Chapter 3: A tsundere girlfriend these days?
Days at the Anzai household... They are days where the heart warms from the very start of the morning.
I set an alarm properly to wake up at the start of the day, but there are many times when that alarm doesn't function well.
It's not that the clock is broken, but rather that it gets stopped intentionally before it can make a sound.
“Wake up... Please wake up, Takuya-san.”
“Wake up, Takuya-kun... Come on, wake up quickly.”
Gentle voices that I can remember even when I close my eyes... yes.
The ones who intentionally stop the alarm clock are Mina and Reina-san. Instead of the clock buzzing, their voices wake me up.
"...Well, I do wish they'd stop with the pranks, though."
This applies especially to Mina... If she just whispered ticklishly in my ear, that would still be gentle. But sometimes she places my sleeping hand on her breast... And since I'm basically half-asleep when waking up, sometimes I wonder "What is this?" and end up squeezing it with all my might.
“Ahn? ...Geez, Takuya-san, you're so bold.”
Over her clothes... or over her underwear... or sometimes directly on her skin. I hate to say it, but... I seriously don't understand what Mina is thinking.
"Actually... when I think about it carefully, calling this awakening 'happiness' is a bit wrong... Yeah, it's wrong."
Isn't it rather perverted...?
No, if I say that, isn't Mina, who lets me touch her breasts more than I want to, the pervert...?
"...But."
They always tell me this at those times.
That heart-pounding excitement is medicine for the heart... When told that it's for my sake, I can't strongly refuse.
But normally, I think I prefer just being woken up gently with a voice in my ear... maybe?
"Whoops, this isn't the time to be doing this."
Remembering what I needed to do, I paused my thoughts.
Today, having woken up earlier than usual, I took on the role of waking up Mina, who hadn't come out yet.
"...Mina?"
Standing before the door, I knocked and called her name.
There was no reply from inside, and I didn't even sense anyone moving, so she was probably still asleep.
It wasn't my first time entering Mina's room, so I knocked one last time before opening the door.
"...As I thought, she's asleep."
Just as expected, Mina was still sleeping.
Lying on her back in a beautiful posture that showed no sign of tossing and turning... actually, more than that, the futon was so neat it looked like someone had arranged it.
Winter would be one thing, but at this time of year, I kick my blanket off almost every day... or sleep with it wrapped between my legs... I wasn't like that in the past, but maybe my sleeping posture got worse due to stress.
"Mina, it's morning."
"Mmn..."
At my voice, Mina's eyelids fluttered slightly.
Still, she seemed to be in a dream, and didn't look like she'd wake up unless I called a bit louder.
"Mina, it's mo~rning?"
"...Munya."
My voice was louder than before, but Mina still wouldn't wake up.
I didn't want to yell and startle her... In that case, I decided to do what she always does for me: gently shake her shoulder to wake her.
I reached out, and just as I was about to touch Mina's shoulder...
Mina kicked the blanket off and rolled over to face me.
"Wh—!?"
I immediately looked away.
Because when the blanket was removed, the figure of Mina that emerged from underneath was far too stimulating.
"Why would you..."
Not pajamas, but a see-through nightgown.
Isn't this what they call a negligee...? Naturally, I had never seen a woman in such attire in reality, so I was surprised enough to momentarily escape from reality.
"Suu... Suu..."
"......"
Why... why is she dressed like this?
No, well, I have absolutely no intention of complaining about someone's sleepwear... but at the very least, when we said goodnight last night, she was wearing pink pajamas.
Even then, the chest area looked tight as usual, like the buttons were about to burst, but it certainly wasn't an outfit that showed skin this blatantly.
"...That's seriously too erotic. She's already a beauty with a great figure; obviously, it would look good on someone like her."
I voiced my honest impression without thinking.
However, I bear the grave duty of waking Mina up... If Reina-san comes to check on us because she thinks something is wrong, who knows what she'll think...!
"Mina...? Mina-saan...? Won't you please wake up?"
"......"
It's no use; there's no sign of her waking up at all.
What should I do... No, wouldn't it be faster to ask Reina-san for help...?
"...Right, let's do that."
Decided, I was about to seek help immediately.
Just as I tried to turn on my heel, an unexpected development occurred... suddenly, my wrist was grabbed by Mina, who was supposed to be sleeping.
"Wa—"
Mina... you were awake!
