This guy actually wasn't going to keep arguing with me like he usually did?
Fushimi Makoto acted as if he hadn't noticed. He took the opportunity to pet the cat for a while, then got up and said to himself, "Someone's feeling pretty combative today. Looks like she wants to take control... Well, I'll let her have this one and avoid her edge for now."
Yukino stood up too, her beautiful smile utterly devoid of warmth. "That's right. That's exactly what I want."
Fushimi Makoto didn't respond. "Come on. Let's head back first."
Yukino followed him, still wearing that smile. "You've backed down twice in a row. Have you still not figured out how to respond?"
Fushimi Makoto suddenly chuckled. "So that's what you think? You're a little naive, Yukino."
Yukino couldn't shake the feeling that there was something odd about his smile, but she replied anyway, "If all you can do is say things like that, then I'm even more certain you're not ready..."
Before she could finish her declaration of victory, a middle-aged man wearing an apron came running up behind them.
The moment he saw the fat orange cat on the ground, he shouted at Fushimi Makoto in annoyance, "Makoto, are you secretly feeding my orange cat again? Look how fat he is already!"
"Run."
Fushimi Makoto took Yukino's hand and hurried off without giving her a choice.
The man's helpless shout followed them. "You're running away again! How many times has this happened now?"
Yukino didn't even bother to worry about Fushimi Makoto taking her hand again.
She asked in disbelief, "Didn't you say you borrowed the orange cat?"
"I did. The owner's shop is near my house, so we've known each other for ages. I wanted to borrow the cat so I could stake you