Kaito and Kaori walked side by side through the evening streets. Since the Friendly City Hikari was a major tourist destination, many of its restaurants and shops remained open late into the night. The thoroughfares were brightly lit, making for a pleasant stroll, but an almost stifling atmosphere had settled between the two of them. Kaori, in particular, was in the midst of a mental meltdown.
(Wait, what? How did it even come to this? This is completely unexpected—what am I supposed to do? Olivia-sama blurted out that insane misunderstanding, and I just froze up. Now the mood is so weird... It would have been rude to just stand in front of the Great Cathedral forever, so I ended up walking with Kaito-kun toward the shop. Isn't this getting a little strange? We didn't part ways; we’re heading straight for my place!)
The situation was entirely born of Olivia's misconception. Kaori had originally mentioned the idea of a hug happening at her shop before it opened, implying "someday, when the time is right." Kaito had correctly understood her intent.
If they had simply talked it over after Olivia departed—exchanging a quick laugh about the misunderstanding—and parted ways at the Cathedral, there wouldn't have been a single problem.
However, the suddenness of the event had left both Kaito and Kaori bewildered, and they had simply started walking. Naturally, they gravitated toward Kaori's shop. Though they hadn't explicitly agreed to it, the momentum made it feel as though they were following Olivia’s "schedule" to execute the hug at the shop tonight.
(Oh no... What do I do? If we arrive at the shop like this, Kaito-kun is going to hold me... No, that sounds wrong! I mean, the description is accurate, but saying it like that makes it sound so scandalous! It’s a hug! Just a hug! It’s basically a greeting in the West! ...Even if this is technically another world...)
Kaori was panicking so hard she was offering silent excuses to no one in particular, her mind spinning as she weighed her options.
Because she had hoped the child in the Hero-role would visit her, Kaori’s shop was located on a street near the Great Cathedral plaza where the Hero Festival ceremonies were held. Even at a leisurely pace, it wouldn't take fifteen minutes to get there from the Cathedral.
(Actually, my shop is basically my house... Bringing a boy to my own home and embracing in an empty shop... That’s totally the kind of vibe that ends with us seeing the sun come up together! No, no! That’s definitely going too far! It’s just a hug, right? If it’s just a hug, I’m safe... Kaito-kun, I’m trusting you! Just the hug, and then we say goodnight!)
Through their time together, Kaori had come to understand that Kaito was a man of integrity. She also knew that while he held a certain amount of affection for her as a close friend and fellow countryman, he didn't yet consciously see her as a romantic partner.
(At the very least, I don’t think Kaito-kun sees me that way yet. He’s comfortable enough to put his arm around me or give me a princess carry when the situation calls for it, but I don’t think it’s "love." Well, I have zero experience, so I’m just guessing, but since I feel the same way, I’m probably right. Though, in my case, it feels like it wouldn't take much to tip over into actual romance... Anyway, he should be fine for now!)
She wasn't entirely certain, but she clung to that conviction. Kaito was sincere and kind. She felt that, even in a situation like this, the possibility of some "one-night mistake" was practically zero.
(Or rather... Why am I still holding hands with him? We did it all day, so it just felt natural... but it’s too late to let go now. We look exactly like a couple being "taken home" after a date. Well, we are going to my house... But what now? Is the hug a done deal? This is so embarrassing... But then again, if we're actually going to do it, I’d have to be swept up in the moment anyway. Maybe this accidental atmosphere is... a chance?)
They were nearly at the shop; her time for deliberation was running out. Should she go through with it? Or should she act like nothing happened and say goodbye at the door? As she agonized, Kaito finally spoke up.
"Um, Kaori-san..."
"It’s just a hug, okay!?"
"Huh? Oh, er..."
"Strictly a hug! It’s just a greeting, like in the West! A quick 'see you later' hug, that’s all! Anything more than that is way too early, so it’s absolutely off-limits!"
"Oh... Right. Okay."
Kaori, who had blurted that out in a frantic attempt to cover her embarrassment, didn't realize what she had just done. She had effectively blocked her own escape route.
Kaito had actually intended to use his Sympathy Magic to address her obvious distress. He had been about to say, "Olivia-sama seemed to have the wrong idea, so shall we just call it a night once we reach the shop?"
But because Kaori had cut him off with such desperate intensity, his proposal never left his lips. The hug was now a confirmed event.
???: "A successful date ending with a charming older woman taking him home. Normally, that’s the fast track to the 'morning chirp' course. Well, given Kaito-san’s self-restraint, I’m sure it won’t come to that, but still..."
Machina: "Oh, it’s wonderful. Romance between my children... This is exactly the kind of thing I love to see."
Serious-senpai: "...All right, I’m going to go lie down."