Chapter 36: Love

After paying and leaving the bicycle rental shop.

Ishikawa Hayato pushed the bicycle a few steps, checked its condition, and at the same time observed his surroundings, making sure there were no police, then said to the bewildered Bocchi,

"Bocchi, get on."

"Um... carrying people on a bicycle is illegal..."

Bocchi lowered her head, and although she couldn't see it herself, her small feet in loafers retreated.

After understanding the situation, Bocchi had already apologized to Ishikawa Hayato in her heart for her previous misunderstanding.

But getting on the bicycle was another matter.

If they were caught by the police while he was carrying a passenger... the very thought of it terrified her.

Ishikawa Hayato held the bicycle and asked her as she retreated,

"The journey from here to our destination is nearly four kilometers. Can Bocchi walk that far?"

"Ah..."

Bocchi looked up in surprise, realizing that Ishikawa Hayato rented the bicycle out of consideration for her.

'Someone was actually so kind to her!'

Amidst her emotions, her unease gradually lessened, and she felt a sudden urge to throw caution to the wind.

She began to waver.

Seeing her like this, the young man, who had only been learning keyboard for less than a month, brazenly declared,

"It's fine, we're a band. For rock and roll, the law is just a piece of paper."

He said with a brilliant smile, extending his thumb.

'Ishikawa-kun seems to be a very dangerous person...' Bocchi thought to herself.

'Also... you're going to tarnish the image of rock and roll!'

...In the end, Bocchi still got on the bicycle.

She placed her bag between the two seats, straddled the back seat, gripped the backrest, and stepped onto the small footrest by the rear wheel axle.

Once seated, she looked at the sturdy back in front of her and whispered,

"Then... Ishikawa-kun... I'm ready."

Ishikawa Hayato looked back at her very unladylike sitting posture.

He didn't mind, instead, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Hold on tight, don't fall off."

Bocchi: ?

The next moment, the backward force made her head snap back. Fearing she would fall, she hastily sat upright with force, but overdid it and bumped into Ishikawa Hayato's back.

Bocchi was stunned.

'Wh-what should I do? I'm going to be killed.'

'I actually did something like this.'

'For Ishikawa-kun, the law is just a piece of paper.'

Just then, a hand suddenly pressed against her lower back.

"You didn't fall off, did you?"

Although she was a little nervous about the sudden touch, Bocchi was a little happy to hear the unexpectedly concerned voice from in front.

She looked ahead. Apart from the broad back in front of her, all she could see was the scenery rushing by.

No one was looking at them.

And she was completely relying on the young man in front of her.

If Ishikawa-kun wasn't joking that day... she should have been able to experience this kind of happiness, right?

However, she could tell that Ishikawa-kun was a very impressive person and would definitely not choose someone like her... At this point, she suddenly realized that she hadn't answered Ishikawa Hayato's question earlier.

But so much time had passed... would it be strange to answer now?

She opened her mouth, gathering her courage to say,

"I'm fine... how about Ishikawa-kun?"

She also asked with concern.

But contrary to her imagination, Ishikawa Hayato's voice was tinged with laughter as he said,

"Bocchi bumped into me so hard it really hurts."

"But it feels so cute, the feeling of a small head bumping against me is interesting, I really want to touch it."

'Eh eh eh!'

'He was happy!'

Bocchi's face instantly turned red.

She pressed her lips together tightly, enduring the shyness and happiness.

At the same time, her heart stirred, and a sentence inexplicably slipped out.

"Um, can I lean on you?"

'What... what was I just saying! Getting carried away shouldn't happen at this time.'

As she regretted and thought of a time machine or other means to erase that moment,

"Sure, I'd be delighted."

Ishikawa Hayato's joyful voice came from in front.

'He actually... agreed...'

A gentle breeze brushed past her, the sound of the bicycle chain turning slightly jumped, and Bocchi felt her face burning.

'The wind was so cool, I'll lean a little since Ishikawa-kun allowed it,' she told herself.

Gently, she rested her forehead on Ishikawa Hayato's back.

A very firm touch... Ishikawa-kun's back was very sturdy... And as he pedaled, the muscles in his back also moved, a strong aura emanating from within.

And his clothes had a refreshing scent.

She felt very safe behind him, a different feeling from being in her own closet, but the sense of security was the same.

Is this what it feels like to be with a boy?

Lost in thought for a moment, just as she was about to wrap both hands around him, Bocchi suddenly snapped back to reality.

'Wait, wasn't she acting like a pervert right now?!'

Close call, close call, her life almost ended.

Ishikawa-kun was not someone she could reach.

As Bocchi's desire for a boyfriend grew stronger in her heart, she heard Ishikawa Hayato say,

"My life is complete. Taking a bicycle out with a beautiful girl for a ride is indeed the most romantic thing in the world.”

'Beautiful girl? Was he talking about her?'

As she didn't know how to respond, Ishikawa Hayato continued,

"And a shy little head resting against my back, so cute."

'He was talking about her!'

Bocchi was both shy and happy. After controlling her emotions for a while, she suppressed her voice, which was about to float away.

"Um, I'm not a beautiful girl... I'm not pretty, and also..."

She hadn't finished speaking when the bicycle's speed rapidly decreased, and Ishikawa Hayato said,

"We're here."

'So fast!'

Bocchi was startled, and a feeling of loss welled up in her heart.

With the sound of the brakes, the bicycle glided for a few seconds before coming to a stop.

Bocchi lowered her head; it was normal for her words to be ignored, she was used to it.

After the bicycle stopped, she looked around.

They were now on a mountain village path that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Birdsongs and ocean waves resounded from afar. She turned her head to look, and on the right side of the road, there was a meadow.

Further away, at the end of the meadow, there was a cliff-like edge, and beyond that, the sea.

At this moment, the movements of the figure in front of her drew her attention back.

Ishikawa Hayato dismounted from his vehicle.

She also quickly got off her bicycle.

Clutching her cloth bag with both hands, she stood awkwardly to the side...