Chapter 26: Angel and the Reward (2/2)

All these actions made her look really unnatural, and he had the urge to laugh. However, the person herself was right next to him, and he managed to endure it.

Mahiru looked up at Amane worriedly.

“Nn, congrats.”

“…Thank you very much. But…”

“Just accept it. You did work hard after all.”

“Yes, that is true.”

“Come on, eat it. You should relax once in a while.”

I bought it for you after all, so he quipped. Mahiru looked a little apologetic as she nodded away, took the fork and the plate with the cake.

“I am really grateful.”

“Go ahead.”

He waved his hand, and she took the fork, cutting a bite size of cake cautiously, and brought it to her mouth.

Girls typically had the impression of being picky with sweets, but it should be fine since it was from the shop Chitose often shopped at.

The proof was that once Mahiru ate it, her eyes widened a little, and her mouth relaxed a little.

She hardly showed change in her expressions, but recently, she was starting to show some range of common emotions.

She slowly ate the cake, showing a relaxed expression, and this one eating scene became a painting of sorts.

“…? What is it?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Mahiru found Amane staring at her, and tilted her head in confusion.

The expression was gentler compared to usual, and he, who had been staring at her, was looking aside instead.

Instead, it was Mahiru who was staring at Amane. She then suddenly thought of something, as she took another bite of cake, reaching it towards Amane..

Ahh, so she ended up trying to feed him.

“Eh, n-no I don’t really want to eat it.”

“You do not want to?”

“…No, well, that…since you’re giving it to me, I’ll accept it.”

He never imagined this scene to be possible, so obviously, he was looking bashful, accidentally agreeing.

They were at such an age, and of different genders. Further, it was a really pretty girl feeding him, so in a certain sense, he might be considered lucky…but Amane was not at the point where he could discard his shame and be outright happy.

“It is something you bought after all, Amane-kun. You have the right to eat it.”

And Mahiru, the one suggesting this, never realized as she brought the cake to Amane’s mouth with her usual look.

Amane could only see a perplexed look on her face, so he made up his mind and took a bite of it.

Spreading in his mind was an unbelievable sweetness.

“…It’s sweet.”

“It is cake after all.”

It was not simply because of the cake, but Mahiru did not seem to have noticed it.

He took a little nibble, and found it really sweet. His mental state might have affected him greatly.

“…Feels like you haven’t felt anything.”

He experienced all of the sweetness, shame, and itchiness in his heart, but Mahiru herself appeared fine.

Amane found it really vexing, “Give me that.” so he snatched the fork from Mahiru’s hand, doing the same gesture to her, and handed her the cake.

With this happening to him, how could he not retaliate?

“Nn.”

“…Erm.”

“Eat it.”

Mahiru looked more perturbed than before, for his tone was a little stiff, and she took a bite of cake in the same manner, like a birdie being fed.

He stared at her, and found her expression increasingly red.

“So what do you think?”

“I-it is delicious…”

“Not that. I’m asking how do you feel about being fed?”

“…I would say I am very embarrassed.”

“Of course, right? You’re going to cause misunderstandings if you do this to others. Do it amongst girls if you need to.”

Now you understand how I feel, so Amane said as he looked aside, “Yes.” but Mahiru replied with a fading voice.

She probably did so probably because she treated Amane as a safe person.

Her subconscious act had him really worried, but it was not a bad feeling, so there was nothing for him to blame her about.

But the sweetness lingered in his mouth.

I’ll be in trouble too if she’s too careless.

He was glad to be trusted by Mahiru, but the unwitting careless act was truly astounding.

So he concluded as he looked towards a shriveling Mahiru, gently sighing.