kscans

Chapter 295 - 37.0°C

"—…Hmm."

Unable to get into her work, Hiyori had tossed aside her pen and half-finished illustration some time ago.

How much time had passed since she'd started rolling around on her bed, vaguely listening to a melody from another project—

She picked up her phone and checked the time: 1:30 P.M.

An hour since she'd sent off her best friend, clad in an outfit of her own masterpiece design. Assuming they met up safely, it had been about thirty minutes since the date began.

Still, no new messages. Since that girl was basically glued to her phone by default, she had thought it possible she might lose her nerve mid-date and send a whiny message…

Is she okay, or is she just too preoccupied—which one is it?

To be honest, this time, her worry still outweighed her desire to cheer her on. She had given her the bare minimum advice, like 'absolutely do not go anywhere secluded,' but when she calmly considered who was currently on the offensive…

Isn't the one to worry about not her best friend, but 'him'? Isn't the one at risk of losing control her best friend, and not 'him'?

"………………No, no."

Surely—surely, she wouldn't end up getting reported and arrested… she wanted to believe such an utterly unfunny comedy wouldn't happen.

…Is she really okay? She is, right?

"Please don't do anything rash in a weird way, I'm begging you…!"

Why does she have to get a stomachache over this when she's not even the one involved—well, that's nothing new.

Unable to focus on work, she prayed for her best friend's safety, a prayer to the gods that felt like a joke… Please let today end peacefully.

For better or for worse, she tossed the silent phone to the side.

◇◆◇◆◇

Always crowded places—that condition led to the easy choice of a massive theme park. As it turned out, choosing this place, filled with the festive clamor that perfectly creates a sense of the extraordinary, was the right decision.

Everywhere was filled with an energy just short of frenzied, naturally putting one in the mood to 'have fun.'

Even we, who couldn't hide our forced cheerfulness at the start, were able to kick things off without getting caught in awkwardness by just saying, 'Let's just hit an attraction.'

…So far, so good, but.

"………………Nia, I've realized something."

`……What is it?`

"A mid-air stroll with my own body is a hundred times less scary than a roller coaster."

`…………I have no idea what you're talking about.`

In response to the request of my companion, who drew the eyes of ninety-nine percent of people we passed, I had just challenged, for the first time in my life, an attraction of the 'thrill ride' variety.

As a result, both Nia and I had crashed and were now slumped on a bench, our faces pale.

`That's more than a little surprising. So why are you like that over there?`

"I'd like to know that myself… And you? After charging in with such glee, this is the result?"

`……It was my first time too, so I just wanted to try it.`

I see… On an unrelated note, is that 'app' of yours a custom job? The text you type is resized to be super easy to read each time, so even with this conversation format, my eyes don't get tired. It's a huge help.

`I've realized something too.`

"Yeah?"

`Wanting to scream in fear but not being able to felt like a new form of torture. It was insane.`

Hey, cut it out with the dark jokes. If it were anyone but me, this could get awkward—…what's with that face?

Don't throw such intense jokes at a guy you've technically just met for the first time with such a trusting smile. Don't blame me if my HP runs out and I can't continue the date.

"So, how's your inner ear holding up?"

`……Still a little dizzy.`

"Thought so. I'll go get us something to drink. What do you—"

—want, I was about to ask as I stood up, but a hand that had been chasing me naturally caught my arm.

My body froze, but my eyes darted to the side to see Nia, who had just claimed to be dizzy, standing next to me, looking away.

"…………Y-You can, stay seated, you know?"

I spoke, but there was no reply.

And for good reason—the hands that should have been typing words in place of her voice were both wrapped around one of my arms.

…Well, it's the same whether she has words or not. The large green eyes that looked up at me from close range told me everything about her feelings and intentions.

Namely—that she had no intention of leaving 'someone's' side today.

"Hk…—Don't fall."

I tried to push the heat from the left arm she squeezed in response to the edge of my consciousness.

But the offensive from her as she followed me, far exceeding my expectations—was, terrifyingly, just getting started.

◇◆◇◆◇

—He's wearing glasses!!!!!

—His hair is a little shorter!!!!!!!!!

—His hairstyle is pretty different too!!!!!!!!!!

—His vibe is somehow calmer than in the virtual world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't, I really can't, what is this, he's so cool, I'm in love…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so it was.

In truth, the girl was malfunctioning. So much so that she had leaped past 'holding hands,' which had likely been his own boundary, and impulsively reached for his arm.

She truly didn't understand herself at all.

Even with her preferences, is it possible to fall this hard for someone's face?—she wondered, tilting her head endlessly in her mind, captivated beyond reason.

She was aware of having a bit of a father complex towards her Japanese father, and she understood that her childhood memories were reflected in her 'tastes'… but.

Even so, does a boy this perfect really exist? Or is it just that he seems to shine all the brighter because she fell for his personality, too?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt herself falling into a spiral.

And on top of that—

"………………"

She glanced to the side. At the profile of him as he ordered, chatting in a surprisingly friendly manner with the shop staff.

He looked like he had a poker face, but his face was faintly red.

"Your girlfriend is sooo beautiful!"

"Hk, w-well… haha…………"

And now he was blushing again from the teasing of the cheerful staff lady.

I can't.

I really can't.

I truly can't.

Could it be that his defense is lower here than over there?

I kind of had a feeling, but is it because he's lightly role-playing as 'Haru' in Arcadia?

Is he less used to girls than I thought?

Or is it 'romance' he's not used to?

Could it be,

No, it's not 'could it be'—

…You're conscious of me, aren't you?

The way he looked back at her with a troubled expression when she hugged his arm tighter.

The way he immediately averted his gaze as if to hide it when their eyes met.

—I knew it. I understood.

He complains and all, but he was properly seeing me as a girl.

…Hey, what should I do, Hiyo-chan? I'm in trouble, I really need help.

I love baths, so I often stay in too long and get lightheaded, and you scold me for it, but,

"…H-Here. You can't drink that unless you let go with at least one hand, you know."

Could it be that he's younger than I thought?

I'm trying my best over here, but more than that… his flustered reactions to each of my advances, his desperate attempts to compose himself.

The sight of the boy I love being so unbelievably cute—for the first time in my life, I feel like I might get dizzy from my own heat.