"Kuromori-san, I went to see Rikka-chan again yesterday afternoon, but unfortunately, I couldn't meet her. Such a shame."
"But Rikka-chan's mother has been getting better lately."
Time is the best healer, whether we acknowledge it or not, it's true.
It's not that she's no longer sad, but she's buried her sorrow deep in her heart.
And if they are destined to be together, and the bond between them never fades, a miracle will happen someday.
"I always felt that Rikka-chan was so pitiful."
There are so many unfortunate people in the world, but what comes next?
Yotsuba clasped her hands together and looked hopefully: "Kuromori-san, should we go see Rikka-chan again this afternoon?"
Saying this, Yotsuba quietly glanced at Sora, grabbed Haruto's arm, stood on tiptoe, and whispered: "In return, I could give you a picture of Itsuki."
Haruto looked disgusted: "I refuse."
Talking along the way, they soon arrived at Sobu High School.
*Click-click-click*
The sharp sound of high heels echoed on the ground as they reached the stairs. Haruto turned the corner and looked up.
With soft pink hair flowing down to her waist, Mafuyu walked down holding a cardboard box.
The box was large and tall, blocking her view.
She descended cautiously.
Haruto thought for a moment, said nothing, and stepped aside.
He always felt that if he spoke now, Mafuyu might be startled, and an accident could happen.
After safely reaching the second floor, Mafuyu breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly sensing something, she turned her head away. When she saw Haruto, her face immediately became serious.
Haruto: "😐"
'This is Sobu High, what do you think I'm going to do to you!'
Haruto proactively said, "Kirisu-sensei, let me help you."
"No need."
"No, your view is blocked on the way down. What if you fall?" Haruto walked toward Mafuyu, reaching out and said, "I remember we have world history class today, right?"
"If you fall, you'll go to the hospital. If it's serious, you'll be there for a while. What do you want us to do? You might not be able to come to school for a month."
Mafuyu looked disgusted: "I'm not an idiot, how could I fall so easily?"
"Better safe than sorry."
Haruto said reasonably: "What if you do fall? Then I'd have to take you to the hospital."
"Stop talking."
Mafuyu wore a serious expression and handed the cardboard box to Haruto: "Hold it properly."
Though the chance of falling was small, she did feel guilty.
She was wearing high heels. Even though the heels weren't very high, it was still dangerous when her view was blocked while going downstairs.
What if she fell?
There were very few people at Sobu High right now, so if she fell, she would only trouble Haruto.
When others saw it, what would she say?
As Haruto said, it's better to be safe than sorry.
"Yes."
Haruto took the box, a surprised look on his face, because the box was indeed heavy, weighing at least twenty kilograms.
The weight wasn't a big issue in normal circumstances, but being inside such a large cardboard box that blocked her view while wearing high heels made it quite dangerous to carry down.
Haruto sighed and said, "Thanks for your hard work."
Mafuyu turned and said, "It's nothing, these things aren't heavy."
It really wasn't that heavy.
But due to its size, it was quite difficult to move!
Haruto looked at her seriously: "Next time something like this happens, remember to call me."
Accidents are called accidents because you never know what might happen.
Injuries can be treated, but pain cannot be avoided.
Mafuyu's eyes flickered a bit; she turned her head toward him, then looked away and replied softly.
"Mm, I understand."
"Sigh..."
Haruto sighed, smiled, and said, "Let's go."
Mafuyu followed him silently.
After descending, she said, "These things need to be moved to the utility room."
"Mm."
Haruto nodded slightly and said, "What do you want for dinner tonight? Mapo tofu? Garlic shrimp dumplings, or sweet and sour pork ribs?"
"Mapo tofu..."
The voice suddenly stopped, and a blush appeared at the base of Mafuyu's ears. She turned away, pursing her lips and said, "I won't eat."
Haruto calmly said, "Then Mapo tofu it is. Be sure to come when it's time."
"..."
Mafuyu glared at him, muttering under her breath, "Insult!"
The corners of Haruto's lips lifted slightly, and he said, "By the way, a girl named Nishimiya Shouko will be coming this weekend. Kirisu-sensei, I'll leave her in your hands."
"Yeah, I understand."
Mafuyu nodded slightly. Hiratsuka had also mentioned Nishinomiya Shouko to her.
And she understood Hiratsuka's concerns.
So after a few days, Mafuyu hadn't dared approach Haruto.
No matter what he was like, Haruto shouldn't be viewed differently by others.
Because he had already done enough.
In this world, no one had the right to look down on him or speak ill of him.
And she knew Haruto's character.
Now, he had changed a lot. In the eyes of many, he seemed thick-skinned and dark-hearted. But he never saw himself as a savior.
If no one needed him anymore, or if he got angry, he might really start the path to the end of the world.
But fortunately, Haruto had relatives he cared about, and his parents were kind enough not to let him stray.
Upon reaching the utility room, Haruto couldn't help but glance at a corner.
Mafuyu instinctively turned her head, but saw nothing.
However, she knew Haruto's abilities, so she felt a little uneasy. Was there something there?
Thinking of the possibility, Mafuyu felt uncomfortable. She often came to the utility room. Every time she thought there might be a ghost or something in the room, she felt numb!
That was more terrifying than seeing a cockroach!
But that couldn't be.
Mafuyu instinctively moved closer to Haruto and asked, "Haruto-kun, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, let's go."
Haruto turned away; it was just a wandering, harmless ghost, not worth worrying about.
A little strange.
Because he always felt this ghost seemed familiar, but he was sure he'd never seen it.
Due to this subtle and strange feeling, he couldn't help but take another look.