Chapter 98By the Side of the Goddess, Part 8
(TL Note: Just like in the previous chapters, this is different from the LN version, because it uses Kei's POV instead of Wataru's POV. And this is the last chapter that uses Kei's POV.)
Sajocchi had managed to regain his composure and was almost close to normal. It's possible that he decided that there was no point in asking me for help, and started concentrating on loving Ai-chan without any comments. To Sajocchi, I think Aichi is still more dangerous than Ai-chan.
Aichi said, then she picked up the empty glasses we had been drinking from and went to the kitchen to refill them for us. I couldn't stop grinning, seeing this kind of thing. Besides, I couldn't stop making shutter sounds.
"...Hey, wait a minute."
"I'm sorry."
Perhaps the smartphone camera that I thrust out seemed to disturb him, and Sajocchi complained while pouting. Even though he was complaining like that, his hand was still gently stroking the sleeping Ai-chan's back. I think it would be better if I made that into a video...
"I thought she fell asleep early, but when I looked at my watch, it wasn't like that."
"Oh, that's right, huh? From 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock is quite a distance."
"It already feels like nighttime."
Come to think of it, I think the sunlight outside looks a bit yellow. Was it because the sun had started to set? I also felt that the light hitting Ai-chan's cheeks seemed to have changed somewhat as well.
"Um, can you wake Airi up? If she sleeps too much, I'm afraid she won't be able to sleep at night."
"Hmm? Oh!"
Aichi returned from the kitchen and asked Sajocchi to wake Ai-chan up. Sajocchi turned his attention to Ai-chan again and started to shake her.
"Come on, Airi-chan, wake up!"
"...Hmm..."
"If you sleep too long, you won't be able to sleep at night."
"..."
"Eh, is this still difficult for you?"
"Yeah, maybe."
Sajocchi looked at me and started to get a bit worried. He seemed a bit out of place like this. As I turned my face towards Aichi as if to ask for help, Aichi approached Sajocchi with a wry smile and said, "I can't help it...".
"Here, leave her to me."
"Okayy."
Aichi put her hand in between Sajocchi's chest to take Ai-chan back. I mean, it was a great touch, but... just having Ai-chan here is enough to make them do this. I think it would be better if Sajocchi was unconscious at times like this... Sajocchi, your face, your face.
"Ugh."
Ai-chan grabbed Sajocchi's clothes, and Aichi released her hand and carried her. Aichi must be quite strong... ...Ai-chan made a cute sound. Sajocchi's face showed that he looked reluctant, but his face was also nice... ...I don't know, but I think I should capture today's moments in a video.
Aichi made Ai-chan sit on the dining room chair behind her. There was a handle on the chair, so it wasn't dangerous, right?
"Is it safe?"
"This chair is too hard. I'm sure she'll wake up soon because she's uncomfortable."
"As expected of the Aichi household."
"What do you mean "Aichi household"?"
As if that was already the initial effect, Ai-chan began to squirm in the hard chair while making dissatisfied sounds. Oh, I see... ...I think that will happen naturally.
"Should we go home, when Airi-chan wakes up?"
"That's right. She'll be sad if we say goodbye to her while she's sleeping."
"Oh... ...um."
I didn't expect Sajocchi to start the conversation, but even if he didn't do it once, it was indeed a good time to do it. If I stayed here any longer, I wouldn't be going home, and today wasn't the last time I'd see them anyway!
"Yeah..., ...thanks, both of you."
"Don't worry about it! Can I stay over the night here next time?"
"W-Was that okay...?
"Eh? Yeah. Do you want to come stay over the night too? Just kidding."
Wouldn't it be nice if I could be surrounded by Aichi and Ai-chan and sleep together? That's my ambition, isn't it? I don't think Aichi needs to be indifferent to me anymore, because she's very considerate. She's a bit more mature than the other people around her. We're still high school girls, right?
"Can Sajocchi stay over the night here too?"
"I will die."
"No, you won't die."
Is it that bad? I know that you like Aichi, but I'm curious how it feels to like someone. I want to experience the feeling of liking a boy at least once. No, you don't have to worry too much, it's not like that. What do you mean you're going to die?
He looked like he didn't think this was real because he was at Aichi's house. He's been acting surprised a lot today. It's funny from an outsider's perspective, but since Aichi reached out to him, I hope Sajocchi will become a better boy.
"Yeah, you're right..., but if you feel like you're going to give up on Airi-chan's strength, just call me. I'll be her toy again."
"Y-You don't have to be her toy."
"I'm used to being used as a toy by Big Sis."
"Fufu..., what the heck is that?"
Oh!? She's laughing!? Aichi laughed when she heard Sajocchi's words. Usually, she's just stunned, but I'm sure she's still stunned! It's a bit unusual! I thought so too in the group chat, but it seems like Aichi is really into chatting about the interaction between Sajocchi and his big sis, right?
"—Hmm... ...Onee-chan..."
"Oh."
"Oh! Ai-chan, you're awake."
