Has Hitori changed?
From the surface, the answer is undoubtedly yes.
She's wearing a cuter, more feminine outfit now, and her posture while walking is no longer hunched and gloomy but instead upright and confident.
However, with more careful observation, it seems that her behavior and demeanor are still quite similar to usual.
Her panicked reaction to Chisato's casual question made it clear that she's still the same socially anxious person.
"Ah, it's… it's fine. I slept until morning…"
Hitori finally gave an answer.
Chisato watched her response, struggling to suppress his laughter as he noticed her anxious expression and the strange little movements of her fingers as they fidgeted and intertwined.
Her guilty reaction was unmistakable. He really wanted to know what Hitori went through last night to make her affection for him reach the level of four hearts.
However, it wouldn't be appropriate to interrogate her in the busy streets. If she fainted from the pressure, it would be a troublesome situation.
Chisato took her to the Chinese restaurant Ryo had mentioned, packed some food, and returned to STARRY, where everyone gathered around the small table in the recording studio to eat.
Although Hitori had already had breakfast, she still took some dumplings at Nijika's urging.
The moment she bit into the dumpling, soup splashed out, landing on Chisato's clothing.
"Oh, sorry, sorry!"
Hitori quickly set down her chopsticks, grabbed a napkin, and hurried over to wipe it off.
Chisato wasn't too concerned, saying it was fine, and took the napkin to clean himself.
He told everyone to continue eating while he went to the restroom.
There was hand soap available, which might help with the oil stains a bit.
While he was busy at the sink, Hitori's head poked in, and then she walked over.
"Daring to come in here, this is the men's restroom."
Chisato joked while rubbing the corner of his clothing.
"…I'm sorry."
Hitori apologized cautiously, her head lowered.
Seeing her reaction, Chisato sighed, finished washing his hands, and took a napkin to dry them.
He initially intended to pat her head to comfort her but suddenly changed his mind and gently pinched her cheek instead.
Hitori whimpered and squinted her eyes.
Chisato was about to withdraw his hand and say something when she tilted her head, bringing her lips close to his fingers, and then parted her lips, as if she were a cat, to gently take his finger into her mouth.
Hitori executed the action with remarkable skill and speed, as if she had done it many times before.
Chisato was in a daze before he even felt the gentle pressure of her teeth on his finger.
His brain was overloaded, unable to process what was happening right now.
"Click—"
The sound of a phone camera shutter and the blinding white flash snapped Chisato back to reality from the warm sensation on his finger.
The voice of a girl with blue hair briefly flashed outside the restroom door.
What is that annoying woman doing!?
The commotion also brought Hitori back to her senses.
She quickly spat out what was in her mouth, covered her face with her hands in embarrassment, and hurriedly turned to leave.
She stumbled and bumped into the door frame, letting out a small cry of pain as she crouched down.
Her hands, which had been covering her face, now covered her forehead. She stood up and wobbled away.
Unlike usual, Hitori managed to control her thoughts this time and didn't faint again.
Leaving Chisato alone in the restroom, trying to piece together what had just happened.
He extended his right index finger in front of him.
Yes, it still had a glistening residue on it.
Under the restroom's lighting, it reflected light, and when he touched it with his thumb and index finger, he could pull out a delicate, shimmering thread.
Chisato's fingers repeated the meaningless motion of separating and rejoining. He stared at it for a long time, and Hitori's sudden action reminded him of something.
There was indeed someone who used to like biting his fingers.
No, that's not quite accurate.
To be precise, after being trained by him, that person became very fond of this submissive gesture.
Pensive, Chisato silently turned on the faucet, washed his hands, and returned to the recording studio.
He didn't see Hitori, but her guitar was still in the corner of the studio, so she must not have left.
Just as he was about to go out, Yamada Ryo approached and poked him in the side.
Chisato stepped back, looking at her with annoyance.
"How many times do I have to say it? I'm very ticklish, so stop poking me there."
"Such a weakling. A man can't become great if he can't overcome such small things,"
Yamada Ryo said, offering some baseless theory she must have heard somewhere, while inching closer.
Seeing her serious expression, Chisato thought she had something important to say and bent down, letting her come close to his ear.
In a calm voice, Ryo said,
"If you don't want anyone else to know about what just happened, lend me some money."
"…"
Chisato straightened up and looked at Ryo, who was smiling faintly and extending her hands.
After three seconds, he returned the smile.
But instead of reaching for his wallet, he turned his head and said,
"Nijika, Ryo is asking me for money again."
"Eh!"
Nijika immediately rushed over, grabbed Ryo by the back of her collar, and pulled her away.
"Sorry, sorry, for the trouble."
Ryo, having failed in her attempt at coercion, showed a look of disillusionment.
However, as Chisato was about to leave, she reminded him,
"Hitori is probably hiding behind the counter in the store."
Chisato didn't respond but waved his hand in thanks. After leaving the recording studio, he headed straight for the counter.
"Found you."
Hitori, hiding behind the bar counter, looked up at the approaching Chisato and desperately tried to escape, but there was no space left to flee.
Chisato crouched down to be at eye level with Hitori, not speaking for the moment, just gently rubbing his finger and staring at her intently.
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