“So he ended up getting a part-time job.

”
　The next day at school, Itsuki asked me about it, and when I nodded
honestly, he cowered his shoulders in a light-hearted manner.
“I wasn't worried because it was Kido's introduction, but I'm glad it was decided. Well, I'm concerned that
there's something Amane seems to be trying to say.”
“Well, yeah. I mean, he was kind of a dense guy.”
“He must have been quite a guy, if you ask me.”
　I'm curious about the opposite...] Amane chuckles as Itsuki laughs, tilting
the chair he sits in with his weight, but he's going to keep it to himself for
now. If I tell him, he'll come to my workplace right away.
　At least until Amane gets used to his new part-time job, he will make sure
that no one he knows will come to his workplace. Even if it is Mahiru, that
will not change.
　When I told Mahiru this in the morning, she sulked so much that her
morning time became her favorite time.
　Mahiru is talking with Chitose.
　Chitose is looking at me and grinning, but I don't want to make her laugh
by reacting, so I let it go.
“Well, I think he's a somewhat unusual person, but I think he'll work without any problems. And Kido
says if you need anything, don't hesitate to rely on Chino.”
“Ah, Kido's boyfriend. You know, the hidden macho guy.”
“I'm sure he'd have a complicated look on his face if he were asked about that perception. ...... I'm sure
he'd give Kido the stink-eye after that, but...”
　I think he's going to look at Ayaka, who planted that perception in him
rather than blaming us.
　She is not too offended, but rather she is likely to say, "What's wrong?" I
would like to work on Souji, who is unwillingly spreading his perception
without his knowledge.
　By the way, Ayaka has not come to school yet, or she is at Souji's place, or
there is no sign of her in the classroom.
“Anyway, just knowing someone there makes me feel safer, and from what I've heard from the owner, the
older, more generous crowd seems to be the regulars, so they don't have that much trouble!”
“Hmm, that's good to hear. Well, whatever the case, I'm glad you got the part time job. Next time you
have any problems, just come to me.”
“Yes, yes, I'm counting on you, good friend.”
　When I patted him on the back, he slapped me back with more force than
when Amane slapped him, after his mouth turned into a smile.
　This is also his way of expressing his friendship with me, so he coughs and
smiles and says, "You son of a bitch," and gently presses his fist against my
cheek.
　The first time I saw him, he was looking at me with a slightly dissatisfied
expression on his face.
　He seems to be unhappy about not coming to his part-time job, which he
had told me in the morning, or perhaps he's holding back.
　However, he seems to know this rationally, and since Mahiru had agreed to
put up with him during the morning pampering time, there should be no
problem.
　Itsuki followed Amane's gaze and made a sudden jab at him, "You're still
loved as always," and Amane raised an eyebrow.
“Well, Shiina-san, Chii, and Amane's mom went shopping yesterday, right?　I
heard that Chie had fun picking out clothes for Amane, but what did Shiina-
san buy?”
“...... Is that the one I have to tell you about?”
“Oh. You left me alone, my dear friend.”
“I knew you'd still hold a grudge ...... so, you know... ...... cat stuffed pajamas.”
　The first thing that comes to mind is the contents of the paper bag that
Mahiru handed me yesterday, and when I reluctantly mention it, Itsuki
blurts out a big mouthful.
　Yes, Shihoko and Mahiru bought these stuffed cat pajamas with cat ear
hoods for Amane.
　The fact that they had prepared something in a size that would be fine for
a man of Amane's height should be a headache for him.
“Oh, you're the one with the stuffed pajamas. ......”
“Shut up. Mahiru wears rabbits instead, so it's ok.”
　At my age and size, it's almost embarrassing to wear a pair of obviously
cute kigurumi pajamas, but when Mahiru stares at me with her sparkling
eyes, I have no choice but to put them on.
　If it had been up to me to wear the pajamas by myself, I would have refused
to do so, but I guess I was aware of the unfairness of it, and Mahiru bought a
pair of pale pink stuffed pajamas with a rabbit motif for herself, as if to
say that she would wear them instead.
　In exchange for Mahiru wearing the pajamas and not having her picture
taken, Amane also agreed to wear the stuffed pajamas. I think I will wear it
again when I sleep over.
