Charles Patricius

[Apollymi]

An exploratory dive was technically all that was needed to cement a connection between two people. Of course, Ai had no intention of making this experience any lesser than it had to be, instead she chose the route most adventurous and would be experiencing everything it had to offer. When she pointed out his teasing nature between kisses, Kazuhiko claimed to have no such thing... interesting. "Ehehe~" she giggled as they continued on, she had no need to point it out to him, it would definitely become obvious to him as he finished his rounds. And soon enough they were tongue wrestling and Ai's body was being shifted and the hand that had reached her calf found its way up her leg instead. As this shift occurred, a flash of panties would be seen as Ai donned a pair of cute white lace cheeky types which were full coverage but showed all they needed to. Of course, such a thing was matched by the bra he'd already seen but that made no difference. Her hand slipped around from his abs up his back and she felt muscles and smooth skin which had her swooning just a bit. How nice, this was going so smoothly and she wouldn't be changing a thing until it was absolutely necessary. Perhaps, just a little slip down his pants towards the button which held his jeans together but not without experiencing the sensation of his skin beneath her finger tips. Sensual she'd call her exploration, all the while she felt the start of arousal long before now and could feel that slow building warmth between her legs, hastened along by the sensation of his hand upon her exposed legs.

Atsushi and Rin had separated just briefly and in that time, Rin had removed her bra and her skirt and socks. She was presently standing in the bathroom mirror with her face completely clean and her hair pinned up by a towel. She was running bathwater, but standing in the mirror, brushing her teeth. She was being rather thorough about it, her massive bosom bouncing freely in that little slip of a shirt while her hips wiggled just a bit. She seemed to be amused, a light dancing in deep green eyes. She wasn't doing this for anyone, she was simply a bit of a bubbly person, and it was part of how she counted while doing such things. Just the same, she could at least rinse a little with the tiny mug in her hands she'd swish, spit and look up at her own face. "Round 2, Fight!" and once again the brushing would begin, this time for depth and assurance. Nothing was wrong, but she was also blissfully at ease, she'd not even completely closed the bathroom door...

[Bloodedge]

Kazuhiko's sense of touch seemed to be growing stronger as time passed. Everything felt Ai's hands doing was easily getting a rise out of him, but just as easily came the urge to keep his own hand moving up her leg. How he abandoned her thigh originally, he didn't know. Now that he was on a path back up, however, the climbing process became much slower, more deliberate even as he slipped under her skirt. Ah, but he couldn't linger too long. Ai was already letting her hand crawl into his pants, so up he went to even suppler skin near the top of her thigh. There, Kazu felt the first brush of lace that would eventually become an obstacle to overcome. No matter; he had other things to worry about before that. The taste of Ai was becoming more apparent as he explored her mouth. It was definitely something fruity, though not something he could easily recognize as a consistent feature in his diet. Of course, that wouldn't be stopping the lad.

Just the same, nothing would stop Atsushi from establishing numerous camera feeds throughout this new home... well, until something did stop him, at least. A couple of cameras were placed on either extreme of the staircase, along with one in the main hall. He fully intended to double back and address the rear end of that same hallway, but stopped upon realizing Rin had no concern for a closed door. He stopped at just the right angle to be unseen in the mirror, but also just the right angle for a decent view from Rin's rear. There he stood, hearing the girl announce the second round of her brushing routine. She had rounds for that? Oh well; Atsu was content to lean against the staircase and observe a while longer. He didn't know what her deal was with all that hip-wiggling, but there'd be no complaints for him. In fact... 'Early special show! Nice!' was all he thought.

[Apollymi]

Kazuhiko was hving his sense of touch enhanced, and Ai was sure, she was feeling something very different from her norm. It was likely good she had some other experience to use as a base, or she'd likely find herself far too consumed by this lad's actions. She found a hand moving bore deliberately beneath her skirt and though she'd been in no rush to get to any particular point, that play around the button that closed his pants seemed to urge him forward. As his movements continued hers did the same, she recognized the taste against her tongue as Almonds and while she wasn't the absolute foodie that some of her friends were, she could at least appreciate the complexity of the taste. Just the same, she kept moving her hands around his waist her aim to help him skip out with his erection being freed. It wasn't as if she'd not seen it before, but there was still always something to appreciate about the moment. Even as her lips and tongue were busy in the space of their two mouths.

