Although it was just an offhand, unintentionally insightful comment from Machida Sonoko.
In reality, Machida hadn't pointed out that throughout his interactions with Utaha, Miyahito had always carefully maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
He wanted to get closer, but was terrified she'd run away.
Before truly getting to know her and becoming friends, the name "Kasumigaoka Utaha" represented a flawless girl in his eyes.
Brilliantly talented, with top-tier looks and intellect, and a mature, composed grace in how she carried herself.
The dual identities of "Toyogasaki's top student" and "bestselling light novel author," the "aloof senpai" and the "unfiltered little devil," only added a hazy, mysterious aura to the "Kasumigaoka Utaha" in his heart.
True, Miyahito never denied his admiration for her, nor did he deny his desire to be with her.
But the "Kasumigaoka Utaha" in his heart was too perfect. So perfect that he couldn't muster the courage to reach out and take the hand of the girl he admired.
Even when the distance between them was already within arm's reach.
But sometimes, fate is just full of uncertainties.
Through a series of coincidences and chance encounters.
Aragaki Miyahito and Kasumigaoka Utaha became friends.
Even now, Miyahito still struggled to fully believe the fact that he was actually friends with her.
But regardless of his internal doubts or disbelief.
The brief yet fulfilling lunch breaks he spent with her on the Toyogasaki rooftop weren't fake, nor were they illusions.
They were real.
Only after becoming her friend did Miyahito finally realize.
The real "Kasumigaoka Utaha" wasn't as he'd imagined... not that perfectly flawless.
Despite her excellent grades, she hated attending class, hated studying, and hated exams.
She'd complain to him about how boring Tanaka-sensei's math classes in Class C were.
She'd happily chat about how the boys in class were so loud today that Tachibana-sensei couldn't even continue her English lesson.
She'd grumble with him about the rising heat, and dream with him about where to see the best snow scenery in winter.
Gradually, the more time he spent with her, the more he couldn't help but think:
'So, Kasumigaoka Utaha isn't perfect. She's just an ordinary girl.'
Even though her looks and figure were incredibly captivating.
Every time she weighed herself, she'd fret over whether she'd gained weight.
Even though her grades were outstanding, and she was every teacher's ideal student.
But when exams rolled around, she'd inevitably worry about doing poorly.
Just like today, the Kasumigaoka Utaha who had once left an impression of a flawless, precious work of art.
Turns out, she'd also pout just because she hadn't tried his homemade snacks.
This kind of Kasumigaoka Utaha was far from perfect.
But she was incredibly real.
Faced with that "perfect Kasumigaoka Utaha" from the anime, Miyahito might have been like Aki Tomoya, lacking even the courage to take a single step toward her.
But if it was the girl right in front of him... the "imperfect Kasumigaoka Utaha" who could be unreasonably pouty like any normal girl, who shared their worries, who had things she hated and things she loved.
Then perhaps, Miyahito could walk up to her without restraint, get closer to her, and bravely cross the distance that once felt like worlds apart, and was now merely within arm's reach.
'Kasumigaoka Utaha.'
Silently whispering her name in his heart, Miyahito suddenly realized... he seemed to finally be able to face the girl before him with calm confidence.
No longer weighed down by the cautious, fear-of-loss mentality from before.
'So, was my caution what troubled you, Utaha...?'
Noticing the girl before him, her back turned, head bowed, radiating a subtle sense of unease, Miyahito chuckled inwardly.
You really are an idiot, Aragaki Miyahito.
Knowing full well they were just ordinary friends, why else would Utaha act so unreasonably pouty with you unless...
"Um... Kasumigaoka-san."
A faint smile graced his lips. He looked straight into her slowly turning wine-red eyes, his tone calm and composed.
"Do you have time next weekend?"
"Want to go to the aquarium? I'll invite Tooru and Yuki, too. Yeah, I'll make bento for everyone."
Hmm. It's a first invitation.
Just the two of them might make her nervous.
And I don't want her to always be alone anyway.
Hearing the invitation, Utaha froze.
Next weekend? Aquarium?
Individually, she understood every word. But strung together in a single sentence coming out of his mouth, they suddenly felt like a foreign language.
"....Yeah."
Instinctively, still in a daze, Utaha nodded.
Her wine-red eyes were full of bewilderment and trance.
However, Miyahito seemed completely oblivious to the confusion in her gaze.
Smiling happily, he naturally pulled out his phone. While operating it, he said to her:
"Oh, right. I just realized I don't have your contact info yet, Kasumigaoka."
"If you don't mind, could we exchange contacts? Kasumigaoka."
"Um...." Still not fully processing it, Utaha blankly took out her phone and naturally handed it to him.
Seeing it offered to him, Miyahito paused, then looked up with a wry smile.
"Kasumigaoka, you're really just handing me your unlocked phone like that?"
"Ah, sorry." Finally snapping back, Utaha's cheeks flushed as she pulled it back, quickly opening her LINE app.
Soon, they exchanged LINE IDs and successfully added each other. They even swapped phone numbers.
Looking down at the new contact `Aragaki Miyahito` in her list, Utaha blinked in confusion.
Did I really just get his contact info?
And... didn't I just agree to go to the aquarium with him next week?
No wonder she was bewildered.
From proposing the aquarium trip to exchanging contacts, Miyahito had done everything so smoothly.
As if it were a trivial matter, and her agreement was simply a given.
Keep in mind, before the invitation, neither of them had mentioned the aquarium, outings, or next weekend.
So how did the conversation so naturally pivot from "homemade snacks" to next weekend's outing?
"It's getting late."
While Utaha was still lost in thought, Miyahito glanced at the setting sun on the horizon and spoke.
"I'll walk you home, Kasumigaoka."
"....Um, no need to trouble yourself, Aragaki-kun." She quickly corrected herself. "I can go back on my own. Yeah, my place isn't far from here."
"Alright then." He didn't push it.
After all, relationships are built step by step, and trust is earned bite by bite.
"Let me know when you get home safely."
"Yeah, I... I will."
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