The city wasn't that big, but wasn't it too much of a coincidence that two people with the same weekend travel plans would end up on the same bus to the "suburbs"?
At least, that's what Natsukawa Kanade thought, even beginning to suspect that Kasumigaoka had installed some kind of tracker on his phone.
—Kasumigaoka-senpai...
—Good afternoon, Kanade-kun.
He had clearly told her he'd be busy, and yet there she was, sunhat on her head and a travel guide in hand. Was she mocking him?
But now that she'd caught him, there was no escape.
—Well, good afternoon, senpai. Goodbye, senpai.
Kanade nodded, turned around, and walked off.
When you run into someone, you greet them and move on. That's basic protocol.
It's just a small place called Kasumi Hill—why are you blocking the road?
Kasumigaoka stood stunned for a moment, then jogged after him.
—Why are you running, Kanade-kun? Is there a monster behind me?
Kanade didn't answer, thinking, "Why ask? You are the monster."
—I really trust you, Kanade-kun. When I heard you were busy, I went out alone. I didn't expect that secretly...
Now Kanade couldn't stay silent. He felt like his character was being slandered.
—I'm just passing through, not following you. Please don't worry, I'll be gone soon.
—Why are you in such a hurry to explain, Kanade-kun? Of course I didn't doubt you. I just wanted to give you a secret surprise.
—Well, it was more of a shock to me.
—Shocked? You mean your heart started racing because of how I look?
—Not that dramatic... more like I'd be in trouble if I didn't jump.
—No need to jump. I'll give you mouth-to-mouth when the time comes.
—Shouldn't we call for CPR in that case?
—Eh? I thought if a girl kissed you, you'd regain energy and come back to life.
—Am I some lunatic who revives from kisses? If there's a girl like that, my advice is to send her to the countryside.
If I hand her over to the country, my youngest son will never see her again. I'll just cry every day, fantasize about the bad impression I have in my mind, and repeat the motions—up and down, left and right, with my hands...
—Senpai, people are staring.
—Hmm? So Kanade-kun is the type who likes being watched?
—...If you think it's fine, say it out loud. I don't care either way.
—What are you talking about? About how you cry and rub your eyes every day because you miss girls? You've had quite the experience, Kanade-kun.
—Oh...
Kanade sighed, then stopped and turned to look at Kasumigaoka Utaha beside him.
His original intention was to go out and relax. He was about to leave when he saw her, but she caught up and dragged him into her pace.
—Senpai, you weren't part of my plans today. The trip's only halfway through—can't I give it a perfect ending?
—But Kanade-kun has always been part of my plans.
Kasumigaoka stretched, showing off her proud figure.
She didn't care about Kanade's disdain. After all, what she'd experienced in the past was far more hopeless than today. At least he still spoke to her properly.
Kanade didn't respond. He just looked at her silently for a while, then pulled out his travel guide again.
Since he couldn't shake her off, he'd just ignore her. Whatever she did, he'd pretend she didn't exist.
—Next stop is the shrine...
—A shrine? That's a lovely place. I could even pray for marriage with Kanade-kun...
—Alright, it's settled. Let's head to Ichibangai first.
Kanade nodded, quite pleased with his decision.
They were in the northern part of Saitama Prefecture, while Ichibangai shopping street was in the south. The distance was perfect for a leg workout.
—Eh...
Kasumigaoka's expression froze, her face showing clear resentment.
—I still suggest Kanade-kun start with the nearby shrine...
—Let's go, no more delays!
Kanade didn't respond and started walking alone.
If you say you don't want to pay attention to her, then ignore her. It'd be better if Kasumigaoka gave up.
Thinking this, he picked up the pace.
Seeing this, Kasumigaoka frowned, clenched her teeth, and followed.
The distance wasn't too far. Even if she enjoyed the scenery, it wouldn't take long to walk. However... Tsk, if she'd known, she wouldn't have worn heels today.
She'd been out for quite a while and was now stuck in this situation with no chance to rest.
If there weren't any shops nearby, she might've even considered wearing slippers. After all, that'd be easier than walking long distances in heels.
Damn Kanade-kun, are you really trying to use this method to force me to submit? Well, I won't give in.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was naturally ambitious. She never feared hardship. Anyone who tried to beat her was just another obstacle in her path.
It's just that today's obstacle was particularly annoying...
Kanade didn't care about the little tail trailing behind him. Sometimes he stopped to admire the rural scenery along the road, sometimes he popped into a nearby shop to buy something.
This gave Kasumigaoka a chance to catch her breath, but each time she had to catch up before she could rest.
It was a frustrating state—wanting to be satisfied but unable to be.
—Stupid boy, I'll make you pay for today's revenge someday!
Kasumigaoka muttered bitterly to herself.
Fortunately, they finally reached their destination, and Kasumigaoka no longer had to walk so fast and vigorously.
Her idea had been good, but Kanade didn't follow it.
He kept walking briskly as usual, occasionally glancing at the surrounding buildings as if searching for something.
Kasumigaoka gritted her teeth and tried to follow again, but this time she couldn't.
Her lack of exercise finally caught up with her: she twisted her ankle.
—Hiss...
Kasumigaoka wasn't afraid of pain, but the sudden sharp sting still made her cry out.
—Kanade-kun...
The imagined future where the knight would come to greet the princess didn't materialize. Kanade paused for a moment, glanced at her twice, then disappeared into the crowd.
"…"
So that's how it is?... Abandoned again... Turns out a greedy, despicable woman like her could never reach the happiness she longed for. Maybe... should she learn from that blonde loser?
At that moment, Kasumigaoka crouched on the ground, hugging her knees and burying her head deep in her arms.
There was a constant buzz of noise around her, as if people were pointing fingers, but none of it hurt as much as Kanade's indifferent gaze.
If only I had played dumb, if only I had accepted him first...
No, she was Kasumigaoka—the proud Kasumigaoka Utaha. She would never accept such an ambiguous future.
It wouldn't work unless she became the master of the younger generation. And if she couldn't be the true master, then even a fake one would force herself to play the villain.
Since Kanade refused to reveal his true self, she would keep breaking through. Until she reached his heart and he could no longer leave.
It's just a sprained ankle. As long as you have perseverance...
—Hey, what are you doing? Pushing yourself so hard just to give up? Are you that obsessed with writing, Kasumigaoka-senpai?
That familiar voice returned to her side once again, and the criticism was even harsher than before.
Yet for Kasumigaoka, those were the happiest words she'd heard since she rejected her junior's confession.
—In short, she's very hard to understand.
Kanade felt like he had provoked a very dangerous woman in the past, and that woman had started evolving in a strange direction.
—Tell me, senpai, what do you want from me? Can't I change it?
—Well... I want you to be closer to me?
—If senpai hadn't rejected my confession, I might've believed that.
—Why don't you believe me? You younger ones can trust me now.
—Unless I have amnesia and forgot the day I confessed my love to you.
—Then, should we just forget that day ever happened?
Hey, hey, hey, what's with that look? You're not going to do something to me, are you?
—Ah, Kanade-kun, don't be so scared. I can't do anything that extreme. I'm just asking.
—You'd better just ask...
Kanade had a headache.
He felt like he shouldn't have come back, but worried he wouldn't return... He really shouldn't have gone out today. Staying home and gaming would've been much better.
—Kanade-kun, are you done pretending? Ready to face me with your true self?
Though her feet hurt, Kasumigaoka felt very comfortable.
It was as refreshing as putting on new underwear on the morning of New Year's Day.
—I've always been like this. I've never pretended anything.
Kanade pursed his lips and denied it. It was getting harder to keep a serious face