At the same time, a young woman was busy, brushing her teeth. The lad watching her from the crack in the door wasn't even something she recognized as potentially a problem. No, she finished her round of tooth brushing, her hips gently swaying to an unknown beat before she went to swish water around in her mouth. Of course, she remembered that running tub of water as she spit it out into the sink while running the water. Of course, she skipped over to catch the bathwater and after it stopped she returned to the sink, hopping to a stop, her bosom freely bouncing beneath a thin t-shirt. "FATAL BATTLE!" she chimed to herself, why? Well, it was now time for a gargle of a high alcohol content mouthwash. It would burn, but it would work. And thus thirty seconds of hell began, and then when all else was finished she spit that out as well. She'd smile at herself in the mirror appreciating the state of her teeth and then run off to strip for the bath, not even registering the threat of someone watching her in her own home.

[Bloodedge]

A bit of forward progress, while natural, managed to feel like an unexpected pace to Kazuhiko. There was nothing particularly fast or slow about it, but it still felt quite different. Whatever the case, they would soon be approaching the next 'leg' of the journey while Kazu himself fully explored Ai's upper leg. He soon discovered some extra sensation that seemed to urge the removal of his jeans. Naturally, he'd do nothing to stop that from happening. Without distancing his mouth from hers, Kazu lifted his lower body to facilitate that lowering of trousers. At the same time, he aimed to flip Ai's skirt up from the front. His erection would spring forth in unison with his effort to slip aside that lace he'd brushed against moments before.

Kazuhiko was trying to get more of a feel for something, and Atsushi just wanted a better look for now. Rin seemed quite meticulous about brushing her teeth, but that came with a few movements that were very appealing to the eye from Atsu's current angle. He did have another special camera of a different variety to the one used in their bedroom ceiling; perhaps he'd just slip that one into the bathroom discretely? Yes, there happened to be a perfect time to do so when Rin moved to stop the filling tub! Not bothering to put the camera in a hidden place, he crept toward the door and slapped that camera onto the open wall within, slipping back out of sight thereafter. Quick with his phone, Atsu was able to establish a live feed from the camera by the time Rin moved toward the bath again. He'd be enjoying one hell of a show while moving down the hall for the other camera placements. 'Perfect timing! It's gonna be even better seeing it happen naturally!' he thought.

[Apollymi]

Ai considered herself to be, a moderate individual. She wasn't ever in a rush, nor was she ever truly taking a scenic route. No, she simply intended to get to her destination at her own convenience. With that in mind she was busy kissing Kazuhiko and aiming to free him from his pants, to her own happiness, she managed to do it, as he flipped up her skirt. Committing to such actions had her feeling the movement of her undergarments, she found herself moaning just a little. There was something that felt, a tad naughty about this kind of experience. Not the usual full stripping romance she tended to go for, but an undeniable desire that needed to be answered in a semi-public place without care for complete indulgence. Yes, this was about to be the fun part and Ai's hands finally found themselves upon a new tool and much like her friend she'd find herself absently stroking it, but with the additive effect of her mana sensory fingers with a grip that showed almost absent minded practice at the action.

At the same time, a very normal tooth brushing routine came to an end, and then Rin moved to stop the water. She didn't notice the camera that went up in her absence and only found herself falling easier and easier into her own routine. Of course, after emptying her mouth of that alcoholic mouthwash, she smiled at herself in the mirror before she began moving around again. A bath sponge and a bottle of soap were taken from her caddy before she walked over to the hamper moving to the beat of unseen music. She stripped herself of her top, her breasts bouncing free her top half completely nude. And soon after she was bending over at the waist, removing a pair of undergarments which were small and black in color, but not quite fancy. Just the same, once she was naked she dropped all the clothes into the hamper and stretched. Soon after she'd be seen at a shower head sitting on a stool preparing to bathe herself properly, still bubbly and happy. All the while she was being watched within her natural habitat. 'I'll have a short soak after this, like fifteen minutes max~' she thought as her body was covered in suds scrubbed completely and rinsed with special attention paid to getting rid of all soapy residue. Much like her tooth brushing, a couple of rounds of washing would be undertaken... she had been out all day after all. She even paused in between and measured her quite frankly full bosom with her hands and inspected her body for random changes.

