26. The two at the arcade

"I think we are far enough..."

Dragging Shibata with me, I made my way through the crowd of the mall and managed to lose all the prying eyes.

"Alright, Shibata..."

Since I had suddenly pulled her along with me and made her run, I didn't know if she was out of breath since she still hadn't answered me....

Until I realized that I was holding her hand.

"Sorry...!"

In an attempt to let it go, I felt the grip tighten.

"Shibata...!"

But contrary to my expectations of being teased, she was not saying anything.

Come to think of it, she hasn't telling me anything since I made my statement.

Trying to break the awkward atmosphere, I wandered with my eyes to find something that might help me change the topic.

"An arcade...! Would you like to take a look...?"

Still silent, Shibata said nothing but nodded her head slightly.

Walking toward the entrance, the feeling I was getting was different from usual.

I was getting used to being embarrassed by her actions by now but seeing her act like that made me nervous for an entirely different reason.

Arriving in front of the machine to get the game coins, I tried to pull out my wallet when I was stopped.

"... Don't try to trick me."

... It seems that even in this state I cannot manage to repay you in the slightest...

Shibata had taken my place in front of the machine but was not moving.

Puzzled, when I tried to ask her why, her gaze met mine and she said:

"... This won't be the last time... right?"

I didn't know what she was talking about but her tone that seemed to be pleading made me answer automatically.

"Don't worry... It won't be the last time."

Convinced of my promise, she let go of my hand.

A strange feeling pervaded my body, as if it had lost some of its stability.

A shiver that stiffened my body made me let out an unwanted sigh.

Puzzled, Shibata turned toward me.

"Did you say something?"

"It's nothing."

Shibata was not entirely convinced by my words but decided to let me go and proceed with the currency exchange while I was watching my hand.

This will not be the last time... that we will hold hands, right?

At that moment, I was embarrassed to think that Shibata could had the same wish as me.