　It will be much healthier than the previous negligee, so it will be easier
for Amane to endure.
“I'll have Shiina-san take a picture of Amane in his pajamas and send it to you.”
“Hey, hey, don't do that. I told him never to take pictures in the first place.”
“Eh, it's okay. It's okay, it's probably cute, cute.”
“Cover that pouty mouth of yours first, you idiot.”
　Amane, whose mouth is quivering, pats Amane on the shoulder, who is
making unnecessary decisions, but Amane doesn't fight back; he just shakes
his body and laughs.
　A little further away were Chitose and Mahiru, who were nodding at each
other and saying, "We really get along well with each other, don't we?

　Usually, he has lunch with Mahiru and his friends, but today, at Ayaka's
invitation, he was to have lunch with Ayaka and Souji.
　Ayaka had not mentioned it, but it seemed to be an opportunity to deepen
their friendship with Souji, who would be working at the same place.
　Amane, for his part, felt more comfortable accepting the invitation than
working with a friend's boyfriend with whom he had barely spoken before.
　Ayaka took Amane to the rooftop, where he saw Souji, who had already laid
out a leisure sheet and was waiting for him. Souji was not particularly
upset, as if he knew that Amane was coming.
“So Fujimiya-kun is going to work with So-chan!”
　Ayaka smiles a friendly, bright smile as she looks at Amane, who has
borrowed a corner of a leisure seat and is sitting down.
　Incidentally, Souji, despite Ayaka's smile, gives Amane a nonchalant,
rather slightly pitying look.
“Oh ...... you got caught up in Ayaka…”
“Well, it's rude to say I got you involved!　I was just directing the right
people to the right place of work!”
“I do think Fujimiya would certainly be a good fit for that store. ......”
“Right?　I think you should look at me a little more carefully.”
　Ayaka, looking utterly and plasteredly disapproving, was a little younger
than usual, and I felt a smile on my face, probably directed only at Chino.
“No, it's something I offered to do, and Kido is helping me out.”
“Really?　But you must have been baffled by Fumika.”
“That's well ......”
　I didn't expect her to be that type, so I was somewhat pressured, but she
doesn't seem to be a bad person, and I think that type will probably mature
if given the right amount of fuel, so I hope we can talk to her without
causing any real harm to ourselves.
　However, it is true that I would have been more prepared if you had told
me beforehand, so I had some things to say to Ayaka about that.
　
“Because I didn't know how to explain someone like Aunt Bunka. It's so intense. ......”
“No, well, it's decided that I can work as a result, and that's fine. He doesn't seem like a bad guy.”
“He's a good guy, you know?　It's just that, you know, he spoils you when you
put him in your pocket, and he's a little bit of a natural, and he's just a
little bit delusional on a daily basis.”
“The feeding thing is, well, it's just the way it is. As long as there's no harm done.”
“...... probably not, yeah. Well, uh, maybe.”
　I wondered if I should go in and say, "Maybe he's not confident," but since
it's not his fault, I decided not to, and Amane unwrapped Mahiru's homemade
lunch box.
　Since Shuto cooked dinner and pasta yesterday, this lunch box was filled
with his usual leftovers, a side dish that Shuto made with leftover
ingredients, and a side dish that Mahiru made in the morning.
　I felt very sorry that I had to go to the trouble of making a reasonable
amount of side dishes in the morning, but Mahiru seemed to be enjoying
herself, so I couldn't stop her.
　Since I usually put Mahiru under a lot of strain, I thought about making a
bento for her myself, but Mahiru would be disappointed and say, "Are you not
satisfied with what I made for you, ......? I have not been able to do so.
　Incidentally, my parents will have already left this place by the time
Amane and his family return home, so I called them in the morning to say
goodbye. The reason why we said goodbye to each other so easily was
probably because we had promised to go home again during the winter or
spring vacation.
“Oh, is that the one Shiina-san made?”
　Ayaka, who was observing Amane as he opened the lid of his lunch box and
was satisfied to find Mahiru's homemade dashimaki tamago in it again today,
asks with a smile that exudes curiosity.
“This is the one Mahiru made. The sweet and sour dumplings over here are the ones my dad made and
left for me when he showed up.”
“Your father can cook. He's just like my dad. My mom, well, she can't cook and she can't do the
housework, so my dad does it.”
