I, who tortured the readers, was knocked to the ground by them!

As night fell in London, a curtain of rain fell over the Thames, reflecting the city lights on the rippling lake surface.

The city is always shrouded in a continuous drizzle, but today the rain is getting heavier and heavier, and it even seems to be developing into a downpour.

The torrential rain brought with it a cold wind, causing people in the city to close their doors and windows tightly.

The weather like this only makes the lively little house seem even warmer.

Under the warm light, the plates on the table had been cleared away, leaving only two plates of dried meat and nuts, and two wine glasses.

Dinner has been over for a while now.

But clearly, the drinking party between the two men in the house was still going on.

"That's enough, promise me you won't drink too much."

Sato's mother warned her husband again.

Today is the day my daughter brings her son home, so she's already been quite indulgent with him.

However, Sato's father got more and more drunk, as if he had to be willful for a while, and was unwilling to stop for a long time: "I'm happy today! Don't stop me from drinking with my brothers, I haven't had too much to drink yet."

Sato's father unexpectedly got along quite well with Sakurai Itsuki.

She pulled Sakurai Itsuki aside and started talking about how he met and fell in love with Sato Wakaba's mother, from complaining about the unreliable distant uncle of the Sakurai family.

Interspersed in were also discussions about the international situation, something that drunk men would probably talk about.

Of course, the most talked-about topics were embarrassing stories about Sato Wakaba's childhood.

What about someone who made several boys in the class cry? What about someone who suddenly decided to ride a dog on a trip when they were little, only to fall and break half of their front tooth, yet still grinning with their missing tooth?
In short, it all has the distinct style of Wakaba Sato.

Sato Wakaba has been radiant since childhood.

That sullen middle-aged man became talkative and incessantly chattering after drinking.

Fortunately, Sakurai Itsuki had already been trained by someone and was used to people who talked incessantly to themselves.

Sato Wakaba also spoke up to remind her father, who was clearly drunk, "Okay, Dad, stop bringing up embarrassing things from when I was little. He doesn't like hearing them."

Sakurai Itsuki glanced at Sato Wakaba, his eyes conveying that he was actually quite interested and willing to listen.

Sato Wakaba, who had also drunk some alcohol, blushed and turned to look at Sakurai Itsuki.

She clearly understood the meaning in Sakurai Itsuki's eyes and pouted slightly.

Then she snatched the glass of whiskey, which still had a little bit left, from Sakurai Itsuki's hand. "Alright, Itsuki, you're spoiling your dad too. You keep drinking with him. It's not good to drink too much of this stuff."

Seeing this, Sato's mother said, "See? You kept making people drink, and now your daughter is unhappy. People feel sorry for Asuka."

“He hasn’t even finished his drink yet, what a waste.” Sato’s father was already swaying, but he was still making a last-ditch effort.

Sato Wakaba turned her head and glanced at Sakurai Itsuki, who was clearly a little dazed, and simply picked up the wine in his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Then her face scrunched up, she stuck out her tongue and fanned her mouth with her hand: "So spicy!"

But the next second, she boldly placed the wine glass on the table and said, "Is this alright?"

Seeing his daughter display such a strong aura, Sato's father said nothing more, but sighed again.

No matter how much you talk about her childhood, it won't stop her from growing up!

Sakurai Itsuki clapped his hands and exclaimed, "That's so cool!"

Sato Wakaba is the kind of girl who can be quite cool, even for men.

“That’s only right,” Sato Wakaba said.

Sakurai Itsuki glanced at the time; it was already past eight o'clock at night. He stood up and said, "Alright, it's about time. I need to go back to the hotel."

Sakurai Itsuki stood up; he had booked a single room not far from the Sato family's house.

Ultimately, he and Sato Wakaba are currently just friends in name only, although their relationship is incredibly ambiguous.

But even if it's a boyfriend you've established a relationship with, it's still a bit inappropriate to ask him to stay at your place the first time.

Easterners are not as open-minded, especially since Sato's father is clearly a doting father to his daughter.

Therefore, Sakurai Itsuki still plans to live outside.

However, when he stood up, the effects of the alcohol made him stumble.

Sato Wakaba, who was standing nearby, quickly reached out to support Sakurai Itsuki.

Sato's mother quickly said, "That's right, why book a hotel? Just stay at home, we have extra rooms."

Sakurai Itsuki hesitated for a moment: "This..."

Sato's mother covered her mouth and laughed: "Really, you've been living together for almost two years now, one more night won't make a difference. You should be used to it by now, so don't be shy."

Sato Wakaba thought to herself, "Why does it sound like we're living together? There are definitely some differences."

However, she didn't offer any explanation or rebuttal. Instead, she followed her mother's words and said, "It's still raining outside, and you're walking unsteadily. You shouldn't go back."

