"You really know how to say nice things, Tetsu-kun."
"Tetsu-kun is really good at using this standard speaking technique."
"Really?"
Kazehara Tetsu picked up the napkin and wiped the corners of his mouth casually.
"I think it's okay. After all, praising a person who generously gives away food is the basic etiquette of a guest. I'm just telling the truth."
Seeing his completely unconcerned look, the curvature of the corners of Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth deepened a bit.
She glanced at the food that was still mostly on her plate and picked up her fork again.
"Do you want more?"
She gently shook the silver fork in her hand, as if as long as Kazehara Tetsu nodded, this would turn into a long feeding game.
"That's enough."
Kazehara Tetsu waved his hand, leaned back slightly, and leaned on the comfortable Leather Chair Back.
Although that small amount is just a drop in the bucket for his stomach, he doesn't have the kind of insatiable appetite.
"It's you, Arisu."
"Eat more. How can you still have so much left in this set meal?"
"Look how thin you have become. Your physique is already weak. If you can't even guarantee your basic energy intake, how can you ensure your health?"
Faced with this sudden and slightly tough preaching, Sakayanagi Arisu was slightly stunned.
But the strange thing is that she doesn't hate this feeling.
"It's really harsh..."
She lowered her eyes, looked at the food on the plate, and gently cut a piece of beef with Knife and Fork in her hand.
"It's obviously my dinner time, but not only am I being robbed of the best part, but am I also being supervised while eating?"
Although she was complaining, the movements of her hands did not stop. She put the piece of beef into her mouth and chewed it carefully.
"Since it is Tetsu-kun's 'request'... then I will try my best."
The dinner ended in such a wonderful atmosphere.
Although Sakayanagi Arisu failed to completely clear the plate in the end, this was already the limit of her usual food intake.
"Huh..."
The waiter brought the bill, and Sakayanagi Arisu did not let Kazehara Tetsu interfere, but completed the payment very naturally.
She picked up the white coat beside her.
Kazehara Tetsu stood up naturally, took the coat, and unfolded it.
"Please."
Sakayanagi Arisu did not refuse the invitation. She turned around and put her arms into her sleeves obediently.
When the weight of the coat fell on her shoulders, she felt Kazehara Tetsu's fingers gently help her adjust the neckline through the fabric.
"Let's go."
The two walked out of the restaurant and returned to the world covered in ice and snow.
"What's next?"
Kazehara Tetsu stood on the steps and turned his head to look at Sakayanagi Arisu, who was standing in the wind and slightly adapting to the temperature difference.
It's not too late now, for Christmas Eve, the nightlife has just begun.
Sakayanagi Arisu raised his head, and under the white Beret, his eyes were looking at the snowflakes.
"Just take a walk."
She made an offer that was not in line with her physical condition.
"It would be a waste of this rare scenery if we go directly into a boring room on such a snowy night."
"Take a walk?"
Kazehara Tetsu glanced at the cane in her hand.
"Arisu, I know you pursue feelings. But..."
He pointed to the Shopping Mall in the distance.
"If you want to leave, why not go to Lobby in Shopping Mall? The heating there is very sufficient. Stay outside... This sub-zero temperature plus the cold wind will put too much strain on your body."
This is a suggestion from Absolute Rationality.
Sakayanagi Arisu did not adopt this suggestion and turned her head.
"It's true. It's cold outside and the roads are not easy to walk on. For a 'disabled person' like me, this is not a wise choice."
"But... let's wait."
"I want to... stay in this real world for a while before I can't do it anymore."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her unflinching eyes and was silent for two seconds.
Finally, he sighed and smiled helplessly.
"No way."
He gave up persuasion and took his hands out of his pockets.
"Then I have no choice but to sacrifice my life to accompany you."
He slowed down his pace, matching Sakayanagi Arisu's slightly slower pace due to the inconvenience of his legs and feet.
The two walked side by side on the Beech Forest trail.
There were still lively crowds around.
But all the hustle and bustle seemed to be isolated by the two of them.
Whether intentionally or not, the two of them came to a relatively secluded corner.
There is a Arch Bridge across the Artificial River.
