NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 40: Impressions from the Study Session
Impressions from the Study Session
After school, we came to a family restaurant not too far from school to study for the test.
The four of us sat at a table, but there was a slight problem with the seating arrangement.
The issue was that… Sakura and Lilith were sitting on either side of me.
It felt cramped, and there was a pleasant scent coming from both sides, making it hard for me to concentrate.
Even Hakuma, who was sitting across from us, seemed bewildered by the situation.
“Sakura, Lilith, why are you sitting next to me?”
“W-Well, I’m not used to sitting next to Isaya-san…”
“Lili absolutely hates sitting next to the colt, you know~♪”
“If a succubus sits next to me, my pure body will be tainted. Sorry, but that’s a no from me.”
Sakura blushed apologetically, Lilith rejected with a smile, and Hakuma expressed his discomfort, each giving their reasons.
Distrust of humans, a tense relationship between a unicorn and a succubus… Well, it was inevitable with this group.
“In that case, I could sit next to Hakuma.”
“Isaya-kun, you’re going to steal the first place from me, aren’t you? If there’s something you don’t understand, I can explain it to you right away if we’re sitting next to each other.”
“Lilith needs to have Ikkun to teach her~, so it’s easier if she’s next to him, right~?”
“U-Understood…”
I felt overwhelmed by the unusual atmosphere radiating from the two girls’ smiles.
There were many things I wanted to comment on, but the air was not conducive to that, so I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut.
And so, the study session began with this seating arrangement…
“Ikkun, is this the right way for this intermediate step~?”
“Hmm? No, it’s all messed up because you substituted x over there.”
“Huh, oh, you’re right. So like this~?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Thank you~! Now, for the next problem~…”
“! Ah, yeah.”
I taught Lilith maths.
When I had her try some problems, it was clear she wasn’t very good at studying. But she had a good grasp of the basics, and she quickly absorbed and understood what I taught her. The issue was more with advanced problems.
So, if we just kept solving problems and drilled the formulas into her head, she could improve her scores. With this progress, maybe she could even aim for the top fifty.
That’s what I believed, but…
Huff, huff…
Every time Lilith leaned in to ask a question, she got so close that her chest pressed against my arm, making it impossible to concentrate!!
She had a smiling facade, but as someone who had been fed upon by her multiple times, I knew what was going on. She was deliberately making me conscious of her in public, enjoying it.
She really doesn’t hold back.
Well, she’s probably stressed from Yuto’s advances, so it might be good for her to have an outlet for that, even though I don’t particularly want to experience this sensation.
In the first place, it’s not just for Lilith that I can’t concentrate on.
“Isaya-kun, there’s a spelling mistake in that English sentence.”
“! Oh, you’re right…”
“But as expected of a scholarship student. You got all the other questions correct.”
“Th-thank you…”
“Hehe.”
I thanked Sakura, who praised me so readily. She seemed happy about it, her smile softening.
…As I rubbed my hand holding the pen.
Both sides were soft and smooth, and my heart raced every time I was touched. What’s wrong with me?
Or is this some kind of subtle request for bloodsucking?
No matter how many problems I solved, I couldn’t seem to focus with this unsettled heart.
As I tried desperately to calm my restless heart, Sakura narrowed her crimson eyes and looked at Lilith.
“By the way, Lilith. I’ve been wondering for a while now, but why do you pull your body close to Isaya-kun every time you ask a question? You don’t really need to do that just to learn, right?”
“It’s easier to hear and understand if I’m closer~. But more importantly… why is Sakuchan explaining how to solve problems to Ikkun even when he’s not asking, I wonder~?”
“Because that way is smoother than him stumbling over things.”
“Hmm~.”
Is it just my imagination, or does it look like sparks are flying between those two’s gazes?
As colleagues working in the same workplace, they should be getting along, so why are they glaring at each other like that?
I sought help with my gaze from the white horse across from me, but my best friend mercilessly shook his head and abandoned me.
He’s practically written “I don’t want to get involved in your mess” all over his face.
“Alright, I can’t study in this atmosphere! Let’s take a break!”
Feeling that things weren’t going anywhere like this, even though only thirty minutes had passed since we started, I declared a break.
To my surprise, the three of them accepted without protest.
While the Hakuma who had been working diligently was one thing, Sakura and Lilith both had slightly awkward expressions.
Unlike Yuto, who was afflicted with ‘Hero Syndrome,’ at least they were aware of what they were doing.
“…Maybe this seating arrangement isn’t working?”
“N-No, it’s not like that!”
“Lilith will do her best to be able to solve things herself!”
“Um… yeah…”
Thinking that maybe we should reconsider the seating arrangement, I voice it, but both girls sitting on either side of me reject the idea.
What’s with these girls? Do they prefer being next to me, or do they dislike being next to Hakuma?
Their intentions remain unclear, and all I can do is tilt my head in confusion.
“In the first place~, you can’t expect a study session to go smoothly when there are both guys and girls present, right~?”
“But I was asked by you to teach you!”
It’s a pretty outrageous statement, but considering that I couldn’t concentrate earlier, I can’t deny it.
However, since I’m the one being asked, I subtly make it clear that I can stop anytime.
