Chapter 42: The Angel’s Admiration (2/2)

“We’ll go when there’re fewer people around.”

“I guessed so. You haven’t gone too, Mahiru-chan? That’s what you wrote in the message.”

“Yes.”

“Since I expected this, I brought kimonos~”

It appeared Shihoko wanted to attend Hatsumōde with Mahiru.

Amane realized at this point why she was grinning away and carrying such a large bag. Once again, he sighed for the umpteenth time.

Shihoko liked cute things, and liked to dress people up. Surely she would not miss out on this chance.

Amane knew there were a few kimonos back home, and it appeared she brought them all.

“I dreamed of having a daughter dressed in kimono for Hatsumōde…I think it will fit Mahiru-chan well.”

“Mom, you just want a doll to play dress up on…”

“Not true though? A big reason is that I want Mahiru-chan to wear it.”

It’ll really fit her after all, Shihoko was utterly confident in thinking she was correct.

Though it appeared there was no clothing that would not fit Mahiru well.

As far as Amane knew, she had worn boyish clothing, princess-like clothing, girlish clothing with frills and lace a few times, and they all fit her well. It seemed a pretty girl could fit any clothing onto her.

So would the kimono, it seemed.

The Fujimiyas had only one son, and Shihoko would never let the chance to dress up a daughter slip by.

“…Well, if Mahiru’s fine with that, you can dress her up.”

“Why are you making it sound like you’re not going?”

“Well, it’ll be troublesome if the guys at school see me with her.”

If his parents went with Mahiru to Hatsumōde, they might look like family, so that should be fine.

But it would be problematic if Amane himself was to join in.

If those in the same year were to see the unimpressive looking Amane together with Mahiru during the shrine visit, he could imagine a hellish scene of agonizing wails after winter break ends.

After all, he did not want to go for Hatsumōde while bearing such risk.

“It’s fine if you’re not noticed, right?”

“If we aren’t, but normally, we’ll…say mom, are you actually?”

“Fufu, this situation is why I prepared so much stuff here, you know?”

“What do you mean, this situation!?”

There were kimono, juban, and little props. Amane felt she would not have brought that much luggage if it was all related to kimono, so it appeared she brought more just to mess with him.

“Shuuto-san was enthusiastic about this too.”

“Dad…”

“It’s a rare chance, so why not? I think that since it’s an annual thing, we should go together.”

It was hard to refuse now that he had spoken.

Shihoko’s suggestion involved Shuuto’s heavy emphasis on family, and Amane would feel bad if he were to refuse.

“But then.”

“It’s fine. Trust mom here. I’ll definitely dress you up as a handsome guy unlike before, Amane!”

“So you’re saying I look ugly now?”

“Of course not, your face resemble Shuuto-san’s. But the hairstyle and the mood around you feels so bland. It’s so boorish, as they say.”

“Shut up.”

He knew he looked boorish, but he willingly dressed so because he felt like it…and did not want to be pointed out.

“You could have been more handsome if you dress up a little, Amane. Just that you find it too much of a hassle…”

“Stop being a busybody.”

“What a pity…say Mahiru-chan, you want to see Amane dressed up a little better too, right?”

“Eh?”

With the ball suddenly on Mahiru’s court, the latter widened her eyes, and clearly looked flustered.

Amane hoped that Shihoko would not pressurize Mahiru that much, but Shihoko continued to press on without a care.

“If Amane dresses better, I think you’ll have a different opinion of him, Mahiru-chan. He actually looks decent there, you know? You aren’t honest with yourself, but he has Shuuto-san’s gentlemanliness. A little dress up and he’ll look like a good man.”

“E-erm…is-is that so…?”

“You don’t want to go to Hatsumōde together?”

“A-actually, I wa-want to, but,”

“Oy don’t sell me out here.”

Amane hoped Mahiru would refuse in fear of the really unlikely situation, and she glanced aside after he retort.

“…It is fine if you do not want to, Amane-kun.”

Shuu. She sounded a little deflated as she lowered her eyebrows, and he found himself struggling to breathe.

While she intended to keep her feelings to herself, she obviously found it a pity. It was not shown deliberately, but naturally.

She silently lowered her long eyelashes, causing a strong sense of guilt to arise within him.

You made Mahiru-chan sad. Shihoko in turn gave Amane a reproaching look, Just hurry up and give up. Shuuto in turn gave such a look, grrr, and Amane let out a little groan.

Surely it appeared he was bullying Mahiru here, no?

“…Alright.”

Faced with such looks, he could only surrender.