Because I care

　　Streams of people came and went, and the noise around was like many lights, illuminating the night that should be quiet. Sneakers and clogs stepped, and boys and girls walked around.

　　"Furuhashi, you should have come with Ogata, right?" Shinichi asked casually while observing the crowd in front of him.

　　"Mn, she went to buy some food, I took a walk by myself and waited for her."

　　Furuhashi lowered her head and stared at her fingers.

　　"Asada-san, I thought you wouldn't come to the festival. After all, you seem very busy recently."

　　"Unfortunately, this is a Student Council group activity, and all members must be present. If not, I don't want to come here especially for the crowd." Shinichi shrugged. "Even though I got separated from them not too long ago."

　　"Ahaha..." Furuhashi laughed, happy that she didn't invite him over. Otherwise, she would have a high chance of being rejected, and she didn't want Shinichi to be in a dilemma between them and the Student Council.

　　"However, what a coincidence to meet Asada-san in such a place." Furuhashi sighed, and Shinichi agreed.

　　The shrine square was so big, what he and Kei were doing in the alley happened to be seen by a passing Furuhashi, it was like a joke of the gods, it was a very desirable coincidence.

Luckily, Furuhashi was the type of woman who wouldn't misunderstand with just one glance.

　　But even so, Shinichi didn't know why, explaining it like he was talking to herself.

　　"The junior from middle school just now was the president's little sister… She was pushed by a pickpocket, and the ice cream stuck to my shirt, and after helping her deal with the police, I chatted with her about the Student Council."

　　As Shinichi spoke clearly, Furuhashi nodded, and a gentle smile slowly appeared.

　　She just looked at the ground, not letting Shinichi beside her discover that she was smiling happily now.

　　Not because of what happened between him and Kei. Furuhashi understands Shinichi, knows his expressions, emotions, and his way of doing things. She knew that he was definitely not the kind of pervert who would molest an underage girl in a dark alley.

　　Except for when she saw him and the other party tightly entangled in the alley for the first time, her head went blank, her heart stopped beating as if it had been hit by a heavy punch, and she was cold and unable to move, as long as she calmed down, she could see the gist of events through observation, and respond in the right way.

　　That's right, just like math, no matter how difficult the problem, there must be a key formula that can solve all the mess, and she can find it with careful observation.

　　This point was also taught by Shinichi to Furuhashi.

　　[Don't panic when you encounter difficulties, trust your eyes and judgment ability, and discover the truth hidden beneath appearances.]

　　Thanks to this sentence, Furuhashi calmed down in less than three seconds at that moment, and after looking at Shinichi seriously, her heart held back, and she jokingly eased the embarrassment caused by her combined atmosphere.

　　Hence, she would be displeased that she knew the details of this matter. After all, she had never suspected him in the first place.

　　What made Furuhashi happy was the explanation, only this movement.

　　Why did he have to explain it to herself?

　　Because he cares about her.

　　Realizing this, her chest felt warm and the smile at the corners of her mouth couldn't be held back.

　　So why does she feel this way?

　　(Maybe... Because I care about him too.)

　　Said so calmly in her heart, her face couldn't help but feel a little hot.

　　"...Well, that's how it is."

　　After finishing speaking, Shinichi looked at the passing crowd while feeling embarrassed.

　　Just explain, why he's acting like he's shying away with a guilty conscience, and afraid of being misunderstood as a cheating boyfriend...

　　He glanced at Furuhashi, but saw that the white ears between her hair had been dyed a red hue.

　　Furuhashi seemed to have sensed the sight, and quickly turned her head.

　　"First, don't talk about this! Asada-san, seeing a girl's yukata, it would be rude not to compliment her?"

　　Shinichi saw her waving her yukata sleeve.

　　"You want me to compliment how beautiful you are?"

　　The corners of Furuhashi's eyes twitched,: "Wrong answer! Big point deduction! How can anyone directly ask a girl like this!"

　　"Isn't that okay?" Shinichi had a serious expression: "Then let me think about it… Do you want me to tell the truth or lie?"

　　"That is wrong! Now is not the time to flaunt your humor! When an ordinary girl heard you ask that question, she already gave you a minus!" Furuhashi looked at him seriously.

　　"Hmm, so that's how it is." Shinichi nodded. "It's a big problem not to ask this question to ordinary girls in the future."

"Is the solution here..." Furuhashi complained.

　　"So? Do you want to hear lies, or the truth?" Shinichi glanced at her up and down and asked with a smile.

　　Under his gaze, Furuhashi turned her head away.

　　"Since you've asked me that… Then let me listen to the lies first!" Furuhashi said in a casual tone.

　　"The lie is..." Shinichi lengthened his tone, and after a short pause, he said seriously, "I heard that slimmer (flat) and thinner (plank) people look better in yukata."

　　"😐"

　　The atmosphere is quiet and dignified.

　　Furuhashi revealed a very bright smile, with killing intent hidden in her smile.

　　"Asada-san, I was deaf for about ten seconds, can you repeat that sentence again?"

　　"Oh... Of course, I can say as many times as you want."

　　Shinichi just smiled, and spoke sensibly.

　　"What I'm saying is something like a yukata is fine, it doesn't matter at all for me who just wants to study!"

Furuhashi stared at him for a few seconds. After noticing that one's face would become thicker than a city wall under certain circumstances, she punched his arm with her fist in a show of discipline.

　　"Points deducted, you dare to insinuate about a girl's figure!"

　　"Okay, I was wrong." Shinichi shrugged nonchalantly, and continued casually, "Then the truth, it's very good, you look like you're wearing a yukata."

　　After the words fell, Shinichi watched the crowd in front of him, and started to count the number of males and females, and tried to deduce the ratio of males and females in the entire festival.

　　For Furuhashi...

　　Her face blushed as she smiled.

　　She lowered her head, drew herself closer to Shinichi, stared at the pair of shadows under her feet, Furuhashi was praying in her heart.

　　—Once was enough, wish the satisfaction of this moment could last a little longer.