Her lips were warm, soft, and tasted faintly of fruit popsicle. As we kissed again, her arms snaked around my neck, and I felt her relax fully into me, her body molding to mine like we were two puzzle pieces meant to be tangled up like this.
"Mmm… you're getting good at this," she whispered between kisses, her forehead resting against mine.
"I should be," I murmured back. "I've had plenty of practice—with you as my teacher."
Her eyes sparkled, half-lidded and dreamy, but teasing. "Then let's see how well you've learned, student."
I grinned and leaned in again, deepening the kiss. My hand slid gently up her back, fingers brushing just beneath the tied strap of her top—not untying it this time, just feeling the warmth of her skin. She responded with a soft gasp, her hand gripping my shoulder tighter.
The air between us grew heavier with each heartbeat.
"You know," I said with a smirk between kisses, "if we keep this up, I might not stop at just making out."
She raised a brow but didn't pull away. "Is that a threat or a promise?"
"Depends," I whispered against her lips, "on whether or not you're going to beg me to keep going."
Aisha let out a flustered laugh, her cheeks coloring again despite her usual boldness. "I-I don't beg."
"Really?" I traced the curve of her side slowly, just enough to make her squirm. "Not even last night when you said—"
She clamped her hand over my mouth in an instant, eyes wide. "Don't you dare say that here!"
I licked her palm playfully. "What? I was just going to say how you begged for more ice cream."
"You liar!" she said, pushing me down into the sand with a laugh. "You're so dead!"
I pulled her down with me, rolling us so she landed softly on my chest. Her long hair framed her face like a curtain as she gazed down at me, her breath warm against my lips.
"I'm serious, though," I said softly. "I love you."
Her fierce blush returned, this time with no smart reply. She leaned in and kissed me again, slower this time, savoring it.
"I love you more," she whispered, and this time… it felt like time itself paused for us.
---
Our lips were still locked, slow and tender this time. Aisha's arms curled around my shoulders while mine roamed her back, fingers brushing against her skin, still warm from the sun. She let out a soft, satisfied hum into the kiss.
"I have to make it up to the others too," I murmured between kisses, pressing my forehead against hers. "I'm just giving you your dose of love in advance."
Aisha gave a playful glare and whispered back, "Shut up," before trailing her fingers slowly down my chest. "Let's see if they earn their advance like I do."
I chuckled—until we both froze.
"Huh? Ito? Sensei?"
We turned our heads like synchronized robots.
Standing there, hands on her hips, was Hana. In a dark blue frilly bikini, sunhat tilted slightly, and a popsicle in one hand—half melted. Her lips curled into a smirk, but her eyes told a different story.
"I was looking for you two," she said, slowly licking her popsicle like some kind of smug anime big sister trope. "Well… whatever. I'll tell Mei-chan you're—"
"Nope."
Before she could bolt, I reached out, grabbed her wrist, and spun her toward me. She squeaked. Aisha blinked in surprise.
"H-Huh?!"
I pulled Hana down into my lap with a smooth move even I was proud of, pinning her gently.
"Why don't you join us?" I asked, my voice low, teasing, dramatic—like I was narrating the climax of a cheesy shoujo drama.
Hana's face exploded red. "W-Wha–! I just came here to—mmph?!"
I kissed her.
And in a second, Aisha leaned in too, planting one on Hana's cheek.
"Mmmf!?!" Hana's eyes went full cartoon swirl.
We pulled back a moment later, grinning at her dumbfounded expression.
"Itooo… you idiot," she whispered, her voice trembling between flustered and secretly thrilled. "You can't just—ugh—both of you! Mei-chan's going to kill me…"
"Only if we don't invite her too," Aisha giggled, planting a teasing kiss on my cheek.
I grinned, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Even if my Mei comes here… I'll calm her with my perfect kisses. She'll melt into it before she can say 'baka.'"
Aisha smirked. "Oh really? Confident, aren't we, Kage-kun?"
Before I could retort, she slid onto my lap with a casual sway of her hips, joining Hana, who was already there—side by side. Their skin brushed. Their cheeks were pink. And so were mine.
"You're collecting girls on your lap now?" Hana mumbled, her voice back to its original, soft and reserved tone. Her eyes darted away, but she didn't move.
"Hey, I'm just providing excellent customer service," I joked, wrapping an arm around both of them. "Premium boyfriend experience, remember?"
Aisha leaned into my side, her head resting on my shoulder. "Then we deserve some premium perks, don't we, Hana~?"
