Hashimoto Arina didn't step back. Instead, she smiled—a warm, radiant smile, like a hundred flowers in bloom—and rose to circle in front of Shirakawa Natsu.
Her short skirt swayed with each step, revealing a glimpse of her pale thigh before she suddenly flung herself into his arms.
"I just realized today that I had some clothes from a few years ago in my closet," she said, her voice light, "so I bought them especially for tonight's date this afternoon."
Shirakawa Natsu froze, slightly stunned. He hadn't expected Arina to be so clingy today. Normally, whenever they held hands, she would glance around nervously, checking for anyone familiar. He gathered her in his arms and said, "Come on, let's go upstairs. I booked a private box."
"No," Arina replied, tilting her head and gazing at him affectionately. "Let's eat in the lobby, by the window. You can see Tokyo Tower from there."
"Alright," Shirakawa Natsu nodded, saying nothing further. He took her hand, leading her to the hotel's second-floor restaurant and guiding her to the window-side table.
The food at upscale restaurants might not always taste exceptional, but the atmosphere—the subtle lighting, the polished table settings—was half the experience. Natsu knew a good portion of the cost went toward that very ambiance.
"This beef is amazing," he said, picking up a piece and savoring it.
Across from him, Arina rested her chin in her hands, smiling as she watched him. She had insisted on seeing Tokyo Tower, but most of her attention was on him.
"You should eat too, Sister Youcai," Natsu said, noticing her hesitation. His stomach was delicate, and after a few bites, he didn't dare push further.
"Of course," Arina replied, picking up a piece of beef and popping it into her mouth. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she added, "It seems expensive here… I'll pay later."
"Hey, Sister Youcai, have you forgotten?" Natsu pouted slightly. "Don't assume that just because I'm younger, I'm any less capable. I'm much richer than you."
Arina froze for a moment, then stuck her tongue out playfully. "Sorry, I forgot. Summer is the best."
Natsu shrugged internally. He knew why she had said that—deep down, she always instinctively treated him like a younger brother who needed looking after.
"So, Sister Youcai, if anything comes up, please discuss it with me," he said, setting down his chopsticks and looking at her intently. "Last time, when I mentioned that those two had escaped together, I could tell something was on your mind."
Arina's face flickered with surprise before she masked it with a smile. "Just some work troubles. But after seeing you, I feel better. Those little worries just fade away."
Natsu nodded, recognizing her polite deflection, but he didn't dwell. There were more pressing matters at hand. They talked about lighter things, and the mood became comfortable and harmonious.
After she finished eating, Natsu took her hand. "I booked a room upstairs," he said. He intended to review the diagnosis report in private.
Arina blinked, a flush creeping over her cheeks, but she didn't resist. She allowed him to guide her toward the elevator.
"Wait," she said suddenly, tugging him back. Natsu looked at her curiously. Blushing, she added, "Don't mess with your mouth… my throat still hurts."
Natsu paused, recalling that her fainting incident might have caused some lingering discomfort. He intended only to share information, but seeing Arina, who normally acted as the elder sister type, made him consider a small prank.
He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and leaned close to her ear. "Then… what should I do?"
Arina banged her forehead against his chest, covering herself with her arms, her voice soft as a whisper: "You can… use your chest."
Natsu raised an eyebrow, impressed. Typical of a doctor—she didn't outright refuse, but instead offered a practical solution.
Arina's chest, he noted, was as flawless as a model's.
He led her to the reserved hotel room, as refined as the high-end restaurant itself. Once inside, Arina gestured for Natsu to sit beside the bed, holding hands. Her shy, "girl-next-door" presence filled the room with an intoxicating charm.
"Let's take a bath first," Arina said, adopting the role of the responsible older sister. As a doctor, she knew boys of Natsu's age could have overactive imaginations when left unchecked. She couldn't predict what absurdity might occur if he misbehaved—and seeing his pitiable expression, she couldn't say no.
"Wait," Natsu said, grabbing her hand. Under her startled gaze, he unzipped his backpack, reaching for the test results.
"No!" Arina was faster. Blushing, she held his hand firmly. "No props allowed."
"Huh?" Natsu paused for a second, then caught on, giving her a half-smile. "Sister Youcai, there's a test report in my bag. What do you think it is?"
