Heartbeats and Illusions

The next day, Natsukawa Kanade woke up early, determined to prepare for his visit to Eriri's house. He decided that bringing a thoughtful gift would be a good way to ensure a positive impression, especially since it had been quite some time since his last visit.

Browsing a specialty store, Kanade scrolled through his phone, spotting a late-night message from senior Kasumigaoka: "Junior, are you free this weekend?"

Kanade frowned slightly. While the question seemed harmless, his schedule was already packed. He had promised to help Eriri with her manuscript, and whether it took one or two days, he doubted he'd have any time left to spare.

Still, he didn't want to leave Kasumigaoka hanging. He typed out a polite reply:

"Senior, you should really get some rest. Staying up late on weekends isn't good for your health. I'm busy this weekend, but I hope we can catch up soon."

Satisfied, Kanade hit send and turned his attention back to selecting a gift. Eriri's well-known love for sweets made it an easy choice, but he also considered the family's preferences. A visit wasn't just about the person you were seeing—it was about respecting their household.

"Sakura mochi is perfect," Kanade muttered to himself with a nod.

Cherry blossoms might not officially be Japan's national flower, but they symbolized elegance and tradition, making the sweet a respectful and thoughtful choice. With the gift in hand, Kanade set off for Eriri's house.

The Sawamura residence wasn't hard to find. Nestled atop a high slope in an affluent residential area, the house stood out with its spacious design and well-maintained garden. Rows of cherry blossom trees framed the path leading to the front door, their petals scattering in the summer breeze.

Kanade stopped in front of the gate, glancing at his watch. It was 8:50—ten minutes early, just as he liked it. Punctuality was a small but important way to show respect.

Taking a deep breath, Kanade muttered, "I hope Aunt Sayuri isn't home…"

It wasn't that he disliked Eriri's mother, Sayuri. On the contrary, she was a kind woman. But her overly enthusiastic wish for Eriri to "marry a good man" always left Kanade feeling awkward. Back when he'd been pursuing Eriri, it was easier to brush off Sayuri's teasing. Now, things were more complicated.

Steeling himself, Kanade rang the doorbell.

"Coming~!"

A cheerful, feminine voice called from inside, sending a sense of foreboding through Kanade. Moments later, the door opened to reveal Sayuri Sawamura herself.

She looked strikingly similar to her daughter, though her brown-black twin ponytails and elegant kimono lent her a more mature air.

"Ah, Kanade-kun! It's been a while." Sayuri greeted him warmly, her eyes lighting up. "Are you here to see Eriri?"

"Yes, Aunt Sayuri." Kanade offered a polite smile, presenting the box of sakura mochi. "This is for you. Thank you for having me."

Sayuri's expression softened as she accepted the gift. "How thoughtful of you. You really didn't need to trouble yourself."

She stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. "Come in, come in! Don't just stand there."

Kanade followed her into the house, noting how pristine and welcoming the interior felt. Despite his nerves about seeing Sayuri, her cheerful demeanor was disarming.

"Please, have a seat in the living room," Sayuri said, leading him to a cozy space adorned with tasteful decorations. "I'll go call Eriri."

"Thank you," Kanade replied, settling onto the sofa.

As Sayuri disappeared upstairs, Kanade leaned back slightly, trying to relax. The sound of faint conversation drifted down, and though the words were muffled, he caught snippets: "get up," "go out," "no way," and "stupid mom."

Kanade blinked. Was Eriri… still asleep?

Didn't we agree to meet at this time? he thought, a mix of confusion and amusement crossing his face. Still, it wasn't a big deal. Better to wait comfortably here than to rush her.

A few moments later, Sayuri returned, though Eriri wasn't with her.

"Kanade-kun, I have some things to take care of, so I'll leave you to it," Sayuri said with a coy smile, a paper fan in hand. "Eriri's awake, but she's feeling a little shy today. Why don't you go up and see her?"

Kanade hesitated. "Uh, are you sure? I don't want to intrude…"

Sayuri chuckled softly, her expression turning oddly knowing. "Don't worry, Kanade-kun. Just be gentle with her. That child… she has a way of hiding her true feelings, and it makes me worry sometimes."

Sayuri Sawamura watched Natsukawa Kanade with a thoughtful smile as she stepped away, leaving the young man to sort through his own feelings. She wasn't entirely sure what had transpired between her daughter and Kanade, but Eriri's remorseful demeanor over the past few days had been a clear sign that something was amiss.

Perhaps Eriri had done something foolish again, as she often did when overwhelmed by her emotions. Whatever the case, Sayuri felt a sense of relief now that Kanade had come over of his own accord.

Reconciliation and warming up to each other would be ideal! Sayuri mused, her motherly instincts in full gear. She couldn't help but fantasize about the two of them getting closer. Of course, Eriri was still in high school, so any significant developments would have to wait. Still, she'd done her part by setting the stage for a little bonding.

She turned to Kanade and offered him a small bow, her tone warm yet earnest. "Anyway, I'll leave Eriri in your capable hands, Kanade-kun."

Startled by the unexpected gesture, Kanade jumped to his feet and bowed deeply in return. "Aunt Sayuri, you're being too kind. I'll… I'll take good care of Eriri."

Despite his polite response, Kanade's thoughts were a whirlwind of unease. The way Sayuri phrased her words made it sound as though she were entrusting her daughter's very future to him. It was a weighty responsibility he wasn't sure he was ready to bear.

For a brief moment, Kanade considered blurting out the truth—that Eriri had rejected his confession in the past. But the words got stuck in his throat. What if Sayuri didn't mean it that way at all?

Perhaps she only wanted him to be kinder to Eriri, to show her a little more care and consideration as a friend. If Kanade misread the situation and offered an unnecessary explanation, it would be mortifying. He'd want to crawl into a hole and never come out.

With a nervous smile plastered on his face, Kanade watched as Sayuri left the room, leaving him alone to stew in his thoughts. After a few moments, he let out a long sigh and stood up, resolving to check on Eriri.

Sayuri's earlier suggestion to "just go up directly" lingered in his mind, but Kanade wasn't about to take such liberties. He knew better than to trust her playful sense of humor. The last thing he wanted was to stumble into an awkward "lucky pervert" scenario.

He shook his head. No. That would be too rude.

No normal girl would appreciate a boy barging into her personal space uninvited, especially one she didn't have feelings for. Kanade decided the best course of action was to knock first.

He made his way to Eriri's door and paused for a moment. Then, in a calm voice, he called out, "Eriri, are you okay?"

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

A strange, muffled groan echoed from the other side of the door, followed by a cacophony of clattering noises—like something (or someone) was scrambling around in a panic. Then, just as suddenly, everything fell silent.

Kanade frowned, waiting for some sort of follow-up. When nothing happened, he sighed in exasperation. "Eriri? Seriously, are you okay in there?"

Still no response.

Realizing he wasn't going to get an answer, Kanade hesitated for a moment before deciding there wasn't much else he could do. "I'm coming in…" he announced cautiously, steeling himself for whatever chaos awaited him on the other side of the door.