I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace

Kaito and Kaori walked side by side through the streets of Friendship City at night. Since Friendship City Hikari was also a tourist city, many restaurants remained open even at night, and the streets were bright enough that walking around posed no difficulties. However, the atmosphere between the two was somewhat indescribable. In particular, Kaori was in a state of complete mental turmoil.

(A- Arehh? How did things end up like this…… This was completely unexpected, what do I do? Olivia-sama said something so unexpected that I got confused, and now the mood feels kind of awkward…… We couldn’t just stay in front of the Cathedral forever, so I somehow ended up walking with Kaito-kun towards my shop. A- Aren't things turning weird here? Instead of parting ways, we’re completely heading to my shop, aren’t we!?)

Yes, Olivia’s statement had been a misunderstanding. Originally, Kaori had mentioned that if there was ever an opportunity, they could do the hug at her shop before its opening. Kaito himself understood that correctly.

So, if after Olivia left, they had simply talked about it like “Olivia-sama seemed to have misunderstood something, huh?” and then parted ways in front of the Cathedral, there wouldn’t have been any problem at all.

However, both Kaito and Kaori were too bewildered by the sudden turn of events, and before they knew it, they had started walking together. Naturally, their destination became Kaori’s shop. Even though they hadn’t explicitly agreed on it, it now felt as if they were heading there to fulfill Olivia’s words and have their hug.

(Eh? Ehhh? W- What do I do? If we get to the shop like this, that means Kaito-kun is going to embrace me…… No, doesn't that sound wrong!? I mean, technically it’s correct, but phrased like that, it sounds completely indecent!!! It’s just a hug! Just a hug!! In the West, it’s a common greeting!!! ……This is another world though……)

So flustered that she found herself making excuses in her mind to an unknown audience, Kaori was completely lost on what to do.

Kaori’s shop was located near the plaza in front of the Cathedral, where the Festival of Heroes ceremony took place. She had chosen this location hoping that the Hero Actor children would visit her store. Even if they walked slowly from the Cathedral, it wouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to reach it.

(W- Wait, before even worrying about that……. my shop is basically my home…… Bringing a guy to my place, being alone in the shop, and hugging there…… That totally sounds like one of those scenarios where you end up spending the night together, doesn’t it!? No, no!!! That’s absolutely not happening!!! I- It would just be a hug, right? Just a hug is fine…… Kaito-kun, I’m trusting you! We’ll just hug and then part ways, okay!?)

Kaori had spent enough time with Kaito to understand that he was a sincere person. She also knew that while he viewed her as a woman he's close with, as both of them are from the same homeworld, and held some degree of fondness for her, he didn’t currently see her as a romantic interest.

(At the very least, I don’t think Kaito-kun sees me as a romantic interest yet. He’s willing to put an arm around my shoulder or carry me in a princess carry if the situation calls for it, but that’s probably just friendly affection rather than romantic feelings. I mean, I have zero experience in romantic relationships, so this is just my intuition, but since I feel that way, I think I’m right. Though, if I use my own feelings as a reference…… if there was a trigger, I could totally see this turning into romantic feelings…… A- Anyway, as of now, that’s how things should be!!!)

She wasn’t entirely confident, but she thought about it with some level of certainty. Kaito was sincere and kind…… At the very least, she felt that the chances of this turning into a regrettable one-night mistake were close to zero.

(Wait…… Um, why am I holding hands with Kaito-kun while walking? We’ve been holding hands all day, so I must have done it unconsciously…… But letting go now would feel weird…… Still, this totally looks like I’m being taken home after a date. Well, technically, we’re heading to my place…… B- But what should I do? Is the hug already a done deal? I feel so freaking embarrassed here…… N- No, but if we’re going to do it, I think I’ll need to go with the flow and act on impulse. And, even if it wasn’t intentional, the mood is already leaning in that direction…… So maybe…… this could be an opportunity?)

There wasn’t much distance left to her shop, meaning she had little time to think. Should she go through with the hug when they arrived, or should she just act like nothing happened and part ways in front of the shop…… While Kaori was lost in thought, her mind spinning in circles, Kaito spoke up.

[Umm, Kaori-san……]

[I- It’s just gonna be a hug, okay!?]

[Eh? Ah, errr……]

[It’s just a hug, nothing more! In the West, it’s a casual greeting, so we’ll just do a quick hug and say "see you later"! Anything beyond that is too soon, and absolutely not happening!!!]

[Eh? Ah, yes.]

Kaori, flustered by the sudden conversation, responded in a panic———— completely unaware that she had just blocked her own escape route.

Kaito had initially called out to her because with his Sympathy Magic, he had noticed her bewilderment and was about to suggest “Olivia-san said that, but we don’t have to worry about it. We can just part ways when we get to the shop.”…… However, before he could say that, Kaori cut him off with overwhelming vigor———– sealing the fate of them having the hug.

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<Afterword>

? ? ? : [Going on a date, and within a good atmosphere, getting taken home by an older woman…… Normally, that would lead straight to a morning-after scenario. Well, with Kaito-san’s self-control, there’s no issue at all, but still……]

Makina : [How nice…… My children falling in love with each other…… This is exactly the kind of thing I love to see……]

Serious-senpai : [……Alright, I'll just lie down here for a bit……]