After finishing the shaved ice, the two walked out of the small shop side by side.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the gaps between buildings on both sides of the commercial street, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Shioyaki Lemon walked briskly by Imaizumi Keita's side with her hands behind her back, her face still flushed with satisfaction after eating the sweets.
She secretly turned her head and stole a glance at Imaizumi Keita beside her with the corner of her eye.
Imaizumi Keita still looked somewhat nonchalant about everything.
But Shioyaki Lemon knew that the look in his eyes when he looked at her in the shop just now was clearly gentler than before.
At the thought of the scene where they fed each other just now, her cheeks couldn't help but heat up again.
No, no, Shioyaki Lemon, you need to stay calm.
She secretly cheered herself on, forcing down the messy thoughts in her head.
The two walked in silence like that, neither of them speaking first.
As they were about to reach a crossroads in front of the station, the green light began to flash.
Shioyaki Lemon looked at the passing vehicles and subconsciously reached out and grabbed Imaizumi Keita's wrist.
This action was so natural that it made Imaizumi Keita wonder how many times Shioyaki Lemon had practiced it...
Imaizumi Keita turned his head to look at her.
Shioyaki Lemon also realized her action; her cheeks heated up slightly, but she didn't let go.
She feigned composure and looked away toward the other side of the road, explaining, "The light... it's about to turn red. Let's walk faster."
As she spoke, she pulled him and quickened her pace, crossing the road swiftly.
Even after they both stood on the opposite sidewalk, she still didn't let go.
Imaizumi Keita didn't break free, nor did he speak up to point it out.
He just felt the soft touch of the girl's hand and her warm body temperature from his wrist, while observing her reaction.
Shioyaki Lemon's heart was beating wildly.
She could feel Imaizumi Keita's gaze landing on her, a gaze that made even the back of her neck start to feel hot.
Her palms were slightly sweaty from nervousness, feeling a bit sticky, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
But, she didn't want to let go.
This was an offensive she had initiated by gathering all her courage.
She didn't want to give up halfway like this.
She pulled him along all the way to the station's ticket gate.
"I... I'm here."
Shioyaki Lemon finally stopped and let go of his hand.
"Yeah."
Imaizumi Keita nodded and said with a smile, looking at her ears which were so red they looked like they might bleed.
"Lemon."
"Hmm?"
Shioyaki Lemon looked up and met his eyes, which held a mischievous smile.
"Next time, you can just hold my hand directly. I won't refuse, okay?"
Before Shioyaki Lemon could react, he turned around and walked toward his home.
"Take care on the way."
...
Shioyaki Lemon stood there alone in a daze, feeling like her whole face was about to burn up.
...
Returning to the apartment building, Imaizumi Keita was just about to pull out his keys when his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
Taking it out, he saw it was a call from Yanami Anna.
He swiped the screen and answered the call.
"Hello, Anna-chan."
"Keita, where are you right now?"
The girl's voice came through the phone with a hint of laziness.
"Just got to the bottom of my building. What's up?"
"Nothing," the voice on the other end paused before saying, "Look up."
Imaizumi Keita subconsciously looked up toward his apartment room.
Yanami Anna, wearing a beautiful dress, was waving her phone at him with a sly smile on her face.
"Yo."
She waved her phone as a greeting.
Imaizumi Keita looking at her like this, he just felt it was a bit funny.
He hung up the phone and hurried over to the elevator, taking out his keys to open the door.
"Why did you come over? You didn't even say anything beforehand."
"What? Am I not welcome?"
As Yanami Anna spoke, she squeezed past him in a familiar manner and put on her exclusive slippers at the entrance.
"Or... did you do something guilty outside just now, Keita, and you're afraid I'll catch you?"
As she spoke, she leaned in close to him like a police dog and sniffed him hard.
"Hmm...?"
Her movement paused, and her pretty brows furrowed slightly.
"Strange... why do I smell something sweet?"
Imaizumi Keita's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm.
"Probably the smell of shaved ice," he explained without changing his expression. "It was a bit hot outside, so I bought some shaved ice on the way."
Saying that, he prepared to walk around her into the living room.
However, Yanami Anna suddenly reached out and grabbed the edge of his shirt.
She didn't continue questioning him about the shaved ice, but just looked up at him with a half-smiling gaze.
"Is that so?"
She lightly uttered those words, her tone so flat that no emotion could be heard.
But Imaizumi Keita read a signal of danger from that flat tone.
"I say, Keita."
She let go of his shirt and instead used her index finger to draw circles on his chest.
"This morning, you weren't... out playing with Lemon-chan, just the two of you, were you?"
Her voice was very soft, with a hint of nonchalant teasing, but her eyes were fixed on him without blinking.
Imaizumi Keita was silent for a moment.
He knew that any lies or excuses at this time would only make her even more suspicious.
Only honesty could break the current situation...
After all, Yanami Anna had known for a long time that he wanted to two-time...
"Yeah."
He nodded and admitted it frankly, "This morning, I indeed went out with Yakishio."
Hearing this affirmative answer, the expression on Yanami Anna's face didn't change much.
There was no expected questioning or anger; she just gave a soft "Oh."
"Sigh..."
Imaizumi Keita was feeling a bit confused when he saw Yanami Anna sigh somewhat helplessly. She leaned her whole body against him, pressing her cheek against his chest, her voice carrying an obvious sense of doting and indulgence.
"I'm scared, of course I'm scared."
She repeated what she had said before.
It seemed that this kind of thing wasn't something one could adapt to so quickly.
"But, what's the use of being scared?"
"Keita, you're just that kind of person."
-------------------------
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