Chika glanced at the clock on her phone and let out a small sigh.
"Hmm… the park is pretty crowded this early in the morning," she said casually.
She looked at Arou again, this time with a calmer smile, not as mischievous as before. "Arou, right? If I'm being honest… you seem more normal than I expected."
Arou scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Uh… I mean… thanks?"
Airi finally lowered her hands from her face, still blushing but now brave enough to speak. "Sis… don't confuse him…"
Chika chuckled. "Relax, relax. If anything, I'm starting to trust him a little."
Not far away, Haru stood up from the bench. "Hey, Tomo… if we just keep watching from here, aren't we basically NPCs?"
Tomo nodded seriously. "Yeah… but NPCs enjoying the main storyline."
They both walked closer. Arou turned slightly, surprised. "Oh… you guys…"
Haru smiled widely. "Yo, Arou. So this is Airi's older sister? Wow, her aura is totally different."
Chika raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Your friends?"
Tomo bowed politely. "Yes… I'm Haru, and this is Tomo. Nice to meet you."
Chika smiled warmly. "Hmm… your circle seems nice too."
Airi felt her face getting hotter. "This… this is too crowded…"
Arou glanced at Airi, then spoke softly.
"If you're uncomfortable, we can step away for a bit."
Airi hesitated… then gave a small nod. "Yeah… maybe…"
Without realizing it, their steps slowed.
A path led them to a quieter corner of the park, far from the noise of people.
Airi looked at the falling leaves.
"This place… is quieter," she said softly.
Arou nodded.
"Yeah. It feels easier to breathe here."
They sat on a wooden bench facing a small pond.
The water was calm, only rippling slightly with the morning breeze.
Airi held the edge of her sleeve.
"I often get scared… when it's too crowded, I don't know how I'm supposed to act."
Arou turned toward her, listening without interrupting.
"Then we don't need to be in crowded places."
Airi looked slightly surprised, then gave a small smile.
"You… don't mind?"
"No," Arou answered simply, but firmly.
"As long as you're comfortable."
Silence returned.
Not an empty silence—just one where neither of them felt the need to fill it.
Airi stared at the pond, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I usually need time… to get used to people."
Arou smiled faintly.
"Then I can wait."
Airi finally turned to him.
Their eyes met for a moment—then Airi quickly looked away, her cheeks warming.
"…thank you," she said softly.
In the distance, Haru let out a long breath.
"Why does this feel like we're watching a super peaceful slice-of-life scene?"
Tomo nodded.
"Yeah. Interrupting it would be a crime."
Arou stood up first.
"If you want, we can come back later. Slowly."
Airi stood and nodded.
"Yeah… I want that."
They walked back, their steps neither fast nor hesitant.
Not because everything was already clear—
but because they had agreed not to rush.
Arou and Airi returned to the main path of the park.
Their pace remained slow, as if they didn't want to break the calm they had just found.
From a distance, Haru immediately waved.
"HEY—finally! We thought you got lost."
Tomo lightly tapped Haru's shoulder.
"Lower your volume."
Airi flinched slightly, then gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry… we just went for a short walk."
Chika stood up from the bench, folding her arms.
"Alright. Now that everyone's here—we're getting breakfast."
Arou blinked.
"Now?"
"Now," Chika said firmly.
"There's a small place across the park. I'm treating."
Haru immediately raised his hand. "If it's free, I'm in."
Chika shot him a cold look.
"You want to stay hungry?"
"No," Haru replied quickly.
They sat at a simple café.
Arou and Airi faced each other, while Haru and Tomo sat beside them.
Chika sat at the end of the table, quietly observing.
Airi held her cup with both hands.
"This place is more crowded than that quiet spot earlier."
Arou turned slightly.
"If you're not comfortable—"
"I'm okay," Airi cut in quickly.
She smiled, but her eyes still looked slightly uneasy.
Haru leaned toward Tomo.
"They really do look like a good match."
Tomo nodded.
"Yeah."
Chika watched Arou carefully, then asked casually,
"Arou, do you often go to places like this?"
"Sometimes," Arou replied honestly.
"But… I can adapt."
Airi lowered her gaze.
A subtle change appeared in her expression.
Breakfast continued with light conversation.
But Airi spoke less and less.
When they stood up to leave, Airi lagged half a step behind.
Arou immediately noticed.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.
Airi hesitated, then said quietly,
"You said… you can adapt."
"Yes?" Arou replied.
"I'm scared…"
"I'm scared that someday you'll get tired of always adapting to me."
Arou went silent.
He hadn't expected that worry to appear so soon.
A few steps ahead, Haru turned back.
"Huh? Why'd they stop?"
Chika simply watched from a distance, not interfering.
Arou took a slow breath.
"Airi… I don't adapt because I'm forced to."
Airi looked up.
"Really?"
"If I didn't want to," Arou continued,
"I wouldn't have invited you for a morning walk."
Silence fell.
Not a comfortable silence—but an honest one.
Airi finally nodded slightly.
"…sorry. I was overthinking."
Arou smiled faintly.
"It's okay. We'll learn slowly."
Haru whispered to Tomo.
"Thank goodness."
Tomo nodded.
"Yeah."
Chika smiled faintly from a distance.
For the first time, she felt completely at ease.
Arou and Airi walked out of the café.
The morning air was still cool, and the park was lively but not too crowded.
They walked slowly, adjusting to each other's pace.
Chika walked beside Arou, her expression serious.
"Arou… I want to talk to you about Airi," she said.
Arou looked at her, slightly tense.
"Of course… I'm listening."
Chika leaned in, meeting his eyes.
"Take care of her. I trust you, but I want to make sure you truly care—not just saying empty words."
Arou nodded firmly.
"I understand… and I will take care of Airi, and make sure she feels safe."
Behind them, Haru nudged Tomo with a mischievous grin.
"Bro… we should spice this moment up a bit."
"Eh… but don't go too far," Tomo said, trying not to laugh.
Haru shook his head.
"Just something funny but safe, watch this."
While Arou and Chika were talking seriously, Haru interrupted with a playful comment that sounded oddly serious:
"Hey, Arou… if you can take care of Airi, don't forget to treat us too!"
Airi turned around, holding back a laugh.
"Eh…"
Arou looked at Haru and Tomo, confused.
Haru and Tomo chuckled, satisfied with the reaction.
"Just kidding! But you two looked way too serious," Tomo said.
Chika glanced at Arou and smiled faintly.
"They really are playful, but they mean well. I'm starting to trust you."
Arou looked at Airi, his voice gentle.
"You don't need to feel awkward. I'm here for you."
Airi gave a small smile, cheeks slightly red.
"Thank you… for being patient with me."
Arou smiled warmly, lightly patting her hand.
"You're not a burden. I just want you to feel comfortable."
Chika looked at Arou again, serious.
"I'm starting to believe in you… but still, don't ever make her feel unsafe."
Arou met her gaze firmly.
"Leave it to me."
They continued walking through the park, the atmosphere warm despite the slight awkwardness.
Airi adjusted her pace to match Arou's, her smile slowly returning.
"If we learn slowly… everything will be okay," she said softly.
Haru looked at Tomo with a mischievous grin.
"See… a little chaos actually made them closer."
Tomo nodded.
"Yeah… but let's hope Chika doesn't notice our expressions too much."
Chika smiled faintly in the distance, feeling relieved.
For the first time, she was certain Arou could take care of Airi—even with a bit of playful chaos from Haru and Tomo.