Early the next morning, before the alarm clock even rang, Shikime Natsu was the first to get up, then casually switched off the alarm.
Shikime Natsu tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the girl beside him.
Shiina Hiyori was sleeping quietly.
Her long silver hair was scattered across the pillow, the blanket pulled up only to her shoulders, exposing her fair, tender shoulder, her collarbone tracing a lovely arc in the morning light.
Her breathing was very light and slow, her chest rising and falling faintly with each breath.
Her long eyelashes trembled ever so slightly, as if she were dreaming of something.
There even seemed to be a faint trace of a smile at the corners of her lips, making her look quite serene, quite adorable.
Shikime Natsu looked at her in this state, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve up slightly.
He didn't make a sound to disturb her, only quietly watched her for a while.
Then, he gently lifted the blanket, his movements very light and slow, afraid of startling the girl out of her beautiful dream.
He stepped barefoot onto the floor, picked up the clothes lying nearby, and quietly got dressed.
Then he walked into the bathroom.
After washing up, Shikime Natsu changed into a set of casual clothes.
A white shirt paired with dark trousers—simple yet still presentable.
He tidied his hair in front of the mirror, and only after confirming there was nothing out of place did he step out of the bathroom.
He glanced at Shiina Hiyori, still fast asleep on the bed, gave a soft little smile, then picked up his phone and quietly left the room.
The moment the door closed, silence returned to the room once more.
Shiina Hiyori rolled over, mumbled something indistinct, then sank back into a deep sleep.
Shikime Natsu walked out of the dorm and stood before the elevator doors of the dormitory building. It was still early, and there was a hint of coolness in the air that actually felt rather pleasant.
And since it was the weekend, at this early hour, most people basically hadn't gotten out of bed yet. Shikime Natsu's gaze fell on the display screen above the elevator—the elevator was descending from the upper floors.
When the elevator doors opened, Shikime Natsu's gaze fell upon a petite figure inside—it was none other than Mei-Yu Wang.
And at this moment, Mei-Yu Wang's eyes met Shikime Natsu's as well. A flash of pleasant surprise crossed those reddish-purple eyes, and her tone carried a touch of astonishment and joy.
"Na-Natsu...!"
"What a coincidence."
"Mm."
Shikime Natsu nodded, his gaze falling on Mei-Yu Wang as he looked her up and down.
Today Mei-Yu Wang was wearing a light pink dress, the hem falling just at her knees, revealing a stretch of slender, fair calf.
A white belt was fastened around her waist, accentuating her figure just right, and on her feet she wore a pair of white sandals that exposed her small, dainty toes.
Her hair was also styled a bit more delicately than usual—two light pink ribbons tied onto her deep blue twin-tails, making her look quite playful and cute.
Feeling Shikime Natsu's gaze, Mei-Yu Wang's cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly.
She, too, carefully sized up Shikime Natsu's outfit for the day.
A white shirt, dark trousers—clean and crisp, yet still dashing.
Mei-Yu Wang secretly thought to herself that Shikime Natsu looked good in anything; he really was a perfect clothes hanger.
"Mei-chan looks very cute today."
Shikime Natsu said with a smile.
Hearing these words, Mei-Yu Wang's face flushed red all at once.
Her heartbeat quickened a few beats, and she lowered her head, murmuring softly with a bit of embarrassment.
"Th-thank you..."
She paused, then mustered up her courage and lifted her head to look at Shikime Natsu.
"Natsu, you look... very handsome today too..."
When she said these words, her voice was so soft that almost only she herself could hear them.
Shikime Natsu smiled but didn't say much.
The elevator doors closed.
It was very quiet inside the elevator, with only the faint hum of the elevator running.
At this moment, it was just the two of them inside.
Mei-Yu Wang stood beside Shikime Natsu, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart. Today...
She and Shikime Natsu, the two of them...
Were going out to have fun together...
Mm...
This should count as a date, right?
Thinking of this, Mei-Yu Wang's cheeks couldn't help but redden a few shades more.
She secretly stole a glance at Shikime Natsu, only to find that his expression was as usual, without any particular reaction.
He stood there, his gaze calmly looking at his own reflection on the elevator doors.
He looked quite composed, quite natural.
