[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]
Saki Miyanaga keenly picked up on the shared feeling in Nodoka Haramura’s words. “You feel that way too, Haramura? Then I’ll work twice as hard!”
“Huh?”
Saki suddenly rose to her feet.
Leaning across the table, she looked straight into Nodoka’s face. “Haramura, let’s go together. Let’s make it to the national tournament together.”
Nodoka froze and instinctively caught hold of Sora Kageyama’s sleeve.
A few seconds later, however, she let go and gave Saki a broad smile. “Then no more holding back.”
Nodoka reached across the dining table and held out her little finger.
After a moment of surprise, Saki returned the gesture.
A pinky promise.
Resting his chin on his hand, Sora quietly watched. He did not interrupt; he simply looked on.
He had not even taken part in their promise, yet he could not help thinking how wonderful it was. Their enthusiasm and the bond between them were truly... beautiful.
Even someone as steeped in the pursuit of money as he was felt almost cleansed by it.
An hour later, Sora paid the bill. By then, it had grown dark.
Saki declined Sora and Nodoka’s offer to walk her home. Carrying her school bag, she ran off toward her house.
Dusk bathed the street in a gentle amber glow. Sora adjusted his collar.
Considering himself reasonably gentlemanly, he decided to walk Nodoka home.
The stone-paved path wound beneath their feet, and the streetlights stretched the shadows of the plane-tree leaves long across the ground.
Neither spoke along the way. They simply walked hand in hand.
When they finally reached Nodoka’s front door, Sora smiled and gently patted her pink hair. “You’re home. Get some rest.”
Just as he turned to leave, Nodoka caught his sleeve.
“I’m so excited and happy that... I can’t settle down. I feel especially cheerful, and I want to stay with you... Would you spend the night at my house?”
Chapter 27
Nodoka’s fingers tightened around the fabric of Sora’s sleeve, her knuckles turning slightly white.
The streetlight shone through the cherry blossoms, scattering little patches of light and shadow across her upturned face. Beneath her lashes, the flickering light looked like a cluster of restless butterflies.
She lowered her gaze to their joined hands.
“I’m so excited and happy that... I can’t settle down. I feel especially cheerful, and I want to stay with you... Would you spend the night at my house?”
Her voice was softer than spring petals drifting onto water, yet it held a newfound resolve.
“Of course,” Sora replied. “As long as you want me here, Nodoka, I’ll be there for you.”
The door to Nodoka’s house closed softly behind them, the wooden frame giving a faint click.
The warm yellow motion-sensor light came on in the entryway.
In the living room, her favorite penguin plush sat on the arm of the sofa, its head tilted to one side.
Whenever Nodoka played online mahjong alone at night, she would hold that plush in her arms.
To her, it was like a beloved comfort toy, something deeply precious. It was far more than just a stuffed animal.
Outside, a light rain had begun to fall. The sound of raindrops tapping against the glass filled the quiet room.
“It’s a good thing you let me stay,” Sora said. “Otherwise, I’d be getting soaked.”
It was raining again.
Chapter 28: Staying Overnight at Nodoka Haramura’s House
Nodoka’s room had a distinctly princess-like style, quite different from the rest of the house.
When Sora switched on the light, a soft pink glow filled the room.
“You really know how to make a room comfortable, Nodoka,” he said admiringly.
Outside, the rain grew heavier, pattering against the window.