Touma Kazusa's gaze was unsteady. This feeling of having her positioning and strategy seen through before the confrontation even began was very uncomfortable.
She had thought that by catching him off guard, she could make Murakami Yuu reveal some of his true inner thoughts, thereby taking the initiative in this conversation.
But judging from Murakami Yuu's leisurely and relaxed demeanor, she was the one who had been seen through.
Well, it didn't matter anyway. She had come today for Yukina's sake, so there was no need to be so secretive.
Her thoughts wandered chaotically. After sitting quietly for a while and organizing her thoughts, Touma Kazusa looked at Murakami Yuu, who remained calm and showed no signs of impatience, and finally spoke.
"Yukina... is she cute?"
Hm?
Murakami Yuu's eyelids lifted slightly as he looked at Touma Kazusa with some confusion.
"You deliberately sent Yukina away just to know my opinion of her?"
Touma Kazusa nodded.
"That's part of the purpose."
Part of it - meaning this conversation was laying the groundwork for the real purpose that would follow.
Combining what he knew from his memories, Murakami Yuu already had some vague guesses, though he wasn't completely certain, so he chose to go along with her line of thinking.
"Yes, cute."
Murakami Yuu answered honestly.
He remembered Kiso Yukina's heated cheeks when she was shy and her slender fingers that had nowhere to rest, and his eyes unconsciously curved into thin arcs.
Touma Kazusa stared seriously at Murakami Yuu, never taking her eyes off him, like a police officer interrogating a suspect, trying to detect changes in his subtle expressions when answering questions.
And she did get the answer she wanted.
The relaxed expression on Murakami Yuu's face when answering the question - she had seen it many times during her interactions with Kitahara Haruki.
That kind of positive emotion with goodwill was conveyed through his eyes - subtle, gentle, fleeting in an instant.
Like fluff floating in the wind, difficult to grasp but definitely existing.
Touma Kazusa felt somewhat reassured. She wasn't an interrogation expert, but a woman's unreasonable sixth sense let her feel that Murakami Yuu should have favorable feelings toward Yukina.
Eyes are connected to the soul - they're the best vessel reflecting a person's true thoughts. She trusted her judgment.
Touma Kazusa continued questioning.
"Murakami, what do you... think of Yukina?"
As expected...
If earlier was just speculation, now it was certainty.
Murakami Yuu made no sound, just changed from leaning back against the sofa to leaning forward with his elbows resting on his legs.
"Just say what you want to say directly. At this pace of conversation, Yukina will probably be back before we even get to the main point."
Touma Kazusa was naturally not good at socializing or speaking eloquently. In most situations, she usually had a straightforward approach.
The reason she was being so careful and gradually opening up the topic today was because this concerned the most important matter for her close friend Kiso Yukina. She didn't want her own actions to give Murakami Yuu a bad impression of her, which might then extend to negative emotions toward Kiso Yukina.
The guilt of making a promise but then breaking it midway made her afraid to do anything that might lead to undesirable consequences.
But since the target person himself said he didn't particularly like this layered, progressive conversation style, then she had no need to continue beating around the bush.
"Then I'll speak directly. If there's any offense, please forgive me and don't develop any bad thoughts about Yukina."
Touma Kazusa lowered her posture.
Murakami Yuu found it increasingly strange. Compared to the aloof image rumored about her at school, the Touma Kazusa before him was like a completely different person.
Why such a huge contrast?
"You don't need to be so cautious. Besides, why would I get angry at Yukina because of what you say?"
"That would be best..."
Touma Kazusa exhaled lightly, her hands on her thighs slowly clenching, as if brewing her words. After pausing for a while, she looked at Murakami Yuu and spoke slowly, word by word.
"Since you find Yukina cute, why don't you date her?"
Murakami Yuu's expression remained calm, showing no surprise.
It was just as he had thought. Kitahara Haruki and Touma Kazusa creating this chance encounter and then sending Kiso Yukina away to be alone with him - it was all for this matter.
Caring about their friend's romantic progress.
"Yukina is indeed very cute, gentle, and kind. I can see all the excellent qualities of a Yamato Nadeshiko in her. She's a representative of ideal womanhood, a typical example of pure feminine beauty."
Touma Kazusa spoke softly.
"Then why do you..."
"But dating, Touma-san..."
Murakami Yuu interrupted her.
"It's not something that can be achieved just because one party is excellent enough or attractive enough."
Touma Kazusa didn't quite understand his explanation.
"You... don't like Yukina?"
"I have favorable feelings, probably at the level of being good friends of the opposite sex, but it hasn't reached the point where I want to date her."
Murakami Yuu answered.
"I see..."
Touma Kazusa lowered her head, her emotions involuntarily deflating.
She barely maintained a smile, but there was unwillingness in her eyes.
Not for herself, but for Kiso Yukina.
Thinking about the process from when she first met her until now, thinking about that girl confiding her girlish feelings while torn between hope and fear, Touma Kazusa couldn't help but feel sad and heartbroken for this love that hadn't even begun.
When she left, who would take care of this coward who appeared cheerful and enthusiastic on the outside but was actually fragile and delicate inside, vulnerable to the slightest touch...
Could she trust him... could she really tell him about Yukina's true side...
The fists placed on her thighs clenched and loosened. Touma Kazusa was struggling, experiencing an internal battle.
"In matters that don't concern me, I'm probably a cold person, but toward friends I've already acknowledged, I think I'm someone who can be trusted."
Murakami Yuu spoke suddenly, and Touma Kazusa's expression changed from stern to frank.
She raised her head, temporarily stopping her thoughts, her lips moving slightly.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Just speaking casually, letting Touma-san understand my character a bit."
"Why tell me this?"
"Because you look like you want to say something but have many concerns."
Murakami Yuu smiled.
"People who treat others gently will always be treated gently in return. I just wanted to tell you that."
Touma Kazusa met those earnest, pure eyes that carried not a trace of impurity. There was a power there that made people trust and feel at ease.
She had to try anyway. She convinced the part of herself that was still hesitating.
Sorry, Yukina, I'm going to reveal your embarrassing side.
"Perhaps you've already vaguely noticed - Yukina harbors romantic feelings for you."
Murakami Yuu wasn't surprised to hear this.
Touma Kazusa continued to elaborate.
"It's been this way for these past five months."
Murakami Yuu slowly turned his head toward her.
Touma Kazusa finally got her wish to see the surprised expression appear on this man's face.