Haruto and Hoshino Ai walked side by side through the nighttime streets of Kanagawa.
Hakone was a land of slopes—no matter where you went, the streets always seemed to tilt upward or down.
The autumn wind swept through the town, carrying with it a faint chill.
Hoshino Ai walked ahead with light, bouncing steps.
Their fingers were intertwined, and she swung their joined hands back and forth with restless energy. Haruto matched her movements naturally.
When they reached the top of a slope, Hoshino Ai suddenly took off her baseball cap.
"So hot," she complained, fanning herself with both hands.
The fall breeze caught her hair, lifting the strands softly. Under the streetlamp's glow, her hair shimmered as it fluttered.
"It's because you keep running and jumping. Be careful—if you sweat too much, you might catch a cold," Haruto said.
Hoshino Ai shook her head immediately.
"No way! Only idiots catch colds during seasonal changes!"
Haruto snorted.
"Most people who say that usually end up being the idiot."
Hoshino Ai puffed up her cheeks and glared at him. But the moment their eyes met, both of them burst into laughter.
It wasn't the topic that was funny—it was simply that being together made everything light and joyful.
Their laughter drifted down the quiet street with the wind.
Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, Hoshino Ai reached into the pocket of her baseball jacket.
The pocket wasn't large, but she dug around as if searching through a dimensional rift.
Curious, Haruto watched her struggle. After a while, she flashed him a mischievous grin and pulled out a small key, dangling it between her fingers.
"I rented a forest villa here in Kanagawa," she said proudly. "It's pretty big. Haru, do you want to come over?"
She winked at him.
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Sounds like someone came prepared."
She didn't deny it—just waited quietly for his answer, eyes sparkling.
After thinking for a moment, Haruto nodded.
"Sure. But… the villa has a shower, right?"
Hoshino Ai narrowed her eyes and gave him a teasing grin.
"Wow, asking that right away? What exactly are you thinking about, hmm?"
What Haruto was thinking about was simple—he needed to wash off the faint scent of Kato Megumi still lingering on him.
It wasn't noticeable with his coat on… but later, it definitely would be.
The forest villa Hoshino Ai had rented wasn't lavish.
It was an old, dignified building—once a small hotel, now booked entirely under her name, with all the staff dismissed for privacy.
A long forest road led to it.
Not a dirt road, not stepping stones—a proper asphalt path as if meant for athletes.
"I heard they treat the famous Hakone Ekiden runners here every year," Ai said casually. "Follow this road to the end and you'll reach the starting point of the Devil's Relay."
She only shared fun trivia like this with Haruto—because she wanted him to know the things she knew, the things she liked.
"Amazing," Haruto said, clapping lightly.
Ai unlocked the door with the key.
The moment they stepped inside, Haruto froze.
A mountain of luggage greeted them.
Before he could react, Ai quickly covered his eyes with both hands.
"Ahhh—I forgot! Don't look! Seriously, don't look!"
Haruto sighed, half amused, half helpless.
He took her hands away and laced their fingers again.
"Don't lie about this kind of thing."
Ai stuck out her tongue playfully.
Of course she hadn't forgotten. If it were anyone else, she would've presented the most perfect version of herself.
But with Haruto… she intentionally showed her flaws.
Her terrible life skills.
Her messy habits.
The side she usually hid from the world.
Was she testing him?
Seeking reassurance?
Or simply refusing to hide anything from him?
No one could say for sure.
But her intentions didn't matter.
Haruto crouched down and began tidying the luggage. He took out her clothes and folded them neatly.
Placed her dresses on hangers.
Arranged her cosmetics by category on the vanity.
Soon, the chaos was transformed into order.
Hoshino Ai watched him the entire time, her starry eyes following his movements like a devoted cat.
When he finished, she launched herself onto him, arms around his neck.
"Haru, you're amazing! I learned it! Next time I'll organize everything myself!"
If her ex-manager Saito had been present, she would've fainted on the spot.
How many times had she tried to train Ai?
How many times had Ai ignored everything?
Yet after seeing Haruto do it once, she instantly declared she'd "learned it."
Haruto simply patted her head affectionately.
A fool in daily life, yet a genius on stage.
That was Ai.
If she never learned chores, it was fine.
He had enough money to hire someone forever.
It wasn't worth stressing over.
But their moment of harmony didn't last long.
"Miss Hoshino Ai," Haruto said slowly, "what exactly are your hands doing?"
Ai responded proudly as if giving a lecture.
"Did you know, dear Haru, there are several types of hugs between a boy and a girl? Arms around the neck means wanting a kiss. Arms around the waist means wanting to rely on you. And arms moving up and down means you're getting annoying so move away."
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
Currently, Ai's hands were none of the above.
After a dramatic pause, Ai smirked.
"Of course, there's one more. If a girl puts her hands on a guy's thighs when hugging… That means she's just eating your penis."
As she said it, her hands slid up and down Haruto's leg.
Haruto sighed.
"Miss Hoshino Ai, it's normal to have desires. But please control yourself."
Ai shook her head vigorously.
"I can't control myself at all!"
Her baseball jacket flew to the floor.
Haruto's newly organized room was instantly thrown back into chaos.
"Ai, think carefully. Will you regret this?" Haruto asked quietly.
Ai was someone he always worried about—her childhood trauma, her distorted sense of affection, her difficulty understanding her own feelings.
He feared she might make a choice she didn't truly want.
But Ai nodded with unwavering seriousness.
"I've thought about it… for two years. This isn't impulsive. I love you, Haru. That's not a lie."
Then, with gentle resolve, she wrapped her arms around his neck.