Fumika’s hands were very soft, and pared to some old traditional Japanese medie practitioners who could almost crush bones, her strength was much gentler.

  But fortunately, Shuichi Chiba was already quite thin and frail, so the masseuse didn't need much effort to pee his muscles. She could easily feel his tendons and joints.

  "You are a bit stiff, Chiba-kun. You should move around more often. Massage alone isn’t enough. Maybe ter you ask Sayuki to teach you some flexibility exercises. It would really improve your dition," Fumika Ogawa said. Once she started fog on her actual task, her mind became much clearer, and she grew less nervous as she tihe massage.

  "Mm..." Shuichi Chiba let out a soft groan, the sensation of the massage both sour and satisfying. "I really do o take better care of my body. I've thought about exerg more, but I seem to have a body type that doesn’t gai easily, so even with exercise, I don’t think I’ll get much muscles."

  "It's not like you have to be really muscur, right? As long as you're healthy, Chiba-kun, you look quite good just the way you are..." Fumika Ogawa uionally spoke her true thoughts.

  "Wouldn't it be better to have that 'slim in clothes, toned out of them' kind of physique? What do you think, Fumika-san?" Shuichi Chiba gently coaxed.

  "Me?" Fumika suddenly realized what she had just said, stumbling over her words. "Well... both are fine, I think both are good..."

  "But I still want to get a bit stronger," Chiba replied. "This m, Sayuki even said I looked too frail and could easily get exhausted."

  "!!!" Fumika was startled, immediately recalling what Sayuki had mentiohe day before—that she was worried Chiba wouldn't be able to keep up with her and po train him a bit.

  What exactly had Sayuki told Chiba-kun? Could it be...

  Fumika Ogawa g the side of Shuichi Chiba's face, suddenly feeling deeply embarrassed. Could it be that Chiba had already heard those bold words from Sayuki? That would be way too humiliating.

  "Are you getting a bit tired, Fumika-san? You take a break if you o." Shuichi Chiba noticed her hands slowing down aly reminded her.

  "No, not at all! I just... got a little distracted." Fumika hurriedly replied, trying to cover her embarrassment.

  "Is that so..."

  Shuichi Chiba didn’t push further. The slight movement of his hands was enough to keep Fumika’s attention focused elsewhere. In a somewhat hesitant tone, he tinued, "There’s something I’d like to ask for your help with, but it’s a bit awkward t up. I’m not sure if it’ll make you upset."

  "What is it? I won’t get upset." Fumika Ogaaused, her curiosity piqued.

  "Well, you know how I ever seem to gai, right? So, I did a bit of resear body types and came across something iing." Chiba expined, speaking slowly and calmly, as if he had all the time in the world.

  "What kind of knowledge? Is it a way to gai? To be ho, this kind of body type is really enviable. I wish I had it too." Fumika Ogawa muttered, gng down at her own thighs in disappoi.

  "Yure is great, Fumika-san. Those so-called skinies 't pare at all." Shuichi Chiba quickly plimented, realizing the topic had been derailed. He then steered the versation ba trabsp;

  "As I was saying, have you ever noticed that many slim people, ohey fall deeply in love et married, suddenly gai? It's almost like they bee a different person."

  Fumika Ogawa was secretly delighted by Shuichi Chiba's pliment about her figure, but she also grew curious after hearing his expnation.

  "That's true. I have a few friends who gained weight quickly after falling in love, and some have even pined about it. Why does that happen?"

  "Acc to research, it turns out that the bacteria in our mouths differ from person to person. These bacteria not only affect our immune system but alsestion and, ultimately decide, whether we gain or lose weight. When people kiss, they exge these bacteria, which improve immunity and, in some cases, lead to ges in body position."

  "Huh?! That's amazing. You know so much, Chiba-kun..." Fumika marveled without realizing anything unusual about his expnation.

  "Just like how probiotics improve digestion ah, kissing is actually a way to boost immunity and strehe body." Shuichi added with a subtle, meaningful tone.

  Fumika Ogawa's hands paused mid-movement as she suddenly recalled what Shuichi Chiba had mentioned earlier about needing her help with something.

  So... could it be that the favor he wao ask was 'this'?

  "I’m not very popur at school and have never had a girlfriend. I know it’s a bit bold, but could I ask for your help, Fumika-san?"

  Shuichi Chiba turned ently taking hold of Fumika's hand, his eyes sincere and burning with iy.

  Fumika Ogawa felt her cheeks burn under Chiba's intense gaze, her heart rag. The reason he presented was so pelling that she found it difficult to refuse.

  Besides, haviered the bedroom, she had already mentally prepared herself to some extent. It was just that her shyness and thin skin made it hard for her to be straightforward about it.

  Now that there was such a pusible reason, her psychological defenses crumbled.

  "Well... this is for treatment, right?" The long-suffering dy began to rationalize her as to herself.

  "Yes, that’s right."

  "If it help improve your dition, Chiba-kun, I... I’m willing to help..."

  Fumika Ogaressed her crimson lips together, her heart rag like a wild deer. Her gaze lingered on Shuichi Chiba's charming smile.

  Without hesitation, Chiba pulled Fumika into his embrace, drawing her close.

  "Ah—"

  A wave ranveloped her. Startled, Fumika let out a soft gasp before settling onto Shuichi Chiba’s chest.

  Their faces were close, their noses almost toug, breaths mingling abeats syng.

  Shuichi Chiba gazed into Fumika Ogawa's increasingly moist, flower-like eyes, his thoughts drifting to how especially expressive and deep her emotions seemed.

  He lowered his voice slightly aly whispered near Fumika’s ear, "Um, Fumika-san, could you teach me? This is my first time... with kissing and all."

  First time?!!

  So this is Chiba-kun's first kiss!

  Fumika Ogawa swallowed nervously, pletely surprised that someone as bold as Chiba was still having his first kiss.

  Although Chiba's words were clearly genuine, Fumika accepted them without question, realizing she was easily vinced.

  "I will do my best to guide you, Chiba-kun." Fumika said with a sense of responsibility, as if she was uaking an important mission.

  After all, it was Chiba-kun’s first time, and she was determined not to let him have any bad memories.

  Shuichi Chiba y back down and waited quietly for Fumika Ogawa to make her move. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and then slowly lowered her head.

  Her falling hair brushed against his face, creating a ticklish sensation for Chiba. The feeling of her lying on him was remi of the soft, fluffy clouds he dreamt of. His hands instinctively moved to rest on her waist.

  Then... he applied gentle pressure.

  "Mm..."

  Caught off guard by the sudden move, Fumika Ogaas trying hard to prepare herself mentally, found her moist lips pressed against his. Her gasp was swallowed, turning into a soft, stiasal sound.