Chapter 02: Footsteps that invite corruption
Minorisato Village... It had been several days since I arrived here.
It hasn’t even been a week yet, but ever since that day, I’ve been staying at the Anzai household, allowing myself to be spoiled by the kindness of Mina-san and Reina-san.
This house... and those two... they are truly gentle people.
It might sound like an exaggeration, but they are so kind and warm that I sometimes question if we are even the same species.
"I'm... really letting myself be pampered here, aren't I?"
Mina-san and Reina-san are constantly looking out for me.
They treat me with such boundless familiarity, as if we were family who had lived together for ages. Sometimes, I even fall into the illusion that I’ve always been part of this family... Well, I’m joking, but still.
"Though, that might be a bit of an exaggeration."
Just remembering it makes me a little embarrassed, largely because the physical distance between me and the two of them is incredibly close.
Especially with Mina-san—she lets her guard down so much it makes you wonder if she should really be this open with a man she just met.
“How was your day today?”
“Hehe, I'm glad it looks like you enjoyed yourself♪”
“Shiraishi-san from the neighborhood said Takuya-san is a good boy.”
“I spoke a little about Takuya-san at the morning assembly. The children said they wanted to meet and play with you too♪”
While the distance between us feels like a glitch in the system that makes my heart pound, my conversations with Mina-san are so enjoyable that I find myself smiling constantly.
However... I do get a bit troubled when she occasionally places her hand over mine.
"And Mina-san just laughs when she sees me looking troubled... Sigh."
Reina-san, for her part, looks on with a heartwarming smile... Sigh.
Actually, Reina-san also gets very close when we talk. On top of that, when she’s relaxing at home, she often wears nothing but a shirt over her underwear. That also makes my heart race, which is a serious problem.
"This... seriously, if this were the 'me' from before I knew the darkness of society, things would have turned out very differently. Absolutely."
I might not have gone so far as to follow my inner libido and do something terrible... but I probably wouldn't have been able to sleep at night from the excitement.
I was reflecting on recent events like that, but today, like every other day, I have free time.
I tried to think of something I could do for the Anzai family, but Mina-san and the others just tell me to keep relaxing, so I can't even take the initiative to clean the house.
"...Guess I'll go for another walk."
Since I couldn't just sit still, I headed out for a walk, which was fast becoming my daily routine.
"The countryside... it really is so peaceful."
By the way, this is about the third time I’ve said that line.
As I was walking, I made eye contact with an old woman wearing work clothes and tending to the fields.
"Oya, if it isn't Takuya-kun."
"Hello there, Shiraishi-san."
This old woman is Shiraishi-san, a neighbor.
She apparently turned eighty this year, but she is so energetic you wouldn't think she was that old.
Meeting Shiraishi-san was a result of these walks, and she knows that I am being looked after by Mina-san and her family.
"Working hard again today, I see."
"Ah-ha-ha! At this point, this is about the only pleasure I have left in my remaining years. Since my husband passed on, the fields are my lover."
Shiraishi-san says this with a smile, but I'm a little unsure how to react...
However, in times like this, I believe it's important not to look apologetic, but to mirror her smile instead.
"The hot season is coming soon, so please take care of your body. Well, you're still youthful, Shiraishi-san, so maybe there's no need to worry about that?"
"Goodness, you really know how to say things that make a person happy."
"I didn't intend to tell a lie. I could even call you 'Onee-san', you know?"
"Oh my, oh my! Even if you hit on an old granny like me, the only thing I can give you is vegetables~!"
No... I didn't exactly have that intention.
She beckoned me over, so I approached, and she gave me vegetables like carrots and eggplants.
"Is it... really okay to take this many?"
"It's fine, it's fine. Please take them home and eat them with Mina-chan and Reina-chan."
"...Thank you very much, Shiraishi-san."
Exchanges like this also make me feel the warmth here.
To begin with, I actually prefer interacting with elderly people.
The reason, of course, is the memories I have of my own grandmother.
Interacting with Shiraishi-san and others like this brings back memories of when I was a grandma's boy.
"Takuya-kun."
"Yes?"
"How is this village?"
"...I think it's an incredibly good place. Because everyone is so warm."
"Is that so, is that so. It makes me happy to hear you say that."
"Shiraishi-san... you're really kind too, Onee-san."
"Goodness gracious, this child! Wait right there! I'll go back to the house and bring you lots of fruit too!"
"Wa-Wait, Shiraishi-san! That's really too much!"
Of course, I felt bad about it, so I didn't accept any more than that.
Instead, she told me to accept it the next time we met, so it seems likely I'll be receiving some kind of vegetable or fruit again within a few days.
I continued my walk after that and returned to the Anzai house just before noon.
"I'm home."
By now, I was used to announcing my return like this.
I headed straight for the living room where Reina-san would be... but there, I witnessed something outrageous.
I opened the door, and what jumped into my eyes was Reina-san in her underwear.
"Wh—!?"
I immediately looked away.
"Oh, welcome back, Takuya-kun. I worked up a sweat so I was changing... Sorry for making you see an old woman's changing scene."
"...No, not at all."
Saying "Excuse me," Reina-san left the living room and returned shortly after.
This time she was properly dressed, but as always, Reina-san in her relaxed home mode was wearing just a single shirt over her underwear... I think this every time, but this is truly poison for the eyes in its own right.