“Kaori seems too special.”
　Kaori is probably the name of Ayaka's mother. Apparently, she is
completely incapable of doing household chores.
“...... Well, well, in my defense so there's no misunderstanding, my mother is
very good at her job, you know?　She just can't do the housework!　She
doesn't blow up the microwave anymore, and she can at least do the
laundry!”
“The microwave is my fault for not checking what I put in it in the first place, and the laundry is just
putting detergent in the washing machine and turning it on.”
“So-chan, are you going to cover for him?”
“Ayaka started this on her own. ......”
　I didn't specifically say that Kaori had done anything, Souji said, and I saw
Ayaka's cheeks twitch as she seemed to realize that she had let her mouth
slip.
　For now, I'll pretend that Amane didn't hear and look away with a blank
face.
“Well, well, I guess that's why my parents wanted me to be able to do
housework. Well, I'm getting better at it, you know?　It's like your father
still has a problem with it.”
“I was raised with the hope that I would grow up to be a girl, and although I did grow up that way, I
became a muscle-loving child, so I often cry about it. Ayaka is chasing a naked guy.”
“You're not a good listener, are you?”
　Ayaka is complaining in a scream-like voice with her eyes wide open at
the statement that is sure to be misunderstood by those who don't know the
circumstances, and I have one thought that Amane is not something that can
be denied.
(Well, if you love muscles, then you want to see them live, right?)
　I'm sure he's just looking for physical beauty, but I'm sure his father, who
witnesses it on a daily basis, would shed a tear or two.
“Sou-chan distorted me. I mean, I didn't chase after her, only So-chan's, it's her fault.”
“Don't blame others.”
“Sohiyan no hiragana.”
　Souji pinches Ayaka's cheek, and she giggles as she complains about her
frustration with his lack of tongue.
　I'm sure it's partly because they are dating, but this is the distance
between childhood friends. The distance between the two couples is
different from the distance between Itsuki and the Chitose couple, and it's
refreshing to see.
“......Now, why are you smiling?”
“No, I just thought we were close.”
“I don't want Fujimiya-kun to tell me that. Even though he's flirting with Shiina-san.”
“I'm not that into her.”
“Yea, I'm flirting. I'm getting hit on.”
　Ayaka points at Amane with her index finger, and Souji grabs her and says,
"I don't point at people," and makes her retract her finger, and Amane
exhales quietly.
“......Not that it's intentional...”
“So they've been hanging out with each other on a regular basis.”
“That's great.”
“Shut up.”
“But, well, I guess that's why you decided to get a part-time job for Shiina. I think it's great that you can
move on with your future in mind.”
“......Ah, so it was for Shiina-san that you suddenly decided on a part-time job. I was wondering because I
thought Fujimiya was the type of person who doesn't want to serve customers very well, but that's just
how it is.”
　The reason is probably because I didn't explain, or rather told Ayaka not
to spread the word too much, but when Souji, who apparently didn't know,
nodded his head as if he understood, Ayaka looked subtly displeased.
　Perhaps she thought he had broken his promise by saying he was doing it
for Mahiru's sake.
　Since she and Souji will be working at the same place anyway, it's useless
to hide that, since it will be questioned eventually, so as long as she
doesn't tell Mahiru himself, there's no problem.
“Don't tell Mahiru. I want to surprise him.”
“That's what I mean. Don't tell her, Yo-chan.”
“Ayaka must have slipped up.”
“Ouch.”
　Souji takes one look at Ayaka, who is decoupaged and holding her forehead
with teary eyes, as if she had no choice, and laughs in annoyance at Amane,
who is taken aback.
“Well, that's what I recognized. I'll help you as much as I can if there's anything I can do.”
“Thanks for the ......”
“Thank you for being friends with Ayaka.”
“......Well, that's funny, I thought I contributed to the birth of your new
friend. ......　I mean, I'm not the kind of girl you should be worried about.”
“Ayaka's a bit of a rag when she talks.”
“Terrible!”
　Amane watched as Ayaka's lips twitched in annoyance at Souji's tone of
voice, and as she undressed, she tapped her muscular (according to Ayaka)
breastplate, feeling the warmth in her chest.
