Compared to Olivia and Kaori, Kaito was certainly the most experienced in romance, having held a lover's shoulders before. However, the act of putting his arms around two women at once—neither of whom were actually his lovers—was a first. Naturally, he wavered on whether or not he should actually take action.
(Ugh, this is tough... Neither Olivia-san nor Kaori-san is saying a word. There's no way they missed that sign, and I can sense their tension through the air. It’s just a guess, but they’re probably leaving the decision to me. Which is basically an invitation, right? But if I’ve misread this, the mood won't just be awkward; it'll be a total disaster.)
Kaito could only perceive emotions; he couldn't read surface consciousness the way Lilie could. Olivia and Kaori were currently trapped in a swirl of complex feelings—hesitation and shyness warring with expectation—and the cocktail of emotions reaching him through Sympathy Magic made it difficult to form a clear judgment.
(Besides, wouldn't putting my arms around both of them at once look a bit... sketchy? Like an advertisement for a suspicious pick-up artist's guide. No, focus. This silence is killing me. I have to do something.)
With both Olivia and Kaori maintaining a waiting posture, an indescribable silence hung over the boat. To break it, Kaito had to be the one to move. He let his thoughts race for a few more moments before finally steeling his resolve.
(Alright, I'm doing this. They're clearly expecting it, and it would be boorish to stop and ask for permission now. I'll just do it—and if I've misunderstood and they weren't hoping for this, I'll apologize with everything I've got.)
His heart thudding, Kaito reached out and draped his arms over their shoulders. Olivia and Kaori both twitched in surprise, but neither resisted nor voiced a protest.
Confirming that he was in the clear, Kaito applied a bit of pressure to draw them in. Both women yielded, leaning into him.
(Okay, this is definitely nerve-wracking. Even though the actual distance hasn't changed much, the sense of intimacy has skyrocketed. They smell amazing, and they're so soft and warm...)
Despite being the one to initiate, Kaito’s face turned a shade of crimson. If they had been his lovers, he might have found comfort in the act, but since neither was his lover, the tension of the situation was immense.
Of course, he wasn't the only one feeling the shock.
(H-Hoaaah... He did it, Kaito-kun. Honestly, I was hoping he would, but this is even more... Wow, this is nice. My heart is racing. It feels like such a youthful moment. I have to be careful or I’ll start grinning like an idiot. I can't even look him in the eye... but I love this feeling. It’s so comforting. Well, since we’re already here, I might as well enjoy the ride.)
Though Kaori was flustered, her adaptable nature won out. She quickly settled her confusion and decided to lean into the situation. Watching the passing landscape with flushed cheeks, she couldn't hide a happy smile.
In stark contrast, Olivia remained frozen. While her expression was static, her mind was—as usual—an utter chaotic mess.
(The touch of Kaito-sama’s manly, powerful hands upon my shoulders... the strength with which he draws me near... He is truly a Hero of the Story. His warmth is the Embrace of the Sun; it fills me with heat as if my heart were scorched by hellfire. Is it truly right for me to receive such a bounty? Today has been far too kind to me. His benevolence is so great that I feel unworthy, yet I am once again struck by his majesty. Even now, he paused after touching my shoulder to ensure I was comfortable; such consideration moves me to tears. Kaito-sama is an existence far beyond me—he requires no permission for any action. I would accept anything from him; I would be delight—no, I would piously fulfill any desire he has. I would serve him with the devotion of a lover, of a wife... Kaito-sama and I as lovers... what a blissful thought. I am immature, and he would surely lead me as he did today, but he would smile kindly while taking my hand, and I would take his with a joy that outweighs my shame—!? !? What shallow delusions am I entertaining!? Even as a fantasy, this is pure lèse-majesté! To project my own cravings onto Kaito-sama is an unpardonable sin... Oh, but the warmth of his supreme body as I lean against him is so blissful it could melt my very soul... No, I must reflect on my transgressions...)
Though her head was spinning in a masterclass of panicked multitasking, Olivia was clearly overjoyed to be held close. A tiny, scarlet-hued smile graced her lips.
Serious-senpai: "Gah!? W-What... Even though that's clearly a wall of text from the lineage of the mad god, why does it taste like sugar instead of madness...?"
???: "It's because, as a matter of fact, she doesn't actually have the same madness as Machina."