“Bastard! Put me down right now!”
The world spun in an instant, the solid ground beneath his feet vanished, and the sudden rush of blood left Kaoru Hoshitani slightly dizzy.
After a moment of sheer shock, he was quickly swallowed by a tidal wave of shame.
From his fair, smooth cheeks down to his slender neck, a bright, unhideable flush spread as if his skin had been set ablaze, burning hot.
He was anxious and angry, but dared not make too much of a scene. All he could do was lower his voice in embarrassment, gritting out his protest through clenched teeth.
His long, slender legs kicked helplessly—and with a hint of stubbornness—in the air, but the awkward position left him unable to put any real force into his struggle.
Both hands balled into fists, trembling slightly with frustration, but he couldn’t bring himself to truly lash out.
Instead, he pounded Aina Saiten’s back lightly, like raindrops falling, neither too hard nor too soft.
It was only eleven at night. For Tokyo, this ceaseless metropolis, the dazzling nightlife was just beginning.
Neon lights flashed on both sides of the street, and the streetlamps shone so brightly that the sidewalks looked like daytime. Crowds of all kinds still bustled along the road.
The noises from Kaoru Hoshitani and Aina Saiten’s playful quarrel drew the attention of passing pedestrians.
As their eyes drifted over Aina Saiten’s shoulder and landed on the man being carried in such an evocative manner, and as they took in that face—so refined under the lights, a mix of panic and embarrassment yet unable to conceal its stunning features—they all widened their eyes, a look of undisguised awe flashing across their faces.
The warm, yellow glow softly outlined the blush on his profile and his slightly messy hair, lending him an almost breathtaking beauty.
A few of the onlookers, either out of kindness or simply drawn by the sight, slowed their pace on purpose.
Ears pricked, they tried to catch the couple’s whispered words and watch the reaction of the gorgeous “victim,” trying to decide if he was being forced or in some sort of trouble, so they could seize the right moment to play out a “Heroine Rescues Beauty” scenario.
Of course, Kaoru Hoshitani could feel the curious stares from the passersby, and his attempts to struggle froze instantly.
Terrified that any overreaction might cause misunderstandings and unnecessary trouble, he forced himself to smother his embarrassment, stopped shouting or making any big movements, and buried his burning face even deeper into Aina Saiten’s back, trying to hide from those prying eyes.
But his body still trembled slightly with shame.
Yet the one carrying him, Aina Saiten, seemed utterly unfazed by all the attention—or rather, didn’t care at all.
She simply adjusted her grip on her boyfriend, settling him more securely onto her shoulder.
Then, like a triumphant general returning home, carrying her most precious “trophy,” she strode forward with confidence, heading straight for the love nest they shared, the corners of her lips curving ever so slightly in satisfaction.
To be fair, Kaoru Hoshitani was just over 160 centimeters tall, his frame delicate, and his weight long maintained at just under 50 kilograms.
So for Aina Saiten, who stood nearly 175 centimeters, carrying him might not be as easy as lifting a feather, but it was far from an unbearable burden.
Still, carrying someone close to fifty kilograms was no joke, especially since Aina Saiten hadn’t trained much these past two years.
If it weren’t for the fact that the Kawasaki Family Izakaya was only a ten-minute walk from their Home, she honestly wasn’t sure she could lug this “Sweet Burden” all the way back without collapsing from exhaustion midway.
Once they reached the doorstep, Aina Saiten finally set Kaoru Hoshitani down.
After being jostled upside-down the whole way, blood rushing to his head, Kaoru Hoshitani felt his legs turn to jelly.
The ground underfoot felt like cotton; he swayed uncontrollably, almost unable to stand.
He had no choice but to reach out and steady himself against the wall, barely managing to keep upright.
“Kaoru, have you been sneaking extra snacks lately?”
Aina Saiten, still slightly out of breath, pulled out the keys from her pocket as she caught her breath, unlocking the door.
She turned to look at her boyfriend—dazed, wobbly, and unbearably cute—and couldn’t help but tease him with a mischievous grin.
Hearing his girlfriend dare to joke at his expense, Kaoru Hoshitani steadied himself and shot her a long, resentful look.
Then, pressing his lips together, he ignored her completely and walked straight into the warmth and familiarity of their Home, leaving her only his slightly sulky back.
Every man cares about his weight and appearance at times, and Kaoru Hoshitani was no exception.
So, back at Home, not even taking off his coat, he immediately shuffled in his slippers—“tap tap tap”—over to the Living Room corner, stepping up on the Electronic Scale, heart pounding as he lowered his gaze to the flickering digits, anxious to see if he really had put on any weight.
[Hmm…looks like I’ve gained a pound…]
His brow furrowed ever so slightly.
Of course, Aina Saiten, who’d followed him in, caught this tiny movement at once.
She found her Kaoru’s sensitivity to such little changes irresistibly cute, her heart melting, but knowing how easily embarrassed he was, she managed to stifle her laughter.
She slipped quietly up behind him, and without a word, wrapped her arms gently but firmly around his slender waist, using just a bit of strength to lift him right off the scale.
Then, still holding him this way, she let herself fall back with him into the wide, soft Living Room Sofa, the fabric letting out a muffled thump under their combined weight.
Only a single warm yellow Floor Lamp was on in the Living Room, casting a gentle light that chased away some of the darkness without being harsh.
The air was filled with that reassuring, unique Home scent, mixed with the faint, clean fragrance clinging to Kaoru Hoshitani.
Having finished a long, busy day, both Kaoru Hoshitani and Aina Saiten could finally shed their exhaustion and masks, finding peace and comfort in each other’s arms.
The tranquil atmosphere of their home wrapped gently around the two of them, like a warm tide.
“Honestly, a little extra softness feels pretty nice,”
Aina Saiten murmured in satisfaction, breaking the silence first.
Her restless hand, nimble as a little snake, slipped under Kaoru Hoshitani’s shirt, palm pressing against his warm, delicate waist and belly, her fingers kneading his soft stomach teasingly as she spoke, her tone full of laughter and playful mischief.
“Nice for what?! My body’s not… it’s not just for you to touch, you know!”
Kaoru Hoshitani shot his girlfriend a glare, then grabbed her wandering hand and yanked it out from under his shirt.
“What? It’s not for me?”