Arina froze, her expression instantly serious. "I thought it was for drawing… like some kind of sketching prop."
Natsu nodded. "I'm genuinely happy, so in your eyes, Sister Youcai, I must be someone who takes work seriously."
"Yes," she confirmed, tying her long hair behind her ears. She quickly grasped what Natsu had meant by the test report and asked sharply, "Natsu… what report are you talking about?"
"There are monsters in this world," Natsu said seriously, recalling his words from the hospital bed yesterday.
Arina blinked, momentarily stunned. Then a gentle, determined smile appeared on her face. With maternal care, she touched his cheek. "I believe you."
"Good. Here are my test results from Eastern Medical University today," Natsu said, producing a stack of reports. "You should understand them better than I do."
Arina's eyes widened. She had the expertise to discern truth from falsehood. If the hospital had faked these results, it would carry legal consequences.
As she scanned the data, recognition dawned immediately—these were Natsu's body metrics. She had seen them countless times before, always hoping to someday witness improvement.
Instead, they had deteriorated. Watching the person she loved struggle with declining health had once filled her with despair. But now… joy surged in an instant.
Most organs remained unchanged, but his heart metrics were now normal—even better than an average person's.
Arina remembered the night Natsu had shown his masculinity, a hint of doubt lingering in her mind then, but now it faded completely.
She pinched her arm hard. A sharp pain surged through her, and Natsu saw faint bruises bloom on her pale skin. His heart ached, but Arina didn't care. The initial force had been merely a gesture; tears streamed from her eyes.
In the test report, she saw two words shining brightly: hope… and miracle.
She clutched Natsu desperately, laughing and crying simultaneously. "Tell me… it's all true!"
"Yes," he whispered, pulling her into a firm embrace.
Her piercing cry filled the room. All the emotions she had bottled up spilled over at once.
Downstairs, a couple looked at the ceiling. "Whatever they're doing up there… it's loud enough to hear down here," they murmured.
After crying for what felt like hours, Arina lifted her head from his chest. "No… come with me to the hospital now. I'll check everything myself."
"Calm down, Sister Cai. It's late already. I can go tomorrow. Tonight, you can relax," Natsu said with a wry smile, gently stroking her back. He hadn't expected her to believe so readily just by seeing the test report. He had prepared numerous ways to get the letter and even had a stethoscope in his bag, but didn't use it.
Arina's willingness to believe came naturally—she worked in this field herself. And humans often want to believe what they wish to believe.
"What's happening?" Arina finally asked, her voice calmer.
"I once saved a silver fox," Natsu said, recalling the strange creature from a few days ago. "She came back to repay me."
She covered her face with her hands, needing time to reconcile her shaken worldview.
Natsu stayed quiet, watching her expressions shift. Then he asked cautiously, "The silver fox you mentioned… can you introduce me?"
She didn't fully believe him, but she wanted to. It was the only plausible explanation.
"Monsters don't usually interact with humans," he continued. "I can't say more. Sister Youcai… trust me. With Silver Fox's help, my body will recover gradually."
Arina considered the practicalities. Nothing in life came free. "So… what's the cost?"
Pain and regret crossed Natsu's face instantly.
"Don't scare me," she said, heart racing. "Do you mean… sacrificing humans?"
"No," he replied, anticipating her fear. He painted a dire scenario first, then softened it. "She… asked me to be her boyfriend for two years."
Arina's expression twisted into a mix of confusion and surprise.
Natsu had crafted the story carefully. He couldn't hide the truth entirely from her. But he miscalculated—the "fox demon" in her imagination wasn't the same as the beast-eared girl he knew. To her, the fox demon was an intelligent, human-speaking creature.
Recalling the masculinity he'd demonstrated earlier, she assumed it was the silver fox's work. Of course, it had enhanced him for practical use.
Arina's expression softened, her eyes glistening with red. She hugged Natsu tightly, speaking in the gentlest tone. "I'm sorry… I didn't expect you to go through so much, but I didn't understand anything."
Natsu's face mirrored her confusion. Wait… I was supposed to be the one cheated on, but why am I the one being forgiven? Who's really at fault here?