Chapter 95By the Side of the Goddess, Part 5
(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.)
"Eh, is she asleep?"
"Eh, she's asleep, huh?"
I had spoiled Ai-chan for two and a half hours. Sajocchi came a little late, so he was probably only half as much as me. Finally, Ai-chan sat on Aichi's lap started to fall asleep, and dropped the half-eaten biscuit she was holding in her right hand. ...Yeah, I'll pick it up –Hooray?! Well, don't pick it up, Aichi.
"Sh-She's been eating and laughing too much..., so it's no wonder that she's like that. I think it's the rhythm that makes her sleepy."
"Fufu, that's right."
"You look so happy..."
Ai-chan curled up on Aichi's lap. Sure enough, she was not completely calm yet, but she was sleeping in a position exactly like that of a baby in the womb that we often see in a simulator on television. Aichi was already like a real mother because she held Ai-chan well and looked at her gently... ...I can feel her maternal vibe, I think she has the skills to be a mother right now...
"Look at this, Sajocchi, don't you think it's a beautiful sight?"
"Hmm...? Oh, yeah..."
"...Sajocchi?"
Thinking that this was an improvement, I asked Sajocchi what he thought about this, but he just replied with empty words. I thought that Sajocchi was admiring the painting-like scenery of Aichi and Ai-chan, but he seemed to be staring blankly at the table in front of him.
"Wataru..., ...aren't you tired...?"
"Ai-chan's attack earlier was very stressful."
Ai-chan's aggressiveness towards Sajocchi was truly extraordinary. She was already going "Ready, ready." to attack. She doesn't want Sajocchi to spoil her. I think it's only natural that she would jump on Sajocchi, and that's why they must be so tired.
"Oh, no, I'm not tired. I'm just sleepy, perhaps?"
"You don't need to force yourself. Well... I'm sorry, Airi didn't hit you, huh?"
"It was like a massage, so there's no need to worry. It feels great."
"Don't say weird things like that..."
"You've suddenly become a pervert, Sajocchi."
Isn't it a bit bad to say that being her hit feels great? It might change our perception when Sajocchi sees Ai-chan from now on. He just dealt with girls, so he should be more careful in his choice of words.
"But you did great, Sajocchi. You made Ai-chan the starring cast."
"Eh? Isn't that what she is?"
"Yeah, she is, but..."
I felt a bit saddened by the way Sajocchi said that like it was a natural thing. I interpreted it as me feeling the nuance that he would be more aware of Aichi, but Sajocchi didn't seem to think so.
I mean, Sajocchi, don't you two hardly ever have daily conversations? Come to think of it, I spent a lot of time like a housewife drinking iced tea with Aichi and watching my children play with each other while chatting.
Eh? Come to think of it, was this intentional? I had a lot of fun chatting with Aichi, and Sajocchi bought me a lot of candy. Aichi was a bit worried about her weight.
"Sajocchi, why don't you relax a bit? Honestly, it's not like you're not paying attention?"
"Eh...?"
"Eh, what are you talking about? I was just playing with Airi-chan."
"Hey—, I feel sorry for you for some reason."
Because if that's true, it doesn't mean that Sajocchi is aware of Aichi, but in another sense, he is aware of me and Ai-chan, including Aichi too, right? It's a bit strange that Sajocchi, who usually says stupid things, doesn't feel uncomfortable when going to the house of a girl he likes and hasn't "failed" yet.
In that case..., isn't it natural that Sajocchi would act blank and say something off-topic? I was curious why, but what made me even more curious was that Sajocchi wasn't paying attention to Aichi. Is it because Sajocchi acted too much like "usually" and not enough like "usually"? No, there are some disgusting parts, but...
I wonder if maybe I shouldn't say something like this... Although I know I shouldn't say this..., but if I guessed it, it would mean that I'm not a very good girl.
"...Hmm, what? Do I feel happy, because I've erased my previous "punishment"..."
"That's that, this is this, it's a different matter."
"You devil..."
"That's your punishment for scaring Aichi."
"I-I didn't..."
"You can't do that, you must punish Sajocchi properly."
It should be "done for Aichi's sake". I mean, isn't it more like a "reward" from Sajocchi's POV? If it was "done for Aichi's sake", it wouldn't hurt. Aichi, why don't you use Sajocchi more freely? Oh, I see, so you refrained from letting Sajocchi stay tense? No, I don't think that's possible.
But Sajocchi today seems to be "good". Although he's happy to play... with Ai-chan, I think it's too much to play with her all the time... and I think he deserves a bit more credit for continuing to play with Ai-chan. I think it would be nice if Aichi gave him more praise.
