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Main Story 14 - Next to each other

RAW

Hiori sits down on a cushion near the bookshelf. I place the mug of iced tea in front of Hiori. And I place the bowl of marshmallows near it. And my own mug... I guess I’ll put it on the table in front of the cushion near the bed.

I put the tray on the study desk and sit down on the cushion next to the bed.

“Iced tea, itadakimasu.”

“Go ahead. Bon appétit.”

Hiori gulps down her iced tea.

I don't think it's particularly hot inside my room. Is her body hot because we walked from Zosol to my home? Or maybe, it was an inevitable accident but, is it because I hugged her? Whatever the reason, Hiori gulping down her drink is cute.

“Delicious. I can feel the coldness spreading throughout my body. I like that it's slightly sweet.”

“I’m glad to hear that. When Hiori ordered iced coffee at Zosol, you put one gum syrup in it. But, since there are marshmallows here, I thought it being a little less sweet might be better.”

“Is that so? Thank you very much. Now then, I'll have some choco marshmallows as well.”

Hiori grabs a marshmallow from the bowl and puts it in her mouth. I thought this when she ate her bento during lunch break as well, but the sight of Hiori munching on food is really cute. I take a sip of my iced tea while being soothed by Hiori.

“Chocolate marshmallows are delicious, aren’t they? The marshmallows are sweet, and the chocolate has a bit of bitterness in it.”

“That’s good. Then, I'll have one too. ...Chocolates that are a little bitter are good, aren't they?”

“It's delicious, isn't it?”

Hiori ate another marshmallow.

Earlier, I hugged Hiori when she was about to fall, so being alone with Hiori in my room makes my heart racing right now.

“Akito-san.”

“Uh, yeah? What’s wrong?”

“Today, you worked hard at your part-time job and served me as a customer. Also, although it was an accident, you saved me when I was about to fall. That’s why, I guess you could call it a thank you. Or maybe a reward. I’ll fulfill any one thing Akito-san wants to do.”

The look in Hiori's eyes as she said this is very gentle.

“I appreciate your feelings, but even if you suddenly ask me, I’m unsure what I want to do. I guess being able to be with Hiori on my day off like this is already a reward. Since this is after my part-time job, I guess you can even call this remuneration.”

“How very Akito-san. But you don’t need to hold back, you can tell me what you want me to do. Of course, it can't violate the rules we set before.”

“I got it.”

The rules she was talking about was the [No mouth-to-mouth kissing, and no acts beyond that]. As expected, I wouldn't make such a request.

What I want Hiori to do... huh?

The first thing that comes to mind is to have her feed me a marshmallow. But, I had her feed me tamagoyaki before. Since this is a rare chance, I'd rather choose something else. But, I just can't think of anything.

Until now, when I did something for someone, what kind of gratitude have I received? First, when I was little──

“...I just thought of a good one.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to pat my head. When I was little, my parents would sometimes pat me on the head when I helped around the house. I remember being really happy about that.”

“I see. I have a similar experience. I understand. I will pat Akito-san's head.”

“Yeah. Please.”

Hiori wipes her hands with a handkerchief and comes close to me. As a result, her sweet scent gently tickles my nose.

Hyori reaches out to my head with her right hand, and soon after, I feel a gentle touch and warmth coming from on top of my head.

“Thank you for your hard work at your part-time job today. You did a good job, and Akito-san is admirable. Also, you caught me when I was about to fall. Akito-san is kind and strong. Thank you very much.”

“No, no.”

“...How do you like the way I pat your head?”

“It feels really good.”

“That’s good. Akito-san's hair is smooth and feels good. That makes me want to say ‘good boy, good boy’.”

“Haha-.”

We were just talking about when I was little, so Hiori might have wanted to say, “Good boy, good boy.” Her ‘good boy, good boy’ voice sounds very kind. Hiori has a younger sister too, so she might be used to patting her head.

“Akito-san, you have a nice smile on your face. Are you happy to be patted on the head?”

“That's right. Thank you, Hiori.”

“No, no. I feel happy to be able to make Akito-san happy as a thank you.”

“That's good to hear.”

I'm happy that Hiori is happy just by being involved with me.

After that, for a while, Hiori continued to pat my head.

“I'm satisfied with being able to pat Akito-san’s head.”

“I'm also satisfied to be patted. Well then, let's talk about our impressions of the latest volume of [Miyabi-sama wants to be confessed to].”

“Yes.”

I pick up the latest volume of [Miyabi-sama wants to be confessed to] and on the table. I open the book facing Hiori.

“In the first chapter, the scene where Miyabi-sama and President Shirokane start flirting as soon as they are alone is good isn’t it?” (Hiori)

“It's because they just started dating after all. I think the part where their attitude is the same as it was before they started dating if they’re with someone else is also good.”

“I thought the same.”

Perhaps because we started talking about Miyabi-sama, Hiori's voice is higher than usual.

