Chapter 387

As she ate, Aoyama Nanami felt so aggrieved and conflicted she almost cried.

"Why does it feel like Nanami likes me too?"

Kitakami Yoru took advantage of the opportunity while Aoyama Nanami had her head lowered to start daydreaming.

I'm overthinking it, right?

I feel like it's just Chika.

It's not like the whole world could like me, right?

It must be an illusion.

Shaking his head, treating these thoughts as a joke, Kitakami Yoru continued to stuff his face.

The buffet had a 90-minute time limit.

Taking advantage is one thing, but it wouldn't be good to make himself sick.

Ten parts full, feeling a bit bloated.

Kitakami Yoru rubbed his distended stomach and leaned against the sofa to rest: "I'm so full, Nanami, are you done eating?"

"I'm about done too."

Aoyama Nanami, not wanting to lose money, replied while eating.

She felt she could still eat a few more.

"Don't overeat and hurt your body."

Kitakami Yoru reminded her.

"Kitakami-kun, shouldn't we just split the bill?"

Nodding, Aoyama Nanami said again, feeling embarrassed.

"As friends, what's wrong with me treating you to a meal?"

"It's fine, you can treat me back when you have the chance later."

Japanese people are used to splitting the bill, even when dating.

Usually, they regret splitting the bill.

There are indeed those kinds of 'fairies' who demand that the boy cover all the expenses.

But there aren't too many of them.

"I'll treat you back next time."

Aoyama Nanami felt a bit embarrassed.

She had a personality that leaned toward being a pushover.

"Yeah, Nanami is super easy to get along with too..."

Kitakami Yoru leaned over, resting his hands on the table, staring straight at Aoyama Nanami.

Looking at what's in the bowl while eating what's in the pot.

That describes someone like him!

"What... what is it?" Aoyama Nanami put down her chopsticks and said.

Being stared at by someone you like—no... even if it's not someone you like staring at you like that, anyone would feel strange.

"You eat your food, I'll do my looking."

Kitakami Yoru smiled and shook his head.

Acting like a rascal.

He suddenly thought, if it were his close female friends.

For example, Gabriel, Kato Megumi, or the Aoyama Nanami in front of him...

Dating other men.

Just the thought of it gave Kitakami Yoru a chill and a sense of reluctance.

Everyone has a possessive streak.

Kitakami Yoru's was also very strong, yet he couldn't bear to deceive these simple, good friends.

Once things were exposed, it would ruin their lives, and they wouldn't even be able to be friends anymore.

But if he were to watch, for example, Aoyama Nanami go and date someone else, Kitakami Yoru would feel even worse.

If he had to choose one, he would choose the former.

"If only this were a society that allowed polygamy..."

"Or if everyone could get along harmoniously, that would be best..."

"It's not like I can take blackmail photos of everyone and threaten them, right?"

Anyway, these were just thoughts and ideas; Kitakami Yoru wouldn't deliberately control them, letting his imagination run wild and fly wherever it wanted.

Five minutes later.

Aoyama Nanami, with a slightly flushed face, finished eating and stood up to leave.

In front of the washbasin.

She looked in the mirror to fix her makeup, shyly looking back toward the outside frequently.

"Kitakami-kun kept staring at me, what does that mean, huh?!"

"Did he see that my face was red?"

"Oh my, there's absolutely no way to hide it, so embarrassing..."

Her pink toes curled gently against the soles of her shoes, and Aoyama Nanami dawdled for a long time before finally gathering the courage to walk out.

"Rest for a bit, or go home now?"

It wasn't that early, and Kitakami Yoru wanted to go home early to wash up.

"Let's go home."

Aoyama Nanami considered it.

Leaving the sushi restaurant, they walked to the station to catch a train home.

On the way, Kitakami Yoru casually bought two hot milk teas, shared one with Aoyama Nanami, and they took the train home.

Night fell.

Second floor of the apartment, on the landing.

"I had a very happy time tonight, Kitakami-kun."

Aoyama Nanami stood shyly in front of Kitakami Yoru.

"Me too, let's meet up again when we have time."

Kitakami Yoru didn't think too much of it.

"Then... can I... hug you?"

Aoyama Nanami had been thinking about this since just a moment ago.

"Hug me?"

"Hmm? Why?"

Kitakami Yoru replied with a smile, eyeing Aoyama Nanami suspiciously.

His gaze contained a deep sense of inquiry.

"Don't overthink it, I just want to thank you for your help and care during this time."

"Before, I never really thanked you properly."

A single look startled Aoyama Nanami so much she almost lost control, and she explained hurriedly.

Fortunately, the hallway was relatively dim.

Otherwise...

Aoyama Nanami, who had started using little schemes on Kitakami Yoru, had deliberately chosen this place as the location for the hug.

"Let's have a hug."

Kitakami Yoru opened his arms, signaling for Aoyama Nanami to come over herself.

"Yeah, a hug, thank you."

Aoyama Nanami swallowed excitedly, her legs feeling numb, and she walked up tremblingly.

The hardest step had already been successfully spoken.

Next, Aoyama Nanami boldly hugged him, resting her head on Kitakami Yoru's left shoulder.

The strange, wonderful hormonal scent on the man slammed into her skull, past the heavy barriers guarding it.

"So fragrant..."