“Oh, about the part-time job, he said, I'll have to wait a bit to start. He's going to ask me to wait a week or
two to discuss my shift and the uniform.”
　After their marital ramblings had settled down, they started having lunch
again, and Ayaka muttered as if she had just remembered.
　Since I have not yet submitted the signed contract to Fumika, I do not
have her phone number or other contact information. Therefore, he had no
choice but to leave a message with Ayaka.
　Even now that she has a new part-time job, she seems to be playing the
role of a messenger.
“Well, I didn't expect it to start right away. By the way, uniforms?”
“Oh, not like the one we had the other day, but a simpler one. It's more like a waiter's uniform. The
women's clothes are simpler, too. They're not frilly, so don't worry.”
“I was wondering what I would do if they were dressed fancy in that coffee shop.”
　I didn't recognize the uniform because I was face to face with Bunka, who
apparently went out of her way to be at the store on a holiday, but I was
relieved to see that it didn't look like what Amane had feared it would look
like.
　At the time of the cultural festival, it was relatively calm, but it was
somewhat flamboyant. It is tough to wear that every time, even if it is only
for a part-time job.
　If his friends had seen him working at his part-time job wearing that, he
would have been in a bind.
　When Amane was relieved that it was just a normal waiter's uniform, Ayaka
said, "Oh, yes," as if she had just remembered.
“Oh, I told you Fujimiya-kun's size, is that okay?”
“Fine, but how did you know?”
“Because I saw the one I saw at the festival the other night, and I'll know it when I see the rest.”
　She smiled at me and said that she can usually tell the size of a boy's body
even over his clothes, so maybe it's her love for muscles.
　Souji, who was listening at the side, did not even try to hide his
dumbfounded face and said a little rudely to her, "You can honestly call me
a pervert," to which Ayaka raised her eyebrows, "That's terrible! And he
raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, my God. ......Oh, I just mean that I can tell roughly what the stones are
like, but I can't tell the quality or density of the muscles without touching
or looking at them, so ......, of course, I'm not sexually harassing you, okay?
I am a consensual inspector.”
“Yeah, well ...... no, well, I'm glad I saved you the trouble of telling you the size ...... I guess.”
“Ayaka, I'm pulling for this. And Fujimiya, you don't have to force yourself to praise this one, either.”
“It's not nice to call people this.”
　Ayaka was trying to look cute and angry, but when her gaze met Amane's,
she lowered her eyebrows as if she was troubled.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry I showed you something weird.”
“Eh, no, it's nothing new...”
“Ugh, that stung. I can't say anything though. ......You've been showing it normally since the
festival. ......”
“Ya, well, yeah. I understand that Kido has different interests from others. I don't have anything against
it ...... as long as there is no harm done, and everyone has different tastes and preferences. I'm not trying
to creep you out or slander you.”
　Unless Amane has fallen prey to that taste and caused problems,
otherwise, I have no right or intention to tell him what to do.
　People have different tastes, and we should respect them as long as they
are not harmful to us.
　I don't remember growing up with the idea of excluding people just
because they are different from me.
　I also felt that Mahiru is quietly awakening to a muscle fetish, so I didn't
feel as if he was a stranger to me. I guess I could complain about Ayaka in
terms of being influenced by him, but if Mahiru seems to be enjoying it and
it's increasing his favorite part of Amane, then maybe it's a good thing .......
　Well, I don't mean to reject or deny Ayaka's strong muscle fetish, but it is
charming that it makes me shudder a little.
　
“Fujimiya-kun, you're a really well-bred or rather good person!　I can see
why Shiina-san likes him so much!”
“...... Ayaka...”
“Why are you jealous of So-chan?　Don't worry, I'm all about So-chan. ......”
“Ya, that's good, but it's not that, Fujimiya is devastated. ......”
　The impact of the tap on my shoulder caused the dashi-maki tamago to
roll off my chopsticks and fall into that sauce, the meatballs with sweet-
and-sour sauce made from the leftover meatballs from yesterday's meatball
pasta.
　It was fortunate that it did not fall on the leisure sheet or clothes, but
Amane, who loved the delicate flavor of dashimaki tamago, was quite
shocked by this change in taste and froze. Souji took this as a sign that he
was devastated.
