Heartbeats and Illusions

All beginnings are hard.

The process had been challenging, but Natsukawa Kanade managed to help Eriri color her manuscript. It wasn't perfect, but it was a step forward. During the hours they worked, nothing unusual occurred—except for Eriri occasionally glancing at him. Whenever Kanade noticed and turned her way, she would quickly avert her gaze, her cheeks flushing faintly.

Kanade didn't mind. After all, Eriri was the original artist, and this was her work. Even if it was just a picture book, she had every right to be meticulous about quality. Her concern about his contribution as an assistant was understandable.

"Finally finished the painting…" Kanade exhaled deeply, stretching to dispel the tension in his muscles.

"How about you, Eri—" he began, only to stop mid-sentence.

From his vantage point, he saw Eriri slumped over the table, sound asleep. Her soft breaths were steady, and her slightly parted lips murmured faint, incomprehensible words: "Slower… no, faster…"

Slower? Faster? Kanade chuckled quietly.

He imagined she must be dreaming about her work, even in her sleep. It was admirable—this relentless dedication was undoubtedly one of the reasons Eriri had become such a respected artist in her field.

Outside, the evening sky had darkened. The two of them had spent most of the day immersed in their work, losing track of time. Now that they had paused, the fatigue hit like a wave, leaving Kanade feeling lightheaded and a bit dizzy from hunger.

Still, seeing Eriri sleeping so soundly, he didn't have the heart to wake her. Instead, Kanade carefully lifted her up, cradling her gently, and carried her to her bed.

"If you sleep like that in a chair, you'll catch a cold," he muttered softly.

Thankfully, she was already dressed in her pajamas, saving him from any awkward decisions about changing her clothes. After settling her down, Kanade pulled a blanket over her and smiled faintly.

"Good night, little golden retriever," he whispered.

Although his earlier confession had been rejected, he harbored no resentment toward her. If anything, there was only a lingering sense of regret and disappointment. Eriri was not the type of person to make a spectacle out of rejecting someone. She didn't alienate him or treat him with disdain afterward, sparing him the embarrassment of public ridicule.

Maybe I could've tried harder, Kanade thought briefly. But the moment had passed, and there was no point in dwelling on it. He decided to move forward.

With one last glance at her peaceful expression, Kanade left the room, closing the door behind him quietly.

It was late, but not so late that the streets were empty. He considered stopping by a convenience store to grab something to eat, but the exhaustion weighing on his body was too strong. Even the thought of stepping out again was unbearable.

Hailing a taxi, he gave the driver his address and sank into the seat, closing his eyes for a brief rest. By the time he opened them again, the cityscape had faded into darkness, and the taxi was parked in front of his apartment building.

"Thank you, sir," Kanade said, paying the fare before heading inside.

Once home, he collapsed onto the sofa, unable to resist the pull of sleep.

When Kanade woke, he wasn't greeted by the familiar ceiling of his apartment but by the sight of a soft, radiant face hovering just above him. Startled, he blinked a few times before realizing who it was.

"...Shiina?"

It wasn't Eriri. The girl before him had golden hair as well, but that was where the resemblance ended. It was Shiina Mahiru, who had somehow snuck into his apartment again without warning. This time, she had settled herself beside him, offering him an unexpected but heavenly lap pillow.

Kanade sighed, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused.

Shiina's presence in his life had become something of a routine. Ever since she caught him surviving on meal replacement bars one evening, she had made it her mission to deliver home-cooked dinners to him daily. Today was no different.

Looking over to the dining table, Kanade saw the neatly arranged dishes Shiina had prepared for him. His stomach growled audibly, and with a small smile, he rose carefully, leaving the warmth of her lap without waking her.

Her persistence was something Kanade couldn't quite wrap his head around. While he appreciated the gesture, her gentle demeanor often made him feel conflicted. Does she know how easy it is to misunderstand her kindness? he wondered.

Still, he knew deep down that Shiina's actions were purely out of concern for his well-being. She didn't have ulterior motives. If anyone's thoughts were inappropriate, it was his own.

