"I'm sorry, I wanted to treat you to something more proper, but…" Shino said with an embarrassed, bitter smile as she held a strawberry-flavored crepe in her hands.
"I don't really mind. Besides, it's rare for me to eat this kind of dessert, so this is kind of nice."
Shido replied casually to reassure her that he liked her treat. He also knew that Shino was struggling to manage her money, since only her grandparents supported her financially after she moved to Tokyo. So when Shino said she wanted to repay him, Shido dragged her to a nearby crepe stand, which surprised her, yet Shino's face turn red as she glanced at the hand holding hers.
'It's warm...'
Shino thought to herself as she felt the warmth emanating from Shido's hands.
As for how the two of them ended up back together, earlier, while Shido was drinking his coffee and resting in the park, he and Shino happened to see each other. Since Shino had already noticed him, it would have been rude not to greet her. So after Shido finished his can of coffee, he tossed it into a nearby trash bin, and walked toward her.
At first, Shino was surprised to see Shido casually relaxing in the park alone, since his identity as a wealthy business prodigy made him feel completely out of place there.
Yet, despite Shibuya being one of the busiest wards in Tokyo, the park at this hour, with the evening already settling in, had few people passing by. So Shino came into conclusion that it would be difficult for anyone to recognize Shido here.
Of course, for someone who had seen him before and left a deep impression on her, Shino would never forget Shido's handsome appearance and mysterious aura.
While marveling at his looks, she also thought that this might be her chance to repay him for helping her deal with Endou and his group of bullies.
However, as she was thinking to herself, Shino didn't notice that Shido's figure was already standing in front of her. His body was blocking the glow of the street lamps.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Shino. How are you? Did someone bully you again after that?"
"Ah! I-I'm fine, thanks to you, Shido-san... Endou and the others didn't bother me again." Shino stammered, as she was surprised when she saw that Shido had appeared in front of her and suddenly asked such a question.
Yet, what made Shino's heart felt more warm was that Shido, despite his high standing, he still remembered her. And more importantly, he genuinely asked about her situation, showing concern for her well-being.
Placing her hands in front of her chest, Shino stared at Shido in a daze, as her face turned pinkish and thought to herself, 'Ah... Shido-san was worried about me... I... '
Seeing that Shino was looking at him in daze, Shido could only smile wyrly and wonder whether his face was really that mesmerizing, even though a little bit of love spot was only applied.
Still, as it was already getting dark, Shido grew genuinely concerned for her safety. After all, you never know what might happen to a lone high school girl at night. So he spoke up, saying something that made Shino snap out of her dazed state.
"Why don't I walk you home?"
"Eh?" Shino completely snapped out of her daze and became utterly surprised by Shido's words. Her cheeks that was already pinkish became an even deeper red, like a ripe tomato as a certain thought crossed her mind.
'Is… Shido-san interested in me? No! No! He's definitely just worried about me going home alone with it getting dark soon. There's no way Shido-san could be interested in a plain... girl like me… Ugh…'
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Shino felt a little downhearted. It was true, she was plain, just like most girls. And she was certain that Shido would be more interested in someone stylish and pretty.
Yet, since Shido had offered to walk her home, Shino decided to take this chance to get to know him better. 'I just want to get to know Shido-san better… and maybe repay him a little… Yes! It's not like I have any other motive or anything…'
"…Is that okay, Shido-san?" Fidgeting with her fingers, Shino asked, seeking confirmation that he truly meant what he had said.
Hearing her worry, Shido simply smiled and said, "Of course. I'm worried someone might take advantage of you… since you're really cute, Shino."
"C-C-Cute?!"
Shino let out a stuttering, surprised exclamation. She hadn't expected Shido to actually call a plain girl like her cute. She didn't know if he was joking or genuinely thought that, but for once, even if he was lying, Shino felt her heart leap in happiness hearing those words come from him.
"You're cute, Shino," Shido continued gently. "That's why I said I wanted to walk you home, just in case some bad people might be following you."
This time, when Shido said those words, Shino didn't go blank or become shy as she was already shy enough. Yet she discovered that Shido was… kind of shameless. Shino didn't expect that a person like him would actually also have a playful side. Smirking, she decided to tease him and see his reaction.
"I-Is that so? But… isn't the bad guy here, you, Shido-san? You wanted to follow me to my apartment after all…"
Even as Shino tried to provoke him, Shido remained completely unbothered. He had experienced countless teasing like this from many girls, especially Kurumi. He kept a perfectly serious expression, shook his head and said. "I would never do that. I just wanted to escort you back and see you enter your apartment safely… to reassure myself."
Speechless, Shino didn't know what to say. Eventually, she laughed softly and shyly agreed to Shido's offer to walk her home, leading to the current situation.
...
"Are you really okay with something this simple, Shido-san?" Shino turned her face toward him as they walked side by side, noticing his wry smile.
"Yes," Shido replied. "Like I said, this is enough for me, to see your gratitude. Besides, I prefer simple things." As he spoke, he flashed a mysterious, teasing smile at Shino, which made her pause and drift into thought.
'Eh? What does Shido-san mean by that?'
However, her thoughts were interrupted, when Shido decided to change the topic, and his talk was so engaging and fun that Shino forgot what had been bothering her.