Of course, I didn't even have a chance to voice that surprise. Pulled by a strong force, I fell right onto the futon... collapsing on top of Mina.
Moreover, where I landed was extremely bad—my face was buried right in Mina's chest.
"Wait, Mina...!?"
"Yan♪ Speaking while inside my boobs makes them vibrate and tickles, you know?"
"......"
Th-Then I'll shut up... but if I do that, I'll be stuck like this!?
This position is bad in many ways, but I'm also extremely concerned that my entire weight is on Mina... Isn't she heavy?
"I don't particularly mind the weight, you know? Rather, I'm going to squeeze you like this so you can't leave♪"
"Gh!?"
Not only did she hug my head with her arms, but she also entangled her legs with mine.
Like this, Mina's body and mine were pressed together without any gaps. I could clearly hear the body heat transmitting through us and the sound of her heart beating deep within her left breast.
"I'm sorry, Takuya-san. Actually, I was awake from the start... so I was waiting, thinking Takuya-san would come to wake me up."
"Does... Reina-san know about that?"
"No, Mom doesn't know, okay? So if Mom had come to wake me up, this strategy would have failed, but look, it succeeded♪"
"...So the moment I came in, Mina's evil scheme was accomplished."
"It's an evil scheme, sure, but is it a bad thing for you, Takuya-san?"
"......"
Please stop asking questions that are hard to answer.
Mina giggled happily at my silence... but more importantly, since I couldn't move my face, there was something constantly in my line of sight.
That was the tip of Mina's breast, visible because the fabric was sheer.
Seeing that pale pink swelling, I instinctively closed my eyes, but it was too late... that image was completely burned into my memory.
"Ara, Takuya-san? Your body is getting hotter and hotter, you know?"
"Gh!?"
"Could it be, you saw something?"
To that question which sounded full of conviction, naturally, I didn't answer anything... I couldn't answer.
There was no mistake that I was incredibly flustered by this situation, but it was also true that a part of me, as a man, felt somewhat happy about it...
Well... naturally, time passed while we were doing this.
Because this exchange continued for quite a long time, the situation I feared ended up happening.
"Takuya-kun? Mina is... Ara."
"Ah... Mom."
"......"
If my hands had been free, I definitely would have put a hand to my forehead and hung my head.
After that, I was safely released.
While waiting in the living room for Mina to change, I couldn't help but worry about what Reina-san would say to me...
"Was I interrupting?"
"...No, you saved me."
From start to finish, she was grinning and watching us as if she found it amusing... It's a complicated feeling, but it might be better than her thinking something weird.
"By the way, Takuya-kun, do you think I would look good wearing something like that?"
"Eh? Well, you'd look incredibly good, or rather, wouldn't it be too erotic... Ah."
"Ufufu♪"
If I may make an excuse, I was tired from the morning.
That's why I answered before my thoughts were organized... but regarding Reina-san's meaningful smile at that moment, I ultimately didn't understand it then.
▼▽
Morning accident... well, having overcome an accident lucky for a guy, lately my mood has been so good it might be the best in my life.
"...Hehe."
See, if I relax, I can't help but grin like this.
Just so there's no misunderstanding, this isn't because of the erotic event this morning, but because I feel I am repaying Mina and Reina-san, even if just little by little.
"Doing something for someone else... I can't just be spoiled forever, right?"
Well, Mina and the others are still sweet to me as always.
That sweetness isn't unpleasant; it's truly comfortable and I want to immerse myself in it forever... It makes me feel that way, and even dulls the feeling that I have to leave here eventually.
"...Well, let's not worry about that for now."
I'll pull myself together and concentrate on the work at hand.
What I'm doing right now is weeding the garden. This is surprisingly deep work... sweating buckets in the heat and getting tired fits my nature of not being able to sit still.
"Apparently, you can cut and cut and the weeds just keep growing... I guess this is another scene typical of the countryside."
The enemy is numerous and tenacious, but that's exactly why it's rewarding.
It seems Reina-san usually does this, but I want them to leave this kind of thing to the young me.
"This is also part of repaying the favor."
I mean, Reina-san... was casually worried about her lower back.
Even if she looks like a university student, her real age can't be cheated no matter how hard she tries.
"...Did I just think something slightly rude?"
No good, no good! Concentrate on the work!
Shaking my head to drive away distracting thoughts, just as I fired myself up to annihilate the weeds in front of me...
"...?"