It seemed that Shikime Natsu didn't have that sneaky, nervous feeling at all—mm, only Mei-Yu Wang herself had that sneaky feeling of going out on a date with Shikime Natsu, her little heart pounding away.
Mei-Yu Wang could actually understand Shikime Natsu's calm mood, though. After all, Shikime Natsu was quite a popular boy, and even back before he had started dating any of the other girls, Shikime Natsu had already been out on plenty of dates with lots of girls.
But for her, this was still the first time she was going out alone with Shikime Natsu.
The elevator soon reached the first floor.
The doors opened, and Shikime Natsu stepped out first, with Mei-Yu Wang following behind him.
The two of them headed together toward the Keyaki Mall.
The Keyaki Mall in the early morning didn't have too many people yet.
Most of the shops had only just begun to open, giving off a somewhat deserted air.
But this quiet atmosphere actually made Mei-Yu Wang feel a little relaxed.
If there were too many people, she would instead feel a bit tense.
As the two of them walked along the mall corridor, a question suddenly occurred to Mei-Yu Wang.
She turned her head, looked at Shikime Natsu, and opened her mouth a little bashfully to ask.
"Um... Natsu."
"Hm?"
"Where are we... going today...?"
She paused, then continued as if explaining something.
"Yesterday... it seems we never really talked about the specific plans..."
Hearing this question, Shikime Natsu smiled, then spoke.
"Is there anywhere Mei-chan would like to go?"
He handed the initiative over to Mei-Yu Wang.
Hearing these words, Mei-Yu Wang couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
Then her heart began to grow nervous.
She had originally thought that wherever Shikime Natsu wanted to go, she would just tag along.
But now that Shikime Natsu had handed the choice over to her, Mei-Yu Wang instead felt somewhat at a loss.
She began rapidly calculating in her mind.
Where would be good to go? Hmm, where indeed...
It had to be fun, but also couldn't make Shikime Natsu spend too much money.
After all, she didn't have many personal points on hand.
If they went somewhere that required spending a lot of personal points, it would definitely be Shikime Natsu who paid.
She didn't want to make Shikime Natsu spend too much.
Even though she knew Shikime Natsu was not short on personal points.
But...
In Mei-Yu Wang's heart, she felt the two of them were just ordinary friends.
Even if they became boyfriend and girlfriend in the future, she shouldn't take Shikime Natsu's kindness toward her for granted.
This was the thought in Mei-Yu Wang's heart.
She believed that one person being kind to another was a kindness freely given, not an obligation.
One couldn't take it for granted just because someone was kind to them.
"Um..."
Mei-Yu Wang thought it over, then spoke up.
"How about... we just walk around and see first?"
"Sure."
Shikime Natsu nodded, not saying much.
And so the two of them began strolling through the mall.
As Mei-Yu Wang walked, she glanced around in every direction, wanting to find some place that was both fun and not expensive.
Her gaze swept across the various shop signs, but in her heart she kept calculating.
The movie theater—the ticket prices weren't cheap, and for two people to go watch a movie, it always felt a bit... mm... too... much...
Even though today was supposed to be a date anyway...
But Mei-Yu Wang still felt a little embarrassed, and besides... today's movies weren't really suitable for two people to watch together.
As for karaoke, Mei-Yu Wang wasn't very confident in her singing skills and didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Shikime Natsu.
A coffee shop would be fine, but just sitting and drinking coffee while chatting seemed a bit too ordinary...
Mei-Yu Wang mused like this in her heart, unable to make up her mind for the moment.
Just as she was feeling a little troubled, her gaze suddenly fell upon a shop's signboard.
It was a pottery workshop.
The sign read "Pottery Experience," and below it there was a line of small print: "Easy hands-on experience, only a small amount of personal points per person."
Seeing this, Mei-Yu Wang's eyes lit up at once.
She stopped in her tracks, turned her head to look at Shikime Natsu, and spoke up a little excitedly.
"Natsu, look at that!"
She stretched out her hand, pointing at the pottery workshop.
"A pottery experience... it looks like it might be pretty interesting... and the cost isn't high either..."
Her voice carried a touch of anticipation, along with a touch of nervousness, afraid that Shikime Natsu would refuse.
Shikime Natsu looked in the direction her finger was pointing, then nodded.
"Alright, let's go there then."
Hearing Shikime Natsu agree, a happy smile immediately appeared on Mei-Yu Wang's face.
