Haruto nodded, then asked, "Miku, are you sure you don't have anything you need to talk to me about?"
Miku looked away, hesitated for a moment, then shook her head slightly, lowered her gaze, and murmured, "It's nothing."
Haruto raised an eyebrow: "If that's true, why are you following me?"
"Huh?"
Miku snapped out of her thoughts and realized she had followed him all the way to the vending machine in the corner.
A blush spread across her face, and she couldn't help glaring at him: "I just forgot to talk to you."
"I-I'm leaving now."
"Wait."
Haruto stopped her, thought for a moment, and said, "On Saturday, Nino asked me to accompany her to the mall to buy something, and I agreed."
Though Miku hadn't said anything, Haruto had guessed her intentions.
Unfortunately, this girl kept hesitating and couldn't bring herself to speak up.
It's too easy for her to lose like this!
Hearing this, Miku took a deep breath and quietly asked, "Why are you telling me this?"
'If I didn't tell you, you'd probably hide in a corner and feel hurt in silence!'
Haruto continued, "In that case, I agree."
Miku: "😐"
Haruto glanced at her, watching her bite her lip, and then casually said, "Actually, I plan to buy some action figures on Saturday afternoon. Would you like to come with me, Miku?"
"It's perfect timing; I can open a few more commander figures too."
Was this a date invitation?
Miku raised her head, looking at him with a dazed expression as her eyes slowly filled with a soft gleam.
Last night, Nino had already confessed her feelings and directly told Miku that she'd be asking Haruto on a date this Saturday.
Given that, Miku naturally couldn't let herself look weak. However, after calming down, all sorts of mixed thoughts began to emerge, leading her to worry about every little gain or loss.
So much so that the courage she'd gathered earlier almost faded away. Miku knew very well that she couldn't compete with Nino.
She wasn't as charming as Nino, nor as feminine; she wasn't as bold and straightforward as Nino either, nor did she dress up as much.
As long as Haruto wasn't clueless, he would know who to choose.
But with just a few words from Haruto, Miku's wavering heart suddenly settled.
And in her heart, she felt a warmth and a pleasant, tingling sensation flowing out.
Haruto turned around and began selecting drinks: "Anyway, it's decided. What would you like, iced black tea or matcha soda?"
"Reckless Haruto~"
A soft voice suddenly rang out.
In the next moment, Miku hugged Haruto from behind, wrapping her arms tightly around him, pressing her face against his back, and whispered in a gentle voice, "Reckless Haruto, I like you."
'Ah~ after so long, Miku finally took the initiative to confess. I'm thrilled and I congratulate her! But when you confess, don't add the word "reckless!"'
Haruto sighed, turned around, and his gaze fell upon Miku's face.
Miku's long lashes trembled slightly, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness. They looked at each other for a moment, and she suddenly closed her eyes.
❀❀❀
After taking care of Miku, Haruto didn't go to the cafeteria but instead went to the rooftop.
Of course, he wasn't heading to the rooftop because Argentina lost in the World Cup, but because of Yukino.
Today, Yukino had invited him to the rooftop.
So, lunch was still on.
However, recently, the Service Club had been incredibly busy. It was so hectic every day that even Yuigahama just greeted him briefly whenever she saw him.
Haruto walked up to the rooftop, his eyes landing on the girl sitting in the chair, and he frowned slightly.
Today, Yukino looked a bit worn out.
Unlike usual. In the past, whenever she waited for him, Yukino would place a book on her lap and read quietly, maintaining her calm, indifferent demeanor. But today, she wasn't reading; instead, she was holding her phone, looking distracted.
Also, Yukino usually tied her hair with a red ribbon in a bow, but today, her hair wasn't tied with the red ribbon.
Even the bow tie on her collar was slightly askew, which was unusual for her.
Had something happened?
Haruto paused, then stepped closer.
Hearing footsteps, Yukino snapped back to her senses, put down her phone almost instinctively, took a deep breath, turned slightly to the side as if to hide something, and went to pick up the bento beside her.
Haruto sat down next to her, his eyes resting on her profile: "If there's something you need to do, don't keep it inside; you can tell me."
"Sorry."
Yukino bit her lip and handed him the bento: "Kuromori-kun, please eat the bento first."
Haruto took the lunchbox but didn't open it, instead setting it aside.
After a moment of thought, he picked up the red ribbon, looked at Yukino, and said playfully, "Actually, I'm really good at tying hair. Would Yukinoshita like to give it a try?"