The universe has a very strange sense of humor.
Daichi learned this the moment the train jerked violently forward.
He lost his balance.
And instead of grabbing the overhead strap…
He grabbed Mika's hand.
Not wrist.
Not sleeve.
Not bag strap.
Her. Hand.
For half a second, neither of them processed it.
The train rattled.
People swayed.
Announcements echoed overhead.
But between them?
Silence.
Warmth.
Soft fingers.
Very real fingers.
Daichi looked down.
Mika looked down.
Their hands were fully intertwined.
Not just touching.
Interlocked.
Like some couple in a shoujo manga.
His brain short-circuited.
"AH— S-SORRY!" he blurted, trying to pull away.
But the train jerked again.
And instead of separating…
He tightened his grip.
Now she was closer.
Way closer.
Her shoulder brushed his chest.
Her hair tickled his chin.
This was illegal. This had to be illegal.
Mika's face was turning pink.
Not rental-girlfriend professional blush.
Real blush.
The kind that starts at the ears.
"You're… holding pretty tightly," she whispered.
"I-I'm preventing you from falling!" he panicked.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Oh. So you're my hero now?"
He malfunctioned.
The train finally stabilized.
They could let go.
They should let go.
Neither of them moved.
Instead, Mika slowly adjusted her fingers.
Not to escape.
But to fit better.
That tiny movement sent a shock straight to his spine.
Her hand was small.
Warm.
Soft.
Why is it soft? Stop thinking about texture!!
Then—
A voice behind them.
"Oh? So this is the 'strictly business' relationship?"
Daichi froze.
Mika froze.
Standing a few feet away was a girl with long black hair, sharp eyes, and a knowing smirk.
Rika.
Childhood friend.
Professional troublemaker.
And very interested observer.
Mika gently slipped her hand out.
But before she did…
Her thumb brushed lightly against his palm.
Intentional.
Very intentional.
She smiled sweetly at Rika.
"Ah, you must be Daichi's friend."
Rika smiled back.
Sharp.
"I am."
The air shifted.
Tension.
Competition.
War drums in the distance.
Daichi stood between them, emotionally unprepared for the battlefield he had just entered.
And for the first time…
Mika looked slightly territorial.