Futaba's Conflict

Eri woke up right before the bus arrived at their stop. She straightened up, looking slightly embarrassed about falling asleep. Her hair got a little disheveled but it was easy to fix by combing it with my fingers. Although that gesture could be taken as intimate, the girl leaned into it, allowing me to take care of her before we stood up to leave.

Futaba didn't say anything. However, there was an unmistakable silent reprimand in her eyes when she saw me still acting so intimately with Eri. But she knew better than to make a scene now that we've arrived. After all, we would reach Eri's house soon. Furthermore, Eri also became conscious enough not to link arms with me after getting off the bus.

As we approached the house, Eri's eyes grew glossy with sleepiness and perhaps shame, but she pushed out a cheerful smile, "Thank you for walking me home, Ruki. And for knocking some sense into me. Escort Futaba safely too!"