"Hoshino, please wait for me!"
Saito Hiko caught up with Ai, who had left the company not long ago. He thought that calling her by her surname instead of her given name might keep her emotions from flaring.
Ai heard a familiar voice and turned around.
When she saw it was Hiko, she stopped in her tracks, emotions swirling in her eyes.
'Our friendship really is broken… so he didn't leave right away… never mind. We're strangers now. I'll just listen to what he has to say.' When Ai heard Hiko calling her, various thoughts raced through her mind.
She forced a smile and asked with a puzzled look, "Saito-san, is there something you need?"
Hiko noticed the distant address. The way she spoke made him feel she disliked him. It was too formal.
'She should be calm now, right? She should be able to listen to me, right?'
He had no experience with this sort of thing, but braced himself and asked, "Why are you leaving so early today?"
"Yes." Ai looked at him expectantly. "So, Saito-san, did you need something from me?"
Her tone wasn't as cold as before, though she still kept her distance.
Hiko focused entirely on Ai.
Even if she spoke like a stranger, her expression wasn't as frosty as before.
"I'm truly sorry if the setting in the story made you feel there was a problem. I apologize."
He tried to apologize. After speaking, he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She didn't look happy, it wasn't the response she wanted.
After a moment's thought, he said more sincerely, "But I really want to be friends with you. Are you still willing to be friends with me?"
Ai listened, her heart filling with slight dissatisfaction.
That wasn't what she wanted to hear.
"Okay~" she replied anyway. But what she really wanted to hear was, "Let's make up."
She thought Hiko might just be afraid, which was why he was so cautious.
So she stepped closer, took his hands in hers, and said brightly, "Hiko-kun, then let's make up~"
Hiko was stunned by the sudden gesture.
Not long ago, she had told him she didn't want to see him again, and now, after just an apology, her attitude changed so much?
He couldn't make sense of what she was thinking. Her holding his hands with both of hers left him uncomfortable, but he didn't dare pull away.
At the same time, a strange heat rose inside him, as if his rationality was slipping.
"Ai… actually… I've always wanted to make up with you too…" Hiko felt like his brain was burning, forcing himself to take deep breaths to calm down.
Ai, satisfied with his answer, let go of his hands.
Hiko immediately felt relief, as though freed from a restraint. If she had held on any longer, he might have said or done something shocking.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Ai noticed his face turning red, as if he had a fever, and asked with concern. She reached out to touch his forehead.
"I'm fine… just a little warm." Hiko dodged her hand, unzipping his jacket as though to cool off.
"So cold…" The January air quickly reminded him of the season. He zipped it back up, then fanned himself with his hand, showing that he was indeed feeling "hot".
Ai watched his clumsy attempts. Taking advantage of his distraction, she quickly pressed her small hand against his forehead.
It felt slightly cool, not like a fever. But to be sure, she withdrew her hand and touched her own forehead for comparison. Her skin was warm, her forehead cooler than his.
"You really seem like you have a fever," Ai said after the rough comparison.
"I don't have a fever… ah… choo!" Hiko's nose tickled suddenly, and he sneezed.
"Don't be stubborn. You're not well, but you're pretending you're just hot…" Her voice softened as she spoke, trailing off until Hiko couldn't hear her anymore.
"I'm sneezing, not coughing," Hiko protested. "Maybe someone's just talking about me, that's why I sneezed."
"That's a strange explanation." Ai walked ahead. "But you should still keep warm~ Don't take off your clothes just to hide things again."
Hiko hurried to catch up. 'I really can't hide anything from her. Is she always this observant? …I'm kind of thirsty.'
Hiko felt unwell after that sneeze and wanted to find something to drink. He scanned the area and spotted a vending machine up ahead.
"What do you want to drink?" Hiko asked.
"I'll buy my own," Ai replied.
"It's my treat. If you feel bad about it, you can treat me next time."
Hiko jogged to the vending machine and checked the prices.
They ranged from 110 to 200 yen: bottled water at 110, cola at 160, a major coffee brand at 200.
He pulled out his wallet, ready to insert coins. "Ai, what do you want?"
"Hmm… something sweet, like strawberry milk would be fine." Ai thought for a moment; she didn't know what was in the vending machine yet.
"Strawberry milk…" Hiko scanned the choices but didn't see any strawberry milk. Instead, he spotted a sweet drink. "Do you want sweet red bean soup?"
"Hmm… no strawberry milk… then red bean soup is fine."
Ai accepted the suggestion.
Hiko had thought of getting cola, but decided to match her instead. He wanted to try the sweet red bean soup too.
He fed 300 yen into the machine and bought two cans.
Thump! Thump!
The cans rolled out. Hiko picked them up, feeling their warmth.
He handed one to Ai, then opened his own. Testing it with his lips, he found the liquid only lukewarm despite the hot can.
He tilted his head back and drank. Along with the liquid, soft red beans slid into his mouth.
Ai didn't open hers right away. She held the warm can between her palms, rolling it gently as though warming herself.
Watching Hiko drink first, she asked, "Is it good?"
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