Cooling Down

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the ship's railing, casting an interplay of light and shadow on their clasped hands.

This scene was inadvertently glimpsed by several Class D students positioned further back.

Hoshino Kanade's profile, as he gazed intently ahead, was serene. Sweat stains lingered on his jawline, yet he exuded a sense of stability, unswayed by the outside world.

Kiyona tilted her head slightly, her long lashes lowered. Her gaze seemed to rest on their clasped hands, or perhaps drift into the void.

A few damp strands of hair clung to her porcelain-like neck. In the crowded, sweltering throng, the two of them seemed to form a tranquil barrier.

The sea breeze blew, lifting Kiyona's hair, which brushed against Hoshino Kanade's arm, briefly entangling before parting.

Those clasped hands, amidst the clamor and heatwave, were quiet and firm.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... No way..." a boy stammered, eyes wide, nudging his companion with his elbow.

"Damn! In this bad weather, crammed into this steamer, and I'm being force-fed... dog food?" another boy exclaimed dramatically, clutching his chest. His tone was complaining, but his eyes were filled with astonishment and teasing "I knew it" glances.

"You two, a little restraint! Consider the feelings of single people, alright?"

Hoshino Kanade ignored them, instead tightening his grip on Kiyona's hand.

Kiyona also remained silent, only a faint blush spreading from her ear roots.

Just then, a gentle voice, tinged with curiosity and care, came from behind:

"Huh?... Sou, you're sweating a lot."

Shiina Hiyori appeared to have just finished tidying herself up, carrying the regulation small backpack.

Her silver-gray hair was blown by the sea breeze, and her deep purple eyes clearly reflected the beads of sweat on Hoshino Kanade's forehead.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on his visibly uncomfortable expression and his right hand, held by Kiyona, revealing pure concern. "Holding hands like this... does it help you cool down?"

Her tone wasn't questioning, but rather a naive inquiry into some physical phenomenon.

As if to test it, Shiina Hiyori naturally took a small step forward.

Without any hesitation or awkwardness, she extended her fingers, which were cool to the touch.

"!" The sudden coolness made Hoshino Kanade's body instinctively tense.

Shiina Hiyori looked up, meeting Hoshino Kanade's gaze as he turned. A pure, warm smile bloomed on her face. "See, my hands are cool too."

Her words held only a sincere desire to help. "If you're feeling hot, Sou... would you like to try holding my hand too? Maybe... it would be more comfortable?"

As she spoke, she openly extended her left hand towards Hoshino Kanade, palm up, fingertips slightly curled, a silent invitation and expectation.

That pure, untainted care stirred his heartstrings.

Hoshino Kanade's heart skipped a beat at that moment.

He wasn't naive; the affection hidden beneath Shiina's pure gaze was as clear as the coolness of her fingertips.

And the stable, refreshing coolness from Kiyona's palm, along with the affection already deeply rooted in his heart, also weighed heavily.

He turned his head to look at Kiyona beside him.

He needed to confirm her feelings.

Kiyona was also looking back at him.

Her expression remained calm and undisturbed, but her cool eyes paused for a moment on Shiina's outstretched hand before moving up to meet Hoshino Kanade's gaze.

Immediately after, Hoshino Kanade felt Kiyona's fingertip lightly, yet incredibly clearly, tap his right palm.

It wasn't a rejection, but a signal of permission.

Kiyona even nodded at him with a barely perceptible movement.

Catching Kiyona's subtle yet firm response, Hoshino Kanade's last trace of hesitation vanished.

A warm current mixed with excitement surged through him. He no longer hesitated and calmly raised his left hand.

He placed his palm onto Shiina Hiyori's waiting, cool hand, then firmly clasped it.

The moment their fingers intertwined, the three of them seemed to freeze in the scorching air.

On his left hand was the soft, boneless coolness of Shiina Hiyori's delicate skin. On his right was the stable, refreshing coolness from Kiyona.

Two distinct yet equally comfortable coolnesses spread along his arms, strangely soothing the heat around him and the ripples in his heart.

"Mmm..." Shiina Hiyori let out a soft sigh of contentment, as if her "cooling solution" had been perfectly validated. The smile on her face grew brighter and warmer, her purple eyes curving into crescents.

"...Cool, it feels good, right?" she said, feeling the coolness in her palm neutralize the warmth radiating from him, her satisfaction evident.

"Yes, very effective. Thank you, Shiina," Hoshino Kanade replied, his voice deeper than usual, tinged with a hint of excitement.

He slightly tightened his left hand, enveloping Shiina's cool hand more securely in his palm.

At the same time, his right hand, holding Kiyona's, conveyed a firmer pressure back.

Kiyona felt the steadiness in her hand and looked at Shiina Hiyori's pure, satisfied smile. The inexplicable ripples in her heart subsided into calm.

She understood Shiina's simple affection and cherished Hoshino Kanade's feelings for her. The harmony of the moment stemmed from an unspoken understanding and trust between the three of them.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the increasingly visible coastline.

Shiina Hiyori felt the warm embrace of his hand, then looked up at Hoshino Kanade's composed profile and Kiyona's tacit approval. She offered Kiyona a grateful smile.

For her, being able to help Sou and to get along harmoniously with Kiyona was the most complete happiness at that moment.

The observing Class D students behind them: (⊙ˍ⊙)(⊙ˍ⊙)(⊙ˍ⊙)(⊙ˍ⊙)(⊙ˍ⊙)