"Oh, that's right. I received these from Shiraishi-san."
"Ara, again?"
"Ahaha... I got some again."
"Shiraishi-san is someone who often brings things... but considering that, you must have really been liked by her, Takuya-kun."
"Actually, she tried to give me fruit too, but I refused since it was really too much. She said she'd give it to me next time we meet, so I might bring some back then."
When I told her that, Reina-san gave a wry smile.
Immediately after, Reina-san made fried rice, so I ate it with gratitude in my heart again today.
"Sorry it's just something simple."
"That's not true at all. Any meal you make is delicious, Reina-san... so much so that I want to eat all kinds of things you cook."
"Hehe, I think this every time, but you really give me words that make me happy."
No, truly, without exaggeration, the food Reina-san cooks is delicious.
The fried rice I'm eating now isn't particularly elaborate, but there's a flavor that tells you Reina-san made it... combined with that, anything would taste delicious.
"Mina is the same, but I'm so happy when someone says it's delicious. Plus, you eat so much, Takuya-kun."
"I do think I should hold back a little, though..."
"You don't need to hold back. I like boys who eat a lot."
"...Then, I'll eat a lot."
"Yes♪"
Reina-san nodded happily.
Because she affirms me like this, I end up thinking that holding back would actually cause them more concern... And even if my restraint is subtle, she notices immediately and says things that make me want to accept her kindness.
"Maybe I'll use those carrots and eggplants to make curry tonight."
"Ohh, that sounds incredibly delicious."
"Look forward to it, okay?♪"
I'm already looking forward to tonight's curry.
Ending our lunch with that conversation, we decided to spend the short time until Reina-san's lunch break ended together.
While we were idly watching TV and engaging in small talk, Reina-san looked at me as if she suddenly remembered something.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I was just a little curious."
"Curious about what?"
Reina-san nodded and closed the distance between us significantly.
My heart skipped a beat at the waft of her sweet scent, and I waited for Reina-san's words, wondering what on earth she was curious about.
After staring at each other at close range for a few seconds... Reina-san said this:
"Earlier, did your heart skip a beat when you saw me changing?"
"...Eh?"
She was talking about the changing incident from before.
Even though I had managed to forget it, being told by Reina-san herself brought the memory back vividly.
Her voluptuous breasts, her shapely large hips, her erotic lace underwear... Because I remembered all that, I couldn't reply immediately, but it seems Reina-san took my silence to mean something else.
"Hehe, seeing an old woman change isn't something that would make you happy, is it?"
No, my heart absolutely skipped a beat, though...
Maybe it was because we had spent several days together, or maybe Reina-san's atmosphere caused it—I don't know.
I naturally shook my head saying "That's not true," and then continued.
"Um... I'd be happy if you didn't take this strangely, but it wasn't that I wasn't happy, you know?"
"Eh?"
"Because you are an incredibly beautiful person, Reina-san. You look so youthful I can't believe you have a grown daughter, your style is amazing... Honestly, if someone told me you were in your twenties, I would believe them."
"...Really?"
Reina-san looked away, seeming a little embarrassed.
It appears Reina-san has a habit of playing with her hair when she's shy, and there was a cuteness in that figure that made her look young.
Because Reina-san usually displays such adult composure and overwhelming tolerance, this appearance was far too fresh.
"Goodness, making an old woman like me heart flutter... you're a bad boy, aren't you?"
"I only wanted to say it because you call yourself an old woman and say things like that, Reina-san. I truly think you are a charming person."
Honestly, anyone would say the same thing, not just me.
Moreover, regarding Reina-san, even though it's only been a few days, having spent time together, I think she is a charming person not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.
"Takuya-kun."
At that moment, Reina-san placed her hand on my cheek.
We ended up staring at each other at a distance far closer than before, and I couldn't look away from Reina-san's eyes.
"Takuya-kun... do you intend to make me remember? Even though I already find you so cute I can't leave you alone."
"Wa, wait, Reina-san...!? "
She put her weight on me, and just like that, I was pushed down by Reina-san.
The voluptuous elasticity hitting my chest, and the pleasant heaviness pressing against my body. And Reina-san's hair hanging down as she looked down at me, tickling my face.
"......"
And... there is one thing I don't want her to notice.
That is my left hand, which failed to stop Reina-san, and is now firmly grasping her large breast.
It's being crushed between my body and Reina-san's body... but if I put even a little strength into my fingers, they would sink into that elasticity, and she would notice immediately.
"We're close, aren't we? Besides, Takuya-kun's hand is touching my breast."
"Gh!"
...It seems she had noticed.
Even if it wasn't intentional, touching a woman's breast could get me sued for sexual harassment... well, but Reina-san doesn't look angry; rather, she's smiling.
"How is it? Is it soft? I'm still confident in their elasticity and firmness, you know? Besides, my size is bigger than Mina's, a J-cup... though my stiff shoulders are terrible sometimes."
"......"
I didn't ask for that much detail... but a J-cup is a size I could say I've heard of for the first time... No wonder she gets stiff shoulders.
...Wait, that's not it!
More importantly, the current me has no answer for what to do in this situation.
It wouldn't be difficult to push her off with force, but there was no way I could do that to Reina-san.
