Chapter 1 Part 2
"There's pork on sale today. Hmm... what should we do tomorrow? Would it be okay if I came over to your house tomorrow as well, Souta-kun?"
"...? Don't you have lessons or anything tomorrow?"
"I do, but I want to spend time with you, Souta-kun. I'll come over after I’m done. Well... I was thinking of asking my mother about it."
Nagi said this so naturally, her cheeks faintly pink.
Her words made me happy, but there was something on my mind.
"...Are you sure? You've just made up with your father and mother. Shouldn't you spend time with them instead?"
"It’s fine. My parents are getting along, so I was wondering if I should give them some time alone. Of course, I won’t be staying at your house all the time... And from now on, we'll have more family time, not just meals."
Her eyes sparkled with joy. If she said it was fine, then it should be. In the future, Nagi would likely get closer with her family, and if there's anything they need to say, they can speak openly.
"If that’s the case, then I understand. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
"Hehe. Me too. ...Ah, chicken is on sale too. That’s perfect."
As I watched Nagi carefully select meat, I felt a strong gaze coming from behind.
"Hey, how many years do you think they’ve been married?"
"First year... no, even in the tenth year, they'd still be like that. Souta’s the type to go shopping with his partner every time."
"You'd want to squeeze a kid in the middle of that shot, wouldn't you? They look like they’re holding hands and getting along so well."
The voices from behind made my mouth twitch.
I was debating whether to scold them for teasing when I noticed Nagi’s face turning bright red out of the corner of my eye.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, um... Souta-kun, I...”
Nagi, holding several packs of chicken, looked at me.
"How many children do you want to have?"
For a moment, I couldn’t grasp the meaning of her words.
...What’s she talking about?
I turned my face toward her. As our eyes met, Nagi flustered, and I quickly took the chicken from her, placing it in the basket.
"Ah, well, uh... I think it's important to have an heir."
"An heir?"
"Yes... but, I mean, if it’s with you, Souta-kun, I’d be okay with however many children we have, even if there’s no heir, that’s what I think."
"Wait, wait! This is moving way too fast. Look, there’s the issue of money, right?"
"No, that’s not the point. You guys are still students. You can't even marry for another two years."
Eiji’s calm voice interrupted from behind us.
However, it seemed that Nagi's mind was entirely occupied with that topic, as she tightly gripped my hand.
"Money isn't an issue. My mother said she’ll fully support us."
"Uh, no. That's really not a good idea..."
"Or is it that... Souta-kun doesn't want many children—?"
"Alright, alright, that's enough, you two lovebirds. People are staring at you like crazy right now."
Tap.
At that moment, Hayama lightly tapped Nagi on the forehead, causing her to gasp in surprise.
"Good grief... What kind of conversation are you having in broad daylight? Save that talk for when it's just the two of you at night."
"Ahh..."
"And Kirika-kun, you need to stop her before things get out of hand. Don’t go copying those two."
"Hey, hey, there's no couple like us, alright?"
"That's right! We’re a healthy, lovey-dovey couple! ...Well, at least in public!"
"Alright, alright. I’m ignoring that last part."
Nagi placed her hand on her head, still smiling as she watched the exchange between the three of them. Then, she leaned in closer and whispered in my ear.
"...Then, let’s continue our conversation tonight, okay?"
Her voice, heavy with breath, tickled my eardrum. The impact was so strong it briefly halted my thoughts.
Her cheeks, once pale, flushed bright red as she naturally took my hand in hers.
As we continued walking, I could feel countless gazes piercing through me from behind. Specifically, from the three of them.
It was a bit too close for comfort. When I tried to pull my hand away, Nagi looked up at me with an expression full of sadness.
"...If it's just our fingers..."
With that, Nagi's face lit up with joy as she intertwined her pinky with mine.
We continued our shopping, and Hayama walked up beside Nagi.
"—I was thinking, you two have gotten surprisingly close. Not just physically, but mentally too? Is that the right way to put it?"
"Now that we understand each other's feelings, and... more than that, I feel safe when I'm close to Souta-kun, so I think that's how it looks."
Hayama chuckled at her words, and Kirika leaned in closer to me, her face now the color of strawberry milk, as if it had changed from regular milk.
Seeing that, I felt my own cheeks relax and almost smile in a way I shouldn't have. Being outside, I quickly tightened my lips.
"Ah, speaking of which, I ran out of oil. Let’s go buy some, Nagi."
"Eh? Oh, yes. Understood!"
Nagi pushed the cart, walking beside me. My pinky, which was gripping the handle, was still firmly linked with Nagi's pinky.