[Bloodedge]

Three hours. Kazuhiko had the better part of three hours to get the best of this experience. Even with that being the case, he didn't seem rushed either. Every new adventure should be appreciated, and the best way he knew to do so was by taking whatever pace felt natural. If faced with a stampede of Red Lions, speed was necessary. When dealing with a field of mana-sensitive mines, one had to take things slow. This moment with Ai could be compared to neither of those things, but had aspects of each. The movements of their hands beneath each other's beltline were of a slower tempo, but their mouths kept busy for minutes on end as if something would escape during any prolonged separation. That sort of dichotomy lent much to the naughtier nature of the pair fooling around in a Ferris Wheel. What was most notable though? Well, Kazu took special note of Ai's touch. Hers was a simple grip and stroke at first glance, but it felt nothing like the four other hands that had been on his shaft ─ in the best possible way. Her millennium of life must have involved a lot of practice, he imagined. Well, there was naught to do but meet her efforts in kind. Kazu's ring and pinkie fingers hooked the blonde's undergarments to keep them out of his way, while his fore and middle fingers nestled themselves in the damp flesh pocket below. All the while, the occasional heated breath was passing from his mouth directly into Ai's, seemingly in response to each upward motion of her hand.

Atsushi had his most important camera of the night in place and functional. He confirmed this with ease, and just as easily placed a more normal camera high at the rear end of the main hall. The kitchen, living room, dining room, tatami room and garden entrance would need cameras as well... but it seemed his progress was fated to be slowed. Why? Well, Atsushi could hardly look away from his phone for very long. The show had completely begun. Despite their history of sexual encounters over the past two or three years, he'd never seen Rin achieve full nudity; there was never enough freedom to get that comfortable. For the first time, he was seeing her breasts freed in a state of total toplessness. She had an even fuller form than he thought previously. Seeing more of that form revealed in the following moments, Atsu stopped moving in the middle of the hall to lean against the staircase once more. He couldn't focus well enough to keep walking, and besides... there was soon a bit less blood going to his legs anyway. 'Huh. He was right. It really is different when you can just step back and see it all. I should have asked for those pics ages ago.'

[Apollymi]

Three hours was both a little and a lot of time to occupy two people with sexual activity. Of course, Ai knew about the amount of time, that would be passing and decided to delve fully into their actions. While this happened a she noted quite a few things, those deeper breaths that occurred when her hand moved a specific way, and those fingers now prodding her sex in a delightful way. Her hips shifted gently as she enjoyed the contact and her own sounds found themselves escaping in the forms of little moans as he stroked the flesh between her folds. That mix of tempos would eventually bring them to something in the middle, but the blush spreading across Ai's face as fingers moved in her body wasn't something she could deny liking. In fact everything about this situation was growing into something well worth the extra effort she'd put into setting up this particular scenario. It was hot, steamy and romantic in a very specific kind of way. And as such she'd find herself enjoying it as her body built itself towards orgasm at a mild pace. With no rush on either person's part, all Kazuhiko would be receiving was a more relaxed an open version of Ai as she settled properly into deviance, and every once in a while, when his breath hitched a thumb would casually rub across his glans.

Atsushi had an important job to do, beginning the process of protecting their new home and Rin... was busy putting on a show she didn't know she was starring in. Just the same her relaxed and unabashed behavior wasn't something that she'd change without reason. No, a second wash and complete scrub would occur all while Atsushi watched while trying to put up his cameras. As soon as she was completely clean the lass would stand and stretch, bending her back and trying to pop her shoulders just a bit before bending over to touch her toes. All of this wasn't for any particular reason but simply to help her relax before she walked over to step into the tub. And once she was sure it wasn't too hot, she sank into the water and tilted her head back to relax. She had a huge grin on her face as if she'd reached the peak of such a feeling, "Aaah!~ It feels so nice!~" she moaned mostly to herself... maybe a couple extra minutes were in order so she could feel the full relaxation of a bath like this within her own home.

[Bloodedge]

Kazuhiko's sex life was consistently developing in a mostly backwards manner. One would expect to have such a focus on foreplay during the earliest experiences. He was beyond late to the proverbial party. That wouldn't stop him from enjoying things as if he'd never seen any type of action before, though. Actually... regardless of his intentions, it seemed Ai would make that the case. Maybe she'd noticed his reaction to those upward strokes and decided to take further action. Whatever the reason, those rubbing motions from her thumb were each met by a reactive throb. All the while, Kazu sought to get another hand involved. It felt a bit like playing the party game Twister from this angle, but no matter ─ he'd be maneuvering one hand around until it could begin loosing the buttons of Ai's top. As for his fingers that were now experiencing the damp pocket between her legs, stroking movements had begun with purpose, each one brushing against a smooth, bulbous surface within that pocket.

