「We’ve arrived!」
「Waa… t-there are so many people.」
「…Yeah.」
After an hour of being rocked by the train.
As expected, the newly built shopping mall we finally arrived at was overflowing with a massive crowd.
Everywhere you looked, it was just people, people, people.
And it wasn’t just us customers, but also people trying to boost initial sales by loudly calling out to consumers in the corridors, and even familiar-looking mascots swaying their bodies up and down, creating a chaotic melting pot.
Even though May is approaching, it’s still undoubtedly April and supposed to be spring, yet the heat is so intense that sweat mercilessly drips down my back.
However, more than that…
「It looks dangerous if we let go of hands, Onii-chan.」
「…Isn’t this a bit too close?」
「Ehh~ you think so?」
「Definitely close.」
「Ehh~~」
…Miu has been unusually close to me since earlier.
She did say she wanted to hold hands, but this is more like my entire arm. She’s clinging to my arm. Her small body is pressed so tightly against me that it’s getting uncomfortably warm.
「…Nice.」
「…Satou?」
「Ha… Ah… i-it’s nothing.」
And with Satou looking enviously at this overly warm situation, the net to capture me is too solid…
「See, see, Onii-chan, it would be terrible if a girl got separated alone!」
「I know. …Satou, can you hold my pinky at least?」
「Ah… o-of course.」
…Or so it should have been, but Satou, being more reserved than usual, instantly switched to the prey side, while my pinky, now the hunter, successfully captures hers.
I intertwine our fingers, making sure she can’t escape.
「I-I’m sorry. I thought I was prepared for the crowd, but…」
「It’s different from the train because the sheer number of people is overwhelming. Let’s buy some drinks and take it easy for now.」
「Y-Yes. Thank you.」
「Is that okay with you, Miu?」
「Of course! It’s more fun when everyone enjoys together─! Ah, there’s a drink shop Miu wants to go to~!」
「Then I’ll leave the guiding to you.」
「Roger that─!」
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
I let Miu lead the way and focus on Satou.
Although Satou has shown remarkable growth over the past few days, it was too much to expect her to act normally in this massive crowd, hundreds of times larger than on the train.
…Actually, if she could act normally in such a place, she wouldn’t have said she wanted to “practice conversations” in the first place.
「It’s okay, I’m here.」
「…Eh?」
Perhaps the experience of being harassed before has made Satou even more shy around strangers…
Thinking this, I tried to reassure her, but Satou tilted her head in confusion before realizing my intention and smiling gently.
「…T-That time, I really don’t worry about it anymore. Because Hinata-kun helped me, the s-sense of security is stronger than the scary memory.」
「…I see. That’s good to hear.」
「Yes. …So now, um… I feel like I’m being watched, and that’s a bit…」
「Ahh, I see.」
Silky black hair down to her waist.
Smooth skin flushed from the heat. The navy blouse and beige slacks that cover it only enhance her charm, and Satou was already attractive enough even before Miu’s touch.
It’s no wonder that passersby steal glances at such a well-groomed girl when she shyly lowers her eyes.
「Does being looked at make you nervous?」
「…Yes. I-It’s like, “Am I doing something weird right now?” I get a bit anxious…」
No one has an ecstatic expression when looking at a passing girl.
In fact, just feeling their gaze without a smile must be a troubling issue for a beautiful girl like Satou…
「Then, I’ll guarantee it.」
「…Eh?」
「As far as I know, there’s not a single thing about Satou that would make people laugh at you.」
「…!」
「Not just your looks, but your voice and personality too, there’s nothing wrong with them. In fact, you’re my proud friend, so you could be even more confident.」
「…Hinata-kun.」
When I saved Satou from the molester and we spoke for the first time, she properly thanked me.
The fact that she could say that means her shy nature is not a flaw.
「So Satou… I know I’m repeating myself, but it’s okay because I’m here. Everyone is just mesmerized by how beautiful you are.」
「…! Hinata-kun, how far will you…」
Satou muttered something in a small voice, but the surrounding noise prevented me from hearing it clearly.
However, since Satou smiled a bit relieved and leaned on my arm, I’m sure it was something positive.
「…Thank you, Hinata-kun.」
「Be confident. If you feel embarrassed, you can use my arm as a shield as much as you want.」
「…Okay.」