The roar of the waterfall cascaded down from the third floor, a curtain of silvery mist that seemed to fall through the air, softening and silencing the chatter of the bustling mall.
But to Suzuran, only two sounds remained—
Her own pounding heartbeat, and the steady, deep rhythm of Koichi’s breathing.
She didn’t dare speak, nor move too much, as if any sound might shatter the fragile dream named love.
Just as the escalator neared the third floor—
A gentle breath brushed near her ear.
“My lady, we’re almost there. Watch your step.”
The voice was low and composed, warm as it exhaled softly beside her ear and neck.
The fine strands of hair near her ear quivered from the warmth, and a shiver like invisible electricity ran down her spine, paralyzing her thoughts.
Before she could react, her eyes flicked downward—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1yJzFeHDO
And there it was: the escalator’s metal edge approaching the platform.
“Ah…!”
Her foot slipped, her heel catching slightly on the step’s edge—
An arm swiftly wrapped around her waist, steadying her in one smooth motion.
“My lady—careful.”
Koichi’s voice was even closer than before, deeper.
His hand stayed at her waist, as if unsure whether she had fully regained her balance—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Vwmk0UBZ
unwilling to let go.
In that moment, the air held nothing else—
No voices, no music, not even the waterfall—only the frantic rhythm of her heart, and the warmth of his hand at her side.
She stood up straight, but didn’t dare look up.
Because she knew—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkomBALyGU
If she met his eyes now,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xi1TEIidy
the storm of Valentine's Day would no longer be hidden in hers.
The escalator finally reached the third floor.
Suzuran, still shaken by the warmth and suddenness of what just happened, walked a few dazed steps, still holding his hand—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ3SsjmEkL
Until she suddenly realized—
…They were alone.
The classmates who’d been with them were nowhere in sight.
She hurriedly reached for her phone to check the group chat, but just as she unlocked it, a message popped up:
We went off on our own~ You enjoy your afternoon slowly ♡ Don’t come playing third wheel on us~ hehehehe
“What…? They ditched me?!”
Suzuran stared at the message, overwhelmed by the betrayal from her supposed best friend.
Just then, Koichi’s calm voice sounded gently beside her:
“My lady, where shall we go now? Should we look for your friends?”
She was about to respond, but when her eyes met his face, she froze.
He was still composed and collected, his voice respectful and unhurried—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68oIQJhRG8
as if he were simply fulfilling his duty, from beginning to end.
—
But that very tenderness—so restrained—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlZIZWq3Jg
made her suddenly unable to speak.
“I… I…!”
She couldn’t bring herself to say she didn’t want to find Yuzuka.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RqDr03JMg
She couldn’t say she did want to spend a little more time with him.
Koichi watched her quietly. He didn’t press.
But when he saw the panic in her expression, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5izPbKnuD
as if he’d already figured her out.
“Pfft—”
He let out a soft, barely-contained laugh.
Then he leaned in slightly, his voice so gentle it was impossible to resist:
“Well then… would you like to visit your favorite rooftop café?”
“The weather’s nice. The breeze should feel just right.”
Suzuran paused, stunned.
—
The next moment, it was as if something magical had taken over.
She didn’t think. She didn’t struggle. She didn’t try to hide her feelings.
She simply nodded—softly, naturally.
“…Mm.”
No need to say more. She was already following him.
—
Just like his palm had held her so carefully earlier,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ViqTCTfX
now her entire heart was being quietly pulled forward by him.
She didn’t realize she was walking faster than usual.
As if she were afraid that if she turned around,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYHXAytz3J
the one person willing to stay with her on the edge of this world—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3EHyGLTCj
might vanish.
On the rooftop, the wind rustled gently through the café’s garden, leaves swaying in the sunlight.
Suzuran sat by the window, looking out at the greenery bathed in golden light, as if trying to finally calm her racing heart after the escalator—
…As if !
—
She held the menu in her hands, her expression seemingly focused—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdW35iQk2F
but her mind had long wandered off.
Her eyes were stuck on the dessert section,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O0wI6df6B
but none of the words were actually going into her head.
Then, a familiar voice came from beside her:
“My lady, would you like to order anything else?”
“Ah—ahh! I-I’m still looking!”
She jumped slightly, not even raising her head, trying to sound casual.
Koichi didn’t reply, only let out a quiet chuckle.
In the next second, he was holding a delicate Earl Grey biscuit.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDy138iIad
She didn’t even know where he’d gotten it from.
Its buttery scent drifted toward her.
“Well then… try your favorite biscuit first.”
His voice was calm, his gesture so natural it was hard to refuse.
The biscuit hovered just near her lips—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBW2UVVKgD
not forceful, yet leaving her no space to decline.
—
Almost like magic, she leaned forward without thinking—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRQHZHtMeB
and took a small bite.
…And then it hit her.
How… how flirty was that?!
Like a jolt, she recoiled backward—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJelMtwbqT
her back hitting the soft cushion of the sofa,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR2cEosfPm
the menu in her hand falling to the floor.
“Koichi—w-what are you doing?! What’s the meaning of that?!”
She stared at him, utterly flustered, ears red as ripe cherries.
Koichi tilted his head slightly, still perfectly calm.
“I noticed, my lady,” he said, as if stating something simple,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejOQMNUbWx
“you haven’t looked me in the eye even once since the escalator.”
“I just wanted to catch your attention a little.”
“To see… where your thoughts had drifted off to.”
—
Idiot.
Jerk.
She screamed inside, but no words made it past her lips.
Because she knew—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbXqI99cCa
Her thoughts had already been stolen by him from the very beginning.
—
“Koichi… are you teasing me?”
Her gaze was panicked, like a startled fawn.
But he only smiled more gently, his voice as light as if soothing a child:
“No, my lady. I’m worried about you.”
He leaned in a bit, brushing a fingertip against her forehead.
In a low voice, he asked:
“…Are you running a fever, perhaps?”
Her entire face exploded in red.
ns216.73.216.120da2
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.