"Senpai, what did you pray for?"
Leaving the worship hall, the two walked along the pathway behind the shrine toward the observation deck on the mountaintop.
May, the night air on the mountain felt rather cold.
When asking, Iroha couldn't help but fold her arms and rub the white skin behind her yukata sleeves, as if she was starting to feel cold.
Yuu glanced at her. He didn't take off the only short-sleeved shirt he wore to give to the girl. Instead, he quietly extended his hand, signaling for her to hug his arm.
Although he didn't have the special ability to transfer heat to other people's bodies, he could still work hard to raise the surface temperature of his skin and function as a walking heater.
"Ah, thank you Senpai... So warm."
After being shocked for a moment, Iroha without hesitation hugged his arm, couldn't help but laugh foolishly (ehehe). Her face radiated a faint red glow, like a small child who just got candy.
Then she secretly lowered her head, showing a proud expression because her plan succeeded.
"Oh my, haven't I already succeeded~ As long as I'm serious, even Senpai can be settled in one day, Iroha-chan's Complete Victory~"
Because she knew Yuu's hearing was extraordinary, she deliberately muttered with a very faint voice, so he definitely couldn't hear it, even she herself was almost unclear.
"What did you say?"
Then, when Yuu asked that, Iroha raised her face, blinking her pure and beautiful brown eyes. Her moist lips held several strands of light brown hair, innocent yet slightly seductive: "Nothing~ By the way Senpai, you haven't answered my earlier question."
Yuu saw her cunning intent, but was too lazy to expose it.
"This isn't a New Year's Visit (Hatsumode), so the wish isn't important, right?"
He shifted his gaze from that cute face and looked ahead.
It wasn't just the two of them being so intimate on this pathway. There were many other couples walking up the stairs. The dim yellow lights on both sides of the road made the atmosphere feel romantic and intimate, pink bubbles scattered everywhere.
With his super hearing, he could even hear excited breathing sounds scattered in the small dark forest not far away, like the exhausted breathing sounds of baseball players after scoring a home run and running around the bases.
...Ahem, considering censorship limits, he could only use this awkward metaphor.
Yuu was confident his knowledge and reading experience were all quite adequate. The scenes of fireworks, small forests, and yukata appearing together must have been enjoyed by you all many times, right?
Those who understand will understand.
—As Mr. Lu Xun said, men are creatures that when seeing short sleeves, will connect those white arms to other things even further.
At this moment, Yuu unconsciously connected that baseball player's exhausted breathing sound with doubts difficult to express.
Namely...
Behind his cute kouhai's yukata, was there a chest binding device attached?
Usually there must be. Reality doesn't ignore logic like in anime or manga—unless deliberately teasing, yukata is far thinner than kimono. The danger of going topless is clear, and also easily makes the chest area hurt.
Of course Yuu understood this, but the touch coming from his arm was so warm and soft it made him fantasize. As a result, while he walked on the stones with a calm expression, his mind was filled with dirty thoughts like that.
Only Iroha's crisp voice occasionally heard could pull back his chaotic thoughts that could already be given mosaic effects.
"How could it not be important? Worship is talking with the gods. If you express your wish, there's a possibility it will be granted, you know~ You have to put the same respect as during New Year's Visit!"
Although Iroha used a very serious coaxing tone, seeing her eyes full of interest, it seemed she herself didn't believe that talk, and just wanted to know his wish, right?
Remembering her earlier words, wanting to know everything, Yuu could only sigh helplessly and say honestly: "Nothing special, just hoping everything that happens in the future goes smoothly."
"Eh—Such a generic wish?"
Her Disappointment expression was almost written on Iroha's face.
Yuu flicked her forehead irritably: "Indeed generic, why? Not allowed?"
"Ugh, I didn't say not allowed..."
Ignoring her sad and complaining gaze, Yuu looked up. His gaze penetrated the dense bushes and looked at the clear and bright night sky.
"Before truly being helpless, whatever must be paid, I have to get what I want with my own abilities... So, praying is just the last hope in the midst of despair."
His eyes were calm and deep like the sea surface, reflecting the night sky glittering with gray stars.
A sigh that sounded like unintentional mockery came out from his lips, and was swept away by the cold mountain wind.
