106. Don’t Move

"There's still porridge in the pot. If you're hungry later, just scoop some out and warm it up before eating."

"I put the leftover fruits in the fridge. Let them chill for a while before washing and eating them."

"And I've already put away the bottle of plum wine for you. Don't even think about sneaking a drink—you've just recovered!"

"Also, remember to take the clothes off the balcony. Don't wait until you need to wear them to remember they're still out there."

"And one more thing…"

Natsukawa Kanade's voice carried through the small apartment as he rattled off instructions, sounding less like a concerned junior and more like a doting parent. His stern expression barely masked the underlying worry he felt for his senpai.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat at the dining table, tapping her spoon lazily against the edge of her bowl. She wasn't even paying attention, letting his words wash over her like background noise.

Kanade sighed, running a hand through his hair. His senpai was utterly hopeless when it came to taking care of herself, especially when she was sick. Earlier, she had even tricked him—a minor!—into drinking plum wine. That was definitely crossing a line.

"This is a crime," Kanade muttered under his breath.

Thankfully, tomorrow was the weekend. He'd have two whole days to recover his energy. Not that he believed Utaha-senpai would take her recovery seriously. Knowing her, she'd probably milk the "sick" excuse for all it was worth and skip school altogether.

Kanade glanced at her, feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief. Fate was unfair. Here was someone who barely cared about school yet still managed to be one of the top students. It was enough to make anyone question the point of hard work.

"I see, I see. Junior-kun, you're starting to sound like an obaa-chan," Utaha teased, her voice as casual as ever. She tapped her spoon against her bowl again, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "If you're this worried, why don't you just stay here? You can sleep anywhere, even in my room, if you like…"

Kanade's face darkened. "Senpai, stop talking nonsense. You should be focusing on your own recovery—you're not a kid anymore."

Utaha leaned back with a sigh, clearly disappointed. She'd been so busy with her manuscripts lately that she hadn't seen her junior in ages. She had imagined tonight would be more... memorable. But instead, here they were, exchanging formal goodbyes like distant acquaintances.

Reluctantly, Kanade picked up his bag and gave the room one last glance to ensure he hadn't left anything behind. "I'm heading out now. Thanks for having me, senpai. Lock the door behind me."

"I know, I know," Utaha replied, her voice dripping with mock laziness. She stood up slowly, dragging her feet toward the door as if she were being forced into manual labor.

Just as Kanade reached for the door handle, Utaha's voice stopped him.

"Wait a moment, junior…"

Kanade turned back, puzzled. "What is it now—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Utaha stepped closer. Too close.

"Y-you—"

"Shh! Don't talk... and don't move!" she commanded, her voice unusually serious.

Kanade froze. This wasn't like the teasing moments earlier. Her face wasn't flushed with embarrassment or mischief. Instead, her expression was focused, almost... sincere.

Utaha reached out and gently cupped his cheeks with her hands. Kanade's first instinct was to brush them away, but something stopped him. Her hands were cool, and the sensation was oddly comforting.

And then it happened.

A light touch on his forehead—cool and moist, fleeting but unmistakable.

"Wha—"

"This is your reward," Utaha whispered, pulling back just enough for him to see her smile.

Her face filled his entire field of vision, her lips curling into a playful smirk. As if one little "reward" wasn't enough, she licked her lips slowly, her expression leaving no doubt she was enjoying his flustered reaction.

Kanade's heart skipped a beat. His mind raced as he struggled to figure out how to respond. Looking directly at her felt too dangerous, but closing his eyes would send the wrong message.

===========

Kanade Pov:

"W-what are you doing, senpai?!" I stammered, my face heating up.

Utaha-senpai tilted her head, pretending to look confused. "What's wrong, junior-kun? I was just giving you a well-deserved reward. Or…" Her voice dropped to a playful whisper. "…did you want more?"

Her words sent my heart into overdrive.

"Senpai!" I stepped back instinctively, flustered beyond belief. "Please mind your distance! Even if we're friends… this is way too much!"

Utaha blinked at me, then let out a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Mou~, you're no fun, Kanade-kun. I was only teasing." But her smirk betrayed her true intentions.

She took a step closer, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. Her slender fingers, pale and graceful, traced a path from my cheek to my hand. Slowly, deliberately, they slid up my arm, brushing against my neck before stopping at my chest.

"So," she continued, her voice a low purr, "where should I print my next 'reward'? Here?" Her fingers hovered over my heart, her gaze locked onto mine.

"I… I…" Words failed me.

"Or…" Her hand moved again, her delicate fingertips grazing my lips, lingering there like a phantom touch. "Maybe here?"

"I… I'm going home!"

Before she could escalate the situation any further, I spun around and bolted for the door.

"Natsukawa Kanade, retreat!" I muttered to myself, my feet moving as fast as they could.

Behind me, I could hear Utaha-senpai laughing softly, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction.

By the time I reached the street outside, my face was burning, my heart pounding like a taiko drum. The memory of her cool fingers on my skin and the ghost of her lips on my forehead replayed in my mind, completely unbidden.

Why was she like this?

The thought lingered as I walked home, my steps slow and hesitant. It wasn't just her teasing—it was the way she looked at me. For a brief moment, it felt… serious. As though she was trying to say something without words.

No, no, no. I shook my head, dispelling the thought. Utaha-senpai was just messing with me again. Like always.

This wasn't the first time I'd fallen for one of her tricks. Back then, I had completely misunderstood her intentions, foolishly believing she felt the same way I did.

What a joke.

But even now, a small part of me… a part I wanted to ignore… wondered if maybe, just maybe, there was something more to her actions.

I clenched my fists, trying to squash the thought before it grew. We're just friends, I reminded myself. Friends don't think about each other like this.

Right?

The memory of her smile resurfaced, unbidden. It wasn't the playful smirk she usually wore. It was softer, almost... wistful.

I shook my head again, harder this time. Stop it, Kanade!

Still, I couldn't escape the guilt welling up inside me. How could I even entertain these thoughts? After everything, I'd told myself to move on, to let go of my feelings for her. Yet here I was, letting her actions cloud my resolve.

Utaha-senpai wasn't entirely innocent either. She was always pushing boundaries, blurring the lines between teasing and something more. But wasn't it my fault for letting her? For not being firm enough?

I sighed heavily, my pace slowing as I reached the familiar street leading to my apartment. No matter how much I tried to rationalize it, one truth remained: I didn't know how to deal with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Every time I thought I'd figured her out, she would turn the tables, leaving me lost and confused. It was frustrating, but at the same time...

"Kasumigaoka Utaha…" I muttered her name under my breath.

I didn't have the strength to resist her, not really. Maybe I never would.