As they strolled down the street, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.
Some were questioning their lives after a failed imitation, some resented their childhood friend for being inhuman, and some worried that a child might turn into a brat who endangered society.
Ooka Momiji followed along with a candy apple in hand, glancing around from time to time and taking small bites now and then, no one knowing what was on her mind.
She seemed somewhat distracted.
"What is it? Something bothering you?"
Fujino slowed his pace and walked over to her. Pulling out a handkerchief, he wiped the corner of her mouth.
Momiji froze for a moment at his words and looked at the handkerchief resting against her lips.
A flutter rose in her heart.
But then she shook her head. "No, it's just..."
"Are you under a lot of pressure because of the competition?"
Momiji nodded slightly, seemingly neither confirming nor denying Fujino's question.
Fujino merely reached out and gently patted her soft, slightly naturally curled dark-gold hair. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just do what you normally do."
"Mm..."
With a soft hum, Momiji nodded. A young girl's shyness appeared on her face, and her complexion looked much better.
Seeing this, Fujino did not say anything more. He merely sneaked a touch of her little hand.
Ooka Momiji had been a competitive karuta player since childhood. She had surely tempered her mentality long ago.
He did not believe she would feel psychological pressure over a single competition.
Ever since recently, something about this lady had seemed subtly off, as though some extra burden weighed upon her heart.
There were too many things that could drastically change a person's state of mind. For a girl...
Could it be something like her period?