Shichen and Kasumigaoka Utaha did not walk the entire way home. Halfway there, Shichen couldn't resist showing off his ability and used spatial teleportation to bring her back.
With just a blink, Kasumigaoka Utaha discovered she was back in Shichen's room. The unreal sensation left her so astonished that she stood there mouth agape.
"This is… magic?"
"Impressive, right?" Shichen asked proudly, arms crossed at his chest.
"Amazing…" Kasumigaoka Utaha walked around in small steps, examining the room to convince herself it wasn't just an illusion.
She stepped on the floor and touched the bed and wardrobe, and even the desk—everything felt real to the touch. The scent in the room was so familiar, too.
Standing nearby, Shichen chuckled, enjoying the sight. This was how a normal person ought to react, the sort of reaction he wanted to see.
Not like that silly dragon Tohru, with her mind always on that one thing. Once satisfied, she wouldn't cooperate with him at all.
"How did you do it?" Kasumigaoka Utaha finally believed she wasn't seeing things, stepping up excitedly to ask.
"You can figure it out—this is spatial-related magic," Shichen answered simply.
Although Kasumigaoka Utaha was just an ordinary person, as a modern girl, she knew plenty.
"So that's it; spatial magic, huh? I never imagined I could personally experience it… You really aren't ordinary," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, smiling.
"…And yet you still questioned me until now?" Shichen shook his head helplessly.
"Well, you never really displayed any special ability in front of me."
"Didn't Tohru's situation prove enough?"
"That's Tohru, not you," Kasumigaoka Utaha teased him.
"All right, all right…"
"Never mind that; it's not the main point. I want to ask you: can I learn magic?" Like an excited little kid, Kasumigaoka Utaha clasped her hands together and looked at him with shining eyes full of hope.
Shichen couldn't help laughing. This was completely within his expectations. Anyone who witnessed genuine magic would be very interested, of course.
"I'm not sure, but we can give it a try."
"You mean it?" Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes sparkled in excitement.
"Why would I lie? But don't get your hopes too high—be prepared in case you can't learn," he reminded her.
"I understand." Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression turned serious.
Suddenly anxious she wouldn't succeed, her face tensed.
"Haha~" Shichen chuckled, finding her reaction amusing. He consoled her, "Relax. Even if you can't learn it, I'll find you another way."
"Chen…" She relaxed somewhat, having been tense from excitement. Because she felt so grateful, she couldn't help opening her arms to hug him.
Soft warmth flooded into his arms. Shichen was not shy, returning her embrace.
Her figure was quite lovely and tall, and Shichen clearly felt the gentle pressure of her chest against him, catching a whiff of her pleasant hair scent.
"What's with the sudden hug?" he teased.
"Mmph… I'm just showing gratitude to you, for… for agreeing to teach me magic! Yes, that's it!" Kasumigaoka Utaha realized what she was doing and hurried to justify it awkwardly.
"So generous?"
"Hmph~ Don't get any ideas. It's only because you're my first fan, so you get this benefit. It's not like I'd go around hugging people just because I'm grateful." She added another explanation.
"I see. Got it," Shichen said, smiling without exposing her real feelings.
"All right, that's enough… Let go of me now!" Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to end it there. But then she discovered he was hugging her quite tightly—his arms locked firmly around her.
"Nope," Shichen refused immediately. "Ending so soon—this payment seems a bit stingy, don't you think?"
"You… how long do you plan on hugging me?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked nervously, keeping her head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.
Being this close to a man, inhaling the distinct masculine scent in his embrace—her cheeks started to heat up.
"Let me think…" Shichen spoke unhurriedly, "Until Tohru and the others notice us?"
"What do you mean 'until they notice'? It's not like it's anything shameful," she said, pursing her lips.
"That's exactly what I mean."
"They might not find out, though."
"Not necessarily."
"Hmm?"
Right then, the sound of footsteps echoed on the stairs outside. Immediately after, Tohru appeared in the doorway.
"Chen-dono, you're back! Oh, and Utaha."
"Mm, we're back," Shichen said, releasing Kasumigaoka Utaha.
The abrupt appearance made Kasumigaoka Utaha a bit uneasy. She turned away from Tohru, grumbling, "What do you mean 'Oh, and Utaha'? Am I just an afterthought?"
Without so much as a glance at her, Tohru casually remarked, "At least I greeted you, so stop complaining."
"You—" Kasumigaoka Utaha ground her teeth, glaring.
"You two, stop fighting already. How is it you're still like this after so long?" Shichen quickly intervened.
"Chen-dono, I've been treating her quite nicely. I even make three meals a day, plus remind her about going to bed at night. But she's always trying to hog Chen-dono's bed!" Tohru lodged her complaint.
"Hmm?" Shichen raised an eyebrow, looking at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"You—why are you—"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's face turned beet red in an instant. In annoyance, she snapped, "Why did you have to say that out loud!"
"What? Is there some reason I shouldn't? It's just the truth," Tohru said blankly.
"… …"
"Heh heh~ So, tell me what this is about?" Shichen's lips curled into a grin.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 120 Chapters Ahead of Others!