Shin slowly turned his head toward Maja, his cheeks still flushed. He tried to keep his cool, but the sight of the girl who had just fed him so shyly didn't make it any easier for him.

• "M-Maja…" he began, but he didn't know what he actually wanted to say.

Instead of answering, the girl mustered a little bit of courage. She picked up a piece of takoyaki drizzled with teriyaki sauce using a toothpick and gently brought it to his lips.

• "P-please…" she whispered.

Shin looked first at the food and then at her face After a moment, he hesitantly opened his mouth and let her feed him.

• "T-thank you…" he mumbled, chewing.

Both of them were now as red as tomatoes. Maja glanced at him, then immediately hid her face in the long sleeves of her sweater. After a few seconds, she shyly looked up again, locked eyes with him, and hid her face once more. She repeated this a few more times, having no idea how to act.

Shin couldn't help a gentle smile.

• "You're really cute…" slipped out of him quietly.

Only a moment later did he realize what he had said.

• "I-I mean…! Never mind!"

He quickly looked away and cleared his throat.

—- "M-maybe we can walk around the festival a bit more? There are plenty of stalls here we haven't seen yet."

After a moment, they both stood up and set off. They walked side by side, keeping a small distance at first, but every now and then their shoulders accidentally brushed against each other. Each time, both of them would stiffen for a moment.

After a few minutes, Shin noticed a sign pointing toward the restrooms.

• "Uh… Maja? I need to run to the restroom for a second. Will you wait for me here? It shouldn't take me long."

He looked at her with a slight, shy smile, adjusting the strap of his backpack.

• "I'll be right back, okay?"