Jinseigyakuten Uwakisare Enzai wo Kiserareta Orega Gakuenichi no Bisyoujo ni Natsukareru V1 Illustrasi

 Chapter 4: Like a candy

It's Sunday.

Since it's the weekend, I stayed up late last night. Maybe I got too caught up in my game. Because of that, I woke up at 11 in the morning… or rather, it's already lunchtime.

When I went downstairs from my room on the second floor to the living room, there was a note and a plate of fried rice covered with plastic wrap on the dining table.

"Your father and mother went to Hinata's house."

Now that I think about it, I vaguely remember them saying that last night.

Hinata is my older sister's name. She's 27, ten years older than me, and got married a few years ago, moving out of our parents' house.

I remember they mentioned playing with their granddaughter, so they probably wont be back until night.

I'll be alone until then. Normally, I'd be happy about it, but today I'm going out too, so it doesn't really matter. I'll eat the fried rice and then get ready to go.

After taking a shower to freshen up a bit, I picked clothes that look as calm as possible. Since Im not particularly good-looking, it doesn'tmatter much what I wear, but I think it's important to be mindful of things like this. I stand in front of the mirror.

A gray dress shirt and navy blue slacks, with a black shirt underneath. Whats with this simple look? I couldn't help but chuckle at my unremarkable appearance.

It's just plain. Howe'ver, I actually like my ordinary self quite a bit. that's why I prefer simple fashion.

Rather than trying to show off or get overly dressed up, this feels more like me. As for my looks, I decided to stop resisting and checked my phone.

It was 1:00 PM. It would take about 15 minutes to walk to Aeon, so I planned to leave in about 30 minutes. Just as I thought that, a message appeared at the top of my screen.

"Hello, it's Hime. I'm heading out now. Looking forward to today."

Ah, Hime.

She sent a friend request last night, which I accepted. We exchanged a quick greeting then, and her message is simple, without any emojis or stickers.

In a good sense, she's calm. In a bad sense, she can come off as indifferent. But since I like simple things, I actually enjoy her messages.

Her straightforward and easy-to-understand words remind me of her and make me smile.

"Im heading out too. Looking forward to today."I replied. A few seconds later, the message was read, and her response was another simple sentence: "Looking forward to it."After confirming it, I turned off the messaging app.

"Yoro～"

A notification appear again. The app didn't want to stay closed, and this time, a mysterious stick figure with the name Hijiri-san showed up.

There was no text, just a sticker of the stick figure saying Yoro～.I guess typing words felt too much of a hassle for them.

So I sent a casual sticker back that just said Yoro.

It seems the Hoshimiya sisters are ready. After receiving messages from both of them, I decided to leave my room.

it's a bit early, but maybe I should head out now. I don't want to keep them waiting, and if I leave now, I wont have to wait long even if I arrive first.

…it's hot.

When I stepped outside, I frowned at the clear sky, having forgotten about the rain. I really don't like the heat.

Apparently, the rainy season front is still hanging around, so it's still technically the rainy season. Recently, it seems like the weather has been bad mostly at night, so I don't really associate rain with this time of year anymore.

The forecast says it will be sunny this afternoon. So, I left home without an umbrella.

I'm grateful it's not raining, but I secretly wish it could be a little cloudy. I thought, somewhat indulgently.

I walked slowly down the sun-drenched road.

It took about fifteen minutes on foot.

that's how long it took to reach the shopping mall Aeon, the largest commercial facility in the area. it's so big that walking from one end of the premises to the other is quite tiring.

Phew.

I bought a can of juice from a vending machine at the entrance. I was thirsty from walking under the heat, so as a reward for making it this far, I chugged down a cider. It was well-chilled, and the fizzy sensation going down my throat was incredibly refreshing.

I finished it in one go and threw the empty can into the trash bin. By the way, the Hoshimiya sisters hadn't arrived yet. When I messaged them earlier to let them know I had arrived, they replied saying they would be here soon.

(I might be a little nervous.)

If it were a same-gender friend, Id be more relaxed, but this was my first time meeting up with a friend of the opposite sex. I started to feel anxious, wondering if I should have dressed a little more stylishly. As I searched for them, my eyes scanned the area.

Maybe because it's the weekend, there were a lot of people around today. For a moment, I thought I might not be able to find them, but then I quickly shook my head, telling myself that wasn't the case.

I spotted them already. Despite the distance, Hime's silver-white hair stood out prominently. Though she was small, there was no way I could miss her.

…Cute.

As I got closer, the two of them became clearer in my sight.

The Hoshimiya sisters were dressed in similar outfits. They must have coordinated on purpose. Both were wearing pure white dresses, which suited them perfectly.

I couldn't help but stare. Especially Hime, who looked like a fairy, so delicate and charming that I couldn't take my eyes off her.

Her silver hair and pure white skin complemented her white dress perfectly. Hime's elegant cuteness was even more pronounced today.

She had a smartphone hanging from a strap around her neck, which, today, seemed cute as well.

Hijiri-san also had a relaxed, fluffy vibe, and her loose-fitting dress matched her overall atmosphere perfectly. The only colors were her wavy hair and a brown shoulder pouch. Everything else was pure white.

"Sis, it's over there. Youhei-kun is right there."

"Huh? Where? Hmm… Oh, there he is! Youhei! Hey!"

As they approached, it seemed like they finally noticed me. Well, to be precise, only Hime noticed me first, and Hijiri-san hadn't seen me yet.

"Youhei!"

Hijiri-san waved her hand, so I waved back. It felt exaggerated, considering we weren't blending in with the crowd or anything.

"Youhei-kun, hello. Did we keep you waiting?"

"No, not really. I've only been waiting a little while."

"Also, it's only 1:30 PM, right? You guys are early~"

"Yeah, that's true."

We were supposed to meet at 2:00 PM, but they had arrived half an hour early.

"Hime-chan, I think you left a bit too early, didn't you? I wanted to take my time with lunch a little longer~"

"Sis, you were taking too long to wake up. If you'd kept going at that pace, I think we would've been late."

"Hehe, but you were just too excited and couldn't wait, right?"

"…that's… that's true, but…"

It seems Hime was really looking forward to this.

Her innocent enthusiasm made my lips curl into a smile. Combined with her outfit, she seemed even cuter than usual.

"So, Youhei? You can tell us what you think now~"

"What do you mean, my thoughts?"

"Come on, it's obvious. What do you think of Him-chain’s and my clothes?"

I wondered if I was supposed to comment on this.

Since Hijiri-san was asking for my opinion so casually, I figured staying silent would be the wrong choice.

"They're cute, and I couldn't take my eyes off you."

"…Wow."

"…Ehehe."

"Uh, why are you blushing?"

I only answered because she asked me. Why is this so embarrassing?

"No, I was just a little surprised. I thought you'd get comments like, you're wearing matching outfits or You two are such close sisters.I didn't expect this from you, Youhei. you're pretty good at this."

"…Ehehe."

I see. Im not very experienced with women, so I wasn't sure what to say.

At first, it wouldve been better to offer a more neutral comment.

"You just complimented me, Youhei-kun."

And Hime had been grinning ever since.

Well, if she was this happy, I'm glad I said it. I was thankful that Hime made me feel that way.

"Hehe, of course you're cute. I picked it out, after all. Nowadays, a pure white dress can be seen as a bit too much, but it really suit's Hime-chan. And if you two match, the cuteness is doubled. No, maybe it's more like squared?"

"Sis, if you square one, it's still one. Is that calculation correct?"

"W-Well, Hime-chan and I are definitely not one! When we were together, we’re infinite!"

"Infinity remains infinity, whether you multiply it by two or square it. there's no change numerically."

"I can't hear you! I don't care about math!"

Hijiri-san's fluffy math time ended in an instant.

"Youhei, you're so simple~."

Maybe she was trying to change the subject, but Hijiri-san turned her attention to me.

Was this her way of returning the favor for my comment?

Hijiri-san glanced at me closely, as if inspecting my entire outfit.

"…With no standout features, you actually look stylish in a way."

"No, it's not stylish. I just picked clothes that weren't weird."

I didn't want her to misinterpret this. it's definitely an overestimation.

"don't you have any desire to make yourself look good? you're a strange person~."

Am I ordinary or strange?

"It feels like they're opposing qualities, but as long as I'm not wearing weird clothes, I guess it's fine."

"Well, Hime-chan, if you have any thoughts, you should tell him."

"—it's lovely."

What?

Despite struggling to understand my style, Hime seemed satisfied with it.

"You look more like an older brother than when you're in a uniform. Your simple, unpretentious style suits you very well. I really love it."

What an unexpected high rating. Being praised like this made me embarrassed.

"Thank you. I'm happy you said that, Hime."

"…Since you complimented me, Ill return the favor. Oh, of course, it's genuine."

I didn't need her to emphasize it.

I could tell that Hime's honest feelings were sincere.

"You're right, aren't you? If Hime-chan says so, then I guess this must be stylish. What do you think, Youhei?"

I don't really know what you want me to say.

There's no way I'm stylish, so I could only reply, saying it's not the case.

Putting aside the strange suspicion Hijiri-san seemed to be harboring,

"it's hot outside, so lets head inside."

