Watching the girl's current expression, Shikime Natsu thought to himself that if he kept teasing the girl in front of him, she would probably explode like a bomb. Something like saying, "So Nishikawa-san really wants to receive a gift from me that badly, huh."
So, Shikime Natsu didn't continue speaking. He picked up the coffee cup on the table and took a leisurely sip.
Nishikawa Ryouko's birthday was actually easier to remember than most people's—January first. Of course, even if it weren't particularly special, Shikime Natsu would have been able to memorize it all the same. After all, Shikime Natsu's photographic memory was not just for show.
After Nishikawa Ryouko had said her own birthday aloud, the atmosphere on the scene became a little bit awkward.
The girl's gaze looked somewhat strange.
After glancing at Shikime Natsu once, she quickly averted her eyes again.
She thought to herself that it was all this Shikime Natsu guy's fault, saying that inexplicable line, which meant that the current topic couldn't proceed normally at all.
If only Shikime Natsu had gone along the way she had imagined, then there wouldn't have been any problem at all.
She could have naturally struck up a conversation with Shikime Natsu.
But now... it wasn't easy to strike up a conversation anymore.
Besides, just now she had clearly done exactly as Shikime Natsu had asked and even said her own birthday out loud.
So shouldn't Shikime Natsu continue and say something?
Why was he just sitting off to the side like that?
Just now she had summoned up her courage to say her birthday, so shouldn't Shikime Natsu show some kind of reaction?
Even if he didn't show anything, saying a few words or something would have been fine.
Just sitting there drinking coffee—what was that supposed to mean?
Was this coffee really that delicious?
Nishikawa Ryouko fumed inwardly.
When he'd first arrived, Shikime Natsu hadn't been paying any attention to the coffee, and now, look at him—just drinking his coffee.
Looking at Shikime Natsu's expression, Nishikawa Ryouko couldn't even tell whether Shikime Natsu had heard what she'd said.
But she'd spoken so loudly just now that this Shikime Natsu guy must surely have heard.
It was just that today Shikime Natsu showed no reaction whatsoever, which couldn't help but make Nishikawa Ryouko start to grow suspicious.
Could it be... this guy was doing it on purpose?
Deliberately falling silent after asking about her birthday, just to watch her get all flustered?
If that was the case, then this man was really... too wicked.
Nishikawa Ryouko bit her lip, those pale golden eyes glancing at Shikime Natsu now and then.
But Shikime Natsu remained utterly unmoved, still leisurely sipping his coffee, that unfathomable smile hanging on his face.
It was as though the birthday she'd just mentioned had been nothing more than a casual topic, like "what's the date today," completely unworthy of any response from him.
Second by second, the time ticked away, and Nishikawa Ryouko finally couldn't sit still any longer.
She took a deep breath, readjusted her expression, and forcibly pressed down that lingering blush on her face.
Then, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile carrying a hint of cunning, and she returned to that little-devil demeanor of hers.
She told herself in her heart that when facing Shikime Natsu, she absolutely had to stay composed.
She couldn't panic, couldn't fluster, couldn't let him lead her around by the nose.
"Shiki-san."
She spoke up, her voice carrying a deliberately relaxed tone.
"The coffee... is it good?"
"Hm?"
Shikime Natsu raised his head, those pale golden eyes landing on Nishikawa Ryouko, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"It's alright."
After saying that line, he seemed to go unresponsive again, picking the coffee cup back up and continuing to drink.
"..."
Nishikawa Ryouko felt her fist clench tight again.
What on earth did Shikime Natsu mean by this?
After asking about her birthday, she'd answered, yet Shikime Natsu had shown no reaction whatsoever.
At the very least he could respond to the line she'd just said.
What in the world was going on right now?
The girl's mood grew rather complicated.
She wanted to be angry, yet she felt the grounds for anger weren't quite sufficient.
After all, Shikime Natsu really had asked about her birthday, and she really had answered.
But... he hadn't promised he'd definitely do anything.
The whole gift business had only been something he'd mentioned offhand, and she'd answered offhand as well.