The meal was still warm, and Kanade devoured it with a mix of gratitude and guilt. After finishing, he glanced over at Shiina, who was still dozing peacefully on his sofa. Deciding not to disturb her, he grabbed a fresh change of clothes and headed for the bathroom.

A hot shower would help clear his head and wash away the lingering stickiness of the day. As the warm water cascaded over him, Kanade let out a long sigh.

Between Eriri's passionate artistry and Shiina's quiet warmth, his life seemed far more complicated—and fulfilling—than he ever could've anticipated.

However, halfway through his shower, Natsukawa Kanade suddenly heard a faint click. The unmistakable sound of the bathroom door opening.

He froze mid-motion, his mind racing. The steam from the shower clouded his vision momentarily, but as he turned his head, he saw her.

Shiina Mahiru, the angel herself, stood at the doorway, rubbing her eyes groggily. Her soft muttering filled the air. "Kanade...?"

Kanade's thoughts ground to a halt. There she was, barely awake, wearing an oversized sweater that slipped off one shoulder, her hair slightly messy from sleep. And there he was, drenched, fully-naked, standing in the shower.

Their eyes locked.

Mahiru blinked a few times, her sleepy state slowly giving way to realization. Her gaze drifted downward, taking in the sight before her.

And then it happened.

With a loud thump, the plush doll she'd been holding slipped from her hands and hit the floor. Mahiru's face turned a fiery red as her wide eyes stayed glued to Kanade.

His strong abdominal muscles, glistening under the water, his sharp, angular features, and even the beads of water trailing down his chest—everything about him seemed like it was carved out of a dream.

Mahiru let out a tiny gasp, stammered incoherently, and then released a small, high-pitched squeal. "I... I... I'm sorry for disturbing you!"

Before Kanade could even process her words, Mahiru spun on her heel and bolted out of the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her with enough force to rattle the walls.

Kanade stared at the door for a long moment, then sighed heavily.

"Why... Why does this keep happening to me?" he muttered to himself.

He reached out and closed the door properly, leaning against it for a moment. This wasn't the first time Mahiru's unintentional actions had thrown his life into chaos, but this one felt particularly absurd.

"In all the two-dimensional time-travel stories, it's always the girls who end up in compromising situations, right?" Kanade mused aloud, shaking his head. "Why is it me who's always caught in these situations? Who's supposed to enjoy this—because I'm definitely not."

Grumbling to himself, he grabbed a towel and began drying off. The idea of a relaxing shower was now completely ruined. After hastily wiping his body, he got dressed and stepped out of the bathroom.

The living room was eerily quiet. Mahiru was nowhere to be seen, but it was clear she'd fled back to her apartment in embarrassment. Still, she'd had the presence of mind to collect her lunchbox before she left.

Kanade sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, there was a silver lining. After what had just happened, there was no way Mahiru would show up at his place for at least a few days. Perhaps now he'd have some peace and quiet.

He tidied up the living room quickly, checked his phone for any missed messages, and then headed to bed.

The night passed in silence, with no further interruptions.

The next morning, Kanade grabbed his schoolbag and set out on his planned journey—to Saitama.

Unlike Tokyo, Saitama wasn't exactly a hotspot for excitement. While it had parks, shrines, and a handful of dining spots, it lacked the allure of places like Akihabara, Tokyo Tower, or Ginza's bustling commercial district. Even its amusement parks couldn't compete with the likes of Disneyland.

But for Kanade, that was precisely the appeal. Saitama offered a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. More importantly, it was far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo that he didn't have to worry about running into anyone he knew. The chance for a day of solitude was too tempting to pass up.

Or so he thought.

As he wandered through the streets, enjoying the stillness, a familiar voice pierced the air:

"Kaichou-Kohai?"

Kanade froze mid-step, his stomach sinking.

"...No way," he muttered under his breath.

Turning slowly, he came face to face with someone he never expected to see here.