"Your heart is pounding... isn't it?"
"That's... of course it is."
"Ufufu, I'm happy. My heart is pounding too... When I look at you, Takuya-kun, my body gets hot♪"
I could feel a bewitching charm from every single one of Reina-san's words, and a tension I had never experienced before was eating away at me.
Reina-san, who still wouldn't move away, slowly traced her index finger from my cheek down to my neck.
"Come to think of it, you saw Mina naked in the bath, didn't you? I wonder which of us looks more attractive to you?"
"Um..."
"Depending on your answer, I might get sad, so please answer carefully, okay?"
With a wink, she said that, literally pushing me to the edge of a cliff.
However, I still didn't know how to answer that question, and kept silent for a while. Seeing me like that, Reina-san laughed genuinely happily.
"Ufufu, I'm sorry. I teased you a little too much."
"N-No..."
"...Even your flustered appearance is cute."
Finally, Reina-san moved off of me.
She went straight to the freezer, took out two ice pops, and gave one of them to me.
"It's soda flavored, is that okay?"
"That's fine. Thank you."
"Your face was getting red, so this will cool you down nicely, right?"
"......"
Reina-san giggled at me as I fell silent.
Really, what were Reina-san's intentions with what happened earlier... or rather, if Reina-san hadn't stopped, what would have happened... Thinking about it makes my heart beat faster, but imagining it is also a little scary.
...Well, this is simply due to my lack of experience with women.
"Amm... Mn..."
Reina-san licked the ice pop with her tongue, chiro chiro.
Even though she is just eating ice cream, because of what happened earlier, it looks excessively sexy... and if I don't mince words, it looks erotic.
Thinking this is rude, so I tried to concentrate on eating the ice cream I was given... but, as they say, the desire to see something erotic... no, the desire to see something scary... no, is that wrong too?
Anyway, I ended up staring at her again.
"Hehe, the way I eat ice cream... are you curious?"
"Um..."
At her expression, which was once again erotic and provocative, I slowly looked away... but then, Reina-san let out a cry, "Ah!"
"What's wrong...?"
"Oh no... This is terrible, Takuya-kun!"
Wh-What happened!?
Hearing the panic seeping into Reina-san's voice, I genuinely got worried and turned my gaze back. Then, I saw that the ice cream Reina-san was eating had melted, and its remnants had fallen into the valley of her breasts.
"Help me, Takuya-kun! At this rate, my boobs will get dirty!"
"......"
Um... Excuse me, Reina-san.
You have a tremendously panicked expression and gestures, and your voice is flustered too! But there is nothing I can do about that!?
"Ah~ this is terrible! It's sliding down between my breasts... even my shirt will get dirty."
"......"
"Please, Takuya-kun! Won't you lick it clean for me!?"
"What are you saying!?"
No, seriously, what is this person saying!
Seeming not to care about my retort at all, Reina-san made no move to clean up the spilled ice cream remains... wait, at this rate, her shirt really will get sticky and dirty with ice cream!?
"Please, Takuya-kun! Help me!"
At her desperate gaze and voice, I started to feel a little strange too.
Thinking I had to help Reina-san immediately, I brought my face close to lick off the ice cream that was about to drip down, just as she asked.
"...Hah!?"
However, my mind returned to normal right there.
Coming back to my senses, I tried to pull away from Reina-san immediately... but Reina-san pulled my head into an embrace.
"Muga!?"
"I'm happy, Takuya-kun... Come on, will you lick it clean for me?"
I don't want to say... dirty, but because I shoved my face into her cleavage which was soiled by ice cream, my face is sticky.
The scent Reina-san radiates mixed with the scent of melted vanilla ice cream, enveloping me in a sweet smell that feels like it could drive me crazy.
"Come on, please, Takuya-kun."
Again... telling myself that I must have gone crazy, I ended up doing what Reina-san asked.
"...Ammu."
"Ah...♪"
Sticking out my tongue, I licked up the melted ice cream.
I think I heard Reina-san let out an indescribably sweet voice, but my mind was solely focused on somehow bringing this situation to a speedy conclusion.
But... regarding the act I was performing, I was able to understand it clearly.
"That's good, Takuya-kun... make it cleaner, okay? Come on, lick every corner... okay?"
It wasn't just the elasticity enveloping my face or the sweet scent.
Not only the taste of vanilla I was licking up, but the sensation of Reina-san's soft and smooth skin that I felt with the tip of my tongue—I was aware of it all.
"......"
Partway through... maybe I was entranced.
I was only able to pull away after completely licking up the ice cream remains, but Reina-san's chest was glistening with my saliva... and only then, in the truest sense, did I return to sanity.
"U-Um...!"
"Thank you, Takuya-kun. Thanks to you, it's all clean."
"...Yes."
"Ufufu♪"
Somehow... the fatigue is unreal.
I mean, I... felt like I thoroughly licked Reina-san's breasts... and halfway through, Reina-san was trembling and making erotic sounds... Ah, jeez! Don't think about it, you idiot me!
Now... after that time which was like heaven and hell caused by ice cream, a time so peaceful it felt like the world had switched over arrived.
"Hum hum hmm~♪"
Doing nothing in particular, I was dazedly watching Reina-san.
