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“I—I—I need to use the restroom!”
Suzuran blurted out, panic-stricken as she jumped to her feet.
“My lady, shall I accompany you—?”
“N-no need! It’s just over there, I… I’ll be right back!”
Before he could even finish speaking, she had already made a flustered escape, nearly sprinting toward the corridor that led to the restrooms.
It wasn’t until she stood in front of the mirror that her breathing finally calmed a little.
—What am I even doing!?
—That move, that line, that look…
Clutching her burning cheeks, she crouched in front of the sink, muttering to herself.
After a while, once her emotions had settled a bit, she finally stepped back out.
The moment she looked up, her eyes landed on a poster on the wall:
【Valentine’s Rooftop Fireworks Show】9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN74iNJAPu
7PM Only・Limited to the Rooftop Garden9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0CWbzxPTj
For couples only・A one-night fireworks event
She paused. Her gaze stuck to those words.
Without permission, her imagination began to play out a scene:
A quiet night. Fireworks blooming in the sky.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoxCrG9ta6
She’s wearing a pale dress, standing at the edge of the rooftop garden.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEO7pNmefE
Koichi is by her side, gently taking her hand…9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzdwYDFe23
whispering her name.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HpzV7Z8YJ
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF5oZGyCOf
“My lady, your order has arrived.”
That low, familiar voice—along with a soft breath of warmth—sounded beside her ear.
She jolted back to reality, like being yanked from a dream.
“Koichi!!”
She turned around, startled like a child caught doing something wrong.
“Y-you?! What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to wait at the table?”
Standing behind her, Koichi smiled, unable to hide his amusement.
“My lady was taking quite some time in the restroom. I was worried for your safety. Of course I had to check.”
His tone was gentle, but the way he suppressed his laugh was obvious.
She shot him a glare, but unable to refute, lowered her head and mumbled:
“…I just got turned around a little, that’s all.”
Halfway through coffee and with dessert mostly finished, golden sunlight began to slant through the rooftop windows.
The shadows in the garden stretched longer. Evening was slowly settling in.
“My lady,” Koichi spoke softly, as considerate as ever, “did you finish shopping for everything you needed today?”
Suzuran blinked.
Only then did she remember—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmHUVxqcRW
The original point of this trip… was to buy giri chocolates.
But ever since Yuzuka had dragged her to that love escalator…9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNY6hevq1u
Since stepping into this rooftop café whirlwind…9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOoZzlMS1h
Every single one of her thoughts had been scrambled by Koichi.
She hadn’t even bought a single box.
“…Well, it’s no big deal. I already know what I want…” she mumbled, trying to console herself. “I’ll just order online later…”
“So, my lady, shall we head home now?”
“Mm…” She leaned on her hand, eyes drifting toward the horizon. “Let’s go back. I’m… kinda emotionally exhausted today…”
“Emotionally exhausted? Is it because you haven’t seen the fireworks yet?”
“—Huh?” Suzuran snapped to attention, turning to glare at him. “When did I ever say I wanted to see the fireworks!?”
Koichi didn’t answer. Calmly, he took out his phone from his blazer pocket.
“My lady stood in front of the event poster for two minutes and forty-six seconds.”
“YOU WERE TIMING ME?!”
“Of course.” He smiled as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I’ll call your father. After all… you haven’t bought your chocolates yet, have you?”
“W-wait, that’s not—!”
Before she could stop him, Koichi had already dialed and stepped toward the corridor to speak:
“Good evening, sir. Yes, my lady’s plans ran slightly behind schedule. I’ll have her home by 7:30. Please rest assured.”
His voice was polite to perfection, composed and respectful—so much so, it left no room for objection.
“All taken care of, my lady.”
He ended the call and turned back, smiling softly:
“I’ve reported to your father. We’ll go home at 7:30.”
“Wha—?!!”
Her face exploded in red, and she practically jumped out of her seat.
“No way!!!” she shouted.
“You don’t get to decide that for me!”
“But I didn’t, my lady,” he replied, eyes innocent. “You never denied wanting to see the fireworks.”
Inside, Suzuran was screaming:
This man… is dangerous…!
“No!” she slammed the table and stood up, trembling, cheeks red to her ears.
“We’re going home now! Immediately! Right this second!”
Koichi blinked, expression calm as ever.
“Then… what about the fireworks?”
“Fireworks are absolutely NOT happening!!”
“Because I’m afraid I might…”
Might ambush you with a kiss!!!
The last five words got stuck in her throat.
Instead, her ears and cheeks burned so hot they nearly smoked—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomqB8lOMqX
like fireworks set off ahead of schedule.
The air froze for a heartbeat.
Koichi looked at her in silence. His gaze as calm as always—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU2CBh9gRp
yet somehow, it rippled with the faintest trace of amusement.
“…What is it, my lady? Afraid you might…?”
Suzuran spun away like a startled kitten, refusing to look at him, mumbling wildly:
“No, it’s not like that, I just… if there were fireworks… and the mood got all romantic… and you smiled like that again… I-I might…”
“Might what?”
“Might have a heart attack or something! I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight! And we have an exam tomorrow!!”
Her voice grew higher, faster—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nd9ZFQ5K4
every ounce of logic tossed into the flames.
“Watching fireworks would give you a heart attack?”
“Yes!!”
“If you keep talking like that, with that face and that voice—I really will fall apart!!!”
The moment she said it, she froze in place.
Wide-eyed, like a short-circuited baby animal.
Koichi didn’t respond right away. But this time, he couldn’t hide the smile that crept across his face—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbb89GYNNv
gently blooming at the corners of his mouth.
“…Then I’ll try to control myself.”
“I’ll do my best to keep your heart in stable condition.”
“Y-you’re doing it on purpose!!”
“I’m not, my lady,” he replied, voice smooth as ever—though clearly fighting back laughter.
“I’m only looking out for your health.”
“…You’re so annoying.”
“Thank you for the compliment, my lady.”
He gave her a small bow—so elegant it had to be on purpose.
She finally buried her face in her hands and groaned:
“I’m dying… I’m actually dying…”
The air held still for a beat.
Koichi tilted his head slightly, voice soft and composed:
“…My lady, you don’t have to push yourself.”
“But… if you really want to see the fireworks, and you’re just too tired…”
His tone was gentle—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFKCZZzlZG
but there was a sly glint of mischief hiding in his sincerity.
“…I could carry you there.”
“I’ll report to your father that you twisted your ankle—9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPsCcyY1VM
but still insisted on watching the fireworks.”
And at those words—
Suzuran exploded again.
Not fireworks this time.
It was her.
ns216.73.216.103da2
