For Kotonoha, starting high school had made life at school excruciating.
Shunned by the girls in her class, avoided by the boys—she had no one to talk to. The pressure was crushing. Enduring those strange looks day after day only worsened her already severe androphobia.
But ever since she'd run into her elementary school classmate Hayashi Maki, everything had changed in just a few days.
She now had a warm, outgoing, handsome friend in her life. Her situation at school began to improve. The people who'd bad-mouthed her were punished and even apologized publicly. All these good changes were thanks to Hayashi Maki. And his closeness and kindness toward her stirred further feelings in Kotonoha.
Greedily, she wanted more of Hayashi Maki's attention—more of his affection.
So, encouraged by her little sister Kokoro, she mustered the courage to invite Hayashi Maki over again. She even agreed to let him blow-dry her hair.
A girl's hair isn't something just anyone can touch. Only someone you trust deeply. Asking a boy to dry your hair right after a bath is, in itself, a sign of trust—an unmistakable hint.
When she learned Hayashi Maki had a girlfriend, Kotonoha felt the sky collapse. She regretted asking. If she hadn't, she could have pretended she knew nothing and simply stayed by his side, enjoying his warmth. Knowing he belonged to another girl made her feel she couldn't accept such shamelessness in herself.
But after Hayashi Maki explained, she actually felt relieved. And, swallowing her shyness, she spoke her heart:
"Please don't leave my world!"
She didn't want to go back to how things were—the pressure could crush a person completely. Once a girl has tasted kindness, she naturally wants to hold on to it.
Seeing Kotonoha tearfully pleading, Hayashi Maki swallowed. "Kotonoha, you…"
"Mm… Maki-kun, I don't mind if you have a girlfriend… so please don't say you'll leave my side."
Biting her lip, she forced the words out, then pressed her tear-streaked cheek to his chest, trembling.
Hayashi Maki took a deep breath and gently stroked her soft hair. Breathing in her delicate scent, he tightened the arm around her slim waist.
"So… Kotonoha doesn't dislike a philanderer like me?" he whispered at her ear.
Her body trembled, but she nodded firmly. "I… I don't. For someone as exceptional as you, having a girlfriend is normal, right? And she's as cute as Shiina. Maki-kun… does she really know about me—and won't object?"
That was what she cared about. Gentle by nature, she wanted Hayashi Maki by her side, but not at the expense of hurting another girl. She was the latecomer; the more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt.
Hearing her careful words warmed him. He took her small hand and answered seriously: "Yes. Mahiru knows."
"I don't want suspicion to break what we have. Honesty matters most."
"Kotonoha, since you've given me your answer, I'm going to keep you. If you ever want to back out—leave me—I absolutely won't agree."
"So, Kotonoha—will you be my girlfriend?"
He confessed plainly. It would be a waste not to define the relationship at such a perfect moment.
"M-Maki-kun… are you saying… you want to date me? Be my boyfriend?"
"That's right. I'm confessing. So—your answer?"
"Um…" Face aflame, she glanced at him, then looked down. "Then… I'm clumsy, but… please take care of me from now on!"
Hayashi Maki beamed. "Good. Kotonoha—my girlfriend—please take care of me, too!"
Once it was out in the open, the two grew much closer. The air turned gently ambiguous. Sitting in his lap, Kotonoha trembled; her cheeks burned. Hayashi Maki patted her head and murmured at her ear:
"Kotonoha, Kokoro says you have mild androphobia. How do you feel now? Uncomfortable… being held like this?"
Flushed, she peeked at him and looked down again. "It's… okay. A little unfamiliar… but if it's you, Maki-kun, I'll try my best."
Because he was so gentle, and because being in his arms felt so safe, she didn't react badly.
Hayashi Maki lowered his forehead to rest against her smooth brow. "Ah—Maki-kun, that close… I'll get shy…"
Like a startled fawn, she met his gaze for a beat, then squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment. He smiled softly and kept stroking her head.
"Kotonoha, try to get used to it. Since you're my girlfriend now, I want you to feel my heart more clearly."
"Mm… how should we do that?"
She looked at him, tempted but bashful under his warm, ardent eyes. Hayashi Maki took a breath and leaned in.
"Leave it to me. Kotonoha, you're really adorable."
The praise made her heart bloom; her breath quickened. She wanted to tell him he was gentle and handsome—then her lips were already being kissed. At the moment of contact, she jolted; her mind buzzed. Her fear of men reared its head—then, meeting his gentle eyes, she blushed and steadied.
He brushed her soft lips and took her snowy hands in his. Little by little, that warm feeling drew her in. Their hearts thrummed closer. After a while, he let go.
Gazing at her flushed, breathless face, he didn't push it—he simply held her. He loosened one of her hands and stroked her head to soothe her.
Kotonoha slowly settled into his warmth. Swallowing her shyness, she nestled obediently against him.
Neither spoke.
Everything important was already understood without words.