Heartbeats and Illusions

"Is it to your liking?" Natsukawa Kanade asked, his voice laced with both curiosity and a hint of pride. His culinary skills were far from amateur—years of practice and natural talent had ensured that. Even Fujiwara and Kaguya, known for their sharp tongues, had offered occasional praise. But today, he wanted to hear it directly from Shiina Mahiru.

"It's... it's okay," Shiina replied, her cheeks faintly tinged with pink.

In truth, the food was delicious, far better than she'd anticipated. She could easily imagine herself patting Kanade's head and showering him with compliments. But no, that would be dangerous. What if he took her praise as an invitation to assume all cooking duties from now on? That would make her seem useless—an outcome she couldn't allow.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Kanade!" Shiina added quickly, crossing her arms with mock sternness. "It's just so-so. I'll do it next time, so don't get used to this!"

While she appreciated his kindness, surrendering the battlefield of the kitchen wasn't an option. It was a matter of pride, of dignity—her duty as a girl.

Kanade chuckled softly, clearly unbothered by her words. Watching Shiina eat with such enthusiasm was more than enough to satisfy him.

"It looks like the rain's letting up," he said, glancing out the window. The once-steady downpour had dwindled to a faint drizzle, and even the rhythmic dripping sound against the glass had almost disappeared.

"Want to go for a walk after dinner?" he suggested casually, his tone light. There was no ulterior motive—just a simple desire to enjoy the tranquil moment with Shiina.

"A walk…?" Shiina echoed, her expression wavering. The idea wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't exactly what she had envisioned. If she had her way, she'd prefer something more intimate.

Maybe sitting together on the couch, wrapped in his arms, playing video games… The mere thought made her cheeks burn hotter.

But she quickly dismissed the idea, shaking her head slightly. "Forget it. Let's just stay in," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. Deep down, though, she worried—what if he thought she was being difficult? It wasn't every day that Kanade took the initiative to invite her out. If she turned him down now, would she lose the courage to agree next time?

"Alright, no problem." Kanade shrugged, his smile easygoing. He assumed she was simply reluctant to change clothes again after having already showered. Honestly, he could understand that; he wouldn't want to go out either.

The two continued chatting casually as they finished their meal. Kanade, ever efficient, ate quickly and began clearing the table. When he moved to wash the dishes, however, Shiina sprang into action, stopping him with a stern look.

"Leave it to me," she declared, practically shoving him out of the kitchen. "Go play your games or something and stay out of the way."

Kanade raised his hands in surrender, laughing softly. "Alright, alright, I get it. Thanks, Mahiru."

True to her word, Shiina took charge of the dishes while Kanade made himself comfortable on the cushion in front of the TV. Not long after, Shiina joined him, her presence quiet but magnetic. At first, she knelt beside him, watching with mild interest as he played.

But soon, her curiosity got the better of her. "Let me try," she said, settling onto his lap with surprising boldness.

Kanade blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the close contact, but he quickly handed her the controller. "Alright, here's how it works," he began, his tone patient. "This side controls direction, and these buttons are for functions—this one's for drifting, and this one's for using items."

Shiina nodded, her focus sharp. Despite being a beginner, she picked up the mechanics quickly, her natural aptitude shining through. Kanade, ever thoughtful, switched the game to assisted driving mode to ensure her first experience was smooth.

Her competitive streak soon emerged as she immersed herself in the game. "I'm gonna win this," she murmured, leaning slightly forward, her body unconsciously mirroring the movements of her in-game character.

Kanade smiled to himself, watching her sway from side to side. He knew the feeling—there was something inexplicably satisfying about leaning into the action, even if it had no effect on gameplay.

Finally, the race ended, and the words "1st Place" flashed on the screen. Shiina's eyes lit up, her lips curving into a radiant smile. She turned to Kanade, her joy evident. "I won!"

Kanade's heart skipped a beat. That smile—pure, unguarded, and utterly dazzling—was enough to leave him momentarily speechless. But he recovered quickly, his own grin widening.

"Great job, Mahiru," he said warmly. "You've got a knack for this."

His praise wasn't just for show. While she had only competed against AI opponents, her victory was impressive for a first-timer. But more than that, it was her happiness that captivated him.

As Shiina leaned against him, basking in her small triumph, Kanade found himself lost in the moment. Not only was Kanade's gaze drawn to the delicate figure nestled in his arms, but even the air seemed charged with her presence. Her fragrance—light and sweet—wrapped around him, a gentle distraction that refused to let go. The warmth of her body against his chest, the subtle press of her legs, the way her arms rested so naturally against his—all of it stirred something deep within him.

"Kanade?" Miss Angel tilted her head slightly, her soft voice breaking through his reverie. Her amber eyes, full of curiosity, flicked up at him. It was as if she were silently asking, Why did you suddenly touch my head?

"Sorry," Kanade replied, his hand still resting gently on her silky hair. "I couldn't help myself…"

For a moment, Shiina Mahiru looked surprised, her lips parting slightly as if to speak. Then, she shook her head, her cheeks faintly pink. "No… it's okay. You can… continue."

Her words were barely above a whisper, and as she turned her attention back to the TV screen, her focus on the game seemed entirely gone. Instead, her thoughts swirled around the warmth of Kanade's palm and the secure hold of his arms.

His touch feels so warm… his embrace, so reassuring. Shiina's heart raced, and though she tried to ignore the sensation, her skin tingled as if a thousand tiny sparks were dancing across it. Her face grew hot, her nerves jittery, yet she didn't want to move. If only time could stop here forever.

The game continued in the background, but it might as well have been a distant memory. Eventually, the results screen appeared, the glaring "Last Place" taking center stage. Shiina barely noticed. Instead, she handed the controller back to Kanade, her voice soft and unbothered. "I don't want to play anymore. You should take over."

"Alright," Kanade replied, reaching for the controller. But the moment he moved, he realized the predicament he was in.

Shiina was still comfortably seated in his lap. If he started playing now, he'd have to wrap his arms around her, his hands brushing dangerously close to hers—or worse, her waist. He hesitated. Normally, this kind of proximity would be off-limits, but… Shiina didn't seem inclined to get up.

Kanade's heart beat faster as the seconds stretched. He glanced down at her, trying to gauge her reaction. Instead of looking annoyed, she simply leaned against him, her head slightly drooped.

"…Shiina?" he called softly, his voice careful. When there was no response, he turned his head to get a better look. Her even breathing and peaceful expression said it all. She had fallen asleep.

Kanade sighed, a mix of relief and exasperation washing over him. "You really don't make things easy for me, do you?" he muttered under his breath. But the words softened as he added, "Good night."

Carefully, he shifted his hold and lifted her in his arms. Shiina was surprisingly light—her weight barely noticeable, yet her presence was all-consuming. As he carried her toward the bedroom, Kanade couldn't help but notice how her shirt had slipped slightly, revealing the smooth curve of her shoulder. He quickly averted his eyes, staring straight ahead, his cheeks burning.

Why does the hallway suddenly feel so long? he wondered, the journey back to her room stretching endlessly. Yet, part of him didn't mind. If anything, he wished it could last just a little longer.

The soft rhythm of her breathing, the faint warmth radiating from her body, and the way she seemed so at ease in his arms—it was all too much. Kanade tightened his grip ever so slightly, silently vowing to savor this fleeting moment of intimacy.

"…Good night, Mahiru," he whispered once more as he gently laid her down. Her peaceful expression didn't change, and Kanade allowed himself a small smile before stepping away, his heart still racing from the closeness they had shared.