"By the way, Miyahito-kun." Utaha took a sip of the warm soup and suddenly asked. "About that apology earlier... what happened?"
"Oh, that." Miyahito set down his bento, looking slightly awkward as he scratched his cheek. "Well, I mentioned we were all going to the aquarium this Saturday, right?"
"Ah, that's it."
Hearing him, Utaha instantly understood. "Is it because of the basketball tournament this week?"
"Yeah." He nodded honestly. "So, sorry, Kasumigaoka..."
"Just call me Utaha."
Hearing him still use that distant surname, Utaha raised her index finger, lightly pressing it to his lips. She offered a smile that was equal parts sweet and slightly threatening. "I already changed how I address you. Are you still going to be dense?"
"I-I got it." Meeting her wine-red eyes up close, Miyahito instinctively looked away, his voice slightly guilty.
What the heck? Since when did she get this aggressive?
Today, Utaha felt unusually proactive, almost like she was trying to forcefully breach his defenses. When did this start? Was it the bento?
No.
Flashes of recent memories crossed his mind. It seemed ever since that LINE message on Saturday—"Seriously, this is my first time inviting a girl out..."—her attitude had shifted dramatically.
Could it be... Utaha likes me?
The thought flashed through his mind like lightning. But just as quickly, he suppressed the surge of excitement.
He knew better than to fall for one of life's classic illusions.
Yes, he liked her. Yes, he desperately wanted to be with her. Heck, the moment that thought appeared, he'd already mentally named their future kids.
But logically, she probably just developed a genuine crush on him. In Galgame terms, on a scale of 100, her affection was probably around 70 right now.
More than friends, not yet lovers.
So.
"Yeah, Utaha." He smiled softly, calling her name naturally. No shyness, no awkward hesitation, no passive-aggressive playing hard to get.
"Mhm."
She noticed his sudden shift instantly. And because she did, it confirmed something in her heart.
This... is exactly what I pictured Naoto to be.
For a fleeting second, she imagined the scene from Love's Metronome where Sayaka confesses to Naoto. Why not the other way around? Well, maybe that was just Kasumi Utako's last bit of stubborn pride.
"But I heard the grade finals are on Saturday. And only the winners play in the all-school championship on Sunday."
With a little devil's smile, Utaha withdrew her finger, lightly tapping it against her own lips as she parted them slightly. "Don't tell me, Miyahito-kun... you're that confident you'll win?"
Oh, now you're speaking my language.
A man can't just say he can't do it!
"Absolutely!" Miyahito proudly flexed his arm. "Class B is the strongest! And, my dear Utaha, I have to tell you something."
"Hmm? What is it, my dear Miyahito?"
Her eyes sparkling with amusement, Utaha played along perfectly.
"Right at this moment." His playful spirit ignited, his tone turning delightfully chuunibyou. "Standing before you is Class B's all-time strongest, fastest, and tallest genius shooting guard! Aragaki Miyahito!"
"With me on the court, Class B is invincible!"
"Really?" Catching his playful energy, Utaha tilted her chin up, mimicking a tsundere ojou-sama's disdainful tone. "Well, since you insist, show me what you've got, Player Miyahito."
"You'll see, Utaha!"
As his words faded, the two couldn't help but share a smile.
...
After finishing lunch, neither made a move to leave. After quickly tidying the bench, they sat quietly together, basking in the early summer breeze and warm sun.
In this tranquil, cozy atmosphere, probably due to waking up so early, Miyahito started to feel drowsy.
Utaha happened to glance at his sleepy face and chuckled softly.
Eat a full meal and instantly get sleepy... such a kid.
Watching his head start to bob like a fishing rod, she found it amusing. Suddenly, she glanced down at her own thighs, wrapped in black tights.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Miyahito-kun." Biting her lower lip lightly, she averted her gaze slightly and whispered to the drowsy boy. "If you're tired, you can sleep for a bit."
"I'll wake you up later."
Too sleepy to notice her shy demeanor, Miyahito just nodded blankly. Then, completely leaning the wrong way, he slumped sideways onto the bench with a soft thud, fast asleep.
Utaha blinked, watching him.
Then, looking at her own lap, she pouted slightly and lowered her raised hand, muttering softly, "Mou, you idiot, Miyahito."
Why did you lean that way?! Sleeping with nothing under your head... your neck's going to hurt when you wake up! Hmph!
Despite her thoughts, after quietly watching him sleep for a moment, she finally stood up from the bench.
She quietly sat down beside him, carefully lifted his head, and gently guided it to rest on her lap.
Feeling the slight added weight on her thighs, her eyes smiled as her palm gently brushed through his slightly prickly hair.
Sweet dreams.
My dear Miyahito.
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