The sun was setting.
Tired birds returned to their nests.
Haruto said goodbye to Itsuki and walked toward his apartment.
Soon, he approached the food court, and the air was filled with various aromas.
Haruto thought for a moment, then stepped forward and bought two octopus balls and two cups of milk tea.
As he was about to head back, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a girl with headphones standing confused under a tree.
Perhaps sensing something, Miku turned around, and her eyes lit up slightly: "Reckless Kuromori..."
"Sorry, I don't know that person."
Haruto walked over to her and asked, "Miku, why are you still here?"
Miku turned and said, "I was shopping here."
"Oh, I'll head off first. It's getting late. Remember to go home early."
Haruto gave a few instructions and then walked toward the apartment where he lived.
Watching him leave like that, Miku puffed her cheeks.
"Guilty!"
'You clearly messed up yesterday, but today you're acting like nothing happened.'
Miku noticed a few glances around her. She took a deep breath, pressed her headphones to her chest, and followed him.
Haruto noticed and stopped: "Miku, what's wrong?"
Miku opened her mouth, then looked away.
"Nothing."
Haruto was confused and continued moving forward, but his pace slowed significantly.
Noticing this, Miku's eyes flickered slightly, and she felt something quietly spreading in her heart.
Soon, Haruto arrived at his apartment.
Miku stood helplessly in the distance, facing the strange street and the passersby, looking pitiful and lost.
Haruto stopped. He wouldn't have guessed that Miku wanted to go home with him.
So, the issue was clear.
'Since you're lost, just say it outright!'
He weakly covered his forehead and stepped toward her.
Miku held her school bag in one hand and covered her chest with the other, looking around blankly.
She looked to the left and muttered, "The train station should be over there, right?"
After saying that, she walked off.
Haruto sighed and said softly, "Miku, do you think it's possible we just came from there?"
"Ah..."
When Miku heard the voice, she couldn't help but tremble, then groaned in pain, and threw herself forward.
Of course, it was impossible for Haruto to watch Miku fall, especially since there were still cars on the road.
He quickly stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Miku's waist, and held her back.
"Mhm..."
Miku groaned and lay in Haruto's embrace. Once she realized what had happened, her body stiffened, and her pale cheeks were quickly painted with an intoxicating blush.
Their eyes met.
They could clearly see each other's reflections in their eyes.
Haruto's gaze moved downward and landed on Miku's cherry lips.
Her thin lips had a naturally pure pink color. He wondered if it was because of the lip balm, but her lips looked so moist and alluring.
Feeling his gaze intensifying, Miku panicked. She unconsciously wanted to push him away, but when she tried, she realized her body had gone weak, and she had no strength at all.
She never expected her heartbeat to be so fast that her mind went blank.
But… NO!
There was no agreement, and neither of them had confessed to each other.
Not knowing where the strength came from, Miku breathed rapidly and roughly pushed him away.
Haruto reacted, cleared his throat, and said, "Sorry, as an apology, can I treat you to some takoyaki?"
Admit the mistake.
The reason why humans are called humans is that they know how to control their desires and use morality, laws, and other means to restrain themselves.
There's nothing in this world that can stop someone. The only thing that can stop them is themselves.
But, he chose to be human.
Miku gripped her headphones tightly, feeling both embarrassed and angry.
'He actually wanted to kiss me again... Too much!'
'We've only known each other for a few days!'
"Guilty! Seppuku!"
"I request a fair trial!"
"Hanging!"
"..."
Haruto admitted his mistake simply: "Sorry, I was wrong. Please forgive me, Miku-sama."
"No way!"
Miku gripped her headphones tightly, turned around, and walked off. But after just two steps, she slowed down because her foot had twisted earlier.
It hurt.
Miku regretted it.
But at this moment, because of her pride, she was too embarrassed to speak, so she gritted her teeth and remained silent.
In short, this was about saving face and enduring the pain.
Haruto was reflecting on himself at this moment.
Why had he suddenly become impulsive?
He actually wanted to kiss Miku...
Although he slightly regretted not kissing her, he couldn't just act like nothing had happened.
Haruto was thinking wildly while catching up to Miku. He squatted down and said, "Come on, I'll carry you back."
"It's none of your business."
"Miku is No. 1 in the world."
Haruto's face didn't turn red, and he wasn't out of breath as he spoke the words that made Miku's breath catch.
Embarrassment? Morality? Sorry, such things would only be burdens.
Miku's cheeks suddenly flushed, and she said in a panic, "W-What are you talking about!"
They were still on the street, and everyone around was looking!
Haruto said seriously, "Miku is the most adorable in the world. From the first time I saw Miku, I fell in love with Miku at first sight."
"So, I like Miku."
"My favorite."
"The kind that I want..."
Haruto had thick skin because he knew the truth: women don't need much praise. As long as you praise them... many problems can be solved.
Just like Miku now.
Of course, some words weren't something you could just say casually, like what he had just said.
He really liked Miku.
Haruto was also quite surprised. There were so many girls at school, so why was he attracted to Miku?
Was it because spring had arrived?
Miku rushed forward with a flushed face and covered Haruto's mouth: "Stop talking! Hurry up and go!"
"As you command."
Miku lay on his back, her heart pounding furiously. Haruto feared this girl might faint because her heartbeat was too strong.
People around them looked at the young girl with surprise and curiosity. Their gazes made Miku instinctively bury her face in Haruto's shoulder.
Miku urged in a muffled voice, "Stop talking and walk faster."
Haruto smirked slightly: "Miku, this is the spotlight effect."
The so-called spotlight effect is actually when people overestimate how much attention others are paying to their appearance and behavior.
So, when you think people are staring at you, in reality, they might just glance at you and not think much of it!
After hearing his explanation, Miku said angrily, "...guilty!"
"Seppuku!"