As we expected, when we arrived at the train station, it was almost devoid of people. Well, our neighborhood was a little quiet so its typically an everyday sight that at this time of the day, only those who werent from here would go and ride a train.

However, when the train arrived, most of the cars were still rather full. And mostly, theyre salarymen and women who probably had just gone off from work or drinking sessions at some bar or such stores that serve liquor. Some of them were drunk or totally out of it.

They might not be perverts but the smell of alcohol and their sweat stinks. Due to that, I grabbed Fuyus hand and led the girl away from those drunkards.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Obviously, it looked like I was taking advantage of her. However, upon understanding the reason I did it, she lowered her head and silently followed me, her hand closed to grip mine.

Luckily, we found an empty seat on a corner spot before the train moved. There was originally only one seat available but the lady next to the empty seat looked at us and determined that we were together.

She stood up and switched to the other empty seat on the other side while leaving some words to us, Dont be too awkward to each other. When I was your age, I was fiercely flaunting my relationship with my boyfriend.

Yeah. She misunderstood that we were a couple riding the train together. Most likely, its because we stood in front of her with our hands still locked together.

Fuyu hurriedly pulled her hand out of my grasp but before she could even deny it, the woman already settled down on that side. Shes even smiling in satisfaction as though she did a great deed.

Upon seeing that, Fuyu could only sit down, covering her face right away. Shes embarrassed, for sure. Its not the same case when no other person saw us holding hands, after all.

Well, I didnt say anything and simply sat down next to her, smiling back at the woman and bowing my head in gratitude.

Just like this, the less than fifteen-minute ride was spent in silence.

When we left the train station and started our journey to her house, Fuyu never looked at me again and just led the way, half a step ahead of me.

Yuuki-san. How much further? Two minutes later, I raised a normal question, dispelling the silence between us.

Uhm. Its only a ten-minute walk. Onoda-kun can go now. I know my way around our neighborhood. She answered in a silent voice. Looks like shes still affected from earlier.

Being mistaken as a couple must be something she didnt like.

Sending me away, Yuuki-san? Thats sad. Im already here. Let me finish sending you home. Its dark and dreary. Who knows whats lurking in there. I made it sound like Im hurt before hurrying in my steps to match her pace.

Thats not what I The girl tried denying it and finally looked at me again. However, that only made her stumped. She immediately closed her mouth, not finishing it.

A while later, she murmured a reply to the second part, Uhm. Dont make it sound as if theres a monster out there preying on people.

Well, its fine even if she didnt finish denying it. Its not like I got really hurt from what she said. Most likely, that was generated by her embarrassment.

Like I said, who knows? Even if there is. Ill protect Yuuki-san at all costs.

Sheesh. Onoda-kun. Im not a pushover. I also know self-defense.

Oh, really?

Un. I sometimes join Akane. She taught me some techniques.

Ah. Understandable. Akane has been taught by Aunt Akemi, after all. Teaching her best friend some techniques to protect herself sounds very like that silly girl. Surely, the other two also learned something from her.

However, that made me recall yesterday. She didnt use any of those techniques to protect herself from my sudden action. She only got startled. Thats a little worrying.

Bringing that up might also embarrass this girl. Ill ask Akane about it later.

Nice. Hopefully the monster can be taken down with a self-defense technique.

Youre still there? Fuyu instantly rebutted and giggled at my reply.

Thats our topic, is it not? Look there. If something jumps out, Ill let Yuuki-san handle it. I pointed at a lamp post that seemingly had a faulty bulb. Its flickering.

That looked like a staple scene in horror movies.

This guy, wont you get serious? Why will someone jump outKyaa!

Fuyu tried waving away what I said. But as we walked past it, something really jumped out, surprising the heck out of the girl. She quickly jumped to my side, almost toppling me down with her.

Luckily, I had good reflexes, catching her right away.

Looking at the thing that jumped out, its nothing frightening at all. Another staple scene from those movies, its merely a cat who got disturbed by the noises we made. Its now scratching its ears while looking bored out of its life.

Anyway, because of that cat, I was blessed to hear her cute scream and we stopped there with me holding her so close.

Its just a cat, Yuuki-san. I whispered to her ear, which immediately made the girl flinch.

She lifted her head and glanced behind her to check. Once she confirmed it, she turned to me again and pouted Its because of you, Onoda-kun.

This development. Is someone writing this scenario up above?

Uh. Shes cute, alright. No, shes really beautiful. Its a waste to see her with some other guy in the future. I cant help but become tempted to take her for myself.

Wait. Scratch that. Thats my desire at work again.

After shaking those thoughts out of my head, I replied in a teasing manner, Why me? I thought you were brave enough to take a monster down?

And sure enough, Fuyu pouted even more. Her brows slanted in annoyance. However, that only made her cuter, Youre still at it Is this how you tease Akane?

Maybe? But Im not teasing you. Besides, how long do you plan on clinging to me? Like you said, I dont really mind if girls get close to me. And thats including you, Yuuki-san.

Onoda-kun, stop with it even if its a joke. Think about Akane.

Yeah. But have you forgotten what she tried doing earlier?

That Thats just her quirk. Fuyu came up with a reason that shes also not convinced with. We both knew the effect of that girls quirk, after all.

Well, if you say so. Then I loosened my hold on her, letting her step back. The girl slowly stepped back without breaking eye contact with me. Because of the flickering light as well as the darkness of the night, I couldnt confirm if she was flustered or not. But the girl sighed in relief upon being released by me. She then turned around and hissed at the cat, scaring it away.

Shes not a cat person, huh?

After that, without bringing up the previous topic, we continued on our way, conversing about various topics to calm her down. Her heart raced from that cat jumpscare, after all.

Ah, right. If Yuuki-san is uncomfortable with what Akane is doing, you can tell me. Ill try my best to rein her in.

Upon reaching her house and stopping before their gates, I brought that up.

Fuyu narrowed her eyes at me as though saying Is this guy serious?.

You say that. But you also let her have her way earlier. Are you actually afraid to defy Akane?

Not really. Im just favoring her too much. Call it spoiling.

Thats how it is to all my girls

I see. But youre the one who shouldve stepped up right there. Onoda-kun, like I said, you seem to have no guard against getting close to another girl. Earlier too

Actually, I dont get too close to just anyone. Only to those I favor.

Youre saying? Her voice trailed there, failing to finish it. Whatever was on her mind, she probably found it rather unbelievable.

Yes, it is what Yuuki-san thinks. Youre not just a stranger to me. Youre Akanes closest friend. And I think I can also see you as one. But that is if Yuuki-san feels the same. Otherwise, its one-sided for me.

Dont word it like that, you idiot. Oops, Im sorry. The girl blurted out before hurriedly pedaling back.

No. Thats an apt description of me, an idiot. Anyway, thats it. I said my piece. See you tomorrow, Yuuki-san.

I was about to turn around and leave but Fuyu still had more to tell.

I already told you what I found problematic. If youre not going to fix that

I cut her off and repeated what I said, I understand. But I also told you that its exclusive to those I favored. I dont think I can change that.

Perhaps running out of words to reply, Fuyu could only stare at me while biting her lips in slight frustration.

Her hand was already on the gate so after around half a minute, she simply turned to it and walked inside it as though she was escaping from me.

However, before closing it and disappearing from my sight, the girl turned around and muttered silently, Uhm Thank you for sending me home. Take care on your way, Onoda-kun.

What should I take from that? A rejection? Well, since silence also means yes, its either of the two.