Although it is just a Kobashi built for the sake of landscape, tonight, it is decorated to be particularly dreamy.
Countless tiny LED Fairy Lights are wrapped around the bridge railings, emitting a warm and yellow light.
Although the river water under the bridge has been frozen with thin ice, under the light, the ice surface reflects sparkling waves.
"Just stay here."
Kazehara Tetsu stopped, leaned on the cold Stone Railing, turned around and looked at the night scene.
"Although it is an artificial scenery, it is quite beautiful in this Special Day."
He turned his head and looked at Sakayanagi Arisu standing next to him.
"Do you like it?"
"No feeling."
Sakayanagi Arisu gave a somewhat disgraceful evaluation.
"This kind of light pollution piled up to cater to the public's aesthetics is full of cheap commercial atmosphere. Rather than being beautiful, it is better to say False Prosperity."
How mean, yet so consistent with Sakayanagi Arisu.
But then, her conversation changed.
"Originally... it should be like this."
She turned her body slightly, no longer looking at the scenery in the distance, but focused her gaze on the layer of snow stained by the light on the bridge.
"But it's quite rare."
"If you have someone to watch it with you... it wouldn't be too bad."
"You can watch a little longer."
The two of them stood side by side on the bridge, letting time pass by in the cold wind.
Sakayanagi Arisu Looking at the scenery, or pretending to be looking at the scenery.
But Kazehara Tetsu's eyes never stayed on those Fairy Lights for too long from beginning to end.
He turned slightly sideways, his eyes locked on the existence that was more dazzling than the night scene.
The light shined on Sakayanagi Arisu's short silver hair, giving her a divine halo.
For Kazehara Tetsu, this is the most worthy scenery tonight.
"..."
This unabashed gaze obviously cannot be ignored by Sakayanagi Arisu, who has keen perception.
She did not turn her head immediately, but maintained that posture and was silent for a long time.
"Tetsu-kun."
Suddenly, she spoke.
"Huh?"
Kazehara Tetsu responded subconsciously.
Sakayanagi Arisu did not answer immediately.
"Tetsu-kun."
"Well, what's the matter?"
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her, waiting for the next step.
Sakayanagi Arisu raised his head and stared into Kazehara Tetsu's eyes.
"I'm thinking about a question."
"From the first encounter, to every subsequent contact, to tonight...Tetsu-kun Why are you willing to stay with me all the time?"
"No, it's not just a simple investment of time like 'accompanying'."
"You know who I am. You know that I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. You know that my character is not as harmless as it looks. It can even be said to be bad."
"In this school, most people give me a wide berth."
"But you... don't seem to be on guard against me."
"Why?"
"Whether it's accepting my invitation, eating the food I feed, or standing next to me defenseless like this... I can't see the warning."
"For a woman who may use you to achieve some purpose at any time... is this attitude too flippant?"
The cold wind howled by and rolled up the corners of her clothes.
Kazehara Tetsu looked at the girl in front of him who spoke sharply but seemed to be expecting something.
He didn't do anything to avoid it.
"The reason..."
Then, he stretched out his hand, without touching her, but gently placed it on the stone railing behind her.
"It's very simple."
Kazehara Tetsu gave Sakayanagi Arisu an unexpected answer word for word.
"Because it's Sakayanagi Arisu."
"Huh?"
Sakayanagi Arisu was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting this kind of nonsense literature.
"Because you are Sakayanagi Arisu, there is no reason to set up defenses.
"Because of this, I don't need to be on guard."
"Because I know that a proud person like you would not bother to use such despicable means to backstab an "accomplice" whom you recognized."
"If you really wanted to take advantage of me, you would checkmate me on the chessboard instead of engaging in some conspiracy on a boring date like this."
"That's an insult to your own pride."
"So..."
Kazehara Tetsu stretched out a finger and gently tapped Sakayanagi Arisu's dazed forehead.
"Fortifying yourself in front of you? That's a distrust of the name Sakayanagi Arisu."
"Since I have chosen to stand next to you and watch this false scenery with you, that means..."
"I leave my back to you, Arisu."
"Even if you really poke me with the cane... I'll admit it."