Just as Aichi said, Ai-chan squirmed uncomfortably in the dining room chair. She must have woken up because she called out to Aichi.
I won't miss this opportunity.
"I'm leaving!"
"Oh! Kei!"
Ai-chan reached out with sleepy eyes to find Aichi in the middle of nowhere. Poor thing, I had to convince her to come closer to me.
"Ai-chan!!!"
"Hmm...!?"
I hugged her so tightly! You were so surprised! Is that a bit too tight...? I'll try not to make her cry!
"It's me! It's Kei-chan after all!"
"Big Sis..."
"Geez, Kei, your bad..."
"Come on, it's too high!"
"You're a bit too excited!"
What? Is it too high? Ai-chan, you look like you're having fun. Maybe I'm a little too excited. Maybe I'm the only one who feels so excited. Because in the second round of this performance, I didn't focus on Ai-chan at all...
"A tight hug for the last time."
"Hmm..."
Hug me tightly, but don't be too tight. Oh...! This is it! Is this the tenderness of a toddler? I'll be addicted to being hugged by her! It's so cute when Ai-chan grabs your clothes! I've always been jealous of this!
"I've taken over you, haven't I?"
"We're together all the time, so..."
"Yeah, I guess so."
That's right! That's right! I was about to hand Ai-chan over to Sajocchi! Next time, I won't hold back anymore! I'll monopolize Aichi and Ai-chan for myself until I manage to recharge my fuel! I love you guys so much!
Just as I was thinking Sajocchi suddenly approached me and made eye contact with Ai-chan.
"Bye-bye, Airi-chan. I'll see you later."
"Fueh...?"
Hello. Eh, I thought you approached me to take Ai-chan away from me. I know it's a bit late to say this, but Sajocchi doesn't seem to be as excited about Ai-chan as he was when he was in front of Aichi. I'm sure she's cute too, but is she different from Aichi in that regard...? If she's the same as Aichi, wouldn't that be bad?
"Sajocchi, aren't you coming home too early?"
"...No, you see, it'll be awkward when their parents get home."
"Coward."
"Shut up."
The reason for his returning home, which he revealed in a whisper, turned out to be sadder than I expected. I wish I could have seen the look on Aichi's face when Sajocchi said goodbye to Ai-chan. Aichi looked a bit sad. I wonder if she'll make that face too when I go home.
"Hmm, Sajou."
"Yeah?"
"Um..."
"See you again."
Ai-chan extended her hand to Sajocchi. Although she didn't say it in words, she seemed to express her frustration over her loneliness while growling. Sajocchi shook her tiny hand and greeted her once again. I can't say anything because Ai-chan is in my arms, but I think she looks very lonely.
"Well then, Natsukawa, that was fun."
"Yeah..., ...well, I'm sorry? Even though you just got back from your part-time job..."
"No, no, it's not a big deal."
"But, you remember, don't you? With that female colleague at your part-time job—"
"Oh—... ...Yeah. That was my "punishment". The atmosphere is awkward if it continues like that, so I'll deal with it tomorrow."
"Alright... ...then, it'll be fine."
They both smiled at each other and greeted each other kindly. I also put Ai-chan on the sofa and got ready to go home. I didn't want to look like Sajocchi was the only one who left early. Besides, I might not want to go home if I stayed here any longer.
I'll walk with Sajocchi to the front entrance. Ai-chan caught up with us and escorted us home while holding hands with Aichi. Can't I take her home with me? Of course not, right?
"Alright, then."
"Oh..."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Sajocchi opened the front door and was about to leave. Then Aichi reached out to hold him for a moment. Sajocchi, who had been looking back and forth, stopped and responded to Aichi's action.
"Oh, that's—"
"Sajou—!"
"Oh!? Airi-chan!?"
Ai-chan broke free from Aichi's hands and jumped to Sajocchi's feet. Oh, my goodness, Ai-chan hugged Sajocchi, begging him not to go home. Despite that, Aichi managed to catch Ai-chan... ...That was a good moment indeed.
Sajocchi? I know you're happy right now, but don't make that weird face.
"Geez..., come on, Airi."
"Ugh~"
Aichi took Ai-chan in her arms and started to calm her down. I know I understand Ai-chan's feelings, when I was little, I also often held my older male cousin when he was about to go home.
"So, I'll see you on the messaging app?"
"Right. Let's chat again."
"You too, Airi-chan."
"Oh... ...Yeah."
Oh, now that's a good point for you for caring about that Aichi! I'm sure Ai-chan wouldn't be happy if Aichi felt lonely either.
"Whoa... ...Alright then~"
"No, what kind of feeling is that?"
This is a rather light feeling. Finally, Sajocchi breathed a sigh of relief and went home, as if relieving his fatigue and exhaling his breath. I wondered what kind of breath that was, but it was impossible... that it was just a normal exhale. Yeah, after all, Sajocchi is a big bro, or rather a father. Good job.
...It's not too strict.
"—Okay! It's my turn to jump!?"
"Eh?"
TL Note: Eh?
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/ninjacross
Donations are very much appreciated.
Read in other languages: