Last Destination

"I'm glad to see that you like them. They're books I found on my journey. I've gone through them already, so I'm lending them to you now… I'm sure they'll be—"

Before I could conclude my statement, Ana jumped into my arms and hugged me tightly.

It was unexpected, and my body slightly tilted backward as she rested her weight on me.

'She's so light.'

I caught a faint whiff of her smell. She smelled good—though a bit sweaty.

Still…

"A-ah! S-sorry for being so forward." Ana snapped back to reality after a few seconds of being locked in my embrace.

As she began drawing away, I pulled her back and smiled.

"No, it's fine."

'It's my fault for not hugging her back…'

Even though we were friends, why was I being too formal?

'No more!'

If I didn't give her enough emotional support, Ana could end up kissing another guy. If this was what I needed to do for her… then I wasn't going to hold back.