorrow.

"But girls can be selfish too. I want to eliminate your true love, to crush those bugs. I know it would upset you, but I just can't help it."

"What Kei is feeling now is exactly how I feel. I don't want to see you with someone else in the future."

"And I don't want to be abandoned by you."

"I won't abandon you."

"I want to be your one and only."

"You can be."

"You're lying. You already have a girlfriend."

"Kei is my girlfriend now too."

"No, there can only be one. I'm angry."

"Even so, sooner or later, I'd steal Kei away from Hirata-kun."

"Be serious!"

Karuizawa puffed up her cheeks, her eyes flashing with embarrassment and frustration, unsure whether she should be angry or upset.

"I am being serious." Kaoru stretched out his hands, flexing them in the air.

"My body remembers Kei's touch. These hands can't live without you now."

This pervert—even now, he was bringing that up.

Karuizawa's face burned red, but remembering her own words earlier, she could only suppress her anger and mutter.

"How far have you gone with her?"

Kaoru thought for a moment. "Are you asking about our progress?"

Karuizawa nodded, staring at him intently.

"Holding hands, kissing, and what I just did with you," Kaoru answered.

"Not... that?" Karuizawa was surprised.

Wasn't this guy supposed to be a pervert?

He actually held back?

No, it seemed like he had held back just now as well.

In an instant, Karuizawa's expression turned complicated.

"So... are you still a virgin?" Karuizawa couldn't help but ask.

"Probably," Kaoru answered uncertainly.

In his previous world, he definitely wasn't, but now he couldn't say for sure.

"What do you mean, 'probably'? You should know for sure whether you've done it or not!" Karuizawa was clearly dissatisfied.

Then, slowly turning her face away, she muttered, "Your first time has to be with me. You can't give it to any other woman—not even your so-called 'true love.'"

Kaoru blinked. "So, Kei's changed her mind?"

"Not at all! Any normal person would reject the idea of their boyfriend wanting a harem. I'm just... just making it clear in advance. Until I'm ready, your first time absolutely cannot be with anyone else."

As she spoke, her voice trailed off into a grumble.

"After all, you're so lustful—who knows how soon you'll lose it?"

Since his first date, first hand-holding and first kiss were already gone, was it really too much to ask for his first time?

Just as Kaoru had said, this thought wasn't born out of love but rather selfish possessiveness—the desire to monopolize him entirely.

At the same time, it stemmed from a deep-seated fear, the fear that he might abandon her, which only made her want to bind him to her even more tightly.

Moreover, after hearing Kaoru's words earlier, Karuizawa could sense his sincerity, and she couldn't help but feel a growing trust toward him.

Even if she lost her own first time, he would undoubtedly take responsibility.

And Karuizawa wanted exactly that—for him to take responsibility, preferably for the rest of his life.

[So.... who do you think's gonna be the one to take our boy first time?]

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