NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Don’t Worry! I’ll Take Responsibility
"Ehhh—?"
Yotsuba reacted, her face immediately turning red as she raised her hands to cover her chest: "I'm sorry!"
It was just a stretch. How did this happen, and in front of a guy?
She had no face left to show anyone now!
Haruto cleared his throat lightly and handed the button to Yotsuba without hesitation: "Be more careful next time, and I'll return this button to you."
"Eh?"
Do guys consider anything belonging to a girl a treasure once they get their hands on it?
After glancing at Haruto and seeing his calm expression, showing no signs of strangeness, Yotsuba breathed a sigh of relief but also felt a little unhappy.
She withdrew her outstretched hand, shook her head, and said clearly, "No, I'll give the button to Kuromori-san."
"No, you should keep it."
It's just a button, what would he do with it?
If it's going to be a gift, at least make it stockings. At least that could be worn... maybe on the head?
Yotsuba quickly caught the button, puffed up her cheeks, and said, "Kuromori-san, you'll never be able to find a girlfriend!"
Haruto complained: "Sorry, a girlfriend would only slow down my sword-drawing speed."
Yotsuba: "😐"
After a while, the two walked through the Oddity grounds.
Haruto didn't immediately leave the Oddity area, even though it was cold, desolate, and gloomy, making him not want to stay any longer.
But there were still things he needed to deal with.
The unsettling aura around Yotsuba had awakened the Void Demon, but why?
Did the Void Demon come the first time because of this situation?
Of course, Haruto couldn't solve this problem just yet.
Because important information was missing.
What he wanted to do was repair the somewhat damaged barrier after the battle to prevent anything from escaping.
"This place is terrifying…"
A trembling voice was heard, and Haruto looked back at Yotsuba, then raised his hand to tidy her hair.
If possible, he didn't want to bring Yotsuba to the Oddity point.
But now, Yotsuba had become a highly valuable and rare subject of observation. Therefore, every aspect needed attention.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Yotsuba unconsciously shrank her neck and protested softly, "Kuromori-san... don't touch my head."
Haruto responded seriously, "Yotsuba looks like a nervous deer right now. Studies show that head pats can calm emotions in this situation!"
Yotsuba could only complain, "There's no such weird research. Even if there is, it's just to calm kids!"
Even though she said that, with the comfort he offered, the anxiety in her heart slowly dissipated.
Yotsuba became curious.
Where was this place?
It was such a strange and frightening place, like the ruins of a deserted city from a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie.
This place was no longer what it once was.
Seeing Yotsuba looking around curiously, Haruto suggested, "Do you want to take a walk?"
Yotsuba hesitated: "That might not be safe... there could be danger…"
Though the place looked eerie, it was natural to feel curious.
Haruto said seriously, "Don't worry, I'll take responsibility!"
Since he had brought her in, he would naturally take responsibility for sending her back properly.
"I won't let you take responsibility!"
Yotsuba blushed and pouted, then gently tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "Kuromori-san, let's leave quickly!"
"There's always a bad feeling about this place."
It's okay to be curious. But safety was more important. After all, scenes like this happen in some manga, where people get into dangerous situations because of curiosity.
"Alright!"
Haruto nodded and started walking with Yotsuba.
"It's so cold!"
Yotsuba tucked her hands into her sleeves, leaving only one finger exposed. She raised her hands and gently blew warm air on them, closely following Haruto.
Many people find it cute when a girl pulls her hands into her sleeves and only shows her fingers, giving rise to the term "cute sleeves."
In fact, with just one finger exposed, it does look quite cute.
Of course, Haruto thought this had to do with appearance. Isn't there a saying... as long as you're cute, it's okay even if you're a pervert?
Yotsuba looked around and slowly started speaking.
"Kuromori-san, have we traveled through time? Have we arrived at a post-apocalyptic wasteland? If that's the case, should we start looking for supplies and then build a base…"
Haruto replied calmly, "It's pointless. If you really end up in a wasteland like that, you can only wait to die."
There was still a lot of residual radiation here. If ordinary people came here, they wouldn't be able to survive at all.
While chatting, Haruto observed her.
After the unsettling aura dissipated, Yotsuba walked into the Oddity, and no other changes appeared in her body.
However, girls are very sensitive in certain aspects. Even though Haruto's gaze was unclear, Yotsuba still noticed it.
Yotsuba grew a little flustered.
Didn't Haruto like Itsuki?
Why did he keep secretly looking at her?
"Yotsuba, come back!"
Yotsuba was startled, then showed a surprised expression: "We're back?"
It was still the same park.
Familiar sounds of the city echoed in her ears.
Yotsuba took a deep breath, feeling like she had discovered a great secret.
She turned to Haruto with a serious face: "Kuromori-san, I will definitely keep your secret."
However, that wasn't necessary.
Because even if Yotsuba told others, no one would believe her.
Haruto reminded her: "Yotsuba, your hand."
"Eh? My hand?"
Yotsuba was a little surprised, then realized she was still holding his hand tightly.
Her face suddenly turned red, and she quickly pulled her hand away, embarrassed, and turned to run: "Sorry... I'll head back now…"
Haruto immediately reminded her: "Don't run too fast, Yotsuba, be careful not to fall."
After running for a bit, Yotsuba stopped and looked back.
Under the dim streetlight, Haruto smiled and waved.
Yotsuba flashed a bright smile and waved back: "Kuromori-san, see you tomorrow."
"No need to see me tomorrow."
"Eh?"
"I forgot something, so let's meet up!"
"..."
At that moment, Haruto wasn't in great shape, so he didn't push himself and turned to head home.