As I continued praying for Juri and Satsukis arrival, time just continued to pass without any signs of them. We couldnt hear any footsteps outside and no one knocked on the door yet.

Because of that, close to ten minutes had already passed in this room. We already moved from that spot where I put her in my arms and she reciprocated. At the moment, were sitting parallel to each other without any words being exchanged again.

This awkward silence was definitely suffocating but what else could I do to dispel it?

Being silent wasnt going to help and neither was talking to her. Even if I brought up another topic to discuss, the conversation would dry up right away because of her short responses.

Setsuna-nee was aware of that. She even tried to recover as well but to no avail. I mean, even if we discounted the fact that she got spooked by the shadow of their bags, the few minutes of us just hugging each other was enough to derail whatever progress she made in her attempt to get me out of her head.

I wouldnt be surprised if it became way worse than it was before. And because of that, I doubt I would be of help anymore in this issue.

Like Juri said earlier, this might or might not turn into a situation where Setsuna-nee would find another meaning about why she couldnt get me out of her mind. Setsuna-nee has to resolve this dilemma herself.

Not long after settling my butt down on the seat and having nothing else to bring up, I looked around the room. I searched for something that I could busy myself with but like the other cabins Ive already visited, theres really nothing else in here.

As I was in the middle of doing that, I felt Setsuna-nees gaze landing on me which was soon followed by her voice, addressing me.

Oi, shameless guy... sit here. Setsuna-nee tapped the space next to her and continued, I think Ill be more at ease if youre next to me.

Hmm? What does that mean? Has she gotten used to me because of that minutes-long embrace?

Are you sure, Setsuna-nee-san?

Yes. Stop asking questions.

Well then, if she says it like that, what else can I do but follow her words? I might have difficulty in understanding her reason for this but if its going to make things better for us then so be it.

I stood up and moved over to her side.

Setsuna-nee followed me with her eyes. When she saw me sitting at the other side rather than the place she tapped, she clicked her tongue before sliding herself closer to me.

Yeah. Instead of nagging at me for not following her instructions, she skipped on that and closed in herself.

Reflexively, I stretched out my arm from her back, grabbing her waist. It was an unconscious action given that I always did it for my girls but Setsuna-nee seemed to not mind that at all.

She closed in further, just enough for her to zero the distance between our bodies. Our legs rubbed against each other and I could feel the springy softness pressing against my chest.

I looked down to check on her expression and she seemed... normal? Its like shes more accepting of this situation now. Furthermore, her arm also stretched from behind me. Maybe if not for her shorter reach, shed probably grab my waist as well. In the end, all she could do was clench a part of my shirt.

In any case, even a minute after closing in like this where shes already partly leaning against me, she never lifted her head to glance at me. On top of that, I could somehow sense that she's becoming comfortable as opposed to what happened earlier where her head was overtaken by shame.

Before long, I heard her speak in an unfaltering voice. And somehow, she sounded elated.

I knew it. Im more restless if youre at a distance where I cannot stop myself from checking on you whether youre looking at me or not...

Like this, it doesnt matter anymore. I can feel your gaze on me.

Alright. This is a development I havent anticipated.

Ah. Wrong. I was already anticipating this but at the same time, I was also skeptical about the possibility.

If I am reading this right, shes more conscious of me now. Having me this close to her where she didnt need to check me out was making her more at ease than when I was at a distance, staying within her line of sight.

But this is wrong, Onoda-kun. No matter how many times I spin this, it will be bad if Satsu-chan sees us like this.

Tell me. How can I get you out of my head?

Setsuna-nees words didnt stop. From how she sounded like she was not actually waiting for me to reply, she was just unloading everything boggling her mind. And while doing so, shes closing in further into me. My arm which was only on her waist was already resting against her navel, holding her closely. Not only that, her upper body was already twisted a bit to face my side. Then instead of just leaning against my shoulder, her head dropped on my chest as both of her arms stretched out to fully embrace me.

I shouldnt stay silent at this point, right? But what can I say? Its not like I can just push her away after hearing all of what she said.

Then... theres no other choice but to respond to her words even if shes not expecting me to do so.

Certainly not like this, Setsuna-nee-san. Youre aware of it. Like you said, youre not clueless or oblivious.

Upon hearing that, Setsuna-nees head moved a bit to sneak a glance at me. Then, a second later, she nodded while still having her face buried in my chest.

Un. Im also aware of the answer all along. Having no contact with you is the best option. Youd surely fade from my head as time goes by...

Yep. Thats the most surefire way to get me out of her head... However...

That probably wont be enough to completely resolve the problem of my presence residing in your head. Setsuna-nee-

san, were closely related because of Satsuki and maybe Juri. Its close to impossible to not hear me from them...

Lets take a step back and recall what started this... Holding you in place at that restaurant. You might have thought that you just wanted me to apologize for that affront but thats not all, right?

Youre annoyed at me but at the same time, youre adamantly refusing to acknowledge that there might be other possible meanings to why youre annoyed at my presence or more specifically, why I cant seem to vacate your head.

As I pointed all of that out, I sensed Setsuna-nees embrace tightened. Her fingers spread open to firmly grab onto my body instead of just holding my shirt.

Her warm breath continued to seep into my chest and even without seeing her face, her exposed ears already gave me the clue about her current state.

Listening to those words, she probably also revisited those moments and started contemplating what I said. And she found her answer.

Whatever it was... its still up to her whether to bring it out and let me hear it or keep it all to herself.

Using my free hand, I dropped my hand on top of her hand and the same as earlier, I started gently combing her hair with my fingers.

Setsuna, let me put out this suggestion. Talk about what youre feeling to Juri or Satsuki. You dont have to worry about what their reaction will be, I guarantee you that they will listen and give their own thoughts about it.

Yep. Although I did say she has to resolve this by herself, it doesnt mean she needs to bottle it up completely. Talking about it to someone else should free her from the constraints of being extremely troubled by it. I brought up Juri and Satsuki because theyre the ones closest to her but thats just to give her an illusion of choice. I mean, its impossible for her to talk about this to Satsuki so her only option will be Juri... Unless she subverted my expectations.

In any case, she failed to give a proper response to my suggestion. Because before she could finish processing all those, the door to the cabin opened. Juri and Satsuki finally arrived.