After Mochizuki brought Miku home, under Shiina Mahiru's warm welcome, the three of them happily finished their meal together.
Nothing too special happened.
Until it was time to leave.
Mochizuki remembered that Miku's headphones were still on the sofa.
Of course, he wouldn't wear headphones around his neck while eating like Miku did.
Although when he took off the headphones, Miku stared at him for a while.
So Mochizuki quickly retrieved the headphones, went out to catch up, and soon caught up with Miku on the stairs.
"Wait, Miku, you forgot your headphones."
Miku stopped, and said softly, "This, I'm giving it to you."
Mochizuki: "Oh, I see. Thank you. I'll give you something next time too."
Miku lightly hummed, "You have to... take good care of it. This is very special. Also, you have to tell me the stories of the military commanders."
Mochizuki patted his chest, indicating it was no problem.
Miku happily left with small steps.
After seeing Miku off.
Mochizuki returned inside.
He said to Shiina Mahiru, "You worked hard."
Because Shiina Mahiru had already tidied up the dining table in that short amount of time.
Shiina Mahiru smiled sweetly and said it was alright.
Although Miku doesn't talk much, she's quite easy to get along with!
Like this.
It seems only Nino and Yotsuba haven't had much contact or come here to eat.
I should try to get along well with them too when I have the chance.
At this moment, a confused expression appeared on Shiina Mahiru's face.
Her eyes were fixed on Mochizuki's pocket, and then she blinked.
It seemed like she saw something strange.
"Mochizuki-kun, don't move yet."
Shiina Mahiru stepped forward.
She guessed in her heart that the thread on his clothes must have come undone.
However, when Shiina Mahiru reached her small hand towards Mochizuki's pocket.
Mochizuki also remembered what was inside.
Oh no!
It's Miku's....
Mochizuki felt his forehead start to sweat.
What he should have returned to Miku wasn't the headphones, but this!
Mochizuki took a step back, "Wha... what's wrong, Mahiru?"
Shiina Mahiru smiled and said, "It seems like the pocket on your clothes is broken.
Let me take a look for you."
After speaking, Shiina Mahiru took another step forward and extended her small hand again.
Mochizuki dodged, touched his pocket, pushed something inside, and desperately shook his head.
"It shouldn't be broken, Mahiru, don't worry."
"But I saw the black thread sticking out," Shiina Mahiru explained.
Mochizuki swallowed, smiling bitterly in his heart.
Miku... what am I supposed to do now!
"Then I'll just mend it myself."
Shiina Mahiru looked at Mochizuki with a doubtful expression, "Can you sew? Mochizuki-kun."
"No problem!
Mahiru, you just need to lend me a needle and thread."
Mochizuki answered confidently.
"Let me do it instead."
Shiina Mahiru extended her small hand again, wanting to see what was going on with Mochizuki's pocket.
"I'd rather not trouble you, Mahiru."
Mochizuki covered his pocket with one hand, and gently held Shiina Mahiru's slender wrist with the other.
The contact between his wrist and her fingers made Shiina Mahiru's pretty face flush slightly.
"It's alright."
Mochizuki was momentarily speechless.
What to do... were there any other excuses?
He had run out of ideas.
He couldn't keep holding Mahiru's wrist either.
"The clothes are fine, Mahiru..."
Shiina Mahiru also said at this moment in a serious tone, "Is it broken or not?
The clothes, Mochizuki-kun, you've been acting like you're hiding something since just now!"
"This..."
Mochizuki felt Shiina Mahiru's gaze and dodged her eyes.
Subconsciously, he let go of Shiina Mahiru's hand.
"And your hand on the pocket," Shiina Mahiru reminded him.
It's over, Mochizuki closed his eyes.
Preparing to face judgment.
Only then did Shiina Mahiru nod with satisfaction, while also being curious about what Mochizuki was hiding.
Shiina Mahiru put her hand into the pocket, wanting to turn it inside out.
However, she took out an item that left her dumbfounded.
The item even carried a trace of warmth from being held close.
Shiina Mahiru blinked her eyes in confusion, as if she couldn't believe what she had seen.
Then, Mahiru clenched the item in her hand, narrowed her eyes, and then gave Mochizuki a "sweet" smile.
"Mochizuki-kun, can you tell me what this is about?"
Mochizuki struggled to open his eyes, but his gaze darted towards the window.
He already felt his pocket empty.
But his heart felt full, filled with a sense of crisis.
"Please look at me."
Mochizuki turned his head to look at Mahiru's angelic face, "Listen to me explain..."
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