Suddenly, I heard footsteps and turned my gaze in that direction.
Before I knew it, a beautiful woman was standing there.
Regarding her age, it's just intuition, but she seemed about the same age as Mina... which would make her younger than me.
And what caught my eye more than anything was her appearance.
Reddish-brown hair, slightly tanned skin, a black mini-dress revealing deep cleavage... She looked like a "Gal," an appearance that would fit better in the city.
She possessed a style equal to or better than Mina's, and because her chest area was open, her voluptuous cleavage was visible... so much so that my eyes were naturally drawn to it.
(....This is another incredibly beautiful woman.)
I ended up staring intently, but she was doing the same.
Even if she had business here, it probably wasn't with me... but why is this person staring at me the whole time?
"...Um?"
I summoned the courage to speak up, but she didn't answer my question.
On the contrary, her eyes looking at me were harsh... or rather, why does she look like she's glaring at me?
A painful silence continued for a while, but finally, she opened her mouth.
"Are you the guy from the city Mina was talking about?"
It was a voice that carried a pressure matching her strong gaze.
A strong voice, different from Mina's... of course, it was a beautiful voice, but I couldn't hide my confusion at the hostility contained within it.
"Guy from the city... well, that would be me."
Knowing Mina, she shouldn't have introduced me that way... but since it was certainly me, I affirmed it.
Then, her gaze looking at me became even more intense.
"You... stay away from Mina."
"Eh?"
"Because a guy like you is definitely trash and the lowest of the low."
"......"
Since Mina's name came up, she's undoubtedly an acquaintance.
In that case, it's possible Reina-san knows her too, but... man, what a greeting for a first meeting...
"Listen, okay? This is a warning... If you do anything to Mina... if you hurt her, I definitely won't forgive you."
"W-Wait—"
Perhaps having said what she wanted to say, the woman turned on her heel and walked away.
I could only stare dumbfounded at her retreating back, but suddenly she stopped and turned back toward me again.
"...Eh? She's coming back..."
For some reason, she returned... Why?
I trembled, wondering if she still had more to say, but what the returned woman mouthed was unexpected words.
"...I might have said too much for a first meeting."
"Eh?"
"But, a warning is a warning! If you do anything to Mina, I definitely won't forgive you!"
With that, she turned her back and left for good this time.
I braced myself thinking she might come back again, but she never returned.
"...What was that?"
I felt like I had been hit by a sudden, small storm.
"But... she didn't seem like a bad girl."
I had absolutely no good impression until she came back, but seeing her say she said too much, I thought she probably isn't bad at heart.
"Come to think of it... didn't Mina mention it before? A friend of hers who had a bad experience in the city... could that be it?"
Yeah... I'm starting to feel like that's it.
Honestly, from my position, it's unreasonable, but I don't think she would be like that without a reason... Her baring such hostility makes sense if I consider that she cherishes Mina.
"Besides, compared to what I experienced at my old company, that level is cute."
For the time being, I'll put that girl aside and ask Reina-san about her at lunch.
After that, forgetting about the woman from before, I dived into weeding... and before I knew it, an hour had passed.
"Guaaaaaah! My back huuuuuuuuurts!"
Sure enough, the price of getting absorbed in it was lower back pain... No, not just my back, but my arms and legs and everywhere else were screaming with fatigue.
"This is the price for doing nothing but desk work."
Whether at the company or at home, I basically never saw the sun.
I didn't go running or even temporarily go to a gym... well, I should accept this fatigue gracefully.
However, it wasn't an unpleasant fatigue or pain.
I don't think of myself as a masochist, but this tiredness feels somewhat pleasant.
"Well now, it's become pretty clean, hasn't it?"
Although weeds still remain, it's become quite clean.
Mina and Reina-san told me not to overdo it, so maybe this is good enough for weeding for now.
"That said, I'm tired, but I feel like moving my body... Mina is at school and Reina-san is out, so in that case, maybe I'll go for another short walk."
I'm starting to feel like walking is my hobby now... but it is something I've come to like since arriving in this village.
"I'm off."
There was no reply, but this is like a ritual.
When leaving the house, I usually pass in front of the field where Shiraishi-san would be, but today I decided to go the opposite way.
Well, whether I go right or left, the scenery doesn't change much, but because I took a path I don't usually take, I had an encounter.
"That is... an old lady I don't know."
An unfamiliar elderly woman was walking in front of me.