"Sajocchi, you're not sleepy, you're just tired from doing so much, right? Now that you've calmed down and eaten some candy, you should rest."
"Eh... ...is that so? I'm not at all..."
"No, no, that kind of thing.—"
"That kind of thing is possible, isn't it?"
Ugh, don't glare at me, Sajocchi. It's my fault that I'm so easy to read on my face. I've never seen that face of yours before.
Even if you're nervous about Aichi, you can't let her know that you're nervous... ...If you try to satisfy Ai-chan and even me as a bonus, it'll wear you out.
That's exactly what Sajocchi will do. He's been doing some cool things lately. Besides, how could I, after seeing the innocence between Aichi and Sajocchi, interfere in their matters?
Even if their communication doesn't match, they're on the right track, right? Besides, it's strange to see Sajocchi, who always runs at full speed like an engine, running out of fuel.
"...Just imagine, I'm invited to a girls' night out, and I'm the only boy here."
Sajocchi weakened, he lowered his head as if he were gasping for breath. The cool expression that had been rather dull became quiet, as if something had been fixed, and something had been removed from his face.
"Oh!? Isn't that a bit much, when you've come to a cute high school girl's house?"
If that's true, it means you have negative judgment, Sajocchi! It's not easy for a girl to meet a boy after her club activities! Oh, but he showed a face that said he made a mistake... That's good... but couldn't he have been more honest with us? That's not an excuse for the usual Sajocchi, is it?
"I-I didn't mean to do that..."
"Oh, no, no... ...Don't worry, it's not the main cause. I was just being a bit of a j*rk today, even before Ashida invited me here."
"Wow, is that so?"
That was unexpected. I thought it was pretty impressive that Sajocchi was so worried about all of us, but there's more. It's surprising. I hadn't thought about that.
"Sajocchi, it's like you have no worries."
"I don't want Ashida to say that to me."
Ugh, that's rude, Sajocchi. Do you also have worries even if it's about me? Well, there's not much I can say to a male classmate, but... Ah, if I can't study it's a very big deal to me. Especially when it's Modern Literature? I can already read Aichi and Sajocchi's feelings, so I don't need to study that!
Come to think of it, Sajocchi also showed his annoyed face.
"I have one or two worries myself."
"For example?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Eh?"
Unexpectedly, Aichi also responded. After being asked back by both of us, Sajocchi was at a loss for words. Sajocchi lost a lot of time, but it was funny.
"N-No? That's not something I can tell you two about, is it?"
"S-Something you can't tell the two of us?"
"No, um..."
His eyes swung without hesitation. Do you have that level of backstory? Just as I was thinking, Aichi suddenly urged Sajocchi to continue. That's good, Aichi, keep it up! It would be good if you were more aggressive like you're interested in Sajocchi...!
...Hmm? Eh?
Oh, no, wait a minute. Even with this subtle way to trick us, it could be something you wouldn't say to girls, right...?
"If I tell you two, I think you'll be compelled to do something..."
That's right! That's boys' business! That's not something we should be asking! Both of us? I mean, maybe it's not something we can talk about! Stop it, Aichi! Don't ask him again! I don't want to hear it either!
"Well~, if you insist on not telling us..."
"M-Maybe we can give you some advice?"
Wow, wow, Aichi! That's impossible! It's not that I don't know anything about it, but... ...No! Well... What about that...!? ...What should I say when he asks me for advice? How about if you don't talk about that kind of stuff seriously with boys?
"...No, this is my problem."
"T-Tell us!"
"!?"
This is not good! Aichi was so enthusiastic as if to say it was time! I mean, I looked into her eyes like she couldn't take it anymore! She was so serious, that Sajocchi made a face like, "If you want to listen to me...!" No, no, no, I'm sorry, but it's your responsibility.
"—If you insist..."
Sajocchiiiii!?
Calm down! Look at me, here, here! Putting aside my academic abilities, I'm sure I have more common sense than you two! Is that something you can talk about with girls? I'll be forced to glare at you with a mixture of doubt and suspicion, you know? That's what I mean!
"Um, I was going to ask for advice, but.—"
I hate you! It's okay, right? Not only are Aichi and me here, but there's Ai-chan too! That's why I won't listen to you! I'll cover my ears and leave the rest to you! I don't care what happens!
....
...Wh-What kind of problem is that?
"I made a girl prostrate herself at my part-time job..."
"What are you doing!!?"
"What are you doing!!?"
Ai-chan, are you awake?
Author's Note: "Fueh...!?"
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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