"Cute girls really are cute all over..."
Sora quietly lamented.
Under the streetlight, the right hand the girl had shyly extended was exceptionally slender and well-proportioned. Her skin was snow-white, and the light blue veins were clearly visible on the back of her hand. Her five fingers were like freshly peeled, tender white scallions, and her nails were trimmed neatly and coated with a pale pink polish. It was like a perfect piece of art; in short, it was a hand-fetishist's delight.
Although Sora wasn't a hand-fetishist, he couldn't help but look twice. Then he gathered his thoughts and gently took Mahiru's right hand.
So soft.
The first sensation was that it was incredibly soft.
The idiom "as soft as if without bones" wasn't an exaggeration. Some girls' hands were indeed super soft to hold, as if the bones didn't exist at all.
The second sensation was that it was very smooth.
Whether it was the palm or the back of the hand, the skin felt tender and smooth, as if it would slip from his grasp if he weren't careful.
"Mmm..."
Mahiru's flaxen hair trembled slightly. The flush on her pretty face quietly deepened, and even her snow-white neck was stained with a crimson hue.
When a person is in a dark environment, their other senses become more acute and powerful. Therefore, at this moment, Mahiru's sensations were actually much stronger.
So hot... a boy's hand is actually so hot. It's almost scalding.And so big... my entire right hand is being wrapped up... Lastly, there was the shyness.
In her sixteen years of life, it was the first time Mahiru had held a boy's hand. Although it was a matter of urgency and necessity, she was still shy.
At this moment.
Mahiru could clearly feel her heartbeat accelerating. The thump-thump sound of her heart clearly reached her ears.
"The rain seems to be getting heavier. Shall we go hide from the rain nearby for a bit?"
Sora spoke softly to break the silence.
"Okay."
Mahiru didn't hesitate and agreed immediately.
"Mahiru-san, you're agreeing just like that?" Sora was a bit surprised. "Aren't you afraid I'll take you somewhere strange?"
Mahiru responded with a smile. "Sora-kun is a very smart person, so you probably won't do anything foolish."
Sora said, "Please, feel free to praise me more."
Mahiru was speechless.
The drizzle continued.
Sora held the girl's right hand and walked into a nearby dessert shop.
"Phew..."
Her nose lightly caught the sweet scent of cream in the air, and her ears heard the sounds of customers talking with the staff. Mahiru quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though she had acted very composed, being led around by a boy while unable to see was still worrying.
"There are no seats." Sora's gaze scanned the dessert shop. "Shall we just stand in the corner for a while?"
"Okay."
Mahiru nodded gently, naturally not refusing.
"When did your Time Stop ability awaken, Mahiru-san?"
The two stood in the corner, and Sora asked curiously.
"It was three days ago. It appeared as soon as I woke up..."
Mahiru's small face was slightly pale. Her delicate, porcelain-doll-like face had a few drops of water on it, and her hair was also a bit damp. Her pitiful appearance was exceptionally alluring.
"As expected of Angel-sama, you really are super kind."
After hearing Mahiru's quiet narration, Sora couldn't help but sigh.
It had been three days since her Time Stop awakened. The first day was an accidental awakening. The second day was to save a cat falling from mid-air. And then there was just now, saving the unlucky mother and daughter... It could be said that every time she used the Time Stop, it was to help others. A standard, lawful good Archangel!
"Just call me by my name." Mahiru pursed her beautiful lips, seemingly not liking the title "Angel-sama." She asked softly, "Sora-kun, how can I turn back into an ordinary person?"
Sora was instantly shocked.
"Mahiru-san, you don't want the Time Stop ability?"
"I really don't." Mahiru raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate and cute little ear. Her tone was calm. "Strange abilities will only disrupt my life planning, let alone the troublesome side effects that occur every time I use it."
That was the legendary Time Stop ability. Even if there were weird side effects, no one should be able to refuse it!
Sora looked closely at Mahiru. The girl's expression was calm and cool. Clearly, she wasn't just joking; she really meant it.
"I'm sorry, I can't help with that. I have no idea how to turn Mahiru-san back into an ordinary person." Sora shook his head. "At most, I can only help eliminate the side effects."
"Then never mind..."
Mahiru let out a helpless, light sigh.
The next second.
A faint gurgle reached their ears, as if a little pigeon was nearby.
Mahiru quickly raised her hand to cover her stomach. The girl's fair, delicate, and cute face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The side effect of activating the Time Stop the previous two times was losing her sense of taste. Therefore, Mahiru had no appetite to eat these past two days. She could only barely eat a little food to maintain her basic energy. Now that her energy was depleted, her stomach had let out a cry of protest.
Sora looked down at the girl's stomach. "Was that just..."
"It wasn't me! I didn't!"
Mahiru's face was crimson. She could no longer maintain her "Perfect Angel Form" and turned her head away in shy denial.
Her stomach was growling from hunger, and a boy had heard it... How embarrassing! So embarrassing!
"Fine, I won't say it." Sora naturally wouldn't toy with the girl's sense of shame. "Three more minutes. Hang in there; the purification is almost complete."
"..."
A few minutes passed in a flash.
Mahiru soon found that the darkness before her eyes quietly receded, and her vision became clear again.
"I... I can see things again...!"
A sweet smile blossomed on Mahiru's face. She excitedly squeezed Sora's hand.
"There were actually 200 experience points. The Time Stop Witch is indeed extraordinary."
A satisfied smile also appeared on Sora's face.
The next second.
The warm, soft, and delicate feeling in his palm was like a fish, quickly slipping away.
Mahiru's face was stained crimson. She hid her right hand behind her back and bowed shyly in thanks.
"Sora-kun, thank you so much for today."
"Don't mention it." Sora casually joked, "I should be the one saying thanks for the treat."
"Ooh..."
Mahiru's cheeks puffed out slightly for a moment, but she soon put on her Angel-sama mask again, revealing her standard gentle smile.
"I'm a bit tired today and want to go back and rest well. I'll thank Sora-kun properly tomorrow."
You're not tired; the truth is you're hungry and want to eat something, right? Seeing the girl issue a polite dismissal, Sora naturally wouldn't stay any longer. He had 200 experience points in hand and only wanted to go back and grind his skills.
"Then I'll head off first. Mahiru-san, if you need help next time, feel free to tell me."
Mahiru shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I've decided never to use the Time Stop again."
Sora didn't believe her at all.
Angel-sama clearly had a kind personality that couldn't stand to see people in trouble. If someone encountered danger, she definitely wouldn't be able to stop herself from helping.
"Goodbye then."
Sora waved his hand and simply turned to leave.
Walking out of the dessert shop, the drizzle outside had stopped at some point. The air after the rain was quite fresh.
Carrying his things, he walked home quickly. When he arrived at his door, Sora suddenly saw a petite, flat-chested, blonde girl walking out from next door.
Under the bright streetlights, the blonde girl's skin was snow-white—so white it was dazzling.
More importantly, this blonde girl wasn't wearing any clothes... no, wait, she was wearing two pieces of palm-sized underwear.
Have I encountered a female flasher? Sora was shocked and dumbfounded.
He had often heard of perverted men in trench coats, but it was the first time he had ever seen a blonde, flat-chested, beautiful girl walking out wearing only underwear!
Stare— Sensing Sora's gaze, the blonde girl didn't act shy. Instead, she put her hands on her hips and walked patter-patter right up to Sora. She leaned her body forward, her beautiful eyes full of curiosity.
"You... can see me?"