Happy moments always seem to pass in the blink of an eye. Before they realized it, their reserved time was up. Natsukawa Kanade quickly wrapped things up, bidding farewell to the cat resting on his lap before standing. Beside him, however, Miko Iino seemed reluctant to leave, her legs hesitating as she remained nestled among the cats.
"Do you want to extend the time a little?" Natsukawa offered.
Miko appeared tempted, but after a moment of internal struggle, she shook her head.
"No, let's leave it at that. If we stay any longer, I feel like I'll never want to leave…" Carefully disentangling herself from the affectionate cats, she stood and stepped out of the group. Once outside their circle, she crouched and waved goodbye with a soft smile. "I'll come back to play with you all again… Please don't forget me!"
"Even if you say that…" Natsukawa chuckled, unable to resist a light tease. "They meet so many people every day; it'd be tough for them to remember you."
"Huh? That's not fair!" Miko pouted, clearly dejected.
"Fine then…" She clenched her fists, her expression suddenly determined. "I'll just have to visit them every single day! That way, they're bound to remember me!"
"…" Natsukawa was at a loss for words. Is this how rich people think?
"If you like them so much, why not adopt one? It's not that hard to take care of a cat," he suggested.
"Umm…" Miko hesitated, her uncertainty plain on her face.
Sensing her hesitation, Natsukawa softened his tone and gently encouraged her. "Miko, you need to understand—interest is the best teacher. What might seem difficult at first becomes trivial when you truly want something. Challenges exist to be overcome, and if you can't handle them alone, there are always people who can help. The key is whether you're willing to try."
Natsukawa wasn't one to pressure others into things. However, when it came to those who wanted to do something but were held back by self-doubt, he found himself more inclined to lend a push.
"After all, no one is born knowing everything. Do you think those who already have cats started out as experts? No, they just had a little more courage and a stronger sense of responsibility than you do now."
"…"
Miko's resolve seemed to waver, her expression softening. Natsukawa could tell she was seriously considering it, though perhaps she was still held back by some lingering doubts.
"How about this," Natsukawa offered after a moment's thought. "Our school has a pet sanctuary, doesn't it? They take care of many animals there, including quite a few cats. I think I heard they recently added some kittens as well."
"If you're worried about your ability to care for one, why not volunteer at the sanctuary for a while? You can learn from the caretaker there and get some hands-on experience. It shouldn't be too hard for you, right?" He gave her a reassuring look.
He had always seen Miko as a serious and conscientious person. If she did decide to adopt a cat, he was certain she would take good care of it. Whether the experience would bring her joy, however, was another matter entirely—something only she could determine after trying.
"Hmm…" Miko hesitated briefly but eventually nodded, her face lighting up at the suggestion. Still, a hint of worry lingered in her eyes. "But… would the caretaker even allow it? I have no experience—what if I mess something up?"
"Nobody starts out experienced," Natsukawa said, shaking his head. "If you're afraid of making mistakes, just be extra careful. Avoid what you can, and if something does go wrong, face it head-on and make amends. As for whether the caretaker will let you help… I wouldn't worry. She'd probably be thrilled to have someone as caring and earnest as you volunteering."
"Besides, it's not an easy job, and they don't get many volunteers. She'd likely be overjoyed to have your help."
"Well… if that's the case, then I'm in!" Miko's demeanor brightened considerably, her initial hesitation giving way to a hint of excitement for what lay ahead.
Natsukawa studied her thoughtfully. She seemed to have grown more timid recently, a stark contrast to the confident girl she had been during the student council election. Back then, she had boldly declared, "I'll be keeping a close eye on you and the student council!"
Could the incident at the field school have shaken her so much? he wondered. He felt a pang of concern for his junior colleague's emotional state.
After tidying up their clothes and brushing off any stray cat hair, the pair washed their hands. Natsukawa finished first and took the opportunity to settle the bill. When Miko emerged, she gave him a peculiar look.
"What is it? Did I miss some fur on my clothes?" Natsukawa asked, glancing down to check himself.
Miko shook her head but regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and exasperation. "I just think… you're awfully smooth at paying the bill. You managed to sneak off and handle it so quickly…"
"What's that supposed to mean? It's not like I was doing anything shady," Natsukawa replied, a little annoyed by the implication.
"How is it not shady?" Miko puffed out her cheeks in mock indignation. "It's my birthday today! You shouldn't have taken over—it's my job to handle things!"
"That's nonsense," Natsukawa countered with a shake of his head. "And this doesn't even count as 'taking care' of you. You could just see it as me indulging myself. Or, if it really bothers you, think of it as a birthday gift—a small token, nothing more."
"A birthday gift…" Miko mumbled, her voice growing softer until it was almost inaudible.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing!" Miko suddenly straightened up and practically shouted before dashing past him and out the door. She stopped at the entrance, turned around, and stuck out her tongue. Her lips moved silently, forming words he could barely make out.
"Senpai, you're such an idiot!"