Hana fidgeted. "W-We're in public…"
Aisha burst out laughing. "Hana, you're so cute when you go all quiet and red like this. I kinda missed this side of you."
"I… I wasn't prepared for this tag team…" Hana muttered, her voice nearly a whisper as both of us leaned closer.
I tilted Hana's chin toward me. "Then prepare yourself."
Her lips parted in surprise—just enough time for Aisha to swoop in and kiss my cheek again.
"Hey!" Hana huffed.
"Oh? Feeling jealous now?" I teased, tapping her nose. "Don't worry, I've got enough love to go around."
Aisha gently rested her hand on Hana's, giving her a supportive look. "You're not alone in this, Hana. We're all on the same team, right?"
Hana looked at our hands, then slowly nodded. "…Right."
Then, as if on cue, a particularly strong gust of ocean breeze blew by—causing all three of us to shiver slightly.
"Oh no," Aisha gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "It's so windy, I feel so exposed~!"
"You're literally sitting in a swimsuit," I pointed out, although I wasn't complaining.
"Exactly," Aisha winked. "Now hold me tighter."
I didn't need more encouragement.
She leaned in again, resting her forehead against mine. "Kage… when we're together like this, it really feels like we're the only people in the world."
"Oh please," Hana groaned, hiding her face. "You guys are so embarrassing…"
"You say that, but you're still here," I whispered, leaning toward her ear. "And still on my lap."
Her blush deepened.
Aisha chuckled. "You know, maybe we should invite Mei. Just to see what chaos happens."
"Nooo!" Hana shouted a bit too quickly.
Aisha and I both burst into laughter.
Hana crossed her arms with a pout. "Stop ganging up on me…"
"You know we love you, right?" I said sincerely, taking her hand in mine. "You don't have to act all strong and cool all the time."
"…I know," she mumbled. "But I want to be strong… for you."
Aisha softened. "You already are."
I pulled them both close, the three of us squished together in the sand, behind a sunlit rock that felt like our little bubble of peace. The sounds of the beach faded into the background, replaced by our breathing, soft laughs, and the rustling of the wind.
"We should do this more often," I said.
"Kissing behind rocks?" Aisha asked, raising an eyebrow.
I smirked. "No. Spending time like this. Just us."
"Mmhm," Hana nodded slowly. "Maybe… maybe next time we can bring lunch too. I'll cook."
"And I'll bring dessert," Aisha added, "unless Kage-kun counts as dessert."
"Okay, now I'm blushing," I muttered, covering my face.
"Serves you right," Hana smiled, poking my cheek.
As the three of us nestled closer, the silence between us grew warm, charged with something softer, something… electric.
I tilted my head and gave Hana a sly grin. "You're pouting again."
"I'm not…" she murmured, looking away.
"You're cute when you pout," I whispered.
She blinked in surprise, just as I leaned in and brushed a kiss against her lips. Soft. Gentle. Barely there.
Her eyes fluttered open, dazed. "I–I…"
Before she could recover, Aisha leaned in from the other side and kissed my cheek, then my jaw, whispering, "Don't hog him, Hana-chan~"
"Y-You're the one who always starts it!" Hana mumbled, but she didn't resist when Aisha leaned in and kissed her temple affectionately.
I turned, catching Aisha's lips this time, pulling her into a proper kiss—deeper, playful. Her arms slipped around my neck, giggling into the kiss as she pressed closer.
Our bodies shifted, making Hana squeak as her balance tipped. I caught her waist with one hand and pulled her in too. Our lips met again—mine and hers—this time slower, more deliberate.
"I-Ito…" she whispered against my mouth, voice trembling with nerves and something else.
"Shh," I whispered. "Just let me love you both."
Aisha grinned. "Now you're just showing off."
"You're both mine," I teased, switching between their lips—quick kisses, teasing ones, soft licks along their lips that made both of them shiver and lean closer.
Hana clutched at my shirt, her breath hitching. "Y-You can't just… do that all of a sudden…"
"But you like it, right?" I smirked.
"…Maybe," she admitted, red-faced.
Aisha trailed her fingers across my chest, her breath warm against my ear. "This is the best beach day ever."
I laughed softly, pressing both of them against me in a tight hug, feeling their warmth, hearing their little gasps as our closeness made them wriggle.
"Love you both," I said simply.
Aisha kissed my forehead. "Love you more."
Hana just nuzzled her face into my chest and whispered, "Me too…"
---
END OF CHAPTER : 42 : BEACH! : PART : 4 : HANA JOINED IN!
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A/N: Give me powerstones.
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