Suzuki Tsubame stopped walking.
He did not ask any questions or make any jokes. He simply bent down slowly and carefully set her back on the ground.
The instant her feet touched down, a dull pain shot through her ankle. Shiraishi Asuka frowned slightly, her body swaying faintly.
The next second, a hand steadily supported the outside of her elbow. The grip was light yet firm, offering only brief support before immediately withdrawing once he confirmed she was standing steadily.
"Asuka!"
A bright yet slightly anxious female voice suddenly called out from behind them.
Suzuki Tsubame turned around.
A girl with two thick, long braids was hurrying toward them with a bag in hand, her face full of concern.
"Why did you leave without saying anything? Didn't I tell you to wait for me?"
"I had something to do, so I left first."
Shiraishi Asuka turned her face slightly aside, suppressing the faint, lingering ache in her ankle. Her voice remained calm, revealing little emotion.
At that, the braided girl puffed out her cheeks. She was clearly still unhappy, but she did not complain further.
It seemed the connection between these two had originally been meant to begin today, only for Suzuki Tsubame to intercept it.
Come to think of it, did this count as some alternative kind of cuckolding?
Taking in their subtle expressions, Suzuki Tsubame stepped forward to explain on Shiraishi's behalf.
"Here's what happened. This classmate accidentally twisted her ankle, so I took it upon myself to bring her back."
He certainly did not want his actions to damage the friendship between two close friends.
Only then did the braided girl notice Suzuki Tsubame standing beside Shiraishi.
She narrowed her eyes and looked him over from head to toe. Then... her eyes suddenly lit up, and she