Sensing this, Lilith clasps her hands together, tilts her head coyly, and offers a smiling response.
“Just kidding~. Ikkun’s way of teaching is super polite and easy to understand compared to Sakuchan’s.”
“Oh, really? You’ve always thought that way?”
“Because Sakuchan is strict~.”
“That’s because Lilith doesn’t put in much effort! No matter how much guidance you give, it just goes in one ear and out the other!”
“Aww, Ikkun, help me!”
“Hey, don’t egg her on and then cling to me!?”
Suddenly, my left arm, still in my uniform, is sandwiched between Lilith’s ample chest, and I get flustered from the unexpected contact.
I know she’s teasing me because she has a smirk on her face. But being this close, it brings out the male tendency to become conscious of such things, which is quite frustrating.
“S-Stop getting so close! It’s indecent! Please stay away from Isaya-kun!”
Seemingly dissatisfied with our contact, Sakura visibly changes her expression and scolds Lilith.
In an effort to pull me away from Lilith, she began tugging on my free arm, opposing her.
Naturally, if she pulls hard enough, my right arm will end up touching Sakura’s chest.
Hey, you scold her for indecency, but it’s fine when it’s you, huh?
However, it seems she’s not that aware, as she continues arguing with Lilith without showing any signs of realizing what she’s doing to me.
Sakura isn’t exceptionally large like Lilith is, but Sakura is relatively well-endowed.
When we’re in the position where I’m feeding from her neck, which involves us embracing each other, it’s particularly noticeable.
Though, I haven’t had the luxury of fully enjoying it due to the pain.
Or rather, can you release me already?
Despite being outside, my heart is racing so much that it’s almost as if we’re in the middle of a bloodsucking session, and I can’t really call it a break, can I?
As a man, I wouldn’t mind continuing like this, but if I give in to my impulses, it would be a direct violation of the orders Ojou-sama had given me. The penalty for that would be my entire body screaming in agony.
If that happens, it’s clear that they’d be upset, so I need to somehow get them to stop.
“U-Um, Sakura. About that, you’re… you’re touching…”
“Eh──～～～～h!?”
Since I felt like telling Lilith might only lead to more teasing, I braced myself for Sakura’s reaction as I pointed it out to her.
Finally realizing her posture upon my remark, she went momentarily blank and dumbfounded. However, that didn’t last long, and her face quickly turned beet red as she revealed her agitation.
Her reaction was so adorable that I felt like I was going to melt, but I tightly pressed my lips together to restrain myself.
Anyway, I thought this might make her let go, but Sakura still, with a firm hold on my arm, clung to it.
“Sakura?”
“I-Is this… something you find enjoyable, Isaya-kun?”
“Huh!?”
I questioned her, not sure what she meant, and she looked up at me with upturned eyes, saying such a thing.
Caught off guard by an unexpected question, I panicked, lacking composure.
Did she mean if I find this situation, where my arm is pressed against her chest, enjoyable?
“Well, of course, as a guy, it’s pleasant, but…”
“N-No, not because you’re a guy, I’m asking about how you personally feel, Isaya-kun!”
“…W-Well, it’s… nice. Especially when it’s a beautiful girl like you, Sakura. I mean, even more so.”
I was taken aback by the atypical question and struggled to remain composed, but facing Sakura, who was seeking an answer while blushin, I couldn’t bring myself to dodge the topic.
Though I had said something quite embarrassing, once it’s out there, I can’t take it back.
“Then… you don’t mind?” Sakura asked after I responded.
“Well…”
“! …In that case, I don’t mind.”
“R-Really…”
Upon hearing my response, Sakura widened her crimson eyes, then gave a soft smile and leaned her head against my arm as if nuzzling it.
Watching her series of actions, I became so nervous that I could barely offer a vague response.
To say that it’s fine as long as I’m happy… I wish she wouldn’t say things that could be so easily misunderstood.
Ugh, my face feels so hot.
My heart isn’t calming down at all.
Feeling awkward about looking at Sakura, I averted my gaze. But what met my eyes was Lilith, who was grinning broadly and looking thoroughly amused.
“Don’t look,” I whispered.
“Alrighty~” she replied with a giggle.
At least she obediently followed my request, which I delivered as an act of resistance.
I’m getting a bit scared of what might come next.
And the unicorn was looking at me with an amused expression, too.
“Why are you giving me that kind of look, Hakuma?”
“Well, I just thought you seemed to be having fun, and that’s a good thing.”
“Saying I’m having fun is pretty… lighthearted.”
“At the very least, you’re making a much better expression than you did before becoming a slave. It’s proof that you’re able to live as you want, considering the struggles you’ve been through until now.”
“Ugh…”
He revealed something that I couldn’t really deny, leaving me speechless.
It’s true that life has been much more fulfilling since becoming a slave. And much of it is thanks to the young lady who bought me and the fact that I’ve become friends with Sakura and Lilith.
Looking at it objectively, it makes sense.
No wonder the guys would be jealous—I’m quite fortunate.
That’s why I want to cherish this.
To do that, passing the midterms is the first step.
With that quiet determination in mind, after the break, we resumed our study session with renewed focus…
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