Perhaps because it was the peak of the holiday rush, the train car was even more crowded than expected. When Haru looked up, all he saw were swaying heads, and since there was no empty space to be found, he chose to steady himself by the window.
Of course, he was not the only one.
The carriage jolted with a crisp clang. Standing in the corner, Haru gripped the iron railing by the window with one hand, while the other rested against the wall to shield the blue-haired twin-tailed girl beneath him.
"…"
With her face slightly flushed, Togawa Sakiko curled timidly in his arms, like a startled fawn.
She stole glances at his face, her gaze rising cautiously from beneath her lashes. Maybe from nervousness, she kept fiddling with the ends of her blue hair, sometimes tugging at his collar as if that tiny action could calm her heart.
It was obvious she was more excited than usual.
"Sakiko, you've never ridden this kind of train before?"
"Ah! Y-you noticed?"
Sakiko instantly pressed her lips together, lowering her gaze as if her secret embarrassment had been exposed. Her cheeks flushed as she murmured so softly it was almost inaudible. "It's not that I've never ridden one, just not very often…"
When CRYCHIC was formed she was still a sheltered young lady, rarely leaving Tokyo. Even after that, she only left the city to visit Haru in Yokohama.
Since this was her first time riding the train alone with him, the quiet thrill in her chest was impossible to suppress.
"…"
Haru almost laughed.
All the way here, he had been too focused on how soft her hand was. Only now did he take the time to really look at her.
Her long azure hair was neatly tied into shoulder-length twin tails. She wore a classically elegant dress, graceful yet full of purity, which still carried her natural warmth and refinement.
On her feet were polished brown round-toed shoes, spotless as though they had never touched dust, and her white knee socks with lace trim seemed to hide a girl's secret touch of care.
There was no denying it. Right now Sakiko was truly adorable.
"What is it? You keep staring at me with that strange look… Do I have something on my face?"
"It's just that you're too pretty, Sakiko. I can't look away."
Being suddenly praised brought her a secret joy, though she also let out a relieved breath.
Raised as a noble daughter, Sakiko had never really learned how to dress herself. Even makeup, the supposed natural talent of any girl, was something she only half understood.
For today's date she had asked several people for advice. Neither Mutsumi nor Uika had given her useful suggestions. Only Nagasaki Soyo had, with a calm face, carefully chosen her outfit.
"R-really?"
"I worried so much before leaving. If… if you really feel drawn to me, then I'm glad."
Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, her happiness plain on her face.
The date had not even truly begun, yet she was already this delighted. It was hard to imagine what she would be like later. Even the thought of happy moments ahead made her hum softly, unable to hold it back.
"Trying to act cute, huh? You should at least be aware of your own charm."
Haru gave her cheek a playful squeeze, then gently brushed back her blue hair to reveal her fair neck and ear. He cupped her soft cheek in his hand.
That small gesture left Sakiko dizzy.
This… this was still inside the train!
As the proper daughter of the Togawa family, she ought to be even more mindful of her image outside. Yet the thought of being close to the person she loved most, here in this crowded place, filled her with both anticipation and a guilty thrill.
"…"
Haru blinked in surprise.
He had not even tried to sneak a kiss yet, and already her little head looked ready to burn.
Sensing his astonishment, Sakiko, her face blazing red, scolded him softly with embarrassed indignation. "It… it can't be helped!"
"Until I confessed to you, I had never even held hands with anyone."
"And as for kissing… Mutsumi and Uika are already used to it, but me…"
She had only experienced it once, on the day she confessed her feelings.
Thinking of that, Sakiko's heart twisted with regret. She had known Haru the longest. She should have been the first to form such a bond with him. Yet in terms of progress, she had fallen behind everyone else.
Why could she not be more honest?
If she had spoken her feelings sooner, maybe by now she would have been preparing to become "Mrs. Kazami."
Haru gazed calmly at her downcast eyes, let out a quiet sigh, then lifted her chin when she least expected it and kissed her directly.
"Desuwa…"
An inexplicable little cry slipped from her lips.
Her head burned like a furnace. Too embarrassed, her clear eyes grew misty, her face releasing steam as if she might combust at any moment.
Amused by her trembling reaction, Haru could not resist pulling her close again for another kiss.
"Then I'll just have to work harder, until Sakiko gets used to it."
"Eh? Eh!"
…
When they stepped off the train, Sakiko's cheeks were still flushed, her whole body weak and unsteady. She clung to Haru's arm just to stay upright, stammering softly all the way off the platform.
She could no longer count how many kisses she had endured, only that her mind was hazy and her legs refused to obey.
"R-really! Haru, you went too far!"
It felt like she had slipped back into her Oblivionis persona, but that proud, stern façade lasted less than a second before crumbling at a tickle to her palm. Once again she melted into her gentle, pliant self.
Realizing he had teased her too much, Haru apologized with a rueful smile. "Sorry. It's just too addicting to tease you, Sakiko. I went a little—"
"Uu… then I'll forgive you…"
She was truly the easiest girlfriend in the world to appease.
Her frown softened into tenderness, and after a moment's hesitation, she murmured shyly, "…Actually, being teased a little like that sometimes… might not be so bad."
Where had she learned that from?
What lethal charm, coming from Sakiko of all people.
Haru could only grumble inwardly as he laced his fingers with hers, leading her across the street. Then, as if struck by a thought, he turned and said softly, "We still have some time before the Live I reserved begins. Until then, let's enjoy our date."
"Mm!"
Sakiko beamed, her lovely eyes curving like crescent moons, as if the moon itself hung in the sky and cast its glow directly into the heart.
Their hands clasped tighter, warmth flowing through skin and veins until it reached the depths of their hearts.
For Sakiko, who believed in destiny, holding hands was a lover's vow, and a kiss an eternal promise. Only months ago, when they first met, she had worn a cold mask. Now she was more innocent and bashful than any girl.
"Hm?"
Haru's eyes caught something, his smile carrying a hidden meaning.
"Haru? What is it?"
Before she could react, he tugged her toward the edge of the street, pulling her into a small booth.
"Is this… a telephone box?"
Sakiko looked curiously at the machine in front of her. It had a camera and a gaudy display, the little booth draped with colorful curtains that concealed them from view.
Haru raised a brow, asking in mock seriousness, "Sakiko, why don't you try making a call?"
"Eh?"
Flustered, she rubbed her hands together. After some hesitation, she tapped at the screen. Suddenly their images appeared on the display. She froze for several seconds, her bewildered face irresistibly cute.
Haru held back his laughter and explained, "This is a photo booth. We can take selfies with all sorts of effects."
"So it's just a photo machine!?"
Realization dawned on her, and she quickly saw she had been tricked again. Puffing her cheeks adorably, she glared at him with her sharp, phoenix-like eyes.
"Really, even I will get mad, you know!"
"So, are we taking pictures or not?"
"Of course we are!"
Hands on her hips, she declared as if it were obvious. Then, afraid he might back out, she seized his hand and pulled him to the screen, jabbing at it with her slender fingers.
After a while, she realized she could not operate it properly. She turned those pleading eyes toward Haru.
Oh no, the foolish young lady was just too cute.