Chapter 48: Welcoming the Angel (2/2)

He was relieved as she did not appear to dislike this, so he withdrew his hand from his pocket. She tentatively placed hers onto his.

Perhaps due to the cold, her hand was somewhat colder than he expected.

“It’s cold. Where’s your glove?”

“I washed it today. What about your hand, Amane-kun?”

“I put my hands in the pocket.”

He arrived with both hands in his pocket, and no good child should imitate him; it was nothing particularly noteworthy.

He did not say anything more, just wrapping his hand the fine, cold hand.

Mahiru’s hand was really slender, delicate, unreliable, easily wrapped in Amane’s hand.

“…So warm.”

She muttered, narrowing her eyes as she seemingly beamed.

The earnest emotions had his heart pounding, but he focused on the hand, and did not showcase how shaken he was.

He held her hand, taking the bag from her shopping trip with Chitose before walking off..

Chira, she glanced up at him, “What?” and he answered,

Mahiru stared at Amane, before she finally looked aside.

Her ears and cheeks were slightly red, either from the cold, or from staring at him for too long.

“Alright, shall we get something from the convenience store on the way back? The meat buns are really delicious in this season.”

“…I like red bean fillings.”

“You really like sweets…what about dinner?”

“I have prepared some seasoned eggs, char siu and menma, so ramen.”

“Ramen for these cold days sound nice.”

“It does.”

He did not know as he never checked the fridge, but it seemed she bought those days ago.

They had to buy the soup and noodles, but the ingredients were all hand made. His throat croaked as imagining the thick char siu and the robust taste of the half-boiled eggs.

That taste would surely fill the cold bodies.

“…I do not know if I can eat the red bean bun.”

“We’ll share half of it. You can eat dinner then.”

“…Yes.”

She bashfully accepted his suggestion, and he smiled, exerted a little more strength in the grip holding her hand.

“I think Shiina-san was spotted walking with the same boy again.”

And the next day, Itsuki shot Amane a reproaching look for adding fuel to the fire once again. Amane played dumb as he looked aside.