Chapter 53
With a gaze as sharp as a blade, Erina glared at Mineo, her teeth gritted tightly behind her lips.
"The way you just took advantage of me... don't think for a second that we're even!" she snapped. "As compensation, you are going to handle every single detail of breakfast this morning!"
Having declared her terms, Erina spun around and marched forward with the haughty, rhythmic strides of a pampered young lady. However, in her haste to maintain her dignity, she didn't notice a loose stone in her path. A sharp cry of surprise escaped her lips as her balance gave way, her body tilting precariously forward.
In that heartbeat, Mineo moved. He lunged forward with practiced reflexes, catching her arm just a split second before she hit the ground.
With a firm tug, Mineo hauled Erina's falling weight back toward him. The sudden reversal of momentum sent her stumbling directly into his chest, her small frame folding into his embrace.
"Are you alright, Erina?"
"I... I'm fine!"
Erina felt Mineo's arm wrap around her slender waist, and for a moment, the breath caught in her throat. Her mind went completely blank, yet strangely, she didn't find the strength to push him away.
But the reprieve was short-lived. A sudden, searing throb from her ankle caused a bead of cold sweat to break out on her forehead.
"It... it hurts!"
"Is it that bad? Did you sprain it?"
Seeing Erina nearly collapse, Alice came racing over, her expression clouded with worry.
"Erina! Are you okay? Is your leg hurt?"
Mineo glanced at Alice, then carefully helped Erina over to a large, flat boulder so she could sit down. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached down and slid one of Erina's shoes off.
Her white cotton sock followed, pulled away gently by Mineo's hand. Watching him, Erina felt a tidal wave of nervousness and embarrassment wash over her. The sheer psychological tension was so great that, for a second, the physical pain actually seemed to dull.
"Mineo-kun, you..."
"Erina, I'm not trying to take advantage of you right now..."
Looking at Mineo's innocent expression, Erina's pale face flushed a deep, strawberry red. You still have the nerve to say you aren't taking advantage of me!
You're literally holding a girl's foot in your hands! Mineo-kun, how can you be so shameless!
Erina's feet were undeniably elegant—her toes were as dainty and pale as white leeks, perfectly shaped. However, a significant swelling was already beginning to bloom around her delicate ankle. She must have twisted the ligament when she stepped on that stone.
Alice saw the injury too, and her voice rose in a frantic pitch.
"What do we do?! Mineo-kun, let's call someone to come pick us up! There's no way Erina can walk down the mountain like this!"
As Alice reached for her phone, Mineo reached out to stop her.
"It's not that dire. I have a special medicine back at my restaurant with incredible effects. If we apply it to Erina's ankle, she should recover quite quickly."
"But we're still so far from your restaurant..."
"I'll carry her."
Those three simple words left both Alice and Erina stunned into silence. Two pairs of beautiful eyes stared straight at Mineo. He met their gaze steadily.
"Even if we call for help now, it'll take one or two hours for them to arrive. Besides, you're both covered in sweat from the climb; the longer you stay out here in the wind, the easier it'll be to catch a cold."
"Heading down immediately is the best option. My physical stamina is excellent, so carrying you won't be a problem at all, Erina. But," he added, "I need your permission first. You have two choices."
"One: we call and wait for help."
"Two: I carry you down the mountain."
"What do you think...?"
Erina fell silent. To be honest, she didn't actually mind the idea of Mineo carrying her. Even though it meant their bodies would be in very close contact, if it was Mineo-kun, she found she didn't feel any resentment toward the idea.
But if they did that, he would be exhausted. The distance to the restaurant was quite significant. Yet, if she flatly refused his kindness, would he feel hurt?
For a moment, Erina was lost for words. But then, she suddenly felt the world tilt. Her body became weightless as Mineo... simply scooped her up into his arms in a perfect bridal carry!
Looking down at the startled Erina, Mineo spoke decisively.
"Since you can't decide, I'll choose for you."
"Alice, grab Erina's shoes and socks. We're leaving now!"
"Mineo-kun, wait..."
Erina's face was now a brilliant crimson. She hadn't expected him to be so bold and swift in his decision.
As she was whisked away in his arms, she felt her heart racing faster than ever before. A mix of tension and a bashfulness she had never experienced flared up in her chest.
And yet... why didn't she hate this feeling at all?
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