As Natsukawa Kanade had hoped, the moment he said, "I will never leave you" to Shiina Mahiru—Miss Angel—her expression softened ever so slightly.
Though her attitude toward him remained cold, with an air of disdain to boot, there was a visible change. And for Kanade, that was enough to ease his worries.
Rejection through words is fine; indifference is what cuts the deepest, Kanade mused to himself, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
"Why are you still following me?" Shiina huffed, turning her head sharply. "Aren't you the student council president or something? Shouldn't you be busy doing president things?"
The small crowd of curious onlookers had finally dispersed, and with her embarrassment slightly abated, Miss Angel found the courage to lash out. She placed her hands on Kanade's back, attempting to push him away.
"Ugh..."
Her hands pressed against him, but no matter how hard she tried, he didn't budge an inch.
What's the point of being so strong?! Baka! I can't even move him!
Realizing her futile efforts, she let out an exasperated sigh and fixed him with a sharp glare. But, to her dismay, Kanade didn't flinch; instead, he leaned closer—too close.
His face was mere inches away, his breath tickling her skin. His warm, soft gaze locked onto hers, and she froze. His lashes fluttered slightly, drawing attention to his absurdly pretty features. Even his lips—soft and perfectly shaped—seemed unfairly alluring.
"Wha—What are you doing?!" Shiina stammered, her voice betraying her nerves as she hastily pushed him back.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably. She knew it was ridiculous, but her mind was running wild.
Could it be...? Does Kanade want to...to...
The thought sent a jolt through her chest, and her cheeks turned a fiery red. She mentally scolded herself for entertaining such a ridiculous fantasy.
Stop it! This isn't that kind of situation! Get a grip!
Still, a small part of her couldn't help but blame Kanade. It's all because of that stupidly handsome face! Who gave him the right to look this good? He's probably used that charm to seduce countless girls already!
Her frustration bubbled over, and she narrowed her eyes. "I didn't think Kanade could be so frivolous. Was your serious act all a lie?"
Kanade blinked, taken aback. "Wait, you've got it all wrong!" He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just noticed something on your face. It looked like dirt or maybe a bug."
Shiina froze. "A...bug?"
Her face turned pale at the mere mention, and an itchy sensation immediately spread across her skin. She didn't dare touch her face, so she clutched the hem of Kanade's sleeve instead, her golden eyes pleading.
"Help…" she whispered, her voice trembling as though on the verge of tears.
Kanade's expression softened. Guilt washed over him. "Don't worry. I'll get it for you."
He leaned in closer, carefully raising his hand to brush her cheek.
The first thing he noticed was how soft her skin felt under his fingertips—soft and smooth, with a slight warmth that made him pause for just a second longer than he should have.
"So soft…" Kanade murmured absentmindedly, lost in the sensation.
"Kanade?" Shiina's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Ah! Right! The bug! I'll get it now!" he stammered, his face flushing slightly.
Shiina's breath hitched as his fingers trailed lightly across her cheek. The gentle touch sent an unfamiliar heat coursing through her, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down.
Kanade's hand lingered a little too long, and Shiina's cheeks grew hotter with each passing second. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest.
Why is his hand still there? Is he playing with my face? Baka Kanade!
It was as if time itself had slowed, every second stretching endlessly as Kanade's hand continued its subtle movements.
Are there really that many bugs to catch?
Her mind raced with confusion. It's not like I smeared honey syrup on my face! Why are there so many?
"It's not gone yet," Kanade muttered, his tone calm and focused.
"…It'll be fine soon," he added, his voice soft but resolute.
Shiina didn't know how to respond. What else could she do but trust him?
"...Okay," she whispered reluctantly, her voice barely audible.
Moments later, the hand that had been the source of so much turmoil finally retreated. And with it, the strange, fleeting warmth it brought. Shiina blinked, feeling an odd sense of emptiness in its absence.
What's wrong with me? she scolded herself internally. Why does this feel… nice?
"Th-Thank you…" she managed to stammer, struggling to compose herself.
Kanade smiled faintly. "No need to thank me."
Silence settled between them, a strangely heavy yet comfortable quiet.
"I-I'm leaving now!" Shiina suddenly burst out, her voice high-pitched as she spun on her heel. She raised her arms to shield her flushed face, unwilling to let him catch even a glimpse of her expression.
Her heart pounded wildly, refusing to settle. Why does he always have to be like this?
She was grateful, though. Grateful that no one else had witnessed the moment, that they hadn't been interrupted. Yet, at the same time, she couldn't shake how intimate the situation had felt. This sort of thing has never happened before!
As she hurried away, her footsteps fading into the distance, Kanade stood rooted to the spot.
"She's… gone," he murmured to himself, gazing down at his hand. The lingering warmth of her cheek still clung to his palm.
Was that too much? he wondered, a twinge of guilt passing through him. But then, a small smile tugged at his lips. No… maybe it wasn't so bad.
==============
That evening, Kanade didn't see Shiina again. Even when their paths crossed by chance, she would quickly duck away, avoiding him entirely. Left to his own devices, Kanade meandered through the rest of the day, waiting listlessly for evening study hours to end.
When he finally pushed open the door to his dorm room—one arranged by the school for group living—he stretched out his hand and called out a greeting.
"Yo! I'm Natsukawa Kanade. Nice to meet you all!"
He had hoped to meet some fresh faces, maybe even make new friends. But to his surprise, every person in the room was someone he already knew.
"Oh, Natsukawa? You're here too? What a coincidence," said Shirogane Miyuki, a fellow member of the student council.
"Good evening, President," added Tsubasa Tanuma, a classmate of his.
And then came the deadpan voice of Hikigaya Hachiman, his close friend: "Kill me now…"
Kanade tilted his head, smirking. "What kind of greeting is that, Hachiman? Seriously, can't you just say 'nice to see you' like a normal person?"
Hikigaya groaned, burying his face in the paperback novel he had been reading. "As if seeing you could ever be considered a good thing…"
Kanade chuckled. With strangers, he might have felt the need to act with the composed dignity befitting his role as student council president. But with these three? There was no need for pretenses.
"You're already used to me ruining your brooding act, aren't you?" Kanade teased, pulling a chair closer.
Hikigaya rolled his eyes but said nothing, knowing Kanade was right. No matter how hard he tried to maintain his aloof persona, Kanade would always find a way to dismantle it.
Shirogane glanced between the two and gave a slight nod of approval. "It's good to see you two know each other. Makes things easier."
Kanade grinned. "Yeah, we were in the same club before. Hachiman's a great guy! You'll see. I think you all could get along."
"Oi, stop making decisions about my life!" Hikigaya barked, glaring at Kanade.
Despite his protests, Hikigaya's gaze wandered toward Shirogane and Tanuma. They don't look like bad people… for now, he thought, begrudgingly admitting Kanade might have a point.
"Fine," Hikigaya muttered, scratching the back of his head. "Hikigaya Hachiman. Nice to meet you, I guess."
"Shirogane Miyuki," the student council member replied. "Looking forward to working with you."
"Tanuma Tsubasa," the classmate added. "Let's get along, Hikigaya-san."
As introductions wrapped up, Kanade clapped his hands together with a bright smile. "And I'm Natsukawa Kanade! Glad to—"
"Who asked you?" Hikigaya interrupted with a deadpan tone.
Kanade raised his hands in mock surrender. "Wakatta, wakatta! Geez…"