　Ayaka was flustered as Amane looked at the dashimaki tamago covered in
sweet-and-sour sauce.
“Oh, I'm sorry!　I didn't mean it that way!”
“No, no, it's okay, I can eat it. I didn't drop it on the ground, and this bean paste is delicious, too. ......”
“I'm so depressed!　Sorry!　I'll get down on my knees and ask Shiina-san to
make it for me later!”
“No, no, it's okay.”
　I don't think I'm that seriously depressed, but Ayaka apologized to me, so I
smiled lightly, and for some reason, she bowed her head with an extremely
apologetic look on her face.

“Amane-kun really likes dashimaki tamago, doesn't he?”

　Mahiru, who had apparently been briefed by Ayaka on the situation,
laughed as he remembered on his way out of school.
　They were leaving school side by side as usual since neither of them had
any plans to go anywhere today, but as they were deciding what to have for
dinner, Mahiru seemed to remember and added, "I'm so happy for you, though.
　He was laughing so elegantly that all eyes were on him.
　I tried to keep my hands on the chain, but her smile didn't seem to
subside. I want to pinch her cheek, but I can't because she's holding Mahiru's
bag and I'm holding her hand on the other side.
“You put it in your lunch regularly. I even served the rest this morning, and sometimes for dinner, right?”
“That's it, that's it. I wanted to eat that lunch.”
“Oh, God. Thanks to you, Kido-san apologized to me with a serious face and begged me...”
　She seemed to feel responsible and went to bow down to Mahiru in a
disciplined manner.
　As for Amane, he did not intend to blame Ayaka at all. It was a small thing
that made a dent, and I didn't drop it on the ground. It was only a slight
change in taste.
　I'm not sure if you're aware of the fact that the two of you have been in
the same place for a long time, but I'm sure you're aware of the fact that the
two of you have been in the same place for a long time.
“I'm sorry for what I did to Kido. I was just sorry on my own.”
“I heard that Amane-kun looked extra serious.”
“No, because, you know, ......Mahiru's dashimaki tamago...”
“I'll always make it for you.”
“...... dinner too?”
“You want me to change the menu?　I just decided to do that, but you're the
one who can't help it.”
　She uses the word "totally," as if she's disgusted, but her voice is slightly
bouncy as if she's enjoying herself, so it's not that she doesn't like the idea.
　With a gentle smile on his face, Amane felt a subtle itch and a sense of
being treated like a child, and he put pressure on his lips to keep them from
becoming pouty.
“Then I'll serve you dashi maki tamago for dinner tonight. In exchange, I'll let you spoil me today, okay?”
“What, I'll totally do it if that's what you want. I'd do it even if you don't ask me to.”
　I'm willing to accept Mahiru's pampering even if she doesn't want me to.
　If I simply accept, Mahiru, who brought up the subject, will flinch.
“......That's not good enough!”
“Why?”
“Because, Amane, you don't know how to adjust.”
“Addition and subtraction. Did I do it that violently?”
“No, it's not that, it's that ...... if you decide to spoil him, he'll spoil you all the way. ......”
“Well, I'll do what I set my mind to, but...”
　I'm the type of person who, once I've made up my mind to do something, I'll
do it unless I have to do something else, so if Mahiru asks me to do
something, I'll spoil her as much as I want.
　I don't intend to do it until Mahiru doesn't want to do it, but I think it's
okay to do it so that it melts into a soggy mess.
“......I'm too much of a spoiled brat...”
　I couldn't help but laugh when Mahiru added, "I won't be able to stand up
for a while.
　I can't say that I spoil her too much, just skinship, kissing, and cuddling,
but Mahiru seems to be quite demanding in that regard.
　I have often seen Amane become soft and squishy when he spoils her, but
Mahiru doesn't seem to want to be in that state.
　When I tell him how cute he is, he blushes a little and mutters in a sultry,
spoiled voice, "I don't like it when he does it endlessly.
“Anyway, nothing excessive. Keep it normal.”
“I'd say pamper them normally. It's always normal.”
“......This is how the Fujinomiya family's blood works: ......”
“Because I'm not as good as my dad.”
　Quicksilver doesn't have the same pampering skills as his father, and he
can't do it naturally.
