"...Mahiru."
After dinner, Amane recalled what Itsuki mentioned, and called for her name hesitantly.
She was seated next to him, "Hm?" and tilted her head as she looked towards him.
"Ah-ah...erm, well."
"Hm?"
*It appears you have something to say. *She waited patiently for him to continue, while he remained frustrated about what he should say.
One reason was that when Amane and Itsuki went their separate ways, the latter give him a nudge saying, "Hug her if you have the guts". Another reason was that he was curiously interested if Mahiru would forgive him if he hugged her.
Also, Mahiru was delicate, tender, and smelled good. Any boy of this age would want to hug her. Any youth would have such an impulse.
But he could not simply ask her, "Can I hug you." Surely she would roll her eyes at him, going "what are you saying?"
And if he suddenly hugged her, she might refuse. It was a dilemma.
"...We have tests next week."
Being passive, Amane changed the topic.
Mahiru obviously knew this was not the topic he referred to, but it seemed she knew he was unwilling to say it, and gave a wry smile.
"Yes. But it is easy since we are not tested lots."
"Yeah."
It was an abrupt change of topics, but Mahiru continued. Amane felt heavy-hearted, as though his shame and cowardice was bared before him.
He ended up saying.
"...What is it?'
"Nothing...I'm so hopeless..."
"Why are you denying yourself again. Did someone say anything to you?"
"Nope. it's different this time."
Amane merely felt despair at his own weakness.
"Goodness. I really do not understand, but please buck up."
Mahiru reached to pat Amane's head, and he had no intention to refuse as he let her be.
Her movements were earnest, familial, and kind, easily capable of lulling anyone to sleep. As she patted, Amane felt strength sapped away from him.
The tension he had before was gone, and before he knew it, he let her do as she pleased.
"Ahh...how am I supposed to say this..."
"What?"
Despite how agitated he was feeling, Amane managed to say his true thoughts calmly.
He was relieved to have Mahiru next to him. Rather, through this skinship, Amane felt happy.
"...Amane-kun, I heard that by hugging 30 seconds, you can reduce a third of your day's stress."
Mahiru whispered in his clutches as she nudged her body slightly.
"So there's no stress if I hug for 90 seconds?"
"I do not know...but I feel that my stress for the day is gone."
"Is that so?"
"After all, many people asked me questions today."
Once he heard that, Amane recalled of the conversation Mahiru had with the girls."
"Ah...erm...the most important person."
Once Amane asked hesitantly, Mahiru, who buried her head in his chest, lifted it.
She was not looking embarrassed, but was giving a slightly forlorn smile.
"...For me, the world is really small. I can count the number of people I like with a single hand. I am like a little hakoniwa...of them all, you are the closest to me, Amane-kun. You said I should be myself."
"...Mahiru."
"So you should have a little more confidence in yourself, Amane-kun. You should impose yourself more."
Because you are too humble,a wry smile appeared on Mahiru's face, and Amane felt some heat from his eyelids.
"Can I really?"
"Of course. Please do the same as you did when you encouraged me."
"...I see."
"If you lack confidence, I shall encourage you anytime and embrace you. You should be fine with that, I suppose?"
"Yeah."
Once he heard her powerful words, Amane buried his face into her shoulder, and hid his expression.
He hoped to support Mahiru, but he ended up supported by her. He really could not laugh at this situation, but perhaps it was really like him.
"...Has your stress vanished, Amane-kun?"
"Just let me be for a little longer."
"Yes, sure."
Amane seemingly fawned about as he remained on Mahiru,goodness me, who answered as she gave him such a smile.
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