Chapter 56: The Day after White Day (2/2)

He was a little moved, only to have some unnecessary words directed at him, and took some fries in response. Itsuki immediately apologized, but that was just like him.

“You are rather late.”

He returned home an hour later than usual, and welcoming him was Mahiru wearing the apron.

Are you some newlywed wife? So he wondered, but it might be because of the conversation with Itsuki. She did not have such feelings, but he started deluding himself. He felt sorry to her because of this, and hastily rid himself of such notions.

“Nn, went to eat fries with Itsuki.”

“…Right before dinner though.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll finish everything.”

He was capable of downing Mahiru’s cooking, and he did order small sized fries just now, so he not particularly bloated.

He was confident about finishing the usual amount of food Mahiru would serve.

“I wonder…if you will grow fat, but it might be better for you to gain flesh, since you are so skinny, Amane-kun.”

“You should be the one gaining some flesh. You’re so terrifyingly thin, it feels like you’ll snap.”

“I am not that skinny to the point of breaking.”

“Really? See, that’s how thin you are.”

Mahiru’s delicate body was befitting a girl. She was adept at sports, and thin might not be the only term to describe her; one could call her tender too.

She might appear fragile on first glance. He grabbed her fine wrist, and found his fingers easily wrapping around hers, so much so that he could have snapped her wrist if he exerted strength. “Do treat girls kindly and carefully” his father once taught him that.

When he held her hand, Amane worried that Mahiru was way too thin, that she might get injured if he was not around.

Same for the fine fingers, they might snap if he got careless. He wondered if it was fine for her to be so thin.

He seemed to be tracing his finger on her as he checked, and found her fidgeting.

She looked down, but towards Amame’s hand that was holding hers.

He noticed her faint colored cheeks, and realized he did something without her permission, hastily removing his hand.

“…Erm, sorry. I think you don’t like others touching you, right?”

“N-no…I do not dislike it if it is you, Amane-kun.”

These words had him doubting his ears momentarily as he stared at Mahiru, and she might have realized what she was saying as she suddenly lifted her face.

She was blushing more than before, her eyes moist due to shame as she looked at Amane, who himself was becoming restless.

“No-not that I want you to touch me. I just do not want other boys to touch me.”

“O-oh.”

Even though she said so, he could not stop his heart from shrieking.

Mahiru viewed Amane as someone close to him, and treated him specially, which he understood. Nevertheless, this would still cause his mind to wander. He hoped she would not explain it in this manner again.

“…Y-yeah. You aren’t wearing that thing yesterday. Ah no, I’m not demanding that you do.”

He asked, trying to cover up his pounding heart; Mahiru looked towards her write, and gently stroked the part Amane just touched.

“…It is a hindrance to wear it while doing housework, and will spoil easily…I wish to treasure it, and will wear it only on rest days.”

“…I see.”

Once she mentioned such an adorable reason, he nearly tumbled over in shock.

No boy would remain still when faced with such a cute declaration.

She treasured his gift, and intended to wear it well. Once he knew it, Amane felt various emotions rising up his chest, and he felt a fluffy pain within.

Doo, doo, he sensed his heart pounding wildly, his mind in a daze. He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down.

“…If you like it, I’m glad.”

“I really do, and I will really treasure it. Kuma-san, the key case, the bracelet.”

But I have been using the hand cream lots, she showed a little bashful smile. Amane had enough, and as he had not removed his shoes as he stood, he hastily removed them, and went to the corridor.

“…I’ll get changed.”

“Y-yes. Be seeing you, Amane-kun.”

It was his own house, but he felt as though he was being sent off by a new wife, and his heart palpitated. He hurried into his own room, and crouched down.