Atsushi was curious to see a more comfortable version of Rin, and he was getting it ─ so much of it. A stretch evolved until she was bent fully at the waist. Given the placement of his camera, Atsushi could see nothing but an ass that negated any wholesome thought in his mind. 'Sugei! This new life is bitchin'!' he thought. After that visual, he was already rubbing the start of an erection through his pants. Things didn't become less intense at all when Rin entered the tub. She couldn't know how very sexual that audible satisfaction of hers sounded. Just the same, Atsushi couldn't know he was only just outside the bathroom door, seconds from masturbating to a camera feed he couldn't look away from.

[Apollymi]

The backward development of the sex life of Kazuhiko was to be expected. If for no reason understandable to him, then simply because of the backward path he chose to walk. He'd seen both creation and destruction in more direct sense, and then he'd stepped onto the path and gone the route of reverse creation. One like Ai was uniquely aware of the oddity of his path, but all would be fine, and she could do nothing but enjoy her own experience at present. The human parts of her, wanted something new and exciting while also getting a feel for this new man in her life. Such had their little game of Twister in this Ferris Wheel car, evolving just the same. Two fingers, slipped around in her core, while his other hand went to undo the buttons along her shirt. It was opening bit by bit, and revealing a matching white lace bra beneath the fabric. Oddly enough this wouldn't be the first time she found herself in such a position. Just as it wasn't the first time she felt throbbing in a cock in response to her casual stroking of it. Just the same she'd be no less amused by it, knowing that her point of excelling as a partner was the delivery of such a thing. Perhaps instead of just a thumb a gentle twist would be found for that hand, the same sensory mana which flowed through her fingertips would be easily responsive to his mana and as such she'd take even more amusement from it. It was a good thing her shirt was coming open, she needed somewhere for her body to release all its heat, and what wasn't being prodded by fingers, would need to escape in other ways.

While, a pair made a small cubicle steamy, a young woman relaxed in a bath. She still hadn't registered the idea of being watched, but she was indeed relaxing in a tub filled with water. She relaxed with her head backwards and gently rubbed hands along her exposed flesh just enjoying the sensation of it. She raised and lowered her legs and once again inspected her own chest but also just allowed her eyes to close as she rolled over in the water, her bottom would break the water's surface as she soaked her fore, resting her chin on the edge of the tub. "Mmmah~ I could fall asleep in here~" she mused. Ah, but it would be bad to do such a thing. Someone else was waiting to use the tub, perhaps she shouldn't relax too much? She could process thoughts like that but still roll over again. She wouldn't want to leave this tub if she didn't have to... "Ugh, it's too good. Maybe Osaka won't be too bad," she mumbled. There were a thousand things which could go wrong, but at present all she could think about was enjoying long tub soaks and eventually having the internet to play her games. Yes, a new hideout had to be found, and yes... they'd eventually have to figure out what to do about the town they were living in and how it connected to their 'work'. But for now, she kind of just enjoyed the time she was getting to relax, 'I wonder if Wise was right about guys being boring. He never seemed that boring to me,' she thought. Maybe living together would be a good chance to figure it out?

[Bloodedge]

Bit by bit, Kazu was unfastening the buttons of Ai's shirt to reveal what lay beneath, obstructed by only a single extra layer. He'd probably have to do something about that, but the urge to feel flesh was a bit too strong for finding a clip presently. It wasn't as if Kazuhiko had any bra-unhooking experience to speak of anyway. As such, his hand slid between Ai's bra and breast, squeezing the latter from there. Ai's hand would also find something new ─ most notably the leakage of preejaculate he was already experiencing. The relaxed pace they took didn't seem to affect that aspect of his life at all. . .

