My youth romance is always confusing

"Mm."

The cold drink slid down his throat.

In just one minute, the drink, which was full just now, has become just an empty shell.

Sabre's dog leash was tied to the handle of the bench. He didn't have the energy to take care of it right now, but he couldn't let it run around either.

Fortunately, it seemed that the previous running had allowed the little guy to release some of his energy. Now he was curled up quietly on the bench, enjoying the shade.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Yukinoshita was holding the bottle of drink that she had long since finished, staring blankly at the treetops above her head.

Her face was pale with an abnormal flush, and fine beads of sweat continued to gather on her forehead, eventually sliding down to her chin and dripping onto the ground which was slightly hot from the sun.

The sunlight shines through the dense green leaves, casting mottled shadows, adding a bit of tranquility and coolness to this hot afternoon.

As time passed, Yukinoshita's breathing gradually became steady, but there was still a hint of daze in her eyes as if she had just recovered from heatstroke.

Her long black hair was a little messy due to sweat. A few strands of hair inadvertently slipped from her shoulders, gently fell on her chest, and swayed gently in the wind.

The white towel on her forehead had already been soaked with sweat, but it still remained firmly on her forehead.

"Ha...it's amazing."

It was unknown how long it was before Yukinoshita came to her senses.

Her voice was weak, but her eyes had regained their former brilliance.

"wonderful?"

"A simple ice drink and a towel can help you get rid of the heat. It's just common sense, but it feels really different after experiencing it in person."

"...Yeah."

Please be grateful to me, that bottle of drink and towel were both bought from my precious pocket money.

"Well, as the old saying goes, you can only understand it if you experience it yourself. That's probably it."

"It's called 'Knowledge gained from books is shallow, and one must practice to know it'. Can't you remember such a common sense proverb, Hikigaya-san?"

"Yes, yes, Yukinoshita Encyclopedia knows best, so, can you stand up?"

This woman is still as sharp-tongued as ever.

But this should have helped her regain some of her spirits, which is a good thing.

She sat quietly under the shade of the tree, her eyes half open, her gaze showing both fatigue and gradually returning clarity.

Although the sweat was no longer as heavy as before, there were still a few drops of sweat on her forehead, which made her face look slightly pale.

There was a hint of hesitation in Yukinoshita's eyes. She tried to move her body and felt a little strength returning, but she still felt a little powerless.

"It seems it still doesn't work."

"How weak is your body..."

Wasn't this guy very good at running when he was training with the tennis club?

Even when he later faced off against Miura, it took him several rounds before he showed signs of fatigue. How come he looked so weak now just after running such a distance?

Listening to someone's sarcastic words, Yukinoshita glanced at the other person.

But it seemed that because her body had not fully recovered, she did not choose to respond directly as she did before.

After all, physical strength is very precious now, and we cannot make decisions that are not beneficial to recovery just because we are angry.

Yukinoshita raised her fair and delicate neck. Under the setting sun, the few stains of sweat on her skin looked even more dazzling.

"It's just because the weather is too hot."

"Yeah."

This woman is still stubborn.

Yukinoshita pursed her lips slightly, put her fingers on her forearms, and had a conflicted look on her face.

A pair of black eyes wanted to look at the boy beside him, but they didn't dare to.

"What's wrong?"

"..."

"Hey, I'm not you. I can't read your mind if you don't speak."

Really, it’s already this time, why are you still causing me trouble?

Perhaps she realized her problem, Yukinoshita lowered her head slightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's.

"Um...my foot seems to be...sprained."

"...ha?"

----

So, why did things turn out like this?

I was just here to help walk the dog, but now it seems like my task is much heavier than it actually is.

Not only in spiritual terms, but also in physical terms it has become a lot heavier.

Her hair brushed gently against my face, bringing a faint fragrance.

I could even feel her breath on my back, the hot air she exhaled blowing on my back, but it was not very obvious in the slightly hot summer day.

"Hey, Yukinoshita."

"Um...?"

As if she also felt that this posture was a little too embarrassing, Yukinoshita's answer was unusually slow.

"Does your apartment require a key card to enter?"

"Of course. After all, it's a high-end apartment with impeccable security."

"Who asked you that... I mean, give me the door card."

"Eh?"

There was a commotion behind me, and even without turning around I could sense the hesitation of the Yukinoshita woman.

So, it’s just helping to swipe the door card, it shouldn’t be that serious.

By the way, because someone sprained his ankle, the posture of the two of us and the dog is very awkward.

I acted as a human crutch, with someone leaning on me, while she lifted one foot and jumped on the ground like a zombie.

It seemed that the woman had not hurt any bones or muscles, and even with such a large range of motion, she did not look too painful.

Of course, it is also possible that she was just holding on for the sake of face.

After all, this woman is the kind of person who would rather suffer than save face.

"Give."

After groping for a long time, Yukinoshita finally took out an exquisite door card from the pocket of her long skirt.

"Oh..."

After taking the door card, my hand paused for a moment.

The slight strangeness did not escape Yukinoshita's eyes. She tilted her head slightly, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"No, I'm just surprised you handed me the key card so easily."

"...Hikigaya-kun."

"Ok?"

"You know that mobile phones now have a one-touch alarm function, right?"

"...I was wrong, Miss Yukinoshita."

From whom did you learn this habit of calling the police at every turn?

The setting sun dyed the long street with its color.

Fortunately, this place is not far from Yukinoshita's apartment, and there are not many people here.

The two of us crossed the street without attracting much attention.

The Japanese people's nature of not meddlesomeness may only be an advantage at this time.

"Ding."

After an electronic sound, the door of the apartment slowly opened in front of me.

"You live in a really high place, aren't you afraid of earthquakes?"

"..."

The waiting time in the elevator passed in a flash, and I sent Yukinoshita to her doorstep.

"that..."

Just when I thought the mission was completed and even heard the voice of "Mission complete" in my mind, Yukinoshita suddenly called me.

She leaned against the half-open door, and perhaps because of exhaustion or shyness, a blush flashed across her face, and her voice became much softer.

"I'll leave tomorrow to you, too."

"ha..."