(Heartfelt thanks to Yunqi Qinggu and Sui Feng Qi Wu for their tips!)
"Hey, Xiao Hei..."
On the way home, Illya complained to Xiao Hei, who had been happily holding onto one of Wu Yan's arms the entire time.
"You've been holding on for so long. Isn't it about time you let go?..."
"Why?..." As though she had expected Illya to ask that, Xiao Hei not only refused to let go, but hugged his arm even tighter.
"Can't I hold Big Brother's arm?..."
"Don't you know what modesty is?..." Illya shouted indignantly.
"You're a girl! How can a girl keep holding a boy's arm like that?..."
"Why can't I?..." Xiao Hei blinked and pointed at a couple passing by, intimately wrapped around each other.
"Look, they're holding each other too..."
"They're a couple!" Illya's voice rose involuntarily.
"Isn't it normal for a couple to hold each other?!"
"So it's only normal for couples to hold each other?..." Xiao Hei immediately revealed a mischievous smile and even rested her head against Wu Yan's arm.
"Then I want to become a couple with Big Brother too!"
"Wha..." Illya's eyes widened.
"Xiao Hei... and Brother Wu Yan..." At the side, Miyu also looked shaken.
"...are a couple..."
"Ooooooh!!!" The four little girls following silently behind them drew out their cries in astonishment.
"Th-This... is this a confession?..." The shy Mimi blushed bright red.
"So... so bold..."
"This is an incredible development!" Nanae's mouth had already formed an O.
"But isn't Xiao Hei's original partner Illya?..."
"Illya?..." Ryuko seemed to have only just realized it and inexplicably shouted at Illya.
"This is bad, Illya! Xiao Hei is planning to steal your Big Brother away!"
"W-What do you mean, my Big Brother..." Illya could no longer stay calm and began stammering.
"Y-You're talking nonsense!"
"No,