"Were you surprised?"
Seeing Mahiru smiling mischievously at home, Shu secretly smiles bitterly.
"I was surprised that it came so fast."
"Recently, I've come to understand that Zhou-kun has to be somewhat forceful."
"Left-handed"
The reason why he was so aggressive was probably because he knew that Zhou would run away. Well, in that scene, they couldn't escape because of the encirclement network.
Shu was scared because he didn't expect Mahiru to push him that hard, but he was relieved because it was just talk and no physical contact.
If someone were to engage in such innocent and unconscious skinship as at home, a blade of jealousy would surely fly. He may be pampering himself as the person he trusts the most, but those around him don't realize that.
"Well, I'll do my best little by little as long as it doesn't affect Zhou-kun's life, but if anything happens, please let me know."
Mahiru is also aware of his own influence, so he seems to be trying not to approach him too quickly.
From Zhou's perspective, it was a sudden approach, but he remained silent for now.
"Well, it's fine for now.
"I see. Um...didn't you hate it when I talked to you at school...?"
It seems that he was still concerned about Zhou's reluctance at first.
"I knew you were lonely in the middle of the day. It's bad to leave your friends out, and you'll be tired in the middle of the day."
"...friend"
"yeah?"
"No, whatever."
His worried expression turned to dissatisfied, which made him confused, but he didn't seem to want to talk.
In the middle of the day, when he turned away slightly, Zhou guessed that he must have been in a bad mood and stroked his head for the time being.
"...I don't think that just patting your head will solve everything."
"I don't think so, but I think I'll be happy."
"I'm happy, but...please don't do that to anyone, when you're trying to mislead me."
"I don't do it other than midday, but..."
In the first place, Chitose is the only other girl I'm on good terms with. She rarely petted Chitose. I don't think Chitose would be happy with that either.
Then it's only midday, and I don't think I want to do it other than midday. Since I only want to pamper her in the middle of the day, Hana didn't have the option of giving it to someone else.
I thought I was being serious about what I was saying, but Mahiru looked down and started hitting me with the cushion he was holding, so it seemed like he didn't like it.
I stopped, wondering if I should stop, but this time he headbutted me in the upper arm.
It didn't hurt, but Mahiru's been getting a little aggressive lately, and I can't help but be perplexed.
"... Zhou-kun's idiot"
"Why?"
"How hard should I try..."
"Well, I don't really understand what midday is saying, but if you work too hard, you'll only get tired, so be moderate..."
"If you don't work hard, nothing will happen."
Then Mahiru looked up from behind Shu's shoulder, looking up at him with a hint of resentment, but also with shame and a little hope.
Because his slightly moist eyes were so close, my gaze began to wander.
"In the end, what do you want me to do in the middle of the day?"
"... from the continuation of stroking."
So, I guess I still have things to ask around, but it didn't seem like midday would ask for anything else, so for the time being, I'll gently stroke midday's head again and run hard to get in a good mood. was around.