　To Amane, Shuto is a very sweet, gentle, and loving man to his people.
　He does not just pamper them in such a poisonous way that it eats away at
both their minds and bodies. He is the kind of person who looks after his
family better than anyone else, and when it is truly necessary, he keeps a
distance and watches over them gently, while spoiling them in a way that is
beneficial to them, and he gives them the deepest and most generous love of
anyone else.
　As for Amane, he is one of the ideals that I would like to be like, although
I would like to be somewhat more reserved or calmer than him. I don't think
I've reached that point, and I don't think I'm smart enough to do it myself.
　From Amane's point of view, Mahiru is a self-controlled and strong
person, and if Amane doesn't pamper him, he might break somewhere, so he
spoils him to melt him moderately, but Mahiru seems to receive this as too
much affection.
“I would love to hear that Amane-kun line to Shihoko. It's too bad she's not here anymore...”
“Why, Mom. ...... Well, she's gone home.”
　My parents have already left this place. It's only natural, since they have
to work tomorrow.
　The festival and the substitute holiday were quite lively, so when I think
of them not being here again, I feel bewildered by the difference.
“I'm going to miss them.”
“Mahiru seemed to have so much fun with her mom and dad.”
“That's fun. And we get to hear Amane's old stories.”
“I wonder if ...... is a pampering extravaganza...”
“Eh, well, that's a bit...”
　Mahiru is flustered by Amane's decision to pamper her thoroughly today in
order to get her parents to reveal what they talked about, but it's bad
enough that Mahiru let it slip out.
　Mahiru was upset, but it was Mahiru's fault for slipping up.
　Mahiru's lips formed an arc as he wondered how he was going to pamper
her, and with a slightly twitchy look on his face, he continued to head-butt
her until they reached the supermarket.

“...... Oh, you know, I think Amane needs to go easy on him...”

　After dinner, Mahiru looks up at Amane with a bright red face as he
executes his pampering special punishment.
　I was just sitting on the sofa with her, and I was stroking Mahiru, but
Mahiru was very embarrassed.
　I didn't touch her in a sexual way, nor did I touch her in a strange place,
but her face was boiling, perhaps because I was stroking her head while
looking at her face, or because I had her leaning on my thigh.
“I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be less hands-on. I guess you'll have to tell me what you heard about me.”
“I'm sorry, so I haven't been told the old story that you're worried about, Amane-kun!”
“What exactly?”
“......The story of how when Amane-kun was little he paddled the swing set so hard that he flew off and
cried, or how he tried to kiss Shihoko on the cheek and head-butted her with too much force...”
“Out. There are no extenuating circumstances.”

“Oh no. ......!”

　When Amane was a little boy, he used to do things because he was too much
energetic and passionate about his mother's passion, and he was so
embarrassed that he thought it was a punishment for Mahiru to know about
it.
　Especially, the story of kissing his mother's cheeks when he was little is
not something I would bring up to a man. It is black history itself.
　Amane's past deeds are being exposed without his knowledge, which is
more embarrassing than Mahiru's current adoration.
　The kiss to his mother was an attempt in the first place, so it was a no-
brainer, but Shihoko might have at least rubbed her cheeks and kissed him,
so it was going to give him a headache if he tried to dig around in this area.
　Instead of saying, "You asked unnecessary questions," I slid my finger
down Mahiru's side and traced it with a soft touch, which made her shiver
and look up at me with her cheeks twitching.
　Of course, she was probably begging me to stop, but I wasn't going to stop
because I was being punished. I'm sure Shihoko probably brought up the
subject, but I'm sure she's listening with great interest.
　I move my fingertips gently and tenderly as if to say, "I'm just as guilty as
you are.
　Mahiru is too weak for tickling, so I tickle her with some reserve, and she
screams and clings to Amane, her voice bouncing higher than usual. Mahiru
doesn't try to run away, probably because it would throw him off balance.
“Hiccup, ...... hmmm, I'm sorry!”
“...... Haven't you heard anything else?”
　Mahiru is writhing in agony, almost laughing, as I gently and carefully
trace the line of her waist, almost feather touch, in order to get all the
unwanted old stories from Shihoko to keep her naked once and for all.
“KOKO, not this time…”
“Not this time.”
“This is a figure of speech. ......”
