The silence was like some kind of emotional landmine, ticking down inside the tiny pocket of space between us.

Then—

Haruka slowly raised her head, like a frightened cat peeking out from behind a curtain, her eyes watery and unsure.

Her long lashes trembled and then she saw me.

"…Ginjo-san…?"

My smile must've looked stupid. But it was real.

"Why do you look like someone just cancelled Christmas?" I teased, tightening my fingers around hers until they laced perfectly—like we were always meant to fit that way.

"You don't have to look so heartbroken, y'know."

I tried to keep my voice light, teasing even, but not too much. I didn't want her retreating back into her shell again.

Maybe I was trying too hard to sound casual.

But the truth is…

I was scared, too.

Her eyes widened at the gesture. And then—

"I-I'm fine, Ginjo-san… I'm very happy now!"

She sniffled a bit, laughing as she wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand.

Oh. Damn.

My heart was doing this thump-thump-dokidoki thing like I'd swallowed a shoujo manga.

My brain, meanwhile, was shouting, "Abort mission! You're gonna fall for her!"

...Too late.

Truth be told, I already felt the shift.

That moment when her hand clutched mine a little tighter, trembling just slightly like a violin string being plucked—

Yeah. I knew.

This was her version of courage.

Even if she was technically an adult, her heart was still fragile like a first-year high school girl who'd just confessed to her senpai behind the gymnasium.

"Let's go eat," I said, gently, like I was afraid she might vanish into the wind if I spoke too loud.

"Mm." She nodded, eyes still sparkling like the stars got trapped in her pupils. "Okay, Ginjo-san."

And just like that, hand in hand, we walked through the doors of the mall, stepping out into the glow of Tokyo's neon-lit jungle.

Night in Shibuya was like a living creature—loud, colorful, confusing, and always in motion.

It wasn't my first time walking down these streets, but tonight... it felt different.

Maybe it was the girl beside me. Or maybe I was just high on hormones and carbs.

Eventually, after a brief search on our phones (and a rather passionate debate about curry vs pasta), we settled on a spaghetti bolognese spot tucked in a back alley.

It had warm lighting and red-checkered tablecloths. Kinda cliché. Kinda romantic. Kinda perfect.

We were seated after twenty minutes, our stomachs threatening open revolt.

"Ahh~ so hungry I could eat the tableware," I said, twirling my fork like a gunfighter.

Haruka giggled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I thought you were the patient, mature type, Ginjo-san."

"That was before you made me skip lunch for a purikura marathon."

"Hey! You didn't complain while we were hugging," she muttered, cheeks glowing red as marinara.

We dug into the pasta like two starving orcs, eyes shining with carb-fueled ecstasy.

Ten minutes later, plates empty and time ticking, we jogged toward the station, hands still linked.

We made it onto the train just as the doors hissed shut behind us.

The late train was quieter now—just soft hums, sleepy passengers, and a few neon reflections dancing across the windows.

Haruka sat next to me, shoulder-to-shoulder, her body finally relaxing. She let out a soft sigh and—

Thunk.

Her head gently landed on my shoulder.

"…Oh?"

I froze like a deer caught in some romcom trap card. Was this real? Was I dreaming? Should I be charging rent for this space on my arm?

I glanced down.

She was already asleep.

Her expression was soft, serene. Her lips slightly parted. The faintest sound of breathing tickled my neck. And…

…yeah.

That scent again.

It wasn't perfume—it was just her. Warmth and something kind of flowery. A little adult, a little pure.

My eyes drifted downward, only to immediately dart back up.

Nope. Don't stare at the cleavage. That's a bad trope. Bad Ginjo. You're better than this.

…Am I?

[Pervert Route +5 unlocked]

Stop it, brain.

Still, I let her stay like that. Honestly, she looked like she'd finally found a safe place to rest—like she'd been holding it all in until now.

When we finally reached the station, I gently nudged her.

"Hey, sleeping beauty. We're here."

Haruka blinked groggily. "Hnn…? Ah! I… I fell asleep again?"

"You did. And drooled on my shoulder."

"Eh?! Liar!"

She swatted me, then rubbed her eyes and laughed, looking more relaxed than she had all day.

"You need to work on your stamina, Mochizuki-san. If you wanna relive your student days, you're gonna need a stronger body."

"Hmph! Easy for you to say, Mister Water-Polo-Captain-Energy-for-Days."

I flexed dramatically. "I am built different."

"Ugh, I hate that you're not even bragging."

We both chuckled, the air between us comfortable now.

Then—

"Ginjo-san," she said suddenly, more seriously this time, "can we… go out again sometime?"

"Of course," I replied without missing a beat.

I didn't even need to think about it.

The night wind was cool and kind, brushing past us as we walked slowly through the sleepy street.

No loud horns, no voices. Just the two of us, under a line of streetlights that stretched into forever.

Back at the apartment, we said our goodnights.

Even though I was teasing her earlier, my own body was running on fumes. I stumbled into the bathroom and sank into the tub like a dying salaryman, sighing in pleasure as the warmth wrapped around me.

God-tier sensation.

After the bath, I wrapped a towel around myself, cracked open the window, and let the night breeze roll over my damp hair.

My muscles ached, but my heart felt oddly light.

Still, mission report time.

[Assistance Mission Complete: Student-Style Date with Mochizuki Haruka]

[Reward: 10,000 yen]

[Target: Mochizuki Haruka Favorability +5]

[Bonus Reward: 5,000 yen]

[Current Favorability: 90]

Oh?

Nice. Date paid for itself. Thanks, O Great System-sama.

Just as I was about to relax with a dumb anime rerun, something clicked in my head.

Wait.

Didn't I promise Shiraishi Lisa that I'd help her water polo club tomorrow?

My brain short-circuited.

Ah. Crap.

I immediately opened up a search bar and started watching tutorials like a man about to take the most dangerous P.E. exam of his life.

"Okay…so you can't touch the bottom…players are constantly swimming…penalty fouls…free throws…"

Then I clicked on a full match video.

Aaaand…

…what the hell?

Did a swimsuit just fly off?

Were they fighting underwater?

This was not water polo. This was battle royale in a pool with wardrobe malfunctions.

Am I… allowed to be watching this for free?

I blinked, stunned, double-checked the URL.

Nope. Still a sports site. Still SFW. Barely.

And yet…

Why did I suddenly feel nervous about tomorrow?

--

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