"Perhaps only when I reach that level of despair, will I then sincerely ask the gods to help me... Although, I definitely won't let that happen."
"Senpai..."
Iroha stared at him confusedly. His side profile, which looked depressed and calm as if weighed down by heavy burdens on his shoulders, was recorded in Iroha's mind.
She unconsciously pursed her lips. She no longer had room to joke. She wanted to comfort him as much as possible and make him smile again, but she didn't know what to say.
She just hugged his arm tighter, as if wanting to convey her feelings this way.
"...If Senpai doesn't mind, I'll stay by your side."
After a while, courage turned into words.
Their footsteps continued. The pathway in that forest was quiet and cold. Her voice was softer than the rustling of leaves, but sounded clear in Yuu's ears.
"Anyway, having come this far, if Senpai dares to just leave me like that, you're the super scumbag man of this century!"
As if wanting to prove something, Iroha's gaze was very serious. Her soft cherry lips pursed strongly forming a straight line: "This is the first time I've hugged the arm of the opposite sex besides family members! Senpai has to take responsibility!"
"Take responsibility..." Yuu laughed out loud, extending his hand and stroking her small head, teasing, "I didn't expect Iroha-chan to be so innocent, just hugging an arm already asking others to take responsibility for life."
"Why? Not allowed?"
Like a kitten whose tail was stepped on, Iroha wrinkled her nose angrily and opened her mouth, about to bite his finger.
Yuu easily dodged, and while at it pinched her cheek: "Not that it's not allowed. Let's go back to wishes. What did you pray for?"
Helpless facing his attempt to change the topic, Iroha puffed her cheeks and muttered annoyedly: "Just hoping the person I love, and the person who loves me, can be happy..."
Yuu didn't laugh at her too simple wish. Instead, he laughed out loud.
"Very good, if I'd known, I would have asked for the same thing~"
Iroha sneered coldly: "Senpai, please don't be weird. The cheerful warm man image doesn't suit you."
"Hahaha, what nonsense are you saying, Iroha-chan? I'm always normal, you know. Don't you believe I can directly carry you on my shoulder up the mountain?"
"Wow, this is the first time I've heard such a fresh and unique threat..."
In the midst of their laughter, a fairly spacious square appeared at the end of the road, namely this mountain's observation deck.
Approaching eight o'clock, there were already many visitors taking spots here, preparing to enjoy the fireworks from the best position while eating snacks they bought at the foot of the mountain, with friends.
They were already late.
Looking around, several available long benches were already full, and quite a few people sat on the ground with makeshift mats. Even at the front fence, there was no more empty space to accommodate the two of them.
Although not packed, it seemed there was no other way to enjoy the fireworks here except standing still in an empty spot.
"Senpai, what should we do?"
Iroha furrowed her brow slightly. Her toes curled slightly from discomfort. She really wanted to bend down and massage her calves.
Although the mountain road wasn't too steep, she had been walking with geta for several hours covering several kilometers. After the excitement of the date passed, the fatigue accumulated in her feet and the pain from geta strap friction came attacking like a tide. She was just enduring it, not wanting to tell Senpai.
Of course she wouldn't be shy when it was time to whine, but at times like this, Iroha didn't want to be a selfish princess troubling the person she liked.
This was also one of her stubborn traits, the same as proactively declaring her feelings.
If it weren't for Senpai inviting her on a date, giving her hope to move forward, perhaps even until graduation, she would still worry about her best friend's presence, and not dare hold his hand...
Anyway, Iroha was still a second-year high school girl who had never dated. She was between adult and not adult, just hoping the person she liked also liked her.
"If you're tired from walking, just rest on my back."
Yuu released her hand and glanced at her toes reddened from geta strap friction: "This place is full. Let's just find another place."
"Another place? Is Senpai familiar with this place?"
Iroha was slightly shocked. She had never heard there was a second observation deck on this mountain.
"Not too familiar, I just had time to check it before coming." Yuu shrugged. At the same time, he bent down with his back to her, "I'm very careful. Unless traveling far like to Hokkaido or abroad, I'll never invite someone to a place I've never visited... Now, get on first before talking."
"Ah, this..."
Iroha became slightly anxious and confused. Her face flushed as she looked left and right, as if worried about other people's gazes.
