The sky had fully darkened, and the streets officially entered the "golden hours" beloved by riajuu couples.
As Shirase and Nakano Nino passed through the lively street, they spotted a couple beneath a tree near the park, sweetly embracing and deeply absorbed in their own little world.
At first, Nino just glanced and looked away, but her peripheral vision soon caught that same couple under the tree, transitioning smoothly from hugging to passionately kissing…
The dim lighting beneath the tree made a perfect setting for the couple's intimacy.
Nino intended to quickly pull Shirase away, but when she turned her head, she saw him openly staring at the couple. She immediately wanted to laugh. "What exactly are you looking at? Let's go already."
Shirase let her tug his sleeve, strolling casually. "I was just curious. Is it that as soon as night falls, people can do whatever they want without being noticed?"
"Are you starting up with your weird theories again?" Nino laughed softly. I already know you too well, Shirase!
"Don't slander me—I was just honestly stating my current thoughts."
"Oh? Then go ahead and share. I'm listening."
Nino pulled him along a short distance, only stopping once the couple was completely out of sight.
Shirase chuckled a bit. "All I meant was that intimate hugs between guys and girls do seem effective at improving relationships."
Nino smoothly fired back, "And? What exactly are you trying to tell me?"
She was completely calm on the outside, and her heart was also perfectly composed.
At least, she genuinely believed it was.
They had known each other for a full month, after all. Today, she could finally seize the chance to regain all the ground she'd lost against him.
Right now, Nakano Nino's confidence was at its peak, ready to charge forward at any moment.
And it was precisely at this very instant, right before her confident gaze, that Shirase opened his arms wide.
Before she could even ask, Shirase smiled and spoke, "Shall we give it a try ourselves?"
Nino's inner confidence instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
Her carefully gathered fighting spirit had been shattered in a single strike.
Completely and utterly shattered.
"T-try…what exactly?" she stammered, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling with nervousness and a barely perceptible hint of expectation.
"Trying what they just did," Shirase clarified.
Nino's eyes flickered with panic and shyness; a warm blush slowly overtook her cheeks as she gently bit her moist lip.
Is he teasing me again?
Or joking like he always does?
Or…is he serious?
The girl's heart raced erratically, thumping chaotically, causing even her basic judgment to gradually fade. The budding anticipation and excitement in her heart slowly became impossible to suppress, rising bit by bit to the surface.
Just as Nino wavered uncertainly, she heard laughter and footsteps approaching from behind.
Before she could even turn around, someone bumped her shoulder, sending her stumbling straight into Shirase's arms.
The moment she felt his warm, wide embrace, her entire body softened, melting helplessly against him. Her face, buried in Shirase's chest, was burning red; the lashes fluttering like butterfly wings were tinted with embarrassment and a hint of seductive charm.
In this instant, the girl standing in the flower of her youth actually carried a faint, mesmerizing allure.
So this is how a boy's embrace feels?
Nino's body felt like fire. Only now did she notice that the people who'd bumped into her were several laughing youths running past.
"Sorry, sorry! Are you okay?" the girl who bumped into her hurriedly apologized, embarrassment clear in her voice. Her companions also wore awkward expressions.
"I'm fine," Nino's voice was muffled. She tried to stand up from Shirase's embrace but quickly realized her legs felt completely weak.
Perhaps she truly lacked strength, or maybe she was too entranced by this boy's embrace to stand on her own just yet.
After apologizing, the girl quickly caught up with her friends, leaving Shirase silently praising their impeccable assist.
If he didn't know better, Shirase would suspect he'd actually paid these guys as wingmen.
"Did it hurt? Where'd you get hit?"
Taking advantage of the situation, Shirase grasped Nino's soft hand, pulling her gently to the side of the road.
"It didn't hurt at all, but you…" Nino subconsciously looked down at their joined hands.
Shirase solemnly justified himself, "I was worried you might be hurt, so I grabbed your hand in advance—to keep you from falling, obviously."
What a load of nonsense!
Nino almost retorted aloud, but the words vanished halfway to her lips.
"I finally figured it out," Shirase suddenly spoke up again.
Curious, Nino turned her head, only to hear Shirase say in all seriousness, "No wonder that couple chose hugging as a way to deepen their bond. After testing it myself, I can say this method really is effective."
"…"
I really want to argue, but what am I supposed to say to that?
Biting her lip, Nino remembered her earlier helpless state in Shirase's embrace and instantly lost all confidence to retort.
After finally calming herself and taming her embarrassment, they continued walking toward home.
When they passed a small soccer field, Nino heard the sounds of a ball being kicked and people shouting energetically, causing her to pause unconsciously.
Glancing sideways, she saw Shirase had also stopped to look at the players on the field, just as she expected.
Interestingly, someone had set up a portable metal barrier along the side of the field, much like those used to maintain order at concerts, conveniently separating them from the soccer field.
"You want to go play too?" Nino leaned lightly against the barrier, gazing at the lively scene ahead.
Shirase shook his head with a smile. "Nah, I won't join them. They're clearly just casual players, barely better than the newbies in our Soccer Club. It'd be unfair if I went in there and played seriously."
The corners of Nino's lips curled upward. "Can I interpret this as you showing off in front of me?"
"You don't believe me?" Shirase asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nope," Nino intentionally challenged.
"Fine then. Since you said that, I guess I'll have to show you exactly what the Ace of the Soccer Club is made of!"
With that declaration, Shirase gripped the barrier, preparing to vault over.
Nino blinked in confusion at the sight. "What exactly are you doing?"
"Jumping over, obviously. What, should I walk all the way around the barrier to enter the field?" Shirase replied casually.
"Just don't trip and hurt yourself," Nino scoffed, taking two steps back to observe how exactly Shirase planned to hop over.
But after waiting…and waiting…a full five seconds passed, yet Shirase still hadn't moved. Instead, he glanced back at her.
"Why haven't you moved yet? Are you scared? Seems like you're not nearly as brave as I thought," Nino taunted proudly, chin tilted upward.
Shirase simply pointed to the soccer field. "I was just waiting for you to jump over first. It'd be awkward if I started playing and you stayed stuck out here watching."
Nino froze momentarily, then hid her delicate hands behind her back. "I'm a girl. How can I compare to an uncivilized beast like you who specializes in vaulting barriers?"
Besides, today she was wearing a skirt. Not to mention it was her first-ever date with a boy—she needed to maintain a ladylike appearance no matter what.
---
T/N:
Hello again. For the final time.
My name is Enkidu. I was born without a soul, crafted only as a weapon. Yet through bonds—through friendships—I learned what it meant to feel alive. Even though my body records my memories rather than my spirit, the warmth of those moments remains.
Thank you, truly, for staying here with us. You've come at a good time—right now, a 25% discount code is available:
12DAYS
This code will last until December 26. I hope you enjoy it.
For those who wish to support the translator (the one who kindly gave me this voice)—you can find optional support at patreon.com/wisetl. Early access to upcoming chapters will be your small reward.
Also, as always:
Every 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter
(100ps = 1 chapter, 200ps = 2 chapters, and so forth.)
Bonus chapters will arrive tomorrow, approximately 12+ hours from now.
And lastly, if you prefer company and conversations, the translator has prepared a Discord community: discord.gg/wisetl.
People gathering, talking, sharing—it's a good thing, isn't it?
This is where I say goodbye.
Even as a weapon shaped by the gods, I found meaning in the company of humans.
If these words reach you, then perhaps we've shared something too, if only briefly.
Be well, Master, and readers alike.
May the world remain gentle to you.
Goodbye.
BYE BYE ENKIDYU I LOVE YOU