Chapter 93By the Side of the Goddess, Part 3
"Airi has been watching daytime TV drama a lot lately."
"Eh!? The one with the suspenseful boy?"
"No, it's the young innkeeper."
"Oh... there's something like that too."
I guess I'll occasionally watch some TV dramas when my club activities are over in the morning. But isn't that the one about the mother-in-law bullying her new daughter-in-law? I don't think that's good for Airi-chan's education... Honestly, those TV dramas are pretty violent, aren't they?
"Fufu, Airi doesn't understand, so it's okay. She seems to be interested in being the "landlady", so she often imitates her."
"Hahaha..., she just absorbs good scenes. She's a very good girl indeed."
"Right?"
Right? It seems that Ai-chan is very proud because she is highly praised. That's it, that's it. Although I wasn't thirsty, this barley tea that was served was really good. I don't know what it is, but I naturally want to drink it. I could probably eat rice too. Isn't it just because I'm hungry?
"You can bend nicely, huh-?"
"Hey-!"
I'll do that! Said Ai-chan who was sitting in the center of the sofa, with her body facing me. Oh... I know what she's going to do. I don't know if I can stay calm.
"Go ahead!"
"Ai-chan! Sit on my lap!"
"Kya!"
"Ah!? Wait, Kei!"
As she placed her hands on the sofa and lowered her head, I could do nothing but squirm. I had no choice but to unleash my inevitable feelings for Ai-chan in front of me. Or rather, I straddled her and hugged her. Huh, let's do it...
"Ai-chan, thank you for doing that!"
"Kyahahaha! That tickles me~!!"
"Geez..."
I'm probably sure that I'm less tired than anyone else in the world right now after my hectic club activities. She's so cute... What's wrong with this angel? I want to have a little sis too. I wonder if there's anything I can do for Mom so that she'll give me a little sis? I can feel my energy being replenished, this energy drink is just plain water.
"Fufu, Airi. How about doing that to that guy too if he comes here again later."
"That guy~?"
"Ah, um... ..."Sajou" too."
"Hihi..."
Ai-chan called Sajocchi "Sajou" to make it easier for her to understand. It's funny that he's called "Sajou", but when Aichi mimics Ai-chan every time she says her name, it makes me can't help but laugh. And she's cute too. How can you be like that?
"Sajocchi will be surprised."
"I'm sure of it. Just watch out if he doesn't react..."
"A-Aichi..."
I could feel the depth of Aichi's affection for her little sis. I thought Aichi was scared when anyone approached Ai-chan, no matter what kind of person Aichi thought it was. When Ai-chan goes through a rebellious period, Aichi will get angry...
"—Wow!?"
"Hyah!?"
Just as I was imagining the future of the sisters in front of me, who were already like my own sisters, a smartphone rattled and vibrated on the table. This smartphone didn't have a silencer or anything like that, so it made quite a loud noise.
Ai-chan was also startled, and Aichi picked up the smartphone, and said, [You just startled me...] with a slight frown. To keep her cute figure out of my sight, I also took out my smartphone. My smartphone also beeped because of a notification.
[Um... I'm almost there, okay.]
"Ah! Sajou!"
Ai-chan jumped up and down as she looked at Aichi's phone screen. That's right, Sajocchi's account name was "Sajou". So it was no surprise that Ai-chan could read it.*
(TL Note: Written in Hiragana, not Kanji, so toddlers/kindergarteners of Airi's age can read it.)
Um, but isn't Sajocchi a bit modest? Like a father calling his boss. Was he nervous? Come to think of it, he came to a girl's house... ...Aichi's house, to be exact. Wouldn't you normally be nervous? Would you turn that nervousness over in favor of her for a few moments...? Sometimes it frustrates me so much that it doesn't catch my attention. I know that, but...
"Look, Sajou's almost here already."
"Y-Yeah..."
Ai-chan ran towards the entrance like a dog that knew its owner had arrived home. This is a bit serious. I thought Ai-chan would get scolded by Aichi if she did that, but Aichi didn't say anything and didn't chase after Ai-chan. When I looked to the side all of a sudden, I found something strange, namely a person standing upright in place with her closed mouth wriggling.
"A-Aichi...?"
"Huh...? U-Um... Airi? Where did she go?"
"She went to the entrance."
"Geeze...!"
No, "Geeze...!" she said. Don't run right in front of me!
Eh, wait a minute, does that mean Aichi is starting to realize her feelings for Sajocchi? Yeay, congratulations, Sajocchi! I feel like cooking red rice! I'm so jealous, I want to pour sesame salt over the hot red rice and throw it in her face, you b*stard!
I don't know what will happen, but I hope it goes in a good direction. For a moment, even though Sajocchi liked Aichi, he took a few steps back. It bored me to tears to witness that. I was on Aichi's side and not in favor of Sajocchi, but... ...I don't think Aichi, whom I care about the most, would have stood out without Sajocchi.
♦
(TL Note: There is a difference with the LN version, in the WN version, the scene below uses Kei's POV, while in the LN version, this scene uses Wataru's POV.)
"I-Isn't the floor hard...? Does that hurt? Maybe you should stop doing that!"
"No–!"
"Ahaha, you're so cute."
The place where Ai-chan was sitting was right before the stairs at the entrance. Usually, I sat there to put on my shoes. On the entrance mat that wasn't too soft, Ai-chan sat in a seiza* position. She seemed to be saying "Welcome to our home" to Sajocchi.
(TL Note: Seiza is the formal, traditional way of sitting in Japan.)
