When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 40: Maybe ―8

Maybe ―8

It was the second night of the forest camp, and the students had gathered in front of the woods near the lodging facility to participate in the final recreation activity— a test of courage.

In this test, pairs of students were to venture into the forest, place a charm at a designated spot, and return. The role of the “scarers” had been assigned to the teachers.

The lot-drawing to decide the pairs began promptly, and everyone made their way to meet their partners.

“Looks like I’m paired with you, Tetsu-kun,” Ayame said with a gentle smile.

“Yeah. Let’s do this,” I replied.

“Yes, let’s work well together,” she said cheerfully.

As expected, my partner was Ayame. She must have enlisted the teachers’ help again, rigging the draw to ensure we ended up together.

The lengths Ayame was going to make me aware of her feelings were unmistakable. And to be honest, that effort genuinely warmed my heart.

But along with that warmth came a pang of guilt.

I’m not as remarkable a person as Ayame seems to think I am.

***

The moment came for Ayame and me, and we entered the forest together.

I glanced at Ayame beside me, feeling deep in the middle of nervousness.

During a test of courage, pretending to be scared can create opportunities for physical contact. Ayame probably wants me to pay attention to her, so she will likely try to make a move.

What kind of physical contact will she make? Hugging is the usual move, but Ayame is someone who acts decisively to get what she wants. It wouldn’t be surprising if she did something even more intense…

All I can do is imagine. But that’s exactly why my imagination is running wild, making me even more nervous.

In the midst of this, Ayame moved.

“Tetsu-kun, can I hold your hand?”

“Hold hands?”

“Yes. We shouldn’t get separated.”

With a smile that had a slight downward curve to her lips, Ayame asked. Her smile seemed stiff, perhaps because she was nervous about making her approach.

As if her nervousness was contagious, I could feel sweat forming on my palms.

I wiped the sweat with my sleeve and extended my hand.

“Of course, it’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

Sighing with relief, Ayame took my hand. Her skin was smooth like silk, and I felt a sense of wonder beyond just feeling shy.

My heartbeat was racing, and I exhaled deeply.

This is it, she’s making her move. From here on out, Ayame will likely keep trying to create more physical contact. I need to mentally prepare myself so I don’t panic.

I told myself that and continued walking through the forest.

About three minutes later, the moment arrived.

“Uuwoooaaahhh!!!”

“Kyaaahhh!!!”

“—!!”

A figure dressed as a zombie jumped out of the bushes.

Startled by the scare, Ayame clung to me.

Ayame’s arms wrapped around me, and my eyes widened.

I realized that no amount of mental preparation had helped, and I felt it in my core.

The scent of Ayame, like cherry blossoms, stirred my senses.

The sensation of her chest pressed against my arm made my thoughts run wild.

And it didn’t stop there. Her soft, marshmallow-like chest, as big as a small watermelon, pressed against my arm and gently squeezed.

My heart was racing with both shock and excitement, and I found myself gasping for air.

My head and eyes were spinning. It was all a bit much for me.

And yet, as if it weren’t enough, she added to the pressure.

A rustling sound.

“Hiiiuu!!”

“What!?!”

The sound of leaves rustling from behind made my shoulders jump, and Ayame hugged me even tighter.

The distance between Ayame and me shrank to the point where there was no space left. Now, my arm was buried in the valley of Ayame’s chest.

The exquisite softness, the blissful warmth, all enveloped me from every angle. We were pressed so close together that I could even feel Ayame’s heartbeat.

This is bad! My reason is crumbling! My desires are exploding!

I can’t show my shame. I can’t hurt Ayame.

I called out to her, my voice cracking.

“A-Ayame? Should we… maybe pull away a little?”

“…No.”

“B-but, this is a bit much—”

I started to say something, then stopped.

Ayame was looking up at me with a face that seemed like she was about to cry.

Her brow was furrowed, tears were pooling at the corners of her eyes, and her body was trembling slightly. The heartbeat I felt through my arm was also quickening.

Seeing this, I realized.

Wait, maybe she’s not just pretending to be scared? Maybe she wanted to hold hands because she was anxious, and she clung to me because she was really scared?

As I blinked, Ayame pleaded with me.

“Please… don’t leave me… stay by my side…”

Her appearance reminded me of a kitten separated from its mother, stirring my protective instincts. I felt a sense of determination, almost like a mission—I had to protect her.

With my free hand, I gently patted Ayame’s back.

“I’m sorry for saying we should pull away. I’ll stay with you, so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’ll be right here. I promise.”

When I reassured her, Ayame let out a relieved sigh. The trembling in her body stopped, and her rapid heartbeat slowed down.

For a while, I kept gently patting her back, thinking to myself, I’m on your side.

I may not be the kind of person Ayame thinks I am.

But right now, is it so wrong to want to protect this girl?