It only took a smile - Chapter 17- Won\'t let you go

The three of them walked in silence for most of the way, heading toward the nearest bookstore.

Chihiro felt stuck, unsure of what to say—or even if she should say anything at all.

The two beside her felt like anomalies, almost out of place in her eyes.

The boy had only entered the school a few days ago, yet everything seemed to have changed since then.

There were some people in the school no one dared to confront. But on his very first day, he had completely taken down the bullies. After that, he even quieted those who usually mocked or laughed at Chihiro.

And then there was Matsumoto Mai. A prodigy. From a prominent family, with an uncle in the National Diet.

She excelled at both sports and studies, and on top of that, she was an internationally recognized artist.

She is just so out of place.

Chihiro shook her head slightly, trying to gather her thoughts.

“Are there no parks around?” Haruto suddenly asked, his eyes staring blankly ahead.

Chihiro waited for Mai to answer, but the girl seemed more curious than anything.

‘Right…’ Chihiro thought. Mai always came to school by car; she probably didn’t know much about the neighborhood.

“There’s one three blocks down,” Chihiro said. “It’s small, but you could go there for a walk.”

Chihiro herself often went there after school—to…fix herself up. She had secretly bought a spare uniform with her own savings. Sometimes her clothes got dirty with mud, sometimes with footprints, and sometimes even with blood.

The park was only about a five-minute walk from her home, which made it convenient.

“This is the place.” Chihiro gestured toward the door as they arrived at the establishment.

“You’re not coming along?” Haruto asked, making Mai’s brows pinch.

Chihiro shook her head. “I’m going to see a friend. He’s getting discharged today.”

Was it necessary to mention the discharge? Why did she feel the urge to explain herself? Was she getting too comfortable around Haruto? She’d have to think about that.

Haruto gave her a brief nod, and Chihiro walked away.

“Shall we go inside?” Mai asked, her tone laced with irritation she could hardly hide.

Haruto turned his gaze on her. “What do you need?”

Mai puffed her cheek. “How rude. You sound so kind to her but so mean to me.”

Haruto exhaled a weary sigh and stepped into the bookstore. Mai trailed after him.

The place opened into a warm space with shelves along the walls and a small cafeteria tucked inside. Haruto chose an empty table, Mai seating herself across from him.

Haruto tilted his head at the silver-haired girl. “You know, it’s difficult for your security detail to protect you if you keep wandering around in the open like this.”

He’d already marked the men shadowing her, doing their best to appear casual while tracking every move. Even inside the bookstore, three more pretended to read, but their stiff posture betrayed them—they were ready to throw themselves into danger if it fell on their young lady.

“I was never told to stop living a normal life. Security’s been tightened so what happened two years ago doesn’t happen again,” Mai assured him.

Haruto hummed, his gaze steady. “So… what do you need from me?”

“I want to spend time with you.” She said it plainly. “I know nothing about you. And for you to fall for me, you’ll need to know about me too, right?”

Haruto’s brows lifted, but before he could speak, she continued,

“So, let’s live together.”

Haruto blinked, genuinely taken aback. “You want to live with a man you barely know?”

“Two days are enough for me to know what kind of person you are,” she replied without a shred of hesitation. “Now I want to spend my whole life with you.”

Haruto exhaled slowly. “What you’re feeling for me is just gratitude. Don’t mistake it for something else. And don’t take hasty steps.”

“That’s not it.” Mai shook her head firmly. Leaning forward, her eyes locked on his. “Two years are enough for me to realize my feelings. And if you don’t believe me, then why are you hesitating to live with me?”

Haruto stared at her helplessly. “You’re impossible to convince. Have you thought about your parents? Or your uncle?”

“They won’t say a word,” she said without blinking. “I’ve already told them it’s either you… or I’ll stay single for the rest of my life.”

The more he heard, the more Haruto realized this girl was far from ordinary.
But he didn’t dislike her.

That’s why he said, “Let’s date.”

Mai’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Haruto nodded. “I’m here in Tokyo for the next two weeks. Let’s date until then.”

Mai blinked, her lips parting in surprise. “And after that?”

Haruto shrugged. “Back to my world. What… not up for the idea?”

Mai shook her head quickly. “That’s not it. Let’s go out.”

In that moment, she made a decision.

She wasn’t letting him go.

She was going to make him hers.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.