I suggested, urging them to move into the store.

"Okay!"

"Understood."

Both of them nodded, and I started walking ahead, leading the way.

We passed through the automatic doors. The cool air from inside brushed against my sweaty skin, feeling refreshing. After a few steps, the humid air turned into a pleasantly cool atmosphere.

We had entered the Aeon shopping mall.

"...it's so big, spacious, and there's so much."

This was Hime's first time here. I glanced at her to see how she was reacting, and she stood there, staring blankly at the interior from the entrance.

The mall has an open atrium, and you can see the upper floors from the bottom. Shops are spread across the first to fifth floors, and the sight of people constantly moving around must have been overwhelming for someone visiting for the first time.

For a moment, Hime looked a little uncertain. She moved closer to Hijiri-san, perhaps intimidated by the crowd.

Should I have not invited her here?

For a brief moment, I wondered.

"Don't worry, Hime-chan. See? Just hold my hand, okay? Otherwise, your big sis will get lost, so stay close."

Hijiri-san's soft and reassuring voice instantly dispelled any sense of unease.

She never changes. No matter where we are or what she's doing, she remains calm and composed. there's an inexplicable sense of security that comes with her presence.

"…Okay. Ill make sure you don't get lost, sis."

Hime's somber expression disappeared in an instant.

The moment she took Hijiri-san's hand, she smiled faintly, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

(As expected of her sister.)

I recalled Hijiri-san's words about not wanting to make her little sister feel anxious.

Hijiri-san does it so naturally, but I'm sure she doesn't realize just how significan't her presence is to Hime.

(With this, I think everything will be okay.)

Thanks to her, today seems like it's going to be a fun day.

I'm really glad Hijiri-san is here with us.

Our first stop was the game corner.

It was quite a large area for being part of a shopping facility, with various machines including crane games, purikura (photo booths), racing games, coin games, rhythm games, shooting games, fighting games, and sports games.

Here, I figured Hime's request to play a game could easily be fulfilled.

"Hime-chan, look! Candy! So much candy!"

"Yes, there's a lot."

"There are stuffed animals over there! So cute!"

"Yes, they're cute."

"Over here, there's even a TV!? The prizes in recent games are amazing, Hime-chan!"

"Yes, amazing… and your enthusiasm, too, Sis."

It was like watching an energetic dog dragging it's owner around.

Hime, still holding Hijiri-san's hand, was being pulled toward the crane game section.

I had brought her here to experience it, but it seemed like Hijiri-san was even more into it.

"Youhei, let's try this! I can take everything, right?"

"Well, this… Well, I guess you'll find out if you try it."

Could it be that Hijiri-san has never been to an arcade before? She seemed a bit unsure about how the crane game worked, so I decided to let her try it out.

"You can adjust the arms direction with the buttons."

"I see. So, if I time it right, I can get it?"

"...Well, sort of."

I put a coin in to start the game, and Hijiri-san immediately began playing. She pressed her face against the glass and focused intently on the arm.

She was aiming for a bag full of delicious-looking sticks. Since there was a ring at the top, it seemed like the arm could hook onto it to pick it up.

At least, that's how it looked to an amateur like me.

"Here, like this... like this... huh?"

The arms claw completely missed.

Even when it touched the ring, it couldn't lift it.

"That's strange. One more time!"

Hijiri-san tried again, but despite her efforts, the result was the same.

"Maybe it's difficult to hook and lift it. The claws grip isn't strong enough."

Hime seemed to grasp the crane games system after watching it twice.

"I think it's probably designed to shift the position little by little to drop it. Maybe using the incline to slide it off would work."

"I see... I don't understand!"

Rather than thinking it through, Hijiri-san, as if saying she didn't want to use her head, inserted another coin.

"I'm definitely going to get it!"

Maybe she's more competitive than I thought. She didn't seem ready to give up.

"Youhei, once Sis gets like this, no one can stop her. Let's just leave her be."

"...I think that claws too weak. Maybe you should try a different machine."

"I see. If the shape and movement of the claw vary across machines, it would make sense to pick one that looks easier to win from."

As expected of Hime. She caught on quickly.

"Can we check out other machines?"

"That's fine, but what about Hijiri-san?"

"Don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

So, we left Hijiri-san to her intense focus and started walking.

Hime walked slowly, carefully eyeing the other machines with curiosity. Every time she did, the hem of her dress swayed gently, adding to her cuteness.

…Wait a minute. I might be getting a bit too caught up in Hime's casual outfit.

I realized I was staring at her more than usual, and suddenly felt embarrassed.

I really need to control myself.

"This one… no, this looks tough."

After walking a little more, Hime suddenly stopped.

She was staring at a large crane game with a giant teddy bear as the prize.

Considering the size, I think it might be tough to get it.

Even so, Hime's feet didn't seem to want to move. She was staring intently at the stuffed bear.

Understanding that it would be difficult to win it, but still fixated on it, maybe… could it be that she had fallen in love with it at first sight?

Her expression was blank, but her feelings were clear and honest.

"Why don't you give it a try? I have a feeling you might actually be able to get it."

"The teddy bear in the machine was lying on it's side, and it seemed like there were plenty of places where the arm could catch onto, such as it's head, arms, and legs."

I encouraged her with this advice, and after a few seconds of thought, Hime nodded slightly.

"You're right... if Youhei-kun says so, I'll try it."

"Yeah. Good luck!"

So, Hime decided to give the crane game a go.

"Ah… come to think of it, Sis has all the money. Ill do it later."

She seemed to remember that Hijiri-san had the wallet.

Later, huh?

Given how engrossed Hijiri-san seemed, I had a feeling it might take quite some time before her excitement died down.

If I just give her the money... but, well, it's fine.

"I'll pay. I want to see you play."

The reason Hime wanted to experience the game was because she was curious about my hobby.

She had said something so sweet, so I didn't mind spending a little to indulge her.

"Still... I feel bad about it."

Of course, Hime would hesitate.

When money is involved, it's natural to be cautious.

It wasn't something I had to insist on, so I decided to try a different approach.

"Then, how about this—I'll take the prize, but you get it for me?"

I wasn't trying to treat her, I just wanted to watch her play.

When I suggested this, Hime looked up at me and smiled a little.

"Youhei-kun, you're unexpectedly cunning."

"I don't think that's the case."

I chuckled lightly, and Hime shrugged, placing her small hand on the button.

"In that case, can I play? I'll do my best for Youhei-kun."

Hime looked like she was enjoying herself. Maybe she understood my intention and was playing along.

Seeing her smile like that made me happier than if she had looked reluctant.

"Alright then, please do your best."

It seemed she was ready, so I inserted the coin.

"…Hm. it's surprisingly hard to move."

There was a slight delay in the button presses.

Her first try failed because the arm didn't move as she expected. She immediately inserted a second coin and started her next attempt.

"With this... hmmm."

On the second try, she managed to make contact with the bear. The arm caught it's foot, but due to the weight at the head, changing the angle just made it harder to move.

"Since the weight is at the head, you should aim for that."

As expected, Hime was analyzing the situation calmly.

On the third try, she changed her target. Lowering the arm near the head, she managed to catch it, and the position shifted significantly. Hime nodded enthusiastically.

"That looks good."

She continued to adjust the bears position in the same way for several more attempts. By the ninth try, the bears head was positioned near the prize exit.

"Next time, for sure."

"Hime, you can do it!"

I was getting into it, cheering her on without even realizing it.

By the time the tenth coin was inserted, I found myself unconsciously encouraging her.

......

This time, she was silent.

With a focused expression, Hime placed both hands on the button.

Her hands were gripping tightly, and I couldn't help but feel the urge to cheer her on.

Go for it. Once again, in my heart, I sent my encouragement. I felt like a father watching his child at a school play.

"...Hm."

First, she adjusted the arm horizontally, then vertically. She briefly released the button, moved to the side of the machine, confirmed the distance to her target, and returned to make a slight adjustment before pressing the button to lower the arm.

Now, it was up to luck.

"Go!"

The arm slowly moved and touched the foot of the bear. Howe'ver, the position seemed slightly off, and while the claw touched the foot, it didn't look like it would hook onto it.

It seemed like a failure. Just as I thought that...

"──This should work."

Her confident voice shattered my shallow assumptions.

It wasn't a failure. Everything seemed to be part of Hime's plan.

"Wow!"

My eyes widened in surprise.

As the claw touched the bear's foot, the stuffed animal lost it's balance and tumbled. It did a somersault, flipping over the edge, and landed perfectly in the prize exit.

It was a resounding success.

"Oh!"

"We did it!"

For once, Hime raised her voice, following my lead.

After retrieving the stuffed bear, she gazed at it with sparkling eyes, clearly thrilled.

"Youhei-kun, I got it."

"I can't believe you got it on your first try. I'm honestly so moved."

"That's a bit of an exaggeration…"

Hime must have been really happy too.

She hugged the large stuffed bear tightly to her chest, savoring her joy.

Howe'ver, after a moment, she suddenly seemed to remember something. With a surprised look, she pulled the bear away from her body and offered it to me.

