That simple gesture made her heart skip a beat, even if her serene expression didn't show it. Her actions, however, expressed her contentment when she smiled thinly. "Then I'll let you decide what sort of 'affair' I should invite you over."

been running off to, Touma/-sama/." Fooling her wasn't easy– her bloodline's 'blessings' didn't allow it, and much less the enamored heart that bloomed thanks to him.

That winning smirk was reciprocated with a thin smile; the acceptance of his chivalry was shown through her fingers lacing with his. "Where else?" Her grip became stronger then and her enamored eyes briefly lost their dazzled shine in favor to the sharpness of an aware maiden. "To where you have—

"Keep up? That's funny for you to say, after all... It's me who has been working hard in being worthy of remaining by your side."

"And that's what makes you reliable."