And just now she hadn't even said anything about wanting Shikime Natsu to give her a gift; what she'd said was that she was graciously deigning to tell Shikime Natsu her birthday.
Could it be... that because of the way she'd phrased things, Shikime Natsu didn't want to respond?
Could it be that Shikime Natsu wanted her to directly change the way she'd just spoken?
But... if she really said something like, "My birthday is January first, you know, Shiki-san. Did you remember that?"—just thinking about it made Nishikawa Ryouko's scalp tingle.
No, no, no. There was absolutely no way she could do such a thing—repeating her birthday out loud in front of Shikime Natsu all over again would be far too embarrassing, and it completely didn't fit her persona.
Now, looking at Shikime Natsu, Nishikawa Ryouko didn't know what to say to draw his attention back again.
But... what Nishikawa Ryouko most wanted to know right now was whether Shikime Natsu had actually heard clearly what she'd wanted to say.
If, when January first came, Shikime Natsu didn't give her a gift—then what?
Of course, it wasn't as if Nishikawa Ryouko even wanted Shikime Natsu's gift.
She desperately emphasized to herself: she didn't want it, didn't want it in the slightest.
But... that thought was like a thorn lodged in her heart, one she couldn't ignore no matter what.
She shook her head hard, flinging that jumbled mess of thoughts out of her mind.
The girl's heart was quite contrary.
Even though her mouth said she didn't care, deep down she'd already started to worry about whether the other person would forget.
Even though she'd sworn she wouldn't be fooled like other girls, she still couldn't help but hold expectations for that "possible gift."
It was right at this moment that a soft, gentle voice suddenly rang out beside the two of them.
"Shiki-san? And... Nishikawa-san?"
Shikime Natsu and Nishikawa Ryouko raised their heads at the same time.
What came into view was a beautiful girl with a head of smooth, golden hair.
The sunlight filtered through the café's parasol and fell upon her, that golden hair shimmering with a faint luster, a delicate hair band adorning her head.
She wore a light purple dress, simple yet not lacking in sweetness, with a slender belt tied at the waist that traced out her slim figure.
Below her left eye was a tear mole, adding a touch of unique charm to that exquisite face of hers.
It was none other than Shiraishi Asuka.
At this moment, Shiraishi Asuka was standing beside the two's table, those purple eyes gazing with a bit of curiosity at this somewhat peculiar pairing before her.
Shikime Natsu sat on one side, leisurely drinking his coffee.
Nishikawa Ryouko sat across from him, her cheeks slightly red, her gaze wandering, looking as though she'd just gone through something rather unsettling.
Shiraishi Asuka blinked, as if recalling something.
She remembered that back on the Deserted Island, Shikime Natsu and Nishikawa Ryouko had had something a little... suggestive happen between them.
Mm... as for exactly how suggestive, that she wasn't clear on; she'd only seen the clothes on Shikime Natsu that didn't fit him.
"Shiraishi-san?"
Shikime Natsu was the first to speak, a gentle smile on his face.
"What a coincidence."
"Mm."
Shiraishi Asuka nodded, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.
"I just happened to be passing by here. I didn't expect to run into Shiki-san... and Nishikawa-san too."
Her gaze fell upon Nishikawa Ryouko, and she gave a polite nod.
"Nishikawa-san, hello."
"...Mm."
Nishikawa Ryouko's voice was a bit vague, those pale golden eyes lingering on Shiraishi Asuka for an instant before swiftly moving away.
Her complexion had already undergone a subtle change the very moment she saw Shiraishi Asuka approach.
That change...
It couldn't quite be called wariness, nor could it be called displeasure—it was more like the awkwardness of "being caught doing something you didn't want to be caught doing."
After all, that subtle atmosphere between her and Shikime Natsu just now—if it had been seen by a classmate... just thinking about it felt a little humiliating.
And besides... Nishikawa Ryouko thought secretly in her heart.
This girl Shiraishi Asuka, though she was usually quiet in class and didn't talk much, had rather keen powers of observation.