Holding hands was still okay. Anyway, there were many couples there holding hands, and quite a few even kissing in public... But she didn't see any couple at all where the man carried the woman!
Besides, she had also never been carried by a man other than her father.
The first time had to happen in such a remote area, and would likely be witnessed by many people. That image alone already made her blush and feel very embarrassed...
She had to prepare mentally!
"Alright, if you don't want to, don't. After all, the one with sore feet is you, not me."
However, before Iroha could prepare mentally, Yuu saw her hesitate for a moment, then firmly stood upright and walked toward the small forest.
"Follow me. Not many people know this road, so it'll be a bit difficult to pass. Be careful not to fall."
"Ugh..."
Iroha quickly put on a sulking face and grimaced at his back.
(What the heck, so insensitive!)
(Girls can be embarrassed too. Do you think everyone has thick skin like you?)
(No wonder someone like Senpai doesn't have a girlfriend!)
Thinking annoyedly, Iroha took a deep breath and suddenly quickened her pace, charging toward his broad and thick back.
"Hee-yah!"
However, Yuu didn't turn around. As if already predicting Iroha would attack suddenly, he crouched down exactly when she jumped to charge at his back. Then he received her with both hands from behind. The process was smooth and fluid like a robot combining. He steadily placed her on his back.
"I already knew you'd do this." He weighed the softness and elasticity in his palms and snorted satisfied.
It's just that, for some reason, the girl on his back suddenly became stiff, hanging on his back motionless like a statue.
"What's wrong?"
"..."
As if not hearing his question, Iroha lowered her head silently. Her face nestled into his neck. Both her hands gradually gripped his shoulders, but didn't use much strength.
The touch around her thighs made her weak. It felt like all her strength was sucked away instantly. She could only fall onto his back with a flushed face, letting out cute breathing sounds like a kitten's whimper.
"Senpai, your hands... Please shift them a bit..."
Although separated by yukata, his palms still felt very hot. The heat seemed able to burn the girl's smooth skin.
Yuu fell silent for a moment.
"Sorry, unintentional."
As long as he wasn't awkward, then only the girl would be awkward.
Yuu moved his hands with a normal expression. His arms supported her knee folds that were far more slender. He could feel that gentle trembling gradually returning to normal. The hair at his temples was touched by a sigh of relief.
"Fool, pervert, lewd Senpai."
"Yes, sorry."
"You deliberately touched me, please take responsibility."
"That really wasn't intentional... If I did it deliberately, I probably would have pinched a few times."
"Senpai, do you know there's still signal here? Police can come up and arrest you in about ten minutes."
"Don't threaten people with police like that..."
Their heartbeats, whether present or not, coincided as they walked.
Iroha slowly relaxed her tense body, lying without resistance on his broad and thick back, with her cheek pressed against his shoulder.
Although separated by yukata and casual clothes, warmth and vibrations from direct skin contact flowed into her heart incessantly.
(Annoying, only I'm embarrassed like this, don't I look stupid?)
She thought so in a self-deprecating tone, but her hands encircling his shoulders unconsciously hugged his neck. She hugged him tightly, as if wanting to fully unite him into her embrace, until her whole body trembled slightly.
Iroha didn't know what her expression was like now, and she also didn't know if Yuu really intended to date her, so they reached this point.
Perhaps Yuu was just playing around. Perhaps he just wanted to give her hope and then cruelly reject her, so she would give up completely.
But anyway, Iroha once again affirmed her feelings for him from this calming temperature.
(Really, I like Senpai!)
(I like him who always teases me, and I like him who's willing to carry me walking.)
(Senpai doesn't have a girlfriend, so it's okay if I like him, right!)
If she could make another wish now, Iroha wanted to say two more wishes to God, even though she knew it was impossible—
If only this road, never ended.
If only this time never ended. Not advancing, not retreating. The two of them stay together forever. The story's ending is immortalized in this scene...
That would surely be the happy ending dreamed of by many girls.
And if only Senpai, could think like this too...
Iroha slowly closed her eyes.
She let her mind empty as if praying, lying comfortably on his back. Her consciousness gradually sank.
Hugging him, being hugged by his presence, the world felt like it belonged only to the two of them...
She would soon fall asleep in this small happiness.