Sakurai Itsuki turned to look at the rain falling outside and said without hesitation, "Then I'll take my leave."

Sato's mother said, "I've already tidied up the room. Wakaba, please take him upstairs. It's the one on the side of the second floor. I'll make some soup to help him sober up later."

It seems the answer to where Sato Wakaba inherited her virtuousness has been found.

Sato Wakaba nodded: "Okay, let's go, Itsuki, I'll take you upstairs."

As she spoke, she put one arm around Sakurai Itsuki and led him upstairs.

Actually, Sakurai Itsuki wasn't extremely drunk; he could walk without any problems, but he quite liked the feeling of being taken care of.

However, Sato's father was a bit oblivious to the romance. Even as his wife supported him, he kept saying things like, "I'm not drunk, I'm not drunk, I can walk by myself."

Of course, Sato's mother completely ignored his self-justification. This British lady, who was anything but ladylike, immediately pinched her husband hard.

Then she carried her husband, who had finally calmed down, upstairs.

The first floor was suddenly left with only Sato Nanoha, who had finished dinner early and was sitting in the living room watching cartoons.

She stared wide-eyed at her mother and sister, each helping one person upstairs, and tilted her head.

Then she loudly declared, "My sister and my tree brother are just like my dad and my mom!"

Everyone else in the room heard Sato Nanoha's remark, but all four of them tacitly pretended not to hear it.

Some found it hard to accept, some smiled without saying a word, and some were simply shy. Some were actually watching the shy person closely, enjoying her shyness.

Sato Nanoha, of course, didn't understand everyone's silence. Somewhat unhappy, she turned around and continued watching the anime.

Sato Wakaba pushed open the door and threw Sakurai Itsuki, who was almost overwhelmed by the effects of alcohol, onto the bed.

The room wasn't big; a single bed took up almost half the space. However, the oak floors that covered the room were emitting a comforting scent.

"The room is a bit small, so please bear with it. However, the bathroom and toilet are right next to the room, which will be convenient for you to throw up later."

Sato Wakaba helplessly put her hands on her hips and looked at Sakurai Itsuki, who was slumped on the bed. It was the first time she had ever seen him drunk.

It's quite novel.

Sakurai Itsuki said, "I'm actually fine, but I also really like this room; it makes me feel quite at ease."

"Really, you're not fine yet. You're even stuttering. If you're feeling unwell, don't drink. You insisted on drinking with Dad. He's really going too far. I need to have a good talk with him tomorrow."

Sato Wakaba complained somewhat angrily.

"If I hadn't taken your cup, would you still have wanted to drink it? I really don't know what's so good about that bitter and spicy stuff! Idiot."

Sakurai Itsuki adjusted her breathing slightly and replied, "I saw he was a little sad, so I wanted to cheer him up. After all, he's your father, and I'm willing to suffer a little for him." Upon hearing this, Sato Wakaba's anger subsided, and the corners of her mouth curved into a slight smile.

She's so easy to please. As soon as she heard that he was doing it for her sake, her heart leaped with joy: "Don't do it again next time."

Even though his head was still spinning, Sakurai Itsuki's coaxing skills weren't far behind: "Speaking of which, you were pretty cool helping me drink earlier."

Sato Wakaba immediately grinned and said, "Is he handsome? You do have some taste. No wonder you're a manga artist."

Sakurai Itsuki suddenly asked, "But that's my cup, so does that count as an indirect kiss?"

"You, you're so innocent! You're acting like a little girl, even doing an indirect kiss!"

Sato Wakaba started stammering, completely unlike her previous bold and dashing demeanor.

But it is precisely because of this that they are the most adorable.

Sakurai Itsuki asked, "Really? Don't you think you're innocent? Don't the shoujo manga you like often use this kind of plot to fill a chapter or two?"

Sato Wakaba sighed: "Come on, it's a manga! Don't you always say we shouldn't bring fictional things into reality?"

She put on a "you've really gone too far" look, pretending not to care at all.

"Besides, we don't even have separate bowls and chopsticks! If that's the case, we've kissed hundreds or thousands of times already!"

Sato Wakaba spread her hands and said something that even she herself was a little embarrassed about.

Sakurai Itsuki then jokingly asked, "So, does that mean I was your first kiss?"

"Um, don't force me to break our promise that I won't send you the card at home." Sato Wakaba first gave a slight groan, then brushed it off with a joke between the two of them.

Sakurai Itsuki didn't press the matter further.

The effects of the alcohol had fully kicked in.

High-proof liquors only reveal their power after drinking.

Fortunately, he doesn't seem to be like some rich young lady who gets drunk and does crazy things.

