Chapter 30: The Angel’s Feeling Disturbed (1/2)

This is terrible. Amane looked towards Mahiru who was seated properly next to him, and sighed.

He had no choice after the tragedy at the veranda, and could only invite Mahiru in.

After all, if he tried to bluff the couple, those two would have strange ideas on their own. It would be better for him to be honest, and prevent unnecessary guesses and misunderstandings.

And if he did not shush them properly, what would happen next would be really terrifying.

“…Erm, I am really sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Mahiru sounded apologetic as much as she could, but this was the one thing she was not at fault at.

It was a White Christmas, the first snow of the season, so she could not help but go to the veranda to see the snowfall.

If Amane had heard the window open, he would have hurried over to stop the couple, but there so happened to be music blaring, so in fact, he did not hear it.

Mahiru herself probably did her best not to make a sound, and he did not notice.

Looking at the duo who were reflecting upon their actions, Chitose’s eyes sparkled as she brought her face close.

“So, your neighbor’s the Angel, Amane!?”

“Erm, please do not call me Angel if possible…”

It appeared the Angel did not want to be called so straight to the face, so she refused demurely. Chitose however leered away, and one had to wonder if she was listening.

Itsuki in turn scratched his cheek as he frowned, looking back and forth between Amane and Mahiru, frowning.

“Ehh, then…looking at what we know so far, Shiina-san’s living next to Amane, and often cooks for him, am I right?”

“…Yeah.”

“We-well…I owe Fujimiya-san a favor, and I saw that he was not eating healthily, so I was worried…”

Mahiru began to explain how the two of them met, and also how the relationship continued; “I see.” so Itsuki answered, but his face showed that he could not accept this explanation, somehow.

If he were in Itsuki’s shoes, Amane too would not have accepted this explanation.

There was no way an ordinary boy like Amane would have an outstanding girl like Mahiru taking care of him.

“Hmm, I sorta know what’s going on, but it’s incredible that you don’t have other feelings for Amane, Shiina-san. You’re already a commuting wife.”

“Pfft.”

The term he usually would not hear caused him to snort.

A commuting wife…the situation did seem similar, now that he mentioned. Every day, Mahiru would cook dinner for Amane, and during rest days, she would accompany him for lunch, and she would occasionally drop by to clean up. It seemed the case, especially when Itsuki mentioned so.

The difference was that there was no love between them.

And when Mahiru heard Itsuki say that, she widened her eyes, only to switch to her outside smile, “I have no intention to, and this is impossible.” she denied it.

Amane imagined her dealing with Itsuki and Chitose in the same manner at school, and felt an itch in his heart.

“Well, I have no bad thoughts at all, that’s why Shiina’s helping me out.”

“It’s fine when you say this, Amane, but this is a strange combination…the prodigy’s cooking for you…wait, was the doll given to Shiina-san?”

“…Sorta.”

“Heh.”

“Shut up.”

“But I haven’t said anything?”

“Your face is annoying.”

“Ow!”

Chitose was grinning away…or rather, smirking, leaving him uncomfortable while he was really frustrated.

They were checking the facts, so she was not teasing Amane, but he did not want her to be teasing him, for it would affect Mahiru. If possible, he would want to ignore Chitose.

“Calm down now, you two.”

Itsuki already noticed a change in Amane since the beginning, and did not tease him as Chitose did.

He was one who could stop before things got out of hand, and was an observant guy who could read the mood and put himself in other people’s shoes. Amane hoped that Itsuki would stop before this fact was exposed, but it was pointless at this point.

After coaxing a slightly glaring Amane and a thoroughly elated Chitose who had solved the mystery, Itsuki turned his body towards Mahiru and lowered his head for some reason.

“…Erm, Shiina-san, our Amane has been in your care.”

“Since when did I become your son?”

“Same to you. Thank you very much for raising Fujimiya-san well.”

“Don’t add on to that and make it sound like I’m worthless.”

“But you’re really worthless.”

“You bastard.”

He had self-awareness, and Itsuki had critiqued him for being too lazy…but he felt conflicted to be pointed out like this.

It seemed Mahiru could also play along with this joke as she seized the chance to play dumb, smiling as she watched Amane and Itsuki bicker.

While the smile was not as genuine as the one she would show only to Amane, it was not completely pretentious, and this too left Itsuki with a dumbfounded look.

Stop staring when you have a girlfriend, an annoyed Chitose jabbed at Itsuki…no, she was punching at him, which left Amane all the more bemused.