Chapter 92: Angel and Hug (2/2)

He wanted to hug her, embrace her softness, and touch her because she was Mahiru…even though he might sound like a pervert. No matter how pretty and alluring a girl would cling onto him, he was confident that he could reject the girl. Rather, he did not want to interact with any unacquainted female, no matter the intentions.

Mahiru froze once she heard his flat-out denial.

A faint color started to arise within her snowy white skin, and he realized that he let his tongue slip a second time.

Thus, Amane was left ashamed, his face searing, and his vision was swimming about.

“Erm, ah…”

“… Shall we?”

Mahiru said timidly, and Amane was at a loss of words.

It was Amane who said he wanted to hug, even though he just blurted it, but nobody would have expected Mahiru to actually agree.

Of course, Mahiru would not invite just anyone. Amane knew she said so because she trusted him―but that request was really bad for his heart.

She blushed, and her eyes were moist as she looked up at Amane when she said so. Naturally, his sanity could not be contained.

He cautiously reached his hands towards Mahiru, and hugged her delicate body by her arms, wrapping his arms around her back.

It was the second time he hugged her firmly, but it was different from the time she cried. She was willing to be in his clutches.

That day, he never could feel her, but as he hugged her, he experienced how slender and feeble Mahiru was. She had lean shoulders, and her arms were frailly thin.

There was a sweet smell coming from Mahiru’s neck, and Amane had a feeling this was going to end up bad.

Despite how agitated he was feeling, Amane managed to say his true thoughts calmly.

He was relieved to have Mahiru next to him. Rather, through this skinship, Amane felt happy.

“…Amane-kun, I heard that by hugging 30 seconds, you can reduce a third of your day’s stress.”

Mahiru whispered in his clutches as she nudged her body slightly.

“So there’s no stress if I hug for 90 seconds?”

“I do not know…but I feel that my stress for the day is gone.”

“Is that so?”

“After all, many people asked me questions today.”

Once he heard that, Amane recalled of the conversation Mahiru had with the girls.”

“Ah…erm…the most important person.”

Once Amane asked hesitantly, Mahiru, who buried her head in his chest, lifted it.

She was not looking embarrassed, but was giving a slightly forlorn smile.

“…For me, the world is really small. I can count the number of people I like with a single hand. I am like a little hakoniwa…of them all, you are the closest to me, Amane-kun. You said I should be myself.”

“…Mahiru.”

“So you should have a little more confidence in yourself, Amane-kun. You should impose yourself more.”

Because you are too humble, a wry smile appeared on Mahiru’s face, and Amane felt some heat from his eyelids.

“Can I really?”

“Of course. Please do the same as you did when you encouraged me.”

“…I see.”

“If you lack confidence, I shall encourage you anytime and embrace you. You should be fine with that, I suppose?”

“Yeah.”

Once he heard her powerful words, Amane buried his face into her shoulder, and hid his expression.

He hoped to support Mahiru, but he ended up supported by her. He really could not laugh at this situation, but perhaps it was really like him.

“…Has your stress vanished, Amane-kun?”

“Just let me be for a little longer.”

“Yes, sure.”

Amane seemingly fawned about as he remained on Mahiru, goodness me , who answered as she gave him such a smile.