Haizaki's left hand tightly gripped the control stick, adjusting the aircraft's altitude. The plane was still within the troposphere; if turbulence occurred, manual control would still be necessary.
His right hand was tightly held by Utaha with both of hers. From the trembling and grip strength transmitted through her hands, Haizaki understood that she was still in a stress response state. However, compared to the initial onset, there was a very obvious improvement.
At its core, the girl had not fully escaped the shadow of death from the earthquake. Psychological issues still remained.
Thirty seconds.
One minute.
Ten minutes.
The aircraft finally entered the stratosphere.
Twenty seconds later, it maintained a stable flight posture.
"Phew…"
Haizaki let out a quiet breath.
This period had been extremely taxing.
The aircraft's ascent was one concern, but the most important one was Utaha's stress reaction. If she went into shock, how was he supposed to handle it?
Fortunately, the most dangerous phase of the flight had passed. For now, the flight could be completely entrusted to the autopilot system.
"Kasumigaoka-san, let's go to the back. I need to check your condition."
"I'm already… much better."
Utaha's voice was somewhat weak, her tone gentle. She was trying her best to show that she had recovered.
"It's better to take a look. I suggest you also don't stay in the cockpit. Go rest in the first-class cabin in the back. The environment there is better, and you'll recover more easily."
"No…"
As she rejected him, the girl tightened her grip even more, afraid that Haizaki would abandon her.
"I understand. Then let's go to the back for a bit. I'll check your condition."
"Don't you need to stay here?"
"There's an autopilot system running on the computer. It's fine for a short while. Let me check on you first."
Normally he shouldn't leave, but seeing the girl like this, Haizaki was genuinely worried. The risk of human–machine separation was already quite low.
"I really…"
She still wanted to refuse Haizaki's examination.
"Just a quick check. Don't worry, I won't take advantage of you."
Haizaki noticed her hesitant resistance and subconsciously guessed that she didn't want physical contact with him because he was male.
"No, it's just…" she found it difficult to speak, but realized that if she didn't say anything, it would only make Haizaki worry more. She could only endure the embarrassment and speak up.
"It's just… I seem to have no strength. I can't stand up."
Her hands were strong, but her legs were weak… That was something Haizaki had not expected at all.
"I'd like to say I'll help you up, but that seems troublesome."
There were many instruments and switches in the cockpit. If he accidentally touched one while helping her up, he didn't even dare to imagine the consequences.
Haizaki carefully observed Utaha again. Judging from her appearance, she had recovered quite a bit. Her face was still somewhat pale, but the trembling and shivering stress reactions had become much weaker.
"Sorry… I didn't expect… this to happen."
She was full of guilt. She understood how much trouble her condition had caused Haizaki.
"It's the world's fault."
"Who is 'the world'?"
Bit by bit, Utaha started joking to ease the atmosphere.
"It's not about who it is, but rather… how should I put it… something very rare…"
"Pfft… hahaha…"
Three seconds later, Utaha broke into laughter.
The girl couldn't hide her smile, and the accumulated gloom was swept away at that moment.
The sense of death and fear brought by the massive disaster eased significantly.
"Where did you come from? Are you a comedian?"
"I'm just a high school student."
A high school student? Utaha thought of those protagonists who claimed to be ordinary high school students but were actually winners in life.
"An ordinary high school student, right? But you should know that a large portion of light novel protagonists aspire to be ordinary high school students. In reality, though, as protagonists, they're surrounded by beautiful girls, face powerful enemies head-on, overcome adversity, and ultimately defeat evil, becoming winners in life…"
It seemed she had touched upon a topic she was best at. Utaha's speech became much smoother. If one didn't look closely, even Haizaki wouldn't notice the lingering shadow on her face.
"Do you want to become that kind of high school student too?"
"Even if I wanted to, I don't think I'd have the chance. I won't become a winner in life surrounded by beautiful girls. I'm just an insignificant human struggling in the apocalypse."
"The apocalypse, huh? This world really does count as one now."
Disappearing people, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters—any one of these would qualify as apocalyptic material in films and television. This world truly belonged to that genre now.
"Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, much better. Thank you."
Haizaki's comforting words were very straightforward—deep breathing, thinking about parents and family—about as useful as telling someone who's sick to drink hot water.
But at least his firm, powerful, broad hand gave her a sense of reassurance, greatly improving her condition.
"Then, can you let go now?"
Haizaki pointed with his free left hand at his right hand.
"O-okay…"
She hesitated, then slowly loosened her grip. The moment the warmth of skin contact disappeared, Utaha's heart trembled again, a prickling sensation spreading once more.
It felt like she was about to feel unwell again.
Her hands reacted instinctively, but—
"Eh…?"
She hadn't expected Haizaki to grab her hand in return.
"Let me hold it a bit longer. The elasticity, the softness—it's really hard to let go."
As he spoke, Haizaki even symbolically squeezed it twice.
Utaha froze for a moment, then showed an annoyed expression.
"Heh heh, just like I said, men are all scumbags and can't be trusted. A Yusuke–Great Gorilla–kun like you probably has no hope of ever touching a girl in your life. This time, I, Lady Utaha, will magnanimously forgive your rude behavior. Be grateful!"
Was he deliberately demeaning himself to give her an out? Though it was definitely mixed with the intention of taking advantage.
Still, this man—somehow—wasn't bad.
"Many thanks. If possible, please allow me—"
"No."
Trying to push your luck? What a joke. But Utaha understood that this was just Haizaki's way of diverting her attention.
She only needed to go along with it.
"Otherwise, you won't even get this chance."
"That's really a pity…"
"To prevent you from moving recklessly, I need to…"
Utaha's right hand gently, slightly trembling, covered the back of Haizaki's right hand.
His entire right hand sank into a soft sensation. Haizaki didn't dare move at all. Even the slightest movement would make him clearly feel that captivating softness.
So a girl's hand could be this soft…
"Like this, you won't move around…"
I really don't dare move anymore.
"I think I'm a bit tired."
His right hand was suspended in midair. Holding one position for so long was pure torment.
"If you're a man, don't say you're tired."
"I don't seem to be a real man yet."
At present, he was indeed a virgin. Yes, a virgin.
"Pervert…"
Utaha's face flushed slightly. Her cherry-blossom-colored lips moved faintly as she muttered in a low voice.
…