Turning the second-to-last corner, the streets were now filling with students carrying their bags, chatting happily as they headed toward the nearby school gates.
At this point, Utaha and Miyahito, whose sense of propriety couldn't quite handle maintaining such ambiguous intimacy in public, mutually pulled back slightly, increasing their personal space.
(In reality, the main reason was that neither could fully accept this "undefined, label-less" ambiguous state just yet.)
However, feeling Utaha slip her arm out of his, Miyahito couldn't help but feel a sudden emptiness in his heart.
I still really want to hold Utaha's arm and never let go.
Carefully adjusting his emotions and hiding the lingering reluctance inside, Miyahito reverted to his usual self. Wearing a gentle, polite smile, he warmly greeted each classmate and upperclassman who passed by and said hello.
Noticing his reaction, Utaha's wine-red eyes blinked softly. Then, her steps imperceptibly slowed, causing her to fall slightly behind Miyahito.
In that moment, she resembled the supportive partner from TV dramas.
Silently standing behind her lover... letting the brightest sunlight shine on the person she'd walk through life with, while she chose to silently bear the pressure from the shadows.
Utaha had assumed Miyahito would appreciate this gesture. After all, in traditional Japanese mindsets, many believed "men handle the outside world, women manage the home" or "girls rely on boys, boys support the family" was the correct dynamic.
But reality somewhat defied her expectations.
The moment she slowed down and walked a few steps behind him, Miyahito noticed her subtle action. Completely naturally, without a hint of deliberation, he slowed his own pace, bringing them back to walking side-by-side just like a second ago.
The faint, warm morning sun quietly bathed both of them.
Silently delivering a summer morning greeting to both Miyahito and Utaha.
A trace of surprise faintly appeared on Utaha's delicate face. She slightly lifted her wine-red pupils, secretly glancing at Miyahito's calm profile.
For some reason, an indescribable joy welled up from the tip of her heart, unintentionally curving the corners of her lightly glossed lips.
Don't ask why.
Just happy. Very happy. Super, super! Super! Happy.
Walking beside her, although Miyahito's gaze didn't directly land on her, his peripheral vision caught the slight upward curve of her lips.
Unknowingly, feeling that ripple of joy, a faint smile gradually appeared in his dark eyes as well.
Just as they were about to reach the school gate,
Tooru and Yuki, who had been trailing them the whole way, finally "caught up" to the pair, who had slowed down to almost a stroll.
"Morning! Miyahito! Utaha-chan~"
Hearing Yuki's call from behind, Miyahito and Utaha turned around in perfect sync, looking left and right.
"Morning, Yuki."
"Morning, Tooru."
Seeing them turn identically (just in opposite directions) and respond in unison, Tooru's expression turned strangely sour. He looked like he'd just swallowed something overly sweet and cloying.
"What's wrong?" Miyahito asked curiously. "Upset stomach?"
Utaha mirrored his look, adding to the effect.
Whoa, too much. Too sweet. I'm gonna be sick.
Rolling her eyes at Tooru's increasingly weird face, Yuki stepped forward to distance herself from his "love-sickness," and linked arms intimately with Utaha. Leaning in with a doting, shipper's grin, she addressed Miyahito.
"Whatever, ignore Tooru. Hey! Miyahito, why are you and Utaha walking to school together today?"
They exchanged a glance, both pausing.
"Uh... on the way out," Miyahito volunteered first. "We just happened to run into each other, so we came together."
"Right, Utaha?"
"M-mhm." Utaha nodded, slightly embarrassed, playing along. "Just a coincidence. We happened to meet, so..."
"Oho? Really?" Yuki narrowed her eyes, looking like a cunning fox, her tone deliberately teasing. "I thought you two planned it in advance. After all, I remember you both live in Toshima Ward, right~~?"
The words, paired with Yuki's sing-song, slightly sarcastic cadence, instantly flushed both Utaha and Miyahito. Watching them stammer and guiltily look away, Yuki's smile grew even more knowing.
She'd planned to keep teasing them about "planning to walk together," but then she noticed the new cute accessory on Utaha's head. Changing tactics, she said:
"Ara ara, why is Utaha different today?"
"It's rare to see you wear a hairband. Pure white, suits you perfectly, Utaha."
She carefully checked Miyahito's reaction, catching a fleeting trace of tenderness and pride on his face. Mhm? Mhm!
"Th-thank you..." Utaha smiled, not noticing Yuki's glance, and explained. "My hair was a bit messy when I woke up, so I... just put it on."
"I see? Hehe, looks great."
Surprising. Yuki hadn't expected someone as carefree and straightforward as Miyahito to have such good taste. Compared to her usual aloof vibe, the simple white hairband softened her presence significantly. If she was normally an untouchable, icy mountain peak, now she was more like a calm, elegant flower—still proud, but approachable and serene. Like a gerbera blooming in a gentle spring garden. Noble, refined, subtly proud.
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