We talk about our impression of each chapter. Since the manga is pointed toward Hiori, she's the one in charge of turning the pages.

There are many people around me who like Miyabi-sama, including my high school friends and Tsukushi-senpai. But, once I talk to Hiori, her impression is the one I like the most.

Before we knew it, we finished talking about our impressions of the first three chapters. However, Hiori doesn't quite turn the page to the fourth chapter.

“Hiori, what’s wrong?”

“If things continue like this, I think it might be difficult for Akito-san to see it.”

“It's a little hard to see, but it doesn't hinder reading.”

“...Is that so?”

Even though she said that, Hiori doesn’t try to turn the page.

Just as I am wondering what Hiori is thinking... her eyes immediately widened.

“I’ve thought of a plan to make it easy to read for both of us. Akito-san, can you please shift your sitting position a little to the right?”

“Aah, got it.”

I move myself together with the cushion a little to the right as Hiori instructed. Where is she going with this?

“Is this enough?”

“That’s OK. Then, I'll move too.”

After saying that, Hiori slowly stands up.

Hiori grabs her cushion and places it right next to me. She sticks the cushion to the cushion I am sitting on and slowly sits down. Hiori opens the latest volume of Miyabi-sama, and opens the first page of the fourth chapter.

“I thought it would be easier for Akito-san to see if we sit next to each other like this.”

“...That's true. It's easier to see compared to before.”

But, my left arm is so close to Hiori's right arm that it’s almost touching. Because of such distance, I feel a slight amount of her warmth on my left arm. Partly because of that, I end up being more concerned with Hiori.

“That’s good. Now then, let's talk like this.”

Hiori said that in the same way as usual.

After that, we resume talking about our impressions of the latest volume of Miyabi-sama.

There were times when our arms touched each other and I got bothered about Hiori, but we had a lot of fun talking to each other. Occasionally, Hiori would say, “This scene made my heart skip a beat,” in a lively voice, it was cute.

After we finished talking about our impressions of the latest volume, we watched the Blu-ray of the first season of Miyabi-sama's anime until Hiori had to leave at around 6pm. At that time too, we sat next to each other.

“I'm going home now. I had a great time with Akito-san.”

“That's good. Please come again, Aoyama-san.”

“You're always welcome, Hiori-chan.”

“We just exchanged contact information, so if you ever want to talk about anything, whether it’s about Akito or school, feel free to contact me!”

“Thank you very much. Then, please excuse me.”

Hiori bows deeply towards my family.

“I'll walk you home.”

“Thank you very much. Then, until halfway.”

“Got it. I'll be going then.”

I go out the front door with Hiori.

The time is approaching sunset, and the sky is beginning to darken. When I look to the west, the sky is dyed a beautiful red.

“It's colder now than when we came back from my part-time job, isn’t it?”

“That's true. At this time of year, it's warm during the day, but it often gets chilly after sunset.”

“That's true. You said earlier that it’s only until halfway, but until where should I go with you?”

“When I went to Zosol, I walked along the wide road...”

“The wide road, huh? ...I got it. I always take it on my way to school. Well then, I'll go with you until we reach that wide road.”

“Thank you very much.”

I hold hands with Hiori, and depart from my house. It's starting to get cold, so Hiori’s warmth coming from my hands feels comfortable.

The neighborhood around my house is quiet even during the day, but now that it's starting to get dark, it feels even quieter. It might have been a good idea to go with Hiori even if it’s only until halfway.

“Talking about the latest volume and watching the Blu-ray of the anime of Miyabi-sama was a lot of fun.”

“I had fun too. Also, of all the people I know, Hiori is the biggest Miyabi-sama fan, you know.”

“I see. Out of all the people I know too, Akito-san is the biggest Miyabi-sama fan.”

“Ooh, that makes me happy.”

I want to talk about the works that I and Hiori like in common, not only Miyabi-sama.

“Also, the book I borrowed today, [Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Will Definitely Win]... I'll start reading it right away when I get home.”

“Yeah. Hiori can read at your own pace.”

“I understand. Thank you very much.”

It would be great if Hiori became a fan.

After about 3 minutes of walking from my house. We reached the wide road that we can take to go to Hagikubo Station and Kasagaya Station. I can see people walking and cars passing by here. There are many shops and convenience stores nearby, so it's more crowded than the neighborhood near my house. There's still some brightness from the setting sun right now, so I think it'll be okay after sending her this far.

“Is this the road, Hiori?”

“That's right. If I’m here, I can find my way home.”

“I got it. Be careful when you go home.”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Hiori waves to me and starts walking towards Kasagaya.

The back view of Hiori illuminated by the setting sun is very beautiful. Her long, silky silver hair is shining. I stand there until I can no longer see Hiori’s figure.

────

(T/N: I still don’t understand what ‘syrup’ or ‘gum syrup’ is. I’d say it’s a sweetener packaged like candy. Did I get it right?)

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