Aichi tried to stop Ai-chan, nervous because the floor was hard. Every time Ai-chan came to her senses, there was a popping sound coming from her feet as she sat on the floor. I'll probably cry too. Since she's used to it, I don't think she can stop.
"Oh, oh, I'll go to him!"
"Oh, eh!? Wait a minute, Aichi! I'm after you! I'm sorry, Ai-chan, please wait here for a moment!"
"O-Okay!"
I ran out of the entrance, chasing after Aichi. B*llsh*t... Sajocchi had become Aichi's enemy in an instant...? Where did that gentle girl from earlier go? Ai-chan's priorities are too high, but isn't that too unjustified?
When we went outside, we found a suspicious boy and advanced a little. He was just an ordinary boy. He slung a brown sling bag over his shoulder, looking hot as he walked, holding a plastic bag with something in it with both hands. What the hell is that? Did he bring candy for us?
Sajocchi must have heard my and Aichi's footsteps. When I looked up and looked at him, I was surprised that he had a surprised expression on his face that I had never seen before.
"Wataru!!!"
"!!?"
Sajocchi, who was summoned by force, stood straight in place and gave a vague answer. Maybe I was in too much of a hurry, but I heard a strange screaming sound, so I backed away.
I guess I'd be surprised if Aichi ran towards me as fast as she could with her hair all messed up. No matter how beautiful she is, of course, she'll surprise me. No need to worry, Sajocchi. That's good. You're lucky that the girl you like came up to you. Congratulations, give me some candy!
"Come here quickly!"
"Yeah!"
Aichi grabbed Sajocchi's wrist and pulled. Sajocchi suddenly sounded like a walrus that was punched in the stomach with a fist and dragged away by Aichi.
When we passed each other, Sajocchi said, "What happened? What happened?". Our gaze met each other. Sajocchi protected the plastic bag of candy with both hands... ...Oh! There's a bag of ramune! So nostalgic! That's good!
It's hot outside. But this level of UV attack doesn't work on me, who's used to the stuffy gymnasium during club activities. I had sunscreen on too!
After I caught up with Aichi and Sajocchi, who were running for the last time with UV protection, they stopped in front of the entrance. Wow! Aichi grabbed Sajocchi's arm to keep him from letting go! That might be a bit weird, but it made me happy!
"Wataru..."
"Eh, um, what? My arm — Um, Natsukawa-san?"
"—Prepare yourself!"
"Eh!?"
Aichi, aren't you a bit cryptic? Don't look at me like you're holding a sword for an unarmed opponent. Even I, a fellow girl, am afraid of the gaze of a girl who is just as beautiful as me. The look on Sajocchi's face when he's happy to be touched by a pretty girl, but at the same time he's scared, gives off an indescribable malicious boy vibe that makes me sad.
"Okay, stop, stop!"
"Ha-Hahida*..."
(TL Note: A-Ashida.)
"Your tongue is slipping, Sajocchi."
I'm sure a lot of things were taken away at that moment. Including the sincerity of a boy's heart. I didn't roll my eyes, but he did. After all, it was indeed Sajocchi's fault for making Ai-chan sit on her knees. Think of it like that. You're a boy, aren't you?
"Aichii, how long are you going to hold hands with Sajocchi?"
"Eh? ...Ah!"
Bah, Aichi let go of Sajocchi's arm with a flick. She held her hand against her chest, looking awkward and fidgety. Oh, how cute! But, you know what, Aichi? Because of this incident, Sajocchi is not only embarrassed but also confused!
"Um..."
"Anyway, just go in! But stop in front of the entrance!"
"W-Why the heck?"
As expected, Sajocchi replied calmly. This was the somewhat reluctant tsukkomi. I don't think I've ever seen Sajocchi so annoyed at Aichi before. It's possible that he already sensed something.
The entrance has a frosted glass part... ...Did Aichi intend to bring Sajocchi's legs or waist closer from there so that Ai-chan could see him?
"Go in!"
"Eh, is it okay?"
"Just go in!"
"Okay."
The story developed in such a way that it was hard to believe that this was a reunion of a boy and girl with a complicated relationship. Ai-chan's charm was undeniable. Aichi's character also changed.
Sajocchi was a bit confused, but he didn't seem to be nervous anymore. That's the kind of face that says it's best to just comply. Why don't you wipe your sweat first? Oh, you have body wipes. High points.
Like entering a haunted house, Sajocchi said, "I-I'll open it." and put his hand on the sliding door. And then he opened the door with a single slide...
"—Welcome to this house!!!"
"Gah!!!"
"Eh?"
Ai-chan bowed neatly and flatly on the other side of the door. Receiving a welcome worthy of a score of 120, Sajocchi clutched her chest and fainted in pain. I couldn't help but make a sound after seeing that unexpected reaction, but it was okay because Aichi nodded her head with her arms crossed in satisfaction. I guess my coach also had that kind of expression on his face and made a good serve...
"She's cute, isn't she? Hey, she's cute, isn't she?"
Wow, that's great! That's Aichi with a satisfied look on her face! I've never seen her like that before! I've never seen Aichi that proud! Sajocchi is beside you! Next to you! Ai-chan is cute too, but next to you!
"...That posture worked."
"...?"
Sajocchi crouched slightly and muttered in pain. Did it work? Is Ai-chan too cute? You're really cute, Ai-chan. Is my back pain gone? Oh, isn't it?
"—Phew, thank you for welcoming us, Airi-chan!"
"Yeah!"
Anyway, Sajocchi, who had already read the situation, thanked Ai-chan, and Ai-chan responded by raising her hand cheerfully.
Looking to the side, Aichi was as silent as a stone statue.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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