If she happened to notice some clue... then she really would have no place to hide her face.
Shikime Natsu, on the other hand, didn't display any abnormality at all. He set down the coffee cup in his hand, those pale golden eyes looking at Shiraishi Asuka as he invited her with a smile:
"Since it's such a coincidence, Shiraishi-san, why don't you sit down and have a cup with us? My treat."
"?"
Shiraishi Asuka was slightly stunned, as if she hadn't expected Shikime Natsu to invite her on his own initiative.
She glanced at the empty chair across from Nishikawa Ryouko, then looked at Nishikawa Ryouko's face, which wore a somewhat subtle expression.
"Would this... be intruding on the two of you?"
Her tone carried a hint of hesitation.
"It won't."
Shikime Natsu shook his head, his tone natural.
"We were only chatting idly anyway. One more person won't make a difference."
"And besides..."
He smiled.
"Didn't Shiraishi-san say it herself? That you wanted to increase your opportunities for interacting with people.
Isn't this a good opportunity right now? I think Nishikawa-san and Shiraishi-san could get to know each other a bit more too."
Hearing Shikime Natsu say this, a glimmer of light flashed through those purple eyes of Shiraishi Asuka's.
She smiled softly, then nodded.
"Since Shiki-san puts it that way... then I'd better obey rather than be polite."
With that, she pulled out the chair across from Nishikawa Ryouko and sat down.
The very moment Shiraishi Asuka sat down, Shikime Natsu turned his head, wanting to see what reaction Nishikawa Ryouko had to this.
Then he saw Nishikawa Ryouko's gaze—those pale golden eyes staring straight at him, a trace of resentment within them.
That expression was clearly saying, what's the matter with you, Shikime Natsu, suddenly inviting someone else to sit down.
And Shikime Natsu still hadn't answered her question—could it be that... Shikime Natsu was planning to reveal what had just happened in front of Shiraishi Asuka?
Or was it that Shiraishi Asuka herself was someone Shikime Natsu had called over on purpose, wanting to embarrass her?
How wicked, Shikime Natsu!
Looking at Nishikawa Ryouko's resentful little face, Shikime Natsu couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth lift slightly.
He pretended not to understand the meaning behind her gaze, turned his head, and spoke to Shiraishi Asuka.
"What would Shiraishi-san like to drink?"
"Mm..."
Shiraishi Asuka took the menu the waiter handed her and looked it over for a while.
"I'll have the same coffee as Shiki-san."
"Alright."
Shikime Natsu nodded, signaling the waiter to add another cup of coffee.
After the waiter left, the atmosphere at the table grew a little quiet.
Shiraishi Asuka sat there, her purple eyes scanning back and forth between Shikime Natsu and Nishikawa Ryouko.
She seemed to sense that subtle atmosphere between the two, but she didn't ask much—she merely sat there quietly, that decorous smile hanging on her face.
As for Nishikawa Ryouko, ever since Shiraishi Asuka had sat down, her whole self had seemed a bit ill at ease.
She no longer proactively brought up topics as she had before, nor did she try to tease Shikime Natsu with that little-devil tone.
She just lowered her head, gently stirring the nearly empty coffee cup with the spoon in her hand, no one knowing what she was thinking.
Shikime Natsu looked at the two of them and was the first to break the silence.
"Did Shiraishi-san come out alone today?"
"Mm."
Shiraishi Asuka nodded.
"I'd originally planned to go to the general store to buy a few things, and when I passed by here I happened to spot Shiki-san."
"So I came over to say hello."
"So that's how it was."
Shikime Natsu nodded.
"So is Shiraishi-san in a hurry to go buy things, or...
If you're not in a rush, you could stay and sit for a while longer."
"I'm not in a rush."
Shiraishi Asuka shook her head, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
"There's nothing particular I need to do on the weekend anyway. Being able to chat with Shiki-san... and Nishikawa-san too, is a rather nice thing."
As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Nishikawa Ryouko once again.
"Come to think of it, Nishikawa-san is the same today."
"Hm?"
