December 25th, Christmas Day Day.
8:30 AM.
For most students immersed in the joy of sleeping in during the holidays, this time was still a bit early. But for Natsukawa Sosuke, who bore the heavy responsibility of being a time management master, every second today was extremely precious.
"Good morning, Natsukawa-kun."
Shiina Hiyori wasn't wearing her usual, monotonous school uniform today.
She wore a white half-turtleneck ribbed knit sweater, adorned with two small, cute bows on the sleeves. Over it, she paired a dark V-neck pinafore dress, with a matching silk ribbon tied into an elegant knot at the waist, perfectly outlining the girl's slender figure. Her lower body was clad in black tights, exuding an aura that was both intellectual and sweet.
Her signature long silver hair draped softly over her shoulders. In the morning light of this winter day, she seemed to come with her own soft-focus filter, radiating a unique beauty known as the 'literary girl.'
"Good morning, Classmate Shiina," Natsukawa replied with a smile. "You're very punctual."
"Because it's for 'research,' and being late is a major taboo."
Hiyori tilted her head slightly, her hands behind her back. Her purple eyes sparkled with an excitement rarely seen.
"Besides... I've been preparing for this operation for a long time. I've even brushed up on several romance mystery novels over the past few days."
Seeing her so enthusiastic, Natsukawa Sosuke couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
The girl before him was so purely looking forward to this "dating experiment," yet he... Hiyori, it's not me who ruined this date; it's these troubled times that ruined it.
'What a sin, what a sin... I'll try my best to satisfy her curiosity later.'
Natsukawa sighed inwardly but maintained a calm expression as he reached out his hand.
"Then, Miss Detective, shall we set off? Where is our first stop?"
"Hmm... according to the procedure, the first stop should be the 'bookstore'."
Hiyori walked beside him with light steps as they headed toward Keyaki Shopping Center. Although it was still early, the streets were already decorated with red and green Christmas Day ornaments, and the speakers were looping a cheerful 'Jingle Bells.'
"Speaking of which, Natsukawa-kun."
As they walked, Hiyori observed the passing couples out of the corner of her eye and lowered her voice:
"The atmosphere in Class C has been a bit subtle lately."
"Oh? How so?"
"Ryuen-kun... ever since that time, he has become very 'quiet'."
Hiyori sighed. Although she was complaining, there was a hint of teasing in her tone.
She turned her head and looked at Natsukawa with a half-smile.
"Natsukawa-kun, did you use too much force and beat our 'Tyrant' into seclusion?"
"That's truly an injustice."
Natsukawa Sosuke shrugged, looking innocent.
"I just had a deep, soul-to-soul friendly exchange with him and helped him correct his distorted outlook on life. As you know, education always comes with growing pains."
"Hehe, a 'friendly exchange'?"
Hiyori chuckled behind her hand, clearly not taking his nonsense seriously.
"However, thanks to you, because of Ryuen-kun's'strike,' some class matters have to be shared by an idle person like me. I've missed out on several books lately just to handle some class chores."
"Should I charge this debt to your account, Natsukawa-kun?"
"Cough... as compensation, today's expenses are all on me."
"Just kidding."
Hiyori blinked, her expression returning to its usual tranquility.
"Actually, it's not bad this way. Although I don't know when Ryuen-kun will recover... I quite like the current peace."
...Time always flies in a bookstore.
The two stood in front of the bestseller display, critiquing several newly published mystery novels, discussing everything from the innovation of the tricks to the aesthetics of the cover design.
Although he wanted to keep chatting like this, Natsukawa's 'time management' nerve was constantly tense.
"Cough, Classmate Shiina. While discussing tricks is fun, shall we move to another place? Standing in the bookstore all the time isn't ideal."
"Ah, that's true."
Hiyori snapped out of it. Although she was still a bit unsatisfied, she quickly switched to 'Observer' mode.
"Then, let's go to a cafe next."
She said solemnly.
"According to my statistics, cafes are the places with the richest samples of couple interactions. We can collect more data there."
"...Are you conducting a sociological survey?" Natsukawa couldn't help but retort.
Despite saying that, the two still arrived at a bubble tea shop with a rather trendy decor.
It was now 10 o'clock, and the shop was filled with young couples. The air was thick with the aroma of roasted coffee beans and the'sour smell of love.'
Natsukawa and Hiyori found a seat by the window and sat down.
After ordering, Hiyori took out a small notebook from her bag and began to seriously observe the'samples' around them.
"Look at that couple over there," she whispered to Natsukawa. "The boy keeps looking at his phone. Although the girl is drinking bubble tea, her gaze sweeps across the boy's screen every few seconds. According to the theories in 'Introduction to Love Psychology,' this is a sign of distrust."
"And that couple, sitting very close with their shoulders touching, but they aren't talking. This'silent understanding' is said in books to be an atmosphere unique to the honeymoon phase."
Natsukawa listened to her analysis, finding it somewhat amusing.
This young lady was completely studying love as if it were an academic subject.
"So, Natsukawa-kun."
Hiyori suddenly put down her notebook, her purple eyes looking straight at him.
"Since we have enough observation samples, next... it's time for the experiment phase."
"...Huh?" Natsukawa had just picked up his coffee and paused. "What experiment?"},{
"Holding hands."
Hiyori said it matter-of-factly, without a hint of shyness, only pure curiosity.
"I want to verify whether the 'electric feeling' and 'heart racing' described in books are literary metaphors or physiological reactions."
She stretched out her right hand and laid it flat on the table. Her hand was fair and slender, with nails trimmed round and neat. Against the dark wooden table, it looked like a delicate piece of art.
"Natsukawa-kun, can you cooperate with me? As the experimental subject."
Facing such a pure request from the girl, what else could Natsukawa say?
He reached out his left hand and gently covered that small hand.
The moment their hands touched.
Slightly cool, soft, and smooth.
That was Natsukawa's first sensation.
As for Hiyori, she didn't react immediately but frowned slightly, as if she were carefully perceiving something.
"Hmm..."
"Body temperature... higher than mine. The skin on the palm is relatively rough, and the hardness of the knuckles is also different."
She tentatively moved her fingers, gently gripping Natsukawa's palm, feeling the sensation of being enveloped.
"There's no feeling of an electric current passing through. Could it be that what's written in books is actually static electricity?"
Hiyori looked up at Natsukawa, her eyes clear and serious.
"However, there is indeed a... very stable feeling."
She pressed her other hand against her chest to feel it.
"Heart rate... has increased by about 5%. Although there are fluctuations, it hasn't reached the exaggerated level of 'about to jump out' as described in books."
"It seems that literary works do indeed contain elements of artistic exaggeration. Or... is it because our 'experimental environment' isn't romantic enough?"
"You..." Natsukawa retorted helplessly. "The point of holding hands isn't the physical touch, but the flow of emotion at that moment. If you insist on experiencing it with the mindset of dissecting a corpse, of course it will feel mundane."
"Is that so?"
Hiyori tilted her head, seemingly pondering Natsukawa's words.
But she didn't let go of his hand, still seemingly trying to analyze more 'data' from the warmth of his palm.
And so, the two of them sat by the window of the cafe, hands overlapping, chatting over coffee while watching the bustling crowd outside.