"Sorry for hugging it without permission. Come to think of it, it's yours, Youhei-kun. Please take it."

It's totally fine. I could easily deny her offer and comfort her, but...

I had another option in mind.

‘Thanks for getting it for me.’

I accepted the bear from Hime, and then, in turn, I offered it back to her.

"Here. Please accept it as a gift."

"... You're really quite the strategist."

It seemed Hime had figured out that this was my plan all along.

She gave me an exasperated look but with a hint of amusement, and then with a smile, she said,

"Thank you."

She took the stuffed bear from me.

"Youhei-kun, why are you always so wonderful?"

"Maybe it's just because I'm trying to impress you."

"Please don't say things like that. If you do, I'll just end up grinning even more."

Once again, Hime hugged the bear tightly.

I had expected her to hesitate, but this time, it didn't seem like that would be the case.

"I'll take good care of it."

"I'm happy to hear that, but you don't have to be so formal. Feel free to treat it casually. If you lose it, we'll just have an excuse to come back and get another one together."

"The idea of going out again is tempting, but... no, losing it is unthinkable."

Hime held the stuffed bear tightly, as if to emphasize that she would never treat it carelessly.

"Every time I see this, I'm sure I'll remember today and feel happy. I'll never lose something so precious."

Seeing Hime smile as she said this, I suddenly felt a weight lift from my chest.

When I first brought her to the shopping center, she had looked a little scared. I had been holding onto that thought more than I realized.

Thanks to Hijiri-san, Hime had gotten over her fear, but I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if it had been just the two of us... and I deeply regretted it.

That's why seeing her genuinely happy and smiling made me feel relieved.

I'm glad. She's smiling.

"Damn game. Youhei, this is what you call a damn game, right? Why? Why is it so hard? This is ridiculous. Im so frustrated! So frustrated, frustrated, frustrated~!’

It seems like Hijiri-san had a massive failure at the crane game and was on the verge of tears from frustration.

I wonder how much she spent... The arcade staff, seeing how upset Hijiri-san was, tried to help, but they couldn't speak up because her frustration was so intense. They had been nervously hovering around her.

"I’m sorry. My sister is causing trouble," Hime said apologetically to the concerned staff."

Meanwhile, she was still hugging the bear plush tightly to her chest. I had offered to carry it for her earlier, but she declined, so it seemed she really liked it, which was nice to see.

"Sis, lets go. I can't watch this anymore."

Hime gently tugged at Hijiri-san's arm and led her away from the crane game section.

"I really can't do anything, can I? I can't even do well in games, and I can't do well in studies either... so what can I even do... sniff"

"Big sis, you're good at sports, arent you?"

"...that's right! I have sports!"

"Well, it's kind of a wasted talent since you just laze around every day."

"That's mean! If you're going to comfort me, do it properly! You should pamper me more~"

Hijiri-san was clearly feeling down. It seemed like her luck with the crane game wasn't great.

"Maybe trying a different game would be a good idea."

I suggested something to help relieve her stress, like a punching machine.

There were also dance games or racing games if she wanted something more exciting. There were plenty of games I thought might suit her, so I recommended a few.

"That sounds good. I definitely want to try!’

"I'll make up for it... but forget about the frustration! I'm going to enjoy myself now!"

And so, we spent about an hour or so playing in the arcade.

I had just come here to let Hime try a few things, but... in the end, I felt like Hijiri-san had more than ten times the fun.

After trying everything they wanted,

"Whew~ That felt so good!"

Hijiri-san said with a refreshing smile, drinking a sports drink shed bought from a vending machine.

In the corner of the floor was a small resting area, and the Hoshimiya sisters were sitting side by side on a bench.

Next to them, Hime was holding a small bottle of water and looking at Hijiri-san with a slightly displeased expression. Of course, she was still hugging the bear plush to her chest.

"Big sis, please go easy on me."

"Heh heh, Hime-chan, you're not so great at games, huh~? It felt really good winning so much."

Hijiri-san had mostly won in the competitive games.

It seemed like the phrase good at sportswas really true. She was quick to react and learned the controls fast. As someone who loves games but isnt great at them, I couldn't help but envy her talent.

"That's so childish."

"Okay, okay. Hime-chan, don't take out your frustration on me. Im a fragile, delicate maiden, so it hurts when you say mean things to me~"

"Fragile maiden... but you got a higher score on the punching machine than Youhei-kun, right?"

Forget it! I was surprised too!"

"

Of course, I was shocked—both by how weak I was and how strong Hijiri-san was.

And I lost a bit of confidence. it's not that I care about traditional masculinity, but biologically, I should be stronger.

"...Hime, that's a hit to my pride."

"It's okay. Youhei-kun is just a fragile boy."

"I'm fragile too."

"Big sis, you're strong. Do you know what it feels like being hugged by you when I'm sleeping? It's like being squeezed by a snake."

...So the Hoshimiya sisters sleep together.

It's nice to see how close they are, but anyway.

After we were done with the arcade, we refueled and then, as planned, headed to the supermarkets snack section.

"Yawn... I'm starting to feel sleepy…"

While walking, Hijiri-san let out a big yawn.

She had been so excited just moments ago, but now she had suddenly become quiet, like a tired child after playing.

"Lets buy some snacks and then take a break. Hang in there and walk a little longer."

"Okay."

Hime gently tugged on Hijiri-san's hand, as if guiding her along.

"Hime-chan, isn't that teddy bear heavy? Want me to carry it for you?"

"I'm fine. It's not that heavy… Besides, if I hand it to you, Sis, you'll turn it into a pillow right away."

"I-I-I wouldn't do that! I totally wasn’t thinking about how it's the perfect size for a pillow if I lie down on a bench or anything!"

"…If you use it as a pillow, I’m going to be mad, okay?"

One hand holding a teddy bear, the other holding Hijiri-san… I look like a mother taking care of two kids.

How strange. Normally, Hijiri-san should be the one leading the way, but like this, it's hard to tell who's the older one.

"Sorry, Youhei-kun. Looks like my sister stayed up late last night."

"I only got eight hours of sleep~."

"That actually sounds like plenty."

I usually sleep about that much. Maybe a little more on my days off, but as long as I get at least six hours, I don’t feel sleepy during the day.

"My sister usually sleeps around ten hours, so eight isn’t enough for her."

Even her sleep schedule was like a child’s.

She looks like an older sister, but…

"She was really into some videos last night and kept watching them."

"Yeah, I got hooked on biology videos."

It takes a little while to walk from the arcade to the supermarket.

Since we weren’t in a hurry, we just strolled along, chatting.

"Biology… like cat videos? I always end up watching those when they pop up in my feed."

"Nope~. Last night, I only watched videos of people eating spiders and grasshoppers."

Wait, insect-eating? That’s… an unusual choice for a high school girl’s biology interest.

"Did you know, Youhei? Bugs are supposed to taste like crab or shrimp!"

"I’ve heard that before, but…"

"I wanna try eating some one day~."

Her curiosity about food was too intense.

"That makes sense… Insect exoskeletons are made of chitin, just like shrimp and crab shells. When heated, they probably end up with a similar taste."

"Chicken? I wasn’t talking about birds~."

"Not chicken. Chitin. It might be a complicated word for you, so just forget it."

"It’s not complicated! You mean how frogs taste like chicken, right?"

"Oh, I’ve heard that too. Apparently, bullfrogs used to be eaten."

"They were imported during food shortages, according to some documents I read. Nowadays, they’re classified as an invasive species that damages the ecosystem."

And so, we continued our very un-girly conversation as we walked.

Eventually, we arrived at the supermarket.

Even though it was inside a shopping mall, there were a lot of local shoppers.

Probably because it was Sunday, and things were on sale. My mom comes here sometimes too.

"There’s a snack aisle over there. Let’s check it out."

"So this is a supermarket, huh? Hmm, interesting."

"Hey, hey! Do they sell frogs here? I’d settle for fried cicadas, too."

"They don’t have those at regular supermarkets."

The mainstream acceptance of edible insects was probably still a long way off.

With Hijiri-san looking disappointed and Hime curiously scanning her surroundings, we headed to the snack aisle.

A long row of shelves, packed with an overwhelming variety of snacks.

Seeing that, both Hime and Hijiri-san’s eyes sparkled.

"Wow! There are so many of the snacks you always bring, Youhei-kun!"

"This is amazing! Is this heaven? There’s so much~!"

Their excitement shot through the roof.

For Hime and Hijiri-san, who had already fallen for the taste of sweets, this aisle was pure joy.

"I usually pick easy-to-eat snacks to bring, but I wanted to show you there are lots of other options too. Dagashi, chips… Some snacks are messy to eat at school, so I avoid those."

Crumbly chips, mildly sweet dagashi meant as bar snacks—there was a huge variety.

Considering how much they enjoyed the ones I picked, getting to choose for themselves would probably be even more fun.

"This one, and this one, and this one too…!"

Hijiri-san was already on a selecting spree, grabbing everything that caught her eye.

I handed her a basket, since it looked like she’d fill it up quickly.

"If she buys that much, she’s definitely going to get scolded at home… I hope my sister will be okay."

Hime, on the other hand, wasn’t looking at the snacks as much as she was staying close to me.

