Brave Bobo, Fearless in the Face of Hardship!

"D-Drink coffee?"

Only then did Hasebe realize her thoughts had gone astray again. Her already flushed cheeks grew even redder.

"Um, if it's just coffee... then I guess that's fine."

She slowly lowered her hands and added with feigned reluctance, "Seeing how sincerely Bei-Bei apologized, I'll give you one chance and reluctantly forgive you."

[Hasebe Haruka Affection Level +6, current Affection Level: 60]

"Then it's settled. Let's go now."

The corners of Kitagawa Kai's lips lifted slightly as he stepped out from between the bookshelves first.

Hasebe Haruka remained where she was, pressing the back of her cool hand against her burning cheeks to cool them down. Only after making sure nothing looked too unusual did she follow him out as though nothing had happened.

As soon as she returned near their seats, Sakura Airi sharply noticed the unusual color on her face.

"Haruka, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"

"Um... the air between the bookshelves wasn't very well ventilated. It was just a little hot."

Ten minutes later.

Inside a dessert shop at the mall.

Hasebe Haruka sat in a booth, with Kitagawa Kai seated beside her.

She idly flipped through the menu, but her gaze occasionally drifted toward the direction of the library outside the window.

"Bei-Bei, isn't it kind of bad for just the two of us to sneak out like this?"

"So Bobo likes having lots of people around? I didn't expect that."

"That's not what I meant."

Hasebe hurriedly set down the menu and waved both hands in front of her chest.

"I mean, I feel a little bad. We secretly slipped out to eat and drink, while they're suffering in the library studying..."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Kitagawa Kai lifted the coffee on the table and took