When Two Wounded Hearts Find Solace In Each Other, Snow White (The School's Beauty) And I Were Mistakenly Labeled As A Silly Couple. - Chapter 22: It's Hot, So Let's Eat Ice Cream Together.

It’s Hot, So Let’s Eat Ice Cream Together.

“Feeling Warm…”

Sitting here in Himeno’s room, I can’t help but notice the warmth enveloping me. Maybe it’s the lingering effect of the bath I took about thirty minutes ago, but the real reason is likely the fact that we’re sharing this room for the night.

As my body continues to radiate heat, I’m well aware that using the air conditioner without the landlord’s approval is out of the question. While it might be energy-efficient, it’s a compromise I’m not willing to make due to the inevitable increase in the electricity bill.

“Taka-kun…”

The door swings open with a decisive thud, and Himeno strides in, immediately wrapping me in an unexpected embrace. Her long white negligee, adorned with a cute black ribbon at the chest, suggests she’s just finished her bath. Her cheeks are delicately flushed, possibly a result of the warm water.

Yet, I can’t fathom why she chose this moment to hug me so abruptly.

“Sorry. I find baths a bit scary…”

Her blue eyes are welling up with tears, on the verge of spilling over. It dawns on me why she’s on the brink of tears.

The fear likely stems from her apprehension of being alone in the bath, amplified by some past trauma involving water being poured on her. Despite these anxieties, she managed to stay in the bath for a good thirty minutes—perhaps a conscious effort to ensure she smelled pleasant today.

We both experienced a rise in body temperature throughout the day, so it’s conceivable she’s concerned about the inevitable sweat and odors that accompany such situations. Mindful of potential scents, I, too, took extra care to cleanse my body thoroughly today.

“There, there. It’s alright.”

I offer comforting words as I securely hold her. Seeking to soothe her, I gently stroke her head, eliciting a soft, “Mmm…” in response. It seems that my attempts at comfort have worked, as her once-teary eyes are now dry.

However, her cheeks still bear the flush from the bath, and post-soak, Himeno’s body seems warmer than usual.

“Hot.”

“Yeah, it is.”

If you’ve just come out of the bath and then embrace someone, it’s bound to feel warm.

“Um… I have some ice cream. Would you like to have some together?”

“Yeah, thank you.”

Responding promptly to Himeno’s proposal, Takashi agreed. It feels like their bodies are warming up, so cooling down from the inside with ice cream seems like a good idea.

However, they’ll have to be careful not to eat too much and upset their stomachs.

“Okay, I’ll go get it then.”

With a happy smile, Himeno separates from Takashi and leaves the room in a small hurry.

***

“Sorry. There’s only one.”

Her words hang in the air, and as Himeno returns with a lone ice cream, I can tell there’s a tinge of disappointment. Apparently, the fridge held no additional treats.

“Well, it’s either we share this one ice cream or you eat it alone, Himeno.”

I point out the obvious, trying to rationalize the situation. After all, she’s the one who bought it – the rightful owner of this frozen delight.

But, selfishly, my desire for that sweet, cold indulgence intervenes. So, without much thought, I suggest we share it.

“Okay, let’s share then…”

Her agreement is accompanied by a blush, an evident shyness that makes me second-guess my proposal. Yet, it’s too late to retract the offer now.

The ice cream, a simple pleasure, becomes a source of potential embarrassment. Two spoons could solve the practical issue, but the lingering self-consciousness persists.

“Well… I was thinking of giving it all to you, Taka-kun, so there’s only one spoon.”

Himeno’s words come with a hint of sweetness, a proposal to make the sharing process more intimate. A singular spoon, a shared experience.

“So, I’ll feed you with an “Ahh”, and give it to you.”

Her whispered suggestion, so close to my ear, ignites a sudden warmth within me. It’s unexpected, and my heart beats a little faster, caught off guard by the unexpected tenderness.

“Why not just get another spoon?”

A practical solution, but Himeno’s response reveals a deeper sentiment.

“Today, I… don’t want to be apart anymore.”

Her left hand holds the ice cream and spoon, while her right hand clasps mine tightly. There’s a genuine sadness in her eyes, a longing to be close, to share not just the ice cream but the moment.

It dawns on me that this seemingly trivial decision about ice cream holds more weight than anticipated. It’s a shared desire for closeness, a quiet admission that today, being alone is not an option. And as we embark on this simple act of sharing an ice cream, I realize that sometimes, the smallest moments can carry the most profound connections.

“Let’s just go together.”

“No, thank you. I’ve received a lot of comfort today, and I want to express my gratitude.”

Asking if I like being fed like this, she nods in response. Even if there’s a sense of embarrassment, being fed by a beautiful girl is something I enjoy. Who wouldn’t, really?

Himeno, with a shy smile, opens the lid of the cup. The pure white vanilla ice cream is scooped up by the spoon in no time.

“Ah, ahh…”

“Ahh.”

Feeling my body warming up even more, I eat the ice cream in front of me. The cold ice cream quickly melts in my mouth, offering a pleasant contrast to the warmth in my body.

“Well, I’ll eat some too.”

Scooping up the ice cream herself, Himeno brings it to her mouth. It becomes an indirect kiss, similar to karaoke, and the slightly chilled body, thanks to the ice cream, warms up again due to the embarrassment.

“Ahh.”

Once again, I’m fed with an “ahh.” It becomes a cycle of feeling the cold from the ice cream, the warmth from embarrassment, and then repeating.

It’s a simple exchange, yet in these shared moments, there’s an intimacy that transcends the act of eating ice cream. The mix of warmth and coolness, the playfulness of sharing, creates a memory that lingers, etched in the moments of this unique encounter.