Chapter 28: The Angel and Her Christmas Plans (2/2)

“I am used to, living alone.”

He felt his heart ache a little when she answered as though it had nothing to do with her.

Her face showed a bitter smile of self-reproach, probably because she was suddenly reminded of her parents.

“…Ah, erm.”

“What is it?”

“…It’s a really rude request, but even if you can’t make it on the Eve, can we stay together for Christmas, like this?”

For some reason, this proposal had him really embarrassed.

He had no special intent, but a typical invitation for Christmas had a special connotation to it.

Amane really did not mean anything.

He just did not want to see Mahiru looking alone with her head lowered.

In response, Mahiru blinked her eyes.

“Together? To do what?”

“Eh? Ah, nothing special actually, sorry.”

Once this was pointed out, Amane could not bring himself to invite her.

There was no way they could have gone out together, considering the troubles caused if he was spotted by others.

The only option would be to stay at home, but there was nothing that could really pique Mahiru’s interests.

They could only choose to stay together and do nothing, but the vibe would be extremely awkward.

I guess it might be better for both of us to spend our time away from each other…right when he was about to retract his previous thought, Amane found Mahiru staring at him silently.

“…Then, I want to play, that.”

Unexpectedly, Mahiru was looking really enthused.

Her slender finger was pointing at the television.

Or to be precise, the game console inside the TV board.

Mahiru had been around the past few nights, and Amane never switched on the game, but she looked really interested, “Well, I have never tried that…” She muttered her little wish.

It was utterly surreal for a boy and girl to spend Christmas together, playing games, when they were not lovers.

“No, well, it’s not like you can’t…I guess some games are fine.”

“We cannot?”

“No, not that we can’t.”

“Then, that should be good.”

“Y-yeah.”

Is that nough…so he wondered, but since this was her wish, he decided to do whatever he could to fulfill it.

At the very least, he hoped to bring a little joy to her. He had been in her care all this while, and she never actually requested anything. He was fine with letting her play some of his games.

“Well, who cares about Christmas, let’s just spend the time as it is.”

“I guess.”

Mahiru made a little smile that Amane dared not look at directly, and he nodded, nonchalantly turning his face aside.