Unlike Kazuhiko, Atsushi was finding his life very affected by the influence of another. Seeing the blue-haired girl in her current state was so new, he had little choice but to sit back and enjoy the show of it. Of course, he couldn't do so idly. One sound was made by the time Rin flipped in the tub. He could see her rear over the water's surface, so naturally, it was high time his pants were unzipped with swiftness. Long before she rolled again, there was a firm flesh rod being stroked slowly just outside the room. Such a teen, Atsushi was ─ so much of one that he'd given no consideration to the end of this self-exploration in an open hall. Ah, but thinking wasn't an important thing in the moment. The specific camera he had in the bathroom was one with very good audio functions. He wore a single earbud which picked up even Rin's lightest breaths, amplifying the entire viewing experience as if he were inches from the lass. "Osaka rocks!" he exclaimed at a whisper. Slow, long strokes traveled the length of Atsu's cock. Each one ended with a squeeze just at the tip, after which the return stroke began.

[Apollymi]

Progression between Kazuhiko and Ai was finding some interesting points. They seemed in no rush but also not to be going slowly on purpose. A bit of moderation was what was happening over time and there was no issue. One interesting thing Ai found, had to do with one of those twists of Kazuhiko's cock, coming away with the lubrication of pre-ejaculate. Well, she'd use that, she was far from misunderstanding the nature of such things, and knew it would only make the sensation of the mana passing out of her hands better to feel long term. And with a hand on her chest she knew that sensation would be something she found enjoyable as well. Oddly enough her bra wasn't removed but instead a hand simply slipped beneath the fabric. She wondered then, if he wished to remove it, if he knew where the clasp was, or if this was part of his own urgency. The secret fourth option that he had no experience removing one, almost didn't register as an option, still she moved into him lifting off her back and pressing their bodies together to make it easier for him should he desire the removal of that article. Just the same she pushed up his shirt, a long moan leaving from her mouth as her loins twitched towards that first ending she sought.

At the same time a different sort of ending was being pursued. As Rin took a semi-long soak, she found herself wondering about her new situation. She enjoyed the warmth of the water and let out quite a number of soft moans as she rolled around in hot water enjoying her bath. It was far beyond her notice, that the lad she thought of was right outside the door of that bathroom, stroking himself to completion. If she'd known she might have teased, what else could she do to a man who'd claimed to be boring after finding out something like that? Oh well, it was a thought process she'd have to sit aside for quite a while yet. "Hmmm~" she sighed happily. It seemed she could easily become a person who stayed in baths forever, but perhaps not now. The water would cool off eventually and by the time it lost a few degrees her desire to sit in it was dwindling. She found herself sitting up once more and stretching again... "Ugh~ I don't wanna~" she murmured softly. Knowing she'd have to get up she stood again letting water drip down her body she let out the tub and stood there a few moments longer. She'd grab her towel, dry her feet and step out before wrapping it around herself.

[Bloodedge]

In the passing moments, Kazu would make a few more discoveries yet. Fate wouldn't let him idle without discovering the tricks of bra removal, even though he could have easily just leaned back and enjoyed the now lubricated show of dexterity by Ai. Instead, Ai forced their bodies together in the most obvious form of invitation. Well, he'd have to cross that bridge eventually; what better time than the present? That hand of his parted with Ai's bosom, slipping around her back. Kazu's attempt to unhook the bra was not the most suave of maneuvers, but he did manage each clip one at a time. It was a good learning experience, if nothing else. Though time saw him do nothing about the shirt, he did manage to let the girl's breasts spill from their confines to some extent. With that, he could somewhat confidently keep his other hand moving until those two fingers slipped into Ai's canal.

While one pair progressed things in a mostly positive manner, another scene was progressing in a worse way. At least, that was the case if one were to ask Atsushi about it. He'd been watching Rin bathe, taking the most degenerate approach to this new life on the first night possible. Frankly, he started expecting as much earlier. What he didn't expect, was to hit his stride in stroking, only to see Rin exiting the bathtub. She had the worst possible timing. Could he finish? Actually, now that he thought about it... how was he expecting to finish? 'Shit, shit, shit!' he thought. Surely that should have come to mind earlier, but it was hard for Atsushi to think while heavily aroused. Now, he had only a few choices. That camera was right beside the bathroom door from within, so he'd just have to hope Rin didn't take note of it. As for the rest of his problem, Atsushi worked tirelessly to stuff his cock back into his pants, nearly dropping his phone thrice through the process. It was taking ages. Even so, he thought it better to be discovered with an erection than to be discovered mid-masturbation. The former could be more easily explained, at least.

