"Phew... I'm so tired...!!"

Yuito collapsed onto his bed in his room.

When he looked at his phone, it was midnight. The day had already passed.

After Arai fainted, Yuito contacted the police.

The building is in ruins, and Arai and his companions are unconscious.

He couldn't just ignore them and go home.

At first, he was suspected of the assault incident and was almost detained.

However, through the testimonies of Hakari, Kirika, and the awakened Arai, it was revealed that "Yuito tried to protect Hakari and the others."

Yuito's actions were deemed within the scope of self-defense and he was acquitted.

It seems that the matter of dismantling the building as well won't be an issue.

The detailed confirmation from the demolition contractor side is not yet complete, but according to the detective.

"Well, it probably won't be a problem. It's a good thing the building codes in this town are lenient."

He said.

"...It didn't become a problem this time, but let's be careful. If we act out of anger, it could turn into a big issue again."

However, the incident was resolved safely.

Yuito let out a sigh of relief and reached out to turn off the screen of his smartphone.

However, as if to call a halt, a "Ping♪" sound rings out.

When he looked at the screen, a message had arrived.

"It's from Kirika... Is she going to call now...?"

The sender of the message was Kirika.

"Can we talk for a little bit?"

"That's fine."

When Yuito replied, a stamp was attached. A dog-like creature was delighted.

After a brief pause, the phone goes beep-beep.

It's a call from Kirika. He taps the answer button.

At that moment, his heart skipped a beat.

"V-video call...!?"

The figure of Kirika fills the entire smartphone screen.

Kirika was lying face down on the bed.

Maybe it's because she just got out of the bath, but her face is slightly flushed, and her hair is just a bit damp.

That outfit is in pajamas. It's a light pink and white striped pattern.

From the loosely opened neckline, one can see Kirika's soft bosom being pulled by gravity.

(Ah, ah, ah, ah, a!?)

Yuito's face turned bright red, and he looked away.

He saw something he shouldn't have. His heart won't stop racing.

He can't wrap his head around the gap between the usually friendly, puppy-like Kirika and the alluring figure on the screen.

"I-I'm sorry! I forgot to tell you."

Kirika speaks in a "dripping" manner. She seemed more relaxed than usual. She must be sleepy too.

She might have forgotten to mention that it's a video call because she's sleepy.

"Um, well... video calls are fine, but... Kirika-san's neckline..."

"Eh? Hehe... Yuito-kun, you're so naughty."

He thought he had been hit hard on the head. That's how strong the shock was.

Even though Yuito saw her cleavage, Kirika didn't mind and just blushed.

He felt like she was actually happy.

Kirika shows a melting smile as if she is being spoiled by her lover.

―Could it be that you like me?

As if to shake off the wicked thoughts that crossed his mind, Yuito tightly shut his eyes.

(Kirika-san is a kind person to everyone...!! She's a gal who's kind to otaku. Don't get the wrong idea!!)

Introverts misunderstand things easily.

He ends up falling in love just because someone is a little kind to him.

"Maybe she likes me?" He gets carried away with the thought, and when he finally confesses, he ends up embarrassing himself.

It said so on the internet.

Unfortunately, Yuito didn't have anyone close enough to him to misunderstand, so he has never actually experienced a misunderstanding.

This is Kirika's first time.

While Yuito was correcting his own misunderstanding(?), Kirika was buttoning up her chest.

When he was told, "It's okay now," Yuito regained his composure.

When he looked at the screen, Kirika was gazing at Yuito with a gentle smile.

"Um, what brings you here at this hour?"

"I wanted to talk to Yuito-kun... Is that not okay?"

"Th-that's not bad at all!"

Seeing Kirika drop her gaze with a look of anxiety, Yuito couldn't help but shout.

"Hehe... I'm glad..."

"Wh...at...!?"

His heart raced when Kirika laughed like a child.

He has been on edge ever since Kirika showed up.

His heart won't calm down, like when he's watching a high-quality rom-com anime.

"Hey, hey, can I ask Yuito-kun a question?"

"Y-yeah. It's fine."

"What kind of girl do you like, Yuito-kun?"

"Girl..."

A shadow vaguely appears in Yuito's mind.

A somewhat nostalgic park. A little girl stands bathed in the backlight of the setting sun.

He leaned in to look at her face, his vision was stained with blood.

Throbbing pain in his head. Everything is overshadowed by the sight of his parents being attacked by a dragon.

"...I'm sorry. I don't understand."

"I see."

Kirika lowered her gaze.

What kind of emotions are held in those eyes?

Disappointment from being let down, or sadness from unfulfilled wishes?

Only Yuito doesn't understand. He doesn't know enough about Kirika.

However, Kirika quickly raised her gaze.

She was gazing straight into Yuito's eyes.

"Well then, you're going to start liking it from now on, right?"

"...Is that really the case?"

"That's right."

The eyes of Kirika, who declared so, shone like jewels.

It was so beautiful that it felt like he could be drawn into it.

However, Kirika let out a "yawn" and closed her eyelids.

"Yuito-kun, let's meet at school tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, next week, next month... We're high school students, after all. Let's enjoy our youth to the fullest. So much that we can blow away the painful past..."

"Yeah. That's right..."

That might have been the reason Kirika called.

"Let's enjoy our youth to the fullest. So much that we can blow away the painful past."

Kirika's words gradually seeped into Yuito's heart.

He had a feeling like that.

"Yuito-kun, I like you."

"...Huh?"

When Yuito looked at the screen, Kirika's face was hidden by her arm.

She probably couldn't resist the drowsiness.

"Sleep talking... Did I mishear? Kirika-san, good night."

Yuito ends the call.

Yuito didn't notice, but Kirika's ears were bright red.

Chapter 15: To Fall In Love