Still hugging her teddy bear, she hadn’t moved from her spot.

"You’re not picking anything, Hime?"

"I am picking… There are just too many choices."

So she was overwhelmed by the sheer variety.

"Could you tell me your recommendations, Youhei-kun?"

Ah, I see. That’s what she was waiting for.

Of course, I had no reason to refuse. I was happy to chat about snacks while helping her choose.

"I’d like to try something I’ve never had before."

"Then how about this? It’s milk chocolate—super sweet."

"Super sweet? Even more than the chocolate I usually eat?"

"Yeah. Different brands have different levels of sweetness, but this one, with the cow on the label, is so sweet it makes cavities hurt. When I was a kid, I kept eating it despite having a cavity, and my mom scolded me when it got worse."

"Oh my… Little Youhei-kun must’ve been adorable. Hearing that makes me want to try it, too. I’ll get one."

"Then, how about something different, like this stick snack?"

"Oh, my sister was reaching for these earlier. There are so many flavors… Which one is good?"

"That depends on personal preference, but I like the corn potage flavor."

"Then I’ll go with the same one. If it’s your favorite, it must be good."

Small, bite-sized chocolates and tasty-looking snack sticks.

Hime seemed particularly interested in what you’d call dagashi, traditional Japanese penny candy.

Since they weren’t really suited for sharing, they weren’t the kinds of snacks I usually bought. But since we had this chance, I wanted to recommend a few different ones.

That said, there were so many options that even I was having a hard time choosing. I could understand why Hime was overwhelmed and why Sei was just grabbing everything in sight.

"Um, Youhei-kun, what other snacks did you eat growing up? If you have any childhood memories tied to them, I’d love to hear them too."

That was a big help. Just as I was hesitating, Hime threw me a lifeline.

"The ones I used to eat a lot were—"

I thought back to my past.

To my surprise, I realized that each snack came with its own little story.

The ones my grandparents always bought for me.

The ones my sister shared with me.

The ones I split with my friends back in elementary school.

The ones I nibbled on during study breaks in middle school.

The ones I snacked on while gaming in high school.

And one by one, as I spoke, Hime picked up every single snack I mentioned.

"Every snack holds a memory, doesn’t it? Hearing about your past, Youhei-kun, has been really fun for me."

She looked completely satisfied.

She hadn’t picked out a lot, but she held her chosen snacks with great care.

Not a single one was chosen for its taste or her personal preference.

Every single one was something I had talked about.

(So that’s what she’s really interested in…)

Even if she never said it outright, I could tell.

What Hime was most interested in—was me.

She wanted to know more about me.

The games I played, the snacks I liked—of course, she genuinely enjoyed them.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that, at the root of it all, was the simple fact that they were things I liked.

This wasn’t just a misunderstanding or me overthinking things.

The sincerity in her actions left no room for doubt.

(…And honestly, that makes me really happy.)

No one had ever taken such a deep interest in me before.

I had always been content with my ordinary, unremarkable self. I had no stand-out traits, but no glaring flaws either.

I had accepted myself as I was.

But that didn’t mean I had no desire to be recognized.

Even though I knew my need for validation was weaker than most people’s, it wasn’t nonexistent.

Maybe that’s why I felt so overjoyed by Hime’s kindness.

And because of that, I wanted to do something for her in return.

How could I respond to the feelings she was showing me?

That question lingered in my mind.

The total was 20,000 yen.

It wasn't the Hoshimiya sisters... Well, more accurately, it was the cost of the snacks that Hijiri-san had bought.

"Big sis, are you really going to be able to eat all this?"

"Of course. For the next week or so, all my meals will be these snacks!"

"...I see."

Hime looked at Hijiri-san, who was holding a bag full of snacks with a beaming smile, with a look of disbelief.

It seemed like she had given up on saying anything more, as there was no sign she was going to scold her further.

"Hime, are you really okay with this? I'm a little worried..."

As the one who brought them here, I'd be troubled if she spent the next week gorging on snacks. Id feel responsible if she ended up getting sick because of it.

But Hime shrugged as if to say it was nothing to worry about.

"The housekeeper... the person who takes care of us should scold her properly."

Now that I thought about it, Hime had mentioned before that the housekeeper did all the shopping and chores for them.

If someone was taking care of their needs, then Hijiri-san's overeating would probably be controlled by that person.

"I might get scolded a little too, though. 'Make sure you take care of your sister,' they'd probably say."

"...it's tough being the younger sibling, huh?"

Just listening to their conversation made it hard to tell which one was the older sibling.

Hime, the reliable younger sister, and Hijiri-san, the carefree older sister. They were complete opposites, but their dynamic seemed to work well, so maybe that was a good thing.

Now that the snacks were bought...

"So, what do we do now? we've already been to the game center and the supermarket, so there's no particular place were planning to go."

The game center and the supermarket were the only destinations.

If there was anywhere else they wanted to check out, I figured we could go there.

"Sorry. With all the bags, it might be a little hard to move around now."

"Yeah. I figured that would happen..."

That was an unexpected complication. I hadn't thought Hijiri-san would be carrying large bags in both hands. Hime was also holding a stuffed bear, so it didn't seem right to move around carrying all this.

It had been a shorter time of fun than expected, but it might be better to wrap things up and call it a day.

About an hour and a half had passed. Although I was still a little unsatisfied, there was no need to push ourselves. We could always plan another time, so today seemed like a good time to finish up.

Just as I was about to suggest that...

".........."

"Ah, your batterys dead, huh?"

Hime suddenly spoke up, stopping abruptly as she was walking toward the exit.

It seemed like her smartphones battery had run out. She said she didn't use it much, so maybe she'd forgotten to charge it.

"Are you okay? Do you need to make any calls...?"

"Calls? Oh, no, I'm not talking about my phone. Im talking about my sister."

"Something happened to Hijiri-san?"

"My sister, when she gets exhausted, she becomes really quiet... I call it 'battery running out.'"

Now that she mentioned it, Hijiri-san had suddenly stopped talking.

I glanced over at her. Yep, she had a blank stare and seemed out of it. She was definitely running on empty.

"She didn't sleep much yesterday, and she's been running around all day, so... I guess her battery ran out faster than expected."

She really was like a child. Though she was physically bigger, her innocence was striking.

But I thought that was also part of Hijiri-san's charm.

"she's good at sports, but she's a complete homebody and hates the word 'effort,' so she has no stamina... I'm the same way."

It seemed the Hoshimiya sisters both lacked stamina.

Well, it was no surprise they were tired.

"Shall we head home?"

"Yes. I think I should let my sister rest at home."

It was a good time, with all the bags they had.

So, Hime and I decided to head home.

"…Hime-chan, weren't you going to the convenience store with Youhei?"

With only 3% left on her battery, Hijiri-san, despite being exhausted, hadn't forgotten to act as the older sister.

"But your sisters tired..."

"She's been looking forward to it so much. don't worry about me."

Hijiri-san... She might seem playful most of the time, but she was a good older sister.

You could really tell from her words how much she cared about her sister. And Hime, being smart, could clearly see that.

And she would never take advantage of someones kindness.

"In that case... would it be okay if I take you up on your offer?"

"Of course! it's totally fine to rely on your big sister!"

"Yes. I do rely on you, after all... Now, I'll leave the bear with you. Please take it home."

"Okay!"

"...Just don't use it as a pillow, alright?"

"I-I know! I won't! it's fine!"

"Yes, I trust you. Thank you."

Hime never becomes unnecessarily stubborn.

She simply nodded and accepted her sister's feelings.

"I've already called for a pickup, so I think big sis will be fine now."

Just after stepping outside the store, Hime sent a message on her smartphone, arranging for the pickup.

"Is it alright if we don't wait together?"

I was a little worried about Hijiri-san, who was standing a little further away. Though she had a relaxed smile on her face, her speech had been sparse since a while ago. The term "battery running out" seemed to fit her perfectly.

"I'd like to wait with her, but... when I'm overly protective, she get's sulky. She says, 'don't look down on me.'"

"Is it her pride?"

"I think so. Despite how she looks, she's pretty strong-willed... She must have waited nearby for the pickup, so there's no need to worry. Lets go, Youhei-kun."

"...Sorry, I'll go say goodbye to her."

I gave Hime a quick explanation and walked over to Hijiri-san.

She was holding a stuffed bear in one hand and two large bags in the other. It looked heavy, but surprisingly, her posture was good, so maybe she had a strong core.

"Hijiri-san, we're going to head out. See you tomorrow."

"Hehe... Take care of Hime-chan for me, okay?"

As I got closer, Hijiri-san responded in a quiet voice, with a playful expression on her face.

Wait... something seemed off.

"Arent you out of battery?"

"Well, who's to say~?"

She was probably just pretending to be fine out of stubbornness. Or perhaps, there was some intention behind her acting as if her battery had run out.

Her expression left me unsure, torn between both possibilities.

This person, though a good older sister in front of Hime, seemed to be hiding many sides of herself to maintain that image.

"When I'm around, Hime-chan tends to hold back on things. So please, make sure to make her happy."

That was the last thing Hijiri-san murmured before dropping the playful act.