Nishikawa Ryouko raised her head, those pale golden eyes carrying a hint of confusion.
"The same?"
"That's right."
Shiraishi Asuka smiled.
"I remember that back on the Deserted Island, Nishikawa-san was also acting together with Shiki-san."
"It feels like the relationship between you two... seems to be pretty good."
Hearing this line, Nishikawa Ryouko's complexion changed again.
In her mind, scene after scene from the Deserted Island that had made her blush and her heart race instantly surfaced, and now that Shiraishi Asuka brought this matter up again, could it be that...
Nishikawa Ryouko's heart lurched up into her throat.
"It—it was fine, I guess."
She answered with feigned composure, though her voice was a bit unnatural.
"It was just... just that we happened to run into each other."
"Happened to?"
Shiraishi Asuka blinked lightly, those purple eyes carrying a trace of playfulness.
Nishikawa Ryouko thought to herself that Shiraishi Asuka was indeed a troublesome person too—the moment she came over, she'd steered the topic straight to the very matter she didn't want to bring up.
Fortunately, Shiraishi Asuka didn't continue pressing further; she merely smiled, and soon the place returned to a somewhat quiet atmosphere once more.
Nishikawa Ryouko sized up the two of them. She remembered... that after she and Shikime Natsu had gone back, it seemed like he'd spent some time together with Shiraishi Asuka, hadn't he?
But... she'd never heard any news of Shiraishi Asuka and Shikime Natsu dating, which meant Shiraishi Asuka was a target Shikime Natsu was in the middle of pursuing?
The instant she thought of this, Nishikawa Ryouko couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth curl into a faint arc again.
"The relationship between Shiki-san and Shiraishi-san... looks pretty good."
She deliberately put a bit of extra weight on the words "pretty good," her tone carrying a certain significance.
"Oh?"
Shikime Natsu raised an eyebrow, looking at Nishikawa Ryouko.
"Is Nishikawa-san... jealous?"
Nishikawa Ryouko's face instantly went red again.
"Wh—who's jealous!"
She retorted reflexively, and her gaze toward Shikime Natsu grew even more displeased—her words had clearly been directed at Shiraishi Asuka, so why had this Shikime Natsu guy answered?
He hadn't said a word just a moment ago!
So now he was going to defend his little dear, was he?
How truly wicked!
"I was just saying it offhand! Shiki-san, don't read too much into it!"
"Is that so?"
Shikime Natsu smiled, noncommittal.
Beside them, Shiraishi Asuka, watching the two of them bicker like this, couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
The relationship between Nishikawa-san and Shiki-san really was pretty good.
"It—it's not!
Nishikawa Ryouko hastily denied it.
"My relationship with this guy isn't good at all!"
"?"
Shiraishi Asuka tilted her head, a flicker of cunning flashing through those purple eyes.
"But... if the relationship isn't good, then why is Nishikawa-san's face so red?"
Nishikawa Ryouko was at a loss for words. She subconsciously touched her own cheek.
Sure enough, it was scalding hot.
Shiraishi Asuka had a wicked personality too—even though she usually looked so quiet, the moment she opened her mouth she left one a little hard-pressed to hold up.
Especially when combined with Shikime Natsu's offensive, all the more so.
"I—I just feel like it's too hot, that's all!"
Nishikawa Ryouko found an excuse.
"The weather today is a little stuffy."
"Hot?"
Shiraishi Asuka lifted her head and looked at the sky beyond the parasol.
"But I think the weather today feels quite comfortable."
"Maybe my constitution is just more sensitive!"
Nishikawa Ryouko said, forcing herself to keep it up.
"So... so it's perfectly normal for my face to be red!"
"I see."
Shiraishi Asuka nodded, that gentle smile still hanging on her face.
Nishikawa Ryouko felt that her situation was growing more and more dire.
Facing Shikime Natsu alone had already been rough enough, and now there was one more—Shiraishi Asuka.
And what's more...
These two people seemed to be standing on the very same battle line.
She, all by herself, simply couldn't hold up against them!
____
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