Oh, so she's a sister figure over a decade older.
Then it's fine. With such an age gap, there's absolutely no way for any 2D rom-com tropes like "engagement" or "older woman/younger man romance" to happen.
Seeing Utaha's expression shift from gloomy to bright, Miyahito instantly felt a massive weight lift off his chest.
Phew... Even though I don't know what I did wrong, passing the test is a good thing!
"Um, Utaha, I might have to..." Even though Miyahito himself didn't want to leave so early—he wanted to spend a bit more time with Utaha—unfortunately, Akane, as the deep-pocketed client, was paying way too much.
"Mhm. Miyahito, go ahead and handle your business." Catching the difficulty on his face, Utaha smiled gently and thoughtfully finished his sentence for him.
However, she'd originally planned to say, "It's fine, I can head home on my own," but the moment the words reached her lips, she changed them.
"Let's head home now."
She knew that if she said it was fine to go home alone, Miyahito—who cared for her and was cared for by her—might be reluctant, but would ultimately accept it helplessly.
Because Miyahito would never do anything that would make Utaha feel awkward.
However, just as Miyahito didn't want their time together to end so soon and wanted to stay with Utaha a bit longer, Utaha also didn't want to leave his side so early. She wanted to continue staying by his side, at a distance where she could reach out and feel his presence.
"Mhm, alright, Utaha."
Catching the reluctance and faint longing hidden in her words, Miyahito couldn't help but smile slightly.
So it wasn't just him who didn't want to part. The Utaha he liked felt the same way.
"Let's head home together."
...
Facing the gradually setting sun, walking side-by-side down Tokyo's afternoon streets, feeling the warmth and breath of the person beside her seeping into her heart, Utaha tilted her face up slightly, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the still-bright sunlight.
You know what, Miyahito? As long as you're by my side, that's enough for me.
Stealing a glance at Miyahito walking beside her, a faint trace of secret joy unintentionally curved her lips into a doting expression that could make anyone fall for it.
Her heart, full of heavy happiness, made Utaha's steps feel noticeably lighter.
Even the slightly noisy bustling market ahead brought her a sense of warmth and peaceful reassurance.
"....."
Hands that accidentally brushed, shoulders that gradually drew closer, and footsteps that grew increasingly in sync.
That interrupted feeling of anticipation, unknowingly and silently, resurfaced in Miyahito's heart once more.
His gaze involuntarily, secretly drifted to Utaha beside him. Seeing the slight upward curve of the girl's lips, Miyahito couldn't help but wear a warm, doting smile.
Being able to stay by your side like this... this is my greatest happiness, Utaha.
Before this very moment, Miyahito had never once considered himself a greedy person.
Having a healthy body, a complete family, and loved ones who deeply cared for him—he already felt like he had a perfect life.
But today, at this very moment, Miyahito realized he wasn't satisfied yet.
He didn't just want to stay by Utaha's side today, walking the same road with her.
If the rest of his life didn't have you in it...
Just how boring and dark would my future be?
Before long.
They arrived at Utaha's apartment.
As always, stopping at the lobby entrance, Miyahito smiled as always at the graceful girl standing before him, who was looking at him with a bright smile.
"Go on up. I'll watch you from here."
"Mhm."
With eyes that smiled, Utaha said "Goodbye" to Miyahito, then turned lightly and walked into the apartment lobby.
Standing outside the transparent glass doors, Miyahito's gaze remained fixed on the figure that occupied his entire heart, only withdrawing reluctantly after the elevator doors slowly closed.
He turned, preparing to leave.
However, just as he took a step toward the outdoor stairs, his foot not yet touching the concrete platform, a familiar call made him stop.
"Miyahito!"
Hearing the voice, Miyahito turned around. The next second, he saw a familiar figure quickly running toward him from inside the apartment building.
Without a second thought, Miyahito instinctively opened his arms, as if trying to catch the stumbling figure.
In an instant, a soft, warm body, carrying a familiar fragrance, crashed straight into his embrace.
"Utaha..." Looking slightly surprised at the girl who had thrown herself into his arms and was hugging him tightly, a still-processing Miyahito called out blankly.
However, what happened next was even more unexpected.
Having thrown herself into his arms and wrapped her arms firmly around his waist, Utaha instantly stood on her tiptoes. Her slightly damp, cherry-pink lips gently pressed against his right cheek.
It was a fleeting, delicate kiss.
The moment it landed on his cheek, Miyahito's mind went completely blank.
He stood there dumbfounded, watching Utaha, her face flushed like peach blossoms, slowly regain her balance. Her arms remained loosely looped around his waist as she looked up at him.
Feeling the heat gradually rising in his cheeks, Miyahito parted his lips foolishly, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
But Utaha didn't give him the chance to speak.
A delicate, fair face tinged with a lovely shade of crimson, her forehead unconsciously leaning lightly against his reassuring chest, she whispered softly.
"See you tomorrow, Miyahito."
The very next second, she let go and dashed back into the apartment building like a light, swift breeze.
Keeping her blushing face down, not daring to look back, she slipped into the elevator just as the doors opened, disappearing from sight.
About a minute or two passed.
Staring blankly at the empty lobby where the girl had just been, Miyahito slightly parted his mouth, his tone still carrying a dreamy, dazed quality.
"See you tomorrow, Utaha."
...
Late afternoon, past 4 PM. Sakuragawa Talent Agency meeting room.
"Hehe... hehe... hehehe...."
Glancing at Miyahito, who was sitting in his seat and occasionally letting out silly, lovesick giggles, Kosaka Akane, a tall beauty in a form-fitting black dress with red hair and red eyes sitting nearby, felt the corner of her mouth twitch. She turned to look at Nakamura Maki, who sat beside him.
Feeling Akane's gaze, Maki also withdrew her eyes from Miyahito. Meeting Akane's look, she shook her head slightly.
Don't look at me. I want to know what's wrong with him too.
After exchanging a glance, the two women sighed in unison.
Sigh.....
How did the perfectly fine "Miyani" suddenly turn into a complete idiot?
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