She resumed her "battery running out" routine and looked away, staring blankly into space as if to signal she had no intention of talking anymore.

"...Got it. Ill make sure to take care of it."

In any case, whether she was pretending or not, there was no doubt Hijiri-san cared about Hime.

As she requested, I decided to focus on making sure Hime had a good time.

Although I had to say goodbye to Hijiri-san, my outing with Hime continued.

The convenience store wasn't too far from the shopping center. It was within walking distance.

So far, there didn't seem to be any issues with Hime's stamina, which was a relief.

At the moment, she was only carrying the sweets we had just bought and the smartphone hanging from her neck.

Earlier, she had been holding the stuffed bear, which made it seem difficult for her to walk, but now she was light on her feet.

While walking with Hime, she reported something about Hijiri-san.

"...I got a message from the housekeeper. Big sis is meeting up with her now and heading home."

"That was quick. She must have been waiting nearby after all."

"I think so. I told her she didn't have to wait... but maybe she was worried."

"She seems like a caring person."

"Yes. Oh, and I also got a message saying big sis was scolded for buying too many sweets. She sent me an SOS saying, 'The scolding made me wide awake—Hime-chan, help me!'"

"...I'm glad to hear she's being properly warned."

It seemed like the amount of sweets was indeed excessive.

It was good that there was someone close to the Hoshimiya sisters who could rein them in when necessary. I would focus on indulging Hime as much as possible, knowing someone else would keep things in check if anything went wrong.

As I thought about this, almost like a grandfather doting on his grandchild, I kept walking.

It was just past 3 PM. The temperature was still high since it was daytime, but it felt slightly cooler compared to when we first went out.

The reason was simple: clouds had begun to cover the bright blue sky.

"it's good that it's cloudy. it's a little easier to walk now."

"Yes. But I'm still worried it might rain."

"...that's true."

Now that I paid closer attention, I noticed dark clouds scattered in the sky here and there.

I hoped they wouldnt cause any trouble... and just as I thought that,

"It looks like my bad feeling is coming true."

Hime said, and I noticed the rain, too, shortly after.

"This is bad... I don't have an umbrella."

I felt a raindrop hit my cheek.

This was unexpected. There hadn't been a sign of rain when we left.

We were only a few minutes from the convenience store, so if it stayed light, we could still manage.

However, the rain showed no mercy.

Zaaa

It wasn't just a light drizzle.

The raindrops were large, crashing onto the asphalt with a loud sound.

It was no light rain. This was a downpour.

"Hime, lets take shelter for a bit."

"That sounds like a good idea."

We quickly ran toward a bus stop with a roof.

Wed be able to stay dry for now, but there was one problem.

"...Were both soaked."

Indeed, both Hime and I were drenched, with rain dripping from our hair.

"This is troublesome. It doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon."

"Is your phone okay?"

"It's waterproof, so it should be fine. But just to be safe, Ill put it in a bag."

As she said this, Hime put the phone inside the bag that had held the sweets. It was a relief that it hadn't been damaged, but my worry didn't stop there.

"Hachoo!"

Hime sneezed cutely.

Before I could even smile at her adorableness, my concern for her health grew.

"Are you cold?"

"No. The temperature is high, so I don't feel cold... but I think my bodys reacting because my body temperature changed from getting wet."

She seemed fine, but looking at her more carefully, my unease didn't go away.

(She doesn't seem fine.)

Hime was wearing a pure white dress.

Each time she moved, the hem of her skirt fluttered, making it an incredibly cute outfit.

However, because it was a summer design, the fabric was thin enough that it became see-through when wet.

(Huh? it's see-through?)

I couldn't help but do a double-take.

Her undergarments were visible. Even though it was just that, it made me feel like I shouldnt be looking. But more concerning was the fact that her bare skin—her shoulders, upper arms, and even her chest—was showing through.

(This isn't good.)

Right after getting wet, she might be okay for now. She probably wasn't feeling cold yet.

But once her clothes and skin dried, it would be a different story.

(Hime's body isn't particularly strong.)

I suddenly remembered something from a year ago.

The girl who had been tired even within the school grounds would definitely fall ill if left wet for too long.

Though Id been careful to let her walk at her own pace today, she must have used up some of her energy. If she got cold now, that could be dangerous.

"Hime. Here, wear this for now."

I knew it was just a drop in the ocean, but hoping for some effect, I took off my shirt and draped it over her.

"Eh? Ah, um... this..."

Suddenly having a shirt draped over her, Hime seemed confused... Huh?

Her face had taken on a faint redness.

She had seemed fine just a moment ago, but now her complexion had changed.

This made me a bit flustered.

"Y-Youhei-kun? Um..."

"Sorry. I know you're wet, but I thought this would be better than nothing, so please wear it."

"No, that's not... but..."

"don't hold back. Your clothes are soaked to the point of being see-through, and if you stay like this, you might catch a cold."

"S-see-through...!"

It seemed she only noticed after I pointed it out.

Hime lifted my shirt to check her own clothes.

She had insisted that she was fine, but now she probably understood why I was worried.

"...W-w-wait!"

"Hime...!? Y-your face is completely red!"

Maybe it was a mistake to make her aware of it.

Her complexion worsened, and no, it wasn't just her face.

Hime's neck and even the tips of her ears had turned bright red. She hugged the shirt I had draped over her tightly and shrank back, trying to cover herself.

"──Tsu～"

She was trembling. So, she really was cold...!

What should I do? The rain didn't look like it would stop anytime soon.

Right, the car... It was still taking time because Hijiri-san was being dropped off.

What should I do now? The convenience store is just a few minutes away. Should we take shelter there?

But no, in this drenched state, if we entered a store with air conditioning, I'd probably catch a cold myself.

That being said, if we stayed like this, Hime would be in danger.

In my panic, the solution I came to was... an unavoidable last resort.

"Hime, lets go."

"...W-where to?"

"My place."

"──Huh?"

Hime opened her mouth in surprise, likely asking for an explanation.

But I didn't even have time to explain and stood up.

"It's not even a ten-minute walk from here to my house, so let's go. Can you hang in there for a bit?"

"I can hang in there, but... it's so sudden, I wasn't prepared..."

Hime's voice was weak.

She mumbled, and by the end, I couldn't even understand what she was saying. That made me even more worried.

I had to do something about her wet body as quickly as possible.

We had originally planned to go to the convenience store, but that had to be canceled. Hime's health came first. As the person who invited her out, I absolutely didn't want her to catch a cold.

Driven by that sense of duty, I grabbed Hime's hand and rushed out again into the rain.

"Sorry, lets hurry."

"Y-yes!"

Perhaps I overwhelmed her with my urgency,

or maybe she was feeling too unwell to resist.

Hime, with her face still bright red, began walking with me.

Even so, I had planned to slow down to match her pace.

However, Hime's steps were quicker than usual. Thanks to that, we managed to get home without taking too much time.

(Hime's breathing is heavy...!)

Her shoulders were rising and falling as she gasped.

The fast walking had exhausted her. She might have even broken a sweat. With all the rain and everything, I was sure she wouldnt be able to avoid getting sick now.

"Hime, come inside."

"B-but..."

"Don't worry about being wet. I'll clean the floor later."

"Please wait a moment. Just give me a little time to... calm down..."

"Sorry. you'll have plenty of time to rest later, so for now, just—come inside."

"Youhei-kun? Um, I've been thinking... you're saying a lot with so few words, and... when you make that tough face, it's kind of making my heart race, and, um..."

She was still mumbling, not making sense.

And I, too, was panicking. I couldn't stay calm and was acting more forcefully than usual.

"By the way, when you say 'come inside'... where exactly are you talking about?"

"The bath."

"──Huh?"

And so, without giving her a chance to respond, I led Hime straight to the bathroom.

To make sure He doesn't catch a cold,

I was driven by that one thought and was probably losing my composure.

But thanks to that, I was able to enter the changing room. Even though we were close, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have been able to get this far while Hime was in the bathroom.

There was only one door between me and Hime, and she was on the other side, in nothing but her birthday suit.

She must be embarrassed.

But right now, it's an emergency situation, and I feel sorry for her, but I'll have to ask her to bear with it for a little while.

"Hime, did you put your clothes in the washing machine?"

"Y-yes, I made sure to put them in properly."

Her muffled voice came from the bathroom.

The door was made of frosted glass, so Hime couldn't see me, which was a relief. I could barely make out her skin color through the fogged glass.

"Do you know how to turn on the hot water?"

"I twist this red part, right? Uh... w-whoa, it's on."

"If it's too hot, turn on the blue part for cold water. You can adjust the temperature that way."

"Adjust it here... I see."

"Make sure to warm up your body properly. I'll go get some clothes and things for you."

"…Thank you. I'll take you up on that offer."

Good. For now, Hime should be safe in the bathroom.

If she takes a warm shower and gets rid of her wet clothes, she shouldn't get cold. I regret not being able to prepare a bath for her, but it's an emergency, so I had no choice.

(Alright... first things first, a towel.)

Listening to the sound of the shower, I went about doing what I needed to do.

I took out a towel from the shelf in the changing room for Hime to use to dry off. Ah, I just remembered that I'm wet too. I grabbed another towel to wipe off the moisture from my own body.

