"Let's go."
Tsukikawa Shū gently took Gotō Hitori's small hand in his.
The two of them, both with schoolbags slung over their shoulders, wandered the streets together.
In front of Hitori's eyes, her system interface still displayed the countdown to the next Inner World entry — but even though it showed less than a day remaining, she wasn't worried at all.
With her hand held in his, an inexplicable warmth spread through her. A sense of reassurance.Maybe… this was what it meant to be in love.
Still—why hadn't he said anything about her change today?
Had all her effort just gone unnoticed?
Walking half a step behind, Gotō Hitori stared at Shū's back.
All throughout their little date, she'd been trying — and failing — to get his attention.
Like earlier, when they were eating, she'd "accidentally" dropped her chopsticks so they fell near him, then bent down to pick them up — making sure her new white ribbon on her head was clearly visible.
Or when they went shopping, she deliberately walked ahead of him, subtly showing off her outfit and hairstyle.
And yet… Tsukikawa Shū hadn't reacted at all.Not a word. Not a glance.
"Uuuh…"
A faint sound of disappointment escaped her lips.
Before she knew it, the sun had begun to set, the sky streaked with orange and gold. Time was slipping away.
Am I really that invisible? Hitori thought gloomily, glancing down at her uniform and tugging nervously at her skirt hem.
Even in this bright, eye-catching outfit, she still went unnoticed.
Well, it's just a normal school uniform… nothing special. Of course no one would pay attention.
They reached the crosswalk — the point where they'd have to part ways for the day.
"Ichiri."
Just as she was about to let go of his hand, Shū suddenly called out.
"Y-yes!"
Startled, Gotō Hitori responded instinctively, voice a bit too loud.Then she froze, standing there nervously, looking up at him like a small puppy waiting for instructions.
Even though they were dating, her ingrained social anxiety never went away — if anything, it got worse around him, since he was her only romantic partner.
But this time, no words came from Shū. No command, no teasing remark.
Only the sudden warmth and softness that pressed against her lips.
"W–w–wha—!?"
Hitori's eyes flew wide open as she instinctively leaned back a little, her whole body stiff.
Her first kiss.
Wait—weren't you supposed to close your eyes during a kiss? That's what TV dramas always showed, right? Should she close them now? Should she??
Her brain completely short-circuited.
She didn't know how to react, didn't know how to savor the moment — just stood there frozen, eyes wide, heart pounding.
She could feel the faint evening breeze brushing against her cheek, her long hair fluttering lightly.A train roared past nearby.
After a few seconds, Tsukikawa Shū slowly pulled away.
Hitori was still dazed — her face bright red, eyes glassy.
"Y-you—you—what was that for—?!"
Her voice trembled, embarrassment exploding through her body like a fever.
"Because," Shū said with a light smile, "you look really cute today."
"Different from usual."
"Y-you knew!?"
"Of course," he replied easily. "I noticed the moment I saw you. You've been making sure I'd see it all day."
"And, by the way, the way you kept trying to show off was cute too."
"Uwaaaaaaah—!"
Gotō Hitori's head felt like it was about to start steaming.
He knew the whole time — and she still went out of her way to act clever, trying to make him notice!
Thinking about it now, the embarrassment was unbearable.
She'd done it so many times!
Little Bocchi's black history: +1, +1, +1…
After walking her home, Shū smiled as he watched her hurriedly shut the door, face completely red.
And so ended another episode of his quietly mischievous love story.
Heh. Bocchi-chan really is adorable.
Back home, Tsukikawa Shū first stopped by the supermarket to buy ingredients for dinner.He cooked, portioned the meal into two boxes, and as usual, carried one next door.
He knocked lightly.
From inside came the familiar sound of a game battle — explosions, clicks, and the shrill voice of a certain pink-and-white-haired gamer girl shouting at her screen.
A moment later, the door cracked open — slightly wider than before — and a little ahoge shaped like a crescent moon poked through the gap.
Compared to her wild, noisy gaming persona, Yosayama Mahiru in person looked like a timid little quail.
"Here," Shū said, holding out the lunchbox. "Dinner. Remember to return the box tomorrow morning."
"And don't stay up all night gaming again."
"Mm…" came the soft, obedient reply.
Mahiru's day-night schedule was usually a disaster, but ever since Shū started cooking for her, she'd been forced to adjust.
After all, not returning the lunchbox on time would be bad. She'd get scolded!
Besides… Shū's cooking was delicious.After tasting it a few times, she hadn't even touched her usual instant noodles since.
Normally, Mahiru would have just closed the door right there — but tonight, she hesitated.
"What's up?" Shū asked.
"Uuuh…"
After a moment of thought, Mahiru opened the door a little wider.She handed something over.
A game cartridge.
When Shū looked back up, she was already half-hiding behind the door, peeking at him with only her eyes visible.
"Sis—no wait, that's wrong—uh, brother? No, that's not right either…" she mumbled, cheeks pink. "Minori said I should… uh… learn to thank people."
She paused, then, in that soft, uncertain tone of hers, continued, "So… here. Take this."
In truth, Mahiru had spent quite a while trying to find something to give him — something that could count as a proper thank-you for all the meals.
Her figures? No way.Her **"special" collection"? Absolutely not.
So, in the end, the only thing she could bring herself to offer… was a game.
She just hoped he actually had a console — otherwise, this would be super awkward.
"Then thank you," Shū said with a smile, accepting it.
"Um…"
Mahiru hesitated again, voice barely a whisper.
"Are we… friends? Minori said friends are supposed to give each other gifts."
"Yeah. We're friends," Shū replied.
"Yay!"
Mahiru's face lit up instantly, blurting out the word without thinking — pure joy bursting out of her.
She'd been alone for so long, shut inside her room, with no friends at all.
But then she realized what she'd just done, her face turning scarlet.
"I—I—I'm gonna go shower now!"
She slammed the door shut in a flustered panic.
Shū chuckled softly at the sight of the firmly closed door.
Mahiru's pretty cute too.