Both of them stayed like that for a while, locked in that strange, warm embrace, Cassius stiff as a board and Julie smiling with contentment.
But then, Julie slowly pulled back, tilting her head up to look at him. Her eyes locked onto his with a seriousness that made his stomach tighten.
"…Cassius."
The way she said his name made him jolt, like a guilty child caught red-handed. He immediately looked down at her nervously.
"W-what's wrong? Did I not hug you properly? Was I too stiff? Or, wait, was it that I didn't pull you in deep enough?"
Julie blinked at him, confused. "…What?"
Cassius panicked even more. "No, no, hold on! Maybe you actually want me to spin you around while I hug you, huh?! Because I can do that! Don't get angry with me, Julie, I can definitely do that!"
Before Julie could even reply, Cassius grabbed her tighter, lifted her slightly, and began spinning her around in circles while still holding her.
