Until the coffee in Natsukawa's cup reached its last drop.
He instinctively glanced at the time.
11:25.
Natsukawa's nerves snapped taut.
He'd promised Ichinose Honami 11:30, right in the mall's central plaza.
And this café faced that very plaza!
A terror called 'battlefield' pounded against his mind.
In that instant his gaze flickered.
Through the crystal window he caught, from the corner of his eye, a scene below.
In that instant Natsukawa Sōsuke felt his heart skip half a beat.
In the center of the plaza beneath, a cluster of girls were strolling.
The girl in front, dazzling rose-gold hair, a warm smile on her face, was speaking to those beside her.
That was—Ichinose Honami.
Beside her, Amakura Mako, Koyabashi Yume, and other key members of Class B.
'Honami-chan, when's Natsukawa-kun coming? He didn't oversleep, right?'
Though the glass blocked sound, Natsukawa's uncanny dynamic vision let him read Amakura Mako's lips.
Next he saw Ichinose stop and take out her phone.
The very next second.
The phone on his table lit up.
Caller ID: [Ichinose Honami].
"..."
Natsukawa Sōsuke stared at the flashing name, then at Shiina Hiyori opposite him still earnestly studying "the feel of holding hands," then at Ichinose outside holding her phone.
Truly a case of blessings doubling.
Just as the vibrating phone felt like a live coal and cold sweat was about to drip,
that cool touch on his hand vanished.
Shiina Hiyori had quietly withdrawn her fingers.
"It seems… the physiological experiment on 'heart-racing' must regrettably be suspended."
Her voice stayed gentle, carrying no anger, only calm.
Natsukawa blinked, his brain racing for the perfect excuse for this sudden call and a bathroom escape to dodge the date.
"Classmate Shiina…?"
"Natsukawa-kun, are you still playing dumb?"
Hiyori tilted her head; lavender eyes slid past his shoulder to the bustling plaza, then to his still-buzzing device.
"Aren't you going to answer? That looks far more urgent than our experiment."
She lifted a slender finger, pointing through the glass at the brilliant rose-gold figure.
"The heroine has appeared. If the hero doesn't take his place, the story will head for an irreversible Bad End."
"…"
Natsukawa Sōsuke's suspended heart finally died outright.
This was what they called "seeing through but not speaking."
The literary girl had pieced it all together—from Class B's arrival, his sudden stiffness, his shifting gaze, to Ichinose Honami's searching movements.
Every clue led to one conclusion.
"Sorry."
Since exposure was total, he stopped struggling. He sighed, genuine apology on his face.
"I asked you out, yet I…"
"It's fine."
Hiyori cut off his apology, a forgiving smile blooming.
"After all, today's outing was just a whim of mine. I'm happy you could spare the time for the first half."
Though she spoke gently, the mischievous gleam that flashed in her eyes didn't escape him.
"However…"
The turn came, as expected.
She folded her hands under her chin, leaning forward, curiosity sparkling in those intelligent eyes.
"I can forgive your leaving early, but that doesn't mean it never happened."
"As compensation for abandoning a lady on Christmas Day…"
She paused, gaze resting on his face.
"Please allow me to stay right here."
"…Huh?" He didn't follow.
"This seat is perfect." Hiyori turned to the window, delight in her tone. "Panoramic view of the plaza—and a front-row seat to someone's upcoming 'performance.'"
"I've read countless battlefield scenes in books, but never watched one live."
She looked back, bright as a girl who'd found new volumes in the Library.
"So, Natsukawa-kun, go resolve your crisis. I'll sip coffee and cheer you on."
"And if you count it as part of our date, even better."
Looking at her sunny smile, Natsukawa felt a chill down his spine.
His quiet beauty Hiyori now carried a streak of devilish curiosity.
Who taught her to treat people as observation samples?
But what choice did he have?
"…Fine."
He rubbed his brow. "Just don't get bored. And stop grinning like that—it's pressure."
"I'll restrain myself," she giggled behind her hand. "Hurry, the call's about to drop."
He accepted the call at the last possible second.
"Hey, Ichinose?"
"Sorry, I was—uh, in the restroom, bad signal."
"Natsukawa-kun! You finally picked up!"
Her buoyant voice flooded the speaker, Christmas music and chatter behind it.
"We're at the plaza! Everyone's waiting!"
"Yeah, I'm on my way."
He stood, smoothing his clothes.
"Five minutes—no, two."
"No rush, safety first. We'll be by the big Christmas tree!"
He hung up, drew a breath, arranged his face into the picture of a guy who'd just rolled out of bed.
"I'm off then."
He waved to Hiyori.
"Best of luck, Natsukawa-kun."
Cup in hand, she gestured him onward, eyes brimming with anticipation…