I ignored the wet floor we had both walked through for now and decided to deal with it later. I headed upstairs to my room to get some dry clothes.

It's hot. I grimaced at the damp, humid air as I entered the room. I made sure to turn on the air conditioner.

For now, I made sure to change into dry clothes, though my hair was still a little damp. I figured it would dry soon enough while I kept busy.

I was fine now, but the real issue was Hime's clothes.

(I'm sorry, Hime, but I think you'll have to wear my clothes for now.)

She'd have to hold out until her clothes dried.

I grabbed a shirt and pants for her and headed back downstairs.

"Hime, I brought a towel and some clothes."

"Thank you... Um, is it okay if I get out now?"

"Not yet. Stay in until I finish the laundry."

"Ugh... Ive been feeling dizzy from all this excitement."

"Just a little longer, hang in there."

I encouraged her as I focused on the washing machine.

Since both of my parents work, I was taught how to do all sorts of chores from a young age. I can cook a little, though I'm not great at it, but when it comes to cleaning or doing the laundry, I can handle it just fine.

I knew how to use the washing machine well. But there was one thing I needed to double-check.

(Hime's clothes—can I just wash them normally?)

She's quite the lady, and there's a chance that her clothes are made of expensive fabric.

It must be embarrassing to have someone rummage through her clothes.

But before I did something irreversible, I had to check properly.

I opened the lid of the washing machine and picked up her dress. I turned it inside out and checked the tag.

(The washing machines are fine. But the dryer is a no-go.)

I'm glad I checked. If I hadn't, I would have ended up putting her clothes in the dryer.

I think it'll be fine, but just to be safe, I'll wash my clothes separately to avoid any color transfer. It'll also save time to just wash Hime's clothes.

Now, for the washing mode… Since the fabric of her dress is thin, I'll set it to the gentle cycle. I add the detergent, set the fabric softener, and press the start button. Everythings ready. Finally, I press the quick wash button to minimize the time as much as possible.

The washing will take… thirty minutes. If you include the drying time, it'll probably take over an hour to finish.

I want to make sure He doesn't get bored while we wait.

But, I'll figure out how to kill time later.

"Hime? I started the washing machine, so it's okay to get out now. I've left the clothes and towel for you."

"...Y-Yes. I'll get out now."

She said that, and immediately turned off the shower.

Since she was about to leave the bathroom, I quickly left the changing room.

Now then, while she gets changed, I'll take care of the wet floor.

I wiped up the water with a rag and thoroughly dried the floor with a dry towel to make sure she wouldn't slip and fall.

Just as I finished cleaning up the wet floor, the door to the changing room opened.

"Youhei-kun, I'm done."

Hime, holding a towel in one hand, came out… wearing nothing but a huge shirt.

It seemed that the large mens size L shirt was way too big for her. The sleeves covered up to her elbows, and the hem of the shirt reached her thighs like a skirt. The collar was so loose that one of her shoulders almost slipped out.

As for the pants, she wasn't wearing them, and they were instead being held in her hands.

 

"I'm sorry for making you prepare everything for me. I tried putting on the pants, but they kept falling off, so I gave up."

"N-No, I should be the one apologizing."

…Yeah, I was probably panicking earlier.

I didn't even think about the size. Looking at it calmly now, it was obvious that would happen.

"Right. I'll go get my moms clothes."

There was no real need for her to wear my clothes.

I quickly realized that my mothers clothes would work, so I was about to go grab them, but—

"No, it's okay. I don't mind wearing yours."

Hime stopped me as I was about to walk off.

"It's fine, I don't mind your clothes."

"But the size..."

"The size is actually better this way."

"...Are you sure?"

I was worried I was making her uncomfortable.

But Hime didn't seem to mind, as she sincerely didn't want to change.

"I feel calm with your scent..."

She buried her nose in the collar of the shirt and murmured in a soft voice.

...Suddenly, I felt embarrassed.

"If you're okay with it, then it's fine."

She always knows how to tease my heart like this.

Every time I see this adorable side of her, I feel so happy.

Well, if she says it's fine, I don't have to force her to change.

"Okay, then... what should we do next?"

Now that she's finished her bath, what should we do while waiting for the laundry to dry?

I started to think about it when I noticed that Hime's feet were still wet.

Wait... did I forget to wipe that spot? No, the water was still dripping from her hair.

"Hime, you need to dry your hair properly."

"Ah, sorry."

She nodded but her towel technique was a bit sloppy... or rather, she seemed inexperienced.

It was clear she wasn't drying it well.

At this rate, I wondered if she could keep her delicate hair looking as beautiful as it was.

"I usually have my sister help me with this..."

I see. So it's her older sister, Hijiri-san, who takes care of her hair. But Hijiri-san isn't here now. Leaving it like this wasn't an option. I didn't want to damage Hime's beautiful hair.

"Do you want me to dry it for you?"

I've never taken care of a woman's hair before, but I figured it might be better for her to let someone else help rather than doing it herself.

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Can you lend me the towel?"

"Of course. Please, go ahead."

I took the towel from Hime and moved behind her.

To prevent her clothes from getting wet, I lifted her long hair with the towel and gently began drying it, as if I were caressing it.

If it were my own hair, I would've been more rough with it, but I couldn't be rough with Hime's fine hair—doing so would risk damaging it, and I didn't want that.

I could understand a little why Hijiri-san took such care with it.

With hair this beautiful, I wanted to treat it carefully.

...Alright, I've gotten most of the water out, but her hair is still damp. I should dry it properly.

"Hime, can I use the blow dryer?"

"You don't have to go that far. I think it will dry naturally soon enough."

"No, no. If I treat hair this beautiful carelessly, Hijiri-san will probably scold me."

"...it's beautiful?"

Hime smiled shyly at my words.

"Well then, please go ahead."

"Got it. Leave it to me."

She's really weak with compliments.

Her honest reaction was so cute.

I invited Hime to my room on the second floor to dry her hair with the blow dryer.

"Is this Youhei-kuns room?"

She was looking around curiously, as if intrigued by everything.

There's nothing in here that would make me feel embarrassed if she sees it, but it's still a little bit embarrassing to be observed so closely.

"Sorry, it's not much of a room. I hope it's okay."

"It's not like that at all. It's really interesting, and I can feel Youhei-kuns personality in it."

She couldn't be saying that just to flatter me, so it must be her honest opinion.

it's not that I'm being modest—it's just a regular room.

A study desk, a chair, a dresser, a bed, a shelf, a monitor, and a game console are all that's in my personal space. Since I'm not the type to care much about material things, the decor ended up being pretty simple without me even thinking about it.

But still, Hime seemed to be glowing with excitement.

"It's so neat and tidy. It looks really comfortable to be in."

The way she phrased it made me feel really at ease. Hime really knows how to give compliments.

It's a simple room, but if she's enjoying it, then that's the most important thing.

"Is it too hot in here?"

"No, it's nice and cool. It feels really good."

When Hime came to get changed earlier, I had already turned on the air conditioner. It seems like the temperature is just right, so that's a relief.

(she's warmed up now, and I'm glad.)

I was a little worried when she got wet in the rain.

If I had left it like that, she might have caught a cold, so I hurried her into the bath. I might have been a little too forceful, but seeing her look fine now puts my mind at ease.

I don't think there's anything to worry about anymore.

"Okay, let's get your hair dry."

I took out the blow dryer and plugged it in. I wanted her to sit on a chair, but since her hair is so long, the backrest might get in the way.

I guess I'll have to have her sit on the floor.

"Hime, come over here."

I crossed my legs and called her over.

"Yes, I'll be right there."

It seemed like she noticed I was sitting down and she walked over to me without hesitation.

Without any second thoughts, she smoothly sat down on my lap.

"...Uh..."

I did invite her to come closer, but I didn't mean for her to sit on my lap.

I just wanted her to sit near me.

But Hime chose to sit here. She hugged her knees to her chest, her posture curled up. Because of how small she is, she looked even smaller than usual.

She's so light. When we talk, I don't really feel the age difference because of her mature way of speaking. But every time I touch her, I'm reminded of how young she really is.

She's an eight-year-old girl.

"Please take care of me."

Hime seemed completely relaxed.

Watching her so limp and relaxed made me feel a little bit at ease too.

It surprised me, but having her sit on my lap isn't a big deal.

In fact, this is probably the best position to dry her hair.

there's no need to make it awkward or point it out. If I said anything, she might feel embarrassed.

So I'll just act naturally.

I gently placed my hand on her head without thinking too much about it.

"I'm going to dry your hair now."

I told her and then turned on the blow dryer. The sound of the machine filled the room, drowning out all other noise.

In this situation, we couldn't really chat. I wanted to dry her hair quickly.

Well, of course, I've never dried anyone elses hair before, let alone a girl.

It was bound to be a little awkward, so I decided to be as careful as I could… oh, right.

(I need a comb, don't I?)

With her long hair, I thought I should probably thin it out a bit to prevent any tangling. But I wondered if it would be alright to use my cheap comb. Maybe it would be better to bring it after all.