The two of them walked into the pottery workshop together.
The shop's décor was simple yet warm. On the wooden shelves were displayed all kinds of pottery works—cups, plates, vases, and so on, each one looking quite exquisite.
There were a few people inside trying out the experience. Shikime Natsu actually had the corresponding information about these people in his mind, only these people had no connection to him or Mei-Yu Wang.
A young female shop clerk walked over and greeted the two of them with a smile.
"Welcome, are the two of you here to try the pottery experience?"
"Yes."
Shikime Natsu nodded.
"Alright, this way please."
The female clerk led the two of them to an empty spot, then began explaining the basic methods of making pottery.
"First, we need to place the clay on the wheel, then use both hands to knead it into a ball..."
As the female clerk explained, she demonstrated at the same time.
Her movements were very skilled, and the clay quickly turned into a smooth, round sphere in her hands.
"Then, we can use our thumb to press a hole in the middle, slowly expanding it outward to make the shape you want."
Mei-Yu Wang listened very attentively, her eyes fixed on the clerk's hand movements, afraid of missing even a single detail.
Shikime Natsu listened attentively as well, though he looked much more composed than Mei-Yu Wang.
After the explanation was finished, the female clerk said to the two of them with a smile.
"Well then, you two may begin the experience. If you have any questions, you can call me at any time."
With that said, she walked away to attend to the other customers.
Mei-Yu Wang looked at the lump of clay in front of her and took a deep breath.
She reached out, placed the clay on the wheel, then began to imitate the clerk, kneading the clay into a ball with her hands.
But the clay seemed rather disobedient in her hands; no matter how she kneaded, she couldn't form a smooth, round sphere.
"Ugh..."
Mei-Yu Wang let out a soft, dejected whimper.
She tried again, but still couldn't manage it.
Meanwhile, Shikime Natsu beside her had already begun his attempt at crafting.
His movements were very fluid; the clay quickly turned into a smooth, round sphere in his hands, then he used his thumb to press a hole in the middle, slowly expanding it outward, and the shape came out in no time.
Watching his skilled manner, Mei-Yu Wang was utterly dumbstruck.
"Na-Natsu... have you studied pottery before?"
She asked, a little incredulously.
"No."
Shikime Natsu shook his head, though his hands didn't stop moving.
"Today is the first time."
"The-the first time...?"
Mei-Yu Wang's voice carried an astonishment she couldn't conceal.
He could do this well on his very first time?
That was just too impressive...
Mei-Yu Wang thought to herself like this, then looked again at the disobedient lump of clay in her own hands, and couldn't help but feel even more dejected.
She tried several more times, but failed every single time.
Either the clay wouldn't form into a ball, or it collapsed the moment she pressed the hole, or the shape came out all crooked and lopsided—nothing like it was supposed to look.
A troubled expression appeared on Mei-Yu Wang's face.
She bit her lip, her brows knitting slightly, looking at the lump of clay she had mangled out of shape, feeling a bit anxious in her heart.
Why can't I do anything right...
Just as she was at a bit of a loss, Shikime Natsu's voice sounded by her ear.
"Mei-chan."
Mei-Yu Wang lifted her head and looked at Shikime Natsu.
At some point, Shikime Natsu had already stopped his own work and walked over to her side.
"If you don't mind, let me teach you."
Shikime Natsu's gaze was gentle; he didn't seem to look down on her at all.
Mm... with something like this, any normal person wouldn't look down on her, though.
Hearing these words, a warmth welled up in Mei-Yu Wang's heart.
"Th-thank you, Natsu..."
Her voice carried a hint of gratitude, along with a hint of embarrassment.
Shikime Natsu walked behind Mei-Yu Wang, then bent down slightly and reached out both hands from behind her.
His hands gently covered Mei-Yu Wang's hands.
Feeling the warmth of Shikime Natsu's palms, Mei-Yu Wang's whole body stiffened.
Her hands were wrapped in Shikime Natsu's, and that warm, powerful sensation instantly made her heartbeat race.
Her face flushed red all at once—red like a ripe apple.
"Relax."
Shikime Natsu's voice sounded by her ear.
"Don't use force; let your hands move naturally with the turning of the clay."
Mei-Yu Wang tried hard to relax, but her body was still a bit stiff.
Sensing her nervousness, Shikime Natsu gave a gentle little smile.