Natsukawa: "…"
He sighed. He knew just enough lip-reading to catch her meaning, which left him wondering if his gesture had come across as too casual. Was the gift too thoughtless? Is that why she's upset?
After double-checking that he hadn't forgotten anything, Natsukawa followed her outside. He spotted Miko standing by the curb, fiddling with her small bag as though searching for something.
"Did you lose something?" he asked.
"Not exactly…" Miko replied, shaking her head. Her voice carried a hint of embarrassment. "I think I might've… forgotten my hair tie."
"I noticed it earlier when I was playing with the cats," Miko explained, her expression tinged with embarrassment. "Having my hair loose was really inconvenient. It kept getting tangled and pulled by them. I think tying it up would make things easier."
Natsukawa glanced at her chestnut-colored hair, which indeed looked much messier than before, lacking its usual neatness.
How did she even last this long without fixing it? Clearly, those cats charmed her into forgetting all about it!
"In that case…" Natsukawa paused, an idea forming in his mind. "Wait here for a moment. Don't go wandering off. I'll be right back."
He remembered spotting a shop nearby that would serve his purpose perfectly.
Miko tilted her head in confusion but nodded obediently.
It wasn't long before Natsukawa returned, jogging lightly with a small gift box in hand. Without hesitation, he handed it to her.
"There's a hair tie inside. I hope it suits your style. If not, I can exchange it for something else."
"N-no need for that…" Miko quickly shook her head and carefully took the box. She unwrapped it with delicate fingers, revealing a red floral hair tie adorned with soft ribbon-like tassels that felt silky to the touch.
It was adorable. The vibrant red hue was one of her favorite colors, and its design matched her preferences perfectly.
Her heart began to race uncontrollably.
"…"
Seeing her staring at the hair tie in a daze, Natsukawa felt reassured that he'd made the right choice. The gift seemed to have lifted her spirits.
"Sorry about earlier," he admitted sheepishly. "That so-called birthday present wasn't exactly thoughtful. I just wanted to make it up to you. I noticed that the hair ties you usually wear are simple, so I thought you might like this. If not—"
"I like it."
"Huh?"
"I mean, I really like it." Miko finally looked up, her eyes brimming with joy and warmth, as if they might overflow with emotion. "Thank you, Senpai. This is the best birthday present I've ever received."
"Oh… I'm glad to hear that." Natsukawa smiled, slightly startled by her effusive response but pleased nonetheless.
She's surprisingly easy to please… he thought, somewhat puzzled.
But he didn't dwell on it too much. Perhaps his choice had simply hit the mark.
"Senpai," Miko said softly, her cheeks tinged with pink, "could you help me tie my hair?"
"Huh? Tie your hair?"
"I don't have a mirror with me, and it's a bit inconvenient to do it myself," she explained, her voice laced with embarrassment.
"Sure, no problem." Natsukawa nodded without hesitation. Thanks to his experience with tying Mahiru's hair—and occasionally helping Eriri—he was confident in his skills. "How do you want it tied?"
"You're surprisingly knowledgeable, Senpai…" Miko remarked with a hint of suspicion.
Natsukawa suddenly felt like he might have said too much. "Just something practical, I guess?" she added, trying to wave off her earlier remark.
"Got it. Leave it to me."
Natsukawa gathered her silky hair into his hands. It was impossibly smooth, slipping through his fingers like running water. Her hair smelled faintly of fruit, a clean and refreshing fragrance that was both calming and invigorating.
Why is it that the same shampoo always smells better on girls? he wondered, attributing it to the length of their hair and the generous amount of product they used.
"Mm…"
Miko let out a soft sound, her body trembling slightly as she leaned on the chair for support. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. "S-Senpai… please don't mess around…"
"Sorry, my hand slipped," Natsukawa apologized, pulling back slightly.
Though his hands weren't particularly cold, Miko's reaction made it clear that her neck was highly sensitive. His gaze involuntarily drifted to the exposed skin at the nape of her neck.
Her snow-white skin gleamed like polished jade, and the gentle curve of her neck was elegant and delicate, a perfect combination of grace and charm. Her flushed earlobes added a touch of innocence, their ruby-red color so enticing that he felt an inexplicable urge to—
What am I thinking?!
Natsukawa quickly shook off the fleeting thought. It was probably the lingering effect of Utaha-senpai's teasing from the previous night. Yet, as he stared at the back of Miko's neck, he found her unexpectedly captivating.
Her soft, vulnerable demeanor, combined with her earlier adorable squeak, awakened a mischievous impulse within him.
He snapped out of it almost immediately, but Miko seemed to sense his gaze. Her neck gradually turned a deeper shade of pink, as if she had been bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun. Her ears followed suit, glowing like precious coral.
Miko clenched the back of the chair tightly, her face a portrait of rising heat and pounding anxiety.
Senpai's definitely looking at me… Is he going to… do something to me? Should I resist? Of course, I should resist… right?