Chapter 94By the Side of the Goddess, Part 4
(TL Note: Just like in the previous chapter, this is different from the LN version, as it uses Kei's POV instead of Wataru's.)
"Sa~-jou~!"
"Wait a minute, Airi-chan. I want to wipe my sweat first."
"It's not for me to say, but why don't you go inside? The living room is air-conditioned, you know."
"Is it okay? How about you Natsukawa?"
"Eh, s-sure."
Sajocchi stopped Ai-chan who was jumping around and entered Aichi's house. The clothes he wore today were a dark blue button-down shirt and loose-fitting pants... ...Eh, isn't it a pretty good outfit? Maybe because of his part-time job, he doesn't dress like a guy who doesn't have a day off.
"Are you dressed nicely for today, Sajocchi?"
"I'm always well-dressed."
"What are you talking about?"
I could only respond reflexively when he said that to me without even glancing at me. What kind of reasoning can answer facts that you twist like that? The expression on his face was normal, and he wasn't thinking about what he said. I think his speed changed from normal to very fast.
"Sa~-jou~!"
"Oh, you're still as energetic as ever, Airi-chan."
"How come your hair isn't weird anymore!?"
"Why are you angry right now?"
Ai-chan jumped onto Sajocchi after he finished wiping his sweat. Ai-chan looked uncomfortable because Sajocchi's hair was no longer brown and black like before. With an annoyed face, Sajocchi pulled both pigtails of Ai-chan's hair and spread them out as she was lifted hard at the waist.
"Weird hair!"
"No-!"
Boom, Ai-chan shook her head and let go of Sajocchi's hand. Hey, do you want to do that once in a while, Sajocchi? She's Aichi's little sis, you know, I thought you'd show a gentle touch or rather, a creepy feeling as if she were an angel.
"Hmm~~... ...Get out of the way!"
"Ouch! Airi-chan, I won't give you candy if you do that."
"No~!"
A conversation between the aggressive Ai-chan and the well-spoken Sajocchi. In the end, Ai-chan hugs Sajocchi because she doesn't want to not get candy. Sajocchi petted Ai-chan and said that he was just joking.
Hmm...? Are you a bit tired, Sajocchi...? Is it that hot?
I don't think there's much of the usual Sajocchi fatigue in him. As I narrowed my eyes to think about that, Aichi looked up and started looking around her as if she was resisting. Come to think of it, she was silent for some reason.
"I-I'm sorry..., ...she's a bit excited."
"Oh, eh, no, ...N-No need to worry, okay?"
"Why are you speaking in Hakata dialect, huh...?"
I retracted the question I said earlier. Sajocchi was always nervous... ...like he used to be. My voice was already hoarse.
No, it's too obvious, I'm sure Sajocchi must be happy to see Aichi's new side. Me too, b*st*rd, Aichi, you're so cute, Aichi's mind started to fill up again.
"Then, um... ...want to come in?"
"A-Ahh..., excuse me, sorry to interrupt."
"Sorry to interrupt!"
"Airi is my girl!"
Ai-chan imitated Sajocchi's voice. It was cute, but Aichi firmly corrected it, which meant she didn't like it. It was true, Ai-chan sounded like Sajocchi's little sis. This was important to Aichi because she separated Ai-chan from Sajocchi.
Unexpectedly, Sajocchi put on his shoes after entering the entrance. He was quite polite, I didn't know about that at school.
"Ashida! Thank you for bringing the plastic bag for me."
"Yeah—, you bought a lot of stuff, huh."
"That's a lot... ...It must be expensive, right?"
"No, it's not like that, it's just cheap candy. Don't worry about that."
"O-Okay..."
Sajocchi was invited to the living room. He entered with a fresh expression on his face that seemed to say "What? I can come in, here?" while looking around. Ai-chan was happy to see Sajocchi, or maybe she was just tugging on Sajocchi's pants for no reason.
"...It's cold."
"Is that your first impression?"
"Candy! I want to eat candy!"
"Gosh, wait a minute, Airi."
Sajocchi, Ai-chan, and Aichi almost lacked stamina. To me, this is a great combination. Surprisingly, Sajocchi didn't seem as nervous as I expected. I thought he would be more upset. Whatever it is, I get the feeling that he's nervous about something all the time. There are no ghosts here, you know.
Aichi went to the kitchen with the presents from Sajocchi. Ai-chan was also impatient and followed her. Then Sajocchi approached me looking scared.
"Y-You see, Ashida. Is it possible that her parents will show up after this...?"
"Her father is at work, and her mother is also at work."
"Oh..."
He did not openly feel relieved. Oh, I see what you mean.
Sajocchi relaxed and started smiling while looking at Aichi and Ai-chan. What the heck is this boy? He looks like he was blessed with rain in the desert. He looked at me like he had been restored. Isn't his saintly view of Aichi too serious? Did he think he was looking at me that way too?
"Sajocchi? Don't you have anything to say when you see us?"
"Oh..., I see, I forgot about it."
"That's what's important, you know."
He was going to meet a girl in his free time, and even if the purpose was to meet Ai-chan, he had to act like a boy! For now, I chose my clothes with the assumption that I would meet a boy! Even if it's more girls I'm going to meet, I need to be smart about my behavior!
Sajocchi turned around and started looking at my appearance. The distance between us was also a bit long, so he started looking at me from under my feet.—No, hey, I don't like it when you look at me that close... ...or rather, how should I say it? That's embarrassing.