Humming a tune, Reina-san deftly moved her fingertips, working on making small accessories, which she said was her hobby.
"Hehe, are you curious?"
"Well, yes... I was just thinking that your skill is truly remarkable."
"I've been doing it for a long time, so I'm used to it."
Reina-san laughed as she said that, but the level of perfection is truly amazing.
"This... if I recall, you sell these at the Michi-no-Eki, right?"
"Yes."
The Roadside Station is located a little far from here.
Apparently, she sells these accessories through a connection with an acquaintance there, and they are popular enough to sell out within the day she brings them. Being shown this quality, I can only nod in agreement.
"Originally, it wasn't a hobby or anything, but I had too much time on my hands after quitting my previous job. So, thinking I wanted to do something, I looked through magazines and learned about this handmade stuff... and when I tried it a little, I got hooked just like this."
"I see..."
It's common to try something a little and get hooked.
But to be able to finish things of this quality with such refined skill, I think that is a kind of talent.
"I think it's really amazing. Especially this flower detail—wouldn't women want to attach this to their bags to decorate them?"
"Thank you♪ I can't see what kind of people buy them, but indeed, they told me that young women often pick them up."
I bet... I could easily imagine that scene.
Since she said it was okay to touch even though they were merchandise, I was staring at the accessory in my palm with the utmost care, when Reina-san giggled.
"It's embarrassing to be stared at with such fascination, but you're just like him who passed away."
"Him... your husband?"
"Yes. He also used to look at the things I made with fascination... He gave me words that made me happy, saying 'amazing' over and over."
Reina-san narrowed her eyes as if recalling the past.
Seeing this, I can easily imagine that her husband was a very important person to Reina-san, and knowing that Mina-san adored him too, he must have been a truly wonderful person.
"I'm not overlapping you with him, Takuya-kun. But it goes without saying that with Takuya-kun added to a part of my daily life like this, things have definitely become more fun."
"...Um, being told that makes me blush."
"I love it when you blush, Takuya-kun; it's so cute. So please show me more of those expressions and make me feel happy?"
Ugh... this is a proposal I can't honestly nod to.
But just as Reina-san said, when she shows me such a truly happy expression, I can't say no, and in the end, I nodded... The result:
"Ara ara, my oh my... you really are so cute."
"......"
Being called cute over and over, I had no choice but to look down.
It seems that to the current Reina-san, any gesture I make seems nothing but cute, and she started devoting her consciousness to stopping her hands and staring at me.
"Ufufu♪"
What is this atmosphere... what is this itchiness!
It's certainly an indescribable atmosphere, but having a woman who is a mass of tolerance like Reina-san by my side is... it's frustrating, but it's comforting... What do I mean by frustrating!?
"U-Um!"
I didn't dislike this atmosphere, but unable to withstand the embarrassment, I forced out a topic of conversation.
"I think these are all truly wonderful items! These days, it's not rare for individuals to sell things online; haven't you thought about that?"
Although it was a spur-of-the-moment question, Reina-san let out an "Ah~" and smiled wryly.
"Actually, I did think about that. But embarrassingly enough, it seems I'm not good at that sort of thing... I have a computer, but I thought it was too difficult, so I settled on the current form."
"So you did try once."
In today's world, the internet is strong after all.
It's not rare to run a personal site to sell things, and using a flea market site operated by some company is also an option.
"Reina-san, if you'd like, shall I make it?"
"Eh?"
"A personal site to sell these accessories. I think I'll make one, what do you think?"
"Um... can you do it?"
I nodded with confidence.
It's a skill I acquired thanks to being at that company, but thinking about it carefully, this was also a result of working hard because I didn't want that shitty boss complaining... and because I wanted to finish work as quickly as possible.
“You can do it if you try, can't you? C'mon, do this work too, chop-chop.”
...Jeez, I keep remembering unpleasant things.
But if I can use the skills acquired then for Reina-san's sake, I'll be overflowing with more motivation than when I was at the company.
"Let's see... certainly, various things might become easier. But are you sure? Isn't it hard for the person making it from scratch?"
"That might be true, but I kind of want to try... No, please let me do it—It's been several days since I came here, but I've just been spoiling myself with Reina-san and Mina-san's kindness."
Yes... the number one reason I want to try is that I want to thank them.
Arriving here by chance, I've been in a state where I'm constantly allowed to rely on their kindness... I feel comfort in that, and they also accept it and watch over me.
But still... as a person, as a man, it's a natural emotion to want to give something back.
"A warm place, delicious meals, kind thoughts... I want to give back even a little for all that. Even if Reina-san and the others don't seek it, I want to return it."
Having said that much, even Reina-san seemed to give in.
Neither Mina-san nor Reina-san tries to seek a single thing in return from me... I can't help but wonder how saintly they are, but I really dislike just continuing to be spoiled.
"...Goodness gracious, just how much of a good boy are you really?"
"A good boy... I wonder. I feel like I'm just doing what's normal for a person."
"Being able to say things like that in that way is what makes you a good boy. Well then... may I ask you to do it?"
"Leave it to me!"
Like this, I set to work.
Consulting with Reina-san on what kind of format the site should have, we proceeded while incorporating her opinions.
"Oh my... this is amazing. It's coming together so fast, Takuya-kun!"
