By the time dinner was over, things had gotten pretty awkward.
Ooka Momiji sat beside Fujino like a young wife, often putting food into his bowl.
It almost felt like an elder looking after a junior.
But there was also the intimacy of a young couple...
That was how everyone else saw it.
Fujino, who knew what was behind it, felt more like a man whose wife was force-feeding him lamb kidneys after working him to exhaustion.
Fortunately, Little Maple seemed satisfied and had stopped getting handsy for the moment.
That gave Fujino a brief chance to catch his breath.
Suddenly, he understood why men in their thirties and forties could be so terrified of their wives.
At this rate, he really couldn't take it.
Fujino didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but deep down, he liked Little Maple even more.
Honestly, if he weren't still hoping to pursue the IF route, he would have taken Little Maple straight off to get married.
After all, they had been through life and death together.
While Ooka Momiji was feeding Fujino...
Ai Haibara, seated nearby, narrowed her eyes at the scene and rubbed her little chin. She couldn't quite make sense of it.
Why does she seem so much more affectionate toward Fujino?
But Fujino seems pretty resistant to her.
Ai Haibara frowned. Could it be that Fujino feels she's getting too close, so he's pulling away?
That would explain it...
The thought cleared things up for Ai Haibara.
It also left her feeling a little smug.
Fujino wasn't the type who liked people clinging to him.
Getting clingy like that would only backfire!
That had to be it!
Ai Haibara was certain no one understood Fujino better than she did.
After a night's rest, Fujino felt much better.
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