Chapter 221: Chapter 221

They drove quietly for a while—

the city lights fading behind them, giving way to quieter streets and tree-lined hills.

Eventually, the car turned into a narrow road and pulled up before a small gate.

Beyond it sat a charming private house, tucked into a landscaped garden.

Soft yard lights glowed among trimmed hedges and stepping stones.

Satomi stepped out first, glancing around with wide eyes.

"This place is beautiful..." she murmured, slowly spinning once in place.

The quiet of the area, the soft breeze, the distant sound of cicadas...

It all felt like a dream.

Satoshi came around and stood beside her, hands in his pockets.

"Yes~!" she beamed, her fingers brushing his sleeve.

Satoshi led her to the front steps, unlocked the door, and pushed it open.

Soft wood flooring, minimal lighting, clean design.

There was a low sofa, a built-in kitchen space, and a small hallway that led deeper in.

Framed photographs of landscapes hung neatly on the wall. A large window looked out to the backyard garden, lit softly by moonlight.

Satomi stepped inside slowly, her eyes scanning every corner.

"You really own this place?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"Mhm." Satoshi nodded.

"I use it for meetings, or when I want to think."

He closed the door behind them gently.

Satomi turned toward him and smiled.

"It’s really peaceful."

"Just like you." he said quietly.

She blinked, then looked away with a shy grin.

"Can I... look around more?"

She walked a few steps ahead—barefoot now, her shoes left by the door—and admired the space like she was exploring a private world no one else had seen.

And behind her, Satoshi watched in silence.

Satoshi smiled faintly, his gaze calm as he leaned back against the arm of the sofa.

She turned from where she stood near the bookshelf, the warm lighting casting a soft glow across her cheeks.

"You have a boy you like?"

Then laughed quietly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

Satoshi tilted his head slightly.

"So you’ve never kissed anyone?"

She grinned, face slightly flushed.

A soft giggle followed.

Satomi tilted her head, curious.

"You should learn how to kiss," he said casually, "so when you do get into a relationship, you won’t be awkward."

Satomi walked over and plopped down on the sofa beside him, drawing her legs up slightly.

"How?" she asked, playful but genuinely intrigued.

Satoshi turned to her.

"You want me to teach you?"

She nodded, lips curved into a smile.

Satoshi reached out, gently taking Satomi’s hand in his.

"Now..." he said softly,

"Put both of your hands on my shoulders. ."

She followed without hesitation, her fingertips brushing against the fabric of his shirt as her hands settled on him.

"?" she asked, eyes wide, voice light.

His voice dropped lower.

"Now look at my eyes."

Satomi smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed with warmth.

Her lips parted just slightly as their eyes met.

Slowly—Satoshi leaned in.

Just enough for her to feel it—the shape of his lips, the warmth of his breath, the quiet weight of the moment pressing between them.

Eyes wide for moment.

She didn’t expect that feeling in her chest—

the sudden flutter, the racing of her heart, the strange sensation that made her head feel light and her body warm.

When he finally pulled back.

"How... was that?" he asked, voice almost teasing.

Satomi stared at him, her breath faintly uneven.

"Weird... but kinda nice."

"Now... let’s practice more." Satoshi said softly, his hand still resting gently against her back.

Satomi nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"This time... a deeper kiss. Just follow my lead."

She looked at him, lips parted, her eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite name.

Not a brief kiss this time—

but slow, deep, and lingering.

A kiss that taught. A kiss that claimed.

Satomi responded hesitantly at first, but as the seconds passed, her lips began to move with his.

Her fingers curled faintly against his shoulders.

The warmth in her chest spread through her limbs, her body growing light and strangely warm, as if something inside her was being unlocked.

She didn’t understand it.

She wanted to stay in that moment—float in it.

Satoshi’s hand shifted, resting at her side.

Her smile lingered between kisses.

After the kiss, the room fell quiet again.

Only the soft hum of the garden lights outside, and the faint echo of both their breathing.

"Satomi?" Satoshi’s voice was low, almost hesitant.

"Mm?" she replied, eyes still closed, her lips slightly damp, cheeks flushed.

He looked at her for a moment.

"You love me, right?"

She blinked, smiling as she brushed her hair behind her ear.

"Yes. Of course. Why ask me like that?"

He gave a faint smile.

The kind that was gentle... but unreadable.

"Wanna learn something more?"

Satoshi didn’t answer.

he stood up slowly, then extended a hand toward her.

And without a word, she placed her hand in his.

He gently led her through the short hallway, past the window where the moonlight spilled onto the floorboards.

A single futon, neatly arranged. The faint scent of clean linens.

He turned to her again.

Their hands still linked.

The air inside was warm and still.

Satomi followed him in quietly, her hand still in his, her footsteps light against the floorboards.

Satoshi turned to her, eyes calm, voice quiet.

"If you want to stop... just say it."

Then stepped forward and gently touched her shoulder.

Slowly, he helped her remove her outer coat. Then her cardigan.

Her eyes never left his face.

She stood there in the soft dress she wore beneath—simple, light, something a girl might wear on her birthday outing.

He reached for the ribbon near her neckline.

Slid softly from her shoulders.

Satomi’s breath caught, but she didn’t move away.

She simply looked at him—

And something inside her chest fluttering wildly.

Satoshi brought her to the futon, gently.

"Lie down. Slowly." he said, his voice low.