Melonbooks Special: Taking Measurements: Behind the Scenes

"How is Fujimiya-kun, actually?"

Mahiru had just finished taking measurements for the café's costume as part of the cultural festival preparations, and her classmates started questioning her, leaving her bewildered. The girls had slid their heads closer and closer to Mahiru, who could only respond with, "What do you mean, 'how?'" without understanding the intent of her question.

"Well, I've only seen Fujimiya-kun spending time with us quietly, so I'm interested in how Fujimiya-kun is in front of you."

The other girls were nodding along as if they were curious about the exact same thing, so she was likely asking on behalf of what they all wanted to hear.

"I-I don't know, but… umm, he's kind, and he always looks out for me."

It was rather hard to describe Amane's character so simply. If she had to put words on it, then he was gentlemanly and a genuinely kind person, but she didn't think that was the answer they were looking for.

"Kind? Is that it?"

"Th-That's not what I meant… Umm, if I'm ever in trouble, he'll notice it right away. He pays so much attention to me that he realizes when I'm trying to hide something I want to keep to myself, and he respects it."

"And yet he's so dense. He's amazingly balanced."

"Chi-Chitose-san. B-but now, he shows it properly through his words and actions."

She would struggle to label Amane's greatest strength when asked so suddenly, but she was sure that one of them was his tendency to understand that he and his lover were separate beings with their own lives, on top of the care and respect that he gave. He never forgot to make her feel cherished and loved. If there were any differences of opinion, they would talk it out, respect each other's wishes, and lead each other in the right direction without dismissing their thoughts. Although they were lovers, they didn't treat each other lightly, nor did they force their opinions on the other party. Instead of trying to control one another, they understood and respected their lover. It may be the obvious thing to do, but Amane's strength was that he always did such things as a matter of course.

Ultimately, he was one to love Mahiru as she was and cherish her in her entirety. Furthermore, he would always do his best to convey it with his words and attitude. He did this thoroughly so as to not make her feel uneasy. The surrounding girls began murmuring a little at Mahiru's answer, but as far as she was concerned, she was simply answering what she liked about her lover.

"...Ermm, I think it's a bad habit to respect someone so much that he stops prioritizing himself."

The people around her began to agree with the last remark, adding, "I get that feeling," and as a girl, Mahiru wasn't sure how to react, Amane was in fact the very cautious and shy type. There was no denying it.

Every once in a while, Amane's hand would tremble as if enduring her touch, or his eyes would turn feverish and lustful, but he would never act on it. As for her, she felt relieved, but was also left a little dissatisfied.

"Well, Amane is the type of guy to pull back as soon as Mahirun hesitates for just a moment, after all."

"But I think it's cute that he's so shy."

"On the other hand, the fact that Fujimiya-kun hasn't done anything to

Shiina-san is amazing in itself, don't you think? Having such an attractive girl by his side and not even laying a finger on her is a pretty impressive feat."

"Don't tell me he can't get it up?"

"Th-That's not true, okay? Erm, when we're sticking together, I-I can feel it…" "Heeh~"

"Chitose-san, please don't grin like that!"

"No no, how do I put it? It's kind of heartwarming." "Right!?"

"Everyone else, too…"

She suddenly felt like she said something she shouldn't have, so she felt a little sorry for Amane, who would inevitably be subjected to the girl's stares in the classroom afterwards. It was her fault for slipping up, so all she could do was apologize to him in her heart.