Seeing she was holding a bag, I thought she was returning from shopping, when suddenly the old woman stumbled on something and fell over.
"Wh-!?"
In that instant, I immediately broke into a run.
Is she okay...? I hope it's nothing serious... Praying strongly in my heart, I ran to the old woman.
"Grandma! Are you okay!?"
"Ouch..."
Vegetables had spilled out of the shopping bag and scattered, but the old woman was more important.
"Oya... who are you?"
"Never mind me, are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?"
"No, no, no need for that. I just twisted my ankle, that's all."
For an elderly person, just twisting an ankle can be the source of a major injury, you know...?
I was worried about whether she was truly okay, but looking at the old woman's condition, she seemed fine... maybe?
However, the place she twisted was right at the ankle, so it looked difficult for her to walk home immediately.
"This is a problem. When you get old, little things become big deals."
"That can't be helped. But I'm relieved it wasn't a sudden collapse from illness or anything."
"Thank you. Truly, I just twisted my ankle... But, come to think of it, yours is a face I haven't seen before, isn't it?"
Given the flow, I briefly introduced myself.
Hearing my name didn't seem to ring a bell, but when I told her I was staying at the Anzai house, the old woman looked convinced, saying "Ah."
"Um... in a village like this, does word travel fast?"
"I suppose so. I heard about you from Micchan, but I see, I see, so you're the one."
"Micchan...?"
"Shiraishi no Micchan. Don't you talk to her often?"
"Ah, Shiraishi-san."
I see... so she heard about me from Shiraishi-san.
"I'm called Yame. You write it with 'eight' and 'woman' and read it as 'Yame'. A rare surname, isn't it?"
"Certainly, I don't hear it often... Yame-san, is it? Nice to meet you."
Thus, another old lady named Yame-san became an acquaintance.
We finished introducing ourselves, but Yame-san's ankle still hurt, and walking seemed difficult.
She said she would be fine after resting a bit, but I hated to leave her like that.
"By the way, where is your house, Yame-san?"
"It's that house you can see over there."
Where she pointed, there was a Japanese-style house that felt like it had history.
I see, over there... It's not that far, so I'll step up and take Yame-san home.
"I'll carry you. It's not that far."
"Oya, are you sure?"
"I don't mind. I don't want to part ways like this... So please, won't you let me look cool for a bit? Grandma Yame?"
"...Haha, I already think you're quite the handsome man, though. Well then, may I ask you to?"
"Yes!"
I crouched down, took the old woman on my back, stood up carefully, and started walking.
"If I asked, would you give me a princess carry too?"
"Oh, if that's your wish, absolutely."
"Ah-ha-ha! I'm interested, but that would be too embarrassing."
Well, if she wished it, I really intended to do it...
But piggybacking an elderly person like this reminds me of when I tried to piggyback my own grandma when I was still small.
I was still a brat back then and couldn't carry her... I said I'd do it when I became an adult, but in the end, Grandma passed away before that.
"...Touching you like this, I can tell. Takuya-kun, you are a kind boy."
"...Thanks."
"If I had met you when I was young, I definitely wouldn't have left you alone, you know?"
"Seriously? That's an honor."
"Saying things you don't mean... Fufu, Ah-ha-ha!"
Man, Yame-san sure laughs a lot.
Just like that, our conversation never ran out, and I was able to deliver her safely to her house.
By that time, the pain in her leg seemed to have subsided, so I was relieved about that too.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
"Ooh, I feel bad letting you go home just like this. I made you sweat a lot, so let me treat you to some cold juice."
"...Understood. Thank you very much."
"I'm the one who should be thanking you. Come on, come inside."
I was shown into the living room and treated to cold juice.
If I were just shown to the veranda, that would be one thing, but being invited into the house means Yame-san trusts me that much.
"Is it tasty?"
"Very tasty. It feels good on a hot body."
"Is that so, is that so. You can have seconds, okay?"
Oh, then maybe I'll have another glass...?
Just as I thought that, I heard a familiar voice from the hallway.
"Grandma, you ho~me?"
It's strange to hear a familiar voice at the house of Yame-san, whom I just met... no, wait.
Regarding this voice, it's not on the level of just 'familiar'... Isn't this the voice of the woman who came to the Anzai house just a while ago...?
"I'm home~Though I twisted my leg a little."
"Hah!? Wait, what do you mean!?"