As I hesitated, I ran my fingers through Hime's hair. Gently, I tried to untangle any knotted parts... but my fingers smoothly gilded all the way to the tips of her hair.

(She really takes good care of it.)

I could feel the love from Hijri-san.

It could be that her hair isn't damaged because she's still young, but more than that, it was clear that Hijiri-san takes good care of it every day.

Without that, there's no way her hair could be this smooth and shiny without a single tangle.

(If it's like this, I guess I don't need to use a comb.)

I was glad I didn't have to go get it.

Hime was so relaxed sitting on my lap, and I didn't want to get up now.

While gently thinning her hair with my fingers, I kept the blow dryer at a distance and gently directed the warm air at it. I occasionally waved my fingers left and right to make her hair move a little.

I moved my hand as if stroking her scalp. Maybe Hime found it comforting.

"Mm..."

She let out a soft sound and pressed her head against my hand.

It was as if she was asking me to keep stroking her hair.

It felt a little ticklish, as though I was being spoiled. Of course, I didn't mind at all. In fact, it made me happy, and I ended up stroking her head even more than I intended.

Time passed in silence between us.

Only the sound of the blow dryer echoed for a while.

Once her hair was nearly dry, I turned the power off.

"Hime, we're done."

I gave her head a light tap, signaling that we were finished.

I also ran my fingers through her hair one more time, checking to make sure it wasn't still damp.

Everything looked perfect. For my first time, I thought I did a good job.

"...Ehehe."

Hime seemed satisfied.

When I peeked at her from the side, her face was even softer and more relaxed than usual.

"How was it? Did I do okay?"

"Youhei-kun, your touch was gentle, and you did so well. It felt really nice."

It was probably similar to the feeling of having your hair washed at a salon.

I too often feel sleepy during that process, so I could understand how Hime felt.

"Maybe it's because I just got out of the bath... I feel all warm and cozy."

She wasn't overheating—her face was just a little flushed, but it looked more like she had good circulation. Perhaps she was a little warm. Her skin felt slightly warm where it touched me. Then again, since she's younger, her body temperature might naturally be higher than mine.

In any case, she didn't seem unwell. If anything, she looked fine.

The proof was in what happened next.

"Grumble..."

Suddenly, a familiar sound echoed through the room.

The noise brought a sense of nostalgia.

"...I let my guard down."

Hime clutched her stomach and her voice trembled.

Her red ears weren't from being overheated—they were from embarrassment.

There was no need for her to be embarrassed. Feeling hungry was a sign that she was healthy.

"Are you hungry?"

I didn't tease her, just repeated the same question as before.

At that, Hime seemed to realize something and looked up. She muttered quietly.

"...Just a little."

As expected, she remembered.

Hime returned the same line I said when we first talked in the classroom.

Only about a month had passed since then, but it already felt nostalgic.

"I was really surprised back then."

"I was too... I didn't expect such a loud sound."

"No, no. It wasn't the sound that surprised me."

I still vividly remember it.

Hime's adorable expression as she laughed while eating candy.

"I've never seen anyone eat chocolate so deliciously."

"Well, of course. It was so sweet and happy, it tasted like kindness."

Sitting on my lap, Hime shifted her body.

Maybe she was reminiscing about that time. She looked so happy.

"Was the bamboo shoot candy that good?"

"...It wasn't just that."

She said, and then Hime leaned gently against me.

Rubbing her body against mine, she looked up at me with a soft gaze and whispered in a quiet voice.

"Youhei-kun, you were kind and sweet too."

"Me?"

"Yes. You made me feel as happy as the candy."

As sweet as candy, huh.

I knew that for her, that was the highest compliment she could give.

"Thank you."

I couldn't help but gently stroke her head.

Her words made me so happy.

"Mm."

My fingers brushed against her soft, smooth hair.

It felt so pleasant that I just wanted to keep touching it.

However, since Hime let out a faint sound when I stroked her, I figured I shouldn’t overdo it.

"Oh, sorry. Was I tickling you?"

"...A little. But it doesn't bother me."

In fact, it seemed like she wanted me to keep stroking her.

Hime snuggled closer to me, her body warm with a faint milk-like scent and soft, plush feel, all of which made me feel a strong sense of affection.

There was no denying it—this was love.

The feeling of being loved made my head feel light and fuzzy.

How could I not be happy that such a wonderful girl cares for me?

Growl

A second stomach growl.

I couldn't let her sit there uncomfortable. It must have been snack time.

"You brought some snacks, right? Why don't we eat them now? there's still time."

"Yeah... I'm a little embarrassed to let you hear my stomach again."

Hime stood up from my lap, but it was only for a moment.

She grabbed the bag of snacks from the desk and returned to her usual spot on my lap, as if it were her designated seat.

She took out a small chocolate, about the size of a Tirol.

She held it out to me with her palm, offering it.

"Could it be... you don't know how to open it?"

It was just like when we first ate snacks in the classroom.

Back then, she hadn't known how to open the candy, and I helped her.

I thought Id need to open it again, but instead, she said,

"It's not that I don't know how to open it... I want you to feed it to me."

As I thought, Hime was always so straightforward.

She didn't complicate things. She showed her feelings for me plainly.

"For me, the best way to eat candy is when you feed it to me."

...Now I understood why she always wanted me to feed her when we were alone.

"I think it's because the first time left such a strong impression. I can enjoy it on my own, but eating it from you makes me feel so much happier."

With those words, there was no way I could refuse.

"Of course. Leave it to me."

I nodded firmly and accepted the chocolate from her.

I opened the wrapper, pinched it with my fingers, and gently held it to Hime's mouth.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

She immediately bit down, without hesitation or restraint.

She bit down on my finger along with the chocolate.

The soft feeling of her lips and the faint touch of her sharp little teeth made me feel ticklish.

And as always, her chewing was so endearing.

"it's so sweet..."

Hime mumbled with a blissful expression, savoring the taste.

"you're sweet, Youhei-kun."

Her cheeks, and even her heart, seemed to melt.

Hime smiled warmly, her face soft and content.

I realized that lately, she had mostly been eating snacks with Hijiri-san around, so she hadn't asked me to feed her.

It felt like it had been a while since I had the chance to do so.

"Do you want more?"

"Yes!"

For a while, we enjoyed our snack time together.

"Ehehe."

She looked so happy.

I had been worried she might get bored while waiting for her clothes to dry, but it seemed that worry was unnecessary.

♪～～～

Just as Hime's small hunger was satisfied, a cheerful melody came from the washing machine downstairs.

It was the notification that the laundry was finished.

"I'll go dry the clothes."

"Thank you. Please do."

Though I felt a bit disappointed to have to lift Hime off my lap, there was no helping it. I needed to hang the clothes and then return to the room.

I left my room and went downstairs. First, I took Hime's dress out of the washing machine in the laundry room and put it in the basket. Next, I carefully placed the undergarments in the dryer, making sure to avoid looking too much. After turning on the dryer, I decided to hang up the dress since it couldn't go in the dryer.

I checked outside—it was still rainy—so I hung the dress on the curtain rail in the living room. I adjusted the position of the dehumidifier and set the dress up.

It was a light fabric, so I figured it would probably dry in about thirty minutes.

With that, the laundry was finished.

Now that I thought about it, I wondered if Hime might be thirsty. I took some tea out of the fridge and poured two glasses, one for each of us, on a tray before heading upstairs.

"Hime? I brought you something to drink... huh?"

I called out and entered the room.

I expected her to be waiting, but...

"Huh?"

Hime was lying on the bed.

"Suu... suu..."

She had her eyes closed and was softly breathing.

It didn't look like she was pretending to sleep—she was completely unaware.

The time it took to hang the laundry was only about ten minutes, and during that time, it seemed like sleepiness had taken over.

(Maybe she got tired from the outing.)

She had been out and got wet in the rain, which likely drained her energy. After that, she had a bath to warm up and then ate some snacks to fill her stomach, so it was no surprise that sleepiness hit her.

"Mnyaa."

She rubbed her face against my pillow and seemed to be happily drifting off.

...I was pretty sure she was asleep, but just to be sure, I decided to check.

"Hime? Are you really asleep?"

I put the tray down on the desk and lightly poked her cheek.

Her soft, squishy cheek felt so addictive. After touching it in the classroom earlier, I had been hoping for another chance.

It was just as soft as I remembered. And Hime didn't stir at all—she was completely unconscious.

"How defenseless."

This was a girl with no sense of caution at all.

Still, just a little playful touch made me so happy, so I had no intention of doing anything further.

I made sure the blanket covered her properly to keep her warm, then, just before leaving, I gently stroked her hair one last time.

"…you're really cute."

Since I knew she was asleep, I let my true feelings slip out.

I knew she couldn't hear me, but seeing her defenseless sleeping face made me lose my restraint.

"From the very first time we met, I've always thought so."

The entrance ceremony. When we met at the trash bin.

Despite her mature side, I was always drawn to the occasional glimpses of her childlike innocence.

"I've never thought a girl could be this cute...—well, something like that."

Of course, I knew she couldn't hear me.

Still, saying it out loud made me suddenly feel shy.

"...Huff."

I sighed, then drank a full glass of water.