Sitting right next to me, Reina-san seemed excited from start to finish.
Perhaps because we were in a posture where two people were looking at one computer, Reina-san was leaning her body against mine as much as possible, and her voluptuous swelling was constantly hitting my right arm... Ah, jeez! I'm trying not to pay attention to it, but when those massive breasts wrapped in a single shirt enter my vision, I remember the dripping ice cream incident earlier and become conscious of them.
"Hey, Takuya-kun."
"Y-Yes!"
"Because I'm watching this, I understand how difficult it is. But seeing you proceed without hesitation... it's very cool♪"
"Th-Thank you very much...!"
Being told that at point-blank range with a smile made my heart leap.
I wonder if I was always someone who wanted to be praised this much, but Reina-san's words carry a sense of tolerance in every syllable, so I strongly feel that I want to be of help to this person... Well, I feel the same thing for Mina-san too.
"Amazing, amazing♪"
"Re-Reina-san... gh."
Reina-san pressed her body even closer.
Facing a momentum that seemed likely to develop into a battle with my worldly desires, I steeled myself not to lose... and finally, before evening, the site was completed.
"...Phew!"
Honestly, the level of perfection was surprising even to myself, so the sense of accomplishment is tremendous.
Right beside me, Reina-san was looking around the site as if moved; it seems I really did a good job.
"It's truly amazing... Thank you, Takuya-kun!"
"No, no, I'm happy if I could be of help, even in this form."
Smiling right beside me, Reina-san stared at me intently for some reason.
Unable to withstand Reina-san's gaze as she stared at me without saying anything, I scratched my head and hurriedly spoke up.
"Um... I just wanted to do my best. Thinking that even skills cultivated at that company could be useful like this... and besides."
"Besides?"
"...This was the first time since becoming a working adult that I thought about trying hard for someone else's sake."
Even though I spoke because I couldn't stand the silence, this is embarrassing...
Reina-san continued to stare at me intently... but then muttered softly.
"Cute..."
"Eh?"
What...
"Cute... Cute, cute, cute...♪"
"U-Um... Reina-san!?"
"You're cute, Takuya-kun!"
"Wapu!?"
The moment Reina-san made a move, my face was enveloped—in Reina-san's large breasts.
Instantly, the memory from earlier revived.
Trying not to remember... attempting to hold back so as not to get aroused, but as if telling me resistance was futile, Reina-san strengthened her embrace even more.
"Jeez, jeez, jeez! How much are you going to make me happy, Takuya-kun!? You really are a wonderful boy... cute and reliable... Ah, jeez, Takuya-kun!"
What is the meaning of that "Takuya-kun"!?
While sensing a slightly dangerous atmosphere, I couldn't possibly shake off Reina-san's embrace instinctually... and for a while after that, I continued to feel the soft sensation and scent.
After calming down a while later, Reina-san let go, but she didn't stop smiling at me and continued to stare.
"Um... Reina-san?"
"Hehe, I'm sorry. Right now, I just want to stare at you forever."
This is it... this person says things like this too!
Looking away from Reina-san who was beaming at me, I looked at the clock and let out an "Ah."
"What's wrong?"
"I think I'll go pick up Mina-san!"
"Ara, all of a sudden?"
I'm definitely not running away, and it's not that I couldn't stand Reina-san's gaze anymore... it's not, okay?
"I think Mina will be happy too; is it okay if I ask you to?"
"Yes!"
Sent off by Reina-san, I immediately left the house.
▼▽
"It really is a nice view."
Endlessly wide, beautiful greenery mixing with the blue of the sky.
It's not that the cityscape of Tokyo is dreary, but it probably can't compete with this nature and delicious air.
"Mina-san walks here every day... I heard there's a bicycle, and she has a license."
I also got my license when I graduated high school, but living in Tokyo, I really never drove a car... My travel was almost entirely by train, bus, or taxi.
"Oops, is that the elementary school?"
Continuing to walk, the elementary school finally came into view.
That is the only elementary school in this village, and even combining all grades, there are only about fifty students.
The number of children is so small it's unthinkable compared to my elementary school days, but I guess this is a common thing in the countryside.
"...Feels like it has history."
Naturally, the school building couldn't be called pristine.
It's wooden and makes you feel its history, though there are places that make you worry if they're safe... I wonder what this feeling is.
This place has no connection or relation to me.
And yet, standing before the elementary school building like this strongly reminds me of the past.
"I used to play around so much with my friends... I caused my teachers back then a lot of trouble, but at the reunion, they told me I was cute."
The teachers, yes, but I wonder what my elementary school classmates are doing now...
While I was immersing myself in a sentimental mood recalling the past a little, I heard Mina-san's voice.
"Huh...? Takuya-san...?"
"Ah, Mina-san."
Mina-san was there, of course, and standing next to her was an older woman.
"What's the matter...?"
"Um... I wanted to come pick you up... so I just came, I guess."
"To pick me up! I'm super happy!"
"...Phew."
That's good... I was relieved that she was happy after all.
Mina-san rushed over to my side, but then turned around as if realizing something.
"S-Sorry, Vice Principal! I was so happy I just..."
"Ufufu, it's fine. That is the person you've been talking about lately, isn't it?"
I see... so this woman was the Vice Principal.