The voice on the other side ran towards us in a panic.
Ah~, this confirms it, I thought, waiting for the moment—and appearing in the living room was, as expected, the woman I met earlier.
"Gh!?"
However, seeing her appear, I froze.
Because she appeared wrapped only in a bath towel, seemingly fresh out of the bath.
"Grandma! What on earth... Heh?"
And then, her gaze caught me... caught me completely.
Between us was a terrifying silence... Staring at each other for a few seconds in that hellish atmosphere, her face turned bright red and she screamed.
"Wh-Why are you here!?"
"No, wait! This is a misunderstanding, or rather—"
"Pe-Pervert!!"
After politely pointing a finger at me, she turned on her heel.
She intended to flee the scene, but unexpectedly slammed her pinky toe into the dresser, crouching down while letting out a voice that wasn't quite a scream.
"Ah~ah, that hurts."
Wait, why is Yame-san's reaction so carefree!?
"Yua, are you okay?"
"It huuuuuuuuurts!!"
"......"
What... is this chaotic space.
"I'll go cool a towel and bring it, so wait here."
Saying that, Yame-san left us behind.
"...Ah."
I was dumbfounded by the relentless chain of events, but then I noticed an ornament on top of the dresser was about to fall.
Probably the impact of her hitting her leg moved it, but it looked like it was about to fall on her right now... wait, this is bad!?
"Look out!"
"Eh?"
The moment I realized the ornament would fall, I dashed towards her.
I was desperate too, so pushing her down to cover her was the best I could do... but thanks to that, the landing point for the ornament became my back, and the incident ended with me just taking a dull pain.
"Are you okay...?"
"Y-Yeah..."
She, whom I had covered, was slightly blushing and dumbfounded.
Just by not having that glaring expression from earlier, her impression changed so much, I thought—and immediately, I tilted my head at the sensation transmitting to my palm.
"...Ah."
"??"
Then I realized it.
The bath towel wrapped around the body of the girl I pushed down had come loose, and my hand was placed squarely on her large breast... And she noticed it too, her face dyeing bright red at a speed incomparable to before.
"Sorr—"
"Noooooooooooooooooo!!"
At the echoing scream, I reached a state of mind similar to resignation, thinking it's over.
She disappeared into the back as if fleeing, and Yame-san returned, switching places with her.
"...Sorry, but could you tell me what happened?"
I wasn't keen on it, but I honestly told her everything that happened.
Even if it was to save her, I bowed my head saying I did something inexcusable, but Yame-san laughed happily, cackling away.
"I probably shouldn't laugh, but that was a disaster, wasn't it?"
"Ah, yes... um, I did something inexcusable."
"But it was an accident, and you protected Yua, didn't you, Takuya-kun? Then isn't there no need to bow your head that much?"
I'm happy she says that, but still, the fact remains that I touched her... breast and made her feel embarrassed.
"Even so, I caused her embarrassment, so if I can apologize, I want to..."
"I know this because she's my granddaughter, but you don't need to worry that much. I'll explain it to her properly."
"...That helps."
If Yame-san says so, that's helpful.
However, having met her here, there was something I wanted to ask Yame-san.
"Her... was it Yua-san? Is that girl by any chance an acquaintance of Mina?"
To that question, Yame-san nodded immediately.
"That's right. Yua and Mina-chan have been close since they were small, enough that they were together from elementary school through high school."
"In other words, they're like childhood friends."
"I suppose so."
I see... now it connects.
"Oya? But did Yua speak of Mina-chan?"
"Um... before, Mina indirectly told me. I only heard she had a close best friend, so I wondered if it was her."
"Ah, so that's it."
Naturally, regarding what happened when we just met... it's better not to say.
Well, but regarding that, I really don't mind, and rather, knowing there's a girl like that near Mina-san is, how should I put it, reassuring.
"Well then, I should be heading home soon."
"Is it that time already... what a shame. I've completely started thinking I want to talk more with you, Takuya-kun."
"Ahaha, that's an honor."
Yame-san's words were happy and reluctant to part, but that's it for today.
Then Yame-san saw me to the door, but as expected, she never showed herself.
"Rest assured. I'll tell Yua properly."
"Thank you very much."
Thus, I left the Yame household.
Later, I had a chance to talk with Mina about the events of the day... meeting Yua-san and about Yame-san.
It was when I was called to Mina's room to relax after finishing dinner.
