As Shiina Mahiru placed her hands around Mochizuki Yo's neck, Mochizuki also gently held the area below Shiina Mahiru's knees, his fingers slightly tightening their grip.
After feeling the increasing weight on his back, Mochizuki Yo said 'hold on' and then slowly stood up and began to walk.
"Mm."
Shiina Mahiru responded with a soft 'mm' due to extreme shyness; if the two hadn't been so close at that moment, Mochizuki Yo might not have heard Shiina's reply.
Although Shiina Mahiru wasn't completely pressed against Mochizuki Yo's back, as Mochizuki walked forward, Mochizuki Yo occasionally felt a soft touch against his back.
At this moment, both of them had very rich inner thoughts.
"It smells a little fragrant..."
"No, no, I can't think nonsense.
How can I have such thoughts about my savior?
That's too immoral."
"My hands are a little sore, but I can still bear it.
Shiina Mahiru is very light; it would be embarrassing if I really couldn't carry her."
Mochizuki Yo walked forward silently while thinking all sorts of random thoughts.
If Mochizuki Yo were to look back at Shiina Mahiru, he would definitely see that Shiina Mahiru's pretty face was flushed red at this time.
Shiina Mahiru felt that her face must be burning, and she prayed in her heart that Mochizuki wouldn't turn back and see.
"I feel so embarrassed.
I have to trouble Mochizuki-kun to carry me, and... I'm so shy."
"This is the first time she's been so close to a boy."
"Although Mochizuki-kun looks very thin, he's unexpectedly strong."
"Why is it that every time I encounter difficulties, Mochizuki-kun can appear in time?"
"That's really nice; if only, if only we could keep walking like this."
Shiina Mahiru was also lost in thought, even having strange ideas, but she quickly cleared them out.
However, as her thoughts drifted, her body gradually pressed closer to Mochizuki Yo.
Finally, her chin rested on Mochizuki Yo's shoulder, and her brown sugar-colored eyes seriously watched Mochizuki's profile.
Mochizuki Yo also felt Shiina's closeness; Shiina's soft golden long hair brushed against his ear, and occasionally, a gentle breeze blew, causing a few strands to flutter in front of his eyes, allowing him to smell a faint fragrance.
It must be the smell of shampoo.
Also, Shiina Mahiru's exhaled breath lightly touched his neck, making him feel a little ticklish.
Mochizuki Yo decided to say something.
"Shiina Student, why are you going back so late today?"
"Mochizuki student, why are you so late today?
I remember you going home after school."
Just as Mochizuki asked, Shiina, as if by telepathy, asked the same question.
The two of them smiled softly, both a little embarrassed.
"I went to work part-time at the bookstore, so I came back late, and then I fell because I was in a hurry on the way."
Shiina Mahiru was the first to explain.
Mochizuki Yo thought to himself, so that's how it is, part-time work.
I also need to hurry up with my light novel money-making plan, otherwise I won't even be able to afford instant noodles; maybe I should buy dried noodles next time?
"I went to participate in club activities; I just joined today."
Mochizuki Yo answered bitterly, blaming Shizuka Hiratsuka; who would hurry up and marry him off?
Shiina Mahiru noticed Mochizuki's bitterness and smiled softly; her laughter was very pleasant, and she was also very curious about which club Mochizuki had joined.
"It's not okay not to participate in club activities, Mochizuki student.
Can you tell me which club it is?"
"Service Club."
"Service Club?
Mochizuki student, you didn't join some strange club, did you?"
Shiina Mahiru asked with a curious expression.
Exactly, even Angel thinks so; it's clearly just a weird name, and she even said I was taking it literally, that sharp-tongued Yukinoshita.
"Actually, it's a club that helps people."
"Oh, that's good.
Go for it, Mochizuki student."
Shiina Mahiru raised her small fists with both hands to cheer for Mochizuki Yo, with an encouraging look.
"Actually, I was forced to join; I was forced by Shizuka Hiratsuka Teacher, and there are only two people in this club."
Mochizuki Yo explained to Shiina, afraid that he would let down her encouragement; he just wanted to slack off in the club.
"Two people?
That few?"
"Yes, just me and Yukinoshita, Yukino Yukinoshita?
You know her, right?"
"Ah, Yukino Yukinoshita, I know her.
That person is amazing; I heard from classmates that she's very beautiful, has a good family background, and was first in the entrance exams, but she seems difficult to get along with."
Shiina Mahiru was a little surprised, partly because it was a club with only two people, and partly because the Bucho (Club President) was the rumored Yukino Yukinoshita.