She certainly looks like a Vice Principal; or rather, her eyes look slightly sharp so she seems very strict, but her demeanor seems gentle...?
"Yes! This is Sumuragi Takuya-san."
"Oh, hello."
"Sumuragi-san, is it? I am Fujiwara, serving as the Vice Principal at this elementary school. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you."
Smiling with a chuckle, the Vice Principal exchanged a few words with Mina-san and then headed towards a car.
And as she passed by us in the car, she bowed her head, so we bowed back in response.
"She seems like a good person."
"She is a very good person. She cares not just about the students, but about us teachers too... She really is a wonderful person."
"...I see."
"But..."
"But?"
"When she drinks alcohol, her personality changes a little, shall we say... She rubs the Principal's head squish-squish while teasing him."
"What's that? I'm super curious."
From the flow of the conversation, the Principal is probably lacking in hair, and that sharp-looking Vice Principal rubs his bal... head while teasing him? It's purely curiosity, but I feel like I really want to see that scene.
"This village is small, and the interactions between people are close. So, in the not-so-distant future, there might be a moment where you witness such a figure of the Vice Principal, Takuya-san♪"
Mina-san said that and held my hand with a natural movement.
"Shall we... go home like this?"
"Ah, yeah..."
I couldn't resist her request as she looked up at me with blushing cheeks.
The walk back with just the two of us was quiet, and the setting sun about to sink beyond the mountains was illuminating us.
A sunset sky, and walking home holding hands with a woman.
If this were middle school or high school, or even college, it would be a scene of a couple going home perfectly... but maybe because I thought that, I started to become even more conscious of it.
"Doesn't it seem like we're a couple? Walking home holding hands like this."
"...Yeah."
And it turns out Mina-san was thinking the exact same thing.
While realizing my face was heating up at that fact, the sunset was hiding the redness of my face... Mina-san shouldn't be able to tell.
...Or so I thought.
"Your face is red, isn't it?"
It was totally obvious.
My cheeks grew even hotter at that, but at the same time, it was the factor that made me realize Mina-san was the same.
Because looking up at me, Mina-san's face was also red.
"Aren't you red too, Mina-san...?"
"Well... I suppose so. After all, holding hands with a man like this is practically a first for me."
In that reply, I felt something like a difference in class.
Unlike me, who wracked my brain trying to hide it somehow, Mina-san didn't try to hide it at all and confessed honestly.
When it comes to that, trying to hide it weirdly feels embarrassing in reverse.
"Um... It's a first for me too, this kind of thing."
"Does that mean... I am Takuya-san's first?"
"Um... yes."
Because of the way she asked, my polite speech came back.
I thought she would see my reaction and laugh at me again, but when I happened to look at her...
"Gh... That was a bad way to ask... I'm sorry."
...She was blushing furiously, looking incredibly shy.
Right now, her face is probably redder than mine... I mean, usually she has such a composed attitude, but seeing her like this in a sudden moment reminds me that, oh yeah, Mina-san is younger than me.
"U-Umm~... Takuya-san!"
Still with a red face, she raised a loud voice as if to forcibly push aside the embarrassment.
The more I was shown that figure, the more I, conversely, developed an emotional leeway towards her as a younger girl, and it became so heartwarming that I ended up laughing.
But... apparently, that was me letting my guard down.
Taking a deep breath once or twice, Mina-san completely regained her usual pace.
"Hey, Takuya-san?"
"What is it...?"
Smiling with a grin, Mina-san seemed to have thought of something.
I can tell she's plotting something mischievous, but Mina-san is so beautiful that even that expression looks good on her... Well now, what kind of mischievous words will she utter?
"From now until we get home, let's go back like lovers?"
"Like lovers...?"
"Yes♪"
What on earth kind of proposal is that...?
I understand what she's trying to say, and while there is resistance to doing it, if asked if I dislike it, I don't... But why all of a sudden?
"It's lover play. Since we have this situation of coming home from school, and it doesn't cost anything."
"Well... I guess so."
"So, from now until we get home, we are lovers. Since there's a two-year age gap, let's go with the setting that I am the junior and you are the senior, Takuya-san."
That's a weirdly specific setting... and isn't she oddly lively about it?
But lover play... I've lived twenty-four years, but sadly I've never had a girlfriend even once.
So even if it's acting, I can't do things like a lover...
"By the way... have you ever had a lover, Takuya-san?"
"...Sadly, I haven't."
Well, there's no reason to lie, so I answered honestly.
"Oh, then we are the same. I have lived for twenty-two years and never had a lover either. To begin with, I've never even met someone I thought I wanted to date."
Seriously...? Mina-san is incredibly beautiful; I thought it wouldn't be strange if she had several lovers in the past, even if she doesn't now.
"Since neither of us has had a lover, it's good experience, right? So let's act like lovers until we get home?"
"...Alright."
"Thank you♪ Then, please call me by my name without honorifics... okay? Takuya-senpai?"
"Gh... Then... Mina?"
Making up my mind, when I called her by name, Mina-san's body trembled.
It might seem like I said it without hesitation, but normally I'm nervous, and naturally, I feel embarrassment too.
"Let's go home? Takuya-senpai?"
"O-Oh..."
Shyly, Mina-san smiled.
