204: Little Cat

Hitori stared blankly at Chisato in front of her, momentarily at a loss for words or reaction.

She didn't realize that she had been following the stalking experience in her dreams since leaving school. 

Not only had she trailed him from a distance, but she had also hidden behind cover the entire way.

It should have been completely foolproof, so why had she been discovered?

"Sigh—"

Chisato didn't reach out to touch Hitori; instead, he mimicked her actions and squatted down in front of her.

The three places he often visited were his home, his part-time job, and the performance hall at school.

Thanks to the Dark Wings, the crows near these locations had become his eyes and ears for gathering information. 

Given this, how could he not know that a little tail was following him from afar?

But, as expected, Hitori still noticed.

Although Kazusa didn't display any special intimacy with her in the music room during lunch, the eyes of a girl caught up in happiness couldn't be deceived.

Hitori had a withdrawn personality as a cover, and due to her experiences in the dream, she could hide such emotions, making it difficult for others to notice her affection for Chisato.

But the innocent and lonely Kazusa was completely different. 

She was like a child who had just received a coveted new toy, unable to wait to take it everywhere and show it off to the world.

Sure enough, after getting close to Kazusa, the first person she confided in was undoubtedly Chisato.

"Why are you crying?"

Chisato reached out, touched Hitori's head, and gently pinched her soft little face. The sensation was still so addictive.

"...No, I didn't cry."

Hitori's eyes were sore, yet she was eager to deny it. She waited patiently for Chisato's grip to loosen, then slowly lowered her head to hide her embarrassed expression.

"I just... happened to be passing by. I feel a little uncomfortable today. I don't plan to go to Chisato. I want to go home and rest."

"I see. What a coincidence to see you here."

Hitori nodded slowly, still trying to hide her expression from him.

"So, when Kazusa and I kissed just now, you didn't see us at all?"

"Wh-when?!"

Hitori looked up in surprise, and this time the tears that had been swirling in her eyes finally flowed freely.

This performance made Chisato both amused and distressed. He took out a tissue and gently wiped her tears.

During this exchange, he didn't respond to Hitori's words, but gradually, she realized that her secret had been exposed.

"Sorry..."

After Chisato helped her up, Hitori's eyes were red, and she rubbed the corners of her clothes with her hands, apologizing shyly.

"There's no need to apologize. Hitori is my little kitten. That's what we agreed on before."

"But I did something wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"Following you secretly... If Touma-san finds out, there will definitely be serious consequences."

"Not to mention whether she will find out; it doesn't matter even if she does." 

"Just like you know the relationship between her and me, when the time is right, I will tell her about our relationship and help her accept your presence."

Chisato held her hands and brought them together, then kissed them.

"So, no matter what you do, it doesn't matter, and there's no need to apologize."

The boy's words were like a gentle breeze blowing from Coconut Lake on a warm spring day, softly brushing her face. 

She felt the freshness of the leaves and the healing embrace of nature. Her originally cold body was now filled with warmth.

Today, she had realized that her relationship with Chisato and Kazusa could, to a certain extent, mirror the dream she had experienced.

So while she felt extreme worry, she also felt extreme pessimism.

She believed that, in some way, she would end up in the same situation as in her dream, merely serving as a transitional choice for Chisato.

When the time came, she feared she would be ruthlessly abandoned, while the person she liked would turn and naturally be with the one he truly desired.

After all, compared to the talented musical prodigy Kazusa, she felt overshadowed in terms of talent. 

She was taller but not as impressive, and even her looks, family background, and personality put her at a disadvantage.

Regardless of the comparison, she found herself undeniably lacking.

However, Chisato's recent words and promises had brightened her gloomy, pessimistic mood.

Hitori, who had lived alone in her little world until now, had experienced loneliness far more intensely than Kazusa.

At least Kazusa wouldn't force herself to sleep in a closet no bigger than one square meter, with no ventilation or light. 

Nor would she collapse against the wall and faint when speaking to others out of nervousness.

In fact, this could be regarded as a somewhat morbid symptom. 

Such symptoms had become so severe that even after experiencing a simulation, the situation had only improved slightly, not completely cured.

The twin blades of insecurity and pessimism still pierced deeply into her heart, shaking her thinking and behavior.

Considering this, her actions today were not difficult to predict.

Chisato realized something and offered those words of reassurance.

Hitori lifted her head again, light returning to her eyes as she added,

"I will always like Hitori. Didn't I already say that you are my cat?"

He slowly leaned closer to Hitori's hands, which he held in front of him. This time, however, it wasn't a kiss.

He opened his mouth slightly and gently bit her fingertips. 

His affectionate gaze, enhanced by his "charming electric eyes," pierced directly into Hitori's heart, instantly shattering her unease.

At that moment, Hitori felt a tingling sensation as he nibbled her fingertips. Her eyes turned pink and hazy, while her hands, feet, and consciousness felt somewhat powerless.

Chisato supported Hitori, whose legs had grown weak, and smoothly held her in his arms. He leaned close to her ear and whispered,

"It's okay if you can't go to work later today. I'll take you home first."

"I don't want to."

Hitori gently grasped his collar.

"I—I'm going to Starry to contact everyone about Guitar."

The pink-haired girl's voice returned to its original, natural, and cheerful tone.

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