"No need to be nervous, just follow my movements."
As he spoke, he guided Mei-Yu Wang's hands, gently placing them on the clay.
The clay turned on the wheel, and Shikime Natsu guided Mei-Yu Wang's hands, slowly kneading the clay.
This time, the clay became obedient.
It quickly turned into a smooth, round sphere.
"Then, use your thumb to press a hole here."
Shikime Natsu guided Mei-Yu Wang's hands, using her thumb to press a hole in the middle of the clay.
Then he guided her hands, slowly expanding it outward, making the hole grow bigger and bigger.
The clay slowly changed shape in their hands, transforming from an ordinary lump of clay into the rough form of a cup.
Watching that cup taking shape, a wondrous feeling welled up in Mei-Yu Wang's heart.
This feeling...
It was just like the two of them were creating something together.
Her heartbeat was still racing, but her body was no longer stiff.
She slowly began to keep up with Shikime Natsu's rhythm, following his movements, shaping the clay in her hands together with him.
And so the two of them crafted together.
Shikime Natsu's hands covered Mei-Yu Wang's hands, guiding her through every motion.
Their bodies were very close together; Mei-Yu Wang could even feel the warm breath that escaped as Shikime Natsu breathed.
Her face was burning red, but she didn't pull away.
She didn't want to pull away.
She even hoped that this moment could last a little longer, just a little longer.
After quite a while, a beautiful cup finally took shape.
Shikime Natsu released Mei-Yu Wang's hands and stepped back a pace.
"There, all done."
He said.
Mei-Yu Wang looked at the beautiful cup in her hands, her eyes sparkling with a light of pleasant surprise.
"That's amazing..."
She said softly, her voice carrying a happiness she couldn't conceal.
She turned her head, looked at Shikime Natsu, and a radiant smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you, Natsu!"
"You're welcome."
Shikime Natsu smiled, then returned to his own spot to continue crafting his own work.
Mei-Yu Wang watched his back, and an indescribable sweetness welled up in her heart.
She took a deep breath, then began to continue perfecting her cup.
With Shikime Natsu's guidance, the rest of her crafting went much more smoothly. Whether or not it was because Shikime Natsu was very good at teaching, after his instruction Mei-Yu Wang surprisingly grasped it quickly.
Although there were still some minor problems, overall it was already quite good.
After a period of time, both of their works were completed.
Mei-Yu Wang's was a cup, with some little flower patterns she had pinched out by hand on the cup's body, making it look quite cute.
Shikime Natsu's was a plate, the rim of which had regular patterns, looking simple yet still exquisite.
The female clerk walked over, looked at the two of them's works, and nodded with a smile.
"Both of your works are very nice. If you'd like to fire them into finished products, you can leave them to us to handle—it will take about a week."
"Alright, then we'll trouble you with that."
Shikime Natsu nodded, then turned his head to look at Mei-Yu Wang.
"Mei-chan, shall we exchange our works?"
Hearing these words, Mei-Yu Wang froze for a moment.
Exchange works?
In other words...
The cup she made would go to Shikime Natsu, and the plate Shikime Natsu made would go to her?
Thinking of this, an indescribable joy welled up in Mei-Yu Wang's heart.
"Is-is that okay?"
Her voice carried a touch of uncertainty, along with a touch of anticipation.
"Of course it's okay."
Shikime Natsu smiled.
"Then... then okay!"
Mei-Yu Wang nodded vigorously, a radiant smile appearing on her face.
The two of them handed their works over to the female clerk, registered their information, then paid the personal points.
As Mei-Yu Wang paid, she secretly felt relieved in her heart.
Thankfully the cost of the experience wasn't high, and she could still afford it herself.
Otherwise, she would have made Shikime Natsu spend money again...
The two of them walked out of the pottery workshop.
Mei-Yu Wang was in a great mood, and the smile on her face hadn't faded at all.
She turned her head, looked at Shikime Natsu, and was just about to say something.
But her gaze suddenly fixed upon a certain direction.
Her expression froze slightly.
A familiar figure had appeared in the two of them's line of sight.
Chestnut-colored long hair, an exquisite face, a gentle smile.
It was none other than Kushida Kikyou.
Kushida Kikyou had seen them too. A surprised expression appeared on her face, then she walked toward them with a smile.
____
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