Even so, my thirst didn't quite go away, so I drank another.

When Hime wakes up, I'll make sure to prepare some fresh cold tea for her.

With that thought in mind, I left the room to put away the empty glass.

About thirty minutes had passed, I think.

As I was quietly letting Hime sleep, my phone suddenly rang.

I quickly checked my phone, but the sound didn't come from mine.

"it's Hime's."

Hime's phone, which had been left on the desk, was notifying her of an incoming call.

It seemed like she had noticed the sound as well.

"Mm... Ah."

She groggily sat up and looked at me with sleepy eyes.

"...?"

She was silent, probably still trying to make sense of the situation since she had just woken up.

I would have liked to wait until she fully woke up, but with the phone ringing, that wasn't an option.

"Good morning. You have a call."

I picked up her phone and stood, bringing it to her at the bed.

"…Thank you."

Even in her dazed state, Hime thanked me. she's such a good girl.

"Hello? Oh, yes. you're here to pick me up? The time… Ah."

It seemed like Hime was slowly waking up as she checked the time.

After confirming, she suddenly realized the situation and quickly readjusted her grip on the phone.

"I'm at Youhei-kuns house, waiting out the rain... Yes, I think it's about time. Could you come pick me up soon? You can find me with the GPS? ...Good, I'm glad youve got it. Yes, thank you."

It was probably a confirmation of her pick-up time.

The current time was 5:00 PM. The sun was still high, but it seemed like it was about time for her to head home.

"Sorry. I started feeling sleepy when you went to check the laundry, and I just planned to lie down for a bit... but I guess I fell asleep."

"It's totally fine. You must have been tired."

"I... fell asleep in your bed without asking."

I told her not to worry about it, but Hime still seemed a bit guilty.

Rather than repeating that it was okay, I figured it might be better to say something to ease her guilt.

"I enjoyed seeing your sleeping face."

"Huh? My sleeping face?"

At that, Hime's face flushed with embarrassment. She hid her mouth with the blanket.

"I think that's enough to cover the bed usage fee."

"…Did I drool or anything?"

"Nope, you had a cute sleeping face."

"Cute... Hehe."

Her embarrassment seemed to lessen as I complimented her, and Hime finally pulled her face out from under the blanket.

Alright, I decided not to tease her any further while she was waking up.

"So, was that a call about your pick-up?"

I had a feeling, but I asked again just to confirm.

"They'll be here in about thirty minutes."

"Got it. You should probably get changed soon, then."

"Change... Oh, is my dress already dry?"

It was. Just a few minutes before Hime woke up, I checked the dress, and it was dry, so I brought it up to her room. I also brought her other clothes from the dryer.

"...Thank you."

Hime seemed to realize that she had everything she needed to change.

She probably noticed the undergarments as well. She seemed really embarrassed... Sorry, I tried not to look.

But, I didn't say anything, knowing she would probably get even more flustered if I brought it up.

"Are you thirsty? I'll bring you a drink, so go ahead and change while I do."

"Thank you."

I left her alone for a moment.

I'm sure Hime understood my consideration. She asked naturally, so I was able to leave the room without feeling awkward.

I took my time going downstairs and filled two cups with tea.

When I returned to the second floor, I knocked on the door to check in.

"Hime, can I come in?"

"Sure. I'm done changing."

I made sure everything was fine before entering.

On the bed sat Hime, wearing the dress. She was sitting up neatly.

In her hand was the shirt I had been wearing earlier. She could have thrown it on the floor... but I knew she wouldn't be that careless.

"How's the dress? Is it dry?"

"Yes, it's very comfortable. Thank you so much."

I was glad it turned out well.

"Then, I guess I should wash the shirt I was wearing earlier."

There was still a bit of time before her ride arrived.

During that time, I thought I'd gather up my wet clothes that still needed washing, as well as the shirt Hime had worn as a replacement for her own clothes, and get them cleaned.

"……"

But Hime didn't respond.

Even though I reached out to take the shirt, she didn't offer it to me.

"Hime?"

"…Youhei-kun?"

No, this didn't seem like a situation where we should be calling each other names.

What's going on? As I looked at Hime in confusion, she averted her gaze with an apologetic expression. Then, as though gathering her resolve, she suddenly stood up with determination.

"Could I ask for something... selfish?"

"Wh-what?"

This was unusual. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard Hime ask for something selfish.

She's the type of person who doesn't want to trouble others. It must be something really important to her.

I held my breath without realizing it. What could she possibly want?

"…Please."

"Please, what?"

"Th-this... please."

She shut her eyes tightly as she asked.

The thing she was asking for was the shirt I had been wearing earlier.

"It... feels really calming to wear, and I slept so well in it."

Maybe the oversized fit made it comfortable for her?

It seemed like that was what she was implying.

But it didn't seem like that was her main reason for asking.

"No, sorry. That was just a polite excuse. Of course, it wasn't a lie, but…"

She corrected herself. The fact that she took the time to deny it meant she probably had something else she wanted to express.

"Um..."

"I'm happy to give it to you, but I'm curious as to why."

Since she was hesitating, I encouraged her to explain.

I thought that if I knew the reason, it might make it easier for Hime to talk.

"…I want to keep a memory of today with me."

It wasn't that she wanted the physical object; it was the memory attached to it that she was seeking.

"Today has been such a wonderful day for me. I have a good memory, so I wont forget it… but just remembering it isn't enough."

Hime gripped the shirt tightly in her hands, clearly showing she didn't want to let it go.

It seemed that she really enjoyed everything that happened today.

"Sorry… I've been selfish."

"You're not being selfish."

There was no need for her to apologize.

In fact, I found it rather pleasant that Hime was comfortable enough to express her desires.

It made me feel that she trusted me, and that made me happy.

"I had a really fun day, too, because I got to learn so much about what Hime was thinking."

"Really... Did you enjoy it, Youhei-kun?"

"Of course. It was interesting to see sides of you that I never would have seen at school."

She had been engrossed in a game.

She had gotten excited over a stuffed animal.

Her eyes had lit up at the candy section.

She had turned red when put in the bath.

She had clung to me when I dried her hair.

She looked so happy eating snacks.

Her sleeping face was defenseless and adorable.

And then, she asked for the shirt.

These were all sides of her that I couldn't have seen just by being at school together.

"It was really fun. Probably just as much as it was for you, Hime."

I felt the same way.

That's why I understand how you want to keep the memory in some tangible form.

"If you're fine with an ordinary shirt, then please feel free to take it."

I nodded, and Hime loosened her grip on the shirt. Then, she hugged it to her chest and smiled shyly, looking embarrassed.

"An ordinary shirt? No, that's not true at all."

"No, no. It's just a cheap shirt, about a thousand yen."

"It's not about the price. This is the one and only special piece of clothing in the world because Youhei-kun wore it."

…She probably didn't realize it, but those words weren't intended to have any special meaning.

Still, her casual words warmed my heart.

Hime's unintentional, straightforward, and pure feelings had a way of healing me.

"If you say that, it makes me feel like giving it to you was worth it."

I tried to act composed as the older one, but inside, I was so happy I could have floated.

(She doesn't just think I'm special…)

──We live in different worlds.

I was strongly reminded of that when I saw Hime on the stage at the entrance ceremony.

Even being close to her felt presumptuous. To someone like me, she seemed like a presence that I didn't deserve to be around.

A lot had happened since then, and somehow, through a miraculous bond, we'd become close. Yet, sometimes, I still find myself doubting my place beside her.

Is it really okay for someone as ordinary as me to be by Hime's side?

Of course, I know that these thoughts are a form of self-deprecation. I understand that there's no need for self-denial. I know it's meaningless to hurt myself like that.

I try not to consciously dwell on it. But I wasn't completely unaffected by these thoughts.

Perhaps that's why Hime's words, calling it "special,"strike me so deeply.

No one else values me as much as she does.

And because of that, maybe I end up thinking of Hime as "special" even more.

"…Ah, it seems your ride is here."

As I was lost in thought, the time to part had arrived.

Though I felt a little reluctant, there was no sadness. We'll be able to hang out again soon.

I walked her to the door, then waved goodbye.

"Thank you for today, Hime."

"No, no. Thank you for today, too."

She bowed once more with a smile.

"Goodbye, Youhei-kun!"

And with that, she gave me a bright, cheerful smile.

"…Uh, yeah. See you tomorrow."

"Hehe."

I hurriedly waved back.

Hime smiled again happily, then opened the door and ran outside.

…She was so cute.

I was so mesmerized by her that I almost forgot to wave back.

"I'd even want to call Hime my little sister because she's so cute."

Suddenly, I remembered the words I had said back then.

Of course, that feeling was true.

But… I never imagined I'd come to find Hime even more adorable than that.

I might not even be able to put these feelings into words anymore.

It's hard to find another expression for the affection I feel for her, one that goes beyond wanting her to be my sister.

I'm sure if I told her, it would only confuse her, so I have to keep these feelings hidden deep inside for now.

But one day, when I've sorted them out, I want to share them with Hime.

I'm sure she'd be happy to hear it.

And so, my first outing with Hime came to an end.

Today was like a sweet, happy piece of candy.

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