"So something like that happened?" Mina asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah."
I told Mina about Yua-san.
Naturally, I withheld the part about touching her breast, but this is just one of those difficulties where I can't convey it, so it can't be helped.
"Yua was off today, I see. But I never thought you would get to know Yua in a place unbeknownst to me."
"It was full of impact right from the encounter."
"Ahaha..."
Mina laughed troublingly, but she told me about Yua-san.
"That child is by no means a bad girl. It's just... when she moved to Tokyo, it seems she got hooked by a terrible man."
"Heh... is that a story I'm allowed to hear?"
"It's the relationship between Yua and me, and besides, explaining it should make it easier to accept Yua's attitude."
"Well... I guess so."
I hesitated a little, but since we're here, I decided to have Mina tell me.
"Yua admired Tokyo, so after graduating from vocational school, she moved to the city. There was a man who was kind to her there, but that man was, well... shall we say, incredible scum."
"If even Mina calls him scum, it must be considerable."
No seriously, for that Mina to say this much is a big deal.
Compared to the countryside, the city... and Tokyo, where the population is most concentrated in Japan, has all kinds of people.
Specifically speaking, like that shitty boss I was dealing with for ages... right.
"It seems they got to the verge of dating, but apparently, that man had relationships with many women. When Yua objected, he made fun of her for being 'country-smelling,' or got angry in reverse saying she should tolerate not being number one... and well, because of things like that, Yua has developed a complete prejudice against men from Tokyo."
"That is... well, but if she experienced that, it can't be helped."
But with this, I understand the reason she said those things to me.
Completely just collateral damage from my perspective, but knowing there was a proper reason was good.
"Yua came back here complaining and grumbling, but she was laughing saying it was good it happened before she had a physical relationship with that scum, so even if she has thoughts on it, she shouldn't be grieving."
"I see..."
"But, I will send a message to Yua too. At the very least, telling her that Takuya-san is someone worthy of trust, and a very kind and wonderful person♪"
"O-Oh... Thank you, Mina."
"Yes♪"
I'm grateful she'll tell her, but that way of conveying it makes me blush... actually, conversely, won't Yua-san interpret it as me forcing her to say that? Am I overthinking it?
"......"
However... I quietly looked away from the smiling Mina.
I had been trying hard not to be conscious of it, but looking at her, I can't help but remember this morning's risqué negligee appearance.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, nothing."
"Fufu♪ Could it be you were remembering this morning?"
"Hahe!?"
Ah, I'm an idiot... by the time I thought that, it was already too late, and Mina deepened her grin.
"Takuya-san, you pervert♪"
Whispered in my ear, I involuntarily hid my face in embarrassment.
However, that was less an accident and more something Mina did knowingly, so I'm not to blame... I'm not to blame, so I should just act dignified!
"Regarding that, I think I'm not at fault."
"That's right. I aimed for it, so the bad one is me♪"
"......"
I intended to be dignified, but Mina was even more so.
She said she was the bad one, but far from looking like she thought so even a little, she started poking my shoulder, tsun-tsun.
I knew it was useless to say anything in this situation, and frustratingly, I didn't dislike it... so I accepted the poking attack until Mina got bored, but by the time she stopped, intense drowsiness assaulted me.
"...Fuaa."
For a moment, I let out a huge yawn, enough to forget even that Mina was beside me.
"You look very sleepy, don't you?"
"Well yeah... lately it's been like this all the time."
That said, it was already nine o'clock, so it wasn't surprising to feel a bit drowsy.
However, the reason I felt this bone-tired was likely because of the physical labor I’d been putting in lately with the weeding and the fact that I was finally getting a healthy amount of regular sunlight.
“Moving my body, soaking up the sun, eating delicious food, and spending time in a place where my heart can actually rest... I guess that’s what happens when you finally have a proper, healthy routine.”
“That’s supposed to be a good thing, but you’ve really been through the wringer, Takuya-san.”
Ah... Mina’s kindness really hits home...
I was sleepy, but I wanted to talk to her just a little while longer. I gave my arms a deep, hard stretch to try and shake off the grogginess.
But because I’d let my guard down completely, that movement turned out to be a mistake.
“Gah—!?”
A sudden, sharp pain shot through my body, and I couldn't help but grimace.
“Takuya-san!?”
“Ah... I’m fine, Mina. It’s just a muscle cramp.”
