Chapter 1958 Tight Space

Chapter 1958 Tight Space

We continued running. As for the destination, only Setsuna-nee knows. But because we kept avoiding people, she switched directions a few times so we’re probably far away from our original path by now. Given that it was near-impossible to fully explore this place in just a day, I also had no idea where she ended up bringing me. At least, I know I haven’t been here before.

We ended up on an unfamiliar path that was probably leading to a dead end based on what I could see in front of us. Most likely, this was an undeveloped part of this hill. In other words, this might be another area that would open up in the future. Either a new cabin place or a manor just like that haunted one – if ever they wanted to accommodate more guests.

In any case, the situation should be the same for those chasing after us. At some point, their numbers doubled and I heard them splitting up because they lost sight of us. But even if that’s the case, there remained running footsteps behind us. Did someone put a tracker on us? Obviously, that’s impossible. They must’ve been going in blind.

One thing was strange though. Why are they keen on chasing after us? I thought they’d give up soon enough if we managed to shake them off our tail but I could feel this weird obsession coming from them.

Is it all because of Setsuna-nee’s reputation? They have to see it with their own eyes to believe that she’s not as untouchable as she portrayed herself to be.

A short while later, Setsuna-nee’s running pace slowed down and eventually screeched to a halt.

Panting in difficulty, the woman latched onto my shoulder as she tried to regulate her breathing. Looking at how her chest seemingly bounced up and down, she surely pushed herself to the limit to run all this way. She’s not like Satsuki who built extensive stamina for basketball, after all. Because of that, the moment she stopped moving, her sweat started pouring out of her pores, drenching her shirt and making it stick to her skin.

If any of those guys saw her like this, they’d be dumbstruck to see this enchanting figure that even I was having trouble not staring at her fine lines.

I instinctively pulled out my handkerchief to help wipe her forehead. However, before I could even do so, I received a sharp glare from her as she grabbed my wrist to stop me.

“S-stop wasting our time, shameless idiot. There... Get inside there.” Amidst her rough breathing, the woman pointed at me.

Ah. No. She’s pointing at the structure standing outside of this pathway.

I turned around to check it and I couldn’t help but shake my head inwardly.

“Why is that here of all places?”

I raised an eyebrow as I scrutinized the structure. It does not stand out if one passes here since it’s located within the woods and behind some trees. But upon closer look, it seemed to be a toolshed, small enough to even be considered a hiding spot. And if it’s filled with tools as it should be, there’s no way we could fit inside without being squeezed against each other.

Hell, if I recall correctly, we passed by a restroom on our way here. That could be an ideal place to hide as there should be closed-off stalls there but she just had to continue running this way.

What is she thinking?

“Don’t ask questions, idiot. Just get in—here they come.”

As I started wiping the entirety of her face, Setsuna-nee kept her mouth shut while biting her lips. Although the place was dimmed, the gradual change in the color of her face was entirely visible to me. By the time I finished, I could already feel the heat spreading on my hand.

“Are you done?” She snappishly asked. She’s probably itching to lower her head and hide her face.

Well, she still looks like Satsuki here but upon inspecting closely, I could now point out the subtle differences between them. While my girl has a default grumpy expression, this woman was probably always smirking. Her cheek was a little flabbier, giving me the urge to pinch it just to see her reaction. Her lips also have a different sensation. It’s so smooth compared to Satsuki’s slight roughness due to the number of times she would push herself to the limit, resulting in her lips being dry at times.

Uh. Anyway, I better stop comparing the two... They’re both beautiful on their own, after all.

“I am. It’s fine now. But Setsuna-nee. What’s the plan?” I pocketed my handkerchief but instead of letting go of her chin, I simply moved my hand to cup her cheek – I couldn’t resist the temptation.

She noticed it, of course. Surprisingly, she only stared at it and let my hand be.

After contemplating for a while, she despairingly answered, “Plan? There’s no plan... We just have to wait for them to give up...”

“Nee-san, you can scold me for saying this but... I’m seriously in awe of how you can turn an easy situation into a difficult one.”

“You... What easy? What would you have done if you were in my shoes?”

“Oh, that? Walk away calmly. I won’t drag you on a long chase and end up in this small shed out of nowhere to hide unless I plan to create a situation where we can be alone in such a tight space.”

Upon saying that, my arms wrapped around her back tightened and I raised her head to lock eyes with her.

As she digested everything I said, Setsuna-nee’s eyes started trembling as they slowly widened in realization.

“Y-you... Are you saying that I planned this? To be alone with you? How shameless can you be?”

“Nee-san, you’re the one who said that. Besides, you asked me about what I would do. That’s the theoretical situation if I was the one in your shoes...” I paused for a moment to lower my head at the same time as I exerted a bit of force, lifting her. With our faces mere inches away from each other, I continued in a beguiling tone, “Say, you can be honest with me, Setsuna-

nee-san... After our dance last night, have I continued occupying your head?”

I know. I may be wrong in that assumption but on the off chance that her decision-making became muddled because of me, won’t this be better for her?

Forget about Sakuma. This woman jumped on this one chance to be alone with me without realizing she did so. Maybe even if the chase didn’t happen, she wouldn’t let me pass that bridge without spending time with her.