Then I walked the path home again with Mina-san... but the atmosphere wrapping around us now was completely different from before; it wasn't uncomfortable, but it was an indescribable feeling of a delicate atmosphere.
"...Are you... nervous?"
"Of course I am."
"I am as well... but it doesn't feel bad, does it?"
Yeah... it didn't feel bad at all.
If there were a timeline where I hadn't made some mistake along the way and ended up walking home with a lover like this, surely that life would have been a continuous string of happy, enjoyable days.
"So, Takuya-senpai, did you do any club activities? What were you into?"
Wait, are we seriously keeping up this roleplay...?
Being called "Senpai" by Mina-san felt infinitely unnatural, but ignoring it would make me look like a wet blanket. I decided to play along with her little game.
"I didn't do anything in high school, but in middle school, I played baseball."
"Baseball! Oh, I would have loved to see that..."
"Ahaha... I wasn't that good, though."
Compared to me, the level of those around me was truly high.
Some of the guys I played with in middle school even got scouted by powerhouse schools. I really felt the gap in talent back then... well, I wasn't jealous or anything. I just honestly thought they were amazing.
"What did you do, Mina?"
"I was in the brass band until middle school, and in high school, I did Kyudo."
"Oh?"
My school had both a brass band and an archery club.
"That suits you, Mina... I would've loved to see you playing an instrument or drawing a bow, too."
"It makes me happy to hear you say that. It seems we both have so many sides of each other we want to see; it's quite a dilemma♪"
That's true... It's precisely because I've gotten this close to Mina-san that I dream, just a little, of such a world.
However, I wonder if she realizes it.
Mina-san is a beauty, attentive, and despite being younger, she possesses a sense of acceptance that seems inherited directly from Reina-san. Just her presence puts me at ease.
I feel like I've never met anyone my age this accomplished. Even if I had been in a place where we could have met when we were younger... I doubt a woman of this caliber would have ever paid attention to me.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing. More importantly, let's head home. If we take too long, we'll make Reina-san worry."
"Ah, you're right!"
From there, we continued our walk home.
I had grown completely accustomed to the banter with Mina-san, and I no longer felt any resistance to calling her by her name without honorifics.
As we tossed conversation back and forth as if we really were an upperclassman and his junior, I simply felt happy that Mina-san seemed to be having fun.
"...Really, a journey without a destination wasn't such a bad idea after all."
When I inadvertently muttered that, Mina-san giggled beside me.
I intended to say it quietly enough so she wouldn't hear, but at this distance, I guess it was inevitable... That's a bit embarrassing.
Maybe because of the situation, I ended up blabbing something like this:
"W-With this, I won't cause Mina-san and Reina-san any more worry, yeah!"
The words that came out on the spur of the moment weren't particularly strange.
I couldn't stay here and be a burden forever, so leaving the Anzai house eventually was definitely the right thing to do.
That was the intent behind my words, but...
"...Mina?"
"......"
Mina-san, who had been smiling just a moment ago, was now expressionless.
In the gloom of the setting sun, her face looked like a Noh mask. It instilled a slight sense of terror, yet because her features were naturally beautiful, even that expression seemed to suit her.
"Um... Mina... san?"
Umm... could you say something?
"......"
I'm sorry.
That slight sense of terror might be transforming into sheer horror.
"...Fufu♪"
"Eh!?"
Just when I thought she chuckled quietly, she suddenly yanked my hand hard.
"W-Where are we going?"
"Where? Home, of course. Look, it's right there."
True, the house was close, but the atmosphere felt entirely like I was being dragged into some dark realm!?
While the silent Mina-san pulled me along by the hand, I couldn't get a word in edgewise.
We arrived back at the Anzai house, but instead of going in, she pulled me to a spot just before the entrance—a blind spot from both the outside and the inside.
"Hey, Takuya-senpai... I think that when students walk home together, they flirt a bit more right at the moment of parting."
She looked up at me with upturned eyes as she said this.
"Flirt...?"
"For example... let's see. Like a quick kiss?"
"K-Kiss!?"
W-Wait, wait... this is just a lovers' game, right!?
If we actually kiss, it's not a game anymore... I'm assuming this is just her teasing me, but the look in Mina-san's eyes seems serious...!?
"Fufu♪ Takuya-senpai, you're panicking too much. But we are lovers right now, aren't we? Then wouldn't a kiss be normal?"
"No... um..."
The atmosphere was such that if I denied it, I felt like I'd be scolded.
Even though I was definitely not wrong, Mina-san's expression and aura seemed to seal off any option of looking away or running away.
"I'm going... to close my eyes, okay?"
Slowly, Mina-san closed her eyes and puckered her lips... No, no, don't say "I'm going to close my eyes" and take a perfect kissing stance!
"......"
But... I did find myself wondering a little what a kiss would feel like.
A kiss is an act between people who cherish each other... of course, it's not limited to just that kind of relationship, but at the very least, it shouldn't be done with light feelings.
It was already dark outside. We had to go inside soon or Reina-san would worry... but Mina-san kept her eyes closed and didn't move.
"Um... Mina?"
"...Fufu♪"
However, when I called her name, she laughed happily.
She opened one eye to observe me intently, then said "Sorry" and gave me another adorable wink.