It was nothing serious, just my muscles screaming at me. Since I’d never done manual labor like weeding before, this was the price for holding those awkward positions for hours on end.
“It’s just my lack of exercise catching up to me. Don’t worry.”
I spent a few moments rubbing at the various sore spots on my body until Mina pointed toward the futon.
“Takuya-san, please lie down on the futon.”
“...Eh?”
“Please lie down on the futon.”
“No, but...”
“Please lie down on the futon.”
Overwhelmed by her sudden, robotic persistence—it was like she’d been programmed with a single directive—I gave in and flopped onto the futon.
“Face down, if you would.”
“Face down?”
“You can rest your chin on the pillow.”
“...Got it.”
I did as I was told and propped my chin up.
Since it was Mina’s pillow, her scent tickled my nose with every breath. I tried not to overthink it, but it was impossible not to notice. I was practically drowning in her fragrance.
“So, uh, what are you planning to do?”
“A massage, of course.”
“A massage?”
Mina climbed onto the futon and straddled my hips.
If I had been lying on my back, I would have been in a very different sort of trouble... My mind started drifting toward some rather indecent thoughts, but what I actually felt was pure, blissful comfort.
“Ohh...”
Her hands began to work over my body, kneading away the aches and pains.
“Does that feel good?”
“Yeah... It feels amazing.”
I wouldn't have let out a sound like that if it didn't. The sensation was so incredible that the drowsiness I’d tried to shake off came rushing back in a wave. I found myself letting out an even bigger yawn than before.
“You can sleep if you want, you know?”
“No... I’m not sleeping... I can do this.”
“You don’t sound very convincing with that weak voice... but you are quite cute when you’re like this♪”
I fought a desperate battle to keep my eyelids from slamming shut, trying to endure the lethargy. At first, Mina’s voice sounded like a lullaby, but as I forced myself to respond to her questions, the sleepiness thankfully began to recede again.
“You’ve been working so hard lately, Takuya-san. You built that sales site for my mother, and you’re helping out with so many other things around here too.”
“Well, I just want to be useful, you know?”
“It’s not just my mother, either. I’m just like her—I’m terrible with computers and things like that—but you always teach me whenever I ask.”
“Teaching is the easy part.”
“Even that would be more than enough, but then you go out and do the weeding too... You don’t have to push yourself until your muscles are this sore, you know?”
There was a genuine sense of care in Mina’s voice.
She was telling me that I didn't have to do anything—that I could just sit back and let her spoil me. It felt a little strange to think that myself, but after getting to know her and Reina-san, I realized they both truly felt that way.
“Don't say that. I don't know how to put it, but I feel restless if I’m not doing something. You and Reina-san have been so good to me, so I find myself looking for any little thing I can do to pay you back.”
This was the one area where I wouldn't budge.
“The two of you let me depend on you... and while that definitely feels good, the reason I want to do something for you in return is because of how much I value you both.”
“Eh?”
“Just being taken care of wouldn't sit right with me... but the reason that feeling is so strong is because I want to be your strength. Outside of my grandmother when I was a kid, you two are the first people who have ever made me feel that way.”
“............”
Maybe that was a bit too cheesy.
Fortunately, at this angle, she couldn't see how red my face had become. Out of habit, I buried my face into the pillow.
The moment I realized I was pressing my face into her scent again, I jerked back, but Mina didn't react at all.
“...Mina?”
When I called her name softly, I finally got a slight response.
Her hands, which had stopped for a moment, began to move again, resuming the massage with just the right amount of gentle pressure.
“Takuya-san...”
“Yeah?”
“You really are... such a kind person.”
“What are you talking about? There's someone far kinder than me right here.”
“............”
“Seriously, there's a literal goddess sitting right—”
“St-Stop it! You’re going to make me act weird because I’m so embarrassed!”
Oh, that was a rare reaction for Mina...
Since she was usually the one making me blush, I really wanted to see her flustered face. I tried to roll over and look at her, but...
“No peeking!”
“Gugh—!?”
She dug into my back with a particularly forceful knead, putting an immediate end to my attempt to turn around.
Mina... that actually hurt quite a bit.
“As a punishment, you’ll just have to endure a bit more massaging... I think I’ll make it just a little bit stronger now.”
“U-Um, Mina? I didn't actually do anything wr—agh!”
As I continued to receive her "care," I realized one thing: I should never, ever tease Mina.
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