“...... Even if I had told you everything, I'm sure you're planning to ask me about it, aren't you, young
lady? Isn't it unfair that I'm the only one who knows about your black history?”
“Because, you know, my black history and that's before that. ......”
　When he added that he had nothing to say about this, Amane stopped
tickling Mahiru.
　I may have reminded her of something she didn't want to be exposed to, as
her childhood was a time when Mahiru was not sheltered or loved by her
parents.
　I'm sorry to connect these topics," he said, lowering his eyebrows and
looking at Mahiru, who seemed to see what Amane was thinking and gave a
small laugh.
“You don't have to worry about that, do you?　It's not that important to me
right now. I'm satisfied at the moment, that's fine.”
“Mahiru......”
“Besides, I was a quiet person when I was a child, so I wasn't a naughty boy like Amane-kun.”
“I'm sorry for being naughty. ...... Well, I can't imagine Mahiru being a tomboy...”
　I imagine Mahiru as a little girl, pulling her cheeks back at the teasing
words.
　Indeed, I can't imagine Mahiru as a tomboy.
　Mahiru, who had been trying to be a good girl to be accepted by her
parents since she was a little girl, would have been much more mature than
she is now. It is easy to imagine a quiet Mahiru, so I would like to see a
tomboyish Mahiru.
(......I wonder if we'll ever see a child that looks like Mahiru.)
　I can't help but think that whichever nature he/she inherits will be more
mature, but I guess we won't know until he/she is born.
　Whether they are mature, tomboyish, or mischievous, they will always be
cute. I would much rather he be like Mahiru than like Amane, who is not so
cute.
　I was relieved to imagine something that Itsuki would probably say to me
if he heard it, "You're too quick to think about it, aren't you?
“......I wasn't very pretty when I was little, you know?　Really, I was just a
good girl who wanted to be praised by my parents. I was able to do a lot of
things for my age thanks to that, but in the end I was talked about behind
my back as a child without any cuteness.”
“By whom?”
“Is it to the mother of the child I was playing with at the time? ...... Amane, face, face...”
“Because.”
　I can't believe that someone would say such a bad thing in a place and at a
volume that a child could hear it, so my eyebrows are raised as hard as I
can, and Mahiru uncoils me.
　I have a lot to say to the woman with the strange child, who easily
directed bad feelings at me, especially when children are vulnerable, but
it's in the past and I can't do anything about it.
　Mahiru is lucky that she is not dragging it out, but I was annoyed enough
to wonder what she would have done if it had remained as a scar.
“Don't worry, Koyuki-san complimented me on how cute I was, so…”
“Good job Koyuki-san!”
　While giving an inward thumbs-up to the woman who is Mahiru's parental
surrogate, whose face I don't even know, I pat Mahiru's head and hug her as
she pulls her memories out of the back of a drawer.
“I was more okay than you think, Amane-kun. It was harder for me to hear my own parents say
something to me than it was for a stranger to say something to me.”
“......Mahiru”
“I don't want to talk about the wet story, so let's stop here, shall we? One thing I can say is that although I
had a hard time back then, the reason why I met and connected with Amane-kun in this way is because of
our past. I will not deny even that past, so please don't look at me like that.”
　Mahiru's lips are on Mahiru's forehead as she smiles, "You're a worrier,
aren't you?" She puts her lips on Mahiru's forehead and hugs him again.
“......And besides, Amane-kun loves me now, so I'm fine, okay?”
　Mahiru beamed at him at close range, and Amane muttered, "You're so
cute," before deciding to spoil him even more today, kissing him lightly
again and patting him on the head.
　Mahiru, who seems to welcome this kind of pampering, is very obedient to
Amane's touch, and she is leaning back against him with round eyes.
　The first time I saw him, I thought, "I'm not going to be able to do that,"
and then I remembered something I had forgotten to mention.
“I'm going to tell you first before I forget, but once I start my part-time job, I'll be home late on weekdays
for sure, so you can go ahead and have dinner.”
　I should have told her a little earlier, I thought as I stopped stroking
Mahiru's hand and told her, and she blinked her large eyes in my arms.
“I'm still discussing my shift, but I'll be here until closing on weekdays, so I'll probably get home around
twenty-one. I don't want to keep them waiting until then.”