"To recover a sunken heart, I think stirring it up with a little heart-pounding excitement like this is good. Look, you're smiling more now, Takuya-san. And more importantly, it wasn't a bad feeling, was it?"
"That... might be true, but."
Indeed... just like with the interaction with Reina-san earlier in the day, having my heart race like this made my spirit feel alive in a good way.
There was confusion because I had never experienced this before, but it was a completely different sensation from when I was at that company... It made me feel like I was actually living.
"...Why are you, and Reina-san too, treating me so well?"
This is a question I've been pondering endlessly.
Even knowing their kindness, I still wonder... simply because their concern for me seems far beyond what is normal.
At my question, Mina-san chuckled and opened her mouth.
"Because you are important to us. It's only been a few days since we met, but both Mom and I... think of Takuya-sa... Takuya-senpai as someone so important we can't just leave you alone."
Important... being told that made my chest feel hot again.
Since coming to this village, the things I've been told and the things done for me have stirred my heart in a positive way... just as Mina-san said.
Many things since arriving here have become emotional supports for me, but if asked who the biggest support is, it would undoubtedly be Mina-san.
"...Kuh... Haha."
But, despite the situation, I couldn't help but laugh.
It was because, even in this serious atmosphere, Mina-san stubbornly tried to stick to the Senpai-Junior relationship.
She almost called me by my name like usual, but seeing her correct herself abruptly was something I had actually been holding back laughter about since she did it... Ah, no good, if I relax I'm going to laugh.
"Wh-Why are you laughing!"
"Sorry, sorry. I just thought it was funny that even while talking about something important, you stuck to the Senpai-Junior thing."
"...That's... well, because that's the setting!"
From there, it was my pace.
Whatever tension the near-kiss had created collapsed into something loose and comfortable, which honestly saved me.
"Thank you, Mina. Since coming here, I think I've become energetic enough to be unrecognizable from my old self."
"I'm happy if you say so♪"
And in response to the smile she always showed me, I responded with a heartfelt smile of my own.
"Hey, Takuya-san, you got used to calling me without honorifics during our walk, didn't you?"
"Well... yeah. But that was part of the game, right?"
"What are you saying! Since we've already done it, please continue to call me without honorifics from now on. How should I put it? It makes me happier, and it feels more right."
So, it seems Mina-san desires to be on a first-name basis.
Mina-san... Mina—certainly, I felt like this might fit better now, so I tried calling her name again.
"...Mina?"
I still felt a bit shy, but there didn't seem to be any resistance to dropping the honorifics anymore.
"Yes♪ Please keep it that way from today onwards♪"
I nodded "Okay" to her words, but there was just one slight sense of unease.
It's something I've been feeling for a while... well, maybe 'unease' is too strong a word, but I feel like Mina is trying to maneuver me into her grasp.
"...Well, not bad, I guess."
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing."
I shook my head saying it was nothing, but she seemed curious and kept staring at me... and then, for some reason, she started saying her own name as if savouring the taste of it.
"Mina... Mina... Mina..."
"Wh-What's wrong?"
Suddenly chanting her own name in a whisper... no matter how beautiful Mina is, the terror was winning out. To be blunt, it was quite creepy.
It looked like a jujutsu sorcerer from an old manga chanting a death curse... Seriously, joke aside, it looked scary enough to make me think that.
"Yes... being called by my name warms my heart so much♪"
"......"
"Wait, what's wrong? You have a look on your face like you've seen a ghost."
I was scared of you muttering to yourself...!
The slight dimness around us, combined with her bangs hanging down as she looked down, completely set the stage for a horror movie... Well, seeing her lift her face and return to her usual self really relieved me.
"W-Well, don't worry about it! More importantly, we're making Reina-san worry, so let's go inside quickly!"
"Ah! Are you dodging the subject~?"
"I'm not dodging. I definitely didn't think that you looking down and muttering made you look like a ghost or anything."
"You just said it, Takuya-san! Wait, you were looking at me and thinking that!?"
I ran into the Anzai house to escape Mina, who stretched out her arms trying to catch me.
▼▽
"Oh my, you've started calling her by her name? Then you can call me Reina without honorifics too, you know?"
"Hey, Mom? I think that's logically impossible, you know~? Takuya-san is very polite, and he's not the type of person to drop honorifics for someone older than him~?"
"...That smug look on your face is incredibly annoying."
A small mother-daughter battle nearly broke out before dinner, but well... naturally, I couldn't call Reina-san by her name without honorifics, so it was quickly settled with Mina's victory.
I don't know exactly what victory it was, but anyway, that's how it ended.
"...?"
I was watching Mina and Reina-san's interaction when I noticed an incoming call on my smartphone.
Picking it up and looking at the screen, it was an unknown number.
Since I generally don't answer numbers I haven't registered, naturally, I didn't call back either.
"......"
However... it was undeniable that I felt a strange, incomprehensible sensation regarding that call from whoever it was.
To be specific, anxiety... or perhaps disgust.
What flashed through my mind was that shitty boss from the company... No, I stopped myself from thinking it could be him.
"Well then, Mom, please go ahead and take a bath."
"Ara, is it okay?"
"Yes. Takuya-san, will you help me wash the dishes?"
"Oh, of course."
There was no need to worry about such things. My world now revolved around this Anzai household.
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