Chapter 251 - A Change in the Air
"—So, they barely picked up any of our conversation?"
"Yes, only bits and pieces… though I sort of figured out what was going on anyway."
"Seriously…? You and your uncanny ability to read me."
"It was just the atmosphere, you know? I figured that, in the end, you were just desperately trying to have fun, like always."
"Desperately trying to have fun… You make me sound like a little kid engrossed in a game."
"What are you talking about? Haru, you are that little kid, all the time."
"I won’t deny it, but hearing you say it out loud makes this big brother a little embarrassed."
"Oh, honestly! You’re the one who treats me like a child too much, Haru!"
"Well, it’s not that I’m treating you like a child, it’s just…"
I wasn't sure whether to be bewildered or bashful, trapped in a state of pleasant confusion—
"When you do something this cute, I can't help but smile."
As I lifted my left hand from the counter, a small hand clinging to my ring and pinky fingers came with it. Just when I thought she had moved past the ‘my body won’t listen to me’ phase, she defaults back to this, which has become her new normal.
As always, my partner is affectionate, adorable, and dangerously cute.
Being a guy, I get carried away and tease her, but even as her captive hand was lifted, Sora’s cheeks flushed, and she made no attempt to let go.
"…It’s your fault, Haru."
"…Yeah, I guess it is."
We’d spent a while after sitting down just talking, as if to check in on each other… And well, to put it simply, I had made her worry.
It was only natural, really. Even I’m aware that I’ve climbed to some ridiculous position with a reckless, almost stupid momentum.
Come to think of it, even before we officially became partners, Sora often worried about being “left behind.”
Now that I’ve not only entered the ranks but also drawn the attention of the entire world, she’s probably needlessly worried that I’ll just wander off somewhere… or something like that?
In other words, what does this all mean—
"—H-Hey…! What’s with that look on your face?!"
From my perspective, this was an undeniable, grin-worthy situation.
Seeing my cheeks relax, she squeezed my fingers in protest, but that was just counterproductive. Behold, world! You shouldn’t be paying attention to someone like me.
Look at this angel—no, actually, don’t look. All audiences must be approved by me first.
"…You’re thinking something weird again."
"That’s a misunderstanding. In a way, it’s something that will lead to world peace."
"See? I knew it was something weird."
Have you not heard the wise words that “cuteness will save the world”?
Whether or not she’s aware that such gestures make her seem childish, Sora pouted slightly and tapped my hand against the counter. Tap, tap.
Seriously… I’m getting genuinely worried about a lot of things. Are you sure you’re okay? You haven’t been distributing lethal doses of cuteness in the real world and causing casualties, have you?
"Honestly… Instead of worrying about me, are you okay, Haru?"
"Hm?"
Just as I was indulging in a multiplication of idiotic thoughts, Sora glanced at me from the side while fidgeting with the cup I had left untouched. By the way, the shopkeeper had placed our order and retreated to the back of the shop without a word, leaving the two of us alone in the quiet hall.
Whether he was reading the room… or just practicing “self-defense” against our tendency to create awkward atmospheres, I couldn’t say.
"…I know it’s bad manners to bring up real-world stuff. But right now… I mean, things have gotten pretty serious for you, haven’t they…?"
"Hmm… Well, I can’t deny that."
I’d overslept in the morning, gotten kidnapped by my friends at noon, and to top it off, I now have a massive errand to run tomorrow. The oversleeping part is irrelevant, though.
"So, um… but…"
The fingers that had tightened their grip, as if clinging to me, suddenly loosened.
When I glanced beside me… Sora was holding her own hands in her lap, as if to restrain them, and murmured with a complex expression.
"No matter what I do, I can’t be of any help to you in the real world."
And that’s why all she can do is ask, Are you okay?
I could tell from her face that she wasn't burdened by some unnecessary sense of responsibility or guilt, or letting her emotions get twisted.
This girl, surely, probably—
"It's okay."
If I’m not mistaken, if it's not just my own vanity,
"Hey, I swore it on the ‘moon’ before, remember? What was it again? I think…"
—I think she's afraid that, regardless of my own will or feelings, I'll be taken away somewhere.
So, well, it’s simple.
"‘That we will be together for all time’—or something like that. The moon is our witness, you know? Unless we’re up against someone who can rival a celestial satellite, I won’t be taken away, so don’t worry."
Conveying every word of reassurance I can is the duty of a partner.
…Let’s just put aside the thought that the great Yotsuya Development could probably go toe-to-toe with the moon.
"…,…! …!!"
—Okay, hold on. I had expected to be met with either exasperation or a blush after that cheesy line, but I hadn't expected to be glared at so intensely.
Well, her face is bright red, so she’s definitely flustered, just as I imagined.
"Sora-san…?"
"I…! There’s a part of me that wants you to stay just as you are, and a part of me that wants you to realize what you’re doing and change…!!"
"Uh, well… I mean, I’m kind of aware of it… but… for future reference, which one should I aim for…?"
"Please be aware and change, but maintain the status quo within a range that isn't a criminal offense."
"You said that incredibly fast…"
Whether she's convinced or not is another story… but lately, I've been aware of a few things. It seems that in this world, my mouth gets strangely loose, and I tend to just blurt out whatever I want to say—
"…I told you I had a feeling, right? I bet you were saying things that sounded like pick-up lines to Iris-san, too."
"No, I definitely wasn’t!?!"
From start to finish, all I did was unilaterally tell her to “smile” and whatnot!!
Far from being pick-up lines, it was more like I was a delinquent kicking aside all semblance of romantic subtlety to pursue my own entertainment!!
"I just realized I was speaking to her super informally and aggressively…"
In fact, it was less speaking and more like I was yelling at her.
Oh god, I’m starting to tremble just thinking about it now. I just casually declared us friends and laughed it off, but for all I know, she might have categorized me as a ‘rude commoner’—
"…Haru."
"Oh, right… yeah?"
My hand was grabbed again, and I was pulled to my feet. I followed Sora as she placed the payment on the counter and stood up.
It was almost nine in the evening. Realizing it was a good time to head to the ‘venue,’ I looked over at her… The girl who turned back still had a faint blush on her cheeks.
"—I think it’s just right for you to be a little cold to other girls."
She murmured with a troubled expression, then quickly turned her face away.
Fun. Sweet stuff is fun, I love fun.
※I've added a Part 2 to the character introductions in the interlude after Chapter 2. Please use it to kill some time.