The Chosen Wife || Jibaku Shounen Hanako-Kun

Tsukasa's Part 1 (3/5)

'What should we talk about...?'

She turned her attention to their surroundings, trying to distract herself from the sinking feeling in her heart. Just then, she felt a sharp tug on her arm.

'Oops!'

She snapped back to reality just in time to avoid a narrow collision with a wagon rumbling by.

"(Y/N), watch out!"

She heard Lord Tsukasa call out, and before she knew it, she found herself on his arm. His right hand wrapped around her waist while the other grasped her hand, pulling her closer as he swiftly guided her away from the wagon.

"Oh... thank you very much," she stammered, her cheeks warming.

"Mm hmm, no problem, little missy... Whoa! $%#%!"

His face exploded into a vivid shade of crimson as he released her hand, looking like a tomato that had just seen its first salad.

"S-sorry!" he blurted, his voice cracking like a teenager.

"It's okay..."

His sudden shyness was contagious enough for her to catch it too. She looked away, feeling a flurry of emotions.

'I didn't expect that!!! Still, he was kind enough to help me.'

Whether he realized it or not, he kept walking on the more crowded side of the path, as if trying to shield her from the bustling world around them.

"...Ehem. Little missy~ there's a shrine up ahead. Shall we take a walk around there~? We can have some moo moo moments!" he sang, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, although the pink tint remained stubbornly on his cheeks.

"...S-sounds nice. I'll just forget the moo moo part, though."

'The heck with the moo moo part?! Is he trying to act differently now? I feel so off-kilter... But...'

The strength in Tsukasa's arms was reassuring—trustworthy, even though he was quite strange, playful, and naughty.

They broke free from the bustling crowds, making their way along a meandering path toward the shrine. Silence hung between them until they came across an elderly woman struggling with her groceries.

'It must be difficult to carry so much.'

(Y/N) jogged over, eager to help at least a little. But just as she was about to lend a hand...

"Oho~ little missy~ you shouldn't carry all of that! Tsk tsk~ Let me show you my strength as a man☆," he teased, flashing her a playful smirk that could charm the stars out of the sky.

He turned his gaze to the elderly woman, his expression softening, and his tone shifting to a smooth and clear melody.

"Are you going to carry these up to the top?" he asked with a bright smile.

There it was again—the dignified aura. This side of him made her heart race, leaving her wondering which version of Tsukasa was the real one.

"Yes, but they're a little heavy..." the elderly woman admitted, her voice wavering slightly.

"I could carry them for you if you like..."

Without waiting for an answer, Lord Tsukasa relieved her of the burden, then hoisted the elderly woman onto his back like she was a feather—only to him, it looked like he was carrying a bag of marshmallows. He nimbly climbed the steps to the shrine, making it all look as effortless as a stroll in the park.

'Seriously, how is he doing this? Is he secretly a superhero or something?'