I honestly expected that after hearing what the doctor said, Shiraishi-senpai would immediately… well, you know… fix the way she was holding my hand.

But nope. She didn't.

And so, with the smug composure of a man who definitely wasn't the one with the broken finger, I said:

"Yeah, I thought you'd correct it right away, Senpai. Guess not."

She tried to keep her voice calm, but the faint pink dusting her cheeks was way too obvious.

"I just wanted the doctor to treat you quickly. I wasn't paying attention to such a small matter… Ginjo-san, please don't think too much about it."

Oh, I wasn't thinking too much. I was thinking exactly the right amount.

"Okay, okay, I get it," I chuckled. "Guess I was just being sentimental."

She was adorable like this.

The great Shiraishi Lisa—class beauty, school idol—looking so human, so approachable.

Maybe the most beautiful girl in the world wasn't untouchable after all.

"Ginjo-san, let's go pay the fee now," she said, turning on her heel to walk ahead.

My finger wasn't hurting much anymore. My wallet, on the other hand…

That was about to hurt.

Because we didn't have a referral letter from the clinic, we had to pay the full treatment cost ourselves.

Ouch.

When we reached the payment counter, I stepped forward.

"Well, I can handle it, Shiraishi-senpai."

I tried to fish my wallet out of my right pocket with my left hand, but it was a clumsy, awkward mess.

"What are you doing, Ginjo-san?"

Before I could explain, her soft hand pressed down on mine, stopping me.

"I have to pay for this."

She produced a bank card with practiced elegance and handed it over before I could protest.

"Shiraishi-senpai—"

"You were injured because of me. Do you really want to pay for your own treatment?"

The way she said it—firm, no room for argument—made me drop my attempt at being polite.

"…Thanks, Senpai."

Outside the hospital, we stood side by side waiting for a taxi. I could tell she was still bothered.

"I'm sorry, Ginjo-san. If I hadn't invited you to training… none of this would've happened."

"Don't think like that, Senpai. It was just an accident. Not your fault." I grinned. "You know, I was a pretty reckless kid. I've been injured more times than I can count. This is nothing."

To prove it, I raised my finger—

…ah.

Why this finger…?

"Put that down, Ginjo-san!" she snapped, looking away instantly.

"Ah—sorry, sorry! Didn't notice, haha." I quickly lowered my middle finger.

She sighed, then gently took my injured hand, holding it like it was fragile porcelain.

"It must have hurt when you fell."

"It doesn't anymore. Doctor gave me painkillers."

"If only I'd been more careful…" she murmured.

A taxi pulled up. She released my hand.

"I'll take you home."

"It's fine, Senpai. It's just a finger."

"No. This is my minimum requirement," she said with that same quiet stubbornness.

And that's how I ended up in the back seat, Shiraishi-senpai sitting right next to me.

Tokyo's streets blurred past outside the window—people, buildings, neon signs—like watching someone else's life on fast-forward. It all felt strangely unreal… until I felt her gaze.

Her eyes scanned over me: my hair, my face, my arms. Her expression… was softer than usual.

I turned to meet her eyes. "Eh? Was Senpai looking at me?"

She flinched. "N-no, I was just… looking at your hand…"

Her blush betrayed her before she even finished the sentence.

"Thanks for worrying, Senpai."

When we reached my apartment, she still insisted on walking me up to room 303.

"Please come in," I said.

She stepped inside, taking in the tidy little room with curious eyes.

"You live alone… I'm envious."

"It's freer that way. Please, sit."

"No, I'll be going now. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely." She paused. "Do you need me to ask for leave for you at school?"

"No need. Just a finger injury."

She nodded, then added softly, "Remember to take your medicine. If anything happens… call me."

As she reached the door, I called out, "Shiraishi-senpai."

She turned. For a second, the air between us felt suspended in time.

"Thank you… for today."

Her lips curved into the faintest smile.

"It's nothing. Just take care of yourself."

And then she was gone, her figure retreating down the hallway, that same smile lingering until she disappeared from view.