“I'll wait that long, but...”
　I was going to ask Mahiru to eat first because it would be bad to make a
hungry Mahiru wait, but Mahiru responded in a perfectly natural way.
　I'm not sure what he's talking about, but he's staring at me, and I can't
help but lower my eyebrows as if I'm troubled.
“No, you must be hungry.”
“I want to fill my heart more than my stomach, so I'll wait for you, Amane. Eating alone is tasteless, and I
don't mind waiting for Amane-kun.”
“You're going to be late, okay?”
“There are a lot of other people who are clubbing or working part-time, and I'm not so late that I'm slow
compared to them. ...... Or do you not want me to wait for you?”
“How could I not like it? I simply don't like to make you wait.”
　I feel bad for Amane that I put him in a situation where he is alone,
quietly cooking and waiting for his dinner. It would be better for his mental
health if he ate first, but Mahiru has no intention of giving in.
“I'm not going to wait for you to do nothing, okay?　If you want to wait,
there are plenty of things to do during that time. There are baths,
assignments, reviews, care, and other things to do, and the order of those
things will just change.”
　Mahiru pinches her cheek with a laugh, "You worry a lot, don't you?"
“I'm sure you'll be able to do whatever you want, so why wouldn't I support
you?　But the only thing I can do is to prepare a hot meal and a bath.”
“That's all I can do, and I'm very grateful for that. The best thing about ...... is that Mahiru will be there to
greet me when I get home. It's going to cheer me up.”
“If just looking at me cheers you up, that's a small price to pay.”
“...... You don't have to do anything, okay?　Just put your own needs first,
okay?”
　Mahiru is likely to prioritize this one even if there are things to do, but
Mahiru is laughing and letting it slide.
　I don't intend to bind Mahiru, but Mahiru doesn't seem to want to be
without me, and I can't see any sign of her bending her will.
　I am happy for her because she is loved and thought of that much, but I
also feel that I don't want her to be forced to do too much.
“Please don't force yourself to work too hard, Amane-kun, okay?　I don't
know what you want, but I'm worried about you because you're the kind of
person who once you decide to do something, you'll do it.”
“I won't force myself; I don't want Mahiru to worry.”
“I'm a little worried when it comes to part-time work. ...... Amane-kun is not the most flattering
socializer...”
“That's true, but it's subtly disrespectful.”
　That's certainly something I admit to myself and others, but I don't know
how to react when it's pointed out to me head-on.
　Mahiru sighs softly, dropping a blur that doesn't seem to refute the idea
that it's not that she's not sociable.
“It's not that I'm not sociable, it's just that Amane-kun doesn't usually seek to be more sociable than he
needs to be, and I know he can do it if he tries...”
“Well, I'm not really trying to be friends with an unspecified number of people, and I can be content in a
small circle.”
“...... But you can do it if you really try. You can flip the switch, you know. Ha!”
“Why sigh.”
“......I was wondering what I would do if Amane-kun was popular ......”
　I can't help but laugh at my lover's rather adorable concern, and Mahiru
looks up with a miffed expression when he hears me laughing.
“It's all right. Not irresistible irresistible irresistible irresistible irresistible irresistible irresistible.”
“Mr. Amane doesn't understand your own recent reputation.”
“You know what? The clientele of that café seems to be dandy men and women in terms of menu prices
and atmosphere. You're not popular, and it's no wonder you're popular.”
　Young people would rather go to a chain restaurant that is a little noisy
but allows for casual eating and drinking than a quiet, independently owned
café like this one, and from what I was shown of the menu, it is a little
pricey for high school and college students to casually enjoy a cup of tea.
　The food and beverages in general are very good, and the relaxed
atmosphere is apparently popular among the elderly.
　The fact that the owner of the restaurant is a beautiful, elderly woman
may be one of the reasons why the older customers come to the restaurant.
　According to Souji, there are not many young female customers, so he
feels comfortable working there.
　So, even if he is somewhat popular, it will be with someone one or two
years older than himself, and it will be more like loving a son or grandson
than being popular.
“So Mahiru has nothing to worry about. The owner seemed like a nice guy.”
“...... That's fine if that's the case, but...”
　The owner of the house is a good person and he is very nice to me.