"Your legs are so beautiful."
"You want me to hit you, huh?"
"Just kick it!?"
What a pervert. No mercy. You could have told me whether my clothes looked good on me or not, or what exactly was the cute part about me. What the hell is this boy doing with his talent? No, well, I do enjoy being complimented, but...
"No, that's not it, Ashida, you're wearing shorts like that..., If you were barefoot like that, I'd be more interested in seeing your legs than your clothes. It's impossible for me not to see them."
"Barefoot Kick!"
"Aren't you going to hit me!?"
He stepped back to avoid my kick. What are you doing to protect your head? Why do your moves look so great? I'm wearing shorts to maximize my height, but you say that...
"Oh, but in this case, you are making use of your characteristics. You have a good sense of fashion, Ashida."
"Hngh...!"
That's not it!
Who told you to analyze me!? I'm happy, but at least you're a bit shameless! Well, you're not interested in me, right? My bare feet, my bare feet! If I kick you directly, I'll touch you! On your face!
"Boom!!!"
"Guh!"
Sajocchi suddenly disappeared from my sight. Eh, I turned around and found Sajocchi lying on the sofa, with Ai-chan on top of her. Sajocchi's eyes were flickering as if she didn't know what was happening. This is what happens when you look at girls strangely! Wake up, Sajocchi!
"W-Wait... ...what are you doing?"
"Wrestling with Sajocchi."
"What are you doing now?"
Aichi came back in a hurry, so I told her a joke. Aichi, your face is turning red. Well, you have a strange imagination, don't you? Hmph! I did that on purpose!
While I was doing that, Ai-chan started punching Sajocchi while staying on top of him. She joined in intending to play the role of heroine.
"Hey, Airi! I won't give you candy if you do that!"
"It's okay, it's okay, Natsukawa, I'm sure she just wants to play."
"Eh, B-But..."
"Tickle, tickle, tickle..."
"Kyahahahahahaha!!!"
Sajocchi stopped Aichi's attempt to stop Ai-chan. It seems that Sajocchi is planning to spoil Ai-chan as much as possible. Huh, come to think of it, it makes me jealous of Sajocchi, who gets so much "attention" from Ai-chan. Aichi started paying attention by putting her finger in my mouth.
Sajocchi reciprocated. That made Ai-chan happy. I didn't do the tickle attack because I felt it was unprofessional, but Ai-chan was very happy, so I guess it didn't matter. Aichi was a bit uneasy like she didn't know what to do.
"Whoa!?"
"!?"
Sajocchi and Ai-chan were surprised with their eyes wide open. Fufufu. I won't let you give up your strength just like that, Ai-chan, not just Sajocchi! It's my turn next!
"Ai-chan! Hit me too!"
"Fueh!"
...Wait a minute? You told Aichi, "I came to absorb energy from Ai-chan.", right? I can't do that at all!
"W-Wait a minute!"
"What did you say?"
I spread my arms, prepared to receive Ai-chan's energy at any time. Come on! Ai-chan! Give me a bite as a reward!
"...Eh?"
I want to be pampered too! I waited, but Ai-chan didn't move. She remained sitting on Sajocchi's stomach, then looked at me and Aichi. Eh? I want to be pampered too, you know?
"Because you're Onee-chan's friend, so..."
I almost cried.
No, Ai-chan, aren't you too good a girl? I was so moved that I didn't care about Sajocchi's face saying, "What about me...?". Ai-chan, my energy has been replenished..., I think I can attend club activities for 3 nights now. Aichi, you also seem very happy, you seem very attentive. She's probably happier than I am.
"Ai-chan! Let's eat some candy!"
"! Candy!"
"Guh!"
That's a gift in itself for Ai-chan!
A plate full of candy from Aichi. It must have seemed like a treasure to a child, Ai-chan jumped up from Sajocchi's stomach then she came to the table. I mean, this is very interesting even for me after club activities... ...Oh, something sweet...
"I-It's... ...are you okay? Wataru."
"Oh, it's okay, it's okay."
"I'll reprimand Airi later."
"Don't worry, only me or Iihoshi-san can play with her like this, right?"
"Yeah... ...yeah? Iihoshi-san is-"
As I looked at the face of Ai-chan who was eating candy with both hands and looked relieved, I heard Sajocchi, who was lying in the center of the sofa, and Aichi, who was approaching her more closely, flirting. Wait a minute? Something interesting is happening! I rarely see Sajocchi and Aichi in her Onee-chan mode!
Sajocchi! This is your chance to clear your name!
"Hey, Sajocchi? Do you have something to tell Aichi~?"
Sajocchi hasn't said anything to Aichi in plain clothes. As a real boy, it's a standard rule to never forget to say something smart to a girl! ...Eh? By the way, Aichi, today, you're not dressed so fashionably and enthusiastically! Maybe Aichi doesn't want to be the center of attention...
"Hmm..."
"Eh, wh-what's up...?"
I see, muttered Sajocchi while looking at Aichi. Suddenly Sajocchi focused on Aichi and she looked at me in confusion. I'm sorry, Aichi, I might have made a mistake. It's Sajocchi, he might say something rude again. He'll say something funny, right?
"–...(Gulp)."
"Sajocchi."
Sajocchi.
Author's Note:
[Raw saliva]—
Saliva comes out spontaneously when you see or imagine something delicious or sour, or when you feel nauseous, excited, or nervous.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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