"Yes, that's right.
Not only is she an ice queen, but she's also sharp-tongued."
"Sharp-tongued?
Did something happen?"
Shiina Mahiru asked with curiosity, but Mochizuki Yo felt it wasn't good to talk about Yukinoshita behind her back.
If she found out, he didn't know how she would retaliate.
However, he wasn't afraid of her retaliation; he just didn't feel like speaking ill of her.
"Nothing.
Shiina Student is also very beautiful; you are Angel, you know."
Mochizuki Yo changed the subject.
"Ugh, Mochizuki student, don't make fun of me."
Shiina Mahiru replied shyly.
Actually, Shiina Mahiru didn't really like being called Angel by others, but at this moment, hearing that word from Mochizuki Yo's mouth, she felt a little happy instead.
"I'm not.
If Shiina has any difficulties, you can also come to our club."
"Mm, okay."
While talking, Mochizuki Yo also carried Shiina Mahiru to the apartment building downstairs.
"Mochizuki student, why don't you put me down?
We're at the stairs."
"It's okay, mere stairs can't stop me."
After a strenuous climb, they finally reached the door of their respective homes.
Mochizuki Yo put down Shiina Mahiru, Mahiru took out the key and opened the door, and entered the house with Mochizuki's support.
Mochizuki Yo felt his hands were finally free.
It seemed he needed to strengthen his exercise.
His hands would definitely be very sore tomorrow.
How embarrassing.
"Shiina's room is so tidy; it's much better than mine."
Mochizuki Yo's eyes surveyed the room.
There weren't many items or furniture in the house; most of them were provided by the apartment.
Various items were placed very neatly, and the floor was also very clean.
The whole room gave a feeling of being relaxed and spacious.
Unlike his own, where there was nowhere to even step.
Shiina Mahiru smiled softly, "As long as Mochizuki student tidies up seriously, you can do it too."
"I'm lazier, haha."
Under Shiina Mahiru's guidance, Mochizuki Yo helped Mahiru get the first-aid kit, then opened it and took out the medicine and cotton swabs.
Mochizuki Yo watched from the side as Shiina gently wiped the medicine on the wounds and bruises, adding, "It's best to rub it a bit, otherwise the bruises won't dissipate so easily."
"Oh, okay."
Shiina moved her finger to touch the bruised area, and before she even used much force, a painful expression appeared on her face.
"It hurts."
"How about I do it?"
Mochizuki Yo looked at Shiina Mahiru with a questioning gaze.
"Can you?
Then I'll trouble you."
"It's okay.
I'll try to be as gentle as possible, Shiina.
Bear with it."
After saying that, Mochizuki Yo slowly supported Shiina Mahiru's calf with one hand, and with the fingers of his other hand, he began to press on the bruised area.
And Shiina Mahiru, not caring about being shy, felt the pain coming from her foot.
Fortunately, the pain lasted for a very short time.
After about twenty seconds, Mochizuki had stopped.
The bruise on the wound had become much lighter, replaced by a patch of redness, and Shiina Mahiru also felt the pain gradually decreasing, accompanied by a slight coolness.
"How does it feel?"
"It seems much better, Arigato, Mochizuki-kun."
Shiina Mahiru's expression was first joyful, then her smile suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
Oh no, in her carelessness, she called him Mochizuki-kun.
Mochizuki student wouldn't mind, would he?
"Oh, that's good."
Mochizuki Yo also smiled, showing a satisfied expression.
It seemed he hadn't noticed.
"Then I'll be going now.
Bye-bye."
"Mm!
Bye..."
Watching Mochizuki Yo turn around and leave, before she could say 'bye-bye', Shiina Mahiru lightly bit her lip, seemingly hesitating about what to say.
Finally, she spoke.
"Wait, Mochizuki student, can I call you Mochizuki-kun from now on?"
Mochizuki Yo turned back in surprise, met with Shiina's expectant gaze.
Although very shy, Shiina still gathered her courage to look Mochizuki directly in the eyes.
"Huh?
Of course you can!"
For Mochizuki, it was just a slight change in address; he certainly wouldn't mind, and who would refuse Shiina Mahiru?
"If Shiina needs anything, you can come over and find me."
After Mochizuki Yo left, Shiina Mahiru gently touched her cheeks with both hands.
"It feels a little hot?"
If Shiina were to push back the hair by her ears and look in the mirror at this moment, she would definitely notice that her ears were even redder.
"Is this what it feels like to be cared for?
It's so nice, so warm..."
If Mochizuki Yo's system could see the capture progress, the favorability must have increased significantly at this point.