★★★
After finishing the shopping, we arrived home safely. After showing Eiji and the others to the living room, I headed to the kitchen with Nagi.
"We bought quite a lot, didn't we?"
"There were a lot of things on sale. I checked the expiration dates, so it should be fine."
As I unpacked the items with Nagi, I replied. She was taking out the ingredients we would use, while I put the rest into the refrigerator, freezer, and vegetable drawer.
Once everything was stored, I looked over at Nagi—she was standing frozen in the kitchen.
Her blue eyes were fixed on the sink, the stove, and the cupboards. If I looked closely, she was biting her lower lip.
"...Nagi?"
"I thought... that I would never come here again, until this morning."
Nagi picked up the cutting board and stared at the frying pan.
"I thought I wouldn't be able to come, no matter how much I wanted to. I thought I wouldn't be able to cook for you, or eat with you... I thought I wouldn't even be able to look you in the eye or touch you."
She set the cutting board down and smiled. The sad, wistful expression on her face slowly shifted into something brighter.
"But that didn't happen. None of it happened, thanks to you and everyone else. I'm really, truly grateful."
She said that, taking a step forward. Another step.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she clung to me, pressing her body close.
The sweet scent filled my senses, piercing my mind.
I had thought I might have gotten used to it by now, but that was far from the case.
The sweet fragrance dulled my nerves, and my heart began to race.
However, seeing her expression—a soft smile, her eyes glistening with tears—made me aware that my own lips were curving into a smile.
"You're welcome."
I slid my hand around and hugged her body tightly.
Since I was a bit taller than Nagi, she had to stretch up on her toes. Her chin rested on my shoulder.
Her body was slender and soft, delicate enough that it felt like it would break if I applied even the slightest pressure.
But I knew that wasn't the case.
I smiled at Nagi, who was clinging to me even more tightly as though asking for more, and hugged her back with more strength.
"Mm-hmm."
The soft sound of her laughter and breath tickled my ear. But I didn’t want her to stop.
I ran my fingers through her silky hair and heard more laughter, which made my ear tingle.
And then, at that moment...
"Hey, hey, I want to ask you something..."
Nagi and I had just finished putting away the groceries when the sliding door suddenly opened. It was Hayama, peeking her head in. It felt like déjà vu.
"...Actually, never mind. It's fine to talk about it later," Hayama said, clutching her head before turning to leave. She probably sensed something was off.
Meanwhile, Nagi...
"Hehe... I feel so happy being with you, Souta-kun," she said, almost oblivious to everything around her. I couldn't help but wonder if it was really okay for her to be this carefree. With Hayama watching over her at school, I felt reassured, but when Nagi and I are out alone, I need to be cautious. If she starts acting out like she did during our shopping trip, it could lead to trouble.
I lightly tapped Nagi’s back, and she let out a delighted little sound. Looking at her, I felt relieved to know that I would continue to see her smile, and I couldn't help but feel a warm sensation on my cheeks.
"...Souta-kun?" Nagi asked, noticing my quiet reaction.
"It’s nothing," I quickly replied, my arms instinctively tightening around her. My voice shook, and a sharp pain pricked at the back of my nose.
Even though it must have been uncomfortable for her, Nagi hugged me back just as firmly.
I didn’t want to say anything. If I spoke, I feared that my unease would reach her.
I didn’t want her to see me like this.
I wanted to protect her, cherish her, make her happy—so many emotions swirled inside me, and I let out a quiet sigh.
"Souta-kun..." Nagi whispered my name, and suddenly, I felt something warm touch my head.
It was Nagi’s hand.
Her hand was gentle and soft, as if she were touching something precious. She lovingly petted my head, as though to soothe me.
"I love you, Souta-kun."
Her voice was small, but it carried such strength and emotion.
"I won’t let anyone have you. I’ll make sure to make you happy, with my own hands."
I almost thought she had read my mind, and a laugh escaped from my lips.
I reached up with my right hand and gently ran my fingers through Nagi’s hair, combing it. It was surprisingly smooth, and it never got caught in my fingers. I couldn’t help but enjoy it, doing it repeatedly.
Nagi giggled, a rare laugh. She only showed that expression when I was patting her head.
"...I feel the same way."
Nagi buried her face in my neck, and as her hair moved, it brushed against my cheek. A soft, sweet fragrance filled the air.
"I’ll make sure to make you happy, Nagi."
"Yes!" she replied enthusiastically.
I hugged her tightly, pouring all my gratitude into that embrace. I was so thankful that she was here, in this moment, with me.
★★★
Tags:
LN