Heartbeats and Illusions

When Natsukawa Kanade saw Shiina Mahiru again, his breath caught. She had changed into a flowing white dress, its delicate fabric swaying with each step she took. A small sun hat perched gracefully atop her golden hair, framing her angelic face. Standing under the warm sunlight, she looked like a celestial being descended to Earth—a true angel, pure and radiant.

"Does it look… weird?" Shiina asked hesitantly, her small hand clenched into a fist against her chest. Her nervousness was palpable, her usually confident demeanor softened by an uncharacteristic uncertainty.

"Not at all! It looks amazing!" Kanade blurted out, shaking his head with such vigor it was a miracle his hat didn't fly off. He couldn't afford to mess up his response. "It really suits you, Shiina."

This wasn't some casual compliment he had conjured up on the spot. No, he had rehearsed this line countless times in front of a mirror, hoping to one day put it to good use. Today was that day, and his practice had paid off.

"R-really? Thank you…" Shiina's cheeks flushed a soft pink as her lips curled into a shy smile. Hearing Kanade's heartfelt praise sent her heart racing, her mind replaying his words over and over.

The way Kanade looked today—handsome, casual, yet effortlessly put-together—was already enough to make her pulse quicken. Coupled with his warm encouragement, her composure was hanging by a thread.

This straight-to-the-heart compliment is too much… foul play!

"Thanks…" Kanade scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, clearly flustered by the exchange.

He had taken extra care with his outfit today, trading his usual laid-back look for something a bit more polished. While Kanade prided himself on being easygoing, he understood the importance of showing he cared. After all, going out with a girl in a disheveled state wasn't casual—it was outright disrespectful.

"So, is there anywhere you'd like to go?" he asked, shifting the focus back to her.

Truth be told, Kanade didn't have a concrete plan. His typical day involved gaming marathons or quietly studying, leaving him with little expertise in planning outings.

"I'll leave it to you. Anywhere is fine," Shiina replied with a gentle shake of her head. She wasn't picky about the destination; being with Kanade was all that mattered to her.

Kanade pondered for a moment. "How about KITTE?"

Shiina tilted her head slightly, intrigued.

"It's a shopping center near Tokyo Station," Kanade explained. "There's a post office on the first floor with cool limited-edition postcards and collectibles. Plus, there's a museum inside and plenty of dessert shops and restaurants. It's big enough to explore for hours."

The angel's face lit up with excitement, and she nodded happily.

The journey to the shopping center was mostly quiet, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. The occasional glances they exchanged and the faint smiles on their faces spoke volumes.

When they arrived, the sprawling mall's bustling energy surrounded them. They strolled leisurely, taking in the sights. After a while, Shiina's attention was caught by a small, charming café with a sign that read Meow Meow Meow.

"Is that a cat café?" she murmured, her golden eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Kanade followed her gaze and chuckled. "Do you want to check it out?"

Shiina hesitated, her gaze shifting between the café and her white dress. "Maybe not today…" she said finally. "With this outfit, it might get dirty."

She tugged lightly at the hem of her dress, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. As much as she adored cats, she couldn't risk ruining her carefully chosen attire.

"Fair enough," Kanade said with a shrug. "We can always come back another time."

In truth, he was a little relieved. While he liked cats, visiting a café full of them would feel like a betrayal to Xiaoxue, the stray cat he hadn't visited in far too long.

They wandered through the mall, stopping by the museum for a cultural detour and picking up some desserts to go. The museum's exhibits fascinated Shiina, though she looked a bit disheartened when they weren't allowed to take pictures.

"It's such a shame we can't take any photos as souvenirs…" she sighed wistfully.

"That's just how it is," Kanade replied. "If you really enjoyed it, we can come back sometime."

Shiina turned to him, her eyes bright with hope. "You'd come with me again?"

"Of course."

"But you didn't seem that interested…" she said, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Kanade scratched his cheek, looking slightly guilty. "I mean… I'm just not into cultural exhibits. They're not really my thing."

The angel didn't respond, but her expression grew distant. Though Kanade's honesty was refreshing, it left her unsure how to bridge the gap between their interests.

The atmosphere between them grew heavy as they walked, the earlier lightheartedness slipping away. But just as the weight of the silence became unbearable, fate intervened.

As Natsukawa Kanade and Shiina Mahiru turned a corner, a sudden commotion disrupted their peaceful stroll. A small boy, running at full speed, crashed straight into them with a solid thud.

"Ouch! I-I'm sorry!" the boy stammered, scrambling back to his feet. His wide eyes darted between Kanade and Shiina as if bracing for a scolding.

Moments later, his flustered mother appeared, panting from her chase. She bowed repeatedly, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry! It's all my son's fault. Please forgive us! If there's any damage, I'll compensate you. I'm truly sorry!"

Kanade opened his mouth to respond, but Shiina stepped forward first, her voice calm and soothing. "It's alright, really. There's no harm done. You don't need to worry about it."

Her gentle words seemed to calm the frantic mother, who sighed in relief.

Then, Shiina crouched down to meet the little boy at eye level. She reached out and softly patted his head, her touch as light as a feather. "You shouldn't run around like that, okay? You might hurt yourself or trouble others."

The boy sniffled, his initial fear melting into gratitude. "O-okay. Thank you, big sister!"

After reassuring them that compensation wasn't necessary, Kanade and Shiina found a nearby bench to sit down and rest. As they settled, Kanade noticed a series of colorful smudges staining the hem of Shiina's pristine white dress. The culprit was evident—a splatter of melted ice cream that the boy must have been holding.

Kanade immediately pulled out a handkerchief, his expression serious. "Hold still," he said, leaning forward to dab at the stains.

However, the damage was far worse than he had anticipated. The summer heat had turned the ice cream into a sticky, multicolored mess, spreading unevenly across the once-immaculate fabric. Despite his best efforts, it was clear the dress was beyond saving without a proper wash.

"Do you want to head back?" Kanade asked, concern etched into his voice. "If we clean it now, it might still be okay."

Shiina glanced down at the damage but shook her head. "It's just a little stain. You don't need to fuss over it."

Her words were lighthearted, but Kanade could tell she was trying to downplay her disappointment. This wasn't just any dress—it was special to her. Though she wouldn't admit it, the stains must have stung.

Kanade frowned. "You can't wear it like this…"

The splotches weren't just a few stray marks; they had spread across the hem, creating an eyesore that couldn't be ignored. For someone as graceful as Shiina, walking around in such a state would surely make her uncomfortable, no matter how much she tried to hide it.

Shiina noticed his worry and smiled softly. Seeing him care so much warmed her heart. She didn't want something as trivial as a ruined dress to derail their time together.

But Kanade wasn't about to let her brush it off so easily. "I have an idea," he said decisively. "Come with me."

Before Shiina could question him, Kanade took her hand in his, his grip firm yet gentle. Without another word, he started leading her through the bustling mall.

"W-wait!" Shiina gasped, startled by his sudden boldness.

But the warmth of his hand against hers silenced her protests. Her heart fluttered in her chest, her mind spinning as she followed him obediently.

As they weaved through the crowd, Shiina's face flushed a delicate pink. She lowered the brim of her sun hat, hoping to hide the growing embarrassment on her face.

He's so assertive today… It's almost overwhelming.

Yet, despite the whirlwind of emotions, she couldn't help but smile softly. No matter what Kanade had in mind, she knew she could trust him completely.