Chapter 914

"Yes—later, how about after your next round of the shogi tournament?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head and smiled gently.

"No need."

"I've calculated it; I'm doing alright financially lately."

"I'll also get my wages from the coffee shop next month."

"I can definitely make it until then, and even have some left over."

"Take it."

Akita Sana still shook her head, waving her hands even harder.

No no no—

If the money is paid back, how will I find an excuse to stay with Natsume-kun in the future?

Thinking of this, she became even more determined.

Natsume Chikage looked at her appearance of facing a formidable enemy and felt somewhat helpless.

He didn't speak again.

He simply reached out and grasped the wrist she was still waving in mid-air.

Very lightly.

His fingertips pressed against her fair hand.

Then, he placed the stack of money steadily into her palm.

"No need to push it away."

"This was your money to begin with."

Akita Sana stopped talking.

She didn't even remember how she had stopped waving her hands.

She only felt the warm sensation coming from her wrist, like a small brand.

Her cheeks flushed red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Starting from the earlobes, it spread to her cheeks, and then to her neck.

She even forgot how to regulate her breathing.

She lowered her head, very shyly, and stammered:

"... Yeah."

"Since you've said so... then, then I'll accept it..."

Natsume Chikage let go and smiled.

"Yeah, class is about to start, I'm heading back."

He turned and left.

The sound of his footsteps gradually disappeared around the corner.

Akita Sana was still standing in place.

She looked down at her palm.

The warmth of his fingertips remained there.

She slowly pressed her hand against her heart.

—Natsume-kun took the initiative to hold my hand.

—He really doesn't hate me!

—Sana-chan, big, vic, tory!!

She pressed her lips together tightly, but couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth from curling up wildly.

Then, she turned around and returned to the door of Class B, almost floating.

Her low twin-tails bounced behind her head.

Her steps were as light as if she were walking on clouds.

She walked into the classroom.

Her cheeks still carried an unfaded flush, and her eyes were filled with sparkling smiles.

She sat back in her seat, cupping her face with both hands, not knowing what she was thinking, but the corners of her lips curled up again.

Asagiri Kazuya watched her.

He watched her face full of spring, watched her joyful and light steps, watched her demeanor as if she were completely immersed in some lingering happiness.

He slowly, petrified.

No...

Didn't you guys just swear that nothing happened when you went out?

Then Akita Sana's appearance right now...

No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like "nothing happened," right? ===== CHAPTER 915 =====