[Apollymi]

Ai would be receiving an answer to her thoughts about bra removal. Given the way he chose to do it, and how long it took she could extrapolate that such was a learning experience for him. It was an amusing thought, but not because he was inexperienced, but instead because it made her wonder about the exhibitionism of one of her friends. Perhaps that was a thing to ask the other girl about at some point in time. Until then, she'd feel the relief of having her bosom freed, though she didn't need to wear bras at all anymore and at the same time, the feeling of having a rather sudden set of fingers buried in her core. Yes, that was a good feeling she moaned excitedly, her canal twitching on top of fingers as she freed one arm, to slip out of her shirt and bra, all the while she didn't wish to stop the movements of her hand which was upon his cock. Just the same, flesh was fully freed for contact which she'd immediately test by pushing their bodies back together and experiencing the contrast of muscle against the softness of her chest.

At the same time, a different lad was experiencing a different sort of problem. Why? Well, he was busy stroking himself towards completion only to realize that one, bath time was about to be over and two... that he had no idea how he was going to finish his self-care session. Rin may have had bad timing, or it might have been intuition. Regardless, she was only intending to have a short bath today for the benefit of Atsushi. While he was busy stuffing his erection back into his pants, she was drying off and moisturizing her skin. Once done, she found it easy to drop her towel into the hamper as well and slip into her clothing for the night. In fairness, this was simply a pair of shorts and a tank top with a barely existent built in bra. It did nothing to hide the shape and fullness of her bosom. As such a quick stop was made by the mirror as she looked at herself she smiled and then, reached for the door, only to discover that it was cracked. "Eh, good thing Otou-san was already in his room. He would have yelled at me about that again..." she mused having the audacity to look sheepish.

[Bloodedge]

Difficult as it was, Atsushi just barely managed to shove that annoying lump of meat into his pants before Rin finished her bathroom visit. In doing so, however, his rushed state resulted in the front of his shirt being tucked into that same area. Atsu looked a mess, but it was officially too late to do anything about it. Hell, he even smelled lightly of ejaculate from the leakage that managed to build while Rin bathed. It was probably in the lad's best interest to start moving again, perhaps for the sake of finishing the security run. No. No, that wasn't his decision at all. Like either a genius or a moron, Atsu stood right where he was. Just outside the door was close enough to hear Rin's mention of her father and... an apparent habit of leaving doors open. In that moment, he'd speak loudly enough to be heard. "Again?!" That outburst was completely uncontrolled. He couldn't believe this was a repeat offense. Did that mean he could expect such in the future? The thought of random peepshows crossed Atsu's mind, and it was good. One positive could be taken from this lack of internet. If they had a connection, he wouldn't have bothered with those cameras tonight. This entire short journey of deviance and discovery would have been pushed off to a later day, or potentially never depending on the variables. Well, either way... there was no hiding his current placement now. Atsu may or may not have been holding an excuse or two handy, whether necessary or otherwise.

[Apollymi]

Rin had gotten through her bathing ritual without much personal strife. When noticing the position of the bathroom door, she'd taken note of an issue she had and commented upon it the way she always would. In addition to her other odd habits, she often spoke to herself when she was alone, a left over habit of being an only child, but imagine her surprise when there was an outburst and reply to her words. The opening of the bathroom door, left her looking at Atsushi. Appraising first and foremost his height while looking abashed a flush on her face and rubbing the back of her head with her left hand. "Ehe, I guess you heard that, huh?" she asked rhetorically. In truth, it was an odd set of habits and she didn't expect to have her oddities confronted so quickly. If anything, she expected perhaps to have a conversation with her dad, or with Atsushi's mom about her odd lack of boundaries and the necessity of closing door. "That's pretty embarrassing and all but yeah. I have a bad habit of not closing doors all the way when I'm focused on doing something else. So... Otou-san usually walks by yelling about how privacy is golden while shutting doors," she murmured. "Still, I didn't expect you to be right here... I also talk to myself... so it was kind of surprising to hear you answer," she said while staring up at him and only then having her eyes move from his face. Down his body, to his shirt which was tucked into his pants which she could see the outline of his dick. A smirk crossed her face but she said nothing immediately. She only returned her eyes upward, wondering how this lad planned to explain this, or if he hoped she'd ignore it.