Chapter 114: A Sudden, Unexpected Date

“The shop Miura-san chose is pretty nice.”

“Ah… Yeah, I heard about it from a friend too.”

Making small talk with Kanzaki Sou, Xiao Chun Miura responded absentmindedly while poking at the dessert in front of her.

Even if she didn’t mean to, whenever she ate sweets, she couldn’t help but catch glimpses of Kanzaki Sou eating his dessert out of the corner of her eye.

It couldn’t be helped—she couldn’t turn her gaze completely away either, since they were sitting at the same table.

Still, the fact that she and Kanzaki Sou were alone in this shop, with no familiar faces or things to distract herself with nearby, made her even more aware of the situation.

A subtle, delayed sense of awkwardness crept up inside her.

This situation is…

After school, one boy and one girl.

Two people alone in a Sweet Shop with no other friends.

As this thought flashed through her mind, Xiao Chun Miura’s hand holding the fork froze in midair.

She unconsciously looked around for the first time.

The decor of the shop was modern and relaxed, with bright yellow lighting hanging from the ceiling, creating a trendy and lively atmosphere.

At the table to their left sat a couple in matching school uniforms, feeding each other as if no one else existed.

On the right, in a booth, a young man and woman laughed quietly together, the girl’s cheeks flushed red.

It was as if the air itself was tinted pink because of these people.

And she and Kanzaki Sou…

Were mixing in with them as if it was only natural.

Xiao Chun Miura felt a sudden tightness all over.

What is this supposed to be?!

To an outsider, the two of them would definitely look like high schoolers sneaking a date after school, right?!

Though something similar had happened before, this time felt even more awkward to Xiao Chun Miura.

“Um…”

She swallowed, her voice a bit dry from nervousness.

“Kanzaki-san?”

“Hm?”

Kanzaki Sou looked up.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well… Just now…”

Xiao Chun Miura gestured incoherently.

“Um, I thought this place was close by—and… I really wanted you to try the desserts here.”

“It was just a sudden idea, but I didn’t mean anything else by it!”

“Absolutely nothing else!”

She couldn’t use Kiyono Arisa as an excuse either, or it would just make things worse.

She had to come up with something, even if it sounded ridiculous.

Xiao Chun Miura even unconsciously emphasized her last words.

She was afraid Kanzaki Sou would misunderstand, but also blamed herself for realizing too late.

Hearing this, Kanzaki Sou paused.

He looked at the girl’s face, her expression a bit odd, then followed her gaze to the couples around them.

“Ah… No—”

“I understand, Miura-san.”

Noticing that he too saw the couples, Xiao Chun Miura hurriedly tried to speak, but Kanzaki Sou was faster.

Then, the smile on the boy’s lips softened even more.

“I know you just wanted to share something tasty with me.”

“It’s the same as when I wanted to talk with Miura-san and become friends before.”

“Wanting to do things together with friends is normal, right?”

His voice was calm and composed.

It gave Xiao Chun Miura the illusion of being comforted.

“I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

Kanzaki Sou looked at Xiao Chun Miura and continued.

“Ah… Yes.”

Xiao Chun Miura opened her mouth and replied unconsciously.

Even though Kanzaki Sou was helping her out.

Even though he spoke so frankly, so properly.

But…

Why did she feel even more flustered inside?

Xiao Chun Miura asked herself silently, but on the surface, she could only nod.

“…As long as you understand.”

She lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment by eating dessert.

“This… How does it taste?”

“Hmm? It’s fine…”

Once the topic changed, the tension Xiao Chun Miura felt seemed to fade.

Kanzaki Sou seemed to realize this as well, sensibly bringing the previous conversation to a close.

Gradually, Xiao Chun Miura felt the awkward atmosphere really did start to disappear.

Now, it felt just like two normal friends sharing a simple happiness after school.

“Um…”

As the dessert was almost finished, Xiao Chun Miura glanced out the window at the darkening sky.

After hesitating, she asked the question that had lingered in her mind out of curiosity.

“Kanzaki-san, today… Why are you alone?”

“Hm?”

Kanzaki Sou set down his teacup.

“What do you mean?”

“Well…”

Xiao Chun Miura chose her words carefully, trying not to sound too interested.

“Usually after school, aren’t you with Kondo-san?”

Hearing this, Kanzaki Sou realized what she meant and smiled wryly.

“Looks like we won’t be walking home together for a while.”

“Eh? Why?”

Xiao Chun Miura felt her heart tighten.

Did they have a fight or something?

“It’s because of the injury from Sports Day.”

Kanzaki Sou explained.

“Even though the School Nurse treated it at the time, just to be safe, they said she should walk less for a few days.”

“So lately, her parents have been picking her up by car.”

“I see…”

Hearing this, Xiao Chun Miura let out a long sigh of relief.

It was an answer that eased her heart.

And it also meant that Kondo Haruka really couldn’t spend extra time with Kanzaki Sou after school right now.

For her, it was definitely good news.

At least, during this “buffer period,” with a strong rival absent from her sight, her own pressure was reduced.

“Then… Is the injury serious?”

Out of politeness, Xiao Chun Miura still asked.

“It’s okay, she just needs to rest for a while.”

Kanzaki Sou said, then suddenly sighed.

“But she’s been really restless these days.”

“Making her stay put and not run around is too hard for her.”

“She complains about being bored every day and wants to play basketball…”

At this, a trace of helplessness appeared in Kanzaki Sou’s eyes.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Chun Miura felt a sense of relief inside.

Childhood friends really are childhood friends.

That bond from growing up together, knowing each other’s personalities so well, was something no one else could easily match.

“I hope Kondo-san recovers soon.”

Xiao Chun Miura replied.

“–Miura-san, you’re really kind.”

Kanzaki Sou said suddenly.

“Anyway, thanks for caring. I’ll let her know.”

“Uh—mm…”

Xiao Chun Miura quickly lowered her head.

The unexpected compliment left her at a loss.

Kind?

If he knew what she was really thinking just now, she wondered what he’d think.

By the time they left the Sweet Shop, the sky was completely dark.

The Store Street was still brightly lit, though there were fewer people than before.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”

Kanzaki Sou said naturally.

“Ah, it’s okay, I can…”

Xiao Chun Miura opened her mouth, but in the end couldn’t refuse.

They walked side by side down the road home, their shadows stretching long under the streetlights.

Though they didn’t speak again, the silence wasn’t awkward.

Instead, it carried a gentle warmth.

Near her house, Xiao Chun Miura suddenly stopped.

“Um, Kanzaki-san.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you for today.”