Chapter 290
"I-It's fine..."
Yotsuya Miko knew very well that Irisviel harbored no ill will toward her.
But!
Gazing at the full figure hidden beneath Irisviel's long dress, Miko's eyes were filled with a touch of dread. So, those things could actually become lethal weapons once they reached a certain size?
If that was the case, didn't that mean...
Thinking this, Miko's gaze subconsciously flickered toward Yurikawa Hana beside her.
"Are you okay, Miko?"
The moment Miko looked up, she saw Hana's face, which was brimming with concern.
"I'm fine..."
The corner of Miko's mouth twitched slightly, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for the thought she'd just had.
.
.
.
"Well then, we'll be taking our leave now."
Miko and Hana stayed at the Hikigaya residence until the afternoon. Seeing the sun outside the living room window gradually sinking below the horizon, the two rose to say goodbye.
"You're welcome to come over and play again anytime~"
Facing their departure, Irisviel seemed particularly reluctant to see them go. One had to realize that today was the only time she had ever played a girl's game (otome game) online—or rather, together—with anyone other than Illya. It felt like they'd only played a few rounds, yet time had somehow slipped from morning to dusk...
"Yes, I'll try my best..."
Hearing Irisviel's invitation, the smile on Miko's face stiffened.
Admittedly, they had a lot of fun playing games with Irisviel. But remembering her previous experience of nearly ascending to heaven (from the physical contact), Miko resolved in her heart to try and keep their meetings strictly online in the future. After all, meeting an online friend in person was just too terrifying!
After exchanging farewells, Miko and Hana changed back into their shoes at the entrance and stepped out of the Hikigaya house. However, they hadn't been gone for long when Hachiman Hikigaya came rushing out after them.
"Hikigaya-kun?"
Miko looked at the pursuing Hachiman in confusion. Did he run out because they had left something behind? Thinking this, Miko began checking her pockets to see if anything was missing.
"I'll walk you both back."
Rubbing his backside—which had just been kicked by Komachi—Hachiman explained the reason he'd caught up with a wry smile.
"Oh-ho-ho!"
Upon hearing Hachiman's words, Hana, standing to the side, immediately let out a strange cry. She leaned in close to Miko and poked her back lightly with her finger.
"Since Hikigaya-kun plans to walk Miko home, I won't play the third wheel! See you two later~"
With that, Hana stretched her legs, ready to bolt. However, in the next second, Hachiman reached out and grabbed her collar, hauling her back.
"My mission is to see both of you safely all the way home!"
Looking at Hana, who was determined to head home alone just to create a private moment for them, Hachiman's face was full of helplessness. Although given the current state of public security, nothing would likely happen if Hana went back alone, Hachiman didn't want to gamble. Moreover, the mission he received from Komachi was to ensure the safety of both...
"Then walk me home first!"
Seeing her first plan fail, Hana's eyes rolled as she immediately came up with an alternative. As long as she reached home first, the rest of the journey would still result in the two of them being alone!
"Hana!"
Hearing her best friend's proposal, a hint of bashful annoyance appeared on Miko's face. While she didn't dislike the idea of walking home with Hachiman, the meaning Hana was implying was just a bit too blatant...
"Ehehe..."
Seeing Miko's intense reaction, Hana tapped her head playfully, feigning cuteness.
.
.
.
As the sun sank completely below the horizon, Chiba fully entered the nighttime hours.
Hachiman and Miko walked silently down the street, with occasional pedestrians hurrying past them.
"Give it your best shot~"
Hana's parting words from before she reached her house suddenly flashed through Miko's mind. She looked up at Hachiman's right hand beside her, which was swinging rhythmically with his stride...
'Give it my best?'
Murmuring the thought in her heart, Miko quietly reached her left hand forward. However, at the very moment their hands were about to touch, Hachiman turned his head.
"........."
Their eyes met. Miko silently withdrew her hand and awkwardly turned her face away. This was too embarrassing!
"Yotsuya, do you really like me?"
"Eh?"
Completely blindsided by Hachiman's sudden question, Miko instantly forgot her overwhelming embarrassment and turned her head back in astonishment to meet Hachiman's gaze.
"The Suspension Bridge Effect—you know about it, right, Yotsuya?"
Hachiman looked up at the quiet sky and continued.
"Of course!"
Miko nodded slightly.
The Suspension Bridge Effect refers to the phenomenon where a person crossing a precarious bridge experiences an involuntary racing heart. If they happen to meet another person at that moment, they might mistake the rapid heartbeat caused by the situation for a physiological response triggered by the other person, thus fostering romantic feelings for them.
She had known about this since middle school, so she easily explained the principle behind the effect. But as soon as she finished, she suddenly realized what Hachiman was implying...
"Do you think, Hikigaya-kun, that the reason I like you is just because of the Suspension Bridge Effect?"
"....."
Hachiman did not answer Miko's question; he chose silence instead. He couldn't give a definitive answer to her question. Because they had spent so much time together, even he couldn't judge exactly what kind of emotion Miko felt for him.
However, just because Hachiman didn't say it didn't mean Miko didn't know.
"I admit, when I first confessed to you, the fact that you saved me certainly played a part in it. But afterward, I truly did fall in love with you!"
Miko did not deny that her original motive for confessing to Hachiman was "tainted." After all, at that time, she was being harassed by all sorts of evil spirits every single day, and on the day she met Hachiman, she had nearly lost her life to one...
To finally find a companion who could see the spirits and even protect her safety—coupled with the fact that he had risked his life to save her—it was only natural for feelings to sprout impulsively in that situation, wasn't it?
Furthermore...
"In the time we spent together afterward, I became completely captivated by you, Hikigaya-kun!"
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