He just felt extremely sleepy and dizzy due to the combined effects of jet lag and alcohol.

Seeing the weariness that Sakurai Itsuki couldn't hide on his face, Sato Wakaba immediately bent down and gently pinched his cheek.

"Don't sleep yet, hold on a little longer. My mom is making a hangover soup; it'll make you feel much better. Just wait a bit."

As she spoke, Sato Wakaba turned and left the bedroom. A short while later, she returned to the room carrying a basin of warm water and a towel.

"Let me wipe your face for you, it will make you feel better."

Sakurai Itsuki stood up: "I'll do it myself."

Sato Wakaba immediately refused Sakurai Itsuki: "Sit still! I took care of you when you were sick before, why are you suddenly shy?"

Upon hearing this, Sakurai Itsuki stopped resisting: "Then I'll trouble you again, Ms. Sato."

Sato Wakaba replied, "It wasn't much trouble. What? Didn't you wipe Shion's face when you were taking care of her?"

As she spoke, she picked up a warm towel, sat down on the edge of the bed, and gently wiped his face.

Sakurai Itsuki quickly replied, "No, I was just helping her with her drawings. I'm not as attentive or caring as you are."

Sakurai Itsuki thought to himself, "You always complain that you like to say things that spoil the mood, don't you do the same?"

While wiping his face, Sato Wakaba asked, "What about when Yuki twisted her ankle? Didn't you take care of her too?"

Whether it was the warm towel or Sato Wakaba's somewhat "dangerous" question that made Sakurai Itsuki sober up considerably.

He turned to look at the coniferous forest outside the window. "Was the robin's song that you told me about earlier coming from there?"

"Oh, there is a result."

Faced with Sakurai Itsuki's extremely awkward change of topic, Sato Wakaba forcefully rubbed her phone against Sakurai Itsuki's face.

Sakurai Itsuki quickly said, "I'll rub your nose off."

Sato Wakaba snorted coldly: "Hmph, this will make you more sober."

Sato Wakaba got up and rubbed a towel in the basin. Turning her head, she noticed a bowl of hangover soup that had been placed in front of the bedroom door sometime earlier.

It was clear that Sato's mother had already been there, but seeing the two of them flirting, she didn't disturb them.

Sato Wakaba suddenly felt ashamed, as if her mother had caught her doing something wrong, and her face turned red instantly.

She put down the towel, picked up the bowl of hangover soup, and brought it to Sakurai Itsuki. "Mom, you didn't even say a word."

Sakurai Itsuki understood the meaning, but remained silent.

"It's a little hot, be careful," Sato Wakaba gently stirred it with a spoon, then blew on it lightly.

Sakurai Itsuki said, "Why don't you taste it for me again? Anyway, you don't mind an indirect kiss."

Sato Wakaba sighed, "Ah, why do you always care about this? Are you so naive? You must have been drinking too much."

Sakurai Itsuki shamelessly said, "I've always been very innocent."

"You're lying!" Sato Wakaba immediately retorted, "Even your own sister thinks you're a scumbag."

"Aren't you innocent too? Being innocent isn't anything shameful. I'm an innocent male student who still has my first kiss," Sakurai Itsuki said. "Or did you lose your first kiss?"

"What are you talking about! Of course I'm here! Idiot!"

Sato Wakaba cursed, then gently scooped up a little soup with a spoon and brought it to his lips.

Sakurai Itsuki took a small sip: "Why don't you drink some? You've already had quite a bit, haven't you?"

"I'm not so drunk that I would repeatedly lie to people about kissing them indirectly!"

The two of them made some slightly ambiguous jokes as they slowly finished the bowl of hangover soup.

Sato Wakaba did not leave immediately after he finished drinking the hangover soup; she sat by his bedside.

Now it's her turn to play the talkative one.

The rain outside the window lessened, gradually changing from a pattering sound to a soft pattering sound as the raindrops fell on the ground.

"Oh, did you hear that? I think I just heard a robin's call."

Sato Wakaba spoke excitedly, but when she turned around, she found that Sakurai Itsuki had already leaned against the window and closed his eyes.

He has fallen asleep.

Sato Wakaba pouted slightly, then silently gazed at him, thinking about everything that had happened that day.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to his lips, and she thought of their conversation about kissing.

As if possessed, she slightly lifted her hair, leaned down, and gently touched her lips to his.

It's hot and smells like whiskey.

"Idiot, this is what a kiss is all about."

After a slight touch, she immediately blushed and pulled away.

"Ah, what am I doing? I'm drunk too."

She touched her burning face, then quickly grabbed the basin and bowl and ran out.

Because she did something bad and stole his first kiss.

The price, however, was her own kiss. (End of Chapter)