The joys and sorrows between people were never truly connected.
While Kanade Natsukawa was still sitting there, utterly bewildered, wondering what had triggered the woman beside him into launching a full-scale DISS attack, Utaha Kasumigaoka had already stepped off the train—refreshed, revitalized, and victorious.
It wasn't just about testing his reaction—though that was certainly entertaining—it was also about letting off some steam. A perfect win-win situation, really. She got to gauge his attitude while simultaneously releasing her pent-up frustration. Two wins in one move.
And to top it all off, seeing Kanade's dumbfounded expression only added to her satisfaction. That brief moment where his brain short-circuited, struggling to process what had just happened—it was like a fine dessert after a good meal.
"Which way now?" Utaha glanced at him lazily, her tone casual.
The train ride hadn't been that long, but the emotional rollercoaster she had put herself through had left her feeling oddly drained. She stretched her arms above her head, arching her back slightly—a subconscious motion, yet one that inevitably highlighted her full, graceful curves.
The effect was immediate. She could feel several wandering gazes discreetly locking onto her from the surrounding crowd.
Tch. Annoying.
She hated those kinds of voyeuristic stares. However, when she was in the company of her junior, she was willing to let it slide. In fact, she even found herself feeling a slight sense of pride.
After all, wasn't this proof that she was undeniably superior? That even nameless passersby could recognize true quality when they saw it?
This kind of figure wasn't something you came across every day.
"Juniorkun, you can openly and honestly…"
However, just as she turned toward Kanade, expecting at least a flicker of reaction, she was met with a scene that made her momentarily freeze.
The guy hadn't even glanced at her.
He stood there, unmoved, eyes locked on his phone, completely immersed in whatever he was looking at. It was as if he hadn't heard a single word she'd just said.
Utaha's eye twitched slightly.
"…Wait a minute, I'm checking the map," Kanade muttered, still not looking at her.
He first confirmed their current location, then meticulously analyzed the route before finally pointing in a direction.
"This way. Should take about six or seven minutes. Plenty of time."
Utaha: "..."
What… what was this?
Should she acknowledge his competence as a guide? Compliment his sense of responsibility?
No.
That wasn't the point at all!
The whole point of traveling with a girl was to focus on her! What was the use of being a reliable guide if you weren't paying attention to your companion?
Granted, she wasn't just any ordinary girl, but still! The fact that he hadn't even spared her a glance was beyond infuriating. It was as if he was implying that she wasn't worth looking at!
This feeling of subtle dissatisfaction… no, the more she thought about it, the more irritated she became!
"I'm tired."
The words left her mouth before she could stop them. But even as she said them, she realized how ridiculous they sounded. She had just been sitting down. How could she be tired?
It was too unreasonable.
So, without missing a beat, she quickly added, "Because I've been sitting too long. I don't feel like walking. Juniorkun, carry me."
There. That sounded more natural, right?
She nodded to herself, satisfied. This way, it didn't seem like she was picking a fight for no reason.
"???"
Kanade immediately looked up, his expression one of pure confusion.
"What…?" He stared at her as if she had just asked him to donate a kidney.
Tired from sitting?
That had to be one of the most illogical excuses he'd ever heard in his life.
"Senior… are you feeling okay?" he asked, his concern genuine.
Unfortunately, instead of appreciating his worry, Utaha only glared at him sharply.
"What kind of question is that?"
"I mean, I'm just concerned for your well-being," Kanade sighed, rubbing his temple.
First, she had randomly roasted him on the train. Now, she was demanding a piggyback ride.
Was she always this unpredictable, or was she just testing how much nonsense he was willing to tolerate?
"…Let's cut to the chase," he continued, resigned. "Just tell me what kind of ridiculous idea you're planning next."
Utaha simply pursed her lips, refusing to answer.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, as if a light bulb had gone off in his head, Kanade suddenly let out a small cough and looked away.
"…Okay, I admit it. I wasn't paying attention just now. That was my bad."
Utaha's expression twitched slightly.
Seeing this, Kanade continued, "But punishing me like this is a little extreme, don't you think? I mean, we're in public. If I actually carried you, people would definitely stare."
Her expression wavered.
Kanade sighed.
Yeah, this was definitely it.
Girls wanted attention—especially from the guy they were with. If his focus had been on something else, even momentarily, it was only natural that she'd be a little miffed.
And if, for some reason, he had been distracted by another woman instead… well, he was pretty sure she wouldn't have let him off this easily.
Thankfully, he hadn't committed such a blunder. He was still safe.
Sensing an opportunity to restore peace, he raised his hand and declared, "I swear I won't ignore you again! If I do, you can make any request."
At these words, Utaha Kasumigaoka's brows finally relaxed completely. The storm in her heart had subsided, though a tiny ripple of thought still lingered.
"...Hand."
Kanade blinked.
"Hand?"
What did she mean? Did she want a high five? A handshake? A palm reading session?
Utaha stared at him in silence before lightly glaring, then hesitantly extended her hand forward—only halfway, as if some invisible force prevented her from going all the way.
She refused to grab his hand outright. That was too much. She wasn't some eager puppy jumping into her owner's arms!
Still, for her to even reach this point meant she had already crossed a major hurdle in her mind.
It took Kanade a moment to piece it together.
Ah.
So she really didn't want to walk.
At first, he assumed she was just making a fuss, throwing a little tantrum. But no—she was actually exhausted. Which meant that, originally, she had likely planned to stand completely still as some form of punishment.
But after his promise and reassurance, her mood improved, and she decided to compromise. She wouldn't make things too difficult for him… but she still wasn't willing to move on her own.
So she wanted him to pull her along.
Huh.
That wasn't a problem. Didn't take much effort, either.
"Alright, no problem."
Without hesitation, Kanade reached out, grasped her hand, and firmly pulled her forward toward the movie theater.
The sudden action caught Utaha completely off guard.
For a brief moment, she was stunned, her brain struggling to keep up with what had just happened.
Wait… wait, wait, wait—why was he so decisive?!
Not even a second of hesitation?! No teasing? No smug remark? He just went for it?!
And worse—he was too damn smooth about it!
Like this wasn't even a big deal! Like he had done this a million times before!
Meanwhile, this was her first time!
Her first time holding hands with a guy like this! And yet, here he was, acting like it was second nature! Could he at least respect her girlish feelings a little?!
Kanade, of course, remained completely oblivious to the emotional turmoil raging inside his companion.
Even if he could hear her inner monologue, he probably would've laughed it off.
A woman who had zero shame when it came to lewd jokes… constantly spewing innuendos and corrupting innocent minds… was actually getting flustered over a simple handhold?
Yeah. Right.
But the truth remained.
Utaha Kasumigaoka—the reigning queen of dirty humor—was currently experiencing a major internal crisis over this unexpected physical contact.
She could feel the warmth of his hand.
The strength in his grip, the way his fingers easily wrapped around hers.
And worst of all—he was leading her effortlessly, his pace steady and confident, as if she had been meant to follow all along.
It took her a long while to adjust. Step by step, she gradually matched his stride, finally finding her rhythm.
Only then did she allow herself a moment to really think about what was happening.
So… this is what a boy's hand feels like…
It was big. Warm. Firm.
Strangely… reassuring.
Her gaze flickered downward.
Her fingers twitched slightly.
And before she could stop herself—
I wonder what the other parts are like…
—A very dangerous thought crossed her mind.
The moment she realized where her own imagination was going, she immediately looked away, her face heating up ever so slightly.
This was Kanade's fault.
Yep. Definitely his fault.
How dare he hold her hand like this without giving her any time to mentally prepare?!