A/N: 27.07.12 — Post-episode 11.5 or whenever in the future.


viii. heartbeat
they're the same

.

"Oreki-san, I'm curious."

Without noticing any difference in the tone of her voice, Houtarou merely lifted his eyes up to look at the girl beside him and waited for her to explain. No use wasting more energy to refuse, there was no escape right now.

Looking outside the bus window at the passing scenery, Eru took a deep breath with one hand placing on her heart before half-turning to face him.

Houtarou reflexively jolted back a little when their knees bumped yet Eru grasped his wrist by her other hand. Their noses almost touched when the bus lurched.

For a split second, their eyes met. Both started blushing slightly. She avoided his eyes but tightened her hand around his wrist and he was completely stilled, too stunned to even move. Seconds seemed like hours before she decided to release his hand.

Eru turned back and said quietly, "Arigatou gozaimasu, Oreki-san."

